Chapter Nine

Lane Tech is known for its sports teams, especially girls’ soccer. And this was my first day. I was nervous. My mouth was dry, and my stomach was doing flips. A new school isn’t a big deal, right? Unless you’re registering as a girl. I’d been a girl since Friday.

I’m not a cross-dresser trying to pass. Seriously, my bra cups are full, and I’m not tucking anything. I’m not transitioning from male to female—well, maybe mentally. My Doug brain hasn’t caught up with my Anna self. I’m female, except that, and here’s the best part, nobody bothered to tell me. “Oh, yeah, Doug. You never existed; it was just a really good magic trick. Hmm. And let’s see if I forgot to mention anything else that you need to know. Oh, that’s right, you’re a witch!”

I’m in the high school office with a thong string running up my crack so my big butt doesn’t show panty lines. My long, shiny, brown hair is braided down my back. This is not funny.

I watched Mom hand over IDs and a thick file of transcripts to the secretary. I saw a photo of Anna Bradford on the inside that had been taken at the beginning of the school year.

Psst: A week ago, my name was Douglas Greenwood, and I was a fourteen-year-old boy.

Omnia bene sunt et mihi quiescere necesse est

I watched the secretary carefully go through the documents and photocopy the ones she needed to keep. I saw little school photos that dated back to Anna Bradford’s first-grade class.

I idly wondered what happened to Douglas’s school file folders. Did everything magically fade and disappear like I did?

By the time the secretary was done, I was almost convinced that Anna did attend Green Valley Elementary and Middle School in upstate New York.

After that, I was escorted to class by another student, Becky Rogers, who immediately started talking inside my head. Becky looked a little like my old girlfriend, Erica, except with red hair.

‘Bitch, welcome to the most laid-back, easy-to-deal-with challenge you’ve ever faced in your life.’

I was shaking more inside than out as we walked along the empty hall. ’Huh? You’re kidding. I’m scared to death.’

Becky grinned, wrapped her arm around my waist, and drew me in close. “Seriously, your grandmother gave me strict orders to help. This is going to be a snap. No one’s going to bother you, and if anyone tries to bully you, I’m here to step in.” She glanced over my shoulder. “Of course, it doesn’t hurt having your Particular right here. I’m going to protect you from anyone bothering you inside the school. But it’s nice to know that Luna will save you from outside forces. My Mom makes me leave Pumpkin home all day.”

I smiled. “I’m guessing she’s a big orange tabby.” I whispered, “Should I be afraid of what’s out there?”

“No. But this is Chi-town, and anything goes. Crazies are always trying to call out the evil, devil-worshipping non-believing Christians. But that’s just their thing. Witch Hunters are the only ones who still search out Witches. But your Particular will consume anything she perceives as a threat.”

I was trying to imagine the Particulars from our New York coven consuming all the Witch Hunters that showed up after my powers were unleashed. Mom said I wasn’t ready to see my uncloaked Particular. My brain was still stuck in the movies, and I never liked horror.

I walked into my next class with everyone else. I could feel everyone turn and stare as I sat down next to Becky.

‘Everyone’s staring at me. Do I have spinach in my teeth or toilet paper stuck on my heel?’ I heard her chuckle at my joke.

‘Yeah, you suffer from the problems of being gorgeous. But pervs are easy to spot. They’ll glance at your face, then check out your boobs and body. And wearing those skinny jeans, they’re having a field day undressing your butt and crotch.’

Having never been around boys before, my stomach immediately started twisting. ’I purposely wore plain black jeans and a white dress shirt. I toned down my makeup and put small gold hoops in my ears. I used clear polish. I have my hair back in a braid. I was trying to be invisible.’

Becky smiled. ‘Uh-huh. Anna, you’re incredibly good-looking and pretending you’re gay, right?’

I shrugged. ‘This was the best I could come up with.’

My new best friend laughed in my head. ‘Well, boys aren’t going to be as interested as every masc and fem lesbian. But everyone who takes in your beauty is already getting wet.’

I knew what wet meant. I’ve gotten way too excited about meeting Mom’s boyfriend, Derrick. He was a dreamy ten, and I kept picturing myself sitting in his lap. And I’m not supposed to know that he’s been in Mom’s bedroom every night since we got here. They spend a lot of time doing it.

Becky was seeing my thoughts. ’My mom’s got a Vamp, too. She says the sex is great, and he’s totally devoted to her. Plus, all Vamps are millionaires, and he gets her whatever she wants.’

‘I messed up when I met Derrick. I kinda lost it.’

‘Yeah, that’s easy to understand. Vamps are beautiful, and you’re still getting a handle on being Anna. Back when you were a boy, you probably dealt with hard-ons all the time. But just be warned that all Vamps are dogs. It’s all about shields. It’s good you’ve got your shields under control before coming to school. The way you look could singlehandedly cause a sexual frenzy. Remember that all the guys in this school are jocks. They live to exercise and screw. One whiff of you could destroy everyone’s brain!”

By the end of the day, I was drained. All I wanted to do was go home and curl up in bed. But Becky reminded me of Soccer practice. “And you get to try out. You bring stuff?”

I nodded and changed into spandex bottoms, a tee, shin guards, and cleats. I’d worn a sports bra under my shirt all day. Becky was by my side when I walked out on the field.

The coach was a very tall woman with a short haircut. She gave me a big smile. “Hello, Anna. Welcome to Lane Tech soccer. I’m Coach Howard. Okay, Becky. Take your new little friend out and let’s do twenty.”

I was happy that Doug was in good shape. Five miles was easy until running it in Anna’s body. When we were finished, I was soaked. My boobs, ass, and hips had been bouncing the whole time. It was all very unsettling.

When we finished, the coach checked her clipboard. “Okay, Anna. Welcome to the team. What position do you want?”

“Striker, Forward.”

She grinned. “Good. Grab a red jersey and let’s see how you do.”

It didn’t take me long to fit in with our squad. I thought I handled myself very well. Becky’s blue squad’s defense shut us down, but we had some breakaways. I had a few good shots on goal and passed a bunch of times, too.

Then we did field drills and scrimmaged again. I passed a dozen times and finally scored. It felt good.

As we were towel-drying, the coach placed her hand on my shoulder. “Good job, rookie. We have a game at the end of the week, and you’ll be playing. See you tomorrow for practice.”

I looked at Becky. “I am beat, want to go home, and soak.”

“Oh, no, girl. We need to hit some high spots on the trail.”

“Trail?”

“Sure, the Witchy Trail. You need to meet and greet some of the other Witches in Chicago.”

“Let’s save it for tomorrow. Just keep me company on the way home.” I reached out and impulsively squeezed her hand.

As we got on the L, I broached the subject of dating. “Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?”

Becky nuzzled my neck softly. “I like you, Anna. And would gladly hang out with you anywhere. But my mom is very strict and told me that until I turn fifteen, no public displays of affection. And honestly, your whole family is a bit scary. Your grandmother is the most powerful Witch in Chicago, and I don’t want to piss her off.”

I grinned and shook my head. “The gerbil story?”

“We’ve all heard how your gran turns people into toads and slugs, then walks away. Yeah. She’s not into teaching any lessons. She punishes someone forever.”

“I heard that, too. Do you think those stories are true?”

Becky shrugged. “Don’t know and don’t want to find out. You could ask her.”

I laughed and shook my head no. “Heck, even my Principal is intimidated by Polly.”

As we rode along, Becky turned and kissed me softly on the lips. “I can’t imagine being a boy for fourteen years and then in the snap of a finger.”

“Yeah, having my period start revealed the secrets. Puberty broke the spell.”

Becky shook her head. “Not quite a Disney story.”