Miss Spelled

By Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2006

 

“Hey dude, wait up,” called a voice from behind me as I was opening the door to my car.  I turned around and saw my long time friend and co-conspirator Ray Murray hurrying up to me.  Ray was one of those odd combinations -- both a nerd and a jock being a gamer as well as a football player.  I was just a nerd.  We were both seventeen, had part-time jobs at the mall; me at the movie theater and Ray at a bookstore. Graduation from high school just two months away.

“What’s up, man?” I asked.  It was Friday afternoon and I was ready to put some distance between me and school.

“Nothin’ much, Steve.  I was hoping I could catch a ride,” said Ray between breaths due to the short sprint to my car.  “My sister already left, so I can’t ask her.”  Ray’s sister Rachel was a year younger and a cheerleader. 

“Your Dad took your car away from you again?” 

“Naah,” said Ray, shaking his head.  “Not this time.  This morning there was transmission fluid all over the driveway.”

I looked thoughtful for a moment and as I gestured for Ray to get inside the car I said, “Probably just a blown seal.  Easy fix.”

“Hope so,” said Ray as he opened the passenger door of my car and proceeded to sit down.  After he dropped his books on the floorboard, he asked, "Got anything goin' this weekend?"

I slammed my door shut and frowned as I looked over at him.  I said, "Are you serious?  This is me you're talking to.  For any one else, this would be a party weekend."

Ray nodded knowingly.  "You're parents out of town for the weekend again, huh?"

"Not only that, I don’t have to work this weekend either.” I said.  “But you know what's really pissing me off?  I couldn’t get anyone to go out with me," I growled.  "What's wrong with us, Ray?  We couldn't get a date tonight if we bribed the girls with diamonds to go with us."  Ray’s sister was really cute and like I said, about a year younger than us.  She wouldn’t go out with me either.

"We're nerds, dude," shrugged Ray.  "Actually, I was asking if you were going to set up a death-match server tonight."

"Probably, since that's what we do each Friday night instead of going out with girls."  That's what we normally did on weekends.  One of us would set up a server and the other would join in.  It normally didn't take long before others who had no life and/or date would join our server.

Ray bent down to his stack of books on the floor and picked one.  “Steve, you mind running past the library downtown?  I have a book that’s due back today.”

I nodded and said, “No problem.”  I rarely went downtown any more.  It had been dying for years after they built the mall fairly close to our house.

It only took a few minutes to arrive at the library.  It was only a few minutes later when Ray returned to my car after dropping off his book.  Because of traffic, I couldn’t just make a U-turn, so I turned down a back street in order to turn around.

Staring out the window, Ray said, “You know, it’s just too bad we can’t snap our fingers and conjure up our own girlfriends.”

I laughed.  “That’d be perfect, wouldn’t it?  Create our own dream girls and not waste our time with those snobby bitches at school!”

As we drove down the backstreet, a sign on a store front I’d never seen before caught my eye and I pulled across the street from it at the nearest empty parking spot.

“What are you stoppin’ here for, dude?” Ray asked.

“You want to do something different tonight?  Try a little experiment?”

“What are you talkin’ about, man?” asked Ray, sounding confused.

I pointed at a store across the street, nestled between a barber shop and a laundry.  “That.” I said.  The sign read ‘Charlotte’s Old-Tyme Magic Store.’

Ray laughed and said, “You gotta be shittin’ me, man.  Why do you want to go into a stupid magic store for?”

“You just said it yourself a second ago.” I said, starting to get out of my car.  “We can try conjuring up our own dream girls!”

Ray just looked at me like I was an idiot.  “That’s stupid.  There’s no such thing as magic.  Talk about a waste of time!”

I frowned and asked, “You got anything better to do tonight, chump?”

Ray didn’t answer.  He just got out of the car.

As we walked across the street towards the store, I said, “Besides, it might be a fun store to look through.”

Ray stopped in front of the store and turned to face me.  He said, “Do you really believe that you’re going to find anything in there that will make girlfriends just pop out of thin air?”

I shrugged.   “No, not really.  But does it hurt to look?  Like I said, is there anything better to do?”  I turned the old fashioned door knob and opened the creaky door.

The store was somewhat narrow, but deep, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stuffed with leather bound books big and small.  There were strange mechanical devices that seemed to serve no purpose.  Tables crowded the middle of the room with scattered books and boxes of unfamiliar items.  There was a rack and table devoted to obvious stage magician items like inter-linking rings, cards, etc. A skeleton stood in one corner.

An old woman with glasses was hunched over the counter, absorbed in a rather old looking book.  She looked up as we entered and adjusted her glasses.  She called out in an old, but very clear voice, “May I help you young gentlemen with something?”

Ray said as he opened a large dusty book and leafed through it, “We’re just looking.”

The old woman just nodded and went back to reading her book.

I examined the bookshelves for a few minutes, running my fingers across the backs of old leather bound volumes, looking for a title to jump out at me.  I finally walked back to the counter at the rear of the store where the old woman was.  I said to her, “Excuse me, ma’am?”  She didn’t look up at first, so I said a little louder, “Ma’am?”

She looked slightly disoriented as she looked up at me and her eyes re-focused.  “Oh, sorry sir.  Have you found something you like?”

I frowned and shook my head.  I said, “No, not yet.  I was hoping you could help me.”

From the middle of the store, Ray closed the book he was looking at and said, “Steve, let’s go.”  He looked at the old woman and said, “No offense, but this place creeps me out.  I can’t believe what I saw in this book here.”

She peered across the room to look at where Ray was standing.  She said in all seriousness, “Yes.  You probably should stay clear of those books unless you’re an advanced witch.”  She looked back towards me and asked, “What did you need help with, sir?”

I laughed nervously and said, “Well, ah…I’m looking for…um…do you have any books about conjuring up stuff.  Or creating stuff out of thin air.  That kind of thing.  Nothing dangerous like demons or anything.”

The old woman scrutinized us both.  She asked, “Are either of you boys witches?”

Ray was walking towards us as he answered, “Not hardly.  Let’s go, Steve.”

She looked at me and said, “Bringing forth any entity carries a risk of something really nasty coming through as well, if you’re not careful.  I have a book on simple spells that include some conjuring.  But with little or no experience in such matters, it’s hard to say how much success you would have.  What did you boys have in mind, if I may ask?”

Ray said sarcastically, “Stevie here had the brilliant idea to use a magic spell to get us a couple of girls for the night.”

The old woman frowned and asked, “You’re wanting to cast some charms on unsuspecting girls so they’ll go out with you?”

Gesturing with both hands I said, “Oh, no, no, no.  I thought we could just create our dream girls.  Is that possible?”

The old woman nodded and said, “It’s possible.  I just don’t know if I want to release that kind of magic to rank amateurs such as yourselves.  You never know what kind of side effects you might have.  But, like I said, I do have a book of simple spells that may do what you’re wanting.  It’s rather old though and expensive.”

I pulled my dad’s credit card out of my pocket and said, “Money’s no object.  This is for real?  You can actually do stuff like that?”

Ray grabbed my shoulder and said, “Of course it isn’t real, you moron.  This is a book store.  She sells creepy old books.  She probably has a buyer’s advantage club she’ll try to plus sell you too.”

I frowned at Ray and said, “Not every book store is like the one you work at.”  I turned to the old woman and asked, “How much?”

The old woman’s eyes sparkled as she said, “You’re friend doesn’t have much faith, does he?”  Before I could answer, she continued, “Just a moment, sir.  Let me find the book and I’ll let you know how much it is.”

She walked from around the counter and over to a ladder attached to a track in the ceiling.  She slid the ladder down a couple of shelves and then climbed up the ladder.  She muttered to herself as she fussed over several books.  After a few minutes, she pulled a small, dust covered book from the shelf and started slowly back down the ladder.

She handed me the book and said, “I think this may…um, do the trick.”  She chuckled to herself as she made her way back to the other side of the counter.

I examined the cover of the book.  There was no title either on the front cover or on the binding.  How the hell did she know what book she was getting.  Maybe Ray was right.  She was just conning us. 

I looked through the pages of the book as I walked back to the counter.  The book was written in script rather than printed and the illustrations were pen and ink drawings.  There were all kinds of ‘spells’ in the book ranging from love potions to creating wealth to transmogrifying objects.

The old woman was looking down at a paper list as I returned to the counter.  She looked up and said, “You’re in luck.  That book is on sale.  It’s only seventy-five dollars.”

I looked at the book.  It looked really old.  Regardless of its content, just from its age alone, it should be worth more than that.  If nothing else, it could be entertaining just reading the alleged spells.  I said, “I’ll take it.”

Ray sputtered, “Steve, are you nuts?  Even if it is just your dad’s money, you shouldn’t throw it away like that!  We could use that money to get that new game we were looking at the other day.”

I said, “I want to do something different.  And my curiosity is sky high right now.”  I turned to the old woman and asked, “Are these safe?”

The old woman shrugged as she rang up the sale and said, “No warranty expressed or implied.  Caveat emptor and all that jazz.  The spells won’t let you harm a second party and you can’t cast one spell to counter-act another. Still, remember that there’s always risk when using that kind of magic.  Especially when you don’t know what you’re doing.”

As she put the book in a plain brown paper bag and handed it to me, I asked, “Do these spells need anything exotic, like eyes of newts and shit like that?”

The old woman rolled her eyes and said, “I just sell books.  Go next door to buy your caldron and black pointy hats.”

*   *   *

 

Ray and I were sitting on the floor of my upstairs room.  We were alone in the house.  The book was laid out in front of us.  I had found what seemed to be an appropriate ‘spell’.  All that was needed was to write down on note cards exactly what we wanted and then we were to hold hands and chant.

Ray just held his card and wasn’t writing anything.  He said, “Don’t you feel the least bit silly?  This is a colossal waste of time.”

I looked up from my card and frowned at him.  “Don’t you have any sense of adventure?  If it doesn’t work, at least we did something different from the same old shit we do every weekend.”

I wrote a few more lines on my card.  “There!” I announced.  “I’ve finished my list. Here’s my dream girl.” I started to read down my list. “My dream girl has long dark brown hair, big blue eyes, soft kissable lips, nice firm tits, but not too big.  Long legs, great ass, and tight pussy.  She’ll be a little dumb but have a great sense of humor and laugh easily.  She’ll be kind and loving and a little submissive.  Oh, and hornier than hell. What do you think?”  I scribbled that last item quickly on my list.

Ray took the card and said, “Can I just use your list?”

I pulled the card from his fingers and said, “No, it needs to be in your own handwriting.”

Ray started to write his list.  He asked, “Now how is this supposed to work?”

“According to the book, we hold hands, yeah, I know…I’ll read my list while you chant what’s written in the book.  The words don’t make sense, but you have to say them exactly.”

Ray suddenly looked worried.  “What happens if I don’t?  And should we draw a pentagram around us or something?”

I shrugged.  “I don’t know what will happen if you say it wrong.  That old woman suggested these were safe for amateurs to use.”

Ray frowned.  “She also said there was always a risk.”

I laughed and said, “What are you worried about?  You don’t believe it’s going to work anyway!”

“I don’t,” Ray admitted.  “But then, I don’t really want to be ripped to shreds by some stupid demon, either.”

“Well, let’s see,” I said.  “You can finish your list after we conjure up my dream girl.  Are you ready to give it a try?”

Ray looked unsure.  He put down his pencil and note card and said, “I guess so.  Hand me the book.”

“All right!  Let’s make me my dream girl!”

I slid the book across the floor to him.  I laid the note card in front of me which placed it between us.  Neither one of us cared for it, but we took each other’s hands.  I started to recite the list over and over while Ray began the chanting.

The book said to do this part for about twenty minutes. The book was rather vague, but it said the person reading the list will feel when the time is right. At that moment I was to shout my desire while Ray would continue to chant.  Then the event, whatever it was, would occur.  It really didn’t seem enough, but I was glad it didn’t call for drinking goat’s blood or something else disgusting. 

As Ray chanted and I recited the list, I could feel a slight chill that started to make the hairs on my arms stand up.  I started to feel dizzy. There was lightning outside and I could hear the wind picking up. I closed my eyes, but I could see a brilliant light before me and it felt like I was surrounded by electricity.  My gut suddenly wrenched…

“Make me my dream girl!” I shouted at the top of my voice, which sounded strained and raspy.  Just like in the movies, the window violently burst open and a strong wind blew through along with a loud thunder clap and a bright flash of lightning.  I felt like I was about to throw up and then everything went blank.

*   *   *

 

I felt disoriented, as if I was spinning around.  I slowly opened my eyes and the dizziness started to leave my head.  I felt achy.  I was still on the floor and I could see Ray sprawled across the floor opposite me.  A shaft of morning light pierced the still open window.  Loose papers and even leaves apparently blown in from the open window were strewn across the room. 

I didn’t feel quite right and my head hurt.  I was afraid to move.  Just what the hell happened?  I turned my head and scanned the part of the room that was visible to me.  Did anything actually happen? I wondered where my dream girl was.  There was just Ray and me as far as I could see.  Did she leave?

Ray started to stir.  I managed to sit up.  I felt totally weird. When Ray lifted his head I said, “Ray, I think it was a bust.  Lots of noise and light, but I don’t think we got a girl out of it.”  My voice sounded strange to me, but I also had a throbbing headache.

Ray turned to look at me.  When he did, his eyes grew as big as saucers.  He pointed at me and said, “Dude!  It did work.” He twisted his head quickly around.  “Man, where are you?  The most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen is sitting right in front of me.”

I frowned and said, “That’s me, you asshole.  Quit foolin’ around.” I started to stand up.  Something just wasn’t right.

Still on the floor, Ray managed to jump back a foot, his face twisted in apparent shock.  “Steve!  My God it’s you!  Y…you…you’re a girl, dude!”

"Cut it out, man!" I said, just as several strands of long, dark brown hair slid across my eyes.  "What the hell...?"

"Holy shit, man!  What did you do?  Why are you a girl?" Ray slowly climbed to his feet.

"I don't believe you.  This is some kind of joke.  You did something while I was asleep..."  I reached up and felt my face.  My face felt smooth and my hand was soft.  I looked at my hand.  It was smaller than I remembered it.  I felt my nose.  It was small.  I felt my head and ran my hands down through long silky hair.

I started to shake.  Cold chills ran down my spine.  "No man, there's no way this is real.  This can't be happening."

Ray took a cautious step towards me.  "Believe it, Steve. You're a chick."

I felt my chest.  "Oh my God!  I've got tits, man!" I reached up under my shirt and felt my chest directly. "They're small, but definitely tits."

I was really shaking now.  I felt sick to my stomach.  I was totally scared shitless.  My mouth went dry as I contemplated what I might find as I slowly slid my hand into the front of my pants.

Ray looked like his eyes were going to fall out of the sockets and his mouth hung wide open as he watched me.  "This ain't happening. It just can't."

Instead of what should have been there, my fingers found a slit and my fingers slipped a little ways inside.  I was instantly nauseated and jerked my hand back out of my pants.  I collapsed to the floor, crying, "Oh my God no!!  This is impossible!"

Ray just stood there, staring at me.

I looked up at Ray and said in an alien voice, "I've got a pussy.  I've got a goddamned pussy!"

Ray sat down on my bed and just shook his head as he stared at me.

I suddenly shouted, "No!  This isn't really happening!"  I jumped up and ran across the hall to the bathroom and slammed the door.

I looked at myself in the mirror and I couldn't believe what I saw.  Staring at me from the mirror was the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life, with a mane of long, silky dark brown hair.  She had large, beautiful blue eyes, perfect nose and perfect lips.  She was wearing my clothes...clothes that were now way too big.

I pulled my shirt off and there were two perfect, firm breasts.  I felt a trickle of sweat roll down the center of my back.

I cupped my right tit with my hand and gently massaged the nipple with my thumb.  My whole breast tingled and the nipple started to stand erect.  The feeling was incredible.  I quickly dropped my hand.

Beads of sweat popped up on my forehead and my whole body began to feel clammy with sweat.  I was breathing heavy and I couldn't take my eyes off me.  Finally I tore my eyes away from the mirror and started to open the door.  I realized I wasn't wearing a shirt.  I quickly slipped the shirt back on and exited the bathroom.

Stunned, I sat on the bed next to Ray and stared blankly at the floor.  "I'm a girl, Ray.  I'm a fucking girl."

Ray looked over at me and said, "What went wrong, man?  Did we do exactly what the book said?"

I shrugged and said, "As far as I know.  I read the list over and over while you chanted.  Like the book said, I felt when the time was ready and I said I wanted to make my dream girl."

Ray looked thoughtful for a moment. Finally he said, "But that's not what you said.  You said it differently somehow."

I furrowed my brow and said, "I know what I said, Ray.  I'm pretty sure that's what I said."

Shaking his head, Ray said, "No, it was different."  He thought for a few moments, and then said, "I know what you said!  You didn't say, 'Make my dream girl.'  You said...'Make me my dream girl!  You told the book to make you your own dream girl!"

I just sat there, dumbfounded a moment.  "Oh my God, you're right!  I didn't think about it.  The spell worked, but I said it wrong!  Damn!  This is a disaster!  What am I going to do?  I can't stay a girl!  Mom and Dad will be home Sunday night.  They're not going to believe this happened. And I can't go to school this way!"

I slapped my forehead. "What a fuckin' moron I am!  This is bad.  This is sooo bad."  I buried my face in my hands.

There was a long silence before I looked back up and saw Ray studying me.

"I'm not sure, but it looks to me like you're about thirteen years old.  Your dream girl is a thirteen year old girl?"  His face was suddenly hostile as he shouted, "You perv!"

"My dream girl isn't thirteen.  I...I..." I looked down at the floor again and noticed the note card with my list.  "I didn't specify an age.  I bet that if the spell had worked correctly, there'd be a thirteen year old girl here with us."

Ray got up from sitting on the bed and stretched his muscles.  As he looked out the open window, he said, "Okay, genius.  What's next?"

"I don't know," I said.  "I just don't know...I can't stay this way, that's for sure."  I thought a moment then said, "Let's go back to the magic store.  I bet she knows how to reverse these spells."

Frowning, Ray said, "Remember, she said no warranty."

“We have to try something!  I can’t be like this when Mom and Dad get home! They won’t believe I’ve turned into a girl.  Nobody would.”  Still sitting on the bed, I started to cry.

Ray instinctively put his arm around me and said, “Don’t cry!  We’ll figure something out.”

I  never noticed it before, but Ray seemed to have an odd smell to him.  Not bad, but oddly attractive.  I felt so secure in his arms.  The contact with his skin started a tingling inside me.  I looked up at Ray’s face.  I had always before thought he looked like a dork.  I never realized just how cute he was.

I jumped up off the bed and shouted, “No!”  I had to maintain self control.  I bent down and picked up the note card.  Pointing, I said, “I’m a victim of my own stupidity.  I wish I’d left this last item off.”

“You don’t want to be hornier than hell?” Ray asked, grinning.

Impatiently I said, “Well, come on, doofus.  Let’s get to that magic store.  I don’t want to be a girl any longer than I have to.”

Ray just sat there on the bed.  Calmly he said, “Are you planning on going downtown dressed like that?”

I looked down at the oversized shirt and pants draped over my form.  “You’re right.  You probably should go buy me some girls’ pants and a shirt of some kind.”

Ray sat there looking thoughtful for a moment.  He asked, “Why don’t I just get Rachel and bring her over here with extra clothes and whatever?”

Shocked, I said, “You can’t do that!  Your sister will see me!”

“She’s seen girls before.”

“She hasn’t seen this girl before, and I’d like to keep it that way,” I said, irritated he’d make such a suggestion.  “The fewer who know about this, the better.”

Ray said.  “I don’t think we have a choice.  You can’t go outside looking like that.  It’d draw too much attention.  We need an expert on girls.  Now, hand me your car keys.”

“You’re not going to leave me here alone are you?” I asked.

Frowning, Ray said, “I doubt I’ll be gone more than twenty minutes.”

I touched Ray’s hand and said, “Why don’t you just take me with you?” Touching Ray caused an unexpected twinge of excitement.

“Because my parents are home.  Now give me your keys please.”

Already starting to feel lonely I said while pointing, “On top of the dresser.”

*   *   *

 

“You guys were trying to do what?!” exclaimed Rachel as she stared at me.

“Like I said, to make a girlfriend,” offered Ray.  “Something backfired.”

Looking irritated, Rachel said, “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of!”  Turning toward me she continued, “I don’t know how they suckered you into this gag, but, “ turning back towards Ray, “it isn’t one bit funny.  Why are you wasting my time like this?  Where’s Steve?”  She tossed a plastic bag of clothes onto the bed.

Ray pointed at me and said, “He’s right there.”

Rachel folder her arms and scowled.  “The joke is over.  Take me home now.”

I started crying.  “I told you she wouldn’t believe it.  I doubt I’d believe it either.”

Ray picked up the spell book from the floor and handed it to Rachel.  “Here’s the book.  The spell we used is on page 67.”

Rachel just looked at the book, but wouldn’t touch it.

“Take it!” Ray said forcefully.  “Look through it.”

She finally took the book and started thumbing through it.  After perusing it for a few minutes and looking back and forth between me, the book and Ray.  Still looking at the book, Rachel said, “You guys are actually serious, aren’t you?  You really were trying to use magic to make a girlfriend?”

“Yep” replied Ray, simply.

“And Steve somehow managed to turn himself into a girl instead?”

“That’s about the size of it,” said Ray.

“See?  I told you, Ray.” I said, pouting.  “Nobody’s going to believe it.  People just don’t turn into girls every day, you know.”

“Dammit, Steve!  Will you shut up, already?  How many times are you going to say that!”

“Until somebody believes me or I turn back!” I snapped.

Ray gestured towards the door.  “Leave the clothes here, Rach.  I’ll go ahead and take you home.  I was hoping you could help get Steve presentable so we could go downtown without attracting attention.”

Rachel looked confused for a moment.  “You guys aren’t backing down on this, are you?  You aren’t trying to fool me?”

I glared at her and said, “What would be the point?”

“To make me look foolish,” said Rachel, folding her arms again.

Ray said, “Why bother?  You do a good enough job of that yourself.”

“Never heard that before.”

We all just stood there in silence for a few moments and stared at each other.

Finally Rachel walked up to me and said, “Is that really you in there, Steve?”

“Yep, it’s me,” I said.

With a look of resignation, Rachel said, “I’m not sure if I’m totally buying this, but what do you want me to do?”

Ray said, “Well, look at him.  He can’t go out in public like that.  None of his clothes fit.”

Rachel studied me for a moment, and then said, “Yeah, she’s close to the same size I was when I was thirteen.  A little shorter though.  I got shorts and I got skirts.”  She rummaged through the clothes in the bag and started to remove some items.

“Shorts,” I said.

Rachel shook her head as she studied me again.  “No…I think we’ll go with this skirt and this top.  It’ll look cute.  And let’s see…my first real bra and panties.  I brought some make-up too.”

“No make-up,” I protested.

Rachel shook her head and said, “Sorry, Steve.  Since you wanted to be a girl, we’re going the whole nine yards.  Why did you want to be a thirteen year old girl, anyway?”

“I didn’t want to be a girl, remember?  I was trying to create my perfect girlfriend.” I sighed.

Rachel looked disgusted.  “Your perfect girl is a thirteen year old?”

I scowled and asked, “Can we talk about this later?”

Ray handed Rachel the note card and helpfully added, “Here’s what he was trying to create.”

Rachel frowned as she read the list.  She said, “My God, Steve.  This is awful.  I hope you have to stay like this a long time, you little jerk.”

Feeling miserable, I asked, “Can we just get on with this?”

Rachel laid out the clothes on the bed and turned and stared at Ray. 

Ray looked at her, then looked at me, then switched back to Rachel.  “What?”

Sounding annoyed, Rachel said, “She has to get dressed.”

“Yeah, so?”

“So, do you mind leaving?” Rachel said sternly.  “Go wait downstairs.”

Turning red slightly, Ray said, “Oh, yeah.  Right.  Sorry.” 

After Ray had left, Rachel said, “Okay, girlie-boy, strip down.”

Frowning at her, I slipped out of my oversized clothes.

I felt my face get warm as she looked me up and down.  She said, “I’m jealous.  The guys are going to love you.”  She handed me a pair of pink nylon panties.

“I don’t plan on staying a girl long enough to find out.” I said as I pulled the panties up my legs.  I was finding it harder to concentrate.  I had to suppress the giggles.

Rachel helped me put on the bra.  I didn’t care for the bra.  It was uncomfortable.  She handed me a pleated denim mini skirt next.  Then she handed me a light blue knit top.  It left some of my stomach exposed.

“Rachel, this shirt is too small.” I said.

She shook her head and said, “It’s supposed to look like that.”

I tried to pull the top down.  It wouldn’t stretch that far.  “I feel stupid dressed this way.”

Rachel looked at me approvingly.  “You look really cute.  You’re going to have to beat the guys off with a stick.”

“Wonderful,” I said sarcastically.  I stifled another giggle.

“Make-up is next.” Rachel said as she pulled some other items out of the bag.

“I don’t want to wear make-up.” I repeated.

“Most girls your age just love wearing make-up.”

“I’m not most girls.”

Rachel ignored me as she started smearing this nasty stuff on my face.  “You’ll get used to it.  In fact, you won’t want to go outside without wearing it.”

“Isn’t this kinda over-kill to just go downtown and get changed back?” I asked.

Rachel giggled.  “Yes, it is.  I just thought it’d be fun.”

Rachel fussed with my hair and make-up for several minutes and finally she backed away to size me up.

“You’re very pretty, Steve.  Beautiful actually.”  She walked around me, looking at me from all sides.  “Let’s call you Stephanie for now.  Steve just doesn’t cut it any more.”

“Please don’t call me that.”

Rachel gestured towards the door.  “Come on, Stephanie.  Let’s see what a pretty girl you are.”

Taking my hand, Rachel led me across the hall to the bathroom.  She stood me in front of the mirror and said, “Take a look!”

I looked at myself in the mirror for the second time that morning.  It took my breath away.  With the right clothes and a little make-up, I was drop-dead gorgeous!  I couldn’t believe it.  I couldn’t take my eyes off my image.  All I could say was, “Wow!”

Rachel smiled behind me and asked, “You like?”

I smiled and started posing.  I felt a cog slip inside my head.  In the back of my mind, I understood that the spell was shaping my thoughts to match what I had put on the list, but I could do nothing to stop it.  I had become a spectator in my own brain.  I said, “Oh, yes! I like it a lot!”

I stopped posing a moment and looked thoughtful.  I asked, “Do you think boys will like me?”

Rachel laughed and said, “Boys are going to love you!”  She wrinkled her brow and asked, “Do you like boys?”

I giggled and said, “That’s a silly question!  I love boys!”  I giggled more as a tingle ran through my body at the thought of being with boys.  I posed again, trying to look seductive.

Rachel said, “That’s one strong spell.  Let’s go show Ray how beautiful you are.”

I giggled all the way down the stairs.  I couldn’t wait to be next to Ray again.  He was just so cute.  And those muscles!

“Holy crap!  As odd as this is for me to say, Steve you’re hot!” Ray said as he saw me bound down the stairs.

“Thanks!” I said as I ran up to Ray.  “I’m Stephanie.”  I just stood there ogling Ray and trying to give him a come hither look.  Ray smiled at me.

Rachel said, “Ray, I think we’d better get Stephanie back to that book store quick.  I’ve never seen a girl this boy-crazy before.  And knowing who she is, is disturbing.”

Ray managed to tear his eyes away from me to look at his sister.  “Oh, yeah, right.  Would you mind going back up stairs and getting the book and the clothes she was wearing before?”

As soon as Rachel disappeared up the staircase, I turned to Ray and said, “Good!  She’s finally gone.”  I giggled and stared at Ray admiringly.  “You’re really cute,” I said as I stepped closer to him.

Ray took hold of my arms to halt my advance.  He said, “I’m glad you feel that way, Stephanie, but let’s not get carried away.”  Turning towards the stairs, he yelled, “Rach!  You need to hurry!”

I looked at him with a puzzled expression.  I asked, “Don’t you like me?”

Before he could answer, Rachel came back down the stairs.  I glared at her. 

Ray turned towards his sister and said, “This majorly sucks!  The only girl to ever come on to me this way and she has to be my best friend!”

*   *   *

 

Ray parked the car a few doors down from where the magic store was.  I was thrilled when he held my hand as the three of us walked down the sidewalk.

We walked almost the length of the block before Ray stopped.  He said, "That's odd.  It was almost right in the middle of the block.  How could we miss it?"  We turned around and began retracing our steps. It was obvious Ray was a take-charge kind of guy.  I like that in a guy.

"Whoa!" exclaimed Ray as we stopped yet again.  "Here's the barber shop it was next door to."  He turned us around again and took a few steps back. 

"I don't understand." Ray scratched his head as he looked at one door, then the other.

Rachel gave one of her famous clueless expressions and said, "What? What are you looking for?"

"The magic store!" Ray said, panic building in his voice.  "It was right in between the barber shop and the laundry."

Rachel looked at the blank wall.  "I don't see anything here.  In fact, this space isn't big enough for a store to be between these two places."

A cute boy suddenly stepped out of the barber shop.  I think I recognized him from school.  He looked at me and smiled. I said, "Hi! Nice haircut!  I mean it." The boy just said hi and kept on walking.

Ray disappeared into the barber shop and returned a few moments later, looking confused.

"I just talked to one of the barbers.," said Ray when he returned.  He said he's been working here for thirty years and there's never been a magic store next to his.  I don't understand.  How could a whole store just disappear like that?"

"By magic?" I offered.

Ray ignored me and said, "Let's go back to the car.  We have to figure something out. Steve's parents will be back Sunday night sometime. I don't think they'd believe anything we said if we tried to tell them that this cute little thing…"  He pointed towards me.  "…is their Steve."

He said I was cute!

We piled back into my car, with Ray at the wheel.  Rachel started looking through the magic book as Ray said, mainly to himself, "This is a disaster.  I wonder if there's another magic store in town."

Rachel finished reading something in the spell book before responding.  “Uh, how much of this book did you guys actually read before trying to do anything?”

Ray looked over at me.  I just smiled at him.  For some strange reason he frowned and turned back to Rachel.  He said, “I dunno.  Steve just flipped through it until he found a spell that he thought would do what we wanted.”

“Boys!” Rachel said shaking her head.  “Look.  It says right here…” she pointed at a paragraph on page two of the book she was holding.  “…’All the spells in this book will expire in approximately twenty-four to thirty-six hours after being cast.’  Steve will return to his old boyish self tonight or tomorrow sometime.”

Ray extended his hand for the book.  “Let me see that!”  He read from the book for a minute.  “You’re right!  All right! That is great news!”  He turned towards me and said, “Stephanie, you’ll be back to normal by Sunday for sure, man!”

“What do you mean back to normal?” I asked feeling confused.  “I’m about as normal as I want to be.”

Ray said, “No, man.  You’ll go back to being a guy again.”

“Being a guy?!”  The thought made me nauseous.   “I don’t want to be a guy!  I want to be with a guy…or two…or fifty…”  I began to giggle.

Rachel looked at me and asked, “You don’t want to go back to being a boy?”

What were they talking about?  Going back to being a boy?  That was so silly!  The thought made me giggle.  I said, “No.  There’s no way I’d want to be a boy.  Do you want to be a boy?”

Rachel frowned and said, “Of course not!”

“Well, then, why do you think I want to be a boy?” I asked, pouting.

Ray, sounding frustrated shouted, “Because you used to be one!”

“Don’t shout at me!” I said.

Rachel turned to Ray and said, “He’s turned himself into an over-sexed brain-dead bimbo.  I don’t think you can reason with him right now.  Serve him right if he stayed that way.”

I folded my arms and said, “I’m not a bimbo.”

Rachel laughed without humor and said, “Girl, if you look ‘bimbo’ up in the dictionary, your picture is next to the definition.”

Surprised, I said, “For reals?”

Rachel waved her hand to indicate she wanted me to go away and she turned to look out the windshield.  Ray shook his head and started the car.  What did I do?

As Ray pulled the car away from the curb, he said, “I have to be at work at one.  You guys want to get some lunch?  And, what do you want to do with that…” he pointed back at me, “…the rest of the day?”

Rachel said, “Someone’s going to have to watch her.  There’s no way she can be left alone.”  She was quiet a few moments, and then she continued, “We’ll just go to the mall with you.  What time do you get off?”

“Seven o’clock.”

“I’ll have to call Joel,” said Rachel. “He was going to pick me up at six tonight. I’m hoping he won’t mind waiting until eight.”

“Do you think you could hang around the mall for six hours?” asked Ray.

Rachel looked at him like he was an idiot and said, “Two teenage girls at the mall?  Are you kidding?”

Ray nodded.  “You’re right.  Stupid question.”

There was silence for a few minutes while we headed towards the mall across town. 

Rachel broke the silence saying, “Hey, why don’t you take your little girlfriend here out on a date?  Just pizza and a movie or something.  It’d give you something to do.”

“That’d be cool!” I said.  “I’d love to go out with you, Ray!”

Ray shook his head and said, “I don’t know about that.  She's so young...”

“Not really," said Rachel. "And I can do her make-up so she'll look closer to sixteen.  Besides, you had a hand in creating this little monster. The least you can do is buy it dinner.”  Ray looked at her like she’d lost her mind.

“Please please please!” I squealed.

Ray looked at me and his eyes softened a little.  “If you just weren’t so damned beautiful.  It doesn’t seem right though to take your best friend out on a date.”

“That’s all I am, is a friend to you?” I asked, feeling let down.

Before Ray could answer, Rachel leaned across her seat and whispered something into his ear.  He frowned and Rachel looked like she was going to hit him.

Ray turned towards me and said, “Uh…oh no.  Not at all.  You’re the hottest babe I’ve ever seen.  And that’s the God’s honest truth, actually.  Stephanie, would you like to go to a movie or something with me tonight?”

“I’d love to, Ray!” I beamed.

“Great.  As soon I can get off work and take Rachel home, we’ll go get something to eat and take in movie.”

Looking at me, Rachel asked, “Do you have any money?  While we’re at the mall, I’d like to help you pick out a new outfit for your date.”

“I don’t have any money,” I pouted.

Ray said, “She has her dad’s credit card.  It’s back at her house. But why does she need a new outfit?  She’s only going to get one use out of it.”

“I can’t tell you how many times I had to have a particular outfit for just one date.  I might wear them again some time, but I got them for one date,” said Rachel. 

Turning back to me, Rachel asked, “Do you remember the PIN code?”   To Ray she said, “I’d rather go to an ATM and not have her seen trying to use her dad’s card.”

I thought a moment.  Thinking was hard.  I didn’t like doing it.  It seems like I actually knew the answer to that question, but it was hard to bring it to the surface.  After another few moments, I announced, “Hey!  I do remember it!”

Rachel smiled at me.  “That’s great, girl!  Let’s go get the card and hit an ATM and let’s do some shopping!”

*   *   *

 

Ray dropped us off at the mall entrance and then went to park the car and get to his job before he was late.  We’d stopped at an ATM and gotten a hundred and fifty dollars out.  Rachel thought that would be enough to buy a new outfit and shoes and maybe get my hair done.  I still had the card and there was an ATM at the mall if it wasn’t enough. It didn't even occur to me that Dad would be pissed.

A very brief thought fired that I didn't really remember what my dad looked like.

The thing that impressed me most when we entered the mall was that there were so many cute guys there!  It was a regular beefcake buffet. 

There was a group of really cute boys standing outside the arcade.  One boy was taller than the rest and I guessed about fifteen and the only word to describe him was ‘gorgeous’!  I didn’t say anything to him as we walked by, but I looked him up and down and smiled as I slowly pulled a strand of hair from my face and tossed it back.  He smiled back at me.

I felt a sharp pain in my side as Rachel poked me in the ribs.  “Turn it off, girl!” she hissed in my ear.  “Stop flirting.  You have a date for tonight.”

I looked over my shoulder to get another glance at the boy.  He was still looking at me as we walked away from him.  I said, “I don’t have a date for tomorrow night, or the next or the next!” I giggled.  “You don’t think he was awesome?”

Rachel laughed and said, “Oh, he was cute all right.  But seriously girl, you need to stop flirting so much.  After tomorrow, you won’t think he’s so cute.  At least I hope you won’t…”

“Oh, I can’t imagine why he’d stop being cute after tomorrow or anytime!” I said.  I looked over at Rachel and said, “Not that I don’t think your brother isn’t cute. But hey, it’s not like we’re going steady or anything.”

“Hey, give Ray a chance, huh?  He must care a lot about you or he wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble on your account today,” said Rachel.  “Why knows? Maybe you two will get married and have babies together.”  Then she giggled.

“Hey, give me a break!  We haven’t had our first date yet!” I laughed.  “Ray is very nice though.”

Smiling, Rachel said, “I think you two would be perfect for each other.”

We passed a couple of clothing stores before stopping in front of one.  Rachel said, “This is my favorite store.  I bet we can find something for you in here.”

The store had a dizzying array of clothes aimed at teen girls.  They had just about any kind of dress or skirt you could imagine.  They had a wide variety of pants too, but pants just didn’t interest me.

We went from rack to rack, looking at every dress, skirt and top my size.  I must have tried on almost everything in the store.  And I loved almost everything I tried on.

We finally settled on a pleated mini skirt, a tank top and a little cut off jacket.

“Now, we look for shoes,” announced Rachel.  She studied my face a moment before we moved on to another store.  “Hmmm.  Your ears aren’t pierced.  We’ll have to try to see if we can find any pretty clip-on’s for you too.”

We went to several shoe stores, some twice trying to find just the right shoe.  I loved all the high heels.  I didn’t even want to look at anything that was flat or low heeled.  I must have tried on a zillion shoes.  I finally picked a pair of strappy sandals with three inch heels.  I had no trouble walking in them.

Rachel needed to hit a restroom so I sat down on a bench outside the video game store.  I had vague memories of actually going in there, but I couldn't remember.

While I was sitting there waiting for Rachel to return, an old guy suddenly sat on the bench with me.  He was really old -- probably around thirty.

He just sat there for a minute or so, and then he turned to look at me.  He surprised me by saying, "Hi. My name is Keith.  What's yours?"

Why was he talking to me?  Where was Rachel?  I looked at him for a moment and then thought that even for an old guy he was cute.  I sat up a little straighter and said, "My name is Stephanie."

He moved a little closer.  "Hello Stephanie."  His face suddenly flashed a look of concern as he asked, "Are you here all alone?"

He was watching pretty closely. I answered, "No. I'm here with my boyfriend's sister."  Keith seemed like a nice guy.  He had better taste in clothes than Ray, which probably isn't saying much.

He just kept staring at me.  He asked, "Oh, so you have a boyfriend?"  He ooched over to be closer to me.

I laughed and said, "Okay.  He's not my boyfriend yet.  We're going on our first date tonight."

He moved a little and said, "First date, eh?  I bet you're excited."  He casually draped one arm on the bench's back and slid it behind my back.

"Oh, I am!" I squealed.  He smiled.  He had a very nice smile.

I was surprised when I felt my hair being stroked lightly.  Keith said very casually, "Hey, do you want to do something fun?  The mall's little boring, I think.  I've got games and movies back at my place.  Think you'd be interested?"

Wow, that was sure fast; being invited over to his house to watch movies and stuff.  I have to admit, it didn't seem quite right, but he seemed like such a nice guy.  I was about to say something when there was a clicking sound from behind us.  Rachel appeared from behind, leaning over to talk softly into Keith's ear.

"Can you say statutory rape?" asked Rachel as she held up her camera phone.  "She's thirteen."

Keith's face sudden became pale and panicked.  He said, "Really?  She seemed, ah...older."

Voice dripping with loathing, Rachel said, "No matter how old you thought she was, you're a little too old for her, don't you think?"  She held up the camera phone again.

"Yeah," said Keith.  "My mistake."  He very quickly stood up and left.

Rachel came around the bench and sat down.  She was shaking.  She looked at me and said, "Stephanie!  Why in the world were you letting him get close to you?!"

I shrugged and said, "He seemed like a really nice guy.  He invited me over to watch a movie."

Rachel leaned back in the bench and closed her eyes.  She groaned, "Oh God, girl.  You have so much to learn!  I don't know if we can keep you safe until tomorrow!"

"What happens tomorrow?" I asked.

*   *   *

 

It was almost seven o'clock.  In the mall restroom, in one of the stalls, I changed into my new outfit.  Then Rachel touched up my make-up for me.  I posed in front of the mirror.  I loved the way I looked and felt.

"Come on," said Rachel.  "Let's go get your date."

Ray was just coming out of his store when we arrived.  He took one look at me and his mouth fell open.

"How can you just keep getting more beautiful?" he asked.

Rachel said, "As soon as you can take me home, you and Stephanie can get on with your date."

Ray thought he was talking low enough that I couldn't hear, but he said into Rachel's ear, "I don't know, Rach.  I mean, she's thirteen.  I could get into a lot of trouble and the bottom line...she's Steve for God's sake!"

Rachel spoke quietly too, but I could still make out what she was saying.  She said, "Unless you tell them, nobody's going to know she's thirteen.  Any other time, I'd kick your sorry ass if you tried to date a thirteen year old, but in reality, we know she really isn't. 

"It was Steve's stupidity that got him into this situation and you're partly responsible.  I've gotten to know Stephanie and she's a very sweet, but naive girl.  She can't help being who she is.  Until Steve comes back, she can't be left alone.  Trust me on that."

"Nice speech," frowned Ray.  "But you're right.  She wouldn't be here without my help.  I'll keep an eye on her."

I was on the verge of tears.  I said, "Look Ray, if I'm that much of a burden to you we don’t have to go out.  I thought you wanted to go out with me.  I thought you liked me.  I don't want to go out with someone because they feel they have to!"  I turned my back to them and started walk away.

I felt someone take my arm.  I stopped and turn to see Ray. He said, "I'm sorry, Stephanie.  I do want to go out with you.  You really are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.  And, I find myself liking you more and more the longer I'm with you.  Please. Let me have another chance."

He seemed so sweet and so sincere.  How could I say 'no' to him?  I carefully wiped away a tear and smiled at him.  I said, "Okay, Ray.  Sure."  And I suddenly found myself hugging him.  I wanted so much to be held by him.

"You two love birds want to take me home?" asked Rachel.

*   *   *

 

It was really exciting to be on my very first date.  As we were dropping Rachel off at her and Ray's house, Ray had mentioned something about going to Taco Bell.  Rachel told him he should at least take me someplace like Chilli's where they had menus.

We weren't the only ones there for a date either.  We had to stand around for twenty minutes before a seat in the waiting area opened up for us to sit down.  My feet were starting to hurt and I began to question the wisdom of wearing high heels.  But when I noticed other guys out with their dates casting glances at me, those doubts disappeared.

Ray held my hand the whole time we were waiting. When we finally got a table, he reached out and put his hand on mine.  The one thing that bothered me was that he'd been very quiet the whole time.  It seemed like something was bothering him.

I gave his hand a squeeze and asked, "Hey, why so quiet?"

He smiled nervously and said, "Sorry. I'm not trying to ignore you or anything.  It's just that...well..."

"Does my age bother you?" I asked, worried that something I could nothing about was going to ruin the date.

Again Ray smiled nervously and said, "That's part of it, I guess.  But considering the circumstances, I'm trying to look past that.  No, it's...well...to be honest, this is the same problem I have on every date."

I was disappointed that my age was a factor in his discomfort. I also couldn't figure out what it was that both Ray and his sister felt was so weird about me.  I asked, "And, what is that, if you don't mind me asking?"

Ray studied his soft drink a moment.  Finally he said, "Well, it's just that when I'm out on a date, I can't think of anything to say.  I can tell the girl is getting bored and later she finds some excuse why she can't go out again.  They tell me I'm nice and they like me, but I always get the dreaded 'Let's Just Be Friends'."

"Well, I'm not bored." I said honestly.  "There's all kinds of stuff you can tell me.  All I really know about you is that you work in a book store, go to school, have a really awesome sister and there's this friend Steve you're so worried about."

"That pretty much sums up my whole life!" Ray laughed. "You left out that I play computer games, which is another factor in my lack of social development.  I used to play football, but of course, football season is over.  I probably won't get to play it in college."

I had got him talking!  I asked, "Why not?  You didn't like it?"

Ray smiled ruefully and said, "I liked it all right.  I just sucked at it. I actually caused us to lose our last game...which was why it was our last game."

I gave his hand a squeeze and said, "All you can do is your best, right?"

"Tell the coach that.  And the rest of the team.  Even the cheerleaders threw rocks at me."

"I'd like to be a cheerleader.  Do you think I should try out?"

Ray looked at me funny and shook his head before saying, "Yeah, Stephanie.  I think you'd make a perfect cheerleader. You would look awesome in a cheerleader uniform."

I smiled.  "You really think so?" I asked.  Being a cheerleader would be so cool.  They're so popular with the guys!

Ray said, "I know so.  You should definitely try out for it next year."

*   *   *

 

Ray opened the car door for me, helped me in and then shut the door for me.  He's such a gentleman!

As he sat down in the driver's seat I said, "Thanks! That was great!  I really enjoyed it."

"You're very welcome," said Ray.  "I'm glad you enjoyed it.  I did too.  I feel very comfortable with you.  Almost as if I've known you all my life."  He laughed as if he'd just told a joke or something.

"I don't know what's wrong with those other girls who think you're boring.  You listened to anything I said, and you had interesting stories and funny jokes...and you're very nice.  To be honest though, I'm glad the other girls feel that way...otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to know you."

"I think that was a compliment," he said.  "Would you like to go see a movie?"

"I'd love to!"

Ray asked, "Any movie in particular?"

I said, "There's that new Tommy Kincaid movie."

"You want to see that?"  I nodded and he said, "All right.  I guess that's what we'll see."

*   *   *

 

I sat in the theater seat, snuggling against Ray.  The movie was great.  Tommy is so awesome!  Ray had his arm around my shoulder and I was in heaven.

After a tender moment on the screen, I looked up at Ray.  He looked down at me for a moment.  I saw some hesitation in his eyes for the briefest moment and then his lips moved towards mine!  I couldn't believe it; he was going to kiss me!

I closed my eyes and parted my lips in anticipation.  And then our lips met.  Oh, God!  My very first kiss and it was wonderful!  Ray pulled me closer and kissed me harder.  His tongued slipped between my lips and into my mouth.  Our tongues pressed against each other and my whole body rang like a bell.  I felt strange and wonderful sensations up and down my body.

The kiss seemed to last forever and only for a moment at the same time.  Ray smiled at me, his eyes shining.  I tried to snuggle in closer and I knew then that all I wanted was to be Ray's girl.

*   *   *

 

Ray pulled the car up into our driveway and killed the engine.  The house was dark.  No one was home, of course.

Ray studied the steering wheel a moment, and then said, "I had a really good time tonight, Stephanie. I wish we could do this again."

"I enjoyed tonight too," I said. "And I'd love to do this again with you."

He smiled.  "I'm glad you feel that way."  He leaned over and kissed me again.  It was a long hot kiss, our tongues entwining.

He pulled away and said, "Well, I guess it's time to say good-night."

I looked through the windshield at the house and said, "I don't want to be in that house all alone.  Please stay with me tonight.  I...I'm afraid."

Ray looked like he was having some internal struggle.  He said, "I'm not sure that would be a good idea.  I mean, you've spent the night there alone before.  You normally enjoy it."

Puzzled, I just stared at Ray a moment.  "How would you know? You just met me today."

"Ah...well...just a wild guess."

"I...I just don't want to be alone tonight," I said honestly.

Ray said, "Look.  I'll come in with you and we can talk a while until you feel at ease, okay?"

I nodded.  At least I was getting him into the house.  I really really really didn't want to be alone tonight.

We got out of the car and made our way upstairs to my bedroom.  When we arrived at my room, I felt a wave of confusion.  I was suddenly embarrassed.  Scattered across the floor were boy clothes.  The closet door was open and there were more boy clothes hanging there. 

Ray must be thinking horrible things about me since I told him I've never been with any other boy before and here's my room filled with boy clothes!  Honestly though, I don't have any memory of dating another boy in my life!  I waited for Ray to say something or get mad, but he didn't.

Then I managed to look at the whole room and felt completely disoriented.  This didn't seem like it should be my room at all!  There were posters of a couple of heavy metal bands, posters of scantily clad women, and other strange stuff all over the walls.  Deep down, I knew this was my room, but it couldn't possibly be my room!

I said, "I apologize for the condition of the room.  I haven't had time to clean up."  I started gathering up the clothes on the floor.  Not seeing a hamper anywhere, I tossed them back into the closet.

Ray just shrugged and said, "Hey, it's okay.  It looks just like it always does."

"How could you have seen my room before?" I asked.  Was Ray a stalker?

"Dude, I've been in this room a lot.  I can't believe you don't remember. It's amazing how that spell has completely taken over your mind."

"What spell?" I asked.  "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm sure you don't, dude," said Ray.  "It's okay. Never mind."

I sat down on my bed and Ray just stood there, looking uncomfortable.  I patted the bed and said, "Please.  Sit next to me."

Ray hesitated a moment, then sat next to me.  He stared at the floor.  I took his hand in mine.  Another moment or two passed and I kissed him on the cheek.  He smiled and turned to look at me.

Ray said, “I don’t know how much time is left, but I just wanted to say before it was too late; honestly, you really are the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.  And…and…I uh…”

“And what? I prompted.

“I…ah…dammit!  I’m in love with you.”  He leaned over and kissed me hard. 

Ray had his arms around me, kissing me passionately, first the lips, then the neck, then back again.  It was like a switch had been flipped.  The quiet, polite Ray was suddenly Mr. Hands.  He was everywhere, cupping one of my breasts, to rubbing his hand up my skirt and against my panties.

A switch seemed to flip in me as well.  My brain just seemed to go on autopilot as my body started doing what it was made to do.  I was suddenly overwhelmed with passion as I pulled Ray’s shirt over his head, revealing a well muscled chest. I marveled at how other girls could pass this up. 

While kissing him deeply, I ran my hand down his chest. When my hand reached the crotch of his pants, I could feel that Ray could barely contain himself.

Ray pulled my jacket off and tossed it across the room.  His hand was up my top, squeezing my breast through the bra.  Suddenly, my top was pulled over my head.  He fumbled with the bra straps a moment.  I stopped kissing him long enough to reach back and unsnap my bra.

Ray pulled me close to him, my exposed breasts pushing into his chest, my nipples fully erect.  While still kissing, he pushed me onto my back and before I knew it, my skirt was on the floor.  Ray pulled away from me just long enough to wriggle out of his pants.

We kissed passionately while Ray pressed the crotch of his underwear against my panties.  He kissed and sucked on my nipples.  I never felt like this before and I never wanted it to end.

I reached up and pulled Ray’s underwear down and he shook his leg to send it to the floor.  His manhood was fully exposed and all I wanted was to feel him inside me. 

Ray pulled my panties off and his fingers slid into me.  His fingers probed for then finally found my clitoris.  “Oh God!” I moaned.  I was in ecstasy.  The swirl of feelings, sensations, and emotions welling up inside me made me feel I was about to explode.

Ray straddled me and looked deep into my eyes.  He seemed to hesitate a second.  He muttered, “Steve, whatever you do, don’t come back right now.”  And then I felt him push up inside me and I was in absolute heaven.

*   *   *

 

I woke up slowly feeling immensely satisfied.  Several muscles that I guess I don’t normally use felt a little sore.  Morning sunlight drifted in through my bedroom window.

Across from me lay my honey, just starting to stir.  Before Ray could open his eyes, I planted my lips on his and kissed him softly.  He smiled and pulled me closer as he sucked on my tongue.  He pressed his groin against me and…

“Holy shit!” Ray yelled as he suddenly pushed himself away from me.  He fell out of the bed and jumped up, naked, his eyes wide staring at me.  “What the fuck…?”

I sat up, frightened and asked, “What’s wrong, honey?”

“Don’t ‘honey’ me!  My God!  Steve, you’re back!  What the fuck were you doing?” Ray shouted as he backed a few steps away from me.

“Steve’s what?” I asked as a wave of confusion swept over me.  I stood up, naked as well and nothing felt quite right.  I was taller than I remembered.  I looked down and …

“Oh my God!” I screamed.  “What’s going on?  I’m a guy!”

As he frantically searched the floor for his underwear, Ray shouted, “Yes!  You’re a guy!  Steve, do you not know who you are?”

“Why are you calling me Steve?  I’m Stephanie!  Your girlfriend, remember?” I cried.  “What’s going on here?”  I put my hand on my crotch and the shock of what I found caused me to pass out.

I was on the floor when I opened my eyes again.  My head hurt.  My eyes took a moment to focus.  There was a sheet covering me.  Finally I could make out Ray, kneeling beside me.  He had managed to find his pants.

“Stephanie, are you okay?” Ray asked.

“Who?  God, I’m so confused.” I sat up slowly.  “Ray, what did you call me?”  My head slowly started to clear.

“Steve, you’re back, man,” said Ray.  “You’re back.”

I stood up long enough to stagger to the bed. I sat down and rubbed my head.  “I’ve had the strangest dream.”

Ray said grimly, “It wasn’t a dream, man.  You were a girl.”

A sudden anger flared in me as I shouted, “You…you fucked me!”

Looking worried, Ray said, “Not so loud man!  Hey, at the time, you were enjoying it.”

“Knock it off, man,” I said.  I found myself looking longingly at Ray.  I shook my head, trying to clear my thinking.  “I sure hope these feelings go away soon.”

“Like what?” asked Ray as he slipped his shirt back on.

“I don’t know if I should mention it,” I said as I absent mindedly picked up my panties with the idea of putting them on.  I looked at them for a moment, tossed them aside and walked to my dresser.

Ray frowned and said, “Hey, dude.  We just spent the night naked in the same bed together.  I don’t think there’s anything you can’t tell me.”

I pulled up a normal pair of underwear and walked over to Ray and stared him in the eye and said, “I’m totally in love with you and I can’t shake the feeling.”

Ray nodded as he took a step backward.  “I totally understand, man.  I’m in love with you too…well, I’m in love with Stephanie.  At least she’s a girl.”

Ray shook his head and said, “I don’t know how I’m going to deal with this, Steve.  I mean, I just had sex with my best friend who happened to be an underage girl.  But honest…I couldn’t help it.  You had sex appeal like no other girl I’ve ever met.”

“Don’t sweat it man,” I said.  “That wasn’t really a girl and at the same time it wasn’t really me either.”  It was then I noticed the pretty pink polish on my finger nails…and toenails.

"I need to go home and take a shower," said Ray.  He started for the door, then turned and pointed at the spell book laying on my desk.  He said, “That thing’s evil, Steve.  You need to get rid of it.”

"You're probably right," I said as I walked over to the table.  I picked up the book and felt its cover.  "I'd sell it back, but the magic store isn't there any more."

I carried the book over to a trash can and held it over the can.

I couldn't bring myself to drop the book into the trash can.  I turned to Ray, waiting at my bedroom door.  "Hey, Ray. What are you doing next Friday?"

*   *   *

 

Sunday morning.  I was slowly emerging from sleep.  No longer would Ray and I be shocked to see us lying naked in bed together.  I think it was starting to worry both our parents that suddenly, in high school, Ray and I started having sleep overs at “friends” houses.

Starting last week, our second time to use the spell, we started checking into a cheap motel on Friday night in a nearby town.  Ray had his cell phone, which both our parents used to call us to check on us.  I was always, of course, in the shower or otherwise unavailable. 

I know it was the magic, but I couldn’t resist it.  I was totally, completely head-over-heels in love with Ray.  Ray was deeply in love with Stephanie. I could barely stand the time between weekends when we were forced to be apart. Neither one of us could bring ourselves to hug or kiss while I was Steve.

Learning from my earlier mistake, Stephanie would now be seventeen and not quite as dumb as the first time, but still not exactly a genius.  Ray prefers his girls to be a little stupid. Her breasts were also quite a bit larger. But Ray wouldn’t let me vary the original list of “options” for Stephanie very much.

Last week as well as this past weekend, we were much more relaxed with my situation.  We tried to make the most of the twenty-four hours we had together.  Ray would take me out on dates, like movies and dinner and the in between time was spent making love.  I was beginning to think Ray would never run out of energy.

Last Sunday morning, as Ray was just stirring, I closed my eyes and pretended I was still Stephanie and stole one last kiss.  Ray didn’t mind at all.  This Sunday morning, I just lay there several minutes, watching Ray sleep.  I felt so wonderful.  Last night was the best sex we’d ever had.

Ray started to wake up.  I closed my eyes and pushed near him.  I kissed him softly.  He put his arm around me and pulled me closer and kissed me lovingly.  But something wasn’t quite right.  I felt the points of my breasts pushing into Ray’s chest.

I broke off the kiss and slid my hand down to my crotch.  Oh my God!  I was still a girl!

“Ray!” I squealed.  “Wake up!  We have a major problem!”

“What?” Ray said into the pillow, followed by something unintelligible.

Kneeling on the bed, letting the covers fall from me I almost screamed, “Look at me!”

Twisting his head around to look up, Ray squinted at me.  “You look beautiful, babe.  You’re always beautiful.”

“Not when I’m Steve!”  I slapped Ray’s naked side.  “It’s Sunday morning and I’m still Stephanie!”

Rubbing his eyes, Ray sat up.  “What the hell are you talking about, girl?”  Then he finally looked at me and his jaw dropped.

“You’re a girl!  Why are you still a girl?” gasped Ray as he jumped to his feet.

“I…I…I don’t know!” I said as I climbed off the bed.  “What are we going to do?” I was starting to panic.  As contradictory as it sounds, I was in love with Ray and I was happiest as Stephanie, but when you got right down to it, I really didn’t think I’d want to stay a girl.  Not to mention what to do about parents, friends, etc.  It was our original fears all over again.

Ray sat down in the motel chair.  He asked, “We did start on Friday night, right?”  I nodded.  “Then sometime during the night, you should have changed back.”

“I should have!” I shouted.  “Oh, God!  What are we going to do?”

“I don’t know, babe,” said Ray as he shook his head and looked at the floor.  He looked up and said, “Get dressed.  Let’s get out of here and get something to eat.  Maybe after we’ve calmed down we can think clearly and figure out what went wrong.”

I had laid out my boy clothes the night before and packed all my girl stuff.  I opened the suitcase and pulled out my bra, panties, skirt and top, my sandals and make-up bag. 

Ray looked at me funny and said, “We don’t have time for all that.  Just put your dress on and let’s get out of here.”

I looked at him like he’d lost his mind and said, “I’m not going outside without my make-up on!”

Ray cooled his heels while put my face on.  I hurried as best I could.

As we climbed into Ray’s car, he said, “Let’s go to my house for a second and pick up Rachel.  Maybe she can help us think of something.”

The motel we stayed at was across town from where we lived.  Ray turned the car to pass through a back street downtown as a short cut.

“Ray!”  I shouted.  “Stop the car!”

Being Sunday, there weren’t many cars parked along the street and Ray quickly found a slot and screeched to a halt.

“Why?” asked Ray as he looked at me with concern.  “What’s wrong?  Did you feel something?”

“No.  But I see something!” I said, pointing across the street.

“Shit, man!  I don’t believe it!” shouted Ray.  “It’s back!”

There it was, across the street, nestled between a barber shop and a laundry was the magic store. 

“Let’s don’t just sit here,” I said. “Let’s go inside before it disappears again!”

We hurried across the street, and jerked open the creaky old door. At the back of the store was the same old woman looking through a stack of papers.

“Ma’am!” shouted Ray as we both bounded towards the back of the store.  “Ma’am.  We need your help.  It’s an emergency!”

Looking over her glasses at us, she studied Ray a moment, and then looked at me.  “Oh, yes.  I recognize you, sonny.  You’re one of those boys who bought that old book on safe spells.  How did you amateur witches work out?”

I raised my hand and said, “I’m the other boy, if that answers your question.”

She shook her head and looked first at Ray, then at me and said, “Go in for that kinky stuff, do ya?”

Ignoring her, Ray said, “You don’t understand.  Something’s gone wrong.  The spells are only supposed to last twenty-four hours.  She became a girl Friday night.”

“But I didn’t turn back into a boy today!” I said, interrupting Ray.

She scratched her chin a moment as she said, “That’s very odd.  That book contained only safe spells.”  She looked at me and said, “Come around here, sweetie.  Let me take a look at you.”

She placed her finger tips on my forehead for a moment.

“Are you doing a Vulcan Mind Meld?” I asked.  Her fingers were cold.

“Hush, dear,” said the old woman.

She ran her fingers slowly down my body with her eyes closed tightly.  She finally stopped, stood up straight and shook her head.

“What exactly have you two been doing?” she asked, folding her arms and frowning.

Ray hesitated a moment.  In that small space of silence, I blurted, “Well, we had sex.  A lot.”

Frowning again, the old woman said, “I thought so.”  She turned towards me and announced, “Young lady, you are pregnant. Didn’t I tell you to be careful?”

Ray and I both just stood there, stock still, in complete shock, our mouths hanging open.

Breaking the silence, I stammered, “Th…tha…tha…that’s not possible!  Is it?”

Ray asked, “How do you know?”

The old woman gave Ray one of those looks that says, “You’re an idiot…”  She said, “Because I’m a witch, that’s why!”

I plopped down into a nearby chair.  My God!  I’m pregnant!  Just what the hell do I do now?!

Ray was scratching his head.  He said, “Ma’am!  Please!  This is a disaster!   What can we do to change her back?  She can’t stay a girl.  She has school tomorrow.  She has parents.  And…and…”

The woman raised a hand to silence Ray.  “These spells won’t let you harm a second party.  There’s now a second party involved and changing back will harm them.”  She looked back to me and said, “As long as you’re pregnant, you can’t change back.  I’ve actually seen this happen a couple of times before.  If you deliver a baby, you’ll never change back. A baby needs a mother.”

Be female forever?  Me, be a mother?  I felt like I was going to be sick.  But, it was Ray’s baby.  What better way to show my love for him than to have his child?

Ray said, “We have to find some way to end this.  I wonder how we can get that pill or cause a miscarriage?”

Going back to her stack of papers, the old woman said, “You kids ever hear of condoms?”

I was horrified.  I backed away from him and said, “We’ll do no such thing! I’m having my baby!  Your baby!”

Ray hurried around the counter to where I was standing and grabbed my shoulders and shouted, “Are you crazy?!”  You can’t have a baby, you’re a guy!”

“Don’t yell at me!” I said as I jerked myself free from his grasp.  “Do I look like a guy to you?  You told me you loved me.  I love you and now I’m carrying your child!  Don’t you love me Ray?”

Ray’s face was a complete mask of agony.  He pulled at his hair as he said, “Yes, Stephanie, I love you.  But you’re not really a girl and neither one of us are ready to be parents. Don’t be stupid! Let’s get you back to normal!”

I started to cry.  “You don’t love me!  You don’t want our baby!”  I turned my back to him.  “And don’t call me stupid!”

Ray spun me back around and shouted, “I…”  He then softened his voice and ran his fingers through my hair.  “Stephanie, I do love you.  Very much.  I can’t imagine a more perfect girl for me.  It’s because I love you is why I can’t let this happen.  We haven’t graduated from high school yet.  You can’t go back to school as a girl.  What do we tell your parents?  Think of the effect not only on you, but on me, your parents and everyone we know!”

In a way Ray was right.  This would turn the world upside down for my family. How to explain their son is a mother-to-be?  I can’t show back up at school. It would definitely create one huge mess.

 It was way too early to be able to feel anything, but I felt my stomach, thinking of what was happening inside me.  I suddenly felt protective of something that was barely there yet.

Ray asked, “Do you really want to be a girl for the rest of your life?”

I continued to rub my belly as I said, “I love being a girl.  I can’t imagine life any other way.”

Ray frowned and said, “That’s the magic talking.  We have to get you back to normal, and like right now!”

Starting to cry again, I shouted, “I want our baby, Ray!  With or without you, I’m going to have this baby!”

Looking on the verge of anger, Ray shouted back at me, “Dammit!  I’m not letting a little weekend fun fuck up our lives!” He grabbed my arm and with a jerk that almost pulled my arm out of its socket, he started leading us out of the store. “You’re going back to normal if it hair-lips the governor.”

*   *   *

 

I watched Ray for a few minutes, playing outside with little Stevie.  He was teaching him the finer points of football.  I shook my head finding it hard to believe that he was five years old already.

I looked down at our little one, Rachel, only three months old.  I had my blouse open and she was nursing.

I can’t really remember what my life was like before the time I was first pregnant with Stevie.  I guess it’s not important.  What’s important is that my husband Ray and I still very much love each other and we have two beautiful children.

I tried to think back to the big fight I had with my parents when I first told them I was pregnant.  I don’t really remember much about it except all the yelling and screaming and crying.  A few months later, Ray and I got married in a little church and his sister Rachel was my maid of honor.

I remember Ray getting angry with me when I found a strange book in his dresser and started to read it.  He wound up selling it on e-Bay.

My life now seems so perfect, it’s almost as if it was done by magic.

The End

 

  since 04/09/06