Zoe opened the door, and instantly, her face twisted into one of scornful disgust. I didn't need to see or hear who was at the door, since there was only one person on the planet that could generate that look from Zoe; Linda. Of course, I had wondered what had happened to my mom, the one I had before all the insanity, as well as Mikey, but now that I was going to get those answers, I felt beyond nervous. Would she see me as her niece? Her daughter? Gender-bent freak of a son? Maybe a combination of the three? Gulping slightly, I took a few steps towards the stairs, hoping mainly to hide, and take advantage of the fact Zoe would be distracted by the person she hated most. I needed that stone.
"Nice to see you too, Zoe" Linda said, but the tone was judgmental.
"Likewise": Zoe spat out, making it clear she was anything but pleased.
"So where is she?" Linda asked in a much warmer tone. I froze, instantly on edge. Linda had to be referring to me.
"Who?" Zoe demanded.
"My niece" Linda said as she pushed past Zoe, allowing both her and I to take our first glances of each other. The magic that changed Zoe and I must had somehow affected Linda too, since my former mom had lost some weight, and her auburn hair was in a most feminine style. She also looked more youthful, but I suspected it was her not having to deal with Zoe's caustic mouth every day, rather than any age changes. In any case, she gave me a genuinely warm smile. "So how is my favorite niece?"
"Fine. School is .... different" I said, not wanting to drag Linda in those mess.
"I can imagine. Surprised that you're not dressed" Linda said, throwing another glare at Zoe.
I was put on edge again, but I managed to say, "My friends took me to the mall and forgot the time."
"Doesn't mater. I have one of you old uniforms. I hope it still fits" Linda said, throwing another glare at Zoe. "Come on. Your cousin is in the car and I know you don't want to be late."
Instantly, I was edge again. Not only I did not want to leave Zoe alone, especially since she had minutes early had wanted to send me back to kindergarten, but was nervous about this unknown activity Linda didn't notice my sudden anxiety; she grabbed my hand and pulled me out the house, and to her car.
"Careful" I protested since I was without shoes. I turned back, but Zoe had already closed the front door
"Sorry, but I can't wait to see you perform" Linda said, unusually excited, though I suspected it partly escaping with me and without having to deal too much with Zoe. Even with all the changes, i could tell that Linda still held distain for Zoe and it was mutual. "Besides, your the one right thing your mom has done is she left a pair. I grabbed them on the way out. Get them on when we're in the car"
"Huh?" I said, confused, hoping it wasn't my new heels. Instead, it was my hated school shoes, and reluctantly I opened the car door. I knew Mikey would tease me about the shoes for sure. I sat down, not bothering to see at first, but i was shocked beyond anything, even at my own metamorphosis to see that instead of a ten year old boy, a bored-looking sixteen year old girl was staring at her phone.
"Mom! Why did you make me come?" this strange new girl whined.
"Marie! " Linda scolded.
