Lake Point High School, Principal's Office Lobby
Nicole had sent a text to Sarah, but had not heard back from her. In the meantime, she had decided to keep doing what she had been doing ever since she zapped herself and Melissa Smith with the Babe Gun: Look after things around the Principal's lobby, tell the Principal when people came to turn in more Transformation Guns, get updates on her phone from those who were still looking for Transformation Guns, and talking with her friends and fellow students who were in the Lobby with her.
Melissa Smith was talking with Chris Morgan, mentioning a few hair care products she recommended, as well as some outfit suggestions for Chris' new body. Chris listened with interest, and when Melissa suggested going on a shopping trip to the mall this weekend, Chris said "I think I'd like that. Thanks."
The old Chris Morgan had generally been a decent sort, with a good sense of fair play, and was generally the sort who always looked out for people and helped to defuse arguments among the jocks. The new Chris Morgan was a female version of that person, who seemed to be adjusting to her change surprisingly well. Of course the Babe Gun's effects probably had much to do with it.
Amber Levine was basically just lounging around, staying in the Lobby to wait it out. Amber was the sort who liked to help out whenever she could, but she didn't know how she could help with the whole Transformation Gun thing. And she wanted to remain herself if at all possible. Plus remaining classes for the day clearly were not going to go on as scheduled, so she really did not have much else to do except stay with her friends and help out around the Lobby.
Biff had barely spoken since arriving at the Lobby. The less people knew who that strange boy in the corner was, the better. Of course, everyone present knew who he was, but he didn't want any other visitors who showed up to speak with the Principal or turn in any more Transformation Guns to know. It was just too embarrassing.
Kyla Leeson was recharging her cell phone. Nicole hadn't spoken with Kyla much before the Transformation Gun crisis, mostly because Nicole was with the cheerleaders and the 'popular' crowd and Kyla was a geek.
However, now Nicole felt that Kyla was someone she could get along with after all. Part of it may be that being zapped with the Geek Gun caused Nicole to look at Kyla and other geeks with different eyes, now that she understood geek culture better. And part of it was the fact that Kyla had genuinely felt terrible about zapping Melissa with the Fat Gun, and was also genuinely relieved when Nicole zapped Melissa with the Babe Gun. Kyla really wasn't a bad person, and hadn't been deserving of the mockery some people in the 'popular' crowd had inflicted on her. Indeed, while Kyla was shy and inhibited at times, she was actually a decent person when one got to know her.
Of course there was the fact that everyone was all in this crazy mess together, so old divisions were being put aside.
Nicole suddenly heard the 'text' tone from her cell phone. She checked. The text was from Sarah.
Sarah: We found Jon and the stone. Did you tell anyone about the stone?
Nicole: Not really. I didn't want to get people's hopes up.
Sarah: Good. Don't mention the stone to anyone. Don't talk about it.
Nicole: Why? Did it turn out to be fake or something?
Sarah: No, but it's complicated. It's best not to talk about the stone. But it did tell us about another way to restore Biff and the others.
Nicole: Really?
Sarah: I think I'd better call you to talk. It'll be easier.
Not long after that, Nicole's phone rang, and she answered it.
"Nicole, who's there with you?" Sarah asked.
"Just Melissa, Chris, Amber, Biff, and Kyla." Nicole said. "Reggie and Brad went back to the cafeteria with the nurse and Yuki Meshida."
Nicole decided not to mention how Steve Farber was now transformed into a prudish girl and was wandering the school apologizing for Steve's previous behavior. That was a subject for later.
"Good." Sarah said. "Is Kyla still in touch with her cousin who works at my dad's company?"
"Yes." Nicole said. "She's been texting him back and forth several times the past hour or so. Why?"
"Did Kyla say he said anything about Restoration Guns?" Sarah asked.
Nicole stopped. She turned the phone on to speaker mode so the others in the room could hear. She then turned to Kyla.
"Kyla, did your cousin say anything about Restoration Guns?"
Kyla was stunned. "No. This is the first time I've heard of them. Why?"
"We just heard that your cousin and Jay Duncan's mother are even now opening up a storage locker full of Restoration Guns." Sarah said. "These things can undo the effects of the Transformation Guns. That means those who want to can be changed back any time within the next month."
"Really?" Biff asked, perking up.
"Really. You think I'd joke about something like this?" Sarah asked. "We found out about this from what we think is a reliable source, but just in case... Kyla, I'd like you to call your cousin and ask about these Restoration Guns."
"I'll get on it. As soon as my phone's got enough energy." Kyla replied.
"Wait." Nicole said. "What was that you said about 'within the next month'?"
Sarah paused. "If our source is right, then these Restoration Guns won't undo any transformation that's lasted more than thirty days. It's another thing to ask Kyla's cousin and the others at MTI about."
"It still sounds good." Kyla said. "I mean, it seems like half the students here have family at McMillan Tech Industries. We shouldn't have to worry about being left behind."
"Yes." Sarah said. "Just make sure your cousin and the others know there are people here in need of their help."
"Got it." Kyla said.
Nicole paused. She was glad to see that Sarah was in 'take charge' mode. But there were some questions she needed to ask.
"Sarah, how are you? Are you all right?"
"I'm all right. Don't worry." Sarah said. "Jon and Karyn and I came to an understanding. We've worked a few things out, and I think things are going to be better from now on."
"Did you hear the news?" Nicole asked. "About your dad?"
"I heard." Sarah said, her tone darkening a little. "But I think he's going to be okay. At least I hope so."
"Are you coming back to the school?" Nicole asked.
"I don't know." Sarah said. "Normally, school would be letting out within the hour, but this hasn't really been a normal day."
"Understatement of the century." Melissa Smith commented.
"Anyway, I need some time to relax. A lot has happened and I need to try to take it all in." Sarah replied.
"I understand." Nicole said "Take care, okay?"
"One more thing before I go." Sarah said. "Biff, tell Reggie I think Mrs. Williams is going to be all right after all."
"Okay." Biff said simply.
"Talk to you later. If anything changes over there, let me know." And with that, Sarah ended the phone call.
Nicole turned to the others. "It's been a VERY long day. But it seems things are finally looking up."
Nicole knew that things would never be the same either in the world nor in their little corner of the world, even after the Restoration Guns were recovered. But she knew at least that this long strange day would be coming to an end soon, and they would likely have plenty of time to work out where to go from here.
In the meantime, they just needed to wait and see if students and faculty turned in more Transformation Guns, as well as hear from Ryan Leeson and the others at McMillan Tech Industries.
