The Witch's Ichor

Handling Mistakes [27]

Zoe finally pulls her face from Jamison's shoulder. Jamison looks her up and down with concern clouding his eyes. Zoe smiles as Jamison wipes away her tears.

"You always were the nice one, you know?" Zoe laughs.

"The nice one? I certainly haven't been nice lately..." Jamison replies dryly.

Zoe starts walking toward the school. Jamison wordlessly follows Zoe. She glances up at him with a pout, tilting her head like a curious puppy.

"How so?" Zoe asks softly.

The two teens walk along the sidewalk without speaking for a few minutes. Jamison's eyes stare straight ahead as he struggles to formulate a good response. Their shoes skid off the sidewalk softly as they near the school's courtyard.

"I feel like I've let my desire for you cloud my judgement. I've let it take priority over your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of our friend group." Jamison replies bitterly.

"Oh... Well, I'm sure you didn't mean to?" Zoe says with uncertainty lacing her voice.

Jamison smiles a little at Zoe's attempt to comfort him. He gently ruffles her short hair as they enter the school courtyard. There aren't any students outside. Jamison and Zoe start speedwalking once they realize they're behind schedule.

~

Zoe squints at her reflection. She's using her phone's screen as a mirror to check her face. The pamphlet describing the effects of estrogen mentioned feminization of the facial features, but that is supposed to happen over the course of years. Zoe can already see the softening of her bones and skin.

"Watcha looking at?" Tracy asks.

Zoe glances up from her phone to smile bashfully at Tracy. They're in 4th period. Mrs. Johnson has given them some free time to themselves.

Tracy's wearing a fairly modest top, yet the toned muscle of her biceps still catches Zoe's attention. She shakes her head to expel the lewd thoughts.

"Just looking at my face." Zoe replies sheepishly.

"Oh? It's a pretty cute face. I get why you'd wanna stare at it." Tracy replies flirtatiously.

Tracy's cheeky smile almost melts Zoe into a puddle of embarrassment. She holds herself together, and sticks her tongue out at Tracy.

Zoe gently pokes her own cheek. The flesh is softer. Her cheeks are a little rounder.

"I just started HRT, and it's already having a visible effect. Isn't that weird?" Zoe murmurs.

Zoe feels Tracy's slender hand gently touch her face. She looks over to see Tracy scrutinizing her. The way Tracy's thumb slips across Zoe's cheek flusters her. She gently plucks Tracy's hand off, pouting with frustration.

"That's super embarrassing!" Zoe hisses quietly.

"What? I think most people would envy you for that." Tracy replies casually.

"For getting my face touched by you?" Zoe questions

Tracy nods with a smug smile. Zoe rolls her eyes at the girl's confidence.

Tracy clears her throat to get Zoe's attention. Zoe glances over to see Tracy looking at her with an embarrassed smile. Her false bravado is nowhere to be found.

"Sorry, I'll be serious now. I do think it's a little strange, but you do have magic?" Tracy says with a shrug.

"I guess. I'm not sure if this is the 'Witch's Ichor' or if it's something else?" Zoe ponders out loud.