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 18

"You did what?"

She didn’t look happy.

Emily called out from the other side of the room. "Mark needed to be faster to regain his spot and I know a girl who is really fast."

Mark added, "I can run as fast as I did before. I’m still the starter on the football team."

Bridget shook her head. "I thought you said you didn’t want to end up in the dress. How many changes have you made?"

Mark thought back. "Chest twice, hands twice, face twice, hair twice. Legs, voice, and hips once."

“Eleven changes?” Bridget shook her head. “You need to be careful. My illusion spell is limited in nature, and I’d prefer not to have to use more drastic solutions to keep this situation under wraps.”

Mark noted the veiled threat in Bridget’s voice. “I’m doing my best.”

“Do better.”

“I’ll try.”

Bridget asked, “Is there anything else I need to know?"

Mark shook his head. There was no way he was going to admit the shrinkage between his legs, especially not in front of his girlfriend and Fiona.

The two girls stood on the other side of the room, chatting away as if they were long-lost friends. Mark barely recognized Fiona. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, her hair looked a tangled mess, and the fake brogue was gone. Then he saw her puffing on a cigarette.

That’s when he saw his girlfriend pull a vape out of her purse and quickly draw on it.

“Emily!”

Emily looked back, “What?”

Mark watched as she blew a large cloud of vapor into the air then looked at Bridget.

Bridget looked back. “Is that new behavior?”

Mark nodded. “Yeah.

Bridget stared at Emily and turned back to Mark, “What did you do?”

Mark explained, “Fiona’s energy was affecting my brain, so I transferred some energy into Emily. She said she could handle it.”

“Are you kidding me?!” Bridget did not look happy. “I literally just asked you if there was anything else I needed to know and you said no.”

“Sorry.”

“You should have called me before attempting something so dangerous.”

“We didn’t have your phone number. I was desperate.”

“I swear …” Bridget muttered to herself, “… I am surrounded by a bunch of stupid, stupid children.” She took a deep breath before speaking again. “Can I assume your girlfriend’s manner of dress is an example of what you meant when you said, ‘Fiona’s energy was affecting my brain’?"

"Yeah." Mark watched Emily laughing with Fiona, both looking like they were ready to hit the clubs.

"Dammit." Bridget sighed. "Fiona!”

Fiona looked up from across the room. “Yeah?”

“Are you feeling up to a spell?”

“Sure.” Fiona looked the type to always be ready for anything.

Bridget shook her head as she got on her knees and began drawing new lines on the floor.

Across the room, Mark watched his girlfriend exhale another cloud of vapor.

Mark took the circle closest to the door. Fiona stood in the one closest to the back of the room. Emily took the one across from Mark. Bridget took the final circle.

Mark felt the unease as soon as Bridget began to chant. It started in the pit of his stomach, then spread radially through his entire body until he thought he couldn’t take anymore. He screamed and thick black smoke billowed from his lips, soon joined by the black smoke rising from Emily. The darkness circled the group a couple of times as Bridget’s chants grew louder before diving into Fiona. Then all three fell to the ground.

Mark was the last to rise. "What the hell did you do to me?"

“I fixed a mistake.” Bridget said, "I clearly should have cleansed you yesterday, but Fiona was in no shape to be a part of a spell cast. Do you feel better?"

Mark nodded, "I think so." He saw Emily had returned to the same spot as before and was again drawing on a vape. “Will Emily go back to normal?”

“The mental effects don’t disappear right away but should be temporary. It shouldn’t take long for your girlfriend to return to her normal self.”
Mark saw Fiona’s face had regained more color. “Fiona affected me too.” Mark looked down. "Does that mean I won’t like boys anymore?”

“Do you even know what normal means for you right now?”

Mark shook his head. “Not really.”

Bridget handed Mark a card. “That’s got my number on it. Call me if anything out of the ordinary comes up.” Her eyes grew narrow. “And I mean anything.”

“I will.”

Bridget looked across the room. “I hate to cast and run, but I’m overdue for a harsh conversation with an acolyte …"

Mark shook his head. "Of course. Thanks again for everything."

Chapter 19

Emily sped out of the parking lot. "Do you feel better?"

Mark nodded, "I think so. Do you feel better?”

“Yeah.” Emily replied. “It was fun being a bad girl for a day.”

"I can’t believe you bought a vape."

Emily pulled the vape from her purse. "I couldn’t help myself." Mark grabbed it from her, opened the car window, and reared back to throw it out the window.

"Don’t do that!"

"Why not?"

"That thing wasn’t cheap. I can sell it to a stoner at school."

Mark nodded. "You aren’t lying are you?"

“Maybe.” Emily smiled.

“Em-i-ly!”

“I’m kidding…” Emily’s grin grew bigger. “I’ll get rid of it. I promise.”

“You better. I feel bad enough about what I’ve done to you already.” Mark said.

Emily placed her hand on Mark’s thigh and moved it slowly higher. “There are advantages.”

Mark pushed her hand away. “We aren’t doing anything like that until you’re yourself again.” And not until Mark was himself again too.

“What’s wrong?” Emily moved her hand to her side, “Don’t you like me?”

“I like you.”

Emily said, “You like Jeffrey more.”

“Please … not this again.” Mark sighed, “I thought you didn’t want to be a silly, jealous girl.”

“I’m not being silly.”

Mark looked over at Emily. He couldn’t be sure if this was Emily talking or Fiona’s influence, but he knew he’d crossed a line. “I’m sorry.” He placed his left hand on top of Emily’s right.

Emily intertwined their fingers as a smile grew on her face. “I forgive you.” She paused only a moment before adding, “Wanna get something to eat?”

Mark nodded.

The cross-town mall had seen better days. Online purchasing had closed most of its shops. Mark imagined the only time anyone ever hung out in this place was on the weekends, and he doubted it was busy then. The weekday crowd looked even worse.

The only time he recalled ever making the drive here was during the holiday season with his Mom. He remembered the nice food court.

Mark asked, "You okay with pizza?"

Emily said, "You know I am."

That was one of the things he loved about Emily. She wasn’t the high maintenance type like the girls Jeffrey liked to date. Pizza and a movie had been their go-to hang-out since they’d become a couple.

"Can I help you?" The guy behind the counter seemed nerdy and wouldn’t look Mark in the eye.

Mark said, "I’d like a large pizza supreme and two Mountain Dews."

The guy behind the counter nodded. "That's twenty-seven dollars and 33 cents."

Mark placed a twenty and ten on the counter. "I don’t need any change."

The guy tossed the receipt on the counter. "Your number order is 16 ma’am."

The man's words froze Mark in place. He paused for a second until completely sure the chill wasn’t part of a spell. The freeze made it hard for Mark to speak.

Emily answered for him. "Thank you sir." She grabbed the receipt and took Mark by the arm. "Are you okay?"

Mark shook his head. "That guy called me ma’am.”

“Yeah?”

Mark looked into a nearby window to see his reflection. Red hair flowed around both sides of his head. His t-shirt showed two tiny breasts on his chest. "We shouldn’t be here."

"It’s okay." Emily whispered. “You’re okay.”

“Do you think he can see through the spell?”

“I don’t know.”

“Bridget threatened me.”

“She did?”

“It wasn’t exactly a threat. She said…” Mark tried to mimic her voice, and scared himself when his voice sounded almost the same. "’The illusion spell is limited. Don’t make me use a more drastic solution.’”

“Yikes!” Emily agreed. “That is harsh.”

Mark noticed a couple of boys staring at Emily then their eyes turned to him. Not one of their eyes rose above his chest.

He whispered, “Those boys can see me too!”

“Calm down. It’s okay. These people don’t know you.” Emily soothed. “Take deep breaths.”

Mark took a couple of deep breaths, but it didn’t help.

Emily added, “I don’t think Bridget was mad at you. I think she was pissed at Fiona.”

Mark nodded, “I got that feeling. Bridget seemed in a hurry to get us out the door.”

Emily nodded back. “I get the feeling there’s something they aren’t telling us. It’s been two days and Fiona’s still a mess. She did look better after Bridget cast that spell.”

“Yeah.” Mark sighed, “I was excited when I entered the shop. I thought we did pretty good on our own.” A group of five boys passed, all of them first staring at Emily, and then turning to him. “Now I feel worse.”

A guy’s voice called out. "ORDER #16!"

Emily grabbed the receipt. "Sit here. I’ll get our food."

Mark nodded and hunched forward, covering his chest with both arms.

The pair munched on their pizza but didn’t say a word until the last piece was gone.

“Wanna walk around?”

“Are you serious?” Mark tried to suck more liquid through the straw, but all that was left was ice.

“It will be good for you. You need practice walking on those legs.”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you worried people will stare?”

“Uhh … yeah. Look at me.” The reflection in the nearby mirror showed a person with a girl’s haircut, small breasts, a mostly masculine face, a mostly masculine figure, wearing guy’s jeans, and a t-shirt. “I’m a freak.”

“You’re not a freak. Have you looked around our school? Guys and girls come in all shapes and sizes.” Emily held out her hand. “These people don’t know you. It’ll be fun.”

Emily always had a jaded concept of fun, but Mark had never been good at saying no.

They did a complete circuit of the mall three times. It was weird walking with Emily knowing everyone might see them as sisters or girlfriends or maybe even a lesbian couple.

“Ohhhh…” Emily tugged on Mark’s arm, "I see someone I know."

Two girls stood in front of a store that specialized in cheap t-shirts. Mark thought he recognized them.

The taller of the two spoke. "What’s up Emily?"

"Not much. You?"

Mark saw both girls sneaking looks at him. He did his best not to react, staring at the ground instead. Both girls had dyed their hair jet black. Both wore black pants and black t-shirts.

Emily smiled. "Mark and I are out on a date. He’s been grouchy since the game on Friday, and he owes me big time."

The shorter girl smirked, "Sorry about the game. That had to suck."

Mark asked, "You were there?"

"Nah. That rah-rah shit isn’t our scene." She added a non-too-convincing, "But I’m sure you’ll get them this week."

Mark wasn’t sure if she was serious, "Thanks. I appreciate it."

Emily paused, then said,"Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

The tall girl answered, "Sure."

"Do you notice anything different about Mark?"

Mark felt his cheeks grow warm as both two girls stared. The tall girl spoke first, "Like what?"

Emily said, "Mark thinks that shirt I bought for him makes him look too girly."

The shorter girl shrugged. "It looks fine to me."

Emily elbowed Mark. "See. I told you." Emily pulled on his arm. "We should go get some pants to go with it."

The shorter girl said, "Shorts would work better."

Mark snapped, "Who asked you?"

Emily laughed, "See what I mean? He’s been like this all this week."

The tall girl laughed. "I see."

"By the way…" Emily held up the vape. "Are either of you interested in a lightly used vape?"

The taller girl laughed, "I never pegged you as a smoker."

"I tried it." Emily smiled at Mark. "I didn't like it."

The shorter girl asked, "How much?"

"Free." Emily held out the box. "Think of it as a gift for my boyfriend’s rudeness."

The short girl grabbed it. "Thanks."

"Okay. We’re off. Gotta go do some more shopping." Emily waved to the two as she pulled Mark away. "Maybe we’ll see you around later."

“Yeah.” The two girls waved back. "See ya."

Mark muttered as they walked away. "Who are those girls? They look familiar."

"They’re in our class. The tall one is Bella. The shorter one is Kaya." Emily smiled. "I guess lesbian stoners aren’t in your circle of friends."

"You know me." Mark shrugged, "I tend to stay by myself."

Emily smiled, "I know you do." She squeezed his hand, then nodded towards a clothing store that catered primarily to women.

"No way."

“Are you sure? You’ve got two sports bras. You need more.”

“I can’t.” Mark shook his head. “I got my starting spot back and got rid of Fiona’s corruption. The last thing I need to do is go into that shop.”

“You’ve tried on hundreds of bras. Trying on more won’t change you.”

Emily laid five different styles on the table. “No. No. No. No. And hell no.”

“Come on Mark. You need to choose something.”

“I can’t. Choosing might cause a change.”

“That’s why I’m choosing for you. This isn't something you’re doing willingly.” Emily held up a black bra and a beige bra. They looked similar with the same straps and lacy cover “What about these?”

Mark shrugged.

“You’re impossible. Follow me.” Emily grabbed Mark’s arm and pulled him to the back of the store. A half dozen women stared as Mark followed.

Mark said, “I’m not going in there.”

Emily whispered in his ear, “All dressing rooms are alike on the inside. It’s no big deal.”

Mark shook his head, but Emily pushed him through the door’s frame. “See? I forced you inside. No change happened.”

Emily smiled through the curtain. He wanted to complain, but couldn’t fault her logic. A second later a girl’s hand appeared through the dividing curtain. “I insist you wear this bra.”

“I’m not sure if that’s the way it works.” Despite the circumstances, Mark had to laugh. If nothing else, Emily was persistent.

A look in the mirror showed a much different story than the vague images he’d seen reflected in the store windows or even his bedroom. These mirrors were meant to show everything in minute detail. As Mark looked, he saw that while he still had a mostly masculine face and a mostly masculine body at best someone might call his look androgynous, “I’m not sure about this Emily.”

Emily’s voice shouted back. “Good. Remember… we are trying to avoid changes, Mark.”

Mark removed his sports bra, taking a deep breath as the cool air comforted him, avoiding looking in the mirror as he grabbed the bra Emily gave him. “What is this thing?”

“It’s called a bralette.”

Mark laughed. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. It’s a compromise between support and comfort.”

Mark pressed the cloth against his chest so he couldn’t see his nakedness in the nearby mirror. The material felt surprisingly soft for something that looked so intricate. It was made of a black lace material, had straps, and a clasp in the back. “Can you help me put it on?”

“Of course.” Emily appeared through the curtain, blocking his view from the mirror as she did so. She first helped him put his arms through the straps then tightened the clasps, so the cloth material pulled tight against Mark’s ribs.

“That’s a little snug.”

“You’re tough to size. You’ve got a thicker chest cavity than most girls.”

Mark said, “I’m not a girl.”

“You know what I meant.”

A voice called from outside. “Is everything okay in there?”

Emily answered in a loud voice, “Everything’s fine.”

“I need to be sure.” The voice said, “I need you to come out of the booth.”

Mark shook his head back and forth. Emily stuck her head through the curtains, “Uhhh … we’re kinda naked in here. Can you come back later?”

“I’m sorry.” The voice insisted, “I’m sure I heard a guy’s voice. And I’m sure I heard the name ‘Mark’. It is explicitly against store rules for a guy to trespass in the women’s dressing room.”

Emily looked at Mark who shrugged a response. Emily used her most innocent sounding voice. “Give us a minute.”

The sales clerk wasn’t deterred, “If you aren’t out in ten seconds, I’m going to call security.”

Mark spoke with his normal manly, albeit somewhat higher, voice, “Don’t do that…” He pulled back the curtain and stuck out his chest. “Is this enough proof for you?”

The girl looked horrified as she stared, “I’m so sorry sir … I mean ma’am.”

Emily looked more pissed than Mark had ever seen her. “Serves you right. It’s hard enough for women like my girlfriend to transition. People like you make it harder.”

The girl sounded distraught. “I’m so sorry … I didn’t know … if you’d told me when you came in I would have taken special care of you … our management takes pride in how we treat our transgender clients.”

The girl’s voice sounded like she might cry. She pointed to a rainbow pin on her jacket with the words, ‘Our company takes PRIDE in our customers’. “I do care about the LGBTQIA+ community.” The girl added a desperate sounding, “I even marched at Pride last year.”

Mark smiled when he heard the girl mention Pride. He’d never gone himself, but he’d seen pictures. Pride attracted people of all shapes and sizes. He’d heard guys on the team call them a ‘bunch of freaks’ but at least they were unafraid to show the world their true nature. No one could rightfully call them cowards.

A sense of power filled Mark as he watched the sales clerk squirm. The words came out before he thought about what he was saying.

“That’s right. I’m transitioning from male to female.”

The cold snap began at the mention of the last word.

It moved up his extremities before centering in his throat.

“Mark?” Emily looked concerned.

Stupid stupid stupid.

A girl’s voice asked, “Are you okay? Do you need something to drink?”

Mark shook his head. He'd shown off his tits to a girl to prove he belonged in the girl’s dressing room then made it worse by telling her he was transitioning from male to female. What did he think would happen?

“Is it bad?” Mark looked at Emily before noting his voice had moved up another half octave.

Surprise registered on Emily’s face.

The other girl asked, “Are you hypoglycemic? Do you need something to eat?”

Mark shook his head, afraid to say another word.

The girl said, “I just started a new diet. I’m only allowed to drink beet juice and kale.”

“Uggh.” Emily shook her head. “That doesn’t sound healthy.”

“It’s not.” The girl leaned over. Mark watched as her massive breasts bounced back and forth, “But a girl’s got to keep her figure.” Her face turned pale as she looked at Mark. “I hope you didn’t take offense about what I said earlier.”

Mark shook his head. “Why would I be offended?” His voice came out in a melodic rush.

“I said your voice sounds like a guy.” The girl smiled, “Your voice sounds so natural. How long did it take to train yourself to sound like that?”

Mark cleared his throat, “Less time than you’d expect.”

Emily gave Mark a sour look. “Do you have a measuring tape, Miss?”

“Yes, and call me Cait.” The girl bounded down the hall, returning a couple seconds later with a cloth tape in her hand. “Would you like me to size you? I’d be happy to help.”

“We’re good.” Emily took the tape and closed the curtain.

Cait shouted through the curtain. “No problem. I’ll be at the front desk if you need me.”

Emily waited a couple of seconds for the girl to leave. “Your voice changed.”

Mark tried to use his chest voice. “I know.” The tone was still too high. “This is bad. This is bad. This is bad.”

Emily said, “It’s not that bad.”

Mark explained, “Bridget’s spell is a body illusion spell, not a voice illusion spell. She warned me I needed to be careful, and I didn’t listen. We need to leave.”

“I need to measure you first.”

Mark shook his head. “I don’t want you to measure anything.”

“Take off your pants.”

“No.” The last thing he needed was for Emily to see him with his pants off.

“Can you pull them down halfway so I can get a good measurement?”

Mark unbuttoned the first few buttons on his jeans then pulled his pants down halfway. “Is that enough?”

“Yeah.” Emily pulled the tape measure around Mark’s waist, a bit higher than where he normally wore his pants. “Thirty inches.”

“Thirty? Are you sure?”

Emily nodded, “Is that a problem?”

Mark shrugged. “I’ve worn a 32-inch waist for years.”

She pulled the tape measure lower, a couple inches below his waist. “34 inches.”

“What’s that mean?”

“That’s your hip size.”

“Hip size?”

Emily explained, “You’re new at this, but girls measure their waist size, their hip size, and both chest sizes.”

Mark looked confused. “There’s two chest sizes? Like one for each boob?”

Emily laughed. “No dumbass.” Emily pulled the tape around his body so it went over both nipples. “37 inch overbust.”

“Is that bad?”

Emily shook her head. “There is no good or bad. They’re just sizes.” She pulled the tape around his chest just below the puffy spot. “36 inch underbust.”

This time Mark didn’t comment.

“We can get you properly fitted for a bra now that we know your sizes. You need a 36A.”

Mark asked, “Can you pick them out so we can get out of here? We’ve done enough for one day and I’m really tired.”

“Of course.”

Mark shut his bedroom door, then checked it twice to be safe. It had been years since his parents walked in without knocking, but he couldn't be too careful.

The six bras dumped out of the bag and fell onto his bed. His bras. The thought sent a chill up his spine but thankfully not the kind that came with a change. He picked up the black one first, a mix of satin and soft cotton, and so small it didn’t look like it should qualify as a bra at all.

Getting it on took longer than he expected. He followed Emily's instructions from memory - clasp in front, swing it around, arms through the straps. He stood for a moment to catch his breath before letting himself look in the mirror.

His reflection didn't show much. The shape wasn't dramatic, but he couldn't deny a softness that hadn't been there. He pulled his hair into a bun and tugged on his maroon hoodie over it. Just like that - he was invisible - he was Mark Lansing again.

Trying the rest went faster - a gray one, a pink one, a beige one, and a yellow one with a bow at the center that was never leaving this room. He and Emily were going to have a conversation about that last one.

The only thing he couldn't hide was his voice.

"Hey, Jeffrey." Mark cleared his throat and tried to flatten it out. "Heeey, Jeeefreeee."

It cracked upward on the second try, nothing like the voice he'd had days ago. He pressed his lips together and didn't try a third time.

He folded the bras as neatly as he could manage and buried them in his dresser under a pair of old gym shorts then pulled on a worn old t-shirt and killed the light.

Shapes lingered in the corners. Mark stared at them and wasn’t afraid.

He knew what tomorrow might bring. For a moment he tried to stay awake, but his eyelids were heavy, and the tired part of his brain knew it was only a matter of time. He was going to sleep soon. He’d wake up tomorrow. Whatever this was, his fate had already been decided. Laying here dreading it wouldn't change a thing.

To be honest, they’d done well today. He was back on the team, he understood the spell, and he knew how to control it. Even a pessimist would call that a good day. Even if the worst should happen, Bridget had promised to undo all the changes at the end of the week.

Mark smiled, allowing his eyes to flutter before letting them close.

Normal.

That was all he'd ever wanted.

...to be normal...
...like everyone else...
...free to show the truth...
...but cowardice always stood in the way.

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