Jonchelle and Vanessa spent the rest of the evening doing their homework. Compared to Jonchelle’s new room, Vanessa’s was rather plain. There wasn’t much to show off her personality, pre-transition or post, just a desk with some books and a bed.
Vanessa had her math textbook spread out on the bed, while Jonchelle was laid out on the floor, stomach-first. She was running one manicured hand through her blonde wig and held a pen in her mouth with the other. She sighed as she was stuck on another question.
“Hey Nessa… What did you get on question 5?” Jonchelle asked, propping herself up and looking over at her friend. Vanessa looked down at her notes and then smiled.
“Oh that’s easy. It’s 12.”
“Thanks,” Jonchelle replied, quickly scribbling down the answer. She was about to move on to the next question when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in!” Vanessa called out.
A young girl shyly poked her head around the door.
“Hey, Nessa. Da...I mean, Mom asked me to tell you that dinner was ready.” She blushed a little, seemingly embarrassed. Vanessa smiled.
“Thanks. We'll be out in a few secs, this is Jonchelle by the way.”
Jonchelle smiled and said hello. Vanessa’s broth...sister flashed a smile and muttered hello before ducking back into the hall. Jonchelle looked at Vanessa and after a few seconds they burst out laughing.
“Oh my God!” Vanessa said once she caught her breath. “That stone is amazing. I can’t believe it. My father and brother are actually girls. This is so cool. Thanks Chelle.”
“You’re welcome.” Jonchelle replied as Vanessa pulled her into an embrace. If it made Vanessa happy, she would do anything for her.
Finishing their homework for the day, Jonchelle closed her book and followed Vanessa back out into the hallway where they found her mom standing by a small oven, waiting for the pizza to be cooked, and her brother was setting the table. She looked a little unhappy about doing this, but at least, Jonchelle thought, they were playing their roles properly.
After a few more minutes, the pizza was ready. Vanessa’s mom got it out and started serving. Vanessa and Jonchelle sat at one end of the table while her family sat at the other.
“So, um, Mom… How was work?” Vanessa tested after everyone had begun. She wasn’t sure what her work situation was; before the wish, she worked in construction.
“It sucked. It’s hard being a woman on the worksite.” Jonchelle and Vanessa looked at each other. Seeing this, her mom added, “Before you say anything, I know that I should be grateful that the company kept me on, but it’s hard to get anything done anymore when guys are constantly making passes at me.”
Jonchelle wondered how that worked; if the construction site was within the stone’s range then that would mean that it was new-boys making the passes. She smiled, marveling at how quickly everybody was falling into their new roles.
The conversation turned towards Vanessa’s younger sister who they learnt was now going by the name, Missy. She was dressed in a very androgynous way, in fact, it reminded Jonchelle of Karyn. She wore a white hoodie with a girly logo on it and a pair of ripped denim jeans. Like her mother, she wore no makeup or jewelry.
“So Missy...” Vanessa’s mom asked. “How was school?”
“Coach kicked me off the team,” she mumbled, staring at her plate.
“What? Why?”
“Because they’re only allowing the new-boys on the team.”
At this point Jonchelle and Vanessa had finished their meal, and since they didn’t want to hear Vanessa’s mom’s opinion on the cheerleaders, Vanessa excused herself from the table, saying that she needed to get Jonchelle home.
