"You know I have nothing to do with that" I immediately protested. "May I remind you, no stone. All I've done this afternoon is been turned blonde, dragged out of the house almost the second I arrived back home by my mom turned aunt, turned into a ballerina, then forced into this ridiculous dress, all whilst you had the stone in your possession. Plus I'm certain you've done something idiotic like giving yourself magic powers." Even in my angered state, i was coherent enough not to mention Marie's sudden aging and regression. No point in giving Zoe ideas.
"But you wanted this, haven't you?" Zoe said icily.
"Why would I?" I protested. "May I remind you, 'mom' I've lost much more than you have. Least with you, its like some sort of continuation"
"You keep saying that, Joanna, but you haven't doubled your age overnight just because her kid wanted to dress up like a schoolgirl" Zoe snapped somewhat unreasonably. She knew when Karyn forced me into my original St Mary uniform, I had little choice in the matter. "Here is what is going to happen. We get home, and you're going to wish you could be five again. Then everyone is happy."
"Not going to happen mom" I growled. I certainly didn't want to lose my freedoms and grow up again, this time as a girl. Knowing Zoe, I'd probably be a very girly one too, despite Zoe's past gothiness.
"So you're rather remain as some blonde, boy-crazy, ditzy airheaded girl..." Zoe said menacingly, as she glared at me.
"Of course not, but we know the stone loves irony. It'll probably make me five and leave you as you are, having to deal with a bratty, foul mouthed, and pissed off little girl. Why did you call me 'Donaldson' anyway? You know that is not like our last name. Are we going to find 'daddy' waiting for us when we get home?" I asked, wanting to get Zoe out of my face. It worked. She instantly paled, almost to the point of looking like her normal self and her angry eyes were instantly replaced by frightened ones. Zoe rushed back to her seat, and immediately restarted the car. She took off; fast.
"Mom? Z.. Zoe? Slow down. I don't want us to get hurt. Look, I'm sorry" I stammered, but Zoe couldn't or wouldn't pay attention. All she could do whilst driving was mutter to herself in some kind of madness mantra was, "I'm not a housewife.." It seemed the idea of being a wife was more horrifying to Zoe than being 'old'. We arrived home in record time, and she leapt out of the car, leaving me alone. By the time I walked in myself, Zoe had exited her bedroom, and was rushing back down the stairs.
"Joanna. Help me search" Zoe demanded.
"What?"
"Signs that a guy has lived here. My room is clear. Look for photos, anything out of place.."
"Try your hand" I said as I held up my left hand. Zoe winced, figuring out I meant 'check out for any rings', unsteadily looked at her hand. Immediately, she gave a furious sigh. No ring.
"That isn't funny, young lady" Zoe snapped.
"Rather than tear up the house, you should look in the most logical place.
"Just don't do that. You made me think I was married! Arrgghh! I'll see you in the morning, Good night" Zoe snapped as she stormed bad-tempered back up the stairs and to her room. I didn't even bother to look for the stone, since Zoe probably hid it in her room, plus i was too unnerved by the events of the day to even think of any kind of wish. Instead, i went up into my own, now teen girl, room
