Gender Swap

The last chapter?

This is the song that Tanny and Aiden dance to :) Save it for moment.

After the embarrassing scene that happened yesterday at the practice field, I didn't want to show my face again in front of Tanny. Today is Halloween, my favorite holiday ever, and even though I have to go to school, I am excited to see what everyone's costumes are. I am going to totally own today.

In front of the mirror, I grabbed the white face paint and painted in all over my face. Next I applied black paint around my eyes and as slashes across my lips. I smiled at my reflection and at how epic is was. I had been planning to go as one of these characters for ever.

Rose walked past and said, "Nice costume, dork." without skipping a beat. I just shrugged at her lame costume. A sheet ghost? Really?

School was a colorful piece of art. Everyone, but the people who tried too hard to not give a damn, dressed up. Finley wore the costume she wore at the fair. I smiled at how everyone looked better than yesterday. Nobody was crying. Instead, they were distracted by the festivities. I saw nearly everyone there. Everyone except Devin, which was understandable.

"Hey...Aiden?" I heard. Tanny walked up to me with a confused look on his face.

"Hey Tanny." I said. Tanny was dressed up as Oogie Boogie, and I was thoroughly impressed.

"Jack Skellington. Impressive." Tanny said.

"Why thank you." I said.

"Devin once told me that you wanted to go as one of the characters, so I decided to dress up as one too. Just to make sure..." He trailed off.

"Devin told you what?" I asked, confused. I never told Devin that.

"He told me you were planning on being Sally, but with recent events I thought you would change to Jack. Seems I was right."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, thoroughly confused.

"It seems like Devin was right."

"Right about what?"

"You're Arlie."

I took a double-take. What? How did he find out? When did he find out? I thought nobody would be able to know! Oh my god this is great news.

"That being said, will you go to the Halloween Dance with me tonight?" Tanny said.

"Wait, what?" I said.

"I wanted to ask you a long time ago, but if you're still available..."

"But, I'm a guy." I stammered. Why was I being so difficult. JUST SAY YES, ARLIE!

"Not for long. Devin and I have a plan. Just promise me that you wont go with any witches today."

"Why would I?" I asked.

"Because this is our only chance to change the spell."

I gulped, heart racing.

"Promise me that you'll still be here after school. Don't trust anything that witch says. Please, Arlie."

"I promise."

************

That night, I got ready for the Halloween dance. I was still processing all that Tanny said. He knew. Tanny knew. I was still mildly shell-shocked.

"Hey Aiden," Rose said from my doorway. I looked up and saw her concerned face.

"Yeah."

"We love you, you know." She said.

"Okay. I didn't know that, but thanks."

She turned to walk away, but then decided against it.

"We know you are Arlie, and well... we dont want you to reverse the spell. Life has been so fun since you came."

"Sorry Rose. I have made up my mind."

"But what about Devin? Don't you want to keep him safe?"

"What?"

"Madam Sophronia said that if you change yourself back, then she was going to do something to him."

"I dont believe you." I said, balling up my fists.

"Believe me or not, it seems like you have made up your mind." And with that, Rose spun on her heel and walked away. I would not believe her. She knew who I was and was in league with Madam Sophronia the entire time. I finished getting ready, then left.

**********

The dance started at 10, and by the time I got there it was almost 11. Oops. When I arrived, Tanny was waiting for me. Why? I hardly remember. All I know is that it feels good to be waited for.

"There you are! I've been worried!" Tanny said.

"Sorry. I had to get ready."

Some far cry yelled "GAY" at us. We didn't pay that person any attention.

"Come on. We only have 5 minutes left until we can do this. Care for a dance?" Tanny asked.

"What? But I'm a guy? You're straight." I said.

"It doesnt matter. You're still Arlie. It doesnt matter what gender you are."

I nodded, finding no words to describe what I felt.

We started dancing, and boy was it awesome. It was a slow dance, and I honestly didnt care who was watching. It felt like magic. Tanny didnt care that the guys were staring at him with disgust, and I didnt care that the girls, namely Mila, were looking at me with loathing.

Tanny and I slow danced for a minute. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a necklace. He put it in my hand while we were still dancing. I stared at it with confusion. What was this about?

"Ajută-mă să schimbe înapoi . Nu pot trăi fără." Tanny whispered, over and over again.

I got a funny feeling in my gut, like I was about to throw up.

"Excuse me." I gasped, pulling away from Tanny. He let me go, dropping his hands to his sides. I rushed out of the gym and into the men's bathroom.

I leaned over the toilet and threw up. The contents were dark brown, even though I hadn't eaten anything brown today. I threw up again and again until I thought i would pass out. Finally it ceased. I slumped against the toilet bowl, exhausted.

Someone walked into the bathroom.

"Arlie, are you okay?" Tanny.

"Yeah." I said, then froze. My voice. It was shrill. I looked down. I HAVE BOOBS!

"Oh My god!" I squealed. "I'm a girl again!"

The door banged open. Tanny stood at the door of the stall, a big grin on his face.

"I knew it would work! If only Devin was here!"

"Wait. Where is Devin?"

"I dont know. I was supposed to do the reversal spell if he wasnt here. That's why I gave you my mom's necklace."

"I have to go find Devin!"

"I'm afraid that is not possible, sweetie." Another voice said. I knew that voice anywhere. I pushed past Tanny and saw the witch herself standing next to a brown haired girl who looked oddly familiar. Then it hit me.

"You didn't." I said.

"Oh I did. And I made it strong. It'll take more than a simple token to bring Devin back before midnight." She smiled.

"You bitch."

"No Honey. I'm a witch."

The End of Book 1: Gender Swap.