Things moved quickly, and I found myself back in the ballet studio. I had mixed feelings, though though the thought of doing ballet wasn't as repulsive as last time. i knew I was good at it; what remained of my male ego was, of course, highly embarrassed and annoyed that the good good physical activity I was good at was something so stereotypically girly, but the more dominant, and growing, girlish side was delighted. Of course, I was 10, maybe 11 last time. Now I was six, No, I was more worried why i was six again. To punish me? Surely my dream/nightmare meant something. I didn't want to be a teen bimbo any more than being some powerless, stereotypical over the top girly little girl. Give me 'girl memories' by making me live them? I wasn't too sure about that, since my fears of being another awkward, clumsy, uncoordinated little girl was unfounded. I still had my old muscle memory, with the 'benefit' of not having my bigger teen ass or breasts getting in the way. I glanced over at Katie, Paige and Emily. All three were seemingly enjoying themselves, but they were awkward, clumsy and very uncoordinated little girls. I could sense from the couple of stares at me, a slight hint of jealousy too.
"What's wrong?" I asked Katie during a slight break.
"Its not fair!" she whined.
I knew what was coming, but i asked it anyway. "You'll get better, Katie."
"But its not fair! Last night you almost did want to play dress up and with my dolls. Its almost like you're some dumb icky boy, yet you're super girly the moment you put on your ballet clothes" Katie whined.
I stared surprised. How on Earth did the older me be 'friends' with this brat? It certainly wasn't the ideal way to 'make' memories, though it seemed the reality that I never had, had me playing dolls and doing typical girlish activities, "Don't call me a gross boy! I play with dolls and its not my fault you're dancing like some icky dumb boy" I snapped, much to my surprise. I certainly didn't mean to say that. Was it another case of the magic forcing me to say things, similar to how I couldn't express mom as anything other than 'mom'. Or was it another case of the magic molding me further into being Joanna.
"Katie" Paige scolded, seemingly the peacemaker in the group. Ignoring the now pouting Katie, Paige said, "Annie... Don't be mean. We all wish we were..."
I was saved from having to answer, since class resumed, but I was fuming. I didn't have the patience to deal the all this, and worse, I knew I was turning more into Anna, or rather Annie. Even an hour ago, i would had said something more mature. Now , I was starting talking like the little girl I appeared to be. I even was starting to have some desires. I was also worried about the word 'wish'. I knew Paige was going to say that she and the other girls wanted to be more like me. It was bad enough that the stone had robbed them of their age, just to give me some 'friends'. Sure, it felt nice to have a group of friends, even Katie, but it felt fake.
Ignoring the others, I focused on the lesson. Once it was over, I stormed off to the changerooms. I certainly didn't feel like talking. Especially to Katie. I was angry at her comments, and was slightly concerned that it would trigger some kind of change in me. I grabbed my clothes, and put on my dress. Once on, I stared in a mirror and could help but do a few ballet poses. i giggle brought me back to reality. I initially feared it was the others, that Paige or someone that held the other girls back to let me change and vent, but it was worse. It was Sarah. She was still ten, dressed very tomboyish and highly bemused.
"Why are you alone?" she demanded. "I saw the others go into the other change rooms, Feeling shy?"
"Katie and I had a fight. She called me a dumb boy" I blurted out.
Sarah giggled, her amusement growing. "You? I don't think many would wear pink dresses and pose in front of mirrors..."
"Shut up" I moaned, knowing I was blushing. I could tell she was torn between wanting to tease me, really mock me, or just get me out of there. "What are you wearing?" I countered. Sarah was wearing jean overalls, no makeup and was generally looking the more tomboyish I had ever seen her. She reminded me of a younger, pre-wish Karyn.
Sarah scowled "Don't you start. You think i wanted to wear... this? Anyway, mom is waiting in the car and I know she will be happy to see you"
