Michelle and Diane got back to campus to start their junior year. They shared a room with Joann and Penny, much to Michelle's dismay. She couldn't be Mikey with Joann around. Penny may know, but Joann didn't. After some discussion the first week, the trio told Joann about the necklace. She immediately had to try it, and spend the afternoon as a guy. She gave back the necklace after a couple hours and asked to use it from time to time. Michelle put it under her bed in the container with her softball gear. All the girls would occasionally take it out to use it for something, but it mainly Michelle that would use it every 4 weeks or so. Celeste and Michelle started on the soccer team, and the other girls once again did the play.
Michelle looked at the pictures of Henry and Davis, seeing Davis become Davonne a bit more regularly. Apparently, his modeling career was doing well. He even got flown places to do some shoots on the beach, in various buildings and for various clothing and lingerie brands (he lied about his age, he confessed). He loved all the free stuff he got and free trips. He spent a lot of his time as Davonne, much to Rika's chagrin. He felt like his breasts were getting bigger, which he thought would be good to get him more gigs. If only girls didn't have to pee so much, he complained.
Mikey came home for Thanksgiving, seeing his sister and brother. Jon and Karyn were engaged now. Jon's business went wild and he was already being offered large sums of money by the "big boys," as Jon called them. Zoe was accepted to med school early. Jon winked at Mikey about that one. Mikey went over to Henry's place, to play games with him and Davis. They felt like playing some smash brothers. Partway through a game, Davis asked, "Hey Mikey, how is it being a girl without the necklace?"
"It's fine, a bit annoying. If you aren't careful, you may have a period. You have to get used to guys not taking you as seriously at baseline. Not to mention the fact that you have to kind of re-invent yourself in your mind a little."
"Periods are terrible. When I got stuck as Rika, it was shattering. Thankfully, Mikey was there to help me out," added Henry.
"I was thinking about going Davonne full time, but then I'd have to worry about that stuff. It'd just be easier to make money as Davonne. When I'm Davis, the stuff I guy turns into the boy version sometimes. But sometimes it just disappears. Random question, do y'all have sensitive breasts like all the time? It's been that way when I'm female me for the last month or so"
"My breasts are sensitive just before I have my period," said Henry with a straight face.
"I use the necklace when that happens to me, "said Mikey.
"Huh, guess it's just me then. Interesting conversation for us guys to be having, huh?" asked Davis.
"Comes with the necklace, I guess. Speaking of which, you shouldn't use the necklace to become Davonne permanently. Then we will be down to just one necklace for everyone, " said Mikey. The other two boys nodded in agreement.
Diane and Michelle went back to Deerfield and dove into the second trimester. The varsity volleyball team was undefeated for the few few games. Michelle was getting straight As and she was getting invited to some pretty elite schools for softball recruitment. Some were offering her a free ride. Mikey noted that when he was himself, there were no tours scheduled at schools for his interests. When he was home for Christmas, he again spent some time with Davis and Henry. During a game of Settlers of Catan, Davis, as usual, asked some girl related questions
"Do you two get really hungry for weird stuff when you are female you?" asked Davis while rolling a 7. He put the robber on Henry's sheep tile and took a card.
"Nope. I think I eat less. I also find I don't like greasy stuff quite as much, " said Henry, bummed that Davis took his only stone.
"I feel I eat about the same. I'm pretty active as Michelle, because of the training in the sports I play. What do you mean by weird stuff?" asked Mikey
"First, I couldn't have enough ice. Then later I wanted weird pizza toppings, like pineapple and anchovies. I never liked either as guy me, or as Davonne until like 2-3 weeks ago." explained Davis
"Maybe you are anemic? I heard about that on NPR once, " said Henry rolling an 8, which now gave him no sheep thanks to Davis.
"Have you googled it?" asked Mikey.
"No, but that's a good idea. Time out guys." Said Davis whipping out his phone. After a few minutes, he started to talk, "OK guys. It's called PICA. It happens when you have a vitamin deficiency, some mental health disorders....and women can get it when they are pregnant.:..."Davis mumbled.
