That was probably the best answer he would get out of Zoe, and it was actually a relief. If she had made a bigger deal about the shorts, then maybe he would worry. But he decided to just go with the shorts and let the rest of the world deal with it.
Jon thought about that attitude for a minute. It felt . . . new. Maybe the stone didn't actually change anyone else's opinion of him. Maybe it just gave him the confidence to wear tighs out in the open.
Mom broke up Jon's thinking when she called out that dinner was ready, and her two kids jumped up from their seats and went to the dining room. Mom looked up from the table just as they ended the room. And she just smiled.
"You know, for as much as you two bicker, you really are a lot alike. Same hair, same height, and always wearing tights whereever you go."
"Uh, thanks, I guess." Jon said. Zoe replied by flopping into a chair. She made a wounded, deflated noise as she did. Mom just kept smiling as she and her children sat down for dinner.
As they ate, Jon thought he should go out somewhere and be seen in public in his tights before school tomorrow. A test run. And he knew just where to go.
Jon waited until dinner was over and they were cleaning off the table before asking, "Hey, could I go down to Scoops to get some ice cream?" Scoops was a small coffee and ice cream shop down the road in one of those town squares that seemed to be popping up everywhere. There should be a small crowd there, and Jon felt a bit like being an exhibitionist.
Zoe looked up quickly from her lasagna. "I'm going with you." Zoe said, as if she had any say in the matter.
Mom took a levels gaze at Jon and asked, "Are you going to change?"
Jon met his Mom's slightly challenging gaze, "No, I think I'm good."
"Then take your sister and have fun."
Zoe smiled and stuck her tongue out at Jon. He scoffed, but didn't actually care that much. He ran back to his room and sent Karyn a quick text, asking her if she wanted to meet him, and then grabbed his keys and wallet and started to put them in his pockets.
Except girls track shorts didn't believe in pockets. Jon stood there for a minute, like a dope,, trying to figure out what to do. And then he remembered his messenger bag, which he usually just used for his laptop. he stuffed his keys and wallet in there, and after thinking a moment, added the wishing stone. It was probably a good idea to keep the stone near him. Jon's cell buzzed just as he slung the bag over his shoulder. Karyn was on her way to the shop.
Jon bounded out of his room and outside. The cooling night air soaked into his tights. It was legitimately amazing to Jon how good he felt, and his nylons were only a part of it. He heard the door slam shut behind him.
"Let's go, tights-boy."
"I think you mean tights-man," Jon replied as he and Zoe walked down the sidewalk to his car.
