Sarah pointed down the hall to their math class. "I really do have to go to the bathroom. But you head on back to class, sit in your seat, and wait for me there," she told Jon. "And actually," her smile widened, "flirt with anyone that gives you attention in the class. Except Mr. Williams, of course, gross. Now, off you go," she made motions as if to shoo Jon down the hall as she ducked into the women's restroom.
Jon's half-smile remained stuck to his face. He tried to relax to a more neutral facial expression, but couldn't. Sarah said to smile, Kyla's timid voice piped up. He sighed - but only on the inside. Outside, he continued to clack one heel in front of the other, his hips swaying from side to side. I just need to make it to the bell and to get Karyn to see me.
He opened the door to the class and sashayed his way in, across the room and to the back row. Brian in the second row made eye contact, looked Jon up and down, made eye contact again, and gave Jon an approving nod with a self-amused smile. Jon felt his smile become as sultry as he could make it, and found himself blowing a kiss and winking at Brian. Walking to his seat, Jon heard Heidi say to herself, "God, Jon's so hot." He was leaning down to whisper in her ear, "Right back at you, Heidi," and running his fingers up her arm, before he knew what he was doing.
Then he sat down and... just waited. The worksheet sat on his desk, a few problems remaining, but Jon couldn't bring himself to look down at it and even attempt at anything. He was just waiting.
Why would you want to do anything else? he heard Abby ask him. Sarah wanted us to wait for her and she ALWAYS knows what's best!
YOU are a child and a sycophant, Jon shot back.
A few minutes later, Sarah came in and sat down, observing Jon closely the entire walk to her seat. Her smile was small but delighted. "Have you really been stuck sitting in your seat, waiting for me?" she asked with glee.
Jon turned to face her. "You know I have," he snarled through the smile still stuck on his face.
She tsked. "Now, now, Jon, that's no way to address me. Nothing but genuine respect from now on, understood?"
Jon felt himself bow his head slightly. No, damn it, don't! But Kyla's voice's popped in. We don't know what she'll do if we don't. And Mollie added, It's not worth it to disagree.
"Of course, Sarah, my apologies," he found himself saying with warmth and kindness. "Can I please have control of my face back and not be forced to maintain this smile, at least?"
Sarah tilted her head in amusment. "I don't see why not." Jon's face finally relaxed, although he found he still couldn't make anything close to the angry face he wanted to. This is absolute torture.
"You know what's funny, Jon?" Sarah leaned in. "My absolute worst fear? Is that I would be forced to be subservient to everyone else around me. I blame my parents and how they raised me, of course. But can you possibly imagine how awful it would be, to be completely controlled in all things by everyone, no matter how powerful or worthless they are? And here I have you basically being forced to live a very specific version of that fear. You know, I'm seeing it from the other side now and I'm not sure if it's helping me overcome my fear or make it worse!" She smiled. "Tell me, Jon, what's your worst fear?"
Jon found himself responding before he could help himself. "Not being able to be myself."
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Is this some kind of complaint about conformity? That's incredibly boring." She put a finger to her lips in thought. "You know, Jon, I think you could just use a little teamwork, a little team spirit, and that'll help solve that fear of yours, don't you think? And you know what? I have just the solution!"
She reached across the aisle and put her hands on his. "You should join the cheerleading team."
Jon's eyes widened. He willed himself not to say anything.
"And you know, it'll really be more fun for you if you decide to join of your own free will. So right now, you can make whatever decision you want. I give you the freedom to do so. I want you to make the choice to join the team yourself without any of my influence." Sarah grinned and squeezed Jon's hands.
"This is a trick," he responded.
"Nope! This is your choice. I mean, I will definitely make things worse for you in one way or another if you say no, but it's your call." Sarah smiled pleasantly at him.
Jon paused. Then: "Fuck off."
And Sarah's smile grew even wider. "That's exactly what I was hoping you would say. And you know, I would have made sure you got a men's uniform - I'm sure we have one somewhere - but oops, you tossed that opportunity out the window." She folded her hands together. "Jon, you need to be a long-time member of the girls' cheerleading team. Here, copy off me."
For the second time that day, Sarah reached into her clothes and pulled out a copy of her uniform. She pressed it onto Jon, and he watched his pink Elle Woods dress and heels disappear, replaced by the blue, yellow and white of the school colors. His blonde hair adjusted into a high ponytail with the scrunchie now having found a place to go.
Sarah was delighted. "Don't you look terrific! Tell me, do you know all the cheers now, too?"
Jon heard yet another internal Sarah. Of course we do! Ready? Here we go! "We're gonna beat the heck out of you! Rough 'em up, rough 'em up, go team blue!" Yeah!
"Yup," he sighed.
Sarah put on a fake apologetic face. "Oh, but I bet this is really going to disrupt your plans for that date with Karyn tonight, isn't it! That's too bad. But she does have the wishing stone with her. Now tell me, you said something about making sure I couldn't use it. So how does it work now? Oh, and to make sure I'm clear, you have to follow my every order again and honestly answer every question I ask you."
Jon closed his eyes, unable to keep the words in. "Karyn and I have to be together and we have to be in agreement for any wish to be made on the stone."
Sarah tapped her chin, smiling at him. "So what you're saying is that if I can change the way you think so that you'll never be in agreement again, then she won't be able to use that rock to help you. And you can even help me to work out how to make her miserable in the meantime?" She leaned back. "Challenge accepted."
And the bell rang. School was over.
