Metamorphosis (Chapter 26)

I loved ice cream, even when I was a guy. There was this really great frozen yogurt store across town that mom and dad would take me to when I was little, and every now and then I would still drop by. But now, I sat in the store as a girl, sitting across from the girl of my dreams. I was living out a fantasy…the chance to actually spend time with Naomi…I just wish it’d been under very different circumstances. We weren’t here on a date. We were here because she’d asked if we could talk about my condition…and about what happened at the dance. In front of us were two bowls, one was chocolate with strawberry chunks. That was mine. Hers was mint green with oreo chunks. Both of us were barely touching the ice cream and it was slowly but surely melting.
“You know, if we don’t eat this…it’s gonna be liquid before we can enjoy it.” Naomi joked.
“Yeah…” I answered. Awkards silence once again. Finally it was Naomi who inhaled deeply and spoke.
“Chase…you don’t mind if I call you Chase right?”
“Yeah, please do.”
“Chase, how do you plan to turn back?” She asked. I looked at her, a little taken aback. That was not the question I expected. The first one I was expecting was “how’d this happen?” “Why’d you hide it from me?” “When would you tell me?” or something along those lines.
“I…well I think the only way is to reconcile with my family.” I replied. “This whole thing started because of a stupid potion that was supposed to fix our families problems. The potion changed me into a girl because mom wanted a daughter and couldn’t have one. So, by the logic of magic I guess, by making me a daughter, mom would get what she wanted so she’d stop complaining, which is what dad wanted, and me….”
“How would it give you what you wanted?” She asked. “You want to be a girl?”
“NO!” I snapped, accidentally raising my voice louder than I meant, and quickly quieting down again when I saw Naomi’s shocked expression. “No. I hate being a girl. I mean…I’ve gotten used to it, so it’s not like I can’t live with it….but it’s not what I wanted…not what I want to spend the rest of my life as.”
“Then what do you think the potion was trying to give you?” Naomi asked.
“…A second chance?” I offered. It was the only explanation I could come to that made any sort of sense.
“What do you mean?”
“You ever think I was a weird guy in school?” I asked.
“Well….I mean…you were really quiet.” Naomi giggled nervously. “Weird might be overstating it.”
“I felt like the odd man out. I was tough enough to scare off the bullies and join all the football teams, but not cool enough to get into any of the popular crowds. I’m not dorky enough to be considered a nerd, and I have no presence to stand out outside of when I scare off the aforementioned thugs. I felt isolated and very alone…and there were days I wished I could start over and try my school life again as someone with more confidence or with more presence.”
“I…guess that makes sense.” Naomi shrugged. “I mean you turned some heads when you walked into school.” Naomi took a bite of ice cream, turning her spoon around in the bowl. I took her lead and ate mine as well, savoring the flavor. “How’d that make you feel?” She asked.
“…I don’t know.” I growled, eating a bit more aggressively. “People weren’t paying attention to me for who I was but because of what I looked like or because of why I was there. It had nothing to do with ME just….what I…looked like. And that’s not right.” Naomi gave a soft smirk and leaned forward.
“Welcome to the world of high school girls. Appearances matter…and they can also be our biggest enemy.”
“Never considered it from that perspective.” I admitted, finishing the ice cream and rubbing the residue off my lips. Naomi smiled and laughed to herself. “What?”
“You know…this is going to sound really messed up…but I’m kind of glad you turned into a girl.”

I blinked and looked at her, disturbed surprise on my face as I nearly spat up my ice cream. She squeaked at my expression, trying hard not to laugh again.
“WHAT?!”
“No it’s not what you’re thinking.” Naomi laughed. “Trust me, I definitely preferred you as a guy…but…you know I think that while this wasn’t ideal…it opened your eyes, Chase.” I calmed down a little and leaned back in my chair.
“Oh…yeah I suppose.”
“I do what you to turn back. I know you want that too. But I think the time you spent like this helped you realize what you need to do now right? If so…isn’t that kind of worth it?”
“There is no lesson on this earth that is worth a period.” I grumbled. Naomi suddenly burst out laughing, leaning against the table and nodding her head.
“Ohmygawd!” She cackled. “I can’t believe I didn’t think about that! You’ve had a PERIOD!?”
“Well don’t say it so loud but…yeah…”
“Oh you poor baby!” She snickered.
“Oh shut up.” I grumbled, blushing terribly. Naomi just laughed…but despite it being at my expense, I enjoyed it. Hearing her laugh like that, with me…not just at me…was something I’d wanted for a very long time. My only regret was that we hadn’t done this sooner. When Naomi finally finished, she stood up and looked out the door of the ice cream shop where we could see the busy street.
“Wanna walk around a little?” She asked. “Your grandpa isn’t coming to pick you up for another hour, right?”
“Sure, that sounds nice.” I agreed.

As we walked down the sidewalk, Naomi just…talked. Not about anything specifically, but just anything and everything. It was a nice change from the awkward silence, even if I couldn’t follow half of what she was saying. Most of it was about school, but other parts involved her family…her older brother…her plans for the future. But then she mentioned my name.
“What?” I asked. “Go back, what about me?” She quickly blushed and rubbed her arm anxiously.
“Oh…um…sorry I kind of forgot for a moment…that you weren’t Cheryl. I…got carried away. That’s a little personal.”
“Well that cat’s out of the bag now.” I teased. “Listen, I’m good to keep a secret.”
“Yeah, but you’re the one I wanted to keep the secret from!” Naomi pushed. “I really…don’t feel ready telling you about that yet.” I sighed in disappointment and nodded my head, brushing my hair back once more with my fingers.
“Alright, I understand.”
“…You’re inspiring.” Naomi blurted out. I stopped walking and looked at her, awaiting more. “Remember back at school when I thought you were Carol, and you kneed that guy in the face for grabbing your butt? Or when you beat up Frederick the other night? How can you do those things? Just…stand up to people like that?”
“Weren’t you the one who told me you preferred me not having to resort to violence?” I asked.
“I don’t want you to be violent on a whim…but when guys start coming down on you, even when you’re not your big strong self, you still stand up to them. Most folks would be…well…terrified.”
“…I was terrified.” I shrugged, thinking back to Frederick and Aaron that day. Both times the way I’d felt hadn’t been brave or powerful…in fact, in those moments, I’d never felt so exposed and disgusted.
“You were?”
“I felt objectified and…vulnerable.” I confessed to her. “But I couldn’t just do nothing. I had to stick up for myself…otherwise…well…who knows what they might’ve done.”
“But that’s just it! You did stick up for yourself.”
“What would YOU have done?” I asked.
“I don’t know…and that’s what makes what you did so cool. You didn’t stand around and take it. You fought back!” Naomi explained. “That’s why I admire you, Chase. You’re not just some bully or punk like Frederick, and…that’s really comforting.”
“Do people think I am like him at all?”
“Some…but I knew better.” Naomi winked. “You’re a sweet guy.”
“Sweet huh? Isn’t that just code for ‘safe?’” I asked. Naomi giggled and shook her head.
“Well yeah…most of the time yes….but I mean that you’re the kind of guy I’d like to get to know better.” I found myself beaming despite myself, so thrilled with what she’d said that I couldn’t stop myself from saying the first thought that popped into my head.
“Then…think we could go on a date sometime?” I instantly blushed and covered my mouth, wanting nothing more than to punch my own stupid face. Naomi’s face turned from a grin to a shocked expression of disbelief.
“Really!?” She asked.
“NO! I mean…Yes but…….not like THIS! I mean……goddamn it……” I grumbled. “I meant when I turn back! I’d like to go on a date with you…when I turn back….someone please kill me right now.” Naomi giggled and shifted her wait between the balls of her feet to her heels and looked at the pavement.
“I’d like that.” She replied. I blushed again and the shadow of a smile crept onto my face.
“You would?”
“Why don’t you find a way to change back first…and then we’ll go from there?” She asked. I nodded happily and tried to keep myself from cheering right on the spot. I couldn’t believe how happy I felt…more so than I’d felt in an incredibly long time. I was finally…FINALLY getting something to go my way.
“By the way, did you want t-what’s that noise?” Naomi asked. I listened and I heard the faintest sound of chirping coming from my purse. I reached in and realized my phone was ringing.
“Uh, one moment.” I giggled. “I think it’s my grandpa.” I whipped out the phone and answered. “Hey Grandpa.”
“Chase, I’m glad I caught you! I have some news.”
“Okay what’s wrong?” I asked. “You sound upset.”
“Chase, we found your mother.”

Everything around me felt like it just vanished. All dark…all gone. The voice I heard on the phone was grandpas, but it was shakey and uneven. He sounded really concerned…and if grandpa sounded concerned, there was definitely reason. I felt my heart beating faster and faster in my chest and a cold sweat came over me.
“Grandpa…what happened to mom?” I demanded.
“She was admitted to the hospital. She was in a car accident and has been unconscious for the last two days. She just now woke up and was able to identify herself. I’m having a police detail wait with her while I come to get you and your father.”
“What, right now!?””
“Chase, it’s time we settled this matter between you three. If you ever want closure and a chance at your old life again…this has to happen. Better now than later when you can find excuses to run from it. Besides…she IS your mother. She’d want her son by her side while she’s in the hospital.”
“Her son?” I snarled. “Shouldn’t she want her daughter there? After all…that’s what she got, right!?” There was a pause over the line, and grandpa’s voice changed again from concern to…contempt.
“You listen to me Chase,” he snapped, “what your mother did was wreckless. But this attitude you’re giving? It’s no better. Now I’m coming to pick you up and take you to her, as well as your father. I suggest you check the attitude by the time I get there. She’s still your mother. I think she’s been through enough, and so have you. We’re going to bury this hatchet. Now. Are we clear?” I silently nodded. He was right, and I knew it…I just didn’t like it. I still couldn’t fully forgive mom for what she did. Dad either. I was angry. I was bitter. But Grandpa was right. If I didn’t find a way to forgive them and move on…then there’d be no turning back for me…and no chance for a future with Naomi.
“Alright Grandpa…I’ll try. I’m downtown by the ice cream shop…just come get me when you’re ready.” When we hung up, I looked to Naomi who was smiling apologetically.
“Everything okay?” She asked.
“They found mom…and I’ve gotta go see her. With any luck…this’ll be what fixes everything.”
“Do you really think it will?” Naomi asked.
“I don’t know…but I’ll say this much…..I’m running out of options here.”