Mark Lansing never wanted to stand out. He was perfectly happy disappearing into a football huddle with the rest of the team until one play made him the talk of the town. Thrust into a spotlight he never wanted, every choice can reshape his future, and every decision could transform him in ways he never believed possible. Mark’s destiny will be determined on the field … assuming he can figure out how to dress the part.

Chapter 15

The dream returned every time he closed his eyes. Mark sat up in bed. The clock read 3 a.m.

“Shit.”

Mark had avoided going to the bathroom for half the night, afraid of what he’d find.

The light flickered as soon as he flipped the switch. Mark gripped the sink before looking down. He knew what he’d see.

It was almost gone. He wanted to scream, but it wasn’t his voice anymore. A look in the mirror showed … Mark.

This dream wasn’t a dream.

That’s when he felt it. The longing. The ache. He was becoming her from within.

Mark opened his sister’s door. He knew what he wanted as soon as he entered.

Missy had never been a tidy person. His Mom had given up trying to straighten her room years ago. Mark followed the scent to her bed. Mark found the source when he pulled up the covers. There, hidden under a towel sat a tiny glass ashtray with three tiny butts inside, were the remains of cigarettes Missy had smoked before she’d left for college and hadn’t thrown out.

The smell unleashed a wave of desire.

Mark knew he should have told Bridget about headaches. He should have told her about the problem between his legs but there are some things impossible to talk about.

Missy’s room looked much the same as it had when they’d played in here as kids. They’d been as close as brother and sister could be, tramping over the neighborhood like they owned it. Riding bikes and playing games. He was closer to her than anyone else in the world and then … poof. Everything changed.

Mark had always struggled to make friends. Jeffrey, Emily, and Missy were the extent of his world and then the girls decided to follow a different path. Was it so wrong to be tempted?

His hands shook the first time he opened Missy’s closet door. The second time brought a panic he could scarcely describe. Missy’s wardrobe changed over time from sweatshirts and jeans to the softer sort of clothes the pretty girls wore at school.

Mark followed in the shadows, as his sister turned down the path of destruction. Her grades dropped, friends changed, and pinks turned to black. He’d experimented along with her, even if she didn’t know. He even stole a few of her cigarettes a couple of times.

He found Missy’s stash in the hole under her desk she thought no one knew about. A lighter lay in Missy’s bedside table. Mark had complained to his sister about her nasty habit in the very same spot where he now sat. She laughed at him as she blew clouds of smoke out the cracked window.

Mark could only imagine what Missy might say if she saw him now, sitting in her chair, holding one of her cigarettes. He’d given Missy a lot of grief about it over the years and yet … that didn’t stop him from pulling one out of the box. It felt good between his fingers. It felt natural. He didn’t even realize he’d lit it.

He coughed once. The smoke soothed his aching lungs.

Mark repeated the act until the cigarette was spent then stubbed out the foul remains in the ashtray.

Mark wished his sister were here. She’d know what to say. Perhaps they could talk like in old times. But his sister wasn’t a little girl anymore. And he wasn’t a little boy.

Mark wasn’t surprised when the cold came. He welcomed it, as he remembered spending the last days of his childhood in his sister’s closet.
Mark accepted his fate as the cold crept towards his chest, safe in the knowledge that Bridget’s spell would hide B-cups.

But the spell didn’t stop. It lingered on his chest for the briefest of moments before continuing again towards his head.

"Oh shit."

Mark ran to the mirror. Long strands of hair made it hard to see. His hair had turned red again and hung past his ears on all sides, a variation of a layered pixie cut. He’d seen several girls at school wear their hair this way, but his was longer on top and layered in the back.

Mark's hands were shaking when he picked up his phone. He pressed the button and immediately regretted it, but didn't hang up.

She picked up on the fourth ring, her voice sounding sleepy. "What the hell, Mark. Do you know what time it is?"

"I’m freaking out. I need your help."

Emily let off several yawns between words. “ … it’s three in the morning…”

“My hair … … and my chest … and everything else … the spell is turning me into Missy.”

Emily’s voice grew soft. “You’re having a panic attack, Mark. Try to take a deep breath.”

Mark tried, but his breaths kept coming out in rapid bursts. “Can you come over?”

“Try again, Mark. Really try. Take deep breaths and close your eyes. A good night’s rest will help more than anything.”

“I need you to come over.” He snapped a picture of his face with his phone and sent it to Emily. "This just happened. I’m afraid of what’s going to happen next."

Emily sighed, "I’ll be there as soon as I can."

The feeling in his chest built like something between hunger and an ache. He’d washed his hair and scrubbed both his face and hands but could still smell the tobacco.

Emily asked, "Did you sleep at all?"

"A few hours. He looked out the window. "The dream kept waking me."

Emily sniffed at the air. "Do I smell smoke?"

“I told you. The spell is turning me into Missy." He pointed to the ashtray with a freshly smoked cigarette butt and a pack sitting nearby. A flick of the lighter would make the ache go away. "I couldn’t help myself."

“You don’t smoke.” Emily looked at Mark and then back to the ashtray.

“That’s the point.” Mark stared at Missy’s bed, now covered with her old bra’s.

"I see that." Emily rubbed her eyes.

Mark looked in the mirror. He’d put on one of Missy’s pink satin push-ups which gave him the appearance of cleavage. He hadn’t bothered to turn on the lights in the room, but that made the effect all the worse. He’d pass with a little makeup and the right outfit.

Mark said, "I’m really scared. Yesterday was such a shitshow, I’m afraid of what’s going to happen today."

"You’ll have Bridget’s spell today." Emily said. "Coach Denny will let you back on the team. You’ll win your spot back and all will be right in the world."

"I can’t go in the locker room." Mark stared at the posters of boy bands covering the walls of Missy’s room. He’d never noticed them before but sitting on Missy’s bed, the same lewd thoughts kept spinning in his mind. "I keep having these feelings …" His voice fell to a whisper.

"What are you talking about?”

"Something is happening …" Mark stopped. "Sorry … this is tough … I mean … you’re my girlfriend.” He took a deep breath before starting again. “I won’t be able to control myself around the guys on the team."

“Hmmm…” Emily looked at Mark and then to the mirror. “I think I understand. It makes total sense when you think about it.” She dragged Mark behind her until they stood in front of the mirror. “Tell me what you see."

"I see … I don’t want to say it." Mark hesitated. "I’m afraid it would change me."

“You’re smoking … you’re boy crazy … you’ve got red hair …”

Mark shook his head.

“It’ not Missy, it’s Fiona. Fiona is affecting your mind.”

"You think?"

“Remember what Bridget said?” Emily turned to Mark. “Bridget said you drained Fiona of so much of her essence that she needed to heal her all day. Where do you think that essence ended up?”

Mark looked in the mirror and adjusted his bra. "We need to call Bridget.”

Emily looked at her phone. “We don’t have her number and besides, she made it clear we’re on our own."

Mark said, "We have to do something. I’m about to burst."

Emily held out her hand. "I can think of two solutions … but you’re going to like either one.”

“Tell me.”

“We know the problem – you’ve got a bunch of Fiona’s boy-crazy energy swirling inside of you."

"And?"

Emily shrugged, "It needs to come out."

“How do you suggest we do that?”

“You can use it by forcing your body to do another change…”

Mark cut her off. “No way.”

“… or you transfer some of Fiona’s energy into me.”

“We can do that?”

“We can try.”

“I don’t know. It sounds risky. We don’t know what that energy would do to you.”

Emily put her hand on Mark’s thigh, “I’m a girl. I’ve been boy-crazy for years.”

Mark said, “I still don’t like it.”

“Can you think of anything better?”

Mark shook his head. “We don’t even know how to move my energy into you? It’s only gone one way so far.”

“I have faith in you.” Emily said, “Remember what Bridget said? You’re controlling the change. I know you can do it.”

“I’m not so sure…”

“It’s either that or go to school.”

“I can’t go to school.” His hand brushed his crotch. “I’m about to lose control.”

Emily pushed Mark back on Missy's bed. “Then lay back.”

Mark watched his girlfriend as she straddled his body and unclasped her bra. A week ago this would have been a scene made in heaven. Now he only felt nauseous as his girlfriend reached down to remove his bra too.

The energy flow began to flow as soon as Emily placed her hands on his breasts, the power increasing when she began drawing a circular pattern around the middle.

"That tickles."

Emily smiled. "It needs to do more than tickle."

Mark held his breath as Emily drew closer, taken completely by surprise when Emily’s lips met his.

"Don’t…"

Mark said the words, but by the time they came out Emily was already beyond hearing. Her eyes clouded over. Her energy was already flowing into him.

"Emily?"

No response.

“Em?” Mark wanted to pull away, but something wouldn’t let him.

Mark closed his eyes, feeling Emily’s delicious energy as it seeped into his soul. He followed it, finding a different type of energy deeper down, a darker kind of energy, wild and free. It moved when he touched it, and Emily’s essence took its place. When he’d gathered as much of the dark energy as his ‘hands’ could carry, Mark pulled on it, forcing the flow up through his body, into his breast, and up into Emily’s waiting arms before severing the link. When Mark opened his eyes, he saw Emily’s eyes had turned black.

"Em?"

No response.

“Emily?”

She smiled and moaned as if she were in the middle of a wonderful dream. Mark stared at his girlfriend, and somehow knew she’d be okay. Maybe better than okay. During their link he’d seen her mind laid bare. This was no vestal virgin, but a woman with a wide variety of repressed carnal desires.

Had she seen his deepest thoughts too?

"Emily?"

No response. Mark laid her on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Emily was going to be out for a while. It was for the best. She needed sleep.

Mark crawled in bed next to her, being careful to put a blanket between them, then closed his eyes and fell asleep in seconds.

Emily was awake when Mark opened his eyes. She smiled as he sat up. "Did it work? Do you think you’ll be okay around the team?"

"I’m more worried about you."

"I’ll be okay."

“Are you sure?” Mark asked, "I passed a lot of energy to you.."

Emily ignored him, "I didn’t bring anything to wear. Do you think your sister would mind if I borrowed one of her outfits?"

Mark shrugged. "She’s not back for six weeks."

Emily disappeared into Missy’s closet and exited carrying a pink midi skirt and a floral colored blouse with a plunging neckline. "What do you think about this?"

"I might have passed too much of Fiona’s energy to you."

Emily pressed the dress against her body, "Are you worried I might look too sexy?"

Mark stared as Emily moved her body in ways he never expected, "Not exactly worried…"

"Don’t be like that. You’ve been bearing the brunt of the spell all week. I want to help. Besides, I’ve always wanted to wear an outfit like this."

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Mark watched his girlfriend disappear into the bathroom. He had to admit. He couldn’t wait to see how she looked when she came out.

Chapter 16

"Dude? Another change?"

Due to Bridget’s illusion, Mark had no idea what Jeffrey was seeing. "It was Emily’s idea."

"Girls. Always trying to change us." Jeffrey laughed. "But seriously, you should listen to her more. You look good." He added, "I can’t believe you left practice early. That’s not like you."

"Emily was pissed we’re not spending more time together. So I spent the afternoon with her."

"Smart move." Jeffrey laughed. "You get lucky?"

Mark blushed.

Jeffrey shouted, "Holy shit, bro. You got lucky!"

"Don’t shout. Someone will hear."

Jeffrey’s voice didn’t soften. "Second base?"

Mark shrugged. "Yeah." Not a total lie as Emily had touched his breasts instead of the other way around. "Don’t tell anyone. Emily would kill me."

"My lips are sealed. I promise." Jeffrey laughed. "I can’t believe it. My boy Mark is getting him some. I was starting to think Emily was a lesbian."

Mark decided it best to remain quiet.

Jeffrey asked, "So what happened to you at practice yesterday? You were sucking balls bro."

Mark fought to get that mental image out of his brain. "I came down with something over the weekend. I’m feeling better now." Thanks to Emily.

"Are you doing okay man? The way you were screaming after that pass I thought you cracked a rib. Then you disappeared."

Mark put a hand to his chest. It still hurt.

"I went to Emily’s practice."

"Nice. Those who make the effort, reap the reward."

"Yeah." Uggh. It was weird hearing one of Coach Denny’s euphemisms as a code word for sex. Jeffrey wasn’t wrong though. His relationship with Emily had moved to a different level even if most of his had been due to Fiona. She’d even insisted Mark ride to school with Jeffrey.

"How pissed is Coach?"

"Real pissed."

"Is he going to start Miller?"

"Coach knows you’re the best on the team. Just make sure to bring your A-game this afternoon."

"I’ll do my best." Mark looked at his hands.

"That’s sissy talk. ‘Do my best’. You’re Mark ‘The Rocket’ Lansing. You’re the best goddamned receiver on the team. You kick ass and take names." Mark looked over at Jeffrey who returned his trademark smile. "It’s too bad Emily didn’t give you a blow job. Those are real confidence builders."

"Yeah." Mark looked down before forcing himself to look straight ahead.

"There’s nothing like a good hummer, you know?"

Mark shrugged, "I wouldn’t know."

"It’s only a matter of time, dude. Good things come to those who wait." Jeffrey laughed at his own joke. “Get it?”

Mark looked at his friend. "I got it."

"Come on. That was funny." Jeffrey slapped Mark on the back. "Good things COME to those who wait?"

"I got it." Mark was starting to wish he’d taken the ride with Emily.

"Gina gives great head. I’d break up with her if not for those magnificent lips of hers."

"Really?" Mark stared at his friend, trying to stop his mind from drifting.

Jeffrey said, "Gina may look all innocent, but that girl really knows what she’s doing. I just wish her interests went beyond cheerleading. She’s dumber than a box of rocks."

"Emily says I have that problem with football." Mark nodded.

Jeffrey returned a broad grin as the car pulled into the school’s parking lot, "Yeah but football isn’t stupid."

"Exactly." Mark opened the car door as soon as Jeffrey parked.

Jeffrey called after him. "See you at lunch?"

Mark shouted back. "Sure thing bro."

Mark dialed. Emily answered on the second ring. "Where are you? Classes are about to start."

"I’m in the parking lot. I had to make a couple of stops before school."

Mark barely recognized Emily as she walked down the hallway. The tight outfit showed off a rock hard frame. The slathered on makeup from Missy’s dressing table showed off Emily’s wild side.

Emily said, "How’d it go with Jeffrey?"

"I almost lost my shit." Mark looked both ways to make sure no one was listening before continuing. "I’m so horny right now."

Me too." Emily reached for Mark’s crotch.

"Stop that!" Mark pushed her hand away. "Jeffrey said he’d fix things up with Coach."

Emily said, "See? Everything is working out."

"Yeah. Everything is flipping brilliant." Mark looked at his hands. "I’ve got bruises on my chest that hurt every time I move my arms, my hands can’t remember how to catch a football, and I have a spell cast on me that wants me in a dress."

Emily smiled. "I thought of a solution to all your problems."

Mark said, "Why do I think I’m going to hate this?"

"I think you might like it." Emily grinned, "You know the old saying - ‘no pain, no gain’. The only problem is, you’ll have to skip lunch."

"No problem there." Mark shrugged. The last thing he needed was to sit with those guys after yesterday’s practice. "What are you thinking?"

Emily stared at some girls who walked to within earshot. "I don’t want to say too much here. We’ll need some privacy. We can meet by the vending machines near the girl’s lockers in the gym. No one is over there at lunch."

Mark nodded. He just hoped he could make it that long without bursting. "Sounds good."

Emily put her arms around Mark and jumped into his arms. “Kiss me, babe.”

"We can’t.” Mark whispered. “You know what it does to me."

Emily whispered, "And you know how to move energy back. We can do anything we want." Emily smiled. “Anything…”

Oh shit.

Emily locked her lips onto Mark and didn’t let him breathe for a half a minute.

When Mark looked up, he saw people staring at their display of public affection. Friday couldn’t come soon enough.

Emily stood in the dingy hallway next to a thin girl. Emily gave Mark an overly amorous kiss before starting the introductions. "This is Alice. She’s on the field hockey team, the girl’s basketball team, and also the track team."

Mark nodded, "I know Alice. I run track too."

Alice waved. "Heya Mark. What’s up? Emily said you needed my help."

Mark shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine. Emily didn’t tell me a thing."

Emily smiled as she held up a football. "Marky needs to practice."

Mark couldn’t believe his ears. "This is your brilliant plan? You think practice will help?"

Emily tossed him the football with more velocity than Mark expected. The ball hit his hands and bobbled a bit before he secured the catch. Mark tossed the ball back.

Emily caught it cleanly, "I doubt you want to practice with the guys. In case you don’t know, Alice is the best athlete in this school."

Mark corrected, "She’s the best girl athlete. No offense Alice."

Alice didn’t appear upset, "None taken."

Emily wasn’t nearly as understanding.

"Alice is faster than 95% of the guys in the school and a better all-around athlete than just about all of them." Emily screwed her arm back then threw a fast-paced spiral at Alice’s head.

Alice snatched it out of the air with little effort. Alice smiled at Mark. "I have four brothers, two older and two younger. They all play sports."

Emily said, "What do you think? Practice makes perfect. Or would you rather have a repeat of yesterday?"

Mark sighed. He’d definitely be benched if he didn’t improve, and it wasn’t like he had a better idea.

Emily grinned when Mark didn’t object. "Great. I bought you a change of clothes. You can change behind the bleachers."

"Fuck this."

"I heard that."

Mark stared at the pink stretch pants and maroon sports bra on the floor. "I’m not wearing this."

"They’re school colors."

"That’s not why I’m not wearing them."

"Don’t be such a baby."

Mark undressed as fast as he could, then yanked on the stretch pants until they pulled well above his waist. The sports bra went on as if second nature at this point, covering the tiny mounts on his chest with no problem.

Mark prayed none of the football team would come in here. Bridget’s illusion spell had been a god send all morning, but who knew what people might see if he was wearing tights. The spell had to have limits. By the time Mark emerged, Emily and Alice had already started yoga stretches.

Mark said, "You’re enjoying this way too much."

Emily smiled, "Yes, I am."

"Take off your shoes and socks and sit across from Alice."

Mark took his time as he sat on the ground. Alice didn’t appear to notice a thing.

Emily ordered, "Now close your eyes and slow your breathing."

Mark said, "I’ve never done yoga …"

"Move closer to Alice. Spread your legs as wide as you can and move forwards a bit. We’re going to do some buddy stretches." She waited.
"Move closer, you too Alice, so your toes are touching."

Mark said, "Are you sure…"

"The key to improvement is positive vibes." Emily’s voice took a softer tone. "We’re trying to find your inner calm."

Mark felt a slight tickle when Alice’s toes pressed against his own. Their pressure from their feet pressing against one another caused their legs to bow outward. He’d done similar stretches on the guy’s track team though none of them could spread their legs as wide as Alice.

Mark didn’t notice the energy flow at first. It wasn’t primal like Fiona or intense like Emily. It felt effortless.

Alice pressed a bit harder, "Is that as far as you can spread your legs?"

Mark nodded, not trusting his voice as the energy increased.

"Don’t force it." Emily said, "Ease into the stretch. Your hips are really tight, Mark."
Alice’s energy flowed into him like a stream. Mark basked in its warmth, leaning forward to grab Alice’s hands. They pulled at one another, increasing the stretch as another surge of energy coursed through Mark’s veins. Mark heard himself scream, when Alice’s eyes turned white.

Emily said, "Push through it, Mark."

Mark didn’t want to push, but his hands weren’t listening. As his mind cleared, Alice’s eyes glazed over, while her hands pulled towards him with all her might. His legs spread well past 120 degrees, a flexibility normally found on girls. He barely noticed the cold. It was over in an instant.

**** POP ****

He heard the sound more than he felt it. A final sharp spike of energy passed between them before Alice’s hands went limp.

Mark heard Emily’s voice. "That should be enough. We don’t want you to break something." Mark fell back as Emily pulled his hands and feet away from Alice. The other girl’s eyes looked vacant.

Mark asked, "What the fuck Emily?"

"Maiden’s Delight. Skin to skin contact of something you want to copy, just like Bridget said. You were never going to be able to play football with those hands and that chest if we didn’t make a change to your legs. You need to balance your bottom with your top."

Mark said, "You should have run it by me."

Emily didn’t look one bit apologetic. "How do you feel?"

"Weird." On his best day of stretching Mark could normally spread his legs at a 60 degree angle. Right now they were double that and when he tried to spread them a little further, and they complied without complaint.

Emily said, "Try to stand up."

Mark tried to stand but fell to the floor. "Everything feels so different." Emily pulled Mark to his feet allowing him to stand, but Mark couldn’t stop his body from wobbling back and forth.

"Run a couple of laps while I look after Alice."

Alice’s eyes still looked vacant. “You don’t think it’s wrong. The thing we did?”

Emily shook her head, “Nah. You’ve got good hands and you’re fast too. It’ll be good for her.”

“You know very well that’s not the only thing I passed.”

Emily said, “Alice will be fine. I’ll take care of her. You need to start running.”

"You want me to run? I can barely stand."

"I want you to try."

Mark tried to stand but stumbled after one step. His arms went in one direction. His legs went in another. Nothing felt natural. With no other option Mark scooted on his butt, across the floor, finding the security of the wall before propping himself up.

He found it easier to take his first step with a hand leaning against the wall. After several more steps he discovered the looseness in his hips needed an offsetting counterbalance. Each succeeding step felt more like a duck’s waddle, but it got easier each time. By the twentieth step, Mark tried to walk without touching the wall.

He found a kind of rhythm, more of a swaying motion than a stepping one. It wasn’t long after that until he’d found the safety of the wall on the other side of the gym.

Mark had no idea how long he stood watching Emily help the catatonic girl. He couldn’t believe what they’d done to poor Alice. It was Emily’s idea, but his girlfriend wasn’t in her right mind and he’d gone along. He should have said no.

Mark stepped from the wall again. The steps came easier this time. He took another. Then another. By his third lap he dared to do a little jump-hop and by the seventh he’d started to run. The first running lap took twice as long as normal. The second wasn’t much better. By the third lap he’d found a groove and by the fifth he was really moving.

"Think fast!"

Mark turned to see a football whizzing at his head. He raised his hands, the ball bouncing hard off both hands. Emily smiled from the center of the gym. Mark ran after the ball and threw it back at his girlfriend as hard as he could. Emily had no trouble catching it.

Mark shouted, "Maybe give me a little warning next time."

Emily ignored his complaint. "Looking good." Color had started to return to Alice’s face.

Mark looked down. His feet were moving in concert with his legs. His hips were moving in tune with his arms. His head bobbed in time with everything in perfect harmony as if his new weights on the front of his chest were normal.

He was running like a girl…

He only had the thought for the briefest of seconds and tried to unthink as soon as it occurred. Mark felt himself fall to the ground as cold covered him from head to toe. He hit the floor hard but didn’t feel a thing. The cold centered on his chest then crept up his arms, freezing them as they worked their way to the tips of his hands.

His hands had changed once in the back seat of Emily’s car. Now he watched them change again, growing longer and thinner still with painted nails extended a quarter inch beyond each tip. They looked good. Each finger alternated the school colors. A look at Alice showed hers painted exactly the same.

Mark picked himself up off the ground. “Holy shit! Do you see this?”

“Cute.”

"Why do I have Alice’s hands?"

“You grabbed her hands when you stretched.”

“Think fast.” Emily fired a ball off target this time, towards his feet. Mark leaned to try to catch it, but the ball hit the ground.

Emily yelled across the room, "You’re standing too stiff. Don’t fight your body."

Mark nodded as he went to retrieve the ball and this time he didn’t kneel when he picked it up. He bent at the knees but not in the normal way. He allowed his hips to flex as well, his knees bowed out like a butterfly spreading its wings for the first time.

"Now you’re getting it." Emily grinned.

Mark tossed Emily the ball but this time he stood next to Emily as if at the line of scrimmage. "Throw me another. I’m running a curl pattern. Do you know it?"

Emily gave a dismissive look. "Of course." She smiled. "Whenever you’re ready."

Mark sprinted as hard as he could off the line before planting his right foot after he’d gone eight yards. He felt his hip release as he pushed, causing a slight stumble, but Mark quickly regained control. Emily fired a pass as he turned.

She smiled. "Not bad. A little sloppy on the cut."

Mark tossed her the ball as he ran back to the line. "When did you learn to play football? Did you learn it from watching me?"

Emily scoffed, "Of course you’d think that."

Mark toed the line and listened for Emily’s cue.

"Another curl route. Set. Go."

Mark sprinted from the line going eight yards before planting his right foot. He let his hips slide through the turn before sprinting across the middle of the field. Emily threw the ball low. Mark flexed his hips to lower his body and scoop it from the ground with no problem.

Emily nodded. "That’s better."

"Better? That was perfect."

"If you say so." Emily said, "Let’s do another. Only practice makes perfect."

Mark grinned, "Now you sound like Coach Denny."

Alice’s eyes blinked a few times before she stood up. "What’s going on?"

Emily said, "We’re helping Mark remember?"

Alice said, "Sorry. I zoned out for a bit there."

"That’s okay. Go over to where Mark was standing and line up for a pass."

Mark returned to Emily’s side. "Is she okay?"

"She’s fine. Probably better."

Mark shook his head, "You’re out of control." Emily ignored him.

Emily shouted, "Post pattern. Set hut."

Alice flew off the line and Emily hit her with a perfect pass.

Mark shook his head. "Damn. It’s too bad this school doesn’t have a girl’s football team."

"Damned straight. I’d be a great quarterback." Emily said, "Now it’s your turn #13."

Mark didn’t move. "How did you know this would work?"

"I didn’t." Emily smiled. "You told me you felt out of balance and all the changes to your body have been up top. I figured we needed to even things out."

Mark toed the line and looked at his hips. Both bowed out more now, but he doubted anyone would notice. They would notice if his pass catching had improved.

Emily shouted, "Sluggo route. Set hut."

Mark sprinted from the line. Three quick steps before the fake toward the middle. A half step later he changed directions as his hips slid easily from one side to the other. He looked back, and the ball was almost on him, but he snatched the ball anyway.

Emily shouted out. "Not bad."

Mark smiled. Not bad? The route felt almost too easy. He ran back to the line and watched Alice set up. She was a better athlete than he realized. The curse had allowed him to access her abilities and gave her access to his. Somehow, they’d formed a sort of hybrid.

It didn’t take long until it was Mark’s turn to toe the line again. Emily grinned at him before calling out the signal. "Set Hut."

Chapter 17

A voice called out from the other side of the locker room. "Glad to see you could make it to practice, Lansing."

Jeffrey said, "Don’t mind them. They’re pissed they didn’t get to give you shit at lunch. It’s a good thing you bailed."

"Sorry. I had to … uhhh … study for a test."

"Yeah right. Mark Lansing, studying at lunch?" Jeffrey clapped him on the back. "I noticed Emily missed lunch too. You get a nooner?"

Mark tried to ignore the bands of half naked teammates spread out all over the locker room. The injection of Alice’s energy had allowed him to concentrate for his afternoon classes, but Jeffrey’s touch caused an immediate reaction.

"Are you going to get dressed?"

"Yeah but I gotta piss first."

"Don’t be late. I spoke with Coach, and you’re golden, but you know how he feels when players show up late to the practice field."

“Dont’ worry.” Mark grabbed his helmet, cleats, pants, and jersey. "I’ll be there."

No one was in the bathroom when he entered, but Mark opened all the stall doors just to be sure. He’d been looking forward to this all day. His sweatshirt came off first then the sports bra.

"Oh thank god."

His football pants felt weird when he pulled them on. They were a little tight around the hips, but these pants were made to stretch. A look showed most of his leg hair gone. The hair that remained was soft, silky, and almost invisible.

"Five minutes." Jeffrey’s voice called from down the hall.

Mark tried not to think about it as he put the sports bra back on. His lucky t-shirt went over top of that. He’d decided against using bindings, they restrained too much and today’s practice was too important. Thankfully, the breastplate on his shoulder pads would cover his chest.

When Mark emerged from the stall, the image in the mirror didn’t look much different than he remembered. He’d never been one to cut an imposing figure like other guys. His gift had always been consistency. Now all he had to do was prove it.

"Move your asses, you pansies." Coach Denny was in rare form today. "First team on the line. We’re doing gassers."

Mark got to the line first. "Forty yards and back."

The whole team groaned. Even a hard-ass like Coach Denny knew it was stupid to push the team so hard this late in the season.
They’d lifted weights and run laps around the track all summer. Three weeks before school started they’d gone through a hellish two-a-day practice set. Everyone on the team was in good shape, if anything they’d gone too hard.

Coach called out, "Ready, go."

Mark took off at the sound of the whistle. He knew most of the team was staring at him. He felt a shudder wondering if all of them were staring at his ass.

‘Shit. Have to concentrate.’

A football offense has eleven players and each position brings their own strengths and weaknesses. The five offensive linemen bring power so no one expects them to be fast. Running backs were the fastest off the line but slower at longer distances. The coaching staff expected wide receivers to finish first in a drill like a gasser.

Mark tried to explode off the line like normal, but his hips slid sideways as he pushed. He heard feet pounding the earth around him but let his body take over. Step, breath, and step again. He was halfway to the line when he found his flanks clear. Relax and move. Stretch and stride.
Mark hit the first line at the same time as Cutler. As they touched Mark shifted his hips easily from one direction to the other, giving him a slight lead. There was no looking back after that. As he crossed the fourth line, Mark had his normal lead.

"Better effort today, Lansing." Mark noticed Coach didn’t bother to look in his direction.

A couple of the guys slapped his ass as he passed. "Attaboy." Each touch sent a slight thrill down Mark’s spine. As he passed Jeffrey, Mark imagined his friend giving him a tight hug after a touchdown.

Coach Denny called out, "Second team to the line."

Miller gave Mark a sad sort of smile as he passed.

The coach called out. "Set hut."

Mark watched the eleven cute butts fade into the distance, but the nagging feeling was still there. He pressed down on the front his shoulder pads, putting pressure on his chest. His boobs were still there. A look to the right and to the left showed no one looking but he’d done it. Emily was right. He’d won back his spot on the team and no one suspected a thing.

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