The Witch's Ichor

Girl Friends or Girlfriends [18]

There's nothing like getting pizza delivered in the comfort of your own home. Eating a delicious pepperoni pie with your family is a staple of life-at least to Zoe, it is. The gooey cheese and slightly spicy pepperoni makes for a happy girl. Zoe kicks her feet back and forth as she eats. Zoe's father glances over.

"You have a good day, kiddo?" Zoe's father asks.

"Mhm!" Zoe replies with a mouthful of pizza.

Zoe's mother clicks her tongue at her daughter's poor table manners.

"What have I told you about talking with your mouth full, Zoe?" She scolds.

"Sorry, Mom!" Zoe apologizes.

Zoe finishes her fourth slice of the night, and takes a drink of her water. Seeing her mother and father reminds her of something she isn't sure is possible. She clears her throat to get their attention.

"Ahem. I was um... wondering if I could see a doctor about, uh, H-R-T?" Zoe asks stiffly.

Zoe's mother raises her brow. She swallows the food in her mouth, and voices her question.

"Zoe... Why do you need that if you're already in a girl body?" Zoe's mother asks.

"I want to make my boy body look pretty, too." Zoe replies.

The look her parents give her makes Zoe's stomach churn.

"I-I just mean I want to try! I know I'm not pretty as a boy or anything, but I just-" Zoe rambles.

"I'll make an appointment first thing tomorrow, honey." Zoe's mother cuts her off.

The ugly knot in Zoe's stomach gets a little tighter as her parents whisper to one another. Zoe's father finally voices his opinion.

"Zoe I don't want you talking down about yourself like that. It's ok to not like your original body, but it's not okay to... to put yourself down. You can be beautiful without magic." Zoe's father lectures.

That ugly black knot loosens.

~

Zoe's favorite part of her school day is finally here: lunch time. Zoe practically sprints out of 4th period in an effort to have as much girl time as possible. The unisex bathroom serves as Zoe's changing room for the third time this week, and she manages the transformation in less than two minutes.

Ah, sweet girlhood.
Time to find my posse!

Scanning the lunchroom, Zoe spots Jamison's beanstalk self standing near their usual lunch table. She walks over to see both Theo and Derek there as well. The three boys are all talking to each other with serious looks on their faces, but Zoe can't make out what they're saying.

"Hey doofuses!" Zoe greets them.

Jamison stiffens up as Zoe offers him a high five. Theo and Derek simultaneously let out an irritated groan as Jamison accepts Zoe's high five. She gives them an incredulous look.

"What's your guys' problem?" Zoe asks.

"It was just a high five! We need to add a fourth term, Theo." Jamison argues.

"Fourth term? What?" Zoe asks in confusion.

"N-nothing, Zoe. We should grab our food before the line gets too long." Jamison deflects.

Zoe decides not to pry into the boys' 'man talk' and instead queue up for her lunch. The boys follow her into the lunch line. Theo rubs his head as if suffering from a headache, and quietly complains to Derek.

"Dude, we need to all chill the fuck out. I'm so tired of this." Theo grumbles.

Derek cracks his knuckles.