# chapters

path: 112312222212111222111212122
author_id: imaj
title: The Quiet Dead
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>“I’m not saying I don’t trust you,” you begin.<br/>
<br/>
“It’s not like you have anything to worry about,” mutters the golem.<br/>
<br/>
“…but I think I want to do it myself,” you continue.  “Tell me how it works.”<br/>
<br/>
“For the sake of brevity I shall assume you mean only the act of sending the guardian to sleep,” replies the golem.  “Since you have already established ‘how it works’ is beyond me.  Step inside the circle of desks in the middle,” explains the golem.<br/>
<br/>
You slip between the desks in the middle of the library.  They’re arranged in a square pattern and now that you are in between them you can see a very shallow pedestal set onto the floor.  Kneeling on the floor to get a closer look, you see that the sides are inscribed and painted with complicated looking golden symbols.  <br/>
<br/>
It takes a few seconds to realise where you’ve seen something like them before.  They look like the symbols from the book, if not exactly the same.  You pull the word that Blackwell used when he made the paper frog hop across the table from your memory:  sigil.  The little pedestal is covered in sigils, although you have no idea as to their meaning.<br/>
<br/>
“Ah yes,” continues the golem.  “I see you’ve found it.  Well if you just step onto the plinth and repeat the following phrase.”  Blackwell say something in a language that not even your Melody memories can recognise – A series of liquid syllables that sound as if the speaker is trying to clear the consonants out the back of their throat.<br/>
<br/>
“I don’t recognise that,” you explain, letting a little of Melody’s peevishness through.<br/>
<br/>
“Welsh, dear girl,” replies the golem.  “Or dear boy I suppose.  Which would you prefer.”  You eye the golem looking for a hint that it’s mocking you, but it seems entirely sincere.<br/>
<br/>
You step onto the plinth and repeat the words Blackwell told you.<br/>
<br/>
For a moment nothing happens.  Absolutely nothing, the clocks stop ticking and everything seems deathly still.  The calm is shattered by an inhuman scream of rage.  You look left and right for the source but there is nothing and you realise it’s almost as if it’s coming from inside your head.<br/>
<br/>
There is the briefest flash of an image in your mind:  Rows and rows of sharp, needle like teeth.  The library fades from view and you find yourself looking over the scene of some kind of fight.  Dead warriors lie everywhere, blood sinking into floor around them.  You watch in horror as they jerkily rise.  Their wounds remain open but now more blood spills from them.  You want to scream, but there is no sound, no sound at all.  The risen dead stare at you with empty eyes and no words on their lips.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
And then, just as suddenly in the image vanishes and you are in the library again, breathing heavily and leaning on one of the desks.  “What the hell was that,” you practically shout.<br/>
<br/>
“What was what,” ask the golem, as if nothing has happened.<br/>
<br/>
“You didn’t see that,” you ask, letting go of the desk and finding that your hands are shaking.<br/>
<br/>
“You sent the golem to sleep then stumbled off the pedestal,” replies the golem.  “I’m not sure why that would be so exciting.”<br/>
<br/>
You breath in deeply, taking a few moments to compose yourself.  It seems the golem didn’t see anything.  Maybe it affected you because you were the one sending the guardian to sleep?<br/>
<br/>
“When you sent the guardian to sleep before,” you ask.  “Did you ever…  see anything?”<br/>
<br/>
“See anything,” repeats the golem.  “Well the library, books, desks, that sort of thing,” it answers puckishly before hesitating.  “There were a couple of times when I felt something a little odd…  Just the hint of the thing’s teeth.”<br/>
<br/>
“I saw more than that,” you say quietly.<br/>
<br/>
“Interesting,” says the golem hungrily.  “What did you see?”<br/>
<br/>
Not that you have any desire to share your vision with the golem anyway, but the images are fading away already.  Should that even happen, you wonder, since Melody’s memory is near photographic.  “It doesn’t matter,” you say before pulling out Melody’s cell phone and tapping out a message to Joe.  You sigh loudly and sink into one of the chairs by the desks.<br/>
<br/>
The library feels different:  Less oppressive, more relaxed.  The clocks are ticking in time now, somehow the shelves seem to loom less.  The stuffed monkey statue that houses the guardian still seems to radiate malevolence, but it no longer seems poised to leap out of its alcove and disembowel you where you sit.<br/>
<br/>
“Who was that you sent a message to,” asks the golem, leaning over you.<br/>
<br/>
“Don’t want to talk now,” you say, leaning back and relaxing.  You feel tired and drained, even though all you did was mutter a few words in Welsh.<br/>
<br/>
“But…” begins the golem.<br/>
<br/>
“Be quiet,” you snap and the golem falls silent.<br/>
<br/>
You half doze in the chair, resting your eyes.  The rhythmic ticking of the clocks is peaceful and relaxing.  As your energy returns to you, you begin to wonder just what’s taking so long.  You glance at your watch and realise it’s nearly fifteen minutes since you let Joe know it was safe to come.<br/>
<br/>
In fact, you are just thinking about phoning him to find out what’s taking so long when he walks into the library nonchalantly.  “’Sup Melody,” he says with a goofy grin.”<br/>
<br/>
“Do I pass,” you ask acidly, standing up from the chair.<br/>
<br/>
“Flying colours,” he replies, walking over to you.  “What’s up with that guy?”<br/>
<br/>
You realise he’s indicating the golem.  Its eyes are bulging and its face is red.  It can’t talk, of course, since you told it to be quiet, but it’s doing a good job of making its anger clear.  “Oh go on,” you say to it.<br/>
<br/>
“You,” the golem hisses angrily and pointing at Joe.  “I can’t believe you let him in here,” he adds, swinging round at you.  “Do you have any idea what they’ll do to me, the real me?”<br/>
<br/>
“Lock you away for a long time probably.  Getting off lightly if you as me,” shrugs Joe.  “Are you going to let it talk to me like that,” he asks you, his face a carefully constructed picture of innocence.<br/>
<br/>
“Probably,” you roll your eyes.  “Just where you anyway?”<br/>
<br/>
“Finding somewhere to park,” he smiles.<br/>
<br/>
“And…” you tap your foot impatiently.<br/>
<br/>
“Found something interesting,” he adds, his smile shifting up a gear.  “You gotta see this.”<br/>
<br/>
“Is it Lisa,” you ask.  “We should probably find where Blackwell’s imprisoned her.”<br/>
<br/>
“Imprisoned is such a harsh word,” begins the golem.<br/>
<br/>
“Shut up,” you and Joe say in unison.  You look back at Joe and are embarrassed to realise that you are blushing a little.  A little Melody thought makes you brush your hair back behind one ear with your hand.</span></div></div>


path: 1123122222121112221112121221
author_id: imaj
title: Grave Errors
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>“It’s the crypt,” you say flatly, following Joe’s pointing finger.  You knew about the crypt in Blackwell’s back yard already.  Sure, it’s a bit creepy, but Blackwell’s house is plenty creepy already and the crypt hardly looks out of place.  That said, there’s something indefinably less ominous about the house now.  Perhaps the guardian affected how you perceived it as well?<br/>
<br/>
“Ah but have you taken a closer look yet,” asks Joe with a wicked grin.  “We couldn’t get close: Blackwell’s creature kept chasing us off, especially when we tried to get close to the crypt.”<br/>
<br/>
“And that’s important,” you reply.  “More important than my…  more important than Lisa,” you say, catching yourself in time.<br/>
<br/>
If Joe notices the slip, he doesn’t comment upon it.  “Didn’t you wonder why he had a crypt in his back yard?  Do you want to take a look?”<br/>
<br/>
“I guessed it was for making the golems,” you answer.  Joe gives you a slightly puzzled look.  “They need graveyard earth,” you explain.<br/>
<br/>
“I want to take a look,” he smiles widely and grabs you by the hand, dragging you past his parked truck toward the crypt.<br/>
<br/>
It’s seen better days.  Moss grows over the ramshackle building and the stonework is flaking and crumbling.  Despite this Joe looks fascinated.  He clambers onto a pillar beside the low door and reaches up to clear the moss of the lintel.  Joe jumps back down to the ground and grins at you wildly.<br/>
<br/>
“Aha,” he says.<br/>
<br/>
“Aha,” you reply flatly<br/>
<br/>
“Look at the name,” he adds.<br/>
<br/>
You roll you eyes exasperatedly but nonetheless humour him.  “Oh,” you say quietly after reading the name inscribed there.<br/>
<br/>
“Exactly,” replies Joe.<br/>
<br/>
Faded by time, the name Keyserling has been inscribed above the doorway to the crypt.  You’d seen the statues at the college, well Melody has anyway, but you’d never thought much beyond that.  “And that motto,” you add.<br/>
<br/>
“Do not call upon that which you cannot drive out,” translates Joe.<br/>
<br/>
“Unusual,” you muse.<br/>
<br/>
“Isn’t it just,” replies Joe somehow pushing his grin even wider  He pushes at the door, which swings silently open.  “Ladies first.”<br/>
<br/>
You duck through the low door and inside.  A couple of worn steps lead downwards and the floor of the crypt is maybe half a metre below ground level.  It’s dark, but someone, Blackwell presumably, has left a battery powered lamp by the door.  You pick it up and flick it on, casting just enough light to make gloomy looking pools of shadow in the crypt.<br/>
<br/>
A couple of shovels have been rested by the door and a shallow pit dug in the centre of the room.  Not deep enough to bury a body, but certainly deep enough to account for the creation of a golem.  Alcoves in the walls might once have housed skeletons but are entirely empty now.<br/>
<br/>
Joe ducks in behind you.  “Ooooooh,” he says in what might pass for a scary voice at the age of fourteen.  He waves his arms ominously.  “Always wanted to do that,” he adds, looking round with interest.  “Kinda disappointing, I was hoping for liches and zombies.”<br/>
<br/>
“What,” you ask incredulously.  “Zombies are a thing?  There are actual zombies out there?”<br/>
<br/>
Joe laughs at your question and continues.  “And that’s where he got the golem from.  Actually, that gives me an idea,” he says, his eyes twinkling.  You put the lamp down and follow him back outside, because whatever he’s thinking it’s probably not good.<br/>
<br/>
Joe’s already at his truck by the time you get outside, hauling open the trunk.  You can see the flash of the masks in his hands, followed by grumbling voices from within.  “Out you get girls,” he says.<br/>
<br/>
“Boss,” asks the Umeko faced golem as you reach Joe’s side.  You give him a sidelong glance.<br/>
<br/>
“Trust me,” he says slipping an arm around your waist.  A little bit of your resistance melts away.<br/>
<br/>
“Do what he says,” you tell he golems.  “Both of you.”<br/>
<br/>
The golems extract themselves from the trunk in a grumbling tangle of limbs.  You almost laugh as the Umeko faced golem, which has a copy of your own mind made barely a few weeks ago, seemingly accidently grabs at the golem K.C. in a couple of sensitive places.  Were you really like that?  It seems a lifetime ago now.  Joe beckons them down inside the crypt.  With a sigh, you close the trunk and follow them in.<br/>
<br/>
The golems are standing unhappily in the shallow pit as you duck past the door.  Joe is in the process of handing them shovels.  The K.C. golem looks at the one it’s given with distaste.<br/>
<br/>
“Bodies that bury themselves,” chortles Joe, ignoring the golems.  The Umeko-faced one is quite pale looking by this point.  “Pretty efficient.”<br/>
<br/>
You place a hand on Joe’s shoulder.  “I’m not sure about this,” you say as he turns to look at you.  “It seems wrong…”<br/>
<br/>
“You’re right,” replies Joe, his face momentarily falling.  “We should get a hose in here and have them start wrestling.  Put the video online.”<br/>
<br/>
“Joe,” you exclaim, but you can’t help but laugh a little.<br/>
<br/>
“It’s just for a few days,” says Joe more seriously.  “It keeps them safe and hidden till we get Blackwell sorted.  It’s the last place he would look.”<br/>
<br/>
“Aren’t we taking down Blackwell today,” you ask.<br/>
<br/>
“Well, we don’t want Frank finding them and freaking out,” adds Joe.  He gives you a short kiss before continuing.  “He’s not as understanding as I am…”  Another kiss.<br/>
<br/>
“Mmmm,” you sigh with your eyes closed, the feeling of Joe on you lips lingering for just a few seconds after he breaks the kiss.  “They’ll be ok?  I don’t want Melo… the one under that mask to be hurt,” you add, indicating the K.C. masked golem.<br/>
<br/>
“Sure,” replies Joe.  “Peace of the grave.  What could hurt them down here?”  He hugs you briefly before taking hold of your hand again.  “Let’s go rescue your class mate.”<br/>
<br/>
“She’s not my classmate,” you say.  “Not any more, not really.”<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">*****</div><br/>
<br/>
The Blackwell golem stares at you, angrily but silently, as you and Joe return to the library.  “Oh I told you to shut up didn’t I,” you ask rhetorically.  The golem stares at the ceiling for a brief second, before staring at you levelly.  Its knuckles whiten briefly, but it manages to keep its temper under control.  Not that it has any choice.  “You can talk again, but only to tell me where Lisa is,” you add.<br/>
<br/>
“The basement,” says the golem sullenly.  “Past the hidden door,” it adds before putting its hands over its mouth in disgust.  “And I am compelled to tell you that you need the bone charm from the left hand drawer in the desk furthest from you in order to pass the guardian,” finishes the golem, its voice muffled by its hands.<br/>
<br/>
“How do we find the door,” asks Joe.<br/>
<br/>
“I don’t need to help <i>you</i>,” replies the golem smugly.<br/>
<br/>
“You’re going to tell me though,” you tell it.<br/>
<br/>
“Statue of Cerberus,” says the golem through gritted teeth.  “Twist the left head.”<br/>
<br/>
“Very funny,” you mutter darkly as you walk over to the small statue of the guardian of the underworld.  You twist its left head experimentally and the bookcase beside it swings open with a loud creaking noise.<br/>
<br/>
You recoil instantly as look though the opening and into the gloomy shadows beyond it.  Your face must be a sight, because Joe is quickly at your side and holding you closely.  “Are you ok,” he asks.<br/>
<br/>
“I just got a fright,” you say, burying your head in his chest.<br/>
<br/>
“Yeah,” he replies.  “Fear ward, and a surprising well made one by the look of it.  Your work,” he asks the golem.<br/>
<br/>
“I confess that I take pride in my work,” replies the golem unpleasantly.<br/>
<br/>
“And this is why you were right to come to us,” says Joe to you.  He walks over to the desk the golem indicated before opening a drawer and pulling something out from it.  You catch the charm when Joe throws it to you, a little sliver of bone wrapped in feathers and some kind of elastic leather like material.  “Take a look now,” he says.<br/>
<br/>
The opening beyond the bookcase seems lighter now.  The shadows are still there but you no longer are left feeling something is about to jump out from them.<br/>
<br/>
“Melody,” calls Joe.<br/>
<br/>
“What,” you ask, turning back round.<br/>
<br/>
“Just remember not to look behind you when you’re leading Lisa back up from the underworld,” he quips.<br/>
<br/>
“Ha ha,” you grumble, turning back round.  It’s bad enough having to go past that, what did Joe call it, fear ward without having to put up with his wisecracking as well.  How does he even know about your history with Lisa?  You’ve got half a mind to tell <i>him </i>to go down there instead. <br/>
</span></div></div>


path: 11232
author_id: wordsmitty
title: Options and Emotions
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>The sensations you're getting just cupping your, er Umeko's breasts are less than you'd thought. You poke a nipple, and it feels the same as doing it to your own. No pleasurable tingle or gasp causing shiver. You wonder if there's something wrong with the mask. Women love to have the titties touched, don't they? All the porn you've seen or read shows them moaning instantly. Maybe something's seriously wrong with Umeko! You shutter to think your cousin may be devoid of enjoying sexual stimulus.<br/>
<br/>
Checking the book, you see a bit more text has appeared at the end of the sealant spell. There's something that's offset with three repeated lines. Before those you make out something about using your hand and face or eye ... eyebrow you think. You need to work out the translation from Old Latin, so you check the Latin dictionary.<br/>
<br/>
As you sit at the desk, Umeko's breasts keep distracting you. Watching her slender hands turn the pages or write down possible translation is a bit bizarre, so you decide you should take off the mask.<br/>
<br/>
<i>Oh, shit! How do I do that?</i> your mind screams while panic floods your, actually Umeko's body.<br/>
<br/>
You pull at your face but can't see any way that it detaches. But then, it isn't on your face like a mask. It's merged into your face. Suddenly, you're terrified. You can't be found like this. God knows what your parents would think. Even worse would be what Umeko would think. The last thing you want is for her to know that you a pervert who changed into her body and found that she is sexually numb.<br/>
<br/>
<i>There's no way I can tell Umeko or my parents about this even if you get it off. I mean after I get it off.</i><br/>
<br/>
Rapidly paging back in the book, you double-check for instructions that you may have missed. Everything is accounted for, but why would the book not have instructions to take it off?<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, god, no" you gasp out loud. Umeko's voice quavers with fear that penetrates you deeper than anything ever has. Flailing the pages back and forth, you realize your only hope is the lines you haven't translated. Scrambling back to your notes, you arrange and rearrange possible words so they make sense. Latin was a C- subject, and this is not standard but some old variant. You're shaking so much that you have to stop.<br/>
<br/>
It's then that you feel Umeko's nipples have popped up skimming across your pajama top as you move. You peek inside and find they're no longer just wrinkled skin on your chest. They're taut  brown nubs thrusting outward. Involuntarily, your hand raises and gently touches one of them. it's like a shot of ice down your back making you shiver. Without thinking the other hand comes up and lightly rubs the other causing a repeat though not as much of a shock and surprise.<br/>
<br/>
As you place your hands over to hold them, you feel the nipples hard against your palms. It's exciting, arousing. You begin a massage leading to a couple deep breaths and your relaxing overtaken by the new sensation. You close your eyes enjoying yourself. Thoughts of removing the mask have drifted aside as you open your eyes and glance down to see the book and your notes just beyond the small, fleshy mounds in your hands.<br/>
<br/>
"Oh crap. Gotta find how to get this off."<br/>
<br/>
Quickly, you release your hold and pick up the notes and look between them and the new words on the page. They seem to make sense now. Repeat the phrase three times while clasping the left eyebrow between thumb and index plus middle finger. You try. Nothing happens. You try again and still nothing sending your heart beating wildly as you try not to panic. The book's phrase then almost jumps off the page at you making you realize you were pronouncing it wrong. One more try and there's a slight swishing sound just before you pass out.<br/>
<br/>
When you wake, you're back to your own body but crumbled up on the floor next to your desk having obviously slid off the chair after you went unconscious.  		<br/>
<br/>
<i>Oh, yeah. I should have guessed that I'd black out again,</i> you chastise yourself while picking up the mask as you get up. Slumping back in the chair, you drop the mask down on the book with a big sigh of relief only to watch as the book again shimmers. Pushing the mask aside reveals that another page has come loose.<br/>
<br/>
Like the previous, there appears a list and some notes on the new page, obviously ingredients and instructions. Now that you know how to get it off, you're torn between using the mask again for some experimenting or translating the new ... thing, spell, whatever.  The family should be gone a little while longer, but when you start to consider what you'd like to do and remember that this is your cousin, you feel guilty and decide to work on the new spell.<br/>
<br/>
After half an hour, you have just enough to know that you have to go get more ingredients since they don't match what you have leftover from making the mask or mixing up the sealant. An anxious desire to find out what's next is halted as you're brought back to reality thinking about how much cash you have after the first buy. Glancing at the remaining ingredients looks like there's enough stuff for another mask. Maybe you can make another and show Caleb.<br/>
<br/>
Or maybe you can get a copy of someone else and pretend to be them. Gordon Black or Steve Patterson. No one bullies them, and Gordon's girlfriend is the most desirable girl in school. You salivate thinking of going down on her. Then you consider Patterson who isn't attached and is able to get just about any girl he wants, and that awakens your manhood to attention.<br/>
<br/>
You start to fantasize about the girls you'd like to be with, unconsciously slipping a hand into your pants. It isn't until Lisa Yarborough pops in your head that you realize what you're doing. You've never thought that way about her. Well, eventually you wanted to, but as a caring boyfriend not just release of carnal lust. Maybe you could get a copy of Geoff Mansfield and then antagonize Lisa enough as him that she would drop him.<br/>
<br/>
The whole problem with any of these is that you have to make sure that whoever you imitate is completely out of the picture. There's also the fact that you don't have their personality or memories, but you're sure you could trick folks just with the physical appearance, hopefully.<br/>
<br/>
The sensations you felt in Umeko's body then come back, not that you want to play with her body. Well, you do, but it's a bit creepy and guilt inducing. The same thing would be as Lisa. But what if you could get some other girl's image and pretend to be her, touching her body in just the right way? It felt so nice as Umeko that you wonder about what it would be like as a girl. The idea is not new, and it excites you as it always has.<br/>
<br/>
<i>Girls have it so easy being able to just pick or refuse a guy. If any are horny and want a guy, they know we're always wanting it. Not like the struggles we have to go through to get a girl to just talk to us and go out  and prove we're worthy and then tease us along with a smile, a kiss, a little petting, making out, fondling, and maybe eventually after weeks or months if they're not having their period and  . . .</i><br/>
<br/>
Umeko's face floats in the blue crystal of the mask sitting on your desk. Her ghostly body - naked - twists and deforms under the surface tantalizing you. If you only had some clothes that fit her, you could see what she feels without causing any intimate uncomfortableness. Your mom is not as slim as her or as small in the chest, but maybe some things might fit like a bathing suit or sports bra. The thrift store might be a better idea to buy some cheap clothes or even go to a department store, if you knew her size and could manage to not feel embarrassed as a guy buying women's undies. Although, you could wear the mask with some clothes of yours or your younger brother who might be a better fit and then go to the mall and buy or just try some on.<br/>
<br/>
Torn between the thrill and anxiety of the risk, you consider that, perhaps, you better stick to being yourself and make the next item or another mask. No matter how much fun it may be to try a new experience, if you get caught, you'd be marked as a perv, at least by family<br/>
</span></div></div>


path: 112322
author_id: wordsmitty
title: Diverted and Distracted
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>The image of you in Umeko's body and dressed like her wandering around town keeps playing in your head. Your imagination has you completely fooling others, able to act and talk to everyone just like her. Maybe it's the fact that you can't really recall the experience you just had that's making this happen. You hope so since always before you wanted to just be you but see and be with her not <i>be and see as</i> her.<br/>
<br/>
You need something to take your mind off turning yourself back into Umeko, and the book draws your attention.  A shiver of excitement sends your hand to it and the page that told you how to get the mask off. That page now turns revealing another list and a few notes in the weird Latin - more work to try and translate.  Maybe it's time for a relaxing game of shooting and blowing things up or getting with Caleb or Keith. You've ignored them lately outside of school. Of course, with your hands full polishing, what could you do besides watch DVDs and there's nothing else you want to watch since you've seen all of them twice. Perhaps you should share the discovery of this book with them?<br/>
<br/>
You've almost convinced yourself when you notice that you've already written out some of the new spell with the help of the Latin dictionary left open on the desk. Your attention then folds into the rest until you have a somewhat complete, though probably rough, translation. This time you need to assemble some sort of band by combining ingredients - all new from the mask - and then inscribing them with some strange figures that look sort of oriental, not like letters nor the funny graphic patterns on each page where you place a completed item. That's how the pages seem to be released.<br/>
<br/>
The ingredients prove to be quite a mystery until you start looking them up on the Internet. Amazingly, most have common names and are found in things like bug spray, fertilizers, and artist's supplies. The main item is a special solder, and you wonder if your dad has some on his workbench.<br/>
<br/>
Anxious anticipation pushes you to go get these, so you check your wallet. Not much left after the last purchases for the sealant. As you walk down the hall, your gut hurts when you think about asking your dad for an advance. He's going to ask you again to take that part-time job at Salopek, the one Caleb keeps wanting you to suggest him for since you really don't want it. Unless you tell Dad you'll get some job, he's not likely to help.<br/>
<br/>
Mom is a possibility although she usually refers you to your dad when he's home, which he is now that they're all back. There's Robert's stash you could borrow, without him knowing of course. He thinks it's well hidden; so if it goes missing, he's going to accuse you. Maybe you could blackmail him with one of several things he's done that your parents don't know. Yet that's a two-way street.<br/>
<br/>
By this time, you find yourself in your truck headed to the shopping center on the edge of town. It's like you're on automatic with a dedicated mission and going to do this no matter what. There's a hardware-garden-crafts store there that's bound to have these things. Hopefully, you have enough money left in savings to draw out with your debit card. There goes any new DVDs or impressing a date - like you're going on one anytime soon anyway.<br/>
<br/>
* * * *<br/>
<br/>
Due to an almost full parking lot, you end up in a spot half-way down the line of stores. Stepping up under the overhang, the thrift store is waiting, and you fantasy about getting clothes to wear with the Umeko mask tingles your crotch causing you to veer inside. Fortunately there's no other shoppers or even any employees in sight, so you browse around the women's section passing some blouses then checking for jeans and shorts which Umeko wears a lot. It isn't until you're grasping one that you remember you don't have a clue what her size is and realize this was stupid. As you turn to retreat, there's a girl blocking your exit.<br/>
<br/>
"Will! Fancy meeting you here." It's Cassie Harper from your class at Westside. "I didn't know you shopped thrift, although I don't think this section is really your style, although the styles these days seem to be crossing over, you know, the way girls don't do skirts or such much anymore, and guys are wearing tight jeans again, which I don't mind, but ... so whacha up to?"<br/>
<br/>
<i>Oh, great. Chatter Box Cassie. This will be all over school if I don't give her a good reason.</i><br/>
<br/>
"Oh, yeah. Hi. I, ... um, was just looking for, ah, some, ah, thing for my cousin ... as a present ... she likes this, ah, style stuff."<br/>
<br/>
"Wow. Your cousin's so lucky to have a great cousin like you for a cousin and shopping for clothes for her, although usually I'd expect a present to come new from a department store or somewhere like that unless it's ... Oh, sort of cash limited but still wanting something unique. Wow, yeah, Will. Any girl would be thrilled knowing how thoughtful you are."<br/>
<br/>
"I, ah, no. I mean, yes. I mean it's a surprise gift. Can't let anyone know I'm doing this. And well, ah, she attends Keyserling. College-ware. Not fancy as you said nowadays, but, um, comfortable, but I don't know ..." <br/>
<br/>
You try to escape indicating maybe you should look elsewhere, but she interprets it otherwise and blocks your exit.<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, yeah. I understand. Girl's sizes. Very difficult, but that's what makes your attempt even more special about you. Here, let me help. What size is she, I mean is she tall, short, thin, fa.., normal, what kind or color or what's she look like? We can get her a full outfit. Lots of choices. Now this is something that I like because of my short brown hair, and ..."<br/>
<br/>
She finally pauses to take a breath, and you automatically insert, "Dark hair. Black actually. Straight to mid-back."<br/>
<br/>
"Height, build?"<br/>
<br/>
"About my shoulder or an inch more. She's thin ... I mean slender. Does have long legs."<br/>
<br/>
"So about my height?" she asks standing directly in front of you and staring up into your eyes.<br/>
<br/>
"Ah, yeah."<br/>
<br/>
"Thinner probably," she adds taking your hands to put on her hips pressing you closer. "Right?"<br/>
<br/>
Blushing and getting warmer as she holds your hands there, you sputter, "Um, yeah. I g-guess. No offense. You're ..."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh relax, Will. We both know I'm a bit pudgy," she giggles squeezing your fingers into her sides before stepping away. "Now, is she trendy or country or sophisticated or ..."<br/>
<br/>
"Not country. She hates that."<br/>
<br/>
"It's definitely an acquired taste," she states not letting on if she's pro or con.<br/>
<br/>
"She's usually casual. I don't know what might be trendy, but her clothes always look nice like yours but maybe not quite as colorful." Your eyes bulge wishing you hadn't blundered that.<br/>
<br/>
"Thanks, Will. You're sweet. Do you like this?"<br/>
<br/>
She steps back to face you, and you almost comment on her own outfit which complements her complexion and curves, masking the pudginess well. Fortunately, you notice she's laid out two pair of shorts, one jeans and one plain, with an almost white, pale blue patterned blouse along side a light green and white striped, short-sleeve polo pullover.<br/>
<br/>
"Um, ah, well, yeah. They both, er, all look good. Similar to stuff she's wor..."<br/>
<br/>
"Will, <i>please.</i>" she rolls her head and eyes before staring you down. "Never say 'stuff" about a woman's clothes. Only guys wear <i>stuff</i>." She pauses a couple moments before bursting out in laughter.<br/>
<br/>
It's a good thing she does because you're so self-conscious. Instead you laugh along and begin to thank her profusely for her help.<br/>
<br/>
Now, however, you realize that you have to buy something, but can't see the prices. It isn't that you want to be cheap, but there is only so much money for the ingredients that you really need. Cassie only waits a little while watching your indecision until she speaks.<br/>
<br/>
"Tell you what, Will. You're such a good cousin that I can let you have all under our two-for-one special. It really ended yesterday, but I can. Gonna do it <i>for you</i>." Her smile is so cute that you almost forget what she just said.<br/>
<br/>
"You, what. You work here?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah. Thought you knew. By the way, there's some great sandals that would go good with these that I can throw in for just a few dollars more. Good thing about those is, unlike shoes, the size isn't as critical," she explains as you follow her to the checkout.<br/>
<br/>
"Um, sure, I guess."<br/>
<br/>
After emptying your wallet and taking the bag where she's folded and placed everything in, you smile graciously. "Thanks for all your help, Cassie. I really owe you. Oh, but you will keep this all quiet? From everyone, OK?"<br/>
<br/>
"Sure, Will. I think that can be arranged if you'll buy me a mocha at the Flying Saucer sometime. I'm free after school the rest of week."<br/>
<br/>
"Ah, sure. Of course."<br/>
<br/>
"My number's on the receipt," she adds with a wink before you turn to leave.<br/>
<br/>
* * * *<br/>
<br/>
Damn. You feel drenched with sweat but exhilarated as you sit in your truck for a couple minutes realizing what happened and trying to stop the new image of you looking in a mirror wearing these clothes and seeing Umeko smiling back at you. You came to get supplies for the next thing in the book and need to get to that store. This was all unintentional, although there's something about the mask that's drawing you back. After all, you can't spend everything and still have your date with Cassie.<br/>
</span></div></div>


path: 1123222
author_id: wordsmitty
title: The Road to a Mind Catcher
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>It wasn't quite as traumatic as you expected to get help at the hardware &amp; craft store finding the ingredients you needed, at least once you explained that it was a school assignment on products that contain the ingredients. The older guy who helped actually knew the Latin names of modern chemicals. It seems that most are benign and in wide use, but aren't necessarily sold individually. He did have you going for a while on one ingredient about taking chicken manure and boiling it down with some turpentine but finally explained that just separating the colored granules of a shake-on fertilizer would get you what was needed.<br/>
<br/>
With bag in hand, you swagger along feeling good about not only getting the supplies without exhausting your money but clothes to fit Umeko, or you as her actually. There's enough left for coffee, although maybe you can avoid Cassie and she'll forget.<br/>
<br/>
"Hey, Will. Fancy meeting you again."<br/>
<br/>
Just as you cut through a line of cars parked in the lot, you step in front of the bus stop where Cassie is standing.<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, hey," you sputter.<br/>
<br/>
"Doing more shopping than just gift clothes, I see. Planning on building a surprise to go along with them? I figured you had more on your mind, but then you always seem to be thinking a lot when I watch you at school." She pauses with a start then immediately adds, " I mean, you know, there's lots of people to watch, and you do stand out, sort of, somewhat. But anyway you finally done or more stores to plunder?" She takes a breath long enough that you can insert a reply.<br/>
<br/>
"Um, no, er yeah. All done. You waiting for the bus?" With a moment's thought, you realize how stupid that question was.<br/>
<br/>
"Ah, a careful observer. I like that in you, then what's not to like. I mean how thoughtful on the gifts and all. Too many these days are just giving gift cards or cash or whatever latest, trendy stuff on the shelf without any thought behind it. It's great to know being so considerate is another one of your qualities I can add to my list. Figuratively. Not a real list of course," she adds as more color flushes her face, and she just continues right on.<br/>
<br/>
"So you wouldn't happen to be headed my way? I've got another twenty minutes to wait, not that I don't wait all the time using the buses and all. They can be quite interesting, entertaining, inspiring even. I've gotten some good ideas for stories. I write, you know? I bet you do." You nod, but she's continued on already accepting your movement as answer to the next question. "Maybe you'd like to read some? OK. I can send you some or show you some sometime somewhere somehow. I think that's a song," she giggles.<br/>
<br/>
Her talk makes you giddy as well, and you smile back with a throat chuckle.<br/>
<br/>
"So what direction do I need to be going to be headed your way? I live out in Acheson."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, that's a bit south of me. I'm just a few blocks from Westside actually. Walk to school. My parents say it's good exercise, but I think it's an excuse not to let me have a car. They say we should be green, but I think they don't think girls should be driving - too easily distracted or gabbing with friends and will get in an accident. Not like guys don't zip about half oblivious to anything else on the road - present company excepted. I've never seen you peel out of the school any day yet this year. It's not like they use our car much. They both ride the bus. I've been riding since I was little, and it's fun. Well, OK mostly. Sometimes it's not as convenient, like now when I get off from Thrifty Nifties and it's another forty minutes for the cross-town bus, but it gives me time to think and write. I write a lot, but we covered that. Thinking sometimes not as much."<br/>
<br/>
Cassie is really growing on you, so you tell her to come along that you can swing by Westside without any real problem. Her prater continues the entire way so you don't get to listen to any music. However, her voice is pleasant, almost like a never-ending song that relaxes and hypnotizes you, and her talk is actually entertaining along with rambling, sometimes disjointed, and definitely creative. It makes you wonder what her stories might be like.<br/>
<br/>
"So, that's why dragons and unicorns are more interesting than vampires and werewolves. It's the magic. Right at the next corner. Real magic. Sure Vamps and wolves can shapeshift, and yes that would be a great ability to have, but not to be limited to a blood-sucking killer just because it's dark or the moon shines. The house on the right with the blue hatchback. It would be fun to be able to change into someone else, I'd prefer staying human, but you never know what their life is really like even if it looks so much better. Still It would be worth trying."<br/>
<br/>
You stop in front but she doesn't as she takes her bag and gets out.<br/>
<br/>
"Thanks again, Will. I'm so glad that you came by the store and we had some time together. I guess this is just as good as a coffee, at least in the bus fare that I saved." She closes the door and looks in the window while speaking. "So if you're busy building some special thingamabob, we can forget the coffee, although it would be nice to, ah, maybe .."<br/>
<br/>
"Give me a chance to talk?" You're as surprised as Cassie at what you said and would slap your head if she wasn't looking right at you. "I mean, I, um, yeah, I'd like to hear more from you, not that you, ah, ..."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, I know I talk a lot."<br/>
<br/>
"Well, for what it's worth, I'm fine with that. We'll still do coffee sometime."<br/>
<br/>
After a big smile before scurrying off, she calls back, "Thanks again for the ride."<br/>
<br/>
Like a gentleman, you wait until the door's open and she waves before driving off. All the way home you're mentally banging your head at your guffaws and asking Cassie on a date. That will just make Lisa think you're playing the field and not win her back. Of course, you don't have to immediately or ever call Cassie.<br/>
<br/>
* * * *<br/>
<br/>
Rather than raise suspicion or set off the smoke alarm or stink up the house again, you take your package to your dad's workbench in the garage. There isn't any ventilation here, so you reconsider again and walk round to the garden shed. It's work area is small, but there's a small window, plus you can leave the door open.<br/>
<br/>
Since some ingredients aren't pure, you hope it still works. It takes a little time to figure out the correct amount of each ingredient mixed with other stuff in the container it's in. Correct that is if the Internet site comparing the old Latin measurements to metric is correct. As you pour more items into the ceramic flower pot, it starts to sizzle even before adding the last ingredient which just happens to be rather flammable. From a distance you reach way over and pour it in. It doesn't ignite. Instead it puts out the combustion, just giving off some odorless smoke and leaving a gray, thick liquid. All that's left is to brush that on the proper sized piece of copper and press it between two mirrors.<br/>
<br/>
It's getting dark so you clean up and take the mirror-metal sandwich to your room along with a small engraving tool to scratch the strange lettering into it from the book. This proves to be rather difficult, and it's after midnight before you're done. Too exhausted to play with it any more and needing to finish some homework, you put it aside but fall asleep reading the English Lit assignment.<br/>
<br/>
* * * *<br/>
<br/>
"You really shouldn't stay up all night playing games," Caleb tells you in the morning at the school locker you share with him. He's referring to your bloodshot eyes that itch and burn as well.<br/>
<br/>
"It's an allergy or something," you retort. <i>Maybe it's from that concoction I made from the book.</i><br/>
<br/>
"Well, if you're allergic, can't you infect others?" Keith offers taking a step back.<br/>
<br/>
"No, dipshit. That's infectious," Caleb blasts. "Allergic means susceptible to things, like you're susceptible to being stupid."<br/>
<br/>
"I don't remember either of those on our vocabulary list."<br/>
<br/>
"That's because they were on the list in middle school," you add.<br/>
<br/>
"Stupid's been on your list since kindergarten," Caleb chuckles and slams the locker shut. "So, how'd you make out with your cousin?"<br/>
<br/>
"Concert would have been great except for the singer whose squawking almost drown out her accompaniment."<br/>
<br/>
The mention of Umeko reminds you about the mask and the strip thing you made which just happens to be in your pocket. The instructions were vague but something like "mind of another." You figure it must work like the mask on the forehead. However, if it copies a mind like the mask did a body, there's no need to copy yourself. The question becomes who should you copy.<br/>
<br/>
It would be easy to con one of your friends, but you don't want to know what's in Caleb's head, and the strip might come back empty from Keith. Also, if it knocks the person out, you need to do it somewhere private, and school doesn't have many of those places.<br/>
<br/>
You spot Geoff Mansfield talking with Lisa, your sort-of ex-girlfriend. You hung out together all summer and once gave her a tender kiss on her head when she cuddled against you in the park. When school was back, though, she began avoiding you, and Geoff started being around her constantly. The one time you asked her why, she replied that she didn't know you were dating since you never really went on serious dates. That hit you hard, and you wonder if that's the real reason. Perhaps you could sneak the band on her and learn what she wants, or on Geoff and become more like him. The latter thought makes you grimace and a bit nauseous.<br/>
</span></div></div>


path: 11233
author_id: nostrum777
id: YC29JSX5J
title: Getting Your Due
chapter_content:
<div><div style="padding:0px;margin:0px;"></div><div> <span>You push your cheeks upwards, though it’s not hard for you since you’re already smiling. You’ve spent the last few minutes admiring Umeko’s face in the mirror, staring at it from the most prodigious spot – right where you’re standing.<br/>
<br/>
You rub slender fingers through your hair, which falls far beyond yours, with a silkiness and shine you’re very sure you’ll never have. You turn your face from side to side, admiring a face that you’ve admired in secret.<br/>
<br/>
For, even though she’s your cousin, you share no blood ties with Umeko. And thus, you’ve developed a bit of a crush on her.<br/>
<br/>
To the extent of dreaming of seeing her naked.<br/>
<br/>
And now, thanks to that weird book you bought for the biggest bargain in your entire life, you can fulfill that dream. You waste no time taking off your shirt and dropping off your pants, indulging on the sights. Nice, firm breasts that seem larger as you fondle them, probably because of her small frame. The barest hint of a hourglass figure, slim as she is but not blessed with large hips. And as you look downwards, you notice she’s left the treasure every man wants to see laid bare – for she’s shaved there, showing her pussy very clearly.<br/>
<br/>
A hot flush runs over you as you press your full weight into one of your arms while you rub and feel your adoptive cousin’s - or you’d rather say, <i>your</i> – groin. You touch her smooth skin until you touch the labia. You push your fingers deeply inside that glorious hole, waiting for that sensation you feel when you wrap the old and smelly sock on your junk (the one you hide carefully so your mom doesn’t find it) but it never arrives.<br/>
<br/>
Then you feel a cold chill run down your spine, and your mind runs tricks on you. What if Robert wakes up to see his cousin masturbating on your room, knowing very well she can’t be here because she’s at your uncle and aunt’s house? Or if your mom and dad do so?<br/>
<br/>
You bite your lip as the excitement fades. You still yearn to explore, but prudence overcomes you, and you quickly search for the book to notice another page has turned. You spend a couple of minutes checking the contents – using your phone and the same online translator you’ve used for the previous spells – to see what else is new.<br/>
<br/>
You deduce the page explains what you already know – that the plaster you made allows you to wear the mask and transform into the person you copied previously. (That much is obvious, seeing Umeko’s shaved legs flailing from your bed as they hold the book.) It also gives instructions to remove it – lucky! - which requires grabbing your face with your hands and muttering what seems like gibberish three times.<br/>
<br/>
You practice the words before uttering them, giving a good look to your cousin’s borrowed body before losing it. If it comes out, however, you’re reassured by the idea that you’ll be able to enjoy it again and again – and perhaps, without your nerves betraying you like they did today.<br/>
<br/>
--<br/>
<br/>
“Mr. Prescott?” You feel the world crumbling before you when Walberg calls your name. “You remember the time capsule assignment was due yesterday, right?”<br/>
<br/>
Your eyes bug out, but you make the best attempt to bullshit your way through. “O-of course! I was aware of it and rest assured you’ll have it – I was thinking about it all day and night yesterday--”<br/>
<br/>
“Do you have it with you?” he insisted.<br/>
<br/>
“Well, that’s the thing – I couldn’t find anything, but if you give me just one more day--”<br/>
<br/>
“End of school day,” he sentenced. “<i>If</i> you want a proper grade.”<br/>
<br/>
“Yes sir,” you reply, though you cuss internally, as you have nothing to offer. Now that you know the book’s invaluable – arguably more than the $500 that man, Blackwell, offered you – you're not going to put it inside. Nor the mask that allows you to become Umeko, which you left in your house to play with.<br/>
<br/>
You lower down your voice, and you feel a buzz on your phone.<br/>
<br/>
It's Caleb. <i>u thot on wat i wrote u ystrdy?</i><br/>
<br/>
You're reminded of the text you ignored during yesterday's "chaos". He asked you for a favor to help him with this very same assignment, but wasn't very clear about it. You respond with a curt nod and a <i>ltr</i> text, since he might also help you with yours.<br/>
<br/>
--<br/>
<br/>
That first class almost ruined the rest of your day, and before Lunch period, you wish you could put on the mask and run away. At Film as Literature – an easy grade, you thought when you chose it – Keith Tilley briefly pestered you, talking about how he spent yesterday with Mike Hollister and Carlos Montoya seeing a terrible movie, inviting you to come for next time. Then at English, you had a slight brush with Steve Patterson, one of the top goons at school, and you felt your legs melt into a puddle as you recall how Carson Ioeger was close to you seconds apart and how he suddenly appeared at his seat seconds later, meaning everything was planned.<br/>
<br/>
Which means you actively avoid your usual group and text Caleb to meet you aside, sitting on another of the tables while trying to avoid Keith and Carson – and Carson’s best pal James Lamont as well. You look all around you, which Caleb seems to notice. “What’s gotten into you? You’re more nervous than usual.”<br/>
<br/>
“It’s Carson,” you spit spitefully. “Pushed me on Steve’s path.”<br/>
<br/>
“And?”<br/>
<br/>
“He did nothing.”<br/>
<br/>
Caleb sucks air from his teeth, pushing his chair a step backwards. “Sucks to be you.”<br/>
<br/>
“Gee, what a friend you are! I’m here to listen to whatever you want me for, and this is how you pay me?”<br/>
<br/>
“Well, you can still do me a favor. If Steve kills you, make sure your last words are to hide your corpse inside the time capsule.”<br/>
<br/>
“What for?”<br/>
<br/>
Caleb grips his curly hair tightly and screeches. “A distraction! I didn’t know we’d have to do an essay about the capsule afterwards!”<br/>
<br/>
You snort. “What the hell you gave the Walrus?”<br/>
<br/>
“A flash drive,” he answers, leaning closer. “With porn.”<br/>
<br/>
Now you cackle – perhaps too loudly, as you notice Jenny Ashton looking at you from three tables away. “What the hell? What made you do that!?”<br/>
<br/>
“I thought I could get away with it! What if he checks the contents and realizes that whatever I write doesn’t fit what I gave him!?”<br/>
<br/>
“You're gonna get screwed. Then again,” you tell him, shrugging, "I’m screwed anyways. Not gonna help you there."<br/>
<br/>
“Actually, you skipping class yesterday helps me a lot.” He shows you another flash drive. “All I need to do is replace the flash drive inside with another.”<br/>
<br/>
“What does it have?”<br/>
<br/>
Caleb rolls his eyes and sighs. “Memes. It’s less spicy than porn, after all.”<br/>
<br/>
“And how can I help you?”<br/>
<br/>
“Well...” He stores the flash drive and grins. “You’ll give him this flash drive. It’s identical to mine, ‘cept for a little nick that makes it different. Soon as you deliver it, figure out where he's hiding everything and we'll swap 'em out!” He taps the table desperately. “I’ll even help you on the essay! And I’ll be owing you a big one!”<br/>
<br/>
“A big one, eh?” You grin this time, because this is yet another opportunity that fell into your lap. You had to scrounge up what little money you had for the stuff to make masks, and you’re running short. Your dad’s pressuring you to accept a job at his place – Salopek Engineering – but you’re not very interested in. You feel like you got no choice, but if you were to put on a good word for Caleb with your dad, he’d be owing you a lot more.<br/>
<br/>
And because you feel generous because of his offer, you might want to show him the fruits of his "investment" - masks that let people turn into others. Surely he'll like the idea.<br/>
<br/>
“Meet me at the old hideout,” you tell him. When he asks where, you remind him, “on the old community center at Acheson. We’ll discuss it there.”<br/>
<br/>
--<br/>
<br/>
You deliver the flash drive to Walberg, who seems surprised at your appearance. "Here for the assignment?"<br/>
<br/>
You nod and deliver the flash drive. You use Caleb's excuse, saying that you spend your study hall at library gathering some memes in the Internet; you tell him that they represent today's culture, and you even add how memes exist since before the Internet (something you <i>did</i> spend your time checking), so it's a perfect snapshot of our times. Walberg pockets it, saying he wants a good essay from you "but don't expect any better than a B".<br/>
<br/>
You're setting your bookbag on your truck when you feel a meaty hand grabbing you back. A few punches to the gut later, you hear Steve Patterson's menacing voice mocking you. "Watch where you're going next time," he says, and adds "tell Carson I'm not blind". You sit near your truck, reeling and gasping for air, thinking how to get back at him.<br/>
<br/>
You still need to tell Caleb the news - that you couldn't make the switch and you don't know where he's storing everything - but you feel like doing a little payback.<br/>
<br/>
All you need is a few clothes, the mask back at your house, and a place to meet.<br/>
<span class="fngigffkgem3610"></span></span></div></div>


path: 113
author_id: seuzz
title: In Which You Try to Wash Your Hands of It All
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>This is too weird. You don't want to keep this creepy book, but it's pretty clear the bookstore isn't going to take it back from you. Maybe your best friend will buy it off you for a Coke. <br/>
<br/>
"I'm going over to Caleb's," you holler at your mom as you dash by the kitchen. She hollers something back, but you're not paying attention. <br/>
<br/>
You hop into your truck and are about to turn the key when you look over at your next door neighbor's house. Something caught your eye: Oh, it was a shadow in the lit window. Andrew must have just closed the curtains.<br/>
<br/>
You pause. Andrew Gary is a really neat guy, a computer programmer in his mid-twenties, and you sometimes go over there just to shoot the breeze. He's not into the whole occult scene, but he might be interested in the book, since it's such an odd thing.<br/>
<br/>
Or maybe--<br/>
<br/>
You drum your fingers on the wheel of the truck as you think about the book, and how creepy it is.<br/>
<br/>
Maybe you should just get rid of it totally. You picked it up only because you were looking for something to put in Mr. Walberg's time capsule. Burying it might be the best thing.</span></div></div>


path: 1131
author_id: seuzz
title: Odd Man Out
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"The pictures are pretty freaky," Caleb says. He peers closely at the title page, and his eyes swim in and out of focus. "Cool optical illusion."<br/>
<br/>
"I told you, I don't think it's an illusion," you insist. "The next page, the one with the sentence about 'possessing with blood'? That page wouldn't open until I bought the book."<br/>
<br/>
"Uh huh," Caleb says. He closes the book and runs his fingers over the cover. "It's a nice looking stage prop, though. How much did you say it cost?"<br/>
<br/>
"Cost? Two hundred dollars." His head shoots up, and you just return his stare. Then you up the ante, slightly. "Originally it was two hundred twenty-five, but I talked Arnholm down."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb tosses it back to you. "Pff. No way I'm paying two hundred. Take it back to Arnholm." <br/>
<br/>
"He won't give me two hundred for it," you retort, truthfully enough. <br/>
<br/>
"He'll give more than I can afford."<br/>
<br/>
"And how much is that?"<br/>
<br/>
"I've got forty bucks--"<br/>
<br/>
"It's a deal."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb blinks, and his eyes narrow. "That wasn't an offer. Take it back to Arnholm."<br/>
<br/>
"Arnholm won't give me anything for it," you reply, and then kick yourself. <br/>
<br/>
Caleb's eyes gleam with malice and amusement. "Why won't he pay you forty for it when he can turn around and sell it again for two hundred?"<br/>
<br/>
Point taken, so you give up.<br/>
<br/>
"Okay, I paid a couple of bucks for it after he saw all the pages were stuck together. Look, it's a magic book. It has to be, with that talk of blood and stuff. That's why the pages won't open."<br/>
<br/>
"Bullshit. There's no such thing as magic."<br/>
<br/>
"Well, it's freaky. You said so yourself."<br/>
<br/>
"I said the pictures are freaky." But he looks back down at it. "I'll give you five bucks. It'll look good on my bookshelf."<br/>
<br/>
You're about to take the offer, but hesitate. You'd like to leverage that other thirty-five out of him. "You still interested in that job out at my dad's work?"<br/>
<br/>
"Is it still available?" Caleb asks. "Tell your dad they should hire me."<br/>
<br/>
"It's just scut work," you say, then quickly add, "but if I'm going to get it for you, I want a finder's fee."<br/>
<br/>
"The fuck? I can just drive over and put in an application myself!"<br/>
<br/>
"Then why've you been bugging me about it? Look, I talk to my dad, and your application goes to the top of the pile. Maybe they don't even look at the other applications!"<br/>
<br/>
He chews his lip. "It's not worth anything if I don't get it."<br/>
<br/>
"Okay, how about this? You give me forty bucks if you get the job. It gives me an incentive to whine really hard on your behalf."<br/>
<br/>
"I think being my friend you'd do it for me anyway," Caleb grumbles, "but okay."<br/>
<br/>
"Excellent. You can have the book for five bucks now, and then you can give me thirty-five when you start at Salopek."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh for God's sake!" But he digs into his pocket and pulls out some worn bills. "Here's three. I'll give you thirty-seven when I get the job."<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
At least you made a meager profit on the book, and that's all you care about. Your life, which had briefly wobbled off its axis of normality, rights itself as though nothing had happened. And then—<br/>
<br/>
"We getting together this afternoon," Keith Tilley asks as he materializes at your school locker.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm hooking up with Lisa," you say. "Ask Caleb."<br/>
<br/>
"He's supposed to start that new job."<br/>
<br/>
"What new job?" you ask, twisting around in surprise.<br/>
<br/>
Keith stares back with a characteristically dumb expression on his slack face. "That job at your dad's work that he's been bugging you about?"<br/>
<br/>
It's been two weeks or so since you sold the weird-ass book to Caleb. "Fucker owes me thirty-seven bucks! I got him that job!" you exclaim, and peer over Keith's shoulder, on the off chance that Caleb will appear in the swirling school crowd.<br/>
<br/>
"So maybe it's some other job," Keith shrugs. "But what about you? Us get together?"<br/>
<br/>
"I told you, I'm hooking up with Lisa."<br/>
<br/>
"I thought she was hooking up with Mansfield."<br/>
<br/>
"This afternoon?" Your eyes bug out of your head.<br/>
<br/>
"Permanently. Didn't she dump your ass at the end of the summer?"<br/>
<br/>
The blood rushes up the back of your neck. "Since when the fuck do you pay attention to stuff that doesn't concern you?" You slam the locker and push past Keith.<br/>
<br/>
"Hard not paying attention when it's all you talk about," Keith mutters as you pass.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Lisa turns to smile at you—<br/>
<br/>
—and the world stops. <br/>
<br/>
The noise of the hallway, the rush of the crowd. Everything around her goes dim, so that she fills your vision. That dark hair, falling in curls around the porcelain curve of her face. Lips even and firm and red. And those violet eyes. You could stand in their gaze forever. If only time really could stop, and the world empty, so that it were just you and Lisa—<br/>
<br/>
Something big and powerful pummels your shoulders, and you lurch forward to bounce directly off the girl you love. "Freaking jerkwad!" she shouts. "Watch where you're going!"<br/>
<br/>
You stumble back, your face burning with shame, then to your immense relief realize that she's not shouting at you. She's shouting over your shoulder into the crowd. A bantam-like desire to display your masculinity washes over you. "Who was it?" you ask, straining onto your toes. <br/>
<br/>
"Gordon Black," she says. "Someone oughta kick him in the balls."<br/>
<br/>
All the air goes out of you. The captain of the basketball squad is the absolute last person in Westside High School you should tangle with. You only murmur. "So, we're still getting together this afternoon, right?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
Lisa blinks. "When did we—?" And then her eyes widen. "Wait, that was <i>you</i> who texted me? I thought it was Geoff."<br/>
<br/>
Your flesh prickles and crawls. "No, it was me. You texted back that you'd love to."<br/>
<br/>
"I'm sorry, Will," she says, and sounds genuinely contrite. "I thought it was Geoff. I already talked to him last period, and we're going to that new pastry shop."<br/>
<br/>
"You agreed to go with me first!" you insist.<br/>
<br/>
"I didn't know it was you." She starts to put a hand on your face, like she often did during those magical months over the summer when you touched each other. And then, to your chagrin, she catches herself. "Maybe some other time? Text me again?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, so I can set you up on another date with Frankenstein's scarecrow," you mutter under your breath, and push yourself into the jostling crowd.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
And so you're at home—as you so often are these days when someone calls—when Caleb swings by after his first day at Salopek. "Yeah, about that money I owe you," he says. His tone is evasive—you are glaring at him, after all—and he snatches a beanbag off your dresser and tosses it up and down in the air. "I can pay you real soon. One way or another."<br/>
<br/>
There's something about the way he says "or another "that gives you pause. "Don't think you're getting off by giving me a blow job," you warn him.<br/>
<br/>
"You'd take it and you know it. But instead of giving you the money— Well ..." He tosses the beanbag high and snatches it out of midair. "What about helping me out with that book you sold me? You know, that freaky magical one."<br/>
<br/>
"I thought you said it was bullshit." A light suddenly goes off over your head. "I was right! It <i>is</i> magical!"<br/>
<br/>
He reddens. "Well, you were right about the pages. I'm getting them to turn. And I had to, er, invest your money in some equipment to get it to do that much."<br/>
<br/>
"Like what?"<br/>
<br/>
"'Mnot sure yet," he mumbles. "I made some things." He shoves a hand into his pocket, and brings out a thin metal band. "Can you try this on for me?"<br/>
<br/>
You rear back. "What is it?"<br/>
<br/>
"You know, this would be a lot easier if you came in as a partner," he whines. "If we're not going to be partners, it's gonna be awkward."<br/>
<br/>
"It's fucking awkward you asking me to do shit for you without telling me what it is. Is it really magic?"<br/>
<br/>
"I don't know what 'magic' is," Caleb says, "but it's for real, whatever that book is."<br/>
<br/>
You get a shiver down your back. Even though that book freaked you out, you're still not sure you really believed it was magic. It was just creepy, is what it was. And now Caleb—skeptical, engineer/scientist-wannabe Caleb—is telling you it was on the level?<br/>
<br/>
You jerk your chin at the thing he's holding. "What is that thing? Why can't you try it on yourself?"<br/>
<br/>
"I did," he says, "but I can't tell if it works. It's like a mind reader. I can't read my own mind."<br/>
<br/>
"What, you're too dumb to know what you're thinking?"<br/>
<br/>
He gives you a look. "It's supposed to read <i>someone else's</i> mind."<br/>
<br/>
"You saying you want to read <i>my</i> mind?"<br/>
<br/>
"No, 'cos I've got a good idea what kind of sewer it is. But yeah. Just long enough to ... confirm that the thing works."<br/>
<br/>
You snort again. "Fucking invasion of privacy," you retort. <br/>
<br/>
"Here." He takes out another band. "This is one I made of me. You can put it on and read my mind, and I'll put on yours. Two minutes, tops, inside each other's heads. Just to confirm that they work."<br/>
<br/>
"I'd really like to know more about this shit before I start getting involved."<br/>
<br/>
"Then come in as a partner with me." His tone is pleading.</span></div></div>


path: 11312
author_id: seuzz
title: A Cry for Help
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"Okay, I'll help, but just this once," you grumble. "What do I do?"<br/>
<br/>
"It'll knock you out for a few minutes," Caleb says. "Better lay back on your bed." You gape. "You'll be fine," he adds peevishly. "Lookit me, I'm okay."<br/>
<br/>
"Debatable. Very debatable." But you comply. He lays the metal strip across your forehead.<br/>
<br/>
And before you can make any more cutting remarks, all the lights in the world go out. <br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
When next you open your eyes, you are very groggy. "Wh'appened?" you mutter.<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, you're back with us." Caleb materializes in your field of vision. "Yeah, it leaves you feeling kind of woolly, doesn't it? Well, I guess I'll be going." He scoops up his backpack. Something inside it clinks.<br/>
<br/>
"Wait, I thought you were—" You sit up, then catch yourself as a stabbing pain throbs through your skull. "Didn't you say something about letting me peek inside your head?"<br/>
<br/>
Caleb edges toward the door. "Eh, not necessary. I just had to put the thing on you to see it was going to work So, you know." He shrugs. "Best to stay out of each other's heads."<br/>
<br/>
You squint at him. "But can't you see inside my head now?"<br/>
<br/>
"Of course not. I'd have to put the thingy on myself, and I’m not going to. And here, and just to show you can trust me—" He tosses you a strip of metal. "Keep it in a safe place. Bury it or something. You don't want anyone getting ahold of it if you don't want them reading your brain. Anyway, see you at school tomorrow." He practically runs out the room.<br/>
<br/>
You look down at the strip. It is thin and flexible, and shows no markings of any kind. Gingerly, you put it to your forehead. Nothing happens. <br/>
<br/>
Well, he <i>said</i> you couldn't use it to read your own mind.<br/>
<br/>
To be safe, though, you follow his advice, and shove it deep inside the kitchen garbage.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Lisa, and your relationship with her, continue to prey on your mind. Or perhaps one should say your <i>former</i> relationship with her. <br/>
<br/>
It had started in May. From hanging out things had progressed to where she'd put her arm around your waist and nestle her head against your chest and let you lean your own head against the top of hers. Her eyes would dance with pleasure when she saw you. <br/>
<br/>
But then, shortly after school started again, she abruptly reminded you that you'd never <i>formally</i> decided to date each other; what's worse, she said it while throwing off the friendly arm you'd put around her shoulder. <br/>
<br/>
And if that wasn't bad enough, Geoff Mansfield started hanging out with her. <br/>
<br/>
"Moving up in the world, huh?" Mansfield observes to you a few days later, at school. To your chagrin, you'd found him at Lisa's locker.<br/>
<br/>
"Dunno what you're talking about," you retort. "Hey Lisa, what about a study session—"<br/>
<br/>
"I saw you talking to Gordon Black after classes yesterday," Mansfield says. "You thinking about going out for basketball?"<br/>
<br/>
"Are you?" you retort. "Or are your brains just too far from your feet?" He has at least half a head on you.<br/>
<br/>
"At least I can keep my feet on the ground," Mansfield grins. "Black had yours a good six inches in the air."<br/>
<br/>
“Will, did you get in a fight with Gordon?" Lisa frowns. Gordon Black is the alpha-est of the alpha bullies that roam the halls of Westside.<br/>
<br/>
"This guy is so high," you reply. "I steer clear of assholes. But I was going to ask if you—"<br/>
<br/>
"I don't blame you for being embarrassed," Mansfield says. "Though being taken by Black isn't as embarrassing as— Oh, hey Lester!"<br/>
<br/>
You whirl, but your personal tormentor is nowhere to be seen. Mansfield laughs.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm sorry, Will," Lisa says. "But I'm going to a piano recital this evening." Mansfield grins at you. "You'll do fine on ... whatever you need to study for." <br/>
<br/>
She closes her locker and walks off. Mansfield jostles you as he follows her, his arm over her shoulders.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
A week passes. Lisa continues to be hard to pin down. Caleb is also shy. In fact, he now seems to be avoiding you.<br/>
<br/>
And then, on a Friday night more than a week later, your cell phone rings. "Prescott," a clipped, girlish voice says. "It's Chelsea. We need to meet."<br/>
<br/>
You sit up on your bed. You know of only one Chelsea, and it couldn't possibly be-- "Chelsea who?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
There's a frigid pause, which all by itself practically answers your question. "Chelsea Cooper," she snaps. "Don't be an idiot. I need to see you. Now. At the school." The line cuts off.<br/>
<br/>
The phone drops from your numb hand Chelsea Cooper? <i>The</i> Chelsea Cooper? The head cheerleader? The queen bee of the school? The blonde bombshell with the hard, thrusting boobs and the sculpted ass? <i>That</i> Chelsea Cooper?<br/>
<br/>
"I have to go out for a bit," you shout to your mother as you run through the kitchen. As usual when she's bending over a pot that's about to boil over, she shouts something unintelligible. One of these days it will turn out she's not giving you permission to leave.<br/>
<br/>
Your mind spins on the drive out to the school, but naturally you can't figure out what Chelsea would want with you. Unless it's a horrible prank, but you're not far enough up the social ladder to be a victim of that kind of thing. And she sounded ... businesslike.<br/>
<br/>
The student parking lot is deserted in the falling dusk, except for a single vehicle that you recognize as Gordon Black's VW Bug. Not a good sign: in addition to being captain of the basketball team, and a psychotic, punch-happy jock, Gordon is Chelsea's jealously possessive boyfriend. So your nerves jangle hard when a small figure detaches itself from the shadows by the gym as you get out of your truck.<br/>
<br/>
It's Chelsea.<br/>
<br/>
Her expression is pinched, and her brow is furrowed. "Took you long enough," she snaps, and opens the side door to the gym, beckoning you in.<br/>
<br/>
The cavernous interior of the gym is black (and echoey) as you cross the deserted floor toward a back staircase. Your stomach flip-flops as you mount it, for it leads up to the fabled "fuck room": a VIP-only loft that is used by the school's top jocks as a kind of clubhouse. Officially, of course, it doesn't exist, and you suppose the administration doesn't know how it is being used. But every student has heard of it, and seethed with envy of what goes on behind its locked door.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea fumbles a key into the latch and pushes the door open. "You sure as fuck better know how to fix this," she growls. <br/>
<br/>
It is very dark under the attic rafters, and only a single small light hanging from the ceiling illuminates the cramped spaces within. It is stacked up with crates and boxes and broken gym equipment—parallel bars and pommel horses and the like. But the middle of the floor has been cleared away, and gym mats laid out. A dark mass lies atop one of the mats. Chelsea pushes you at it, until you are bending over it.<br/>
<br/>
It's her boyfriend, all six-and-a-half feet of nasty muscle of him. No, scratch that: It's a life-size and very life-like statue of him, carved or molded of some stony, ash-white material. Its mouth hangs slightly open and its eyes are closed. You peer closer. The thing is executed with such skill that you'd swear you see its chest shallowly rising and falling.<br/>
<br/>
You glance back at Chelsea, who is frowning and blinking furiously. "Okay," you stammer. "I don't get what this is all about—"<br/>
<br/>
She grabs something off a crate and thrusts it at you. To your shock, you recognize it as that book of magic that you sold to Caleb. You stare at it, then look back up at Chelsea. <br/>
<br/>
"It's this stupid book," she snarls, and her breath comes in gulps. To your astonishment you realize she's on the verge of crying—that she actually <i>has</i> been crying. "Gordon— he did something to himself! You have to fix it!"<br/>
<br/>
You look at the statue and look at the book and look at her, and gape. "I don't get it. What—?"<br/>
<br/>
"I said he did something to himself!" Her voice rises to a shriek. "That!" She points. "He tried one of those stupid spells and <i>that's</i> what happened!"<br/>
<br/>
She's pointing at the statue. Still, it takes you a moment to register what she means—it's just too crazy.<br/>
<br/>
"Wait. Are you saying <i>that's</i> Gordon?"<br/>
<br/>
"Of course, you fuckwit!" <br/>
<br/>
Then she seems to catch herself. <br/>
<br/>
"I'm sorry," she says in a very small voice. "I shouldn’t yell at you. I tried to stop him, but—" She gulps for air. "How far did you get into the book? Before we— we—"<br/>
<br/>
"We what?"<br/>
<br/>
"It wasn't my idea!” she exclaims. Though she seems repulsed by her own action, she steps up and strokes the front of your shirt. "I wanted to keep you around, to help. If we had, maybe this wouldn't have happened."<br/>
<br/>
Your head, naturally, is spinning. How did Chelsea and Gordon get ahold of Caleb’s book? And why does Chelsea think you know anything about it and can help? And what the hell happened anyway?<br/>
<br/>
"If you help," Chelsea says in a low voice, "if you get Gordon back, I swear I will totally make it worth your while. In ways that—” She gulps. “In ways that Gordon doesn't need to know about."<br/>
<br/>
You hear her offer, but you're too preoccupied with the thought that you need to find and confront Caleb—maybe he can provide the missing clues. On the other hand, Chelsea is being awfully persuasive, and is unlikely to continue being persuasive if you tell her you have no idea what she's talking about.</span></div></div>


path: 113121
author_id: seuzz
title: Caleb's Confession
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>Your brain feels like it's about to melt. <br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, um, here's the thing," you stammer. "I wasn't the only one messing around with that book. I was working with Caleb—" Chelsea frowns. "Caleb Johansson, you know?"<br/>
<br/>
"I know who he is," she says impatiently.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, I was playing around with it with him, and I think he understands it all better than me." Your brain feels feverish, and the world seems to tilt.<br/>
<br/>
"So should I call him, have him come out here too?" Chelsea puts her hand to her pocket.<br/>
<br/>
"How about I go find him and talk to him," you hastily say. "If he knows what's going on, I won't have to bring him out here then." You just want to get away from the school, but illogically the thought forms that if Caleb doesn't come over you won't have to "share" Chelsea with him. "Maybe I should take the— um, the—" You point at the book.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea's eyes narrow suspiciously, and you quickly backpedal. "I'll go find Caleb," you repeat. "I'll call back in an hour. Or come back over. Or we'll come back over." You take a step backward, and stumble. And then, before you quite realize it, you're fleeing the storage loft and running down the steps and out the gym and into the parking lot.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Caleb turns pale almost as soon as he's opened the front door to his house. "What's wrong?" he blurts out.<br/>
<br/>
Probably you do look half out of your mind. You nearly had three wrecks on the way out to his house as you kept thinking of Chelsea—and of Gordon—and of that scene of horror back at the school. "What the <i>fuck</i> did you get up to with that book?" you gasp out.<br/>
<br/>
His eyes pop, and he darts a quick look back over his shoulder. "Shut up!" he hisses, then steps out onto the front step with you and closes the door behind him. "Keep your voice down. What are you babbling about?"<br/>
<br/>
"That book. That goddamned <i>book!</i> You know, the one I sold to you! What were you <i>doing</i> with it?"<br/>
<br/>
His Adam's apple bobs up and down. "Why? What makes you think I—"<br/>
<br/>
"I just got back from the school, man! Chelsea Cooper called me out there. <i>Chelsea Cooper!</i>" You grab the front of his shirt. "She called me out there because her boyfriend used it to <i>do</i> something to himself!"<br/>
<br/>
Caleb pulls your hand off his shirt. "Not my fault," he says. His eyes narrow. "And what do you mean, what did he do to himself? And are you sure it was Gordon?" His eyebrows twitch. "Are you sure it was <i>Chelsea</i> you met with?"<br/>
<br/>
"What the fuck, man? I think I know Chelsea Cooper when I see her! How did she get that book from you? Did you give it to her?"<br/>
<br/>
"Well, not intentionally," he says. "I mean, I gave it to Gordon, but it was more like he took it away from me."<br/>
<br/>
You let out your breath. Gordon Black, triple-alpha bully, is just the sort to take things from people. "Okay, but why is Chelsea Cooper calling <i>me</i> about the book instead of <i>you?</i> Did she call you?" Caleb shakes his head. "Then why did she call me?"<br/>
<br/>
"I dunno, man." He puts his hand on the door handle. "Maybe we should both go back out there and take a look at things."<br/>
<br/>
But you grab him. "Hang on! The last time we talked about it all, you had me try some screwy thing, said it would make a copy of my mind." You tighten your grip on his shirt. "What does that book do?"<br/>
<br/>
"What I told you last time. What did it do to Gordon?"<br/>
<br/>
"You tell me. Tell me <i>all</i> the things that Gordon might have done to himself, and I'll tell you which one it was!"<br/>
<br/>
Caleb pries at your fingers. "Okay, look, man, that book can do a lot of things. I'll tell you, but I don't want you freaking out."<br/>
<br/>
"No promises."<br/>
<br/>
"Then let's put a couple of feet of space between us." He sticks his head back into the house and shouts to his mom that he's going out for a bit.<br/>
<br/>
"Okay, what I told you was the truth," he says after the two of you have moved back into the front yard. "I used that spell to make a copy of your brain. But, um, it can copy more things than just the mind." The wheels in your head spin, but they refuse to engage with anything real or rational. "They can also copy people. You know, physically." He makes a circle in the air with his fingertips. "It's like, you put this magical mask onto people, and it sucks up a copy of them, like uploading their form onto a thumb drive. And then, if you put the mask on, you can turn yourself into a copy of them. You'll look and sound just like them. And if you've got a copy of their mind, you can act just like them, too." He shrugs. "It makes, like, a perfect disguise."<br/>
<br/>
You blink hard, and your breath comes in gulps. But you can say nothing.<br/>
<br/>
Caleb shifts on his feet. "You say Gordon did something to himself. Did he turn himself into someone else? Did he, I dunno, maybe turn himself into Chelsea?"<br/>
<br/>
All of your insides wobble. Is he saying that maybe that wasn't Chelsea you met with, that maybe that was Gordon disguised as Chelsea? You blink furiously. Except there was that statue, and Chelsea said that <i>that</i> was Gordon. You clutch your temples. "Is that all?" you mumble.<br/>
<br/>
Caleb guffaws. "What do you mean, is that all? Isn't that <i>enough?</i>"<br/>
<br/>
"I mean, are there any other spells?"<br/>
<br/>
"Well, yeah, I guess. I only got through the first few."<br/>
<br/>
"Were there any that turned people into statues?" A thought seizes you. "When you copy someone, what happens to the person you copied? I mean, does it do anything to them?"<br/>
<br/>
"No. You put this mask on them and it knocks them out so they're unconscious while they're—"<br/>
<br/>
The deduction forms so fast you don't even have time to hear it in your head. You leap at your best friend to grasp him by the throat. <br/>
<br/>
"You copied <i>me,</i> you cocksucker!" you scream. "You copied <i>me</i> that night!"<br/>
<br/>
"Jesus, Will!" he croaks as he fights you off. "Yes, okay, I confess! I made a total, full-body copy of you the other night! I wanted to make sure that it worked!"<br/>
<br/>
The deductions are still coming to you. "Oh, Jesus! Tthen you went around disguised as me, didn't you? You ran into Gordon, and he took the book from you, but you were looking like <i>me! </i>That's how come Chelsea thought I had something to do with the book!"<br/>
<br/>
Caleb hangs his head. "Yeah. I didn't think it would get back to you, though, what I'd done. I figured Gordon would just hang onto the book and—" He catches  himself. "What's this about statues? What did Gordon do to himself?"<br/>
<br/>
"He turned himself into a statue. Ring any bells?" Caleb shakes his head. "Well, that's what he did. Or, that's what Chelsea said what he did. I didn't understand what she was going on about because— Well, anyway, he's at the school, up in that loft of theirs, all six-and-a-half feet of him, a totally life-size, totally realistic statue of himself."<br/>
<br/>
"Can he move?" Caleb asks. You shake your head. "Well, that's a relief. I guess."<br/>
<br/>
"So what are we gonna do?"<br/>
<br/>
"What did you tell Chelsea?"<br/>
<br/>
"I told her that <i>you</i> had something to do with it all. And then I ran off to come find you. She's expecting me back, though."<br/>
<br/>
"Then I guess we better go back out there, see what we can do."<br/>
<br/>
You hesitate. None of this should have anything to do with you. It's all Caleb's fault. He's the one who did it all. Maybe not directly, but—<br/>
<br/>
Caleb's eyebrows go up. "Well?" he asks.<br/>
<br/>
Maybe you should just let him go up to the school alone. You got rid of the book because you wanted nothing to do with it. But Chelsea had made a promise—a very inviting promise, it sounded like. You shoot a narrow glance at Caleb. She'd make the same promise to Caleb, probably. Maybe you should go out too, and pretend you were part of it from the beginning.</span></div></div>


path: 1131211
author_id: seuzz
title: Diagnosis: Magic!
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>On the drive back up to the school you press Caleb for more details about the book and what he did with it. He repeats what he'd said before: that with the book you can make magical masks that will let people disguise themselves perfectly as other people. As for how Gordon got the book: The day after he tricked you into putting your own mind and image into a mask, he put it on at school and tried ambushing Gordon at school. "I got a mask onto him," Caleb says, "but he came out of the stupor real fast while I wasn't paying attention. He took it and the book from me. Chelsea showed up, or else I would have lost a few teeth too. Or, I guess, <i>you</i> would have lost a few teeth."<br/>
<br/>
"I oughta take a few teeth from you myself," you growl at him. "What kind of a fucking moron were you being, trying to make a copy of Gordon Fucking Black?"<br/>
<br/>
"I was being <i>you</i>," he retorts. "So that answers what <i>kind</i> of moron I was being. And I wanted to copy Gordon because, dur, use the disguise to get close to Chelsea!"<br/>
<br/>
You shoot him a slit-eyed, sidelong glance. No <i>way</i> you're going to leave him alone with Chelsea now!<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
The head cheerleader is pacing the gym when you arrive. "About time," she snaps, and leads the two of you back up into the loft. Caleb strides over to the altered Gordon with a businesslike air and crouches next to him. He pokes and prods at the figure. Chelsea watches; you sidle up to her, but she ignores you. "So, you're going to fix things, right?" she says in a way that is less a question and more a demand.<br/>
<br/>
"Lemme see the book," Caleb says. "Which spell was it did this to him?" Chelsea retrieves the book from the top of a crate and hands it to him. Caleb purses his lips as he peers into it. "Mm-hmm," he says in a knowing tone.<br/>
<br/>
"You're holding it upside down," you say.<br/>
<br/>
"Fuck you," he retorts. "I know what I'm doing. Well, mostly," he adds grudgingly as he flips back a few pages. "This is an advanced spell. Your boyfriend was in way over his head. Tell me exactly what he did."<br/>
<br/>
"I wasn't paying attention," Chelsea says. "He mixed up some stuff—" She nods at some plastic containers on a nearby crate. "Then he poured it over himself and set himself on fire."<br/>
<br/>
"He what?" you gasp. <br/>
<br/>
"Keep your shit together, Prescott," Caleb says. "What about this spell back here, the one before this one?" He taps the page. "Gordon must have done <i>that</i> one too."<br/>
<br/>
His cool, professional act is grating hard on you. "What makes you so sure—?"<br/>
<br/>
But Chelsea is also talking. "I don't know," she says shrilly. "It was all fun when it was those masks, but then he had to go out to the cemetery to get a lot of dirt, and I stopped paying attention. It was gross."<br/>
<br/>
"But he made something, right?" Caleb says. "Where is it? Where is <i>all</i> the stuff that Gordon made?"<br/>
<br/>
"I think most of it is here," she says, pointing again at the containers. "And he made a big lumpy statue-like thing, kind of like—" She swallows, and nods at the transformed Gordon. "Kind of like that. Only it didn't look like someone. He hid it someplace, because he couldn't leave it up here."<br/>
<br/>
"And the masks?" Caleb asks. "There's at least <i>one</i> mask, right?"<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea glares at you. "Yes. Of course. It's around. Someplace."<br/>
<br/>
"Let's see it."<br/>
<br/>
Her eyes narrow. "Why?"<br/>
<br/>
"Let's get everything together, so we know what we have."<br/>
<br/>
"It's around," she repeats firmly. "That's all you need to know."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb sighs. "Fine. But look, I'm going to have to take this book home and study it, see if there's some way to—"<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea marches over and yanks the book from his hands. "No. Fucking. Way. You fix things here and now. While I'm watching."<br/>
<br/>
"I don't think we'll be able to—"<br/>
<br/>
"Here and now," she repeats. She and Caleb stare hard at each other. You have to give your friend props for not blinking. Chelsea turns red. "Get out of here," she says. "Go downstairs. Wait down in the gym until I come get you."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb looks at you; you shrug. He takes a deep breath and accedes. <br/>
<br/>
"You don't have any idea what you're doing, do you?" you say when you're down on the gym floor.<br/>
<br/>
"Not really," he admits. "They got two spells deeper into the book than I did, and those spells do stuff that isn't like what I found. Those statues, man. Those are fucking weird. Like, what are they for?"<br/>
<br/>
"What do the spells look like?" you ask him. You only have a vague memory of lots of Latin phrases.<br/>
<br/>
"Not much to see," he says. "Some sigils and stuff. Ingredients and instructions are all in Latin, and really hard to translate. We need to get the book away from her," he says firmly. "Get it away from her, and then we can take care of her however we want. At least Gordon did a nice thing and got himself out of the way."<br/>
<br/>
"Christ, listen to yourself!"<br/>
<br/>
"It's use or lose, Will," he says. "Us or her. And she's small and there's two of us—"<br/>
<br/>
"Maybe you better not count on me," you blurt out before you can catch yourself. He looks over at you sharply. "I mean, I don't know what you're thinking about doing, but Chelsea is asking for our help. We should try helping her."<br/>
<br/>
"And suppose we do," he sneers. "Suppose we get Gordon back. What happens then? You think <i>he's</i> going to be grateful?"<br/>
<br/>
"Chelsea would be. Um, probably." You feel yourself turning red.<br/>
<br/>
"Don't count on it," he hoots.<br/>
<br/>
Well, that's the start of a tedious argument, which doesn't go anyplace and takes its sweet time going over some very profitless ground. And then ten minutes later it all feels moot.<br/>
<br/>
A heavy tread on the stairs to the loft heralds the arrival of the last person you'd expect to see: Gordon Black. You and Caleb both jump. "Fucking hell!" you squeak. "Chelsea— Chelsea figured it out herself!"<br/>
<br/>
"Sort of," Gordon growls. "This'll do for the time being." He adjusts his t-shirt and shorts as though unused to their feel. "I told you I had that mask you made, Prescott. So I guess I'll have to double up until you assholes manage to fix the real one."<br/>
<br/>
Your jaw falls open. It's scarcely believable, but— "Chelsea?" you squeak. <br/>
<br/>
Caleb nudges you in the ribs. "Yeah, I guess that'll work," he says. "But you should still give the book back to us—"<br/>
<br/>
"Sure," the Gordon-disguised Chelsea says. "But don't get any ideas. Because between me and Steve and Jason and lots of other guys—" He comes up close and glowers down at you. He doesn't have to finish. So much for you and Caleb being able to take Chelsea by yourselves. "Okay," she continues. "We need to get Gordon out of the loft . You two can help."<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div> <br/>
She leads the two of you back up the stairs. She has to do most of the work herself, lofting the statue up by its heavy end while you and Caleb take the feet. You maneuver it down the stairs and out to the parking lot and into the bed of your truck. "I got a pretty good idea where Gordon stashed that other statue, and we can put him with it," she says. "I'll take the Bug. You guys follow in the truck."<br/>
<br/>
It's a quiet drive—neither you nor Caleb have anything to say to each other—and you wind up at the old quarry outside of town. Again, with Chelsea's help you take Gordon down a slope into a shallow cave that's been carved in a wall near the bottom. Sure enough, there's a lumpy mannequin-like thing on its floor. With a grunt, you drop Gordon next to it. From Gordon's backpack, Chelsea takes the book and drops it onto Gordon's chest. "Now, if you two chicken-shits are really serious about helping, pick it up."<br/>
<br/>
It feels like a dare, and you blush at your own hesitation. Caleb, though, calmly picks it up. "See you tomorrow?" he serenely asks.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea gives a curt nod. "Noon. Here. You better have something."<br/>
<br/>
"Something," Caleb echoes. There's an awkward pause, then he tugs you and leads you back up to your truck. "Leave it to me," he says as he slides into the cab of your truck. "I'll stay up all night going over things."<br/>
<br/>
"Are you going to tell her that it was really <i>you</i> that ambushed Gordon that day?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Why would I?" he asks. "It gives you and her a special connection. Why would I get in the way?"<br/>
<br/>
You flip him off.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You spend a restless, sleepless night, not falling asleep until nearly three in the morning. Caleb wakes you early with a phone call. "I'll buy you coffee if you meet me at the donut shop," he says.<br/>
<br/>
You mumble something, then get a shower and race from the house. <br/>
<br/>
And all the way over on the drive, you're wondering why Caleb should be getting the credit for curing Gordon while it looks like you'll have to take the blame for mugging him with a magical mask.</span></div></div>


path: 11312111
author_id: rugal
title: Chelsea's Control
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>You don't want Chelsea continuing to think that it was your fault all of this happened thanks to Caleb's fuck ups. You're stuck at a red light so you take your phone out and look at it. This might invite her wrath against Caleb but at the same time he would have it coming, right? You hear the ringing and Chelsea's voice answers on the other end, "Who is this?" she asks with a hint of derision.<br/>
<br/>
"It's... it's Will." you stutter, after all this is Chelsea freakin' Cooper you're talking to!<br/>
<br/>
There's a moment of silence. "How did you get my number?" she finally asks in an icy manner.<br/>
<br/>
"It was... it was still in my call history." you state, almost like you're trying to plead innocence, "From when you called me, remember?" Nothing is said so you continue, "I just wanted to know if I could come by early. Like 'right now' early. There's some things I want to set straight about all of this and how it happened."<br/>
<br/>
More silence. You're starting to think that calling her was a very bad idea. Have you pissed her off? "Alright. I'm already here anyway so you better hurry your ass up." And with that the line goes dead.<br/>
<br/>
You arrive at the quarry to see Chelsea at the entrance. "Look, about everything that's happened..." you start as the pair of you walk to where you had previously stashed things, "I just want you to know that--"<br/>
<br/>
"It wasn't you. Your friend made a mask of you and that's who Gordon found and took the book from." she turns to look at you, "Is that what you wanted to say?"<br/>
<br/>
"I... yeah!" you exclaim in surprise, "But how..." As you approach the entrance of the small gave you're surprised to see Caleb having already arrived. He gives you a half-hearted wave. "Alright, what the fuck is going on here?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea turns to, "Oh well it's funny because your friend here had called me as well telling me he had lots of things he wanted to tell me. I don't know how he got my number though." she turns and glowers at Caleb, "He really is a very sneaky one, isn't he?"<br/>
<br/>
"Look, after you went off on me like that Will I realized that I fucked up. I made things worse for you." he says.<br/>
<br/>
"And me." Chelsea chimes in.<br/>
<br/>
"It was eating away at my conscience." Caleb does a rather good job at pretending he didn't hear her, "So I thought it would be best if I set the record straight. Chelsea gave me a ride, if you call being forced to lay down in the backseat of her car that, and I came clean."<br/>
<br/>
"I am <i>not</i> going to risk the possibility of you being seen with me." Chelsea states before turning back to you. "He told me lots more as well: about the book and new spells and things like that. It turns out I can get Gordon back after all!" with that she turns again towards Caleb's direction, "Oh Gorrrrdon!" she calls out as if calling a dog. You're surprised to see a very alive Gordon Black emerge from behind Caleb.<br/>
<br/>
"Alright this is getting really weird." you state not sure if you can process all of this. "What's going on? I thought he was a statue thing."<br/>
<br/>
"It's the book and those masks." Caleb says, "I found out that the statue things, they're sort of like... you could call them golems I guess. And basically, long story short, if you put a mask of someone onto them they'll become that person only they'll be under the total control of someone." he explains.<br/>
<br/>
"And that someone would be me." Chelsea states with a smirk, "I mean, I suppose I'll want the real Gordon back eventually but one that has to do anything I say is just as good, isn't it Gordon?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yes Chelsea." Gordon replies dryly.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea practically squeals, "Oooh! It's just so great!" she states happily. "So for now, since things have kind of worked themselves out for the time being I suppose that this little alliance of ours has ended." She states as she and Gordon begin walking out of the cave but she soon stops and turns around. "Caleb, I'm giving you a pass but if you ever try anything like that with me, Gordon, my cheerleaders, or the basketball team again it will be the last thing you ever do. And Will..." she stops for a moment as if struggling to get the right words out, "Thanks."<br/>
<br/>
As you drive yourself and Caleb back into town you hear him audibly groan. "God, can you believe her? I fucked up but I found out all that shit and I'm the one who gets threatened, while you..." his voice trails off.<br/>
<br/>
"I think that's why you got the pass." you tell him, "Her way of being grateful. You did fuck things up."<br/>
<br/>
"Still, what a cunt. Ugh, and she's got the book too!" he slouches down in his seat visibly irritated.<br/>
<br/>
"So you still want some donuts?" you ask as you head in the direction of one of the donut shops. You're a bit disappointed that your time with Chelsea was short but you're also a bit relieved things are back to normal. Mostly. Maybe she'll actually tell those goons on the basketball team not to mess with you as much.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Those hopes seem to be dashed when, inbetween classes on Monday, you're cornered by Gordon near one of the men's rooms and shoved in as he snarls at people to get out. "Get in." he growls as he shoves you into an empty stall. He then gives you, practically tosses really, a mask and band and tells you to put those on as well. Once you've done that (as well as come to) you hand them back over to Gordon while he gives you one last thing. "Don't be late." he mutters before taking off.<br/>
<br/>
You take the piece of folded up paper and open it to find that it's a note: an invitation from Chelsea to meet at her place after school. You're practically giddy at the opportunity. About what you have no idea, after all the alliance was over... or so she had said. Maybe it's not? Maybe she's not happy with this arrangement with Gordon after all. Still, the prospect at being at Chelsea Cooper's house leaves you excited. It's so exciting that you practically float through the rest of your day barely paying much attention to any of the lessons. Your conversations with friends are about as simple and to the point as possible, even with Caleb who you decide not say anything to. Why? You're unsure, maybe part of you is being greedy and wants to keep any possible interaction with Chelsea solely between you and her. No matter the reason you practically explode out to your truck once the final bell rings.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You arrive at Chelsea's a little after four o' clock. You notice a car parked out front that's not hers and wonder, briefly, who it belongs to. Probably a parent or something but you can't help notice that it looks vaguely familiar. Nervously, once you reach the front door, you reach up a finger and ring the doorbell. A few seconds later Chelsea answers with a smile and invites you in. It's not shabby; not the nicest house ever but not bad either. It's thoroughly middle class through and through. You ask if anyone else is here and she tells you one other person. Her mother is usually home but is out picking up things for dinner. Without wasting much time she guides you up to her room but tells you to wait outside while she gets something and closes the door. A moment later she tells you to come in and no sooner is the door open than do you feel something being jammed into your face as you black out.<br/>
<br/>
You awaken a few moments later on the floor, sitting up and noticing something is odd. You look up to see Chelsea grinning at you and brush some hair, long hair, out of your face. "You alright, Yumi?" she asks, a somewhat snarky tone in her voice. "You should probably get dressed."<br/>
<br/>
"Yumi? What are you..." and then it hits you like a ton of bricks. The mind opens up to you. You become very aware of your body. You're Yumi Saito... or at least Will Prescott in a Yumi Saito mask. You let that sink in: Yumi Saito. Yumi freakin' Saito! You notice some clothes sitting next to you, underwear and some jeans as well as a simple shirt, and put them on. Once they're on Chelsea, anticipating your train of thought, speaks.<br/>
<br/>
"Will, you helped me. You didn't have to and you did it after being roped into this by your doofus friend. I'm... kind of grateful for that." she says, "I want to pay you back a bit. I've got these masks, Gordon figured out a way to get them done fast, and I've got what Caleb told me so I figured why not give you a better life."<br/>
<br/>
"A better life?" you ask, "Why Yumi? Why a girl? Why not, I don't know, Geoff Mansfield?" you immediately become embarrassed blurting that out and you notice Chelsea giving you a queer look.<br/>
<br/>
"Because Yumi is pretty. Yumi is nice. Yumi is... popular." you notice a trace of venom when she says that, "This isn't pure charity Will, you know. I'm going to need your help. There are elements on the squad that make things unstable: Yumi, Cindy, Lin, the Garners. Yumi's the most popular of those, the most influential. I need to squash out any dissent." she then flashes a smile at you, "That's where you come in. I'm thinking about naming a co-captain and that co-captain will be you. You'll be a figurehead, of course, but it'll look good. Chelsea Cooper loosening up the reins. With you in my back pocket I can hopefully use 'Yumi's' influence to calm them down."<br/>
<br/>
"And what if they don't go for it?" you ask, not sure completely of what's going on but figuring it's best not to ask questions for now.<br/>
<br/>
"I've got contingencies." Chelsea replies, "Like I said I've got masks. There are people who would jump at a chance to be on the squad. If those four don't want to play along, well then I make them play along. You understand?"<br/>
<br/>
You gulp. Chelsea certainly is ruthless but at the same time... she DID just give you a better life. But you wonder who she has in mind to bring in if you can't play peacemaker. You notice that she didn't invite Caleb to this, only you, and you wonder why. Maybe you should ask about using him for this if she has to but since he's not here perhaps he's a sore spot with her and it'd be best to just drop it.</span></div></div>


path: 113121112
author_id: rugal
title: Diplomacy: It's Harder Than It Looks
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"How would you make them, er, play along?" you ask. Not bringing in Caleb, or so it seems anyway, would mean that she's not too fond of him and it's best, you believe, not to potentially invite her wrath.<br/>
<br/>
"The same way I just got Yumi Saito to step in line." Chelsea replies, looking for all the world like someone who was quite proud of herself. As if she had just thought of the most brilliant idea ever conceived.<br/>
<br/>
"So you'd put other people under masks?" you ask, "But who? And what would you do to the originals? What happened to Yumi?"<br/>
<br/>
"Will, please." Chelsea replies holding out her hand indicating for you to stop. "I can't talk if you won't listen. Yes I'd put other people under the mask. People like you Will, people who would appreciate the chance to move up and to be part of the cheerleading squad. You appreciate that chance, right?"<br/>
<br/>
You say nothing, simply nod an affirmative figuring it's what she expects.<br/>
<br/>
"Exactly, and others would as well so they'd be much more receptive to the idea of myself running things." She smirks a little, "Especially when they know I could take it from them just like that."<br/>
<br/>
You wonder if she means you as well though, once more, decide not to voice your thoughts. "And what about the rest of the originals and Yumi? It's not like you can have two sets of Garners running around."<br/>
<br/>
"It's part of what Caleb," you note the icy manner in which the name is said, "told me he found out. There's a process you can do to a mask so that when you put it on someone they turn into the person but also believe that they're that person. And they're totally under your control!"<br/>
<br/>
"You mean like what happened to Gordon?" you ask, astonished and worried that the real Yumi could be a statue as well.<br/>
<br/>
"Not exactly. It's like a temporary thing I guess. You take the mask off and they become themselves again. It's like a little portable, what did he call them... golems? It's like those but in mask form." she explains.<br/>
<br/>
"That sounds pretty convenient." you state in a neutral manner.<br/>
<br/>
"It is!" Chelsea exclaims excitedly, "Just think: right now Yumi is running around with your body but thinking she's you while you've got Yumi's." There's a tone of satisfaction, of victory, in her voice when she says it. Is that what she'd do to you if you crossed her? Stick you under one of those golem mask things? "So enjoy it! Just remember that I want you to help me get things straight on the squad. Try to convince 'your' friends to give me a chance. But keep an eye out too."<br/>
<br/>
"For what?"<br/>
<br/>
"Recruits." she replies. "If you can't reel them in then, like I said, we get people to replace them. If it looks like it'll come to that then give me some names and I'll work something out. I'll be keeping an eye out too."<br/>
<br/>
And with that goodbyes are exchanged.<br/>
<br/>
This is all so strange, you think, as you drive back home to a home that until 20 minutes ago wasn't yours. You catch a glimpse of yourself in the rearview mirror at a red light a home that wasn't yours and a face that wasn't either. A face with almond shaped eyes, a bit flat albeit with high cheekbones with a pert nose and framed by short, tomboyish, dark hair. A cute face that radiates youthfulness and kindness. It's a face you've often fantasized about, a face that you've wanted to be close to, as a good segment of the male population at the school has... and now you are though not in a way you'd ever expected.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"Jenny, hi!" you exclaim as you walk over to one of the tables at lunch and give Jenny Ashton, one of Yumi's best friends, a hug. A cute, petite brunette you had definitely had a bit of a crush on her last year before you started spending time with Lisa. So you allow the hug to linger; just enough to where you can appreciate being squeezed against her--and appreciate the thought of two attractive girls pressed together--but not to the point where Jenny will get suspicious that something's up.<br/>
<br/>
"So can I get an autograph?" Carson Ioegger asks sarcastically. The news of Yumi Saito being made co-captain of the cheerleading squad spread around school like wildfire.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, we thought you were a celebrity before but now you're pretty much A-List material." adds James Lamont.<br/>
<br/>
"Guys, c'mon, I'm just a cheerleader." you plead as you take a seat next to Jenny.<br/>
<br/>
"They're kind of right though." Jenny says, "The fact that Chelsea's even doing something like this is a pretty big deal."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah!" Carson adds inbetween bites of his sandwich, "She's got some kind of angle."<br/>
<br/>
"First off, eww." you say to him making a face of disgust, "Second, I don't even know what kind of angle she could have with this. Like Chelsea doesn't <i>do</i> co-captains, you know?"<br/>
<br/>
"Exactly, so there's something else going on." James says.<br/>
<br/>
"Like what?"<br/>
<br/>
Jenny just snorts, "Maybe she's trying to give you more responsibility to keep you more busy with the squad."<br/>
<br/>
"What, like she's trying to keep me from hanging with you guys?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
Jenny nods, "Yeah. I'm sure she doesn't like that you still associate with us."<br/>
<br/>
"She probably wants to make you look like you're becoming too good for us lowly types." adds James coming to the same conclusion that Jenny's statement probably caused everyone else to come to as well.<br/>
<br/>
For your part you laugh off their concerns, "Guys, you know me! You know I wouldn't--"<br/>
<br/>
At that moment you feel a pair of hands on your shoulders and turn your head to see Jessica, Eva standing right next to her. "Hey Yumi." she greets you before looking at the other three, "Sorry but we're gonna have to borrow her for a bit."<br/>
<br/>
"It begiiiins." says Carson and you shoot him a dirty look.<br/>
<br/>
"Don't worry." you say before turning to Jenny, "We'll hook up some time after school, okay?" you say to her as you're dragged off by the twins over to a table that also contains Lin and Cindy.<br/>
<br/>
"Pretty big promotion, huh?" Lin asks once everyone's seated. "Yumi Saito: Co-Captain, who would've thought?"<br/>
<br/>
"I know right? Considering she hates you probably more than anyone else." Eva chirps.<br/>
<br/>
"Almost anyone." Cindy jumps in and everyone knows who she's referring to with that. "So what'd she tell you? What was her excuse?"<br/>
<br/>
You shrug, "The same reason she gave this morning. She wants to loosen the reins a bit. She told me that she's been doing some soul searching--"<br/>
<br/>
"Like she has one." Lin snorts.<br/>
<br/>
"--And that she feels she needs to forgive and forget."<br/>
<br/>
"You really believe that?" Jessica asks.<br/>
<br/>
"I dunno, maybe?" you reply, "Kind of? Just a bit?"<br/>
<br/>
This causes Eva to nearly spit up her water. "Yumi, are you for real?!" she exclaims in complete surprise, "She singles you out all the time. She thinks you're a rival. She's completely jealous of you! The same shit she does to Cindy for the same reasons!"<br/>
<br/>
"Vindictive fucking cunt." Cindy sulks.<br/>
<br/>
"I know I know, but... I don't know." you say trying to think of a good reason, one that sounds suitably Yumiesque. "Isn't this, like, a country of forgiveness? That football player killed those dogs and we gave him a second chance and last I checked dog murder is worse than being a petty bitch in high school. Maybe."<br/>
<br/>
You notice the Garners trying to stifle laughs and it's Lin's turn to chime in. "You're too nice for your own good some times." she states and you can tell by her expression she's trying not to laugh as well.<br/>
<br/>
"But that can work to our advantage, right?" Jessica asks as all eyes turn to her. "Well you're going to give Chelsea the benefit of the doubt right? So then why not get in good with her? You can get in with her little circle and from there..."<br/>
<br/>
"Why Jessica I do believe it sounds like you're plotting a coup!" Eva exclaims with fake shock.<br/>
<br/>
"It wouldn't be too hard, right?" Cindy says finally perking up a bit, "Maria's nice but she's a complete ditz so she's easy to lead around. Kendra and Gloria are sycophants and they'll suck up to whoever seems to be holding the power to maintain their spots. And Michelle is so weak-willed that she'll just go along with everyone else."<br/>
<br/>
"I mean that sounds good but..." you sigh, "I don't know. I'm not, you know, that kind of person."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh of course not." Lin states and you detect an air of derision in the words. Yumi and Lin are good friends but Lin can be just as bitchy as Chelsea at times. "But you should probably be on the look out. Keep your options open, you know? And if it looks like Chelsea shows no signs of shaping up..."<br/>
<br/>
"I know, I get it." you say in a rather annoyed tone and get up, "I'll be your guys' frumentarius." A statement that leaves you with blank stares, "Roman spy. Read your history some time."<br/>
<br/>
With that you march off back towards Jenny's table which now has the added addition of Paul Davis. You don't participate as much in the conversation as you're a bit busy stewing. You knew getting them to back off would be a tough sell but really it's more like it was doomed from the beginning. At the same time you have no reason to protect Chelsea except... except you <i>want</i> to spend more time around her, to visually drink her in. And she gave you Yumi, a Yumi that you can touch and hold and stare at any time you want. She gave you a better life, at least at school. What have those other four done for you except want to use you as a pawn?<br/>
<br/>
They'll probably have to be replaced. Chelsea probably figured that the whole time. She asked you to keep an eye out for potential replacements and as you look you see a viable group with who you're sitting with. Well except Paul... he's so lovestruck by Yumi that you'd rather not have him around so it'd come down to finding a fourth member. A nerd like Philip Fairfax or maybe some of the drama crew? What about an unpopular girl like Gracie McGraw? Actually, why not a whole group of unpopular girls?</span></div></div>


path: 11312112
author_id: seuzz
title: The Master and Mistress of Magic
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>Caleb is waiting when you arrive. "You get things solved?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Probably," he grins. "But not the way Chelsea is expecting." You don't like the implication, and fold your arms. "The solution, if there is one, comes after the next spell in the book," he says, tapping its cover. "Back me up when we meet her. Tell her that we need to execute the next spell. We actually do. There's no going further in the book if we don't."<br/>
<br/>
He continues to grin when you ask what the next spell does. "Okay, those things that Gordon made, that we found and left at the quarry?" he says. "I studied the spells that made them. Best way to describe them is that they're golems."<br/>
<br/>
"You mean those clay robot-like things," you ask, drawing as best you can on your memory of your old sword-and-sorcery role-playing days.<br/>
<br/>
He snorts. "Well, yeah, if that's the best you can come up with. Except these golems can't move on their own. You have to put a mask on them."<br/>
<br/>
"What happens then?"<br/>
<br/>
"They come to life. They turn into the person whose image is in the mask. But the golem is under the control of the magician who made them. It's a way of making a slave. Like, you make this doppelganger of someone, by getting a copy of them into a mask, and then you put it on the golem. Abraca-presto, you've got a duplicate of that person, and that duplicate has to obey your orders."<br/>
<br/>
"What happens to person that they're duplicating," you ask, dreading the answer.<br/>
<br/>
He shrugs.  "Whatever you want, I guess. If you're, like, super unethical …" He trails off. "Or maybe you just keep the duplicate in a secret place so you can have fun with … it."<br/>
<br/>
"So Gordon is a golem now?" you ask, and Caleb nods. "What's the other spell do? The one that just makes that generic mannequin thing, like Gordon made?"<br/>
<br/>
"Same thing. It's just that one of the spells uses a lot of cemetery dirt to make the golem. The other one uses a live person." He sucks on his upper lip. "You were asking about what happens to the person who's being duplicated," he says quietly. "Maybe that's your answer. You get them out of the way by turning them into a--"<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, Christ!" You shake your head. "And Gordon did it to himself."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah. Neat, right? So, that's the way bring Gordon back. Put that mask of him onto one of the golems. Maybe if you put it onto the Gordon-golem, it will totally change him back."<br/>
<br/>
"So that's what we tell Chelsea. Hang on, I thought you said there wasn't a way to change him back unless--" <br/>
<br/>
You stop short, as Caleb is shaking his head. "Come on," he says. "We don't tell her what I just told you, not unless we have to. And if we use this next spell on her, we won't have to."<br/>
<br/>
"'Use it on her'?" you echo. "Oh, God."<br/>
<br/>
"This next spell," he starts, and leans over the table to continue talking more furtively, "is for a special kind of sealant that you put into a mask. It actually uses the same stuff that you use to make a golem. So what I'm thinking it does, is that it's kind of like a booby-trap. You put it into a mask, and then someone puts the mask on, and it turns the mask wearer into a golem."<br/>
<br/>
You pinch the bridge of your nose. "Look, give me a concrete example."<br/>
<br/>
"Okay." He grins. "There are two ways of doing it, it seems to me. First way, is that we convince Chelsea to make a mask of herself. Shut up," he says as you snort. "This is just an example. Maybe. She makes a copy of herself in a mask. Then we slip this sealant into it. She puts on the mask again. But when she puts it on, underneath the mask, she turns into a golem. On the outside, it still looks like Chelsea. Still acts like her, too. But she'd be our slave. Because of the sealant inside the mask. So, Chelsea is still around, but she's our slave." He grips the side of the table, and the tendons in his neck stick out. "Can you imagine it, dude, having <i>Chelsea Cooper</i> as our slave?"<br/>
<br/>
You almost swallow your tongue. Yeah, that would be something and a half. Several somethings and multiple halves. "Yeah, but talking Chelsea into putting a mask of herself on--twice, even!"<br/>
<br/>
"Well, there's the other way. We get that sealant inside Gordon's mask. She puts it back on, and bam! Gordon's back, but now he's our slave, and we don't have to worry about him or Chelsea."<br/>
<br/>
He should have saved the first idea--Chelsea as your slave--for last. The way he just put it--"We don't have to worry about him or Chelsea"--has brought you up short. Why should you worry about them? Gordon did things to himself, and Chelsea has already promised to be grateful if you bring him back. Why in the world is Caleb treating them like a threat?<br/>
<br/>
The answer is there on his face: Lust. An understandable emotion. But he tried getting himself a Gordon-disguise so he could get to Chelsea, and he's talking about making her into a slave. He has inadvertently just reinforced your own implicit decision not to double-cross Chelsea.<br/>
<br/>
"No," you calmly say. "Let's just play things straight. Let's help her get Gordon back to normal--whatever passes for normal with him--and then let's get rid of the book before anything worse happens."<br/>
<br/>
"Are you fucking kidding?" he exclaims.<br/>
<br/>
"No, I'm not. And if you don't tell Chelsea what you told me--about the golems and the new spell and everything--I will." You fold your arms and stare at him.<br/>
<br/>
He stares back. Then with another oath he gives up.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
The meeting with Chelsea goes as well as can be expected. Caleb grumbles his way through his explanations, and you prod him along when he seems to hang back. Naturally, nothing gets said about his ulterior schemes. Chelsea, still dressed up as Gordon, listens intently in a hulking kind of way. When Caleb is done, she crouches down next to the golems. "Yeah, okay, so if I get what you're saying," she says, "we can use this mask and these golem things to kind of bring him back." She raps on her boyfriend's torso with a knuckle. "Close enough so no one will notice, I guess." She looks up. "What about the next spell in the book? I mean, the one after the one with that … sealant stuff?"<br/>
<br/>
"I don't know," Caleb says. "See, you have to actually perform a spell before you can progress. There's some kind of magic on the book. Each page is locked until you perform the spell. <i>Then</i> you can turn the page and get a new spell."<br/>
<br/>
"So we have to try this sealant thing?"<br/>
<br/>
Caleb nods, and shoots you a sidelong glance. You notice, but it doesn't seem like Chelsea does. She just nods and stands up again. "Okay, you've done what you could for now. Lemme have the book back."<br/>
<br/>
"Well, hang on a moment," Caleb starts to protest.<br/>
<br/>
"Hand it over, fuckface," Chelsea says in a hard voice, and advances on Caleb. He flinches and hands it over. Chelsea glances down at it briefly. "You can get lost now. I'll find you at school on Monday. So don't skip or anything."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb looks like he wants to argue, but you drag him away. Back in your truck, he punches the dashboard. "Well, I hope you're happy," he snarls. "She's as crazy as Gordon. Or she's being crazy like him. And she's got the book again and she knows everything we do. If we wind up like Gordon back there, I hope I have time to say 'I told you so' before it happens."<br/>
<br/>
You don't argue. You're beginning to feel like he'll have just that chance.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You and he spend the rest of the weekend talking listlessly about what might happen and what you might do about it, but you can't really see your way around. So when Monday comes you trudge onto the school grounds with a sense of foreboding. Whatever else she has planned, you note that Chelsea has put Caleb's insights to use: You glimpse two people who look like Chelsea and Gordon moving through the hallways, acting like normal, which means they are hugging each other tightly while Gordon shoves the small fry out of the way and Chelsea grins and prattles. You wonder which is Chelsea and which is the golem.<br/>
<br/>
The answer comes at lunch time, when you and Caleb turn from your lockers to find Gordon gazing down at you with a disgusted smirk on his face. "I was told to come find you two," he says. "You're having lunch with me and Chels. Don't you feel special?" You and Caleb exchange a nervous glance, and dutifully follow.<br/>
<br/>
"Lunch" is just a conference in the back one of the deserted biology labs; Mr. Cash busies himself up front with whatever the hell teachers do when not teaching. Still, your group keeps voices low.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea looks perky and radiant. "So, I've been thinking about what you told me on Saturday," she says, and pauses to give Gordon's arm a tender, knowing squeeze. "It sounds like it's going to take awhile to get a cure. We're going to have to meet regularly, and it's going to be awkward if we have to keep hiding away like <i>this.</i>" The jerk of her chin takes in the classroom.<br/>
<br/>
"Ashamed to be seen with us, huh?" Caleb mutters.<br/>
<br/>
She ignores him. "Also, we need to get past that one spell, so we need to do that. I'm thinking we can kill both birds with one stone. Gordon?"<br/>
<br/>
At her prodding, he hikes his backpack onto a lab table and opens it. Peering inside, you can see a couple of bluish-white objects. "Those are masks," Caleb says hollowly.<br/>
<br/>
"Exactly," Chelsea says, and dimples. "One of you gets to be Jonas Martin. The other gets to be Cara Fuhrman." She looks directly at you. "Which do you want to be, Will?" </span></div></div>


path: 113121122
author_id: seuzz
title: Feeling Feminine
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"What are you talking about," you blurt out.<br/>
<br/>
"Keep your voice down," Chelsea hisses. You dart a quick glance over your shoulder, but Mr. Cash is still absorbed in his work. "It's that new spell," Chelsea continues. "We're going to use it so you guys can replace Jonas and Cara." You and Caleb stare at her, and she looks nervously at your friend. "That's the way it works, right? We'll make masks of you two, and put that new stuff in them. That'll hide Jonas and Cara while you two replace Jonas and Cara."<br/>
<br/>
You find your voice again, but can only stammer. "Look, this is-- What you're talking about is--"<br/>
<br/>
Caleb is more direct. "I think we only have to make a mask that uses the new spell. We don't actually have to <i>put</i> it on anyone."<br/>
<br/>
"Yes, but this way we can hang while trying to find a cure for Gordon, and it won't look weird," Chelsea says with preternatural cool. "And it's going to happen. You're going to switch. Aren't they, Gordon?"<br/>
<br/>
"Whatever Chelsea says," Gordon says dully.<br/>
<br/>
Your heart beats wildly, and you're not sure if it's because she's proposing that you steal the lives of other people, or that you give up your own.<br/>
<br/>
"How long do we have to be these other people," Caleb asks.<br/>
<br/>
"Until you fix Gordon," Chelsea says. "That'll give you an incentive, won't it?"<br/>
<br/>
You swallow. What started as a request for help has metamorphosed into something more like blackmail. You're so disoriented by the sudden change that you can't stop Caleb from slipping in first. "I call dibs on Jonas, then" he says, and looks sidelong at you. "I don't know who this Cara person is."<br/>
<br/>
"She's a junior," Chelsea says. "Do you know her, Will?" You shake your head. "Well, I'll tell you all about her when you come over to my house for the switch. Five o'clock. I've already got it set up." She looks back at Caleb. "Same with Jonas. Stick around after school. Gordon will find you." She smiles. "So it's all set then, isn't it, guys?"<br/>
<br/>
You open your mouth to object, but stop cold at the sight of Gordon, who lowers his head to glower at you. You wilt and rub your eyes, then nod wearily.<br/>
<br/>
"Five o'clock," Chelsea says firmly as you turn to go. "I'll text you my address."<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
The lunch period ends only a few minutes later, so you and Caleb have to part without consulting further. You go to your next class in a daze. <i>Cara Fuhrman.</i> The name means nothing to you, and you're pissed at Caleb for leaping in ahead of you. At least you know who Jonas Martin is. Basketball player, kind of a rough character. You wince. Basketball means being at Gordon's mercy, which means it's probably not a good situation, but at least he's a known quantity. This other girl, though …<br/>
<br/>
You lean over and poke Keith Tilley, who shares the class with you. "Do you know Cara Fuhrman," you quietly ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Never heard of her," he replies. "Is she sexy?"<br/>
<br/>
"I don't know who she is. I think she's a junior, though."<br/>
<br/>
"Then why would I care?" He gives you a close look, and his mouth curls into a smile. "Give up on finding a girlfriend in the senior class?"<br/>
<br/>
"Shut up." You slump back in your desk. At least you won't have to deal with Tilley anymore.<br/>
<br/>
You won't have to deal with <i>anyone</i> from your old life, it sounds like.<br/>
<br/>
The thought preys on you sufficiently that you go looking for Lisa after class. She's at her locker, her back to you. You linger in the crowded hall with other students bumping against you. Mansfield is with her, leaning over and talking quietly to her, or else you'd go up and say something. Anything. Mansfield catches sight of you. He smiles nastily, and puts his arm around Lisa.<br/>
<br/>
You turn away and head back down the hall, even though your final class is the other way.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"You're early," Chelsea says brightly. "Come on up!" You nod at Mrs. Cooper, who is beaming brightly at you and her daughter, and slowly trudge up the stairs. You wonder how common it is for kids like you to show up at the Cooper house.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm glad you showed up early," Chelsea says as she shows you into her bedroom. You pause in the doorway and take it in. It's all in pinks and apricots and golds: tasteful and feminine without being girly. Trophies line the shelves, next to framed photographs showing Chelsea from age ten up in a variety of poses with friends. A week ago you'd have given anything to be here, with Chelsea smiling so warmly at you. Now …<br/>
<br/>
She's talking about Caleb, but you haven't heard what she's said. "Tell me about Cara," you interrupt when she takes a breath.<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, you'll know all about her--more than I can tell you--when you <i>are</i> her," Chelsea gushes. "But don't worry. She's going to be a <i>star.</i>" She touches your elbow. "You're going to be on the cheerleading squad with me!"<br/>
<br/>
You blink and shiver. It's a delicious feeling. <i>On the cheerleader squad.</i> That means being in the changing room when Chelsea and Kendra and Gloria and Yumi and-- "She's not a cheerleader, though," you object. "I know who all the--" You stop and turn red.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea giggles. "Of course you do. And she's not on the team yet. But Coach Tesla has been bugging me to add some junior girls. So we'll be getting rid of some of the deadwood and adding some junior girls. You can help me pick new girls after--" She giggles again.<br/>
<br/>
You put your hands in your pockets. <i>Dammit, you're getting aroused.</i><br/>
<br/>
Chelsea pulls a bluish-white object from the bag on her table. "Gordon's so clever," she says. "Normally these things take forever to make, but he found a way to speed it up. So I made a bunch on Sunday. We'll get you copied before Cara gets here." She hands you the object.<br/>
<br/>
It's a mask, thin and oval, with small protuberances that make it look like an old-fashioned tragedian's mask, but there are no eye-holes. It seems to burn in your hand.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea pushes you gently onto her bed. "Just put it on. It'll knock you out, so--"<br/>
<br/>
"I know how it works," you snap, even though you don't, not really. You look down at it, then take a breath and put it to your face.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You open your eyes with a groan. Your head feels like it's full of thick gauze. You don't sit up, and just turn your head. Chelsea is sitting at her desk, holding the mask and blowing into it. "You're finally awake," she says. "Good. Cara just called to say she's on her way over. She sounds excited." She casts a mischievous glance at you. "Are you excited, Will?"<br/>
<br/>
"I feel half dead," you grumble, and rub your eyes.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, maybe you'd better take it in the bathroom." She nods at a door on the other side of the room. "Splash some water on your face, and wait until I call you back out."<br/>
<br/>
You wince as you sit up, and pad into the bathroom. Cool water doesn't fully revive you, and you gaze at your face in the mirror. It's thin, and is both flushed and pale. Your straw-like hair sticks out in every direction. You lean against the counter and wait for what seems like a very long time.<br/>
<br/>
Eventually you hear voices: piping and enthusiastic. You can't make out the words. And then there's silence. You start to tremble, and jump at the soft knock at the door. "Are you undressed?" Chelsea asks through the door. "Because there's a guy out here who looks kinda funny in the clothes <i>he's</i> wearing."<br/>
<br/>
You open the door and peer out. A figure turns and looks at you. <i>Fucking God, it's you,</i> looking as pale and flushed as you feel. He's dressed in a black t-shirt and dark jeans, both of which are too small for him. He's kicked off his shoes.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea plucks at your shirt. "Come on, Will. You can gawp later." Numbly you pull off your shirt and struggle out of your jeans. The other Will Prescott does likewise, and soon there are two stick-like guys, naked, in Chelsea's room. She grins at their mutual embarrassment. <br/>
<br/>
As your doppelganger starts to put your own clothes on, Chelsea draws you over to the bed and pushes you back onto it. She hands you another mask. "Here's Cara," she says, and her eyes shine with a manic light.<br/>
<br/>
Again, you take a deep breath and put a mask to your face.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Your heart is beating wildly when you wake, and you move to put a hand on the weights pressing down your chest. But one hand won't move. You look over to find Chelsea holding it and smiling down at you. "Hi, Cara," she says.<br/>
<br/>
You seem to hear a voice behind you, and turn to look, but there's no one there. That's because-- You gasp. <i>She's inside you.</i> Cara Fuhrman's mind is inside yours.<br/>
<br/>
Slowly, as though in a trance, you rise from the bed and walk over to the full-length mirror that hangs on Chelsea's closet door, even though you know exactly what you'll see.<br/>
<br/>
Cara Fuhrman: Still dusky from lots of summer sun, from swimming and horseback riding and hiking. Well-shaped legs and arms; a shallow stomach; large, nicely balanced, well-proportioned breasts. Thick brown hair falls below your shoulders and frames an oval face. A small mouth and pert nose and dark brown eyes.<br/>
<br/>
You are <i>gorgeous.</i> Why did you never notice this girl in the halls?<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea, who is half a head shorter, comes up next to you. "Let's talk about boys," she says slyly. "You know, it would be best if you and <i>Jonas</i> started seeing each other."<br/>
<br/>
"Jonas?" You frown. Then the penny drops. "You mean <i>Caleb?</i>"<br/>
<br/>
She nods. "He's on his way over."</span></div></div>


path: 1131211222
author_id: seuzz
title: Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here!
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>You mouth falls open. "Me and <i>Caleb?</i> As boyfriend and … and …" The next word doesn't quite want to form.<br/>
<br/>
"You mean you and <i>Jonas,</i>" Chelsea says. "Think about it. It's perfect. Naturally, you'll be hanging out with me." She touches your arm lightly. "And Jonas with Gordon. But then you and your friend--"<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, I get it," you say. Your head swims. "But I don't really want--"<br/>
<br/>
"Oh my God," Chelsea exclaims with a sudden frown. "You're not <i>frigid,</i> are you, Cara?"<br/>
<br/>
"What? No!" You feel yourself reddening, and are shocked at the rush of embarrassment from Cara's personality. There's no way you're going own up to being <i>frigid</i>, not to <i>Chelsea Cooper.</i><br/>
<br/>
"Well, I'm glad to hear it," Chelsea says. "So, maybe there are some guys you're actually interested in? Because I asked around, and you're not <i>going</i> with anyone."<br/>
<br/>
All the moving parts in your brain seem to seize up. No, Cara isn't going steady with anyone. You have the vague sense of having been on dates, but your conscious mind seems to shy away from faces and names and events. Guys that she is interested in? Something like an icy boulder drops into place, blocking all access to her romantic interests and fantasies. "Well, sure," you squeak. "There are guys I'd-- that Cara would-- Um--"<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea clucks her tongue. "If you don't want to tell me, <i>Cara,</i>" she says reproachfully. Then she shrugs. "Maybe you're just disoriented. It is kind of change for you, right?"<br/>
<br/>
You are suddenly very conscious of your state of undress, and look around for your clothes. They are folded neatly on the bed. You look around vaguely as you slowly pick through them. Your own doppelganger has disappeared.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea sits back at her desk and watches as you pull on the clothes. Very small, very skimpy red panties, which cause you to blush anew as they snap tightly around your hips and crotch. At one and the same time it feels very strange and very natural to not have a package there, and your hips twist as you feel at the absence--and what has replaced it. Then the bra. You fumble with it, having no idea what to do with it. Chelsea notices your hesitation, and comes to your aid. Then it's just the jeans and shirt. The latter binds tightly to your breasts and narrow shoulders, and you take deep, shaky breaths as you pull it down; the skin all over your torso prickles. The jeans are also very tight and short, with the cuffs riding well above your ankles. You sit on the edge of the bed and pull on the tennis shoes. A stray thought of Cara's bubbles up: She wore her newest, nicest shoes just for this meeting with Chelsea, and the head cheerleader didn't seem to notice.<br/>
<br/>
As you finish, Chelsea settles again in her chair. You sit on the bed. "So, tell me about the cheerleader squad, and how all this is going to work," you say.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, I'll be making some changes," Chelsea replies. "Getting rid of Yumi and Lin, at the very least. They're troublemakers. Probably Michelle. She's not working out." Her eyes fasten on you. "So there's three slots. One for you, and two for anyone you can recommend."<br/>
<br/>
It sounds like a prompt. "I mentioned all this to some of my friends already," you say slowly. Your brain seems to be slowly thawing. "Peyton and Paris Morrow?"<br/>
<br/>
"Are they twins?" Chelsea frowns. "Oh God, like the Garners?" She seems to ponder the suggestion. "Well, if you can vouch for them," she finally says. "But they'll have to go through the tryouts. You will too, but you're already in, of course. But if I let them join, you have to make it clear that they <i>owe</i> you, and that they have to do what you say. Right?"<br/>
<br/>
It's a demand, not a question, and you nod; and a warm feeling in your breast tells you that it's a demand you won't mind trying to fulfill. But: "Maybe I'd better think about it a little more," you say.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, wait until you get settled in," Chelsea says. Then she squeals and leaps over to the bed and embraces you. "Oh, but this is so exciting! Isn't it exciting, Cara?"<br/>
<br/>
Your heart leaps, and that frozen dam in your brain bursts. "Oh God, Chelsea, this is so awesome," you hear yourself exclaim. "Thank you so much for this chance!" The rush of enthusiasm feels very natural, even as you seem to stand outside the flood and watch it from a distance.<br/>
<br/>
You're still hugging each other when there's a heavy bang at the door. It opens and Gordon steps into the room. A gleam comes into his eyes as they fall on you, and his lips go up into half a smile. "So, we're here," he says, and reaches back into the hall to pull another figure in.<br/>
<br/>
Jonas Martin, who only comes up to Gordon's chin. Solidly built, but more wiry than strong. Very brown in his bare arms and face, with equally brown hair cropped very close to his skull. His eyes widen when he sees you, and then they fall, and he looks away with obvious embarrassment.<br/>
<br/>
"And here we <i>all</i> are," Chelsea says, and leaps to her feet. She puts her arm around Gordon's waist and hugs him closely. "Oh, my poor sweetie. Don't worry, we'll get you fixed. We can do that, now that we're <i>all</i> where we need to be."<br/>
<br/>
A brief silence descends on the room, and you find yourself looking at anything else except the other three people in the room. Chelsea obviously notices the silence: "I guess that takes care of business for today. We should let these two get settled, and then we'll talk again." She looks up at Gordon. "Did you give Jonas a ride over?" He grunts an affirmative, and she looks back at you. "Then you should give him a ride home."<br/>
<br/>
"Give him another ride, too," Gordon snickers.<br/>
<br/>
"We'll leave that to them," Chelsea says primly. "Cara, you come and find me tomorrow at lunch. You'll be eating with us in the cafeteria." You nod, and get to your feet. Chelsea says nothing, but squeezes your arm again as you pass her.<br/>
<br/>
Neither you nor Caleb say anything until you get outside to Cara's subcompact car. Then he says, "Give me the keys. I'll drive."<br/>
<br/>
"What the hell?" you demand.<br/>
<br/>
He pauses, then shakes his head. "Sorry. Force of habit, I guess. But come one, lemme drive."<br/>
<br/>
"Well, <i>someone</i> has settled into his new role, I see," you grumble. But he seems recalcitrant, so you toss the keys heavily to him and climb into the passenger seat, where you cross your arms.<br/>
<br/>
"Look, if I'd known that <i>Cara</i> was--" He looks at you sidelong, then falls silent for a moment. "So, you dating anyone," he asks as he starts the car.<br/>
<br/>
"Not you," you bluntly tell him.<br/>
<br/>
"Fine with me. What did <i>Will Prescott</i> have to say when you came out like that?"<br/>
<br/>
"Nothing," you retort. "What did <i>Caleb Johansson--</i>"<br/>
<br/>
"What did Chelsea do with that mask of you?" he interrupts. "I mean, she had to put that stuff in it--"<br/>
<br/>
"Hang on," you say, for your phone has rung. You dig it from your pocket and put it to your ear. "Hi girl," you brightly gush at Peyton's eager voice. Instinctively, you brush a strand of hair behind your ear.<br/>
<br/>
Caleb grabs the phone from your hand. "She'll talk to you later," he growls into the phone, then turns it off and hurls it back in your lap.<br/>
<br/>
"What the fuck, you asshole?"<br/>
<br/>
"This is important," he says. "So stop being this bitch for a moment--"<br/>
<br/>
"You stop being an asshole!"<br/>
<br/>
"--and tell me about that mask of you!"<br/>
<br/>
"She made a copy of me," you snap. "Isn't that the way it's supposed to work?"<br/>
<br/>
"Whose hair did she use?" He jams the car to a stop at a light and glares at you. You only gaze back. "She had to use some hair in that mask. Did she use some of yours? Will Prescott's?"<br/>
<br/>
"I don't know. I wasn't awake when it  happened."<br/>
<br/>
He purses his lips angrily. "Because I don't know whose hair she used in mine."<br/>
<br/>
"I thought Gordon took care of your switch."<br/>
<br/>
"She was there too, and I didn't see whose hair she used. Hers or mine."<br/>
<br/>
"What does it matter?"<br/>
<br/>
"It matters," he yells, and turns blazing eyes on you, "because those fake versions of us are just that. Fakes. They're golems, like Gordon, which means they are <i>slaves.</i> But whose slaves? Ours? Or Chelsea's?"<br/>
<br/>
"What does that have to do with hair?"<br/>
<br/>
"I think it's the hair that fixes whose slave they are," he says. The light turns green, and the car behind honks its horn. Caleb flips them off, then jams onto the accelerator and leaps through the intersection. "If they're Chelsea's slaves--"<br/>
<br/>
"Well, what does it matter? We're stuck like this--"<br/>
<br/>
"Go find Prescott tomorrow," he orders. "Figure out if he's your slave or Chelsea's."<br/>
<br/>
"There are too many people thinking they're running things," you hiss back.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
The next day you do as Caleb demanded, and it feels rather odd, for you've woken feeling much more like Cara Fuhrman, and have to fight the instinct to go find your new friends so you can tell them about the meeting with Chelsea.<br/>
<br/>
Your replacement isn't at his locker, but you find nearby, and you have to gape a little. He's at Lisa's locker, leaning casually and talking to her. You hold back, unsure how to proceed.<br/>
<br/>
And then a figure brushes past you, and your heart leaps to hammer in your throat. It's Geoff Mansfield, and a geyser of lust explodes in your chest.<br/>
<br/>
You gasp. <i>Cara Fuhrman has the world's biggest crush on the guy who took Lisa away from you!</i><br/>
<br/>
You stagger away with your head down. What can you do? And then your brain crackles with the answer: You can use Cara to take Geoff away from Lisa. With Chelsea's help it should be easy!</span></div></div>


path: 11312112221
author_id: seuzz
title: The Queen of the Junior Class
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>The world reels, and you stagger blindly down the hallway, bumping into students. You're shocked, both by what you're thinking and the speed with which you're thinking it. A morning of putting on nice clothes and doing makeup and having breakfast with parents has done nothing to prepare you for the blazing, corkscrew intuitions that Cara is capable of when she's aroused.<br/>
<br/>
And the fire in your veins tells you that the girl you're pretending to be is definitely aroused. You push away the schemes and the reasons behind the schemes, but they claw and snatch at you like tentacles. Without watching where you're going you make it to your new locker, and you quail as you open it. There are all those cut out pictures of dark, brooding movie and television stars, every single one of them looking like Geoff Mansfield, and gazing back at you with the smoky appreciation you'd so much like to see on his face when he's looking at you. You gulp so hard you almost swallow your tongue.<br/>
<br/>
"Cara, are you okay?" The voice snatches you back out of yourself, and you numbly look over into Peyton Morrow's concerned face. You blink, and she peers closely at you.<br/>
<br/>
"What?" you stammer. "Oh. Nothing. Just ... thinking."<br/>
<br/>
Peyton continues to gaze at you, and behind her you see Leah Powers and Kelli Taft exchange a glance. Leah puts a hand on your arm. "Is it something to do with Chelsea Cooper?" she asks guardedly. <br/>
<br/>
"Oh. No, that's all-- Oh my God, I didn't call you back last night!" you gasp, and clutch at her in turn.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, you kind of dropped off the planet," a voice says behind you, and you turn to find Paris looming behind. Although she and Peyton are twins, and both wear their long, strawberry-blonde hair in nearly identical ponytails, they don't look a lot alike, and Paris has an inch or two on her sister. <br/>
<br/>
"I'm sorry," you say, and let yourself turn a little pink. "Some stuff came up at home." (Actually, you just used the night to relax and get comfortable with your new body.) "But yeah, I went over to her house yesterday afternoon and we had a long talk." You dart your head around, looking to see who is nearby, then draw the four girls close. "She says she's going to clear some of the 'deadwood' off the squad," you tell them with a sly smile. "There's going to be at least three spots, and she wants to fill them with some junior girls."<br/>
<br/>
"Three slots," Peyton says thoughtfully, and her eyes turn a little shifty.<br/>
<br/>
"I bet <i>you're</i> in," Paris adds.<br/>
<br/>
The calculations rapidly fill your head, same as it fills the others'. Four friends, and only two extra slots to go around. "Competition's going to be fierce," you observe. "We'll have to take care of each other." That's the closest you feel comfortable to voicing the obvious: that with your just-established connection to Chelsea your vote will have some weight. "And you know her reputation. She's tough, and she's going to make everyone go through tryouts. They're going to be open to <i>everyone.</i>"<br/>
<br/>
Four pairs of lips compress until they whiten. "When will these tryouts be?" Leah asks.<br/>
<br/>
"I don't know yet," you admit. "Chelsea was just testing the waters, I think, to make sure she really wants to reorganize the squad. I'm supposed to eat in the cafeteria with her today," you can't resist adding with a bit of pride. "So maybe I'll learn more then."<br/>
<br/>
"I wonder who she's going to drop," Kelli says. You turn back into your locker--trying to ignore the decorations--as the others start to speculate.<br/>
<br/>
"Michelle for sure," Leah says. "I don't know <i>how</i> she managed to get on in the first place."<br/>
<br/>
"Most of the others are pretty good," Paris says. "Is she going to hold the tryouts before or after she cuts people from the squad?"<br/>
<br/>
"After, I <i>think,</i>" you say. "She mentioned a few names as possible people to cut."<br/>
<br/>
"Who?" Peyton demands.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm not sure I should say," you smugly reply as you close your locker. "I don't want to start any rumors." You head off to first period, forcing the others to trail after.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You'd thought you'd shaken off Mr. Shrapner and his Algebra 2 class for good last year, but here you are in it again, though occupying a sexier perch. Neither you nor the girl you are imitating are much interested in his kind of math, and you busy yourself with a different kind. <br/>
<br/>
Cara's friends will be easy enough to handle. They'll be competing for your favor now, which will be very gratifying. Will some of them be disappointed? That'll be no problem: If Chelsea lets you pick two of your friends--which it sounds like she will--you will only have to go back to them and report that Chelsea <i>actually</i> wanted to pick two people outside your group, and that you talked her into a compromise by taking the two that you (privately) told her to pick. And if some of your friends piss you off in the meantime? You can drop veiled hints that, really, they weren't even good enough to attempt the tryouts, and that there was <i>no way</i> Chelsea would have picked them anyway.<br/>
<br/>
As for Chelsea and Lisa and Geoff Mansfield ... You slide down a little in your seat and let Cara's thoughts break to the surface.<br/>
<br/>
Yes, you'd be willing to go out with Geoff fucking Mansfield, if it would break him and Lisa up, leaving the field free for you to hook up with her again once you're back to being yourself. You'd even be doing a favor for Cara herself. The girl is going to have a sweet life once you and Chelsea get done rearranging it for her: a spot on the cheerleader squad; total domination of her little group; and the guy she's got the hots for. Imagine her delight when she gets her life back and finds all of <i>that</i> waiting for her!<br/>
<br/>
And Chelsea can help you by using her influence to put a wedge between Lisa and Geoff while you work on him from your end. It won't be a big favor to ask of her. In fact, what with the help you're giving her with Gordon, she would still be owing <i>you</i> even after helping you with Geoff.<br/>
<br/>
It's a great pleasure to face down such complicated equations while giving them beautiful solutions!<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
So you're feeling very pleased with yourself as you stride into the cafeteria at lunch. You ostentatiously pass the table you usually sit at in favor of the one that holds the senior alpha crowd. You make sure to approach it from an angle so that Chelsea can see you coming, and she cheerily waves you over. The seat by her side is already vacant, and you slide onto it as though it's the most casual and normal thing in the world.<br/>
<br/>
Cara has scoped out the table before, so you're familiar with the faces. Mostly it's basketball players: Gordon on Chelsea's left, with his arm around her; Steve Patterson; Seth Javits with Cindy Vredenburg. Jonas--Caleb--is on the other side of Gordon, so you don't really get a good look at him. On the other side of the table Kendra Saunders and Gloria Rea watch you openly with expressions that, if not very friendly, are neither guarded nor hostile. The Garner twins and Lin Pol are down at the far end of the table, and you notice that Yumi is not in attendance. Does that mean Chelsea has already struck?<br/>
<br/>
Mostly you keep to yourself during the lunch talk, listening politely and offering comments that you calculate won't be very forward or blatant. The ballplayers bully and tease each other; the girls giggle and gossip. You are soon very relaxed.<br/>
<br/>
You're so relaxed you feel no trepidation as you lean over to whisper in Chelsea's ear: "Can we get together and talk later today?"<br/>
<br/>
She turns a friendly but piercing glance at you, but doesn't answer right away. Instead, she just sits there, seeming to weigh her thoughts. There's something inscrutable about her expression, and it quickly dawns on you that she's not really paying much attention to <i>you</i>; something else is preying on her mind.<br/>
<br/>
And then she smiles and leans in close. "If it's about ... that other business ... come to the gym after school. We can talk while the guys are practicing."<br/>
<br/>
You nod, feeling satisfied.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
That feeling of satisfaction receives a small but jarring blow immediately after lunch. You've just exited the cafeteria when you hear your name called. You turn to find Kendra and Gloria drawing up. Subtly, they press in on you until your back is against the school wall.<br/>
<br/>
"Congratulations," Kendra says with a blinding smile. "Chelsea told us the good news last night."<br/>
<br/>
"No more Yumi. That's very good news," Gloria says.<br/>
<br/>
"And you look like you'll fit right in," Kendra says. "You're going to do your best to fit in, aren't you, Cara?"<br/>
<br/>
Gloria speaks for you. "Of course you are. But you have to know what 'fitting in' means."<br/>
<br/>
"It means that Chelsea is in charge," Kendra says. "You do everything Chelsea says, and you do it exactly as she says."<br/>
<br/>
"Because you owe her. You owe her everything," Gloria adds. "So keep her happy."<br/>
<br/>
"Keep your new <i>friends</i> happy too," Kendra says, and her wide smile turns sharp. "Keep me and Gloria happy. Because we're <i>really</i> close to Chelsea."<br/>
<br/>
"Closer than <i>you'll</i> ever be," Gloria says.<br/>
<br/>
"Of course!" you gasp, as though shocked that you'd do anything else. They freeze as you grasp their elbows. "I can't wait!"<br/>
<br/>
They grunt, and stride away.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Chelsea offered to meet with you after school, but only if it concerned "that business." It doesn't, not really. As you sit in Constitutional Theory class, your eyes locked onto Mansfield's profile, you reflect that maybe you don't want to get her involved.</span></div></div>


path: 113121122211
author_id: seuzz
title: Old Boss, New Face
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>Chelsea's offer sounded like just that: an offer, not a command, so you could probably safely skip out of school. But you are the one who asked for a meeting, so it's probably best that you go anyway. She might have something she wants to impart to you. And as Kendra and Gloria blatantly reminded you this afternoon, you are very much at her mercy.<br/>
<br/>
So when last period ends and Kelli asks what you're doing after school, you tell her that you're supposed to go watch the boys' basketball practice with Chelsea. "Well, isn't that nice," she says in voice whose careful neutrality can't disguise the bitterness.<br/>
<br/>
"I'll have lots to tell you afterward, I hope," you reply.<br/>
<br/>
That gives her pause. "Yeah?"<br/>
<br/>
"Call me after dinner. Even if nothing happens at practice, we can talk about <i>Kendra Saunders</i> and <i>Gloria Rea.</i>"<br/>
<br/>
"What about them?" Kelli asks, and her eyes widen.<br/>
<br/>
"We're going to have to watch out for them," you say, and let the implications of the "we" sink in.<br/>
<br/>
Kelli isn't one to miss such a hint. "Oh, we will, will we?" she echoes. "I'll call you around seven."<br/>
<br/>
"Do that." You toss your hair and leave her with the feeling that she's snugly in your confidence. But the words <i>Well, isn't that nice</i> burn in your memory. <i>Strike one against Kelli,</i> you grimly note.<br/>
<br/>
You carefully arrange to run into Paris and Peyton and Leah so you can give the same bulletin about attending the post-class practice session with Chelsea and gauge their reactions. They're more circumspect than Kelli was, and Leah sucks up a little by expressing envy of your fortune. All of them promise to call you later that evening for a bulletin.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
The breezeway leading to the gym is crowded with departing students, but it quickly thins out; you linger awhile, watching for Geoff, but he seems to have taken a different route to the parking lot. That or he's gone off in some other direction. Probably with Lisa, and the thought almost knocks you off your feet, as you're caught in a pincer of jealousy from two different directions: your own jealousy of Geoff's relationship with Lisa, and Cara's jealousy of Lisa for her relationship with Geoff. Your nostrils flare, and you charge into gym, freshly determined to lay your case before Chelsea and ask for her help.<br/>
<br/>
The boys are doing basic drills as you edge your way along the court and up the bleachers to where Chelsea is holding court with Kendra and Gloria. The latter two smile coolly at you, but Chelsea has her eyes locked on the gym floor, and only nods vacantly as you sit down near her. No one speaks for several minutes, until the team breaks up into competing squads--with Gordon and Steve Patterson leading each--for a practice game. After watching awhile, Chelsea suddenly sits up straight. "What do you guys think of Jonas Martin?" she asks.<br/>
<br/>
The squeak of shoes and the thump of the ball fill the silence. "I haven't paid much attention to him," Kendra says cautiously.<br/>
<br/>
"He's cute, if you like thugs," Gloria says a little more boldly. "Why isn't he covered in tattoos?"<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea turns to you. You glance down at the floor, where Jonas is in the middle of a scrum. "I'm not sure Gordon is giving him enough chances," you say. "It's sometimes hard to tell who's good and who isn't, because it seems like it's the same guys always doing things. The team could stand to open things up a little."<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea stares at you, then throws her head back to laugh with delight. Kendra and Gloria exchange a glance as their boss grasps you by the arm. "You're brilliant, Cara! Isn't she brilliant?" she asks, turning to her two lieutenants.<br/>
<br/>
"Genius," Gloria says tepidly. Kendra doesn't even reply. <i>Three-point shot for yours truly,</i> you think to yourself.<br/>
<br/>
"It <i>does</i> seem like it's just the same guys hogging the ball, doesn't it," Chelsea says. "I mean, Gordon and Steve have to do a lot themselves because they're so good. But Seth-- It seems like we see too much of Seth. Don't we see too much of Seth, Kendra?"<br/>
<br/>
"Too much of Seth is way too much," Kendra agrees.<br/>
<br/>
"And people take him for granted," Chelsea continues. "Cindy takes him for granted. Look at that, she isn't even here to watch." She sniffs, then turns on the other two with a querulous tone. "How about you two go see if you can find Cindy, find out what her problem is. Well, she's got <i>lots</i> of problems, but find out which problem it is <i>today.</i>" She laughs at her own feeble joke.<br/>
<br/>
There's no mistaking the slit-eyed glances in your direction as Kendra and Gloria slowly rise and exit the gym.<br/>
<br/>
And now that you're alone with Chelsea: "I wanted to talk to you about--" you start.<br/>
<br/>
But she motions you to silence. "Hold that thought," she says, taking out her phone and thumbing in a quick message. "What do you think of Kendra and Gloria," she asks when she's done, and returns her attention to the gym floor.<br/>
<br/>
"They're really loyal friends," you carefully reply.<br/>
<br/>
"They are, aren't they," she says, and her tone has turned distant. "I value loyalty. It's very important. People knowing their place. Knowing what they're supposed to do. Knowing who they are ..." Her voice croaks as it fades into a whisper. "What they are."<br/>
<br/>
The hairs on the back of your neck prickle. This is very odd. Creepy even. You stare at Chelsea, who is sitting in profile next to you. She just stares down at the gym floor.<br/>
<br/>
Then you're distracted as the gym door opens. Will Prescott walks in. His eyes lock with yours, and he jerks his chin.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea stirs. "That's the one you need to talk to, if you need to talk about business," she says. She turns toward you, and her eyes are glassy. "That's the one we're all working for."<br/>
<br/>
Every one of your limbs, everyone of your joints, every bone down to the marrow, turns to ice. You clamber numbly down the bleachers. The figure at the gym door holds it open as you pass through. "You weren't expecting to find me <i>here,</i> were you?" the person who looks like Will Prescott snickers.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"What's going on?" you shakily demand. It's warm in the empty orchestra room, but you shiver.<br/>
<br/>
Your companion peers down at you from beneath shaggy bangs, and his eyes dance with amusement. "Getting to know my new friends, I guess," he chortles. "Or snooping. Call it what you want." He shrugs. "So, my, uh, my replacement texted me after lunch, said you had something you wanted to talk about."<br/>
<br/>
You stare at him. "I thought-- I thought you put that mask onto Cara."<br/>
<br/>
"I did. But that was yesterday. Last night I called him back out and did a switch. I made a mask of me and put Cara under it while I took over as ... Well, as <i>you.</i>"<br/>
<br/>
"Caleb said something about the masks making slaves," you say hollowly, and your ears roar with a rush of blood.<br/>
<br/>
"That's right," he says. "Gordon, Caleb, Chelsea--" He jerks his chin at the gym. "And Will Prescott. The fake ones have to do what I say." He shrugs. "Don't worry, I'm not going to fuck things up for you. Not as long as you and Caleb behave."<br/>
<br/>
Well, that settles the question Caleb had left you with: Chelsea turned your doppelgangers into her slaves, not yours. You bite your lip.<br/>
<br/>
"Okay, what do you want to talk about?" Will asks.<br/>
<br/>
You blink and rub your arms. "Well, maybe it's not-- Not--" You look up sharply at him. Inside that mask, Chelsea knows all about you. Still, telling her--him--whoever--what you've been thinking seems very awkward. In that paralyzed state, it shouldn't be a surprise that Cara's own personality nudges you into speaking before you realize it. "It's about Geoff Mansfield."<br/>
<br/>
Will breaks into a sudden grin. "Oh, is it? Is it about that fucker or is it about Lisa? Oh man, you had it bad." He resettles the dirty cap he's sporting. "You know, I actually do sympathize with you. But then, I would, wouldn't I?"<br/>
<br/>
"That was <i>you</i> at Lisa's locker this morning!" Your heart pounds.<br/>
<br/>
"Sure it was. You saw me?" His eyes glint, and he leans in close. "I thought I'd help out a little. You shouldn't just give up on her, you know."<br/>
<br/>
"Will you help me get her back?"<br/>
<br/>
He rolls his eyes. "I'm not going to do all the work for you."<br/>
<br/>
"You don't have to! Cara--! She's got a huge crush on Geoff! If we break him and Lisa up, she can have Geoff, and I-- I--" You blush furiously. "If you can just work on their end, so that I can-- I can try to get Geoff--"<br/>
<br/>
He gapes, and then howls with laughter. "You and Geoff? That would be hilarious!" He catches himself as he sees your expression. "I don't mean--! Cara and Geoff would be a really cute couple. It would totally work. But you know, <i>Will</i>, you'd would have to seduce Geoff and--"<br/>
<br/>
"I get it!" you hotly retort. Your breath labors. "And I'm totally willing to do it, if ..." You swallow.<br/>
<br/>
"Okay, sure," he grins. "It'll be fun. But you have to do something for me first. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."<br/>
<br/>
"I'm already doing you a favor by helping you with Gordon."<br/>
<br/>
"Technically, that's true," he allows. "Yeah, I see now you're totally innocent in all this. It was Caleb, that fucker--" He snorts. "But I still want your help. You do want to help me, right?"<br/>
<br/>
Memory of the conversation with Kendra and Gloria floods back, but you say nothing, and only raise an eyebrow.<br/>
<br/>
"I wanna bust Cindy and Seth up," he says. "I can do it the hard way, using Gordon. But it'd be ... <i>neater</i> ... if Cara was there to pick up Seth. <i>Then</i> you can dump him and try your luck with Geoff."</span></div></div>


path: 1131211222111
author_id: seuzz
title: Promises, Bribes, and Temptations Galore
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>Will Prescott--skinny, straw-headed, high-school-nobody Will Prescott--gazes at you with a serene confidence that you're sure you never showed when it was <i>your</i> face. But of course it's Chelsea Cooper under the face, and she is surely <i>very</i> used to being in charge.<br/>
<br/>
Still, you haven't been inhabiting the skin and mind of Cara Fuhrman for twenty-four hours without picking up a little extra for yourself. You settle back on your heels and half tuck a hand into your front pocket and tilt your chest just that <i>little</i> bit that typically causes a guy's gaze to flick downward--and to linger, eyes down, when he's in the mood to feel motivated. Will's eyes do flick down, and they stay there, and a half-smile forms on his lips.<br/>
<br/>
"You said something about busting up Cindy and Seth the hard way," you say, and peer up at your double along the bridge of your nose. "What's 'the hard way'?"<br/>
<br/>
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'd just get Gordon to put the screws to him. Have him tell Seth that he can either be on the team, or he can date Cindy, but he can't do both."<br/>
<br/>
"And how would it work if I … helped?"<br/>
<br/>
He sucks on his lower lip and regards you shrewdly. "We'd be a little more subtle. You show your charms, and behind the scenes we all drop hints about how it would be really awesome if he were dating the assistant squad captain."<br/>
<br/>
"Assistant squad captain?" You can't keep the squawk out of your voice.<br/>
<br/>
"Of course," and Will's voice turns sly. "You can't just join the squad and know everything that you have to know. You have to be trained if you're going to take over as captain your senior year."<br/>
<br/>
An intense thrill runs through you. <i>She's grooming you to be next year's squad captain!</i> You have to take a deep breath and remind yourself that that would be <i>Cara's</i> dream, not yours. But then, you're doing this for Cara, right? To make up for the fact that you've borrowed her life without permission? And you might as well accept the feelings of pleasure that come, too, since they are so … Well, <i>pleasant.</i><br/>
<br/>
But you don't lose yourself so totally that you lose sight of what Chelsea is doing: Dangling a bribe in front of you. And if she's going to dangle a bribe, you should remind her who she is really trying to bribe. "That would make Cara really happy," you grin, and lightly emphasize the name "Cara." "And when Cara's happy, I'm happy. But what happens when I go back to being Will Prescott?" You pluck at his t-shirt. "I would be really happy if Lisa was already my girlfriend when I went back to--" Mischievously, you touch the front of his jeans. "Having one of these."<br/>
<br/>
His eyes glint, and there's an unmistakable bulge right behind the zipper. "How long are you willing to stay as Cara?" he murmurs. "Because before you can have that, you'll have to date and dump Seth, and then get Geoff away from Lisa."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah?"<br/>
<br/>
"Are you willing to do all that, even if we get Gordon fixed? Like, soon?"<br/>
<br/>
"How soon?" For a moment you actually feel disappointment at the thought of going back to your old life so soon.<br/>
<br/>
"I dunno. That's the thing. If it's real fast--like, this weekend--would you be willing to stick it out as Cara until me and Lisa--" He catches himself. "I mean, until I get Lisa to start going out with you again?"<br/>
<br/>
You're so tantalized by the possibility that you hardly even hesitate. "I'll stick it out past Christmas if that's what it takes." Goosebumps run up and down your arm and your spine.<br/>
<br/>
"We have a deal, then?" Will asks, and puts out his hand.<br/>
<br/>
"Absolutely," you say, taking it and giving it a firm shake. "As soon as I'm on the squad and you've made me assistant captain-- Oh, which reminds me, when are the tryouts?"<br/>
<br/>
"Probably in ten days. I have to drop the boom on Lin and Michelle still, and then we have to organize and announce them. Unless you're thinking of just slipping your own friends in …" His eyes narrow with suspicion.<br/>
<br/>
"No, make a big splash. You've got two slots, and I've got four friends who want to try out. You pick the two you think are best. And then <i>I</i> go tell them that I talked you into picking them instead of some totally other pair of girls. That way the two you pick totally owe me, and the other two can't be mad at me."<br/>
<br/>
He grins. "You're amazing. It's going to be awesome--" He stumbles just a little. "--Having you on the squad. But remember--" He holds up a finger. "They'll owe you, but you'll owe <i>me.</i>"<br/>
<br/>
"Absolutely, Chelsea," you smile. "I'm <i>totally</i> on your team."<br/>
<br/>
"Yo, dipshit," a familiar voice calls from the doorway. "Are you coming or-- Whoa!" You look over Will's shoulder: Keith is leaning in the doorway, and at the sight of you his eyes widen so much you can see their whites even from a distance.<br/>
<br/>
Will--whose back is turned to the newcomer--rolls his eyes. You smile faintly. "I'd better let you get back in character, and back with your friend. Are we going to have a meeting later? To talk about Gordon's situation?"<br/>
<br/>
"Tomorrow, after school," he says. "Oh, and if you need to talk to me at school tomorrow, look for Caleb."<br/>
<br/>
"Hmm." That'll be interesting. <br/>
<br/>
Putting a swing in your hips, you leave the orchestra room, brushing past Keith, who doesn't bother to hide his stare. Once outside, you linger by a corner to watch. Will and Keith emerge a few minutes later in an inaudible but animated conversation. Your double shoves Keith hard, so Chelsea <i>has</i> gotten into character.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You know that you should talk to Caleb--your real friend--if for no other reason than because he'll be expecting a report from you about the status of your double, but you put it off until well into the evening. First, you call your new set of friends.<br/>
<br/>
The conversation with Leah is typical of the talk with all four. "I got some kind of treatment from Kendra and Gloria," you tell her (and the others). "All those rumors about them being Chelsea's 'goon squad' are correct. They were all telling me about how I had to be a good little girl and do everything that Chelsea says. Oh, and I have to be nice to <i>them</i>, too, because, like, Chelsea is totally tight with them and everything." You cluck your tongue.<br/>
<br/>
"Great," Leah mutters. "I guess we'll get the same lecture when it's our turn."<br/>
<br/>
"You'll probably be okay, if you make the squad. I think I'll probably be getting the brunt of it. Because I talked with Chelsea herself, and it sounds like she's going to make me the assistant captain. So, I guess it'll be <i>my</i> job to keep the rest of you guys in line."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, I bet you'll like <i>that</i>," is what Paris says when you share that lovely tidbit with her and Peyton.<br/>
<br/>
"Stop it. I told you it'll be okay. I'll just be all, Sure Chelsea, I'll take care of it, and then I'll tell you, but we'll be okay. I mean, I know who <i>my</i> real friends are."<br/>
<br/>
"It still sounds like it's gonna be hell," Peyton moans. "I heard Yumi was actually crying today after Chelsea told her she was off the squad."<br/>
<br/>
"That's why I'm going to be the buffer," you insist. "Anyway, just keep your noses clean and your heads down for the year, and then next year <i>we'll</i> be in charge."<br/>
<br/>
"What makes you say that?" is Kelli's question when you make the same point to her.<br/>
<br/>
"Hello? Chelsea and her goons are all going to be graduating next year! And who do you think gets to be the next squad captain? The girl who was assistant captain during her junior year. That's the point of making me assistant captain, you know, so I can take over the reins!"<br/>
<br/>
At least all four have the good sense not to grumble when you make <i>that</i> declaration.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Those four pleasant phone calls finished, you turn to the nastier business of calling Jonas Martin. "I was wondering if I was gonna hear from you," he grouses. "Meet me at the Mickey D's on Gunnison, okay? Fifteen minutes." He doesn't wait for you to agree.<br/>
<br/>
So you take your sweet time, arriving <i>thirty</i> minutes later, to find him fiddling impatiently with ketchup packets in a back booth. Static electricity seems to play over his buzz cut. "So I had a little talk with my replacement," he snaps. "I think Chelsea double crossed us."<br/>
<br/>
"I had a talk with <i>my</i> replacement," you say, savoring the chance to one-up him, "and found Chelsea herself underneath my mask."<br/>
<br/>
"She was pretending to be you?" he exclaims. "How fucked up is that?"<br/>
<br/>
"Well, she's planning to be <i>you</i> at school tomorrow," you retort, "so be careful around Johansson." He ionizes the air with an obscenity. "Yeah, she calls it 'getting to know her new friends'. Oh, by the way, since she put my mask on, she knows it was <i>you</i> and not <i>me</i> who started this whole mess."<br/>
<br/>
"Fuck," he says again. "We need to get the book away from her, turn the tables on her. The sooner we get her put away, the sooner we can get back to normal. And then have some fun like <i>we</i> want to have."<br/>
<br/>
"Or we try to have fun with what we've got. I'm going to be assistant captain of the cheerleader squad."<br/>
<br/>
If you thought Caleb would react to that the way Paris and Peyton did, you are quickly corrected. "Well, aren't you Chelsea fair-haired little princess," he sneers. Then he seems to catch himself. "Actually, we could put that to good use, if she thinks she's got your head turned. See if you can get the book away from her."<br/>
<br/>
"Why would I--"<br/>
<br/>
He leans forward. "Why be assistant captain when you can be the <i>actual</i> captain?"</span></div></div>


path: 11312112221111
author_id: rugal
title: Tragical
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>Being Chelsea Cooper. Being the head cheerleader, being the most gorgeous person in Westside, being the undisputed ruler of Westside... it's a tempting proposition. Having her body for your own, wielding her power for your own. Yeah you like the sound of that. You hold Caleb's eye... Jonas' eye... whoever he is you hold his eye. Then slowly you nod. "Yeah, that sounds good." you say almost as slowly.<br/>
<br/>
Jonas smirks, "It does, right? She thinks she's got you wrapped around her finger but you know better right?" he asks. "She tries to act like she's on the up and up with us but look at what she's doing. She's wearing <i>our</i> masks and snooping around in <i>our</i> heads and if she finds something she doesn't like?" He pauses, a thoughtful look on his face, "Yeah if that happened who knows what she'd do to us with that book."<br/>
<br/>
"I get you, yeah." you reply.<br/>
<br/>
"Right, so we've gotta get the book from her." he states as he leans forward on the table. "We do that then we'll be the ones holding all the cards. We'll be the ones in control. You're in a good position to get it from her so what do you say? You in?"<br/>
<br/>
You pause. The prospect is tempting but with the way Caleb's talking you can't help but feel like Doctor Faustus. You wondered before if the mask is influencing him the same way it's subtly influenced you, or the way you think it has anyway. And if so just what kind of person is Jonas Martin anyway? He's on the basketball team and.... what? That's all you know. But there's an intimidating presence he's giving off right now and it's making you shrink back. So you make what you feel is the best decision you can make at the moment. "Yeah, I'm in." you say simply.<br/>
<br/>
"Great, awesome!" he exclaims with a clap before extending his hand, "Just... next time you're with her try and steer her towards the book and, you know, just try and grab it the moment the opportunity arises. We can look through it ourselves, we can try and get copies of her or her cronies on the squad if trying to get her outright would be too dangerous. Or we can just use it as a bargaining chip to get her to play ball."<br/>
<br/>
You hesitate but finally, with reluctance, extend your hand as well and shake.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
That reluctance, that uneasiness, is why you find yourself meeting up with Caleb Johannson in front of the gym the next morning. "You're already there?" you ask as he walks up to you.<br/>
<br/>
"Switched yesterday evening. I'll probably go back to myself after school gets out." he answers. "So what's up? Will told me that text you sent him sounded really important. All-caps NOWs and lots of exclamation points." he takes an arm and tries to put it around your shoulder and brush your hair. Cara's instincts kick in and you squirm away. "Well you wanted to see me so bad I just thought..." he grins.<br/>
<br/>
"Eugh, no! At least not with you like... that..." you say before realizing what you've said, "Or... at all really. Because you know you've still got Gordon and all and I... that is..."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb just guffaws as he gestures for you to follow him and, making sure nobody's around, takes you up to the loft. "So really, what did you want to see me about?" he asks once he's made sure to lock the place.<br/>
<br/>
"It's about the guy you're wearing right now." you say gesturing at your best friend's doppelganger. "We met up yesterday and..." you hesitate, something you've been doing a lot since yesterday. Are you really about to sell out your best friend and to Chelsea Cooper of all people? You resolve yourself: yes, you are. "I told him about the assistant squad captain thing and he kind of got it in his head that he could use that to grab the book from you." You look at his face for any sign of emotion and find none. "He said we could use it to keep you in line or we could..." you take a breath, "His exact words were 'why be the assistant captain when you can be the actual captain'."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb just nods, "And do you <i>want</i> to be me, Will? Or rather do you want to be Chelsea Cooper?"<br/>
<br/>
"I... kind of." you admit sheepishly, "The Cara part... of course, absolutely. Who wouldn't want to be Chelsea? And the me part, the Will part? Being at the top of the pecking order seems like a good opportunity. That's why I agreed to do it."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb folds his arms in a very Chelsea-like manner, "But you didn't agree to it, did you?" he asks, "Because we wouldn't be having this conversation if you actually had." He notices you hang your head and comes to place an arm around your shoulder, this time in a friendly manner. "Look don't feel ashamed about it. We all get tempted with things. What matters is that you did the right thing in the end, right?" You look up to see him beaming, "And to be honest... yeah I know he's been plotting against me, the little shit. Just waiting for an opportunity to get the book. He's an open book to me right now and in the dictionary portion his picture's right there with Brutus, Cassius, and Judas."<br/>
<br/>
He then takes a breath before continuing, "I didn't want it to come to this, Will. You think you know who I am but trust me when I say I was on the level with you guys. Caleb's a smart guy, maybe a little too smart for his own good, because he gets wise ideas like 'Will and I need to take the book from Chelsea and hold it over her head' and shit like that." Caleb then starts pacing, "I hate to do this but... we have to do something about him."<br/>
<br/>
"About Caleb?" you ask in surprise.<br/>
<br/>
"About Caleb." he repeats, "He's going to throw away our progress, everything we've worked on, the time we're spending getting to actually know one another for greed. And if he did that to me, maybe he'd do it to you too. He's your friend now but the green-eyed monster is frightening for a reason."<br/>
<br/>
You gulp, you're going to regret this but, "So what do we do?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"We take this mask here that I'm wearing, get Jonas' mask off of him, put this mask onto him, and release Jonas." Caleb states plainly. "For how long I don't know. Until we can figure out something to do."<br/>
<br/>
"You're asking me to stab my best friend in the back."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb nods grimly, "I am, but it's to protect you and me; to protect <i>us</i>." He looks over at you and notices you shifting uncomfortably. You shouldn't have ever said yes in that Mickey D's and Caleb can feel it. "You want to be Chelsea Cooper right?" he asks, "Help me out and you can." That catches your attention, "I'll make a new mask and you can be Chelsea Cooper. I can step in for someone else... maybe Kim. What do you say?"<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
And that's why you find yourself back up in the loft after school. Chelsea wanted to have another meeting about the book and she's back to being herself, plopping both the masks of you and Caleb onto the floor to show you she's legit. But right before things can start she gets a text. "Goddamn it, Maria needs something. That bimbo, ugh!" she gets up suddenly, "Look, I'll be back in a few minutes so you guys get started. There's something weird going on with that fucking thing and maybe you two can figure it out."<br/>
<br/>
"Holy shit man, can you believe it?" Jonas stands up excitedly after Chelsea leaves. "Shit just fell right in our laps! Fuckin' awesome, dude!"<br/>
<br/>
You rise to your feet a little more demurely but grab his hand. "It's awesome, yeah." you state smiling. You then pull him in close to you. Or try to, anyway.<br/>
<br/>
"Whoa, what are you doing?" he asks.<br/>
<br/>
"Don't think I don't see you eyeing me up." you state, "This is big. I kind of want to celebrate. Or Cara does. Just a quick kiss for victory, you know?" You notice him eyeing you queerly, "Look, it's not gay or anything right? I'm a chick right now. I'm not Will Prescott but Cara Fuhrman. And in a little bit Chelsea will be." you smile wider, "Think about it: you put Chelsea under this mask completely under your control. She wanted to hook 'Cara' and 'Jonas' up, right? Well now they can except it'll be under your terms not hers. I just..." you pause, "I've got so many emotions going through me right now and I just want to kind of celebrate and give you a little preview."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb continues eyeing you but his expression softens and you giggle as he pulls you into him. And as he does you raise your hands to grab hold of his face...</span></div></div>


path: 113121122211112
author_id: rugal
title: Chelsea's Tracking Skills
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>You're surprised when, with seemingly no provocation, he stops and grabs your hands. "What do you think you're doing?" he asks as he stares down at you.<br/>
<br/>
Has he figured out what's going on or is he merely being cautious? "I told you!" you exclaim squirming a bit trying to free yourself from his grip. "Look, Cara's kind of short and you're kind of tall as you can see. It's a thing she does, you know, to get a nice grip, steady herself... you've seen movies."<br/>
<br/>
"I've seen movies, yeah, and I know when people are acting suspicious." Jonas says glaring down at you. You find yourself wilting a bit under his rather hard gaze. "Because really, you're going to do this?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yes! Or... I was! Or I don't know!" you exclaim as you continue trying to free yourself, "Look having another person in your head can do a lot jumble up your thoughts and influence your thinking alright? So if you'll just let me go..."<br/>
<br/>
He shakes his head. "Nah, I think I'm gonna keep you right here and we're gonna have a little talk about loyalty and knowing who your friends are." he says. It's enough to send a rather large chill down your spine.<br/>
<br/>
"What <i>about</i> loyalty?" you ask in a confrontational manner. "Or are you suddenly not the guy who was just crowing about how we were gonna stab Chelsea in the back?"<br/>
<br/>
"Because do you think she's not going to do the same to us?" Jonas asks finally letting go of your wrists. "She's using us to help her out. She'll get what she wants and once she does she'll drop us like a bad habit. We're being pre-emptive and getting her before she gets us."<br/>
<br/>
"Is she going to 'get us'? Is that what you think?" you ask as you rub your wrists. "Because I think she's been fairly straight up with us or about as straight up as you could expect. She's given us better lives..."<br/>
<br/>
"To keep us fat and happy."<br/>
<br/>
"...and she didn't have to." you completely ignore his little interjection, "She's the one in control of the book and she could've stabbed us in the back at any time. But she hasn't, has she? Call me naive but I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt on this."<br/>
<br/>
Jonas just glares at you once more and you return it. You're interrupted by the door to the loft opening and Chelsea stepping in. "Fucking Maria. She says she needs something then I'm halfway where she needs me and she tells me she doesn't need me." she moans. "So have you two managed to find anything out with this book?"<br/>
<br/>
"No but we did manage to find out other interesting things." you say in a rather disdainful tone. With that, and before your friend can react, you grab the book off of the floor and turn on your heel. In your other hand you grab Chelsea's wrist. "C'mon, let's get out of here. We can take a look at it ourselves and then discuss it with <i>him</i> tomorrow." You turn to look back at him, "Don't look for us. We'll find you." With that you pull Chelsea out of the loft.<br/>
<br/>
"What was that about?" Chelsea asks once you're outside of the gym.<br/>
<br/>
"I think he's on to us." you tell her. "He's definitely suspicious and he's ready to strike and strike now. I didn't want to really think he could be like that but you're definitely right Chelsea. The mask, the book, it's all changed him."<br/>
<br/>
"So what do you think?" she asks plainly.<br/>
<br/>
You sigh, "I don't know. But if he's onto us, if he's ready to try and backstab you..." you let what you're going to say run through your head. "Chelsea, you've done more for me recently than he is. You've helped me out by putting me in a better place or even just bringing me in and not being a, you know..."<br/>
<br/>
"Cunt?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, that." you grimace. "Look, do you have any masks or any of that special stuff or whatever?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea gives you a queer look. "Yeah, why?"<br/>
<br/>
"Because we need to get out of here." you state, "For a little bit at least."<br/>
<br/>
"We need to..." she sputters, "You think you're going to tell <i>me</i> what we need to do?!" She's rather incredulous at the suggestion<br/>
<br/>
"You've been in his head and I've seen how he's changed." you declare, "He knows where we are and as long as he does he's going to make plays against you and try and use me as a pawn. For both of our safety we have to lay low for a little bit. We can't be Chelsea Cooper and Cara Fuhrman."<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You and Chelsea, after a brief stop by her place to gather supplies, end up at a small cafe across town: close to Eastman, even closer to Keyserling. It's a cozy and welcoming place a world away from the stress of what's going on with Caleb. Or it would be if you hadn't brought the stress with you. "So what do we do?" you ask as you sip at a cappucino.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea just shrugs her shoulders, "You're the one who freaked out and said we had to get out." she replies.<br/>
<br/>
"Who would we even switch with?" you ask. "People in Kelsey's group? What about Andrea's underground dwellers? Or maybe we go into the sophomore or freshman classes?"<br/>
<br/>
"Or we take a look at where we are." Chelsea says as she leans forward clasping her hands on the able in front of her. "This is the kind of little place you wouldn't see over by Westside. At least you'd have to go out of your way anyway. But you've got all the money people from Eastman and their parents and you've got the college crowd. A little gentrified liberal enclave."<br/>
<br/>
You give a small laugh, "Before we hooked up I wouldn't have expected you to be that observant." you say before clamming up realizing that you just told her you thought she was stupid.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm not dumb if that's what you think." she says, "Like I'm not super-brainy like those AP bitches but I'm not some bimbo cheerleader either." She's silent for a moment before going back to what she had previously been talking about, "It's like I said, we're clear on the other side of town. We've got Eastman in one direction and the college in another."<br/>
<br/>
"So you're saying that we switch with either some Eastman kids or college kids?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"If you want to get away from Caleb for a while then get as far away as possible, right?" she replies.<br/>
<br/>
"But how are you even going to tell who's from Eastman or the college or wherever?" you ask after taking another sip.<br/>
<br/>
"Because of where we are?" and there's a 'no duh' tone in her voice. "But it's easy." She points over to a trio of girls at another table, "Look at them. Have you ever seen them at Westside? You haven't. They're obviously freshmen so maybe you wouldn't notice but I would."<br/>
<br/>
"How can you tell they're freshmen?"<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea smirks a bit, "You can see it in how they act. They still look kinda fresh-faced but they're obviously trying to project themselves as older than they are. That mix of being unsure and entitled that makes a freshman a freshman." She notices you eyeing her oddly, "Look, I didn't get to where I am solely because I've got big boobs. To get to the top you have to know how these groups all work. You've gotta be able to read people."<br/>
<br/>
Yeah, that definitely makes sense you think to yourself as you scan around the cafe. And that's when you're surprised by what you see. "There's a couple of college students over there." you say gesturing with your head.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea turns to see them, "I guess Cara's good at that sort of thing too." she says.<br/>
<br/>
"More like I see my cousin over there and she goes to Keyserling." you state.<br/>
<br/>
"Your cousin... which one?" Chelsea asks.<br/>
<br/>
"The Asian one." you state plainly, "She was adopted by my aunt and uncle, before you ask."<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea nods, "We could go with that then. If it's your cousin it'd be easy to get her alone. Gordon..." she pauses for a moment at that, "Gordon left some of his clothes in my car when... well, he's got some of his clothes in there. Then from there we could get one of her friends."<br/>
<br/>
"Or we can take the opportunity that just opened up." you reply as you point out that two of the Eastmen freshmen, the mixed-looking girl and the auburn-haired one, have just gotten up and headed in the direction of the restrooms.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea makes a face at that. "I mean if we <i>had</i> to. Honestly I would've rather gotten some of the cheerleaders. That bitch Alyssa and her co-captain probably, that way we could run the squad."<br/>
<br/>
"You know one of Eastman's cheerleaders." you say.<br/>
<br/>
"Head cheerleader, actually. When you're cheering you tend to run into each other." Chelsea's face goes dark, "She hides behind 'honey' and good deeds; tries to play herself up as perfect. She's such a two-faced bitch though, I can tell." She seems to get back on track however. "But I guess if we have to go with the opportunity we've been given I'll go with it. This was <i>{your/i} idea though so you tell me what you want to do."</i></span></div></div>


path: 1131211222111121
author_id: rugal
title: A Quick Graduation
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>Going after the freshman girls would be the easiest option undoubtedly but you can tell from Chelsea's tone and general demeanor that she's not all that keen on hiding out as someone who can't even drive. To be honest with yourself you aren't that big on the idea either but opportunity has come knocking and you feel like you should take it. Or maybe you feel like you should take it because of Umeko. Suddenly you're mentally kicking yourself about ever pointing her out, or even spotting her, and putting that option on the table.<br/>
<br/>
Umeko makes you feel... you're not quite sure. It's always been a bit weird because blood relation or not she <i>is</i> still your cousin. But there is no blood relation, of course, and you can't deny the attraction you feel for her. But even more than physical attraction she's always been a great friend to you. She's always had a knack for cheering you up when you're down and never being judgemental. In fact after you and Lisa broke up--despite Lisa's protests that you were never dating--Umeko was one of the first people there to offer you support.<br/>
<br/>
"If we go the college route," you begin after a moment and staring down at the table, "do we have to use Umeko?"<br/>
<br/>
You look up to see Chelsea making a face. "Because she's family, right?" she asks rhetorically, "I kind of understand. My brother goes to Keyserling as well and we could get him but... yeugh!" she makes another face, one that looks like she wants to throw up. "The easiest option would be him and his girlfriend and neither set up for us there is appealing to me. The thought of having to suck face with him as that bitch Elise or worse, run around as him..." she shudders at that, "Is it the same thing?"<br/>
<br/>
"It's..." you start and you notice in your hemming and hawing that the freshman girls have made their way back. Your choice has been made for you it seems. "No it's fine. Let's get this over with."<br/>
<br/>
So the bill is paid and you head out to Chelsea's car. There she tosses you into the backseat with Gordon's clothes, a t-shirt and a pair of basketball shorts among other things, and you're eventually back to yourself. As Gordon is a brute of a young man his clothes hang off of you, even tying off the shorts as tight as you can still makes them feel loose. You're practically swimming his shirt. Thankfully he also has a pair of flip flops so you're not stuck with a pair of oversized sneakers to look even more ridiculous in. With all that done Chelsea shows you the stuff she's got and tells you to go bring Umeko out here however you can.<br/>
<br/>
So you trudge back into the cafe and as you walk near the table where Umeko and a small group is sitting you take a deep breath and steel yourself. "Yo, Umeko!" you call out. You immediately turn red and get uncomfortable as all eyes turn to you.<br/>
<br/>
"Will!" she exclaims happily as she sees you, "What are you doing here?" and suddenly she notices your clothing and tries, and fails, to suppress a snicker, "And what are you wearing?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, it's, um, it's a long story." you mutter awkwardly as you turn even redder. You realize, though, that is is an opening to get her away from her group. "Uh, I can tell you if you want but it's... I'd kind of like to do it privately."<br/>
<br/>
"Um, hello? Rude?" says a young woman, a curvy blonde.<br/>
<br/>
"Lynne!" Umeko shoots over at her before turning back to you, "If you've got something you want to talk about I can spare a couple of minutes."<br/>
<br/>
"Well, I don't want to drag you away from your friends or antyhing..." you mutter.<br/>
<br/>
Umeko just shakes her head, "No it's fine. We just kind of hit here because we were bored. We're around each other enough so they're not going to break down without my presence." she says with a smile.<br/>
<br/>
"She's right, he <i>is</i> awkward." you can hear one of the other girls faintly say as you and Umeko head away from the table.<br/>
<br/>
As you take her out to the parking lot you feel comfortable enough to start bullshitting a story. "Okay, so I kind of want your advice on something alright?" you ask. "Alright so I'm doing a thing for one of my classes, uh... Walberg. Anyway, yeah, he was pairing us up into groups to do a thing about..." you remember the time capsule, the future, "About the future. Pairing up people from different social strata and whatnot, people who would never associate with each other, and have them get to know each other and think about how their lives would be together in the future."<br/>
<br/>
"That sounds... kind of confusing." comes the reply.<br/>
<br/>
"It's totally confusing and dumb but yeah. Anyway I got paired with Chelsea Cooper who's THE queen of the school. And Gordon, her boyfriend, hasn't taken well to that. He started accusing me of making moves on Chelsea and then he kinda tossed me in the school pool today. Chelsea told him off then brought me here to get away from that all for a bit. It's why I've got these ridiculous clothes, they're some of Gordon's that he left after..."<br/>
<br/>
"The backseat of a car? What, were they at Makeout Point?" Umeko laughs. "But are you making moves on his girlfriend?"<br/>
<br/>
"No way!" you exclaim as you reach Chelsea's car. "I mean spending a few days with her so far it's kind of changed my mind a bit. I used to think Chelsea was a bitch. Like pure evil. But she's... there's more there. She's been helping me out and she doesn't have to and getting the opportunity to be around her has made me feel a little more confident about myself. I'm... I'm actually really enjoying it." You sigh, "I'm not making moves on her but if she didn't have a boyfriend for whatever reason, do you think I'd..."<br/>
<br/>
"Have a chance?" she asks. Her potential answer is squashed, however, by a mask whirling around from behind her over her face.<br/>
<br/>
"Finally! God, I thought you'd never shut up." Chelsea huffs as you catch Umeko and put her into the backseat. "So who gets her?"<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"It's a nice sentiment and all but I don't think it'd happen." Umeko says as she pends down to redo her makeup and in the side mirror of Chelsea's car.<br/>
<br/>
"Is that Umeko's feelings on the matter or yours?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yes." she answers flatly, "Anyway keep Chelsea company for a little bit."<br/>
<br/>
"Keep Chelsea... why can't we grab another mask now?"<br/>
<br/>
"Because her friends are going to be annoyed with her as is. I'm not going to be able to get one out here. Most of them are her roommates anyway so I'll grab one when the opportunity comes, call you, we'll make the switch."<br/>
<br/>
"So why are you willing to do all this? Drop your life because I said so or even just share the book with me?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Because you..." she pauses, "Because you helped me and we're in too deep. Thanks for the help but that's really just it."<br/>
<br/>
She's back off into the cafe before you have a chance to respond. It's around 9:00 when she finally calls you to tell and most of the time has been spent awkwardly doing nothing in Chelsea's room. Chelsea, that is the now fake one, drives you out to the North Hills apartment complex near the college and you're greeted in the parking lot by Umeko and Cara. "So where's the mask?" you ask as you arrive, "With me. We'll get you set up in the apartment."<br/>
<br/>
After Chelsea and Cara leave you head up to the apartment that Umeko shares with a few other girls. Once inside she hands you a mask and some clothes and you head to the bathroom, get undressed, sit down against the wall and put it on. You wake up a few minutes later and are immediately surprised to see the dark skin. You stand up and look at a mirror and see a pretty African-American, or maybe just African's the right way to say it, staring back at you. Only a hair shorter than you with dark hair in long braids, an average size chest but wide hips and larger than average ass. Large eyes, high and prominent cheekbones. You're Samiha Asoyo, Sam to most everyone else, 20-year-old anthropology major.<br/>
<br/>
After getting dressed you head back out to the small living room where Umeko is. "How is it?" she asks.<br/>
<br/>
"It seems nice, I guess." you say with a bit of an accent. Sam is originally Kenyan although moved with her parents to the U.S. when she was 10. "So what do we do? Enjoy where we are?"<br/>
<br/>
Umeko's eyes light up, "Actually check it out. Umeko's got an ancient cultures class taught by a some professor named Blackwell."<br/>
<br/>
"And what about it?"<br/>
<br/>
"Well, Blackwell's a windbag but he's got a huge place around here. He's known for being eccentric and having a large library with books on things like ancient cultures. He's also all into mysticism and whatnot."<br/>
<br/>
"So what are you saying?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm saying tomorrow we head over to this guy's place and see if he'll let us poke around his library. Say I'm looking for a book to study or something. Maybe we can find some information on the book we've got."<br/>
<br/>
You pause. It makes sense, maybe, but you can't help but feel something in the back of your mind telling you that maybe you shouldn't worry about it.</span></div></div>


path: 11312112221112
author_id: seuzz
title: Dead End, Kids
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>It is, obviously, a tempting prospect Caleb has laid before you. To <i>be</i> Chelsea Cooper, the girl who is pulling the strings. To have Kendra and Gloria shoving people into corners and telling them that they'd better do what <i>you</i> say if they know what is good for them. To have Gordon Black wound around your little finger. Hell, to have <i>Cara</i> as your loyal lieutenant, and through her to have Cara's friends also under your thumb. To be able to use your influence directly to screw with Geoff.<br/>
<br/>
But this bright picture contains inky shadows of uncertainty. Chelsea already wrongfooted you today by revealing that she has your own replacement--and Caleb's--under her control. Who else might she have? If you struck at her, how much of a chance would you have at success? Right now you feel like you're sitting pretty. You listen to Cara's own feelings: Dazzled by the sudden, meteoric ascent, and content to take what has come. Your talk with Chelsea has also left you feeling happier with her than you've felt before. It was a shock to find her inhabiting your old face, but being there means that she <i>understands</i> you. Hell, she said that she <i>sympathizes</i> with you. You may be the junior partner, but it feels like a profitable alliance.<br/>
<br/>
And what has Caleb given you? Nothing but trouble. Right now, in fact-- You look up at him, and feel your face tighten as you read his truculent expression. Jonas Martin does not have a good look to him. And if you're being influenced by Cara, isn't it likely Caleb is being influenced by Jonas? He seems untrustworthy. He hangs out with a bad crowd, you've heard.<br/>
<br/>
"I think I'm doing pretty well right now," you carefully reply. "I could be in worse shape. We both could," you add as Caleb's expression darkens. "We're supposed to try fixing Gordon. I say we keep working at that. It could all work out."<br/>
<br/>
"And maybe it won't," he snarls. "Chelsea's already turned our duplicates into her slaves. She could do the same thing to us."<br/>
<br/>
"She could have done it already."<br/>
<br/>
"So we should strike first, before it occurs to her."<br/>
<br/>
"I'm sure it already has," you retort. "Look, I think she's just doing the minimal thing that has to be done. Don't <i>give</i> her a reason to do anything more to us, Caleb."<br/>
<br/>
"Why, are you going to <i>tell</i> her what we've been talking about?" His brow lowers threateningly.<br/>
<br/>
"No," you firmly say, and feel as though you mean it. "I mean, I could tell her that you're not happy being Jonas. You're not, are you?"<br/>
<br/>
"This has nothing to do with Jonas," he says, and looks away.<br/>
<br/>
"I think it does. You're right, I'm feeling rather happy being Cara, and maybe that's having an influence. Maybe being Jonas is having more of an influence on you than--"<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, fuck this," he exclaims, and jumps to his feet. "You just keep hanging out with your new best friend."<br/>
<br/>
"Caleb!" you call to his retreating back. "Jonas!" you call more loudly. But he's out the door.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You pass a restless night, wondering how much you could safely tell Chelsea; how much you could tell her that might lead to a change in Caleb's circumstances without alarming her unduly. You finally resolve to say nothing. That's what you'd more or less promised Caleb, after all; and if Chelsea is going to spend tomorrow at school <i>as</i> Caleb, she might form her own suspicions about his trustworthiness, which even the smallest word from you might crystalize into action.<br/>
<br/>
So the next day at school you give all of them the widest possible berth, and content yourself with Cara's usual kind of day. Rumors have already begun to spread about possible changes to the cheerleader squad, and you have to brush aside several not-so-veiled queries while still giving the impression that you are actually in the thick of things.<br/>
<br/>
The meeting with Chelsea takes place after post-class basketball practice, back up in the fuck room. If she <i>had</i> spent the day being Caleb, she's back to being herself now, and attends with Gordon. "Do you like being up here, Jonas? I told Gordon you're not getting enough attention on the team, and that he could encourage you by letting you come up here. You know, when you have a date."<br/>
<br/>
"I've been up here before," he curtly replies.<br/>
<br/>
"I mean-- Oh well, I guess you want to get down to business." She takes the book from a cabinet and sets it down in the midst of your circle. "So, we got past that last spell. I looked at the next one, and … Well …"<br/>
<br/>
You look down into the open book and have to blink your eyes. The top of the page looks normal enough, though the text is in Latin. The bottom of the page, though, swims in and out of focus. You have the impression of writing, but it is all blurry and indistinct, and seems to shift on the page. You frown. It's like looking at writing through a kaleidoscope.<br/>
<br/>
Caleb grabs the book and lifts it close to his face. "The fuck is going on here?"<br/>
<br/>
"I know," Chelsea says. "I was looking at it last night. I think someone did something to the book. Look here." She kneels next to Caleb and points to the page. "See, it's ripped." <br/>
<br/>
You look closely over their shoulders. Sure enough, there's a ragged line across the middle of the page. The top of the page holds the writing that is clear, but the bottom half is missing. The strange lettering is on the page beneath. You reach past them to try turning the page, but it is stuck. "So what does this mean?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
Caleb ignores you. "Did you look at this stuff up here?" He points to the top of the page.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea nods. "It's a list of ingredients." She takes a folded piece of paper from her backpack. "It looks like the same kind of ingredients that you use to make those bands. You know, the ones that copy people's minds."<br/>
<br/>
Your memory flashes briefly back to the metal band that Caleb had you try on. And then you're distracted by the writing on Chelsea's paper. It's Caleb's handwriting. You lick your lips. Apparently, Chelsea was studying the book while wearing Caleb's mask.<br/>
<br/>
Your friend must have made the same deduction, for he glances darkly up at Chelsea. She twirls a finger through her hair, but says nothing.<br/>
<br/>
Caleb grunts. "But we don't know what it does, do we? The rest of the spell is missing."<br/>
<br/>
"Does that matter?" you ask. "I mean, can't we just make the doodad and see what it does?"<br/>
<br/>
"The spells use sigils, if I remember correctly," Caleb says, his eyes still focused on Chelsea. "Without the sigil, we can't finish the spell. And the sigil is missing." He taps the page.<br/>
<br/>
"So, can't we go on to the next spell?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Each page in the book is locked," Caleb says. "You have to finish a spell before you can turn the next page. So we're stuck here." He closes the book and drops it to the floor. "Very neat."<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea presses her lips together. "I couldn't figure out anything last night," she says coolly. "I was hoping that if we all put our heads together, though, that someone-- Maybe someone with an <i>incentive</i> to find a solution--"<br/>
<br/>
"Don't <i>you</i> have an incentive," Caleb retorts. "You want your boyfriend back."<br/>
<br/>
A white spot shows in her cheek. "We all have different incentives, Caleb," she says calmly.<br/>
<br/>
"Maybe if you let me have the book back--"<br/>
<br/>
"It stays here, and we all stare at it until someone has an idea," Chelsea says firmly.<br/>
<br/>
You cringe, but there are no blows and there is no shouting. Caleb just clasps his arms around his knees and glares down at the book. Chelsea settles back on her heels and stares over his head at the wall behind. You glance between the two of them, and the book, and Gordon. The latter, looking very bored, just leans against a support pillar. Your eye catches his at one point, but he looks away without reacting.<br/>
<br/>
After a minute or so of awkward silence, Caleb leaps up and strides around the room. "I can't think while just sitting here," he says. "I'm gonna go shoot some hoops." He stalks from the room.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea glances up at Gordon. He grunts. "Sounds like a good idea," he says, and follows the other out.<br/>
<br/>
That leaves you alone with Chelsea. Nervously, for you've nothing better to do, you open the book again and flip through it. "You know," you say when the silence again becomes unbearable, "I never really got a chance to look through this thing."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, I know," she says. You look at her, but her expression is empty, and there seems no ulterior meaning to her reply. "Caleb is right," she continues. "There ought to be a sigil." She cocks her head. "It's an old book. You know, we can't be the first ones to try using it. Someone else must have gone through it. Maybe they didn't want anyone else getting to any other spells." Her voice falls to nearly a whisper. "Maybe they're too dangerous."<br/>
<br/>
"They're all kind of dangerous, aren't they? I mean, look what happened to Gordon."<br/>
<br/>
"That's not what I meant," she quietly says. "You could really fuck people up with these things."<br/>
<br/>
"You mean like we did with Cara and Jonas?"<br/>
<br/>
She looks at you. "You got rid of the book before you'd even really studied it, didn't you, Will?" You nod. "Why?"<br/>
<br/>
"It scared me," you admit.<br/>
<br/>
"Do you think we should just get rid of it now?" she asks. "I mean, no one can actually tell that anything has happened to Gordon."</span></div></div>


path: 113121122211122
author_id: seuzz
title: Stuck in a Muddle with You Two
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>It's a very odd question, and you can't help but wonder why Chelsea is asking it of you. Get rid of the book without bringing Gordon back? What does that mean? Is she really, now, so frightened of the dangers inherent in the book's spells?<br/>
<br/>
You look at her. She sits only a few feet away, her knees drawn up under her chin, and her arms wrapped around her legs. She is frowning softly down at the floor, seemingly wrapped in her own thoughts. But there's also a watchfulness to her demeanor. You realize she's waiting for you to say something.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, the book's kind of fucked up," you say. "But I think it would be better if we kept it around. I mean, Gordon <i>looks</i> like he's okay. But he's not, really. You don't want to just give up on him, do you?"<br/>
<br/>
"No," she says. "But if something worse were to happen, because we kept poking around in the book--"<br/>
<br/>
<i>Worse? For who?</i> For Gordon? For someone else? For Cara and Jonas? Or for her? For you and Caleb? <br/>
<br/>
You quietly take a deep breath as you remember that she's been inside Caleb's head, and is probably quite familiar with his thinking, as she has made herself familiar with yours. That conversation you had with Caleb last night comes back to you, as it must. There are three people with knowledge of the book, each one feeling vulnerable, knowing that it can be used against them. At least, you know that you feel vulnerable, and that Caleb does too. Chelsea must, too. In fact, given that she has always had Gordon around during her meetings with the two of you, she must feel <i>very</i> vulnerable.<br/>
<br/>
"What would we do with the book?" you ask. "Someone would have to get rid of it, and--" You hesitate before adding a thought that carries a clear implication. "That person would know where it was, and would know how to get it back."<br/>
<br/>
"Maybe we could burn it," she says.<br/>
<br/>
Somehow, you doubt it would be that easy. "It's magical," you point out. "Maybe it wouldn't burn. Or--" You swallow. "Maybe it wouldn't like it if you <i>tried</i> to burn it."<br/>
<br/>
"Then drop it in the mail. Send it to an fake address, with no return address, so the post office would keep it."<br/>
<br/>
"I still think we should keep it and try to bring Gordon back."<br/>
<br/>
She looks up at you. "You don't even like him, Will," she says in a quietly accusing tone.<br/>
<br/>
You stiffen. "No, I don't. But that doesn't mean he deserves to … stay that way."<br/>
<br/>
She holds your eye for a long time, then shakes herself. "Okay, we'll keep it. But we'll put it someplace safe. At least when we're not looking at it or using it."<br/>
<br/>
"Where?"<br/>
<br/>
"That's for me to know," she says. "But somewhere safe. Off the school property. And where I won't have it, except when we know we're going to be getting together."<br/>
<br/>
The last bit sounds like it's as close as she'll come to acknowledging what Caleb has said he fears--that she'll use it against you and him--and promising that she won't.<br/>
<br/>
"Okay, that sounds good," you say as casually as you can. You shake your limbs loose and stand up. "Well, this has been pretty intense," you say. "How about we get back in character. Like, those tryouts are coming up? Can you show me what you'd like me to do during them, so I'll look good, and it won't look like you're playing favorites when you pick me?"<br/>
<br/>
Her eyes light up. "Oh, that's a great idea, Cara! We can do that now! The boys will like it, too!" She leads you out of the fuck room and into the girls' locker room, where you change into gym clothes. You do notice that she takes the book with her and deposits in her locker. But then it's out into the gym, where she spends an hour showing you the basic moves and guiding you through them. Gordon watches with a lazy grin, but Caleb sulks.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You try to shake him off afterward, but he insists on following you out to your car. "So what happened up there after I left?" he demands.<br/>
<br/>
"Nothing. Well, she did talk about getting rid of the book, and just leaving Gordon the way he is."<br/>
<br/>
"No shit? How come?"<br/>
<br/>
"She said it's dangerous." You look at him directly. "She knows what you're thinking, Caleb. She's trying <i>not</i> to have to do anything about it."<br/>
<br/>
He puts his hands on his hips and kicks at the ground. "So is she getting rid of it?"<br/>
<br/>
"No. She said she'll just put it somewhere none of us can easily get to it. Unless we need to pull it out to look at that spell."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, that's bullshit!" he exclaims. "She can get it anytime she wants! And she's talking about leaving Gordon the way he is?" He punches at the air. "You know, I bet she tore that page herself."<br/>
<br/>
"Why would she do that?"<br/>
<br/>
"Simple! No cure for Gordon! She's got him under her thumb. She can do the same to anyone with the spells we've already opened. What does she need the rest of the book for? It's her excuse to keep things just the way they are, with us like--"<br/>
<br/>
"Will you stop being paranoid? You know," you add, and glare at him. "When you make all those accusations against her, it just makes me think that those are the things you'd do if you had the chance."<br/>
<br/>
"Well … Yeah!" He sticks out his lower lip. "Wouldn't you?"<br/>
<br/>
"I got rid of the book, gave it to you. Remember?"<br/>
<br/>
"Before you knew what was in it!"<br/>
<br/>
"You keep thinking about how to use the book to your own advantage," you tell him in Cara's best withering tone. "I'm not sure I would."<br/>
<br/>
His lip curls. "Does that mean you're not going to try busting up Lisa and Geoff?"<br/>
<br/>
The accusation is like a slap. "That's different," you bluster. "I didn't-- I didn't turn myself into Cara so I could do something about that. I'm just-- I'm just taking advantage of the situation."<br/>
<br/>
He snorts. "Just keep telling yourself that. Maybe you'll convince yourself even if you don't convince anyone else."<br/>
<br/>
"I'm getting really tired of this, Caleb," you say. "Maybe we'd better not see each other except when Chelsea calls us all together."<br/>
<br/>
"Sounds good to me," he retorts, and turns on his heel.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * *</div><br/>
Caleb's attitude leaves you feeling pissy, and you get a sharp word from your mother later than night at the dinner table. And then Kelli calls, ostensibly to talk about some homework, but actually to talk about something else. "So," she asks mischievously, "since you're all, like, I'm going to be a cheerleader, does that mean you've decided you're interested in basketball players instead of certain other guys?"<br/>
<br/>
"What do you mean?" you demand.<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, like maybe you're thinking you should date someone like, I dunno. Jonas Martin?"<br/>
<br/>
"What makes you think--? Oh my God, were you spying on me?" You sit up straight on your bed.<br/>
<br/>
She laughs. "Hardly. I just happened to be driving past the school on my way home from work, and I saw him and you in the parking lot. You looked pretty intense."<br/>
<br/>
"Well, that was just coincidence," you insist. "I stayed afterschool with Chelsea for a bit. Gordon Black was there, of course, and Jonas was with him. We wound up walking out together at the same time."<br/>
<br/>
"Sure. I bet it was <i>all</i> coincidence on <i>his</i> part."<br/>
<br/>
"I'm definitely not interested in him," you archly declare.<br/>
<br/>
"Still carrying a thing for … what's his name? Geoff?" You don't answer. "If you're so interested in him, why don't you talk to him?"<br/>
<br/>
Your heart beats wildly in your chest. Cara is so much in love with Geoff that she's terrified of him. "Well, maybe I won't have to," you breathlessly reply. "Maybe after I'm-- I mean, after we're on the cheerleading squad, he'll come talk to <i>me!</i>"<br/>
<br/>
"You're going to jinx it if you keep talking like it's a sure thing," Kelli warns.<br/>
<br/>
"It practically is," you find yourself insisting. "That's why I was meeting with Chelsea. She's giving me private pointers and things, lots of help, so that when the tryouts come I'll ace them."<br/>
<br/>
"Really!" Kelli exclaims, and you instantly regret what you said. "Why is she so interested in <i>your</i> being on the squad?"<br/>
<br/>
And you have no answer to that. Oh, sure, Chelsea said it was so you and she could hang out without it looking "weird," but to do that she could have stuck you inside any of the people already on the squad: inside Kendra or Gloria, if she wanted to be sure you were close, or inside someone who wasn't particularly her friend in case she thought that would be too icky. "I don't know," you finally have to admit in a stammer. You sigh deeply, to make it sound like you do realize you've been getting carried away. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I am reading too much into what she's said and done with me. I guess she was probably just trying to be nice to me. I've been a little bit of a pest to her."<br/>
<br/>
"Well, if it's doing you good with her, maybe <i>I</i> should try being a little bit of a pest." She squeals. "At the very least, maybe she'll introduce me to Jonas, if <i>you're</i> really not interested in him.<br/>
<br/>
You gasp. "You seriously like Jonas Martin?"<br/>
<br/>
She gasps back. "Get out, and you're not? He's got that whole 'bad boy' thing going, but he's not dirty or anything." Her voice turns dreamy. "I bet it's just an act, I bet he's really sweet underneath."<br/>
<br/>
<i>He's Caleb Johansson underneath,</i> you snort to yourself.<br/>
<br/>
But it could be <i>you</i> underneath, you suddenly think. Maybe Caleb would understand your perspective better if you and he swapped places briefly. And Kelli is cute. She also has a reputation for putting out. Your lip twists. Maybe <i>you'd</i> like a vacation as Jonas.</span></div></div>


path: 1131211222111222
author_id: seuzz
title: The Consequences of Horsing Around
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"I'll ask Chelsea what she knows about Jonas," you tell Kelli, and twirl a finger through your hair thoughtfully. <i>Oh, but if Caleb and I switched I'd probably have to clear it with her,</i> you think, and that's enough to cause you to dismiss the momentary temptation.<br/>
<br/>
"Oh my God, would you?" Kelli squeals. "That would be great!" She prattles some more, and you encourage the impression that you and Chelsea are getting really close. It's a nice conversation.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You follow up on your promise to Kelli the next day after school, when you have another private practice session with Chelsea. She seems distracted, and frowns a little when you ask about Jonas's reputation as a romantic partner. "One of my friends is, well, interested in him," you explain.<br/>
<br/>
"Shouldn't that be something you talk about with him," she asks. "Straight from the horse's mouth and all that."<br/>
<br/>
You'd rather not. "Oh, well, I guess you're right," you say with a palpable lack of enthusiasm.<br/>
<br/>
"Is everything okay between you and Caleb," she asks.<br/>
<br/>
You hesitate and shrug, for you don't want to admit that the two of you are out of sorts with each other: She might ask what the fight was about, or she might deduce that it has something to do with his own attitude toward her. "We don't have a lot to say to each other," you finally murmur. "I mean, Cara and Jonas don't."<br/>
<br/>
"Hmm. Well, we'll be getting together on Saturday afternoon to take another look at the book," she says. "So clear your schedule."<br/>
<br/>
You nod, and she directs you to try a particularly tricky tumble again. You execute it, but even you feel like it was awkwardly done. Chelsea is eyeing you critically when you come out of it. "How am I doing?"<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, fine. Fine," she says, and now it's her turn to sound unenthusiastic. "I mean, you're definitely better than Michelle." She chews a thumbnail. "Not as good as Yumi," she mutters, "and you've no idea how much I don't like having to say <i>that.</i>"<br/>
<br/>
"Is that going to be a problem?" you gasp, and your heart starts to beat.<br/>
<br/>
"Maybe," she replies, which is <i>not</i> the answer you wanted. Then she shakes her head. "Well, we need junior girls anyway. We'll find a way to make it work." She gives you a piercing glance, then just directs you through another thirty minutes of hard work before pronouncing herself satisfied "for now."<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
The rest of the week passes quickly. On Saturday morning you call the farm where Cara takes horseback riding lessons and cancel the weekend's lesson. Unfortunately, your mom overhears you, and pulls you aside. "We have to pay a lot of money to reserve those lessons for you," she says in a biting tone. "Why the hell are you cancelling?"<br/>
<br/>
"I have something I have to do up at the school," you reply, taken aback by her reaction. "It's for the cheerleading tryouts coming up next week."<br/>
<br/>
"Cheerleading?" she echoes. "You're trying out for-- This is the first I've heard of this," she says, and frowns deeply.<br/>
<br/>
"Didn't I tell you?" you cry. "Chelsea Cooper--she's the head cheerleader--she wants me to try out for the squad."<br/>
<br/>
"You already have a lot on your plate, Cara," your mom says. "And if this is going to interfere with your schoolwork, or with things that we've already paid for--"<br/>
<br/>
"Mom! You don't understand! This is important! Chelsea <i>asked</i> me, do you get that, <i>she asked me</i> to try out! She's practically promised me a spot. She's going to make me <i>assistant squad captain!</i> And if I'm the assistant captain--"<br/>
<br/>
"I don't care if she promised to make you the Queen of Sheba. Popularity contests aren't something that--"<br/>
<br/>
"If I become the assistant captain that means next year I'm a shoo-in to be head cheerleader! <i>Head cheerleader!</i>" Tears spring into your eyes.<br/>
<br/>
Her eyes are hard. "It's just a popularity contest," she says coldly. "You call Riddermark back and tell them you'll be making your lesson."<br/>
<br/>
"But I'm supposed to meet Chelsea! She's giving me private workouts--!"<br/>
<br/>
Your mom just grabs up her own phone and jams it into your face. Tearfully, you accede.<br/>
<br/>
Afterward you call Chelsea to tell her you can't make the meeting, and explain why. There's a long pause. You fill it by asking if she can change the meeting time up at the school. "Can't do that," she curtly replies. "We have to take Steve into account when scheduling time in the loft, and he wants it-- Oh, but this is stupid. I know how to get around this. What time do you have to be up at Riddermark?"<br/>
<br/>
"Twelve-thirty." <br/>
<br/>
"Meet me out at the quarry at noon," she orders. "You remember where it is?"<br/>
<br/>
"Sure. But--"<br/>
<br/>
"Just be there, Will. We can make it all work." She hangs up.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You've no idea what she has planned, but you're still gobsmacked by what you find out at the old quarry. Chelsea is there with Will Prescott. Is she planning on switching back into your form? You hold your tongue as she leads you and your doppelganger down into its depths.<br/>
<br/>
"I had him come out so he could bring you some clothes," she explains on her own initiative when you're back into the crevice where you'd met last week. At her command, Prescott tosses you some cargo shorts and a t-shirt. "So get undressed and take your mask off."<br/>
<br/>
"What are we doing?"<br/>
<br/>
"Setting it up so Cara makes her lesson and you still make it to the meeting," she says. "I don't want--" She catches herself. "I don't want you missing it." She points to the ground, where the featureless golem that Gordon had made is laying. "We'll put Cara's mask on that thing and send it to Riddermark. You'll go with me--as yourself-- to the school."<br/>
<br/>
"But if I put that mask of me on--"<br/>
<br/>
"You won't, Will," she says through gritted teeth. "He'll go back home. After we're all done, we'll meet out here again and you'll switch back to Cara. Hurry up, you don't want her to be late."<br/>
<br/>
<i>Damn, it does make sense.</i> You pull off your clothes and lay on the ground. Then with more reluctance than you'd like to acknowledge, even to yourself, you take Cara's mask off.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You're cold when you wake, and quickly dress. "You already send the others away," you lamely ask, for it's just you and Chelsea.<br/>
<br/>
"Uh huh," Chelsea says. She's staring out into the quarry. "I kinda wish you'd been awake. I hope I didn't fuck up."<br/>
<br/>
"Why, what happened?"<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, nothing. I think it's nothing. Well, it'll probably work out. I just wonder if-- Shit." <br/>
<br/>
You freeze and stare at her, for she seems very perplexed. "Chelsea," you slowly say. "That is <i>you,</i> isn't it? You're not a-- A golem, are you?"<br/>
<br/>
Her head swings around. "Huh? Of course not. What makes you--? Oh, right. The other day. No, it's me. I have to be at the meeting too. Duh." She shakes her head, and curtly directs you to finish dressing and follow her out.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Caleb is waiting outside the gym when you arrive, and he peers at you suspiciously--a natural expression for Jonas to be wearing. You explain the situation to him as you go up to the loft, but he remains standoffish, much to your own discomfort.<br/>
<br/>
The three of you--with Gordon watching, as usual--pore over the book for thirty minutes, comparing the problematic spell to the others. It's fruitless work, though you determine that the torn page holds what looks like part of a set of instructions: "My use is my solution," it says in translation, but it makes no sense without the rest of the spell. Since it seems to involve making something like a mind band, your trio finally decides to try making it, even without the sigil. The result is a metal band that seems identical to the one that Caleb had shown you that night a few weeks ago. There's some feeble argument about what to do with it before Chelsea, with an apparent mix of impatience and reluctance, just slaps it between the pages of the book like a bookmark. "We'll try again next weekend," she declares as she takes out her phone. "Now to get Cara back out here."<br/>
<br/>
You catch Caleb giving you that strange look again, but are soon distracted by Chelsea: The conversation isn't going well, and with a gasp she turns the phone off and stares at it. "I don't believe it," she says. "She won't come out here. She told me to just stay away from her!"<br/>
<br/>
"What's going on," Caleb asks.<br/>
<br/>
"I told you earlier," you snap, and tell him again about the switch at the quarry.<br/>
<br/>
When you're done, he looks over at Chelsea. "You put Cara's mask on that other golem?" he asks, and she nods. "Who made the golem?"<br/>
<br/>
"Well, Gordon did. Before he--"<br/>
<br/>
"Whose hair did he use in it?"<br/>
<br/>
"I don't know," she says. "His, I guess."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, you fucking stupid bitch," Caleb groans. "Don't you see? You put the mask on a golem that <i>he</i> controls. It doesn't have to obey you!"<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea's jaw drops. "Oh my God! That explains why-- She kept looking at me weird the whole time she was-- Oh God, Gordon, <i>you</i> call her!"<br/>
<br/>
The fake Gordon takes the phone from Chelsea's trembling hand and calls Cara, but is no more successful. Caleb snorts. "Of course, why would one fake have to obey another? The thing won't obey <i>anybody</i> now!"<br/>
<br/>
"So what am <i>I</i> supposed to do?" you exclaim.<br/>
<br/>
You look at Chelsea. She looks at you and then at Caleb. He looks between the two of you. No one says anything for a very long few minutes.<br/>
<br/>
Then Chelsea swallows. "Well, I guess you could go back to being yourself."</span></div></div>


path: 11312112221112222
author_id: seuzz
title: The Plot Against Cara Fuhrman
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"What about me?" Caleb demands, tilting his chin. "You gonna let me go back to being myself?"<br/>
<br/>
"I want to go back to being Cara," you blurt out before Chelsea can answer him. She and Caleb both swing toward you in surprise. "Well, w e can't just let her loose, can we?" you stammer. "I mean, what if it starts talking, telling people about what's going on? What if it's already calling up her friends?"<br/>
<br/>
"Why would it do that?" Caleb asks. "Why would it tell people that it's not the real Cara?"<br/>
<br/>
"It still might cause problems. Spread rumors and things about … us."<br/>
<br/>
Caleb looks skeptical, but Chelsea nods. "I think Will's right. We need to get that thing back under control."<br/>
<br/>
"You could still let me go back to being myself," Caleb grumbles.<br/>
<br/>
"What's wrong with being Jonas?" Chelsea demands. She flinches a little, as though she feels cornered.<br/>
<br/>
"I just don't like--" Caleb stops, and glances between you and Chelsea. "Why would you let Will go back to being himself, but you won't let me go back to being myself?"<br/>
<br/>
"I made you guys change places so we could have these kinds of meetings without it looking weird," Chelsea says crossly.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, but if you let Will go back, then it would look 'weird,' wouldn't it?" Caleb says mockingly.<br/>
<br/>
"It doesn't matter," you say, jumping in. "I'm going back to being Cara."<br/>
<br/>
"But-- Oh, fuck it," Caleb says. He glares at the ground.<br/>
<br/>
"We can talk about you and Jonas later," Chelsea says. "Right now we need to figure out how to get to Cara. After what she said to me on the phone--" She makes a face. "She's probably not going to let either me or Will get close to her. Probably not you either," she adds to Caleb. "She probably knows you're a fake too."<br/>
<br/>
A tense but thoughtful silence falls over your group. "Can we use one of her friends?" you finally say. "She might not suspect one of them." You look at Chelsea. "Do you have any extra masks?"<br/>
<br/>
"Christ, Will, you're talking about making <i>more</i> girls into golems?" Caleb exclaims.<br/>
<br/>
"Only temporarily," you retort. "And not even doing that, really. If we have an extra mask or two, we could copy them, but not replace them. Just use the masks as temporary disguises so we could get close to Cara."<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea paces nervously without replying right away. "Yes," she finally says. "I've got a couple of extra masks laying around. You know, for emergencies." Out of the corner of your eye you see Caleb rear back, and you can guess what kind of "emergencies" he suspects Chelsea of preparing for. "If you know who we could get close to, we could use them. Do it this afternoon."<br/>
<br/>
"Kelli or Leah, then," you reply.<br/>
<br/>
"Both," Chelsea says. "I'm going with you. Do you know their phone numbers?"<br/>
<br/>
It takes a few solid minutes of hard thinking before you can dredge up memories that have well-faded by this point. (Interesting: You feel yourself rapidly losing everything that Cara had known, now that you're out of her mask.) Chelsea calls Kelli, and in a bright, chipper tone invites her over to her house to talk about "things. You know, <i>things.</i>" That done, she hangs up and studies you and Caleb carefully. "I have to go put the book back in its special place," she says. "So I'll meet you at my place in thirty minutes, Will. Can you give him a ride, Caleb?"<br/>
<br/>
Your friend grunts his acquiescence, and with a tight smile Chelsea dismisses the both of you.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"What is it with you wanting to be Cara so bad?" Caleb demands of you ten minutes later. You're sitting in his car, splitting an order of chili-fries at the Route 66 Drive-Thru.<br/>
<br/>
"It's like I said back at the gym, we need to get the golem back on the reservation."<br/>
<br/>
"Bullshit," he snorts. "You want to get back inside her skin."<br/>
<br/>
"Well, wouldn't you," you hotly retort. It's easier than arguing against what you actually feel. "You've seen her. You'd rather be her than Jonas, I can tell."<br/>
<br/>
"Chelsea's totally using that mask to keep you under her thumb, I can tell <i>that,</i>" he retorts.<br/>
<br/>
"Look, will you tell me what you want?" you shout. "You say you're worried that Chelsea will do something to us, but she's not going to, unless you keep making trouble for her. Do you want to get the book back, and do something to <i>her?</i> That's not going to happen." He says nothing, and just stuffs some fries in his mouth. "Look, I'm tired of fighting with you. Tell me what you want. If you want to go back to being yourself, we'll try convincing Chelsea. Or tell her you want to move into someone else. Otherwise, get used to being Jonas, until we get Gordon fixed." You pause before adding one last thought. "You know, one of Cara's friends has a serious crush on Jonas. Once I'm Cara again, I can totally set you up with her."<br/>
<br/>
"Is she cute?"<br/>
<br/>
"Cute enough. You could totally have her, any way you want."<br/>
<br/>
He shifts in his seat. "I'll think about it," he says.<br/>
<br/>
"Do that." You check the clock on the dashboard. "We should get over to Chelsea's."<br/>
<br/>
"Hang on," he says. "If I did go back to being myself, does that mean I stop being involved in all this? It'd just be you and Chelsea working with the book and with Gordon?"<br/>
<br/>
"I don't know. I guess that would be up to Chelsea. But you know what she said, about how it would be 'weird' if--" He makes a face, and you join him. "I know. It makes her sound like a total snob."<br/>
<br/>
"She is a snob," he says. "But if I dropped out, it would just leave the two of you." He looks at you sidelong. You're not sure what he's implying, but <i>you</i> feel a keen thrill at the thought at being partnered, alone, with Chelsea Cooper. "What would the two of you get up to?"<br/>
<br/>
You feel yourself blushing, for even if he's not implying a certain something--that you and Chelsea might <i>hook up</i>--it's a thought that naturally comes to you. You fight to pretend otherwise: "I guess we'd keep trying to find a cure for Gordon," you lamely say.<br/>
<br/>
"Uh huh. And if you can't?"<br/>
<br/>
You scratch at your knee. "You know, I told you she came real close to giving up on that." <br/>
<br/>
"And if she does give up? What do you do? You keep being Cara?"<br/>
<br/>
You lean back awkwardly in your seat. "I don't know," you admit, and start to tremble a little. "I mean, I assume the plan was that we let Cara and Jonas loose again after we got Gordon freed. Maybe--" You swallow, for you feel reluctance welling up inside you. "Maybe if we give up on that, then I go back to being myself."<br/>
<br/>
He stares at you levelly. "Sounds like you don't want to give up, then."<br/>
<br/>
"Well, it would be best if we <i>did</i> get Gordon cured--"<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, sure," he grunts. "Let's get you over to Chelsea's." He turns the key in the ignition, and guns the engine to drown out a feeble protest from you.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
There's a car in front of Chelsea's, which you dimly recognize as Kelli Taft's. The front door is opened by a big guy a few years older than you, who you guess must be an older brother of Chelsea's. He eyes you with contemptuous amusement before sending you upstairs. There's a flurry of footsteps when you knock on her door, and a moment later it opens a crack. Chelsea peers out, then with a gasp pulls you inside. "It's about time."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, I had to talk to--" You stop cold once you're inside, for there are two Chelseas in the room: the one who clutches your arm and the other sitting at her desk brushing stuff into a mask. <br/>
<br/>
"It's about time," the one at the desk says, echoing the other. "You can get undressed now," she says to the one by your side. "Bathroom." The other Chelsea nods and ducks into the private bath.<br/>
<br/>
"What's going on? I though we were only going to copy--"<br/>
<br/>
"We are, but we need to keep her out of the way for the afternoon," Chelsea replies. "When we get back we'll let her loose. Maybe."<br/>
<br/>
"What do you mean by 'maybe'?" You're beginning to feel alarmed.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea blows on the inside of the mask and looks up at you. "You know, Cara isn't <i>that</i> good at the routines," she says, and you pale a little on behalf of your alter ego. "Oh, she's not bad. But she has to look really good at the tryouts."<br/>
<br/>
"So I'll practice more during the week!"<br/>
<br/>
"What I was thinking," she says, "is that <i>I</i> take over for Cara until the tryouts are over. You can be Kelli in the meantime. I can do the routines, make Cara look really good. Afterward, you can go back to being Cara. If that's what you want," she adds in a tone that suggests doubt on her part.</span></div></div>


path: 113121122211122221
author_id: rugal
title: The Art of the Deal by Kelli Taft
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>You toss Chelsea's offer around in your head as you get dressed in Kelli's clothes, one you've been thinking about for the last ten minutes actually. As you pull on the shirt and short denim shorts, the bracelets and a small bit of makeup, you continue to mull things over. Chelsea's offered to take over for Cara until the tryouts to make sure she gets everything right then offered her back to you... if you wanted it, of course. It's that part that has caused you to think hard about how to respond. You'd told her you'd give her an answer after getting Kelli squared away and that you needed a bit to decide. For some reason--why you're not quite sure--Chelsea really wants to be Cara Fuhrman, she says it's for the benefit of Cara at the tryouts but her tone doesn't quite match her words. And you really want to be Cara too, being her as been so much better than being scrawny ol' Will Prescott. However...<br/>
<br/>
You give yourself another once over in the bathroom mirror, making sure every last curl of your dark brown hair is in place, then you give yourself a smile. It's a cute smile, Kelli herself is definitely cute, plus she's popular enough. Would it be so bad to stay as her for the time being until you've decided what you want to do? No, you correct yourself, until Chelsea's decided what <i>she</i> wants to do. She's the one running things ever all. Maybe giving her to her demands and placating her wouldn't be the worst thing to do. <i>"But why,"</i> comes a small whisper in the back of your head and you're shocked since it's a thought you hadn't had before, <i>"She's getting what she wants and you're getting the leftovers? Why not try and get something for both of you?"</i><br/>
<br/>
"So, you have an answer," Chelsea asks, her tone betraying her impatience, "We have to get over to what's-her-face's place ASAP."<br/>
<br/>
"Leah," you remind her, "and I might but I have my own proposition for you." You sit down on Kelli's, your, bed and twirl a bit of hair absentmindedly. "I want something out of it."<br/>
<br/>
"I'm giving you Kelli," Chelsea glares, "isn't that something enough?"<br/>
<br/>
"For Cara? Absolutely not," you reply, "If I'm going to be Kelli I want all future slaves under <i>my</i> control." You give her a smile that's as sweet as acid and that seems to set Chelsea off.<br/>
<br/>
"ALL," she explodes, " Are you insane?!"<br/>
<br/>
Your smile takes on a more devilish look, "Maybe, because I'd be giving up Cara for a girl who may or may not be on the squad and having to give handy jays my best friend. It's not a fair trade, is it?"<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea's look hardens, "There's no way in hell you're getting every slave we make." The reply is icy.<br/>
<br/>
"You're right, it's a little presumptuous of me I admit but I do want something," you shoot back, "Three slaves. Four technically, Kelli's mask would be under my control too."<br/>
<br/>
The glare continues but you notice it soften just a bit, "Don't you think you're still asking a little much," Chelsea states more than she actually questions.<br/>
<br/>
"Not really," the reasoning you're employing comes naturally, "Because think about it this way: Kelli and Leah get picked for the squad. That can create jealousy from Peyton and Paris. Now let's say the Garners or Lin get wind of that. They'll try and stir the pot, fuel that jealousy and make things harder for your new recruits because it's going to create a rift in their friendship that can distract them from everything. Same if it's the twins that are picked. Or Kelli and Paris or... you get it."<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea softens even more and cocks an eyebrow, "So basically four slaves..."<br/>
<br/>
"I use them on Leah and the twins," you reply, "Any potential drama is dealt with before it's ever even a potential problem, none of your enemies can use that for their benefit and maybe it'd be nice to just move around every so often. Liven things up a bit, you know?"<br/>
<br/>
"Cara's friends under your control in exchange for Cara..." She holds your gaze for a good while but eventually she wilts and relents, "Fine. Once we've got this dealt with and I'm in for Cara, you can have them."<br/>
<br/>
The two of you agree to shake but inside you're practically ecstatic. You just outmaneuvered Chelsea freakin' Cooper, and it felt like second nature! Once the seed planted itself, it's like everything was on auto-pilot. You definitely think this is a moment where you should be just a little proud of yourself.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
<br/>
The rest of the plan goes even easier. Chelsea's appearance throws Leah off and a nervous Leah makes for a girl far easier to convince into letting Chelsea up into her room to "interview" her. It makes it easy for her to convince as well that she went to the bathroom and passed out, especially when you apply just enough of the hysterics to make it seem like she's ruined the chances for both of you to get onto the squad and given those spots to the twins or even another two people, the implication being that things may have been ruined fo Cara as well in terms of having some backup on the squad.<br/>
<br/>
You feel a bit bad about it in all honesty, especially when you see the doppelganger that Chelsea has become. Leah is thin and short but her years of gymnastics as a kid has left her limber. Her dark, thick, shorter hair frames a doe-eyed face, features that all combine to give her a fairly innocent appearance. She makes you feel like you'd want to protect her from whatever terrible things the world would throw at her.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
<br/>
Once Chelsea's dressed in an outfit, whatever she could pull from the closet though she doesn't look too thrilled, you head over to Cara's. Naturally she, or rather the golem who's wearing (you want to stolen) her form, answers and comes out to the car with zero hesitation when "Leah" states that she wants to talk about Chelsea and the cheerleading tryouts. Once there, you quickly hustle her into the backseat and pull the mask off of her face leaving a featureless hunk of rock in her place.<br/>
<br/>
"Well that was easy enough," Chelsea says with relief as she stares at the mask of Cara, "It's a great relief too after how much of a headache we've had putting up with all of this." She then gets to work removing Cara's clothes from the golem.<br/>
<br/>
"What are doing," you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Getting ready to get changed, duh," she replies with a roll of the eyes.<br/>
<br/>
As she reaches up for her mask you exclaim out in surprise, "You're doing that already?!"<br/>
<br/>
"Well yeah," comes the reply, "I mean the two of us can't just march into Cara's house without her around. So Cara and Kelli will go in, we'll treat Kelli's and Leah's masks--you'll need to get out of Kelli's for a few minutes by the way--and you'll be good to go; we'll just need to head back and get Leah's mask on her.. We can grab the twins later or at school or something, whatever we can set up."<br/>
<br/>
It's a smart idea of course, the logical thing to do if you're thinking. The problem is that you've still been thinking. Well, Kelli has been thinking and she's a very good thinker. Oh she'd never stab her friends in the back but plotting and scheming come naturally to her, you know that now. That's what made out-negotiating Chelsea such a breeze. She could get far if she really put her mind to it but it's never for her benefit, she only wants to do it in order to help her friends which is why, despite what you've agreed to, you're still thinking it over in your head. While having all of Cara's friends on the same page would be nice and while being able to move freely between them would help liven things up... would it actually help Chelsea?<br/>
<br/>
Sure there's the chance that the girls who don't get picked might wind up a little resentful but would they really cause trouble? They're all too loyal to Cara and each other to go around and make things for difficult, right?<br/>
<br/>
But there are other options you could try as well which would be just as nice to you and equally as beneficial to Chelsea: Lin Pol, Kim Walsh and Amanda Ferguson. The biggest troublemaker left on the squad, the nosy-yet-well-liked class president and the sexpot at the top of the AP group, all under your control. Yeah, they'd be a great boon to both you and Chelsea. All hold some positions of power and influence; but what if that is a problem? What if Chelsea becomes paranoid you're out to make a play against her? But you brush the thought away, that's just silly and besides what you've been offered is still a pretty good deal and you should probably accept it. But there's a part of you that's pushing you, wondering why not aim a little higher?</span></div></div>


path: 1131211222111222212
author_id: rugal
title: Leashing Lin
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"Do we have to treat Leah's mask," you ask once you've come to your decision.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea eyes you, a mix of curiosity and annoyance in her voice. "It's what we agreed to <i>Kelli</i>," and there's an acidic tone to the way she says your assumed name, "You tried to convince me that it was a good idea, remember?" Of course she'd try and spin it around that you only "tried" to convince her.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah but I think I have a better idea because we can deal with these girls easy enough," you reply, "And I think it's a pretty good idea but it's a little more complicated and I'd want to run it by you."<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea shakes her head and growls, "Fine, we'll talk it over but after we're inside."<br/>
<br/>
It's a couple of minutes and some grumbling and fidgeting on Chelsea's part, it's not like there's a lot of room to change in her car, but she's eventually dressed out as Cara in both body and outfit. With that you walk back into the house, give a brief greeting to Cara's mother, and head to Cara's room. Once the door's closed she plops onto the bed and crosses her arm, giving you a look that's far more Chelsea Cooper than Cara Fuhrman. You take a seat next to her.<br/>
<br/>
"So, out with it," she says impatiently.<br/>
<br/>
"Right, so I was thinking that with Cara's friends none of them are likely to cause much of a problem," you state, "Especially not if we can cut off any problems at the source."<br/>
<br/>
"I'm listening," Cara replies, her expression unchanging.<br/>
<br/>
"Okay, so I was thinking that instead of Cara's friends I take people who could muck things up," you explain. You then begin ticking them off on your fingers, "One, Lin Pol. Yumi and I'm guessing Cindy's not far behind"<br/>
<br/>
"I've already got Gordon pressuring Seth, once he breaks up with her then Cindy's gone," Cara states with a bit of a smirk, "After all, her being around would cause too many issues."<br/>
<br/>
That's cold but you try not to react, "Right, and Lin will probably be a lot harder to corral."<br/>
<br/>
"She'd probably kill herself before going along with me," Cara states, "She'd rather be the only one on the squad against me than ever agree with me."<br/>
<br/>
You nod, "But if I put her under my, well our, control then we don't have to worry about her causing trouble. No way does she go to the girls how don't make it to try and stir shit."<br/>
<br/>
You think you see a more positive look on Cara's face so you decide to continue pressing it. "Next is Kim Walsh. I don't think she'd ever intentionally do anything malicious but--"<br/>
<br/>
"But if she gets in with Lin or anyone else who might have it out for me, she can unintentionally fuck things up just by meddling around in an attempt to help," Cara finishes your thought. "Alright, and the last one?"<br/>
<br/>
"Amanda Ferguson," you state, "If Kelsey's 1a of the AP group, then Amanda's 1b."<br/>
<br/>
Cara gets a thoughtful look on her face, "But Amanda's potentially more popular. More guys want to fuck her whereas Kelsey's seen as a frigit bitch. She has Ricky Golia and most of those other guys wrapped around her finger." She then looks up at you, her expression giddy, "I really like the way you think Kelli."<br/>
<br/>
With that she leans forward a little forward practically pushing her breasts right into your face and you lean back but blush a bit. "Thanks, though I kind of assumed there'd be some more resistance," you say.<br/>
<br/>
"Why? You've been good to me so far, you haven't given me any reason to think you're not on the up-and-up," she replies and then she stuns you with what she says next, "Thanks Will, I mean it." However that quickly passes and it's back to business.<br/>
<br/>
"Alright, so out of that mask. We'll treat it and then I'll text you tomorrow," she states, "Oh, actually give me a little extra bit of your hair. We'll start with Lin, I'll have her mask treated before you get there."<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
<br/>
"So Cara's too good to hang around with us, huh" Paris mopes as she picks unenthusiastically at her lunch.<br/>
<br/>
"She's probably pissed about yesterday," Leah replies quietly.<br/>
<br/>
You shake your head, "No way. Chelsea's probably just got something set up with her so she doesn't have the time to," you reason. "Look, I'm sorry about yesterday Lee," you apologize, "It's just, Chelsea was }right there and, like, I dunno I didn't know what to think. Cara's not pissed at us or anything."<br/>
<br/>
"Talking about me," comes the chipper voice of Cara Fuhrman as she sidles up next to you.<br/>
<br/>
"So the princess decides to interact with the commoners," Paris teases.<br/>
<br/>
"Oh no, you guys don't think--Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry," Cara exclaims as she covers her mouth, "I just haven't had any time. I've had meetings with Chelsea all day. She was introducing me to the squad too."<br/>
<br/>
"You're not even on it," says Peyton as she shovels a bit of yogurt into her mouth.<br/>
<br/>
"Well not officially but I told you guys, it's basically a formality," she states, "I mean Yumi and Michelle are already gone. I've heard Lin or Cindy is probably next too. Maybe both. That'd open up more slots for us." She then perks up and grabs your arm, "Speaking of, that's actually why I'm here. She wants to talk to you guys over the next couple of days and Kelli's first on the list."<br/>
<br/>
"But my lunch--" you protest but Cara's not listening as she drags up and away from the lunch table.<br/>
<br/>
"So Lin's on her way to the locker room," Cara states, "Chelsea's already there. I had her say that she wanted to straighten things out with her after Yumi got kicked off."<br/>
<br/>
"And she's actually coming," you ask skeptically.<br/>
<br/>
Cara smirks, "She'll come just to give Chelsea a piece of her mind."<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
<br/>
You regard Lin Pol with excitement as you stand in the girls' locker room. While Asian she's a completely different animal than Yumi. Where Yumi is lithe, Lin is compact. Yumi's face is soft, kind and Japanese. Lin's is harder with the broad nose, full lips and darker complexion which marks her as Southeast Asian... you're not quite sure which exactly, maybe Vietnamese. Yumi's breasts are small and her legs, while muscular, are thin. Lin's chest is prominent while cut-off denim shorts rest over wide hips and thick thighs. You'd want to gently caress Yumi whereas Lin is built for sex.<br/>
<br/>
And she's yours.<br/>
<br/>
"So you have to do everything I say, right," you ask her, a hint of nervousness creeping into your voice.<br/>
<br/>
Lin nods an affirmative, "Yeah, unfortunately."<br/>
<br/>
"You're going to let her talk to you like that," Cara asks.<br/>
<br/>
"Lin, you think you could be a little nicer to me," you say to her.<br/>
<br/>
You think you notice a subtle change in her demeanor and she nods, "Yeah, alright. Sorry," the Lin-bot replies.<br/>
<br/>
You decide to test it a little farther, "Fondle yourself," you state, "Just, you know, kind of grab your chest and enjoy it."<br/>
<br/>
You thrill when Lin's hands begin feeling herself up and she begins to moan in pleasure as she massages her chest.<br/>
<br/>
"Alright, cut it out," you say before looking over to Cara in amazement, "This is amazing."<br/>
<br/>
You can tell that Cara's getting almost as much enjoyment out of it as you are although for entirely different reasons. "It's great isn't it? Speaking of, shouldn't you be getting to work with her," she asks.<br/>
<br/>
You nod, "Yeah, alright Lin? Listen up," you say trying to make your voice sound authoritative, "You're not going to cause any trouble for Chelsea or Cara right?"<br/>
<br/>
Lin shakes her head.<br/>
<br/>
"No going to whatever girls aren't picked and stirring shit up, right?"<br/>
<br/>
Another shake.<br/>
<br/>
"In fact, after talking with Chelsea and Cara you came around on the whole thing. You'll vouch for Cara to the Garners and you'll be less hostile to Chelsea, right?"<br/>
<br/>
A nod this time.<br/>
<br/>
"So there we go, then, that's Lin all dealt with," you say with a mixture of pride and relief, "So no worries about coups from the squad. Now we just have to wait for Kim to come around and we can grab her."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, sure, we could," Cara states, "But I was thinking why let her come to us?"<br/>
<br/>
"What are you saying," you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm saying that I'd like to try and get Kim fast," she explains, "You mention coups, while it'd be a real one to have her under our control of course and the fast the better."<br/>
<br/>
"Does she even hang around with juniors though," you ask.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea shakes her head, "She basically sticks to nosing around the seniors. That's why I'm going to want you to switch out for Lin. That way we can go right to her and get her out of the way, then we use Kim to get Amanda."<br/>
<br/>
"So do we have the extra masks to get Kim today," you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"We should have just enough, yeah," comes the reply, "But we'd wait a few days to get Amanda. If you switch into Lin I want you to stay there for a few days."<br/>
<br/>
That catches you by surprise, "Stay as Lin for a few days? Why?"<br/>
<br/>
"Because Seth's moving too slow, even with Gordon leaning on him," Cara states, a tone of annoyance clear as day in her voice, "But I've noticed him looking at Lin. At Yumi too. At lots of girls really. But I think he's got it bad for Lin so we can get Kim but I want you to put the moves on Seth as well. Get him into a position where Cindy can 'discover' them." That devilish smirk is back, "Lin is Cindy's best friend so we wouldn't even have to convince her to quit, that kind of betrayal would get her to drop all on her own."<br/>
<br/>
It's devious indeed and part of you feels just a tad bit uncomfortable and not just because that'd mean sucking face--and maybe other things--with Seth. But then again, what do you even care about Cindy? She's always been a bitch to you, constantly turning her nose up whenever she'd come to get Yumi from you and your friends. And besides, as great as controlling Lin from the outside is, you thrill at the prospect of controlling her from the inside.</span></div></div>


path: 11312112221112222121
author_id: rugal
title: The Lustful Lady Lin
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>You look at Lin and the temptation is far too strong. "Out," you say to the Lin-bot as you jerk your thumb up. She gives you a queer look. "Your clothes, out of them," you say sternly, "I'm gonna need to borrow you."<br/>
<br/>
Lin just rolls her eyes as she begins stripping out of her clothes. "Unless you get me trashed I don't swing that way," she replies snarkily before tossing her clothes in your direction... well, at you if you had to be honest.<br/>
<br/>
You ignore that however and begin stripping off your own clothes, afterwards you lay back on the ground, put your hands to your face, utter the words and pull, your vision going dark instantly. You have no clue how long you were out for although it can't have been more than a few minutes. As you sit up you notice a much greater weight on your chest, browner skin and a well-trimmed bush. "What am I--" you start as you brush long, straight, dark hair out of your face.<br/>
<br/>
"Figured it would be easier to kill two birds with one stone," Cara answers your question before you can finish it.<br/>
<br/>
You look in one direction to see her and in another you see Kelli already in her clothes, "Is it still your lunch period," you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Just barely," comes the reply.<br/>
<br/>
"Then what are you still doing here? Go back," you grumble.<br/>
<br/>
"Getting into character already," Cara asks.<br/>
<br/>
Your own interactions with Lin would paint her as irritable and your short time inside her head has done nothing to dispel that notion. "It all comes on really strong," you state, "You never have that problem?"<br/>
<br/>
Cara shakes her head, "I never lose myself if that's what you mean. It takes me like twenty or thirty minutes to get adjusted."<br/>
<br/>
That catches you off guard but you dismiss it and grab at Lin's clothes, doing your best to not turn yourself on since you'll have plenty of time for that later. That's when you realize, though, that it's really hard. Chelsea wants you to seduce Seth away from Cindy and... fuck, you feel a stirring in your crotch. Seth's tall, strong and handsome and he can be a nice guy unlike most of his idiot teammates. Cindy's lucky to have him and...<br/>
<br/>
"Fuck," you exclaim which catches Cara by surprise. "I've got--Lin has it bad for Seth."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh this is just wonderful," Cara exclaims as she claps her hands together, "It's probably tearing her up inside to have to do this."<br/>
<br/>
Except... it's not; or at least not as much as you'd expect. You can feel Lin's personality and there's a part of her that's into the idea. She'd be betraying her best friend and stealing his guy but doesn't that make it exciting? If there's one thing you love, too, it's excitement and having a wild time and while fucking some burn out like Roth or a cute college guy is fun it's not always wild. This would give you the kind of thrill you've been longing for and the thought of it is turning you on even more.<br/>
<br/>
You're honestly shocked. You didn't think "built for sex" would be so literal but this girl loves getting laid.<br/>
<br/>
You ignore saying anything about that however as you finish getting dressed. "So how long," you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Give it the rest of the day," she replies, "If they're still together by tomorrow then I want you to start putting the moves on him."<br/>
<br/>
You can feel that excitement coming on again but you ignore it as you give a nod and voice your approval. You linger around engaging in some in-character small talk before the bell rings and you head off to class.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
<br/>
"So I talked to Chelsea and the not-officially-new girl at lunch," you say to Jessica Garner during a lull in seventh period as Gladstone has to step out for a few minutes.<br/>
<br/>
Jessica rolls her eyes, "What, did she make you kiss the feet of the heir apparent in addition to her own?"<br/>
<br/>
"The heir--what are you even talking about," you ask making a face.<br/>
<br/>
"Oh please, Chelsea would be lucky if she was even half as sneaky as she thinks she is," she replies.  "Chelsea out of the blue kicks off Michelle and Yumi and then brings this new girl none of us have ever heard of? The girl's obviously a mini-Chelsea and she's being set up to rule once Chelsea's gone just because Chelsea's enough of a spiteful cunt to make sure everyone will 'remember her legacy' or something."<br/>
<br/>
You're taken aback and you wonder if that <i>is</i> why Chelsea chose her. Is she setting Cara up to continue her legacy long after she's gone? But a thought hits you; maybe she plans on <i>being</i> Cara after she's graduated although that doesn't make any sense. Cara's great but Chelsea has it all so why even bother? You dismiss the thought and counter Jessica.<br/>
<br/>
"She seemed pretty nice when I talked to her," you state defensively, "She was kinda wide-eyed about the entire thing but seemed pretty earnest."<br/>
<br/>
"Maybe we can get to her before Chelsea can, then."<br/>
<br/>
You make another face, "Let's not. She's new and I'd rather just worry about getting everything right before worrying about dumb political bullshit."<br/>
<br/>
"Lin Pol not taking an opportunity to stick it to Chelsea Cooper," Jessica asks in exaggerated surprise, "I'm, like, so shocked!"<br/>
<br/>
"Chelsea promised to back off on me, off of us, if we went along with it," you explain, going over the lie you and your co-conspirator cooked up.<br/>
<br/>
"And you're going with it?"<br/>
<br/>
"I'm just sick of having to watch my back and being paranoid that I'm next on the chopping block, alright," you state incredulously, "I think she was able to work out whatever frustrations for the time being by dumping Yumi."<br/>
<br/>
"Wow, so a whole two days before she's back to being Queen Chelsea," Jessica replys dryly, "And you're not pissed about Yumi?"<br/>
<br/>
"I'm not happy, but," you reply and you're hit with another of Lin's thoughts. Ones of jealousy. Oh she likes Yumi, considers her a friend... but the boys adore Yumi and she's just so friendly and well-liked and a part of you finds that frustrating. "But I just think it's pointless to make myself sick over it. If we've got some relief I'm going to take it. We'll just play this by ear for now and if Chelsea goes back to her old ways then we can rope in the new girl and whoever else gets added, okay? Tell that to Eva too."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, sure, I'll tell her," Jessica grumbles to end the conversation and not a moment too soon as Ms. Gladstone comes back into the room barking that she's just one-hundred percent certain that you all have been reading and to show it she's going to give you a pop quiz. This elicits a collective groan.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
<br/>
At home you do a bit of light studying and part of your homework, eat a nice dinner, pick up Duc and Kim--Lin's twin 12-year-old brother and sister--from basketball and soccer practice respectively, then finish your homework. It's evening by the time you're able to plop down on your bed and relax... or not relax as the case may be as just as quickly you have one hand massaging a breast and the other buried in your panties. Lin Pol is pure sex and you've had to fight the strong urge to finally claim her body as your own.<br/>
<br/>
Images of boys fill your head as you work at yourself. Justin Roth, Laurent Delacroix, Tim Gerrard, Adam Karter, Peter Robins (you're surprised by the Eastman guys) and more are all among the names of the guys you've managed to bed. There was that three way last month with some college guy, Chad somethingorother, and... Molly Shaw? That was at the Warehouse. But soon... soon you'll be stealing Seth away from Cindy and adding him to your list. It really does pain you to betray your friend but again, the thrill... that's enough to bring you to a climax.<br/>
<br/>
God, this girl is freaky and you wonder how it is she keeps her activities on the down low. Well duh, it's because you're not blowing basketball players in the Fuck Room or stoners under the bleachers. You keep it all to busy, crowded parties, small encounters in out of the way places or the Warehouse where so much is lost in the haze of millennial libertinism. Fuck, it's been a week since you've gotten laid and that session wasn't enough to satisfy your desires. Bringing up the Warehouse, you haven't been out there since that little menage a trois. Perhaps it's because you're still getting used to the girl's sex drive but you're feeling really goddamn horny right now. Maybe you should head out to the Warehouse and see what you can find to help you with that.</span></div></div>


path: 113121122211122221212
author_id: rugal
title: Crimes of Passion and Opportunity
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>You decide that if you're going to be Lin for a few days, why not have some fun? Chelsea already has her using you to bust up Cindy's relationship with her boyfriend so where's the harm? You'll have her mind guiding you so it wouldn't be anything more than what she already does. So you grab some clothes out of the closet, a strapless blue floral top, a large dark belt, a white skirt and matching high-heeled sandals. You do your hair up and throw on some makeup as well and damn do you look good if you do say so yourself.<br/>
<br/>
"Where are you going," Mrs. Pol asks you as you head out the door.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm gonna meet Cindy and the Garners for some coffee," you lie.<br/>
<br/>
"Well just remember to be back before curfew," she replies simply and you're surprised when it's not followed up with anything.<br/>
<br/>
From what your mind tells you, Lin's parents generally trust her to not get in trouble and seeing as she--to their knowledge-does not and does well in school they give her a lot of leeway. Way more than your dad would ever dream of giving you.<br/>
<br/>
You head out to the edge of town, down to the old industrial district and drive until you find a dilapidated warehouse. A bit of urban decay resting in a sea of urban decay would otherwise be unremarkable aside from all the cars parked out front. It's not as busy as it'd be if you had come on a Friday or Saturday night but there's still almost always something going on here. That means you're not going to get someone bitching at you since the limited space means lots of carpooling although, you know, nobody's going to really give you shit anyway.<br/>
<br/>
"Whoa, where do you think you're going," comes a rough voice as you make your way to the front door.<br/>
<br/>
"Tony, you're really gonna keep me out," you ask as you give an exaggerated pout to Tony Rodriguez, one of the muscle of the Eastman basketball team who's playing bouncer tonight.<br/>
<br/>
"Sorry, Lin, but you ain't on the list."<br/>
<br/>
"Consider me a VIP then," you see before reaching out to grab his crotch, "Maybe come find me when you get a break and I'll have a little more for you."<br/>
<br/>
Tony shifts a bit and removes your hand but does it with a big dumb grin on his face. "Yeah, alright, VIP huh? You can go," he states.<br/>
<br/>
Loud music from a band you don't know or care about right now blares through the old structure as you see a mix of people with their fixes gazed to the stage, some are just drinking and dancing, you see some guys and girls hanging off of each other. Some you recognize as no-name students you see roaming the halls at Westside, some are likely Eastman, there's probably some drop outs and college students here too. Not finding anything you head over to the bar.<br/>
<br/>
"Beer me," you state to the guy working the makeshift bar as you slap down a five. He hands you a beer and you're off to find a little entertainment though it's not long before you're greeted by a surprised voice.<br/>
<br/>
"Lin! Ah didn't expect t' see ya here!"<br/>
<br/>
You look towards the twanged voice to see a girl with a pretty face, a smattering of light freckles and a soft expression all framed by dark red hair. Tina Branson's the quintessential country girl, born and raised in... well you can't quite remember where. Georgia? Tennessee? Somewhere like that. Once she did move here though she quickly fell in with Alyssa Randall's group over at Eastman.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, I just kinda needed to lose myself for a little bit," you state with a weary tone. "The last few days have really thrown me for a loop."<br/>
<br/>
"Ah can guess, Ah heard about Yumi," she replies.<br/>
<br/>
"Guess she ran straight to her cousins," you ask, "She's not the only one. Chelsea cut Michelle too."<br/>
<br/>
"Michelle? Right, Ah talked t' her a few times. Seemed like a sweet girl," she replies with a look of consternation, "That don't mean you're next does it?"<br/>
<br/>
"Supposedly not," you shake your head, "Chelsea and me had a good conversation about it. I think she got whatever bug crawled up her ass out of her system. I'm still not happy about it though."<br/>
<br/>
"So you gonna try and cause trouble for her then," Tina asks.<br/>
<br/>
That just prompts another head shake, "It's not worth it right now. I'm too beaten up and Chelsea promised to back off on me and everyone else in exchange for accepting her little hanger-on."  This prompts an inquisitive noise from Tina, "Yeah I don't know if Yumi mentioned this but Chelsea's bringing in some junior. She hasn't done it officially yet but it's a done deal. She's a nice girl it's just..."<br/>
<br/>
"Just that ya can't trust Chelsea not t' try 'n get her claws in her."<br/>
<br/>
"Right, but like I said I feel too worn out to try fighting back right now," you state, "So we're just going to keep an eye on things for now and if Chelsea looks like she's trying to pull shit then we'll get to the newbie first."<br/>
<br/>
"Guess that means it's gonna be make or break for Chelsea then," Tina adds, "Either she solidifies herself or this'll backfire big time."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, she's pissed us off big time so if she tries anything else we'll--" you stop as something catches your attention. "Hey, it was nice seeing you and all but something came up."<br/>
<br/>
Tina follows your gaze and notices it too, "Yeah, Ah get it. Well it was nice talkin' t' ya Lin. You 'n the Garners 'n them should get together with us some time. It'd be awful nice."<br/>
<br/>
With that you walk off towards the source of what caught your interest. Tina's a sweetheart and isn't going to try and cause trouble but that'll probably get back to Alyssa--Eastman's head cheerleader and gossip queen--anyway. A brief part of you worries that it might cause trouble for Chelsea but, well, that's why you're helping her. If worse comes to worse, the two of you can always expand over to Eastman right? And that's when you notice the source of your interest. There with a few other basketball players.<br/>
<br/>
"Hey Seth," you dimple as you bound up to him, "You wanna talk?"<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
<br/>
"Lin, I told you I don't--" Seth protests as you lead him up the stairs and into one of the private rooms that usually costs fifty dollars but you were able to negotiate down to half.<br/>
<br/>
"Stop being such a baby," you tease him as you shove him in and lock the door behind you, "I'm just looking to talk to you, that's all."<br/>
<br/>
Seth waves a hand dismissively, "What do I even have to talk to you about?"<br/>
<br/>
"Well Chelsea for one," you answer.<br/>
<br/>
That causes his mood to go from one of protest to one of anger and he beats a fist against the wall. "Gordon needs to just nut up and and tell her off," he complains, "He's been an even bigger pussy with her the last few days than he usually is and that's saying a lot."<br/>
<br/>
"So she still has him trying to pressure you into breaking up with Cindy," you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"What the fuck do you think," you asks rhetorically, "And that fucking blockhead is going along with it. God, I hate that cunt. I really do."<br/>
<br/>
"Welcome to the club," you say as you take a seat against the wall and pull him down next to you. "But if he's still trying it hasn't affected your relationship with Cindy, right?"<br/>
<br/>
Seth throws his hands up in frustration. "Are you kidding? She knows what's going on and it's got her stressed out too," he complains, "We haven't spent any real time together, she just gets jumpy around me now. You're her friend, how do you not know any of this?"<br/>
<br/>
"Because she hasn't said anything," you reply and then look at him with a hurt look, "Oh Seth, I'm so sorry about it. I really am. I like the both of you but it's not just you she's having problems with. She's been distant from me too, from all of us. She doesn't say much when she's around and just kind of mopes. Ever since Yumi got kicked off we can't get more than two words out of her."<br/>
<br/>
"Two words is more than I've been getting," he sighs, "We haven't done anything all week. I'm just really frustrated about the whole thing. I need to do something drastic."<br/>
<br/>
"You're not going to quit the team are you," you ask in surprise.<br/>
<br/>
"No way," he exclaims, "But I've been talking to Steve and Jonas and everyone else and we're all sick of Gordon's shit so if he keeps it up we're planning on laying it right out for him plain as day: either he stops this shit and stands up to Chelsea or we're kicking him off of the team. We don't need his bullshit fucking up the rest of us."<br/>
<br/>
That definitely shocks you and your surprise isn't an act but quickly you nestle next to Seth and stroke his chest. "We're all frustrated, Seth," you say in a comforting tone as your hand moves towards the top of his jeans.<br/>
<br/>
"Lin, what the hell?!" he exclaims as you begin undoing the button.<br/>
<br/>
"I want to help you Seth," you say pleadingly, "At least help both of us with our frustration if only a little bit."<br/>
<br/>
You unzip his pants and pull his cock out and to your surprise he offers no more resistance. He especially doesn't offer it as you put it into your mouth and proceed to blow him and none is offered as he shoots is load right into your mouth and you swallow up every last bit. In fact he's the one who takes initiative as he pulls down your top, helps remove your skirt and underwear and gives you the most satisfying fuck that Lin Pol's had in a long, long time.</span></div></div>


path: 1131211222111222212121
author_id: nirxor
title: laying down twice
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span><i>"Now that is <b> SATISFACTION</b>!"</i><br/>
<br/>
Lin thinks, as she lays on Seth's body, you can't move a single finger, the only thoughs you can process are blinding lights, intense waves of pleasure, and, your leg's unstoppable twitching. "He's tall. Strong, good sense of humor, absolutely <b>amazing</b> in the sheets, my kind of guy." You don't regret this night. Seth holds you tightly, with enough strength for your to feel his heartbeating from the hot sex, his breath is hot and steamy, it's turning you on even more to just imagine being caught here, or fucking Seth at every opportunity to fuck with Cindy. Its such a good fuck he gives, you try to kiss him, he returns it, with passion and energy to match. As you feel the next round comming on, you shoot a distraction to your home, with a simple text message to your mother.<br/>
<br/>
"Am staying with the Garner twins tonight." <br/>
<br/>
Your mother consents, telling you to be sleep tight, an easy lie Lin abuses every weekend, she likes to get a good fuck in at least once a week. Seth however, is a damn god compared to who she normally gets with. Roth isn't bad. He's just too damn high do anything with, Fairfax, has the largest cock in the god damned school! Sadly, Lin hasn't trained him yet, he's almost there. The Eastman school has some great guys too, some new face are supposed to be showing up as well. You can feel your lips smacking at the thought of getting some new variety in the nightly prowl.  <br/>
<br/>
<i>"I fucking need a good FUCK! Dealing with Chelsea's bull shit makes it hell to even get a decent man in bed, sure I've got options, but all the top picks aren't available, because of her shit."</i><br/>
<br/>
You think as Seth, lovingly kisses at your neck, once again, you're dying for his care. The night is still young, your sexy, and, Seth is very much in need of your tender love. Lin once again takes the lead, showing you how she comes alive at night.<br/>
<br/>
*****************************************************<br/>
<br/>
The morning after is simply Seth akwaradly waiting as you awaken, he's quiet, but he's watching you as you get dressed. You bend over in front of him, pulling the thong up and over your ass, letting it snap on to your supple flesh. Slowly rising to place your bra on, shaking your breasts to make them fall into the right places, he's mesmerized by you now. Lin's body has that effect, she isn't like Cindy or Chelsea, she is literally the sexiest girl in the school, something you use to your advantage. Seth is sitting on the bed side, looking at you as you approach him, he sits up right, almost smiling, as you sit on his lap and the passion from last night is resumed.<br/>
<br/>
"I had a great time." You tell him through kisses.<br/>
<br/>
"Same." He says now holding you with hands, he tightly squeezes your ass, making you squeal as he grins. "I'd like to do it again." He whispers to you, setting your body a flame, but you have a meeting to attend, you kiss him once more, slowly biting on his lip and getting up.<br/>
<br/>
"Sorry Seth, I got to put in some appeances, but I'll call." Is all you say as you slip on the last parts of your clothes. You check your phone and sure enough Chelsea has sent you a text for the Saturday scheming. <br/>
<br/>
"My place." <br/>
<br/>
It's all you get, where as Will might have been intimidated by Chelsea, Lin isn't, in fact, Lin likes the control she has over others, but with masks on the guys? She could get anyone to jump her bones! It would be her own little paradise, if only she could get rid of Chelsea.<br/>
<br/>
<i>"Maybe it's time for a new head cheerleader."</i><br/>
<br/>
Lin thinks as she paws at her still sore vagina. You respond to Chelsea, as Lin would, but with a hint of Will.<br/>
<br/>
<i> I'll be there later, I have to put Lin's normal appearances in first. See you at 5.</i><br/>
<br/>
You close the phone, smiling as you go, Lin does have appeances to maintain, but the thought of Will being insider her?<br/>
<br/>
<i>"God! That's so sick! He's just hiding inside of me like some parasite, it's fucking disgusting!"</i><br/>
<br/>
Lin recoils at the thought of it all, but it does spark an idea, maybe Will could be the head cheerleader....<br/>
<br/>
*****************************************************<br/>
<br/>
You're asked to change into swimwear, something Lin enjoys wearing around her house, she likes a nice top and some denim shorts, that fit a little too tight. Chelsea is sunbathing as you approach her, she wears a completely white two piece, she has removed the top part as she walks to you, holding a bottle, wearing a very smug grin.<br/>
<br/>
"So...... <b>Lin,</b> how was your night?" She asks with her fucking usual hitting tone. As if she was there, like hell she knows anything. " I heard you were chatting up some of the guys and talked with Seth." She asks proding Lin with very same tone that she used to lure her into her trap.<br/>
<br/>
"I had a good night, let off a lot of steam, I guess you had Gordon take care of you?" You say casually, taking in Chelsea's wonderful body getting a perfectly even sun tan, her nude body in all of its glory, feeding your eyes. She stands up and literally hugs you, letting you feel her body. She leads you to a pair of chairs with a pitcher of water and two glasses.<br/>
<br/>
"This is way better than expected Will! I mean, Lin, but, I want you to be a little faster with Seth, make it happen in the fuck room. That would crush Cindy's poor little heart." She says taking some of the suntan lotion, and spreading it on your body. Lin doesn't tan often, she's already nice and dark, but it rubs you the wrong way to spend it with Chelsea, everything in Lin wants to beat her. Right here, right now. Will is trying to keep her down, but it's like a ship out at sea, storms come out if nowhere in the blink of an eye. <br/>
<br/>
"Tina Branson was there, somebody told her about Michelle, Yumi, and, Cindy. She even knows about your new choices." You say to her, with a cool smile. Chelsea undoes your top, removes your shorts, and, begins to lather your back.<br/>
<br/>
"Who told her?" She asks<br/>
<br/>
"Not too sure, it's not like I know everyone at Eastman. Alyssa might have a couple people you don't know about yet, or <i> Yumi</i> said something to her cousins." Lin says lazily, she is starting to enjoy the feel of Chelsea's hands servering, even better, Chelsea looks a little pissed. You hold your legs out, just dangling over her, she complies and kindly rubs them down in tanning oil. She smiles as you keep Lin's persona at the front of it all.<br/>
<br/>
"Rub me down Lin." She says as she lays on the chair, you don't think twice, pouring a generous amount of lotion on to your hands. Slowly you begin to spread the oil in your hands, focusing on how to best approach her as she lays down on the pool chair, carefully, you lather her delicately.<br/>
<br/>
"Not bad, I was expecting Will to try and grab a feel, but am more curious right now about you." She says to you as your hands run the length of her back. <br/>
<br/>
"Me?" You say as Lins hand begin on her butt and legs, Chelsea flips over, exposing her full frontal glory to you, she raises a leg straight into the air, your hands follow it up and down, almost bringing Will out to feel the legs with much more zeal. "Lin isn't happy doing your dirty work." You say, staring her down, trying to kill her with your eyes.  The hatred of Chelsea being able to run her life makes Lin a damn near uncontrollable blind rage sort of girl, but she does like being able to sabatoge Chelsea, it might be worth it to stick around as Lin a little bit longer. "You're lucky am inside of her, she likes to mix her stuff up sometimes, but even I can't keep people separated like she can, Lin has a lot of influence." You cattily say to her, with a much needed Will zeal. Chelsea returns the smile with one of her own, giggling as you finish touching her breasts, not an errotic way, just as a fellow girl who is being tested by her friend. You finish your task, and lie down next her, both of you nude, tanning by the pool side. <br/>
<br/>
<i>"This isn't so bad."</i> Lin thinks, her mind now calmed and at the helm.<i>"I haven't really hung out with her, never once outside of practice, never had reason to. I guess am seeing some other side of her, hard to think she isn't an utter bitch."</i> Lin's mind goes, taking in the relaxing atmosphere, Chelsea watching you intently, and, the odd pair of enemies sharing a mommentary rest. <br/>
<br/>
"You did a good job Will, am impressed, you're actually listening and not trying to back stab me " she says wearing her sun glasses, moving them on her nose, checking you out.<br/>
<br/>
"What can I say? Lin likes to come alive at night." You say, rubbing your body. "But you have given her more than enough reason to make her want to beat the shit out of you." The words leave your mouth with that familiar Lin Esq venom dripping all over them. <br/>
<br/>
"Is that going to be a problem?" Chelsea asks, now staring you down, her eyes akin to shotgun at point blank range. Cooly, Lin's personality take center stage, she flashes a smile reserved for her closest friends, the meer act of it throwing Chelsea off is visually appealing, but even better is the doubt on her face. <br/>
<br/>
"No. It won't be a problem for <i>us</i>, as long as I get to have fun as Lin, it won't ever be a problem."<br/>
<br/>
You say, sending her the winning smile. After a few hours of girl talk, plotting, and Chelsea having Lin tell her all the things she wants to hear, you go to your home.<br/>
<br/>
<i>"Maybe I've looked at this wrong."</i> Lin begins to think, she has known Chelsea for a very long time, mostly through out middle school and high school, but  she never hung out with her. <i>"Something about her isn't right, am missing something, can't trust anyone in Westside."</i> Lin knows about people who have actually hung out with Chelsea, Maria, and, Andrea know her better, but so does Alyssa. It's hard to make it out, but maybe it's worth looking into. Maybe you need to go into Eastman, or simply replace Chelsea.</span></div></div>


path: 11312112221112222121211
author_id: nirxor
title: Lin for now
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"So? Where's the next party with Seth at?" Chelsea asks, completely into her seriously scheming mode. She was considering all of the possibilities of Lin and Seth being the next big rumor by Monday. She gets up and takes a dip in the pool, relaxing in the water, you sit next to her, observing her face. It's beautiful, it's no wonder that she is in the position she in. Her face and body are highly desired, but <i>"Fucking bitch, I got to find out something about her, something she's had to hide."</i> Lin is focused on finding out exactly who might have some dirt on Chelsea, it's true she, unfortunately, is the biggest schemer in the entire damn school. But who in her circle, or people she doesn't touch know anything about her? Maria? Maybe not, she's just pure stupidity, but you can't really hold a single conversation with Maria, might be worth it later, it will be a headache to deal with her. Maria's dumb ass might not even remember anything, maybe the masks can help you out there. Lin also recalls, Chelsea has never been heard talking to the swim team, maybe someone knows something on her there? Almost the entire damn school, no, that's too generous, the entire City! Has some beef with her. Somebody has to know something, she's too focused on this cheerleader act, but the masks let her control everything, sadly it's going to get tougher investigating her like this. She isn't going to go down easy, so you might have to be more than Lin, but you can feel it, feel Lin's ambitious drive of finally taking Chelsea down. <i>"All I need is one good window, an angle she won't she comming."</i> Lin isn't worried, no she's enthralled by how much this bitch trusts her, maybe keeping it up might be worth it, as much as it kills you to admit it, being Chelsea's dog might be worth it. You can feel your face contort over the thought of being around her, it's so terrible, Lin almost storms out, you can feel her hands trying to rip out the stone beneath her.<br/>
<br/>
"Something wrong Will?"  She asks, breaking your focus, or Lin's as you realize just how much it eats Lin up to be here like this.<br/>
<br/>
"Nothing to talk about." Lin growls through literal fire spewing words. Chelsea is taken back, cocking an eye at you. "Look, it's Lin. She <b> literally</b>, wants to see you burn like the witch you are." You say readjusting yourself. She simply smiles, the same shit eating smile she flashes when any girl who absolutely hates her, can't do a damn thing to her. <br/>
<br/>
"Wow! I've pissed her off like this so many times! It's exciting to see what Lin is really like when she blows her cool! Tell me Will, if you could make everything better for yourself, would you?" Chelsea says, with her same grin, her eyes peircing into your body.<br/>
<br/>
"Of course! Lin thinks that you're a cunt, a filthy fucking bitch who needs to be beaten into a trash bag and tossed out to the fucking corner block! Like you don't care about any of us! How many times have you had your fucking attack dog keep our relationships under your control? Just to threaten us with our own boyfriends!  All you are is a control freak with issues, I bet you can't even have sex without making sure Gordon is the one asking for it!" You say, your voice rising to meet her shitty attitude. "People are literal fucking toys to you! And you cock block the fuck out of everyone, for everything! Doesn't matter who they are! Half of the school either wants in your pants or wants you gone! Honestly? Lin is making a damn convincing case over why I shouldn't even be here, hell if she had her way, Lin would have punched your teeth out day one!" You rage, screaming and roaring at the woman in front of you, she is just delighted, she knows you won't touch her. Not if Will values his life, but Lin doesn't care about Will, if only she was leaning in, then you could grab her cunt face and put a knee into it.<br/>
<br/>
"Good!" Chelsea chirps, as if she found the answer she needed, or the key. "And what about William? What does he think about all of this and me?" The question, immediately douses Lin's fervor, like taking an ice water bath, but it does pull you out.<br/>
<br/>
"I personally think what your doing is awful. I mean, yeah don't get me wrong, magic! Who the hell would have even thought about it!?!? I can be anyone! Anytime! Anywhere! But, we're basically slashing people's lives into pieces, or leaving them in ruins....." You trail off, avoiding her watchful eyes, knowing, by your own volition, you did this.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, you aren't wrong, but let's look at it another way! William Prescott, is just a nobody who nobody cares about!" She says throwing her hands out of the water splashing you, getting Lin's hair a little wet, which adds to her anger. "What does Lin think about you? Or Yumi? Or Jenny? Lisa? How about Cassie? Andrea? Cindy? Caleb? Gordon? Your parents? Will you're looking at people through another's eyes! Imagine what they can see in you, aside from your flaws. Trust me I see the every time I see you, you are in dire need of an over hual of your life. Go ahead, start thinking of William Prescott! Would Lin even give him the time of day?" <br/>
<br/>
It's a good question what does Lin think of you? You lean back and let her personality wash over you, all of the memories of Will surface, going through each and everyone, it's shows exactly what Chelsea is hinting at. The image of William floats around your head, a scrawny, thin, weak looking guy. Doesn't do much for himself at all, You're a leper to Lin, she doesn't even know much about you, aside from that one time you did her homework when Yumi asked. "Uhg, really Chelsea? Him? He's Lisa's sad seconds, everyday he's crying over her. She's already moved on, but let's be real, it's Geoff Mansfield. That's like asking which way is worse to die! He's a little boy trying to play grown up. He's not like Seth, Philip, or, even Roth. Will is like a shitty pile of sticks and flesh. Ew. He's a sick puppy, and you don't kiss dogs, not that Geoff is improvement over him, but we both know he's a fucking creepy guy, who for whatever reason Yumi chooses to be nice to, we can at least agree on that." After saying it aloud, you're starting to realize how much you don't even know about yourself, and what could be changed. It's strange, but Lin can even see where you can improve your standing at and your image.<br/>
<br/>
"What if Will wasn't so scrawny? What if he had style? Or what if he was dating someone else, someone popular and with influence?" She asks, still gazing in your direction. Just watching you, like an owl waiting for something to come out. <br/>
<br/>
"Look, Will is only good for math, and even then it's not as good as Philip's. I don't need to do anything, they just do it, at least one of them has a cock worth the effort." Going by your own memories, Will is average, he's modest, it's got good size and length, but Lin has had many different partners, she can tell it's nothing special, compared to her normal partners, he's nothing special, he can't even hold up to Philip, well nobody can, that's one hell of a monster he has stashed away. It makes you smack your lips thinking about it. Even when you go through your memories with her perception of things, it's down right degrading, she has an insult for everything, from family matters, to personal, and, relationships. <i>"Lisa Yarborough? She's just some snobby girl who is trying to find a man, says a lot about how she dumped Will for Geoff, but can't really blame her if it's between those two, the twins found out about Geoff's obsession with his image not too long ago, and so did Lisa. I could have told them that, sadly Will has nothing to compare to, at least Geoff tried to look better, like a child wearing his dad's clothes. At least Will can do magic, I guess that's okay. Considering how much time he has to touch himself? It's really weird that he does that for that long."</i>  You can see your problems a little bit clearer, Lin has given you some insight, not critique, but just destructive honesty. "At least he has endurance, I guess." You mutter, making Chelsea look at you even more confused.<br/>
<br/>
"Well then Will, what if we did raise your standing in the school? Or at least let you stick around a popular position? I bet you even being up there with the cool kids would make it all nicer! Also imagine having a girlfriend like Lin! Or rather, sculpting yourself to her tastes, and then letting her try you out! Or even just being her! Think about it! You're getting a taste of what it's like being a superior person, I'd like to ask you consider your position more, as both Lin and Will." Chelsea says, getting out of the water and pulling up to you, she wraps her arms around you as she pulls you in for a hug. You return it and resume your friendly Lin act, something you come to learn about both of these girls is simple: neither are good people, just massive bitches who want to tear the other's face off. You don't regret leaving, both as Lin and Will.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">*****</div><br/>
<br/>
Later in the evening you're back out on the town, this time, you're not alone. The twins, Tina, and, Cathrine, are driving to a party. The night is feeling just right, cool breeze, tight top, jeans painted on to Lin's butt, and, a house party, all the things Lin likes on a Saturday night. <br/>
<br/>
"Ready fer tonight?" Tina asks, the country girl giggling as she places her arms on the two thirty packs of beer. A cheap brand she likes to have for keeping the beer flowing. "Don't worry, Ah wrangled up enough fer us all." She says pointing to the trunk.<br/>
<br/>
"What? You're acting pretty confident tonight, are the two new guys going to there?" Jessica taunts, she twists in the seat, adjusting her make up in the mirror as the her sister drives the car. <br/>
<br/>
"No! Not yet anyways, Ah've seen 'em. Cute boys!" Tina says, taking a selfie. As the car goes it's destination, you check your self, everything is just right, simple, yet attractive. Lin's best approach, it's addictive, being her. Living like this might be nice.</span></div></div>


path: 113121122211122222
author_id: seuzz
title: The Raid
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>You take a deep breath, and settle onto the corner of her bed. This is a totally unexpected development, and it doesn't fit well into any of the contingencies that you'd just been discussing with Caleb. In fact, something about the way Chelsea is talking doesn't fit in well with <i>anything</i> that you've been assuming about what's been going on. You suddenly remember the question Kelli had put to you only a day or two back: Why is she so interested in Cara? Why is she so keen to see Cara succeed?<br/>
<br/>
But there's no time to speculate, not with Chelsea staring at you. "Well, let's think about this," you say slowly. "Wouldn't it look kind of strange if Cara suddenly got worse after nailing the tryouts?"<br/>
<br/>
"We could talk our way around that," Chelsea says.<br/>
<br/>
"And wouldn't it be less confusing for Kelli if she came back after only one afternoon instead of a week?"<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea squirms in her chair. "Maybe you're right," she admits. She looks up at you sharply. "You're gonna have to work a lot harder to be ready for the tryouts."<br/>
<br/>
"I told you, I can do that."<br/>
<br/>
She mumbles something in the back of her throat, and then relents. "Alright then. But you be Kelli this afternoon." She holds out the mask to you. "Then we'll go get a copy of-- What's that other girl's name?"<br/>
<br/>
"Leah." You take the mask from her. "Are we gonna put <i>her</i> under a mask?"<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea shakes her head. "No, just a straight copy." The bathroom door opens a crack, just enough for some clothes to get tossed through onto the floor. "That's your cue."<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"Should I do the talking, or should you?" you ask. You check yourself in the rearview mirror and fluff the brunette curls that bob just above your shoulders. You give yourself a quick smile.<br/>
<br/>
"It probably doesn't matter," Chelsea says, sounding distracted as she stares up at Leah's house. "Remember, we're just here to get her copied."<br/>
<br/>
"But what's the excuse we give Leah?"<br/>
<br/>
"The same I gave Kelli," she says waspishly. "I want to talk to the girls that Cara's been talking up to me."<br/>
<br/>
"Then I guess I should be really excited," you say, and bound enthusiastically out of the car. Chelsea follows more sedately.<br/>
<br/>
It's a small house, and you find Leah curled up inside a very big easy chair in the living room. "Surprise!" you exclaim to her, and clutch at Chelsea's arm. "Look who I brought with me!"<br/>
<br/>
"Oh! Hi!" Leah says, and struggles from the chair. <br/>
<br/>
Chelsea gives her a bright but transparently insincere smile. "So you're Leah. Can we talk someplace private?"<br/>
<br/>
Leah glances at you, and you grin back. "Sure. Uh, my bedroom's down that hall. You want something to drink? Or eat?<br/>
<br/>
"Just some water, thanks," Chelsea says, and strides down the hallway like it belongs to her.<br/>
<br/>
"What the hell," Leah mutters to you.<br/>
<br/>
"She's checking us out, Lee, that's what the hell," you hiss back. "So, like, be on your best behavior. Come on, get that water for her." You prod her toward the kitchen. "Have you heard from Cara this afternoon?"<br/>
<br/>
"No. So this is like a total surprise. You want your usual?"<br/>
<br/>
"If you've got it," you reply, peering around her shoulder into the refrigerator; she draws out one of those mildly alcoholic lemonades that her parents let her bribe friends with. "I know, she totally showed up at my house unannounced. I was a mess, too." You run fingers through your hair. "Did I tell you Cara said something about talking to her about Jonas for me?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yes, only about three times already."<br/>
<br/>
"Because I thought that was what it was about at first, so I was all, like, my God, why don't I have my makeup on? But she wanted to talk about the tryouts and cheerleading and how much experience I've had--"<br/>
<br/>
"Oh God, it's like an interview?" Leah turns a little pale.<br/>
<br/>
"You'll do fine, Lee. You've had all those gymnastics. "And if half of what Cara's been going on about isn't bullshit, then we're in."<br/>
<br/>
"Some of us are in," Leah says morosely. "I bet you it's gonna be Paris and Peyton, though."<br/>
<br/>
"It's them if it isn't us, and if it isn't both of us, then it's definitely both of them, so don't fuck this up, okay?" You grip her arm tightly.<br/>
<br/>
"You'll still get your chance at Jonas," she hisses back. "That'll be your consolation prize."<br/>
<br/>
"Don't be a bitch. Just put on your best smile."<br/>
<br/>
"Maybe you should stick to water too," she retorts, and snatches the bottle from your hand. "You don't want her thinking you've got a <i>problem.</i>"<br/>
<br/>
"Just come on already." You grab her again by the arm and tug her out of the kitchen before she can shake loose.<br/>
<br/>
"Three waters for three--" Her voice suddenly cuts off, and to your surprise she falls back into your arms as soon as she's across the threshold of her bedroom door. Chelsea jumps past you and closes it behind you. You struggle under the burden of the stricken girl, and maneuver her toward the bed, where you throw her.<br/>
<br/>
"She's a bony one, isn't she?" Chelsea snorts.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, but she's limber," you reply. "If you're looking for talent for the squad, she's--" But you break off, for Chelsea isn't listening, and instead has yanked open the closet door and is pawing through Leah's things. <br/>
<br/>
"Does she have fainting fits?" Chelsea asks as she pulls a blouse off a hanger. "Because we're going to have to explain this little blackout to her."<br/>
<br/>
You gnaw on a knuckle. "Maybe we just shouldn't say anything. Pretend nothing happened." Chelsea just looks at you. "No, wait, I know. Let's put her in the bathroom."<br/>
<br/>
"What good'll that do?"<br/>
<br/>
"We'll just pretend she went to the bathroom. Whatever happened happened in there and we didn't see it. Come on, help me." You pull at one of Leah's arms. Chelsea cocks a skeptical eyebrow, then helps, and with Leah propped between the pair of you, you hustle her quickly across the hall and into a small guest bath, where you prop her next to the toilet. A few anxious minutes pass before the mask reappears on her face. It's the first time you've seen one come out of a victim, and it comes with a glow, as though oozing through all of her pores. Chelsea snatches it up, and the two of you quickly exit, returning to the bedroom, where your conspirator hastily shoves a quick and dirty ensemble of Leah's clothes into her oversize purse.<br/>
<br/>
Minutes pass in tense silence before you snap your fingers with another thought. "Go on out to the car," you tell Chelsea. "We'll pretend you got pissed off at the way she disappeared. I'll yell at her for fucking things up with you, and join you."<br/>
<br/>
"I like the way you think," she replies, and gives you an appraising glance as she passes you on her way out. "Is that your idea, or this girl's?"<br/>
<br/>
"I can't tell," you admit. "I just want to get this over with."<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea stalks off down the hall and out of the house while you rap at the bathroom door. "Leah, open up," you call impatiently. "Wipe it and get out here. Leah!" You rap and rap at the door, and actually grow genuinely concerned when there is no answer. And then the door flies open, and a very disheveled Leah appears. "Way to fuck things up," you exclaim, and screw your eyes up to make it look like you're fighting back tears. "The hell happened to you?"<br/>
<br/>
"I-- I--" Leah blinks hard.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, Chelsea just said to hell with it and to hell with you, and probably to hell with me." You snuffle. "Next time, just try to hold it!"<br/>
<br/>
"Kelli!" she calls after you in an agonized voice, but you just walk quickly away.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea does a double take as you slide behind the wheel of the car. "What happened? You look--"<br/>
<br/>
"Huh? Oh nothing. Just pretending to be upset. Do I look convincing?" You start the car, and punch the accelerator so hard that you and she both jerk in your seats.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm definitely impressed," Chelsea says, and the quiet way she says it suggests she is being uncharacteristically sincere.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You drive around for fifteen minutes while Chelsea changes into Leah's form and clothes before heading over to Cara's. "I should have looked more carefully at what I was grabbing," the temporary Leah grumbles as she buttons up her blouse. "I can't believe I'm going out like this."<br/>
<br/>
"You don't look any worse than you usually do, Lee."<br/>
<br/>
"What does <i>that</i> mean?"<br/>
<br/>
"It means it's Paris and Peyton for the squad for sure, doesn't it?"<br/>
<br/>
"I dunno. I'll have to think about it. After this afternoon, maybe we'll need to keep Leah and Kelli close, put them on the squad to keep an eye on them. Oh God, if Cara has talked to anyone about us, it's going to be Paris and Peyton, isn't it?"<br/>
<br/>
"Don't be paranoid," you say. "Just because she's known them since elementary school--" But you bite your lip, for you're feeling nervous too as you pull up in front of Cara's.<br/>
<br/>
The door is opened by Cara's golem itself. "Oh, hi guys," it says blankly.<br/>
<br/>
There's an awkward pause. Now that moment has come, you realize you've not been anticipating how to handle getting the golem back. And then Chelsea seizes control: "Cara, we have to talk," she says firmly. "About the tryouts."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah?" it says uncertainly.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea takes the thing by the hand and pulls it out unwillingly to the car. With a puzzled look on its face, the golem gets in the passenger-side seat. Chelsea leans over it. From your angle you can't see what happens next, but a moment later she straightens up, and you see that Cara has disappeared. There's only that featureless golem left.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, that's that," you say, and let out your breath.<br/>
<br/>
"Not quite," Chelsea says, and turns to you. "I'll make you a deal, Will. You let me take over as Cara and I'll let you be anyone you want." She bites her lip. "I'll even let you take one more. Your own slave. <i>Two</i> slaves."</span></div></div>


path: 1131211222111222221
author_id: seuzz
title: A Cheerleader's Confession
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>You rear back in surprise. There's a passionate, hungry tone in Chelsea's voice, but it doesn't sound like greed. It sounds like ... fear. Desperation.<br/>
<br/>
"Lee-- Chelsea, if this is about the tryouts--"<br/>
<br/>
"No, it's not. It's-- Get in the car, Will. Get in, and we'll talk." She jumps into the back seat and slides over, motioning you to join her. You get in more slowly, and close the door with a thump.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea is silent for a few moments, and she clasps her arms tightly, and looks around at anything but you. There's a quaver in her voice when she finally speaks. "Look, I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone else, and I'm going to tell you because ... Well, you've been really sweet and helpful with all this mess, considering." Her voice turns rough. "So be nice to me, okay?"<br/>
<br/>
You nod slowly. What could this possibly be about?<br/>
<br/>
She snuffles. "The fact is, I'm scared, Will. Scared of what's going to happen."<br/>
<br/>
"You mean with the book? And Gordon?"<br/>
<br/>
She shakes her head. "No. With me. The future. This is my last year in school, and I don't want to graduate. I don't know what's going to come next for me."<br/>
<br/>
You blink. This makes some kind of sense. Insofar as you've thought of the future--it's your last year, too--you've been looking forward to getting out of Westside and never having to deal with it again. But yeah, you understand the angst of-- Whatever is supposed to come next. "But you'll be okay, Chelsea," you say sympathetically. "I mean, you're-- You're Chelsea Cooper, and you always land on your feet."<br/>
<br/>
"That's because I understand high school! I know how it works! But college? And career? And-- And a family?"<br/>
<br/>
"So we'll fix Gordon, and the two of you will graduate and you'll go off to--"<br/>
<br/>
She groans. "Oh, Gordon! He's so fucked up! Even before this--" She hiccups. "There's nothing for him, either," she says mournfully. "Nothing for either of us."<br/>
<br/>
"You'll be okay, Chelsea," you insist. "I mean, girls who look like you--"<br/>
<br/>
She winces. "Stop it. Don't say that. What have I got <i>except</i> that? And where do we wind up? What do you think I should do? Just go to college and find some frat boy boyfriend who's going to be a business major? Find a-- a sugar daddy? I don't want to leave school," she says, and her voice, though still ragged, acquires a firmer edge. "Not yet. Not until I feel better. Or can leave in better shape."<br/>
<br/>
"You have the whole year still."<br/>
<br/>
"It's gonna go fast. I wanna stay another year. I wanna come back next year. As Cara."<br/>
<br/>
You take a deep breath. So that's what it's all been about. Grooming Cara as a new identity so she can take over again in her accustomed spot. All the preparations aren't for <i>you</i> and they're not for <i>Cara.</i> They're for Chelsea. "And you want to be her <i>this year,</i> too?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"I'd switch back and forth," she says. "Be myself, mostly. But switch into her when I need to-- Well, to nudge her into a better place." She looks up at you. "I'm offering the same thing to <i>you.</i> It's your last year, too. Do you want to spend your last year at Westside being Will Prescott, and then go off and be Will Prescott someplace else?" Her expression tightens. "Doesn't it scare you, too?" she asks softly.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, it scares all of us," you say, playing for time.<br/>
<br/>
"You could be someone else your senior year," she says. "Someone who has more fun. Someone who has more--?" You shoot her a glance. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that--"<br/>
<br/>
"No, I know what you meant." Of course you do. You're a nobody at Westside.<br/>
<br/>
Silence descends again for a bit, and then Chelsea speaks again. "You could be someone else this year, and then next year you could stay behind as someone else," she says quietly. "You could stay behind with me. I have to have a boyfriend, you know. And I'd like it if it were someone that-- That I didn't have any secrets from."<br/>
<br/>
You don't have a male anatomy, but somewhere under Kelli's assumed form you feel something rising. You and Chelsea. Well, you and <i>Cara,</i> but it would still be Chelsea. And it would be the two of you--a secret society of two--during the rest of this year. "You don't have to bribe me, Chelsea," you say, for it seems like the correct thing to say. "I want to help you."<br/>
<br/>
"So you'll let me--"<br/>
<br/>
You feel yourself nod. Well, it seems like you're not getting anywhere with fixing Gordon. And from what she's said, it's pretty clear that even if you refused, Chelsea would find a way of keeping Cara for herself even behind your back. It would probably be best, you tell yourself in a transparent bit of self-justification, if you stuck around in order to act as a brake on her.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea rouses herself. "Okay. So, we'll--"<br/>
<br/>
"Hang on a moment. What about Caleb?" Your friend's name drops heavily into the backseat with you and Chelsea and just sits there.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea lowers her head. "Wouldn't it better if there were just two of us?" she asks guardedly.<br/>
<br/>
Okay, now it <i>does</i> feel like a bribe. But there is a logic to what she says. This three-way partnership has been volatile from the start. "But what do we do with him in the meantime? And what do we tell him?"<br/>
<br/>
"He sounds like he wants to go back to being himself."<br/>
<br/>
"I don't think he does. Not really." You both silent a little while longer, as you struggle to figure what you can say safely, and how much you can say. "You know, I did tell him about what you and me talked about earlier. About maybe just giving up and getting rid of the book."<br/>
<br/>
You know exactly what you're proposing, but it will be easier for you to bear if Chelsea is the one who says it explicitly. And she's not slow to take the hint. "So we tell him that we're giving up," she says, and looks directly at you. "That we're getting rid of all the masks except Gordon's, and that you and him will go back to being yourselves. But we really keep Cara's, and we-- We keep or find something else for you. Secretly."<br/>
<br/>
The easiest solution--the smallest lie--would be if you really did go back to being yourself, alongside Caleb. But the temptation to be close to Chelsea is too great. "We could do it like you're going to do with Cara," you suggest. "Mostly I be myself. But there could be someone else I could switch into. We'd have to change my mask. I'd want-- I'd want the <i>fake me</i> to be <i>my</i> slave, not yours."<br/>
<br/>
"Of course," she says. "But who would be your other ... person?"<br/>
<br/>
You lick your lips. No obvious names suggest themselves. You would like it to be someone close to Chelsea. She would probably insist on it as well. But you're not sure who would fit best. "Maybe we should talk about that later," you lamely suggest. "Right now we should finish up with Cara."<br/>
<br/>
So the two of you drive off to the deserted parking lot of the high school, where you can get the clothes off the naked golem without anyone seeing. Chelsea moves to take Cara's mask, but you stop her. "You have to go back and let Kelli loose again," you point out. "It would be easiest if I took over for Cara again, for a little while. Maybe until the tryouts on Friday." Chelsea resists a little, but then gives in as it is the most logical thing to do. You settle back and let her take Kelli's face off of you.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Luckily, once you're back inside Cara, you discover that the golem hadn't left any problems for you to clean up, so you're able to slip back into her life without any difficulty. You call Caleb, so he knows that Cara is back under control, but decide against telling him anything further until your own plans with Chelsea have been nailed down. <br/>
<br/>
Chelsea herself calls you later that evening, to say that everything on her end has been cleaned up as well. "I don't want to have to go through that again," she mutters, and then resurrects the question she'd left you with. "So who do you want as your second?"<br/>
<br/>
"How about you give me some choices?" you parry. "It should be someone close to you, right? Probably close to Cara, too. One of the other cheerleaders?"<br/>
<br/>
"That's probably smart." But then she asks a totally unexpected question. "Are you still interested in Lisa and Geoff?"<br/>
<br/>
In the excitement of the day you'd actually rather forgotten about all that, and her question leaves you flummoxed, for you're not sure what the best thing is to say. It would make sense for to you say "Yes," but you wonder if it might leave Chelsea feeling jealous. Or, if not jealous, she might wonder if you're more interested in Lisa than you are in her. On the other hand, if you said "No" she might not like the implication that you're interested in her instead. All that talk about you being "sweet" and maybe being her boyfriend next year aside, you're acutely aware that you're "Will Prescott" and she is "Chelsea Cooper." <br/>
<br/>
Fortunately, before your hesitation becomes too awkward, you see a diplomatic escape: "Well, if I go back to being myself, then Cara wouldn't be breaking them up, would she? I mean, if Cara did break them up, then Caleb might realize that we--or that you--hadn't really gotten rid of the book. It's best to keep it all secret from him, right?"<br/>
<br/>
"There's ways around that, Will," she says coolly. "Just tell me if you're still interested in getting together with Lisa."</span></div></div>


path: 11312112221112222211
author_id: rugal
title: What You Wanted But Not How You Expected
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>You should say no. That's the right answer, isn't it? But Lisa was your first real girlfriend. You loved her; you <i>still</i> love her actually. And seeing her with that asshole Mansfield. Seeing the way she blew you off. Was it her AP friends? You're not the best looking guy but blowing you off so suddenly and she's been hanging around those stuck up snobs ever since... it's how she met Mansfield after all. Could she really be that shallow? Was your time together just an act, something to stop her from being bored over the summer? Or is this an act and deep down she still carries a torch for you.<br/>
<br/>
"You there?" comes the voice on the other end.<br/>
<br/>
You should say no. You <i>know</i> it's the right answer. However...<br/>
<br/>
"I'm still interested. I still care about her."<br/>
<br/>
There's a moment of silence that makes you incredibly uneasy. "Okay." Chelsea says simply, "Gordon will see you tomorrow morning. Good night."<br/>
<br/>
You catch sight of yourself in Cara's mirror and do a double take. Is that an expression of disappointment on her, your, face? It's almost accusatory. <i>You idiot! You should've told her no!</i> You almost want to plead ignorance, that you don't want lie to Chelsea, but the look continues. Is it your conscience? Is it Cara herself, the Cara that's trapped in this mask? Do you even want to know? All you want to know right now is what's going on with Lisa. All you want to do is ruin her relationship with Geoff. No, not just the relationship you want to ruin Geoff period, that smug, snobby asshole. He looks down on you: he took your girl and every time you pass him a gleam in his eye or a curl of his lip or a simple "Hey Prescott.", dripping with sarcasm, is his way of reminding you of that. You start to wonder if, perhaps, your desire to get back at Mansfield is actually stronger than your desire to be with Lisa. You push those thoughts aside, however, as you prepare to get some beauty sleep as you'll want Cara looking her best. Not that that's all that hard, of course.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"OW!" you exclaim as Gordon rips a couple of pieces of hair from your head. You rub the spot where his meaty hand just was thankful that it doesn't feel like you have a big bald spot there.<br/>
<br/>
"Here." he says brusquely as he shoves his backpack your way and then your own hair. "You know what to do." and with that he closes the stall door before adding "Meet her in the girl's locker room at lunch."<br/>
<br/>
Gordon, when you arrived, was waiting and instantly grabbed you hauling you off into the men's room where at his "insistence" you removed Cara's mask and made a new one of yourself. Looking in the backpack you're not surprised at what you see: a ziplock bag of dirt, a small container that probably contains some fuel, and a matchbook. He's right, you do know what this means and so you place the hair and some dirt into the back side of the mask, pour a bit of fuel on it, then light it. Once that's done you toss your mask inside the backpack and slide it under the stall door then put Cara's mask back on.<br/>
<br/>
Coming to, the first thing you notice is your clothes. Ugh, having to change like that must've stretched them out. You're kind of skinny so it's not enough to be visibly noticeable, or at least in a big way, but it's enough to where you notice how off everything feels. You open the door with no Gordon in sight, probably off to take things back to Chelsea you assume, and exit the bathroom.<br/>
<br/>
"So what was that about?" Kelli surprises you as you exit. Guess Chelsea was true to her word there.<br/>
<br/>
"Nothing." you reply coolly, "I don't know Gordon just told me that Chelsea wants to meet with me somewhere private at lunch to talk about things. Then he gave me some stuff about how if I cause trouble for her he'll see to it that I regret it and whatnot."<br/>
<br/>
A chill seems to pass through Kelli, "God, I've heard he's kind of a brute but really? Is that what we'd have to deal with if we get picked? Is that what you'll have to deal with?"<br/>
<br/>
You shrug. "Dealing with it's what I'll do, yeah." you state as you walk off to class.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"So, what'd you want to see me about Chels--" you're stopped to see Chelsea, Chelsea, and Will Prescott all standing in the back of the girl's locker room with one of the Chelseas covered in only a towel and looking more than a bit embarrassed.<br/>
<br/>
"Just fucking take that thing off. And your clothes too." the towel-clad Chelsea states making sure not to look your way.<br/>
<br/>
You giggle a bit and you think you see her cheeks redden, "So I'm guessing that's my mask? The one Gordon had me make?" you ask, "Who's in it? And what about the other you, I just ran into Kelli before 1st period."<br/>
<br/>
"It's your new home under your mask." Chelsea mutters, "And it's Cara under my mask, I'm stepping in for her so just fucking do what I said already!"<br/>
<br/>
With a shrug you strip off your clothes, then lay down and remove Cara's mask. Coming to you barely have time to re-orient yourself before Chelsea hands you a mask and some clothes. Without really thinking you press the mask to your face and black out once more.<br/>
<br/>
"Kat Newman." you say to Chelsea--now Cara--as you grab a loose t-shirt off the floor. Cara's fully dressed while you're standing around in a pair of track pants and a sports bra though the t-shirt will be back on once lunch is over.<br/>
<br/>
"You said you still wanted to get together with Lisa." Cara replies, "They live on the same street."<br/>
<br/>
"That's not what I meant." you retort a bit annoyed.<br/>
<br/>
"Well then word things better in the future." You detect a hint of venom in those words, god this is revenge isn't it? Intentionally misinterpreting you. "Be thankful I didn't give you someone like Brooke or Kelsey. I'm sure you'd loooove being around them."<br/>
<br/>
"Kat and Lisa aren't even friends. They barely know each other." you protest.<br/>
<br/>
"So make an effort, you've got all the opportunity to do so now that you're so close to her. You know, like you wanted to."<br/>
<br/>
You grunt in frustration, reach a hand into your pocket, and tie the dark brown hair that stops right at your shoulder into a ponytail. "I think I just wanted to ruin things for Mansfield more than get back with Lisa." you reply as you catch sight of yourself in a mirror. Petite is the best word to describe Kat Newman. Short, small chested, cute but almost childlike face... you wouldn't be blamed for thinking she was still a middle schooler even though her toned appearance tells you the one thing people really know about her around school: the girl is crazy athletic and crazy into sports of all kind. In fact a few times a week she blows off lunch to come to the gym and shoot baskets which, memories tell you, is how Chelsea got a mask of her. The only reason she's on the swim team compared to the basketball team is that both seasons overlap and the swim team was what she went with first.<br/>
<br/>
Your reverie is broken by Cara shoving something, a mask, in your direction. "If you want to do that, then use this. I'll pass you some golem stuff after school." she says.<br/>
<br/>
"What do you want me to do with this?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"God you real can be dense, you know?" Cara replies rolling her eyes, "Golemize the mask you're wearing now, go over to Lisa's house... I think you get what I'm saying, right?" she says before looking at her cellphone, "Fuck, Leah's sent me a barrage of texts. She's probably worried about what happened." she then looks at you with a smirk, "Hey, Kat's a junior as well right? Maybe I should add <i>her</i> to the squad instead of two of Cara's friends."<br/>
<br/>
You shrug, "Kat's never really had any designs on that. Plus it'd probably conflict with her swim schedule."<br/>
<br/>
"I'd make sure it wouldn't." Cara replies with a smile, "If you don't want to do that thing with Lisa and want to stay <i>there</i> anyway."<br/>
<br/>
Another shrug, "I dunno. I'll tell you when I see you at the end of the day I guess." you answer in a noncommittal manner and head back into the gym.<br/>
<br/>
As you shoot a few jumpers in the handful of minutes until lunch is over you mull over what Chelsea said to you and what she offered. The mask is now sitting in Kat's bag and it's mighty tempting. Become Lisa Yarborough, know exactly what she thinks of you, how she feels. Have her body nestled against you in a manner you never could've imagined. Touch her, stroke her, please her whenever you want. A Lisa Yarborough that would be all yours. A Lisa Yarborough that would not belong to Geoff Mansfield... no, a Lisa Yarborough that would rip his heart out and kick it into a trash can.<br/>
<br/>
But do you want to do that? You want to be <i>with</i> Lisa, not <i>be</i> her... right? You've only been in it a few minutes but Kat's body feels spectacular. So full of energy, strong and lithe; a lot of power inside a small package. And being on the swimming team that means being close to Andrea Varnsworth. Andrea Varnsworth: beautiful and enchanting but from Kat's viewpoint graceful, cool, with an air of mystery around her. An air of defiance. Kat's perfectly straight but some times... god, if only Andrea was a cute guy. Maybe it's better to just stay where you are if you're not sure about Lisa. Let Chelsea give you a spot on the cheerleading squad. Spend time with Andrea...</span></div></div>


path: 113121122211122222111
author_id: rugal
title: You Have Become That Which You Love
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>The rest of the day passes by slowly. Not just because you're not terribly excited about sitting through some classes that you already finished with barely a few months ago. Not just become Kat herself couldn't care less about solving for X or how the Articles of Confederation took away agency from the federal government. And not just because Mr. Schultz is nothing but a bloviating gasbag with a personality that's as rich and charming as a grungy hobo waiting behind a restaurant so he can pick through to trash for the night's leftovers. All of those play a part to be sure but the real culprit is the mask.<br/>
<br/>
The mask that sits in your backpack. The mask that, when combined with Chelsea's words and your own thoughts, tempts you with images of Lisa Yarborough in the flesh and nothing but. Of Geoff Mansfield running off with his buddies like Martin Gardinhire and Anthony Kirk and Tyler Kirkham, his pride wounded wondering what he did wrong. Of Lisa standing in triumph free of that conceited and self-righteous asshole... no, of <i>yourself</i> standing in triumph. You pay no attention to anything Schultz says. You barely pay attention to Lynnette's attempts at chat and gossip as a way to pass time while Schultz continues to be seemingly fascinated by listening to his own voice. All you can focus on are the Lisa, Mansfield, and the mask.<br/>
<br/>
That's why once the bell rings to end the day you practically bolt out of Schultz's classroom, giving only a customary goodbye to Lynnette and a couple of others on your way out, and hurry to Cara's locker. Unfortunately she's not there when you arrive and it's a couple of minutes of waiting impatiently before you finally see her. "Oh hey, what's--"<br/>
<br/>
"Man, what took you so long?" you ask cutting her off, "I've been standing around like an idiot."<br/>
<br/>
"Jesus, calm down <i>Kat</i> I had to feign actually giving a shit Leah's blubbering about screwing up her chances for the squad." Cara replies scrunching her face up to show her displeasure, "By the way, don't tell her but she is definitely out of the running. I've already got one insecure to deal with, I don't need to two." You give her no response and when she sees the non-expression on your face seems to get the hint, "But you're not here for that I'm guessing. So you've made a decision?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah." you nod, "Let me have the stuff."<br/>
<br/>
"Really." she huffs and reaches into her locker handing you the golemization material once she pulls it out, "Hope you're satisfied with the outcome. I hope you get all of Lisa you can handle."<br/>
<br/>
"Chels--Cara!" you exclaim as you take it from her, "I just... I want that relationship ended."<br/>
<br/>
"So what? You can swoop in once Lisa's back and realizes that her relationship is over, give her your shoulder, and then she'll come back?" she asks, irritation filling her voice.<br/>
<br/>
"No! I don't..." you catch yourself trying to think of what to say next but nothing comes to mind.<br/>
<br/>
"You don't what? You don't want Lisa now?" Cara asks, "So what are you doing this for? Do you want to ruin Mansfield's life?" You notice that she seems a little uncomfortable now, her eyes distant. "If you wanted to do that why not switch into him and break them up from there. Then you could hook him up with Cara, like we originally planned."<br/>
<br/>
"But Mansfield's an arrogant prick. He doesn't deserve to benefit from a break up." you reply.<br/>
<br/>
You notice her mouth moving as she continues looking down, like she's literally chewing on a thought. "We'll meet tomorrow." she says simply before closing her locker and turning to walk away, "Don't find me, I'll find you."<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"Geoff you're a narcissistic, self-important, preening, pseudo-intellectual jerk. You don't care about me, we barely see each other outside of school. Once or twice a week isn't enough you know; I have wants and needs too! They're wants and needs that you're not fulfilling! I thought I'd found someone mature but it turns out that you're just as fucking immature as everyone else. I'm your trophy, your medal, your status symbol that you can lord over people as a way to prop yourself up. Well that's not going to happen anymore. Goodbye Geoff, we're through."<br/>
<br/>
You look at your reflection in the mirror hanging on the inside of the closet door. Lisa Yarborough looks back at you, exposed to you in all her glory and not just because you're standing there in the nude.<br/>
<br/>
Getting to here wasn't terribly difficult, it simply involved going over to Lisa's and giving her a sob story about being locked out of your house and wanting to hang out until someone got back. Lisa and Kat, though living on the street and being acquainted with each other, have never really hung out but she still accepted if only so you weren't stuck outside. Once in, you asked to use the bathroom and set things up with Kat's mask quickly running into Lisa's room. She only had a second to wonder why Will Prescott was in her house before the blank mask was shoved onto her.<br/>
<br/>
And now here you were, Will Prescott still in Lisa's room "dressed up", as it were, as her. She was exposed, body and mind. The words you spoke to the mirror? They were Lisa's, words that she keeps in the deep recesses of her mind as she tries to convince herself that hooking up with Mansfield wasn't a mistake. You lose yourself in her mind once more.<br/>
<br/>
Will was nice, he was attentive, but he was immature. He could look nice if he cleaned himself up, if he just showed a little confidence. As a summer time thing it was nice but now? As a senior? As you prepare to start your life as an adult? You needed more. You didn't need a boyfriend with an emphasis on the word "boy", you needed a partner.<br/>
<br/>
Geoff seemed to provide that: handsome, refined, self-assured. But that was all a mask. Geoff Mansfield isn't mature, merely good at projecting the image of being mature. He's so obsessed with image, with how he presents himself and how others perceive him, and is that how someone who is truly mature would act? Wouldn't they have enough confidence to not put on airs and to present themselves as genuine?<br/>
<br/>
You continue looking at yourself in the mirror, at the violet eyes. How often does Geoff look in them and see a person or a lover? How often does he stroke your dark hair and think about how good it makes you feel? When he massages a breast does he care at all at the pleasure it gives you or does he only care that he gets to be the one laying his hands on Lisa Yarborough's chest? When he holds you close, his hands on your wide hips as you look at him and smile, does he look at you and see a young woman looking for love or does he only see a conquest and something that reaffirms his self-worth?<br/>
<br/>
You close the closet door and as you lay down onto the bed, one hand on a breast and one moving lower, your own thoughts reassert themselves mixing with Lisa's own becoming more intimate with one another as you become more intimate with Lisa's physical form.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Arriving at school the next morning you walk with a bounce and a smile. You say good morning to Brooke Galloway and stop to chat for a few minutes with Mia Spencer, one of the more "outcast" AP girls due to her more outgoing and less exclusionary nature. And then, after moving on, you see him. Likewise he notices you not that you're hard to notice: a dark purple shirt and tight jeans that accentuate your hips and ass and go well with your paler skin held together but heeled black boots and a black belt around the shirt. Your hair, too, is a little more wavy with a little extra bounce.<br/>
<br/>
"Hey babe." Geoff greets with a smile as he grabs you around the waste and gives you a peck on the lips.<br/>
<br/>
It's disgusting.<br/>
<br/>
"Hey yourself." you say rather unenthusiastically hoping he picks up on it.<br/>
<br/>
"Real shame we couldn't get together last night." he says.<br/>
<br/>
"It's okay, Geoff, don't worry about it. We've got a lot of things to worry about with testing and getting into good schools and all that." you reply, again without much conviction.<br/>
<br/>
He shakes his head. "Lisa, it's not okay. I can't keep blowing you off. We definitely need to spend more time together."<br/>
<br/>
You want vomit at how transparently insincere he is. Just throw up all over his stupid face and clothes. "I said it's fine, Geoff, really." you say, once more sounding resigned before adding in a rather stinging manner, "I don't want to feel like I'm distracting you or dragging you down."<br/>
<br/>
Mansfield finally seems to get the hint. "Are you sure about that?" he asks with an "I care, I truly do" tone to his voice, "You're not upset about anything are you?"<br/>
<br/>
Well here it is. You could end things right here and right now. Tell him how Lisa <i>really</i> feels, how you feel; just let him have it and dump him right there in public. Make a scene of it, make him embarrassed, then switch back into Kat at the end of the day. But is that the right course of action? The quicker you do it the quicker he can rebound. Doing it in public will surely earn him some sympathy among the female population and then Geoff will have his pick of a new trophy. No, perhaps the best course of action, the way to achieve maximum success, would be to take it slow. Be noncommittal, give mixed signals, take it nice and slow. Geoff would get antsy and wouldn't know what to do. That'd really put the screws to him.</span></div></div>


path: 113121122211122222112
author_id: rugal
title: (Un)Healthy Competition
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>The question about what you should do eats at you throughout most of the day. From Mrs. Warren's Algebra II class (which isn't uncommon for Kat who generally hates math) to Mr. Donovan's photography class (a notoriously easy elective) to Mr. Schultz's government class the temptation of the mask, of what to do with it and whether you really want to become Lisa, acts as a distraction. It's a fact that's not lost on Schultz as he snaps you back to reality with a simple "Isn't that right, Ms. Newman?"<br/>
<br/>
"Uh... yeah. Wait, um, what was the question?" you ask to the titters of your fellow classmates.<br/>
<br/>
"The question, a rhetorical one by the way, was 'Could the country continue functioning with the individual states continuing to show flagrant disrespect for the powers and authority that had been bestowed on Congress by the Articles of Confederation?' Questions of respect and authority are ones that, perhaps, you should take to heart Ms. Newman."<br/>
<br/>
You roll your eyes and go back to ignoring Schultz's rambling and droning. Just another self-righteous old windbag like half the teachers in the school you think. It's a sentiment that seems to be echoed by Lynnette Hamilton as she turns to you. "What a douche." she whispers softly enough to where you have to lean to your right a bit in order to properly hear her, "I figure you're probably distracted because of what happened with the basketball team right?" she asks.<br/>
<br/>
"What, did they all finally turn into something other than cavemen?" you mutter.<br/>
<br/>
That elicits a small snicker from Lynnette, "No, the girl's team. I figure you would've heard--" realization seems to strike her as her eyes widen, "Oh, I'm guessing Almida probably kept it out of your circles didn't she?"<br/>
<br/>
You grunt, "So what's going on?"<br/>
<br/>
"I dunno if I should tell you." she replies.<br/>
<br/>
"Then why bring it up?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Noooo," Lynnette shakes her head, "I mean Almida's holding a special meeting in the gym after school today."<br/>
<br/>
"And you're saying I should go?" you cock an eyebrow then go back to pretending to take notes.<br/>
<br/>
"Well technically you can't go. It's invite only, I heard, and if you didn't know..."<br/>
<br/>
"Then I didn't get the golden ticket." you say completing her thought.<br/>
<br/>
"Right. All the more reason you should go then." Lynnette says turning back to her own chicken scratch filled paper. "Crash her little party. I mean what's the most she can do, yell at you?"<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"As you all can see, poor Lisa's out for the year." Almida Jones, the captain of the girl's basketball team, says as she gestures to Lisa Durant looking rather forlorn as she stands on crutches, her leg in a medical boot. "That clumsy center from Evansville fell right on her foot last night and fractured it. Obviously this leaves us down a girl and with a roster spot that's going to need to be filled."<br/>
<br/>
"So you think you can do it by picking one of these scrubs?" you call out from the back of the gym. There's a murmur from the attended people as about two dozen pairs of eyes all turn to look at you.<br/>
<br/>
"Newman. You weren't invited." sneers Almida as you lock eyes with her.<br/>
<br/>
"Didn't think I needed an invite to come into an open gym." you shoot back with a smirk. "I mean you're holding tryouts so I figured, you know..."<br/>
<br/>
"Private tryouts." Kristy Suffolk, the co-captain and Almida's right hand, chrips up.<br/>
<br/>
"Well then lock the doors next time." you shrug.<br/>
<br/>
You can see irritation stirring on Almida's face but she regains her composure, "You want to try out? Is that what you're saying?" she smirks.<br/>
<br/>
"Trying out implies there's a chance that I wouldn't make it." you shoot back smugly as you stride up to where Almida and the rest of the girl's team is standing, "No offense to the rest of the girls here but we all know that I could outplay even if my foot was busted." Lisa winces at that and for a second you feel bad as she's actually a fairly nice girl from your, well Kat's, limited interactions with her.<br/>
<br/>
The problem comes from Almida who you can see getting irritated once more, "So you think you're going to just waltz in here and expect me to hand you a spot because, what, you swim? Because you hang out with that pretentious dyke?" she snorts, the derision written all over her face, "You're so goddamn arrogant, you know that? You strut around like you're hot shit but you're just another c--"<br/>
<br/>
"Almida..." Nia Nicholson, obviously much more levelheaded than her captain, jumps in. "If she wants to try out let her try out. I mean what's it going to hurt?"<br/>
<br/>
"Her ego." you mutter and Almida pretends not to hear it.<br/>
<br/>
"Fine, you want to try out? You want to be in this team? Tomorrow. Here. After school. You got that?"<br/>
<br/>
It's your turn to look irritated, "I've got practice tomorrow, you know that!" you exclaim.<br/>
<br/>
"Well sure. If you don't want to blow off your team I completely understand that." Almida smirks. It's a look of pure smugness and you have a desire to wipe it off her face though you're able to temper yourself. "After all, if you're going to join a team you have to be completely dedicated."<br/>
<br/>
The two of you glare at one another before your face softens, "I'll get practice off. I'll be here tomorrow and I'll get that spot. Oh and by the way..."<br/>
<br/>
"Hey!" Kristy exclaims as you snatch the basketball from her hand, shoot it, and put it perfectly through the net.<br/>
<br/>
"It's not arrogance when you can back it up." With that you exit the gym and immediately run into Cara, "Christ, how did you know I was here?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Peyton saw you head over this way so I just assumed..." she trails off, "Anyway, are you going to switch over to Lisa?"<br/>
<br/>
You shake your head, "Nah, I'm done with that. I think I've got someone else I want to put in their place now." you reply and you think you see the faintest hint of a smile on Cara's face. "Actually, I'm gonna go hang out with Andrea and a couple of others over at the pool. You can come by if you want."<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"A pretentious dyke? Really?" Andrea asks with a bit of a laugh as she dries her hair off after a quick post-school dip.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, well she thinks I'm arrogant." you snort at the suggestion, "She's just a jealous cunt."<br/>
<br/>
"Well I don't know what could've <i>ever</i> given her that idea." Bethany Lewis smiles at you, her sandy hair, bright blue eyes, and tan give off a very stereotypical image of a surfer girl or someone who makes their harm partially at the beach.<br/>
<br/>
"Stuff it Bethany. We all know she thinks she's the top shit female athlete at the school because she's captain of the girl's basketball team." you cross your arms and lay back against the bleachers, "And we all know she hates me because she knows I'd embarrass her if we were both on the team."<br/>
<br/>
"See? Not conceited at all." Bethany shoots back and you throw your shirt at her while she laughs.<br/>
<br/>
"She's kind of right though." Andrea chimes in, "You can be really competitive and prideful."<br/>
<br/>
"So you agree with her." you say leaning your head back and looking up at the ceiling.<br/>
<br/>
"In the sense that you'd probably try and destroy a 5-year-old in a game of Candy Land." she replies, "So are you going to the try outs tomorrow?"<br/>
<br/>
You pull yourself back up to a sitting position. "I told her I was but... ugh! We've got practice tomorrow and..."<br/>
<br/>
"So what? Go." Andrea says, "I know that's your thing more than swimming and we'll work the schedule out if we have to."<br/>
<br/>
"Go out for some more teams while you're at it." Olivia jumps in, "Maybe the wrestling team has an opening. You always hear those stories about the girl wrestler that takes out the boys and hey, it'd give you an excuse to rub up on some hot guys."<br/>
<br/>
You know she's joking but you reply to her in all seriousness. "Not worth it. Besides that stuff's lame, it's not real wrestling."<br/>
<br/>
"It's not real--" Bethany starts and then bursts into a laughing fit. You respond by flipping the bird in her direction.<br/>
<br/>
"Speaking of new teams, you've been awfully quiet." Andrea says turning to Cara. Chelsea handpicking her for the squad is basically the worst kept secret in the school at this point. "What are you even doing here?"<br/>
<br/>
"I just think that I could suggest some people for Chelsea. She'd probably like someone like Kat on the squad." Cara replies.<br/>
<br/>
"Would she wear one of those male cheerleader outfits because I don't think I've ever seen her in a skirt." Bethany grins and you flip her a double bird. "Anyway, I think I've gotta get out. Mom's gonna be pissed if I miss dinner." she says as she stands up and grabs her stuff.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, I should probably finish drying off and get changed." Andrea adds as she grabs her towel and heads into the locker room.<br/>
<br/>
With it being just the two of you Cara turns her attention to you. "You've still got that mask and stuff right?" she asks rhetorically, "Use it on Andrea."<br/>
<br/>
"On Andrea? Why?"<br/>
<br/>
"She's plugged into the lower levels and the swim team. Having a mask of her that one of us could switch into every so often to keep an eye out for what's happening would be way too useful." she explains. Then gets a thoughtful look on her face, "Actually, you're going to the basketball tryouts tomorrow. You know Almida will never actually put you on the team but that's still a good opportunity."<br/>
<br/>
"For what?"<br/>
<br/>
"Replace her. Almida's a bitch and I know she thinks she's better than me." Cara says, her face is dark. "With you there though she can be more, I dunno, compliant. I can have the girl's team under control."<br/>
<br/>
"So I have to switch around again." you say bitterly.<br/>
<br/>
"Not for a while, probably. Almida would be your new home. Or at least you could be her long enough to put Kat on the team then switch back. That'd cause some trouble for her. So what do you say?"</span></div></div>


path: 11312112221112222212
author_id: seuzz
title: Declarations and Revolutions
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>It's a tough question. A very tough question. If you're going to spend most of the year being yourself, then yes, you'd really like to be with Lisa. <br/>
<br/>
But as you pace the bedroom with the phone pressed against your ear, you catch sight of yourself in the mirror. Cara Fuhrman's reflection brings you up short. For even though it is <i>your</i> reflection, and her hand goes up to brush back a strand of hair at the same time that you use your own hand to tuck it back, the expression on her face is like that of a stranger. Cara Fuhrman gazes at you with a look of exasperation. <i>You stupid guy,</i> she seems to be saying. <i>She wants to know if you're interested in her. Don't be an idiot. Tell her you are.</i><br/>
<br/>
"Lisa's kind of in the past," you hear yourself say. "I've been through a lot more with you, Chelsea, than with her."<br/>
<br/>
Cara smiles back at you. And though maybe you're flattering yourself, you imagine Chelsea turning pink with pleasure at what you've said.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, then I'll have to think some more about where you could go," she says after a short pause. You press the phone closer to your ear. Maybe it's your imagination, but it sounds like there's a purr in her voice.<br/>
<br/>
"You look like the cat who swallowed the canary," your mom says as you breeze through the living room.<br/>
<br/>
"I just talked to Chelsea Cooper," you dimple back. "She's being really nice, and we're setting it up so I can be on the squad without it interfering with the horseback riding lessons or anything else."<br/>
<br/>
She cocks a skeptical eyebrow. "Just let me know what this schedule is supposed to be." You nod absent-mindedly and continue on into the kitchen.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You arrive at school on Monday to find the halls festooned with posters advertising the cheerleading tryouts for Friday. You're startled by the sheer number of them, and the effort that went into them: There's lots of glitter and streamers, and more than a few are even studded with miniature pom-poms. The explanation comes when you swing into C wing and find Kendra and Gloria putting up yet another poster. Both of them look very tired, and Gloria, when she catches sight of you, shoots a dirty look in your direction. Chelsea must have put the screws to them.<br/>
<br/>
The advertisements have the intended effect, for the junior class girls are soon abuzz about them, even though the upcoming tryouts have been an open secret for several days now. At lunch you and Kelli and Leah find yourself standing in front of the largest and gaudiest sign of all, in the main foyer next to the school office. "I think <i>everyone</i> is going to be trying out for them," Kelli sighs. "I even heard Derek joking about trying out."<br/>
<br/>
"I wonder how <i>he'd</i> look in a skirt," you giggle. "But we don't have to worry. The fix is in." You can't resist flashing them both a smug smile.<br/>
<br/>
Kelli says nothing, but Leah winces. "For some of us," she grumbles.<br/>
<br/>
"What's wrong with you?"<br/>
<br/>
She says nothing, but flashes a pained and knowing glance at Kelli. The latter just stares back blankly. Of course, you can guess what she's worried about.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm supposed to have lunch with Chelsea," you say rather grandly. "But I think I'll skip if you're worried about something, Lee." You pluck at her elbow and lead her off, and with a quick glance over your shoulder stop Kelli from following.<br/>
<br/>
You and your friend settle down on the grass in front. She slumps, but you hold yourself with confident poise. "Chelsea came over to my house on Saturday," she says. "And I think I pissed her off." She stumbles through a very confused account of Saturday odd events.<br/>
<br/>
"Hmm," you say when she's done. "Well, as long as you do really well at the tryout I don't think it'll be a huge problem," you tell her. "That's what it's about, isn't it? Being good?"<br/>
<br/>
"Is it, Cara," she snaps back. "I mean, does Chelsea know that <i>you're</i> really good?"<br/>
<br/>
You feel your face fall a little. "Well, there <i>are</i> three slots," you retort with no little acidity. "At least <i>some</i> of them have to go to the best people."<br/>
<br/>
She grimaces. "I didn't mean--"<br/>
<br/>
"I think you did, Leah," you say. "And like you say, there's going to be a <i>lot</i> of competition. But I'm pretty sure I can talk to Chelsea and make sure that you get a fair shake." She glowers at you. "Just keep your spirits up," you advise her. "Don't dwell on it. Don't talk to Kelli or anything about it, either. That'll just make you depressed. Just forget about it."<br/>
<br/>
She sighs and shrugs.<br/>
<br/>
You glance over her head to a cluster of boys. "You know," you say, leaning close to her. "We're going to become a lot more popular after the decisions are made. I mean, yeah, only three of us are going to make it, but we're still all going to be friends, aren't we? You and me and Kelli and Paris and Peyton?" Again, she shrugs. "Well, <i>three</i> of us are going to be cheerleaders, and I think a lot of guys are going to want to hang out with us. And there's going to be <i>five</i> of us to hang out with. I'm sure that <i>Dane</i> will be one of them." You cock a knowing eyebrow.<br/>
<br/>
Leah gasps, and darts a quick look over her shoulder. "Oh my God," she gasps, and leans in close to you while burying her face in her hands.<br/>
<br/>
You tweak her knee playfully. "I should go talk to him. Tell him to get in line early."<br/>
<br/>
"You wouldn't!"<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, I think I would," you grin wickedly and start to your feet.<br/>
<br/>
She grabs at you. "Don't!"<br/>
<br/>
"Why not?" you tease. She only looks back up at you in agony. "Okay, I'll just go talk to Chelsea," you reassure her. "But I might run into Dane. I've got lots of classes with him, you know. And something might slip out."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, Cara!" she cries, and you can't tell if she's begging you to keep your mouth shut or begging you to follow through on your threat.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
The rest of the week passes just as pleasantly, with you gloating with ill-disguised pleasure over your upcoming promotion, and exchanging vague promises of support to various junior-class girls in exchange for rather more concrete promises from them for help on school projects. Since Chelsea will be taking Cara from you for the actual tryouts, you don't see her anymore after school, and your only conversations with her are in public, at lunchtime, where she naturally goes out of her way to pump "Cara" up in front of everyone else. Thursday at lunch, though, she leans over and whispers to you to come back up to the school that evening. With a twinge of regret, you can tell that's when she plans to make the switch.<br/>
<br/>
So at six o'clock you meet in the deserted gym. For once, Gordon is not in attendance, but you and Chelsea are there along with Jonas and the golems of yourself and Caleb. The latter two look a little confused; Jonas just looks grim.<br/>
<br/>
"Okay, I've decided to just give up on that stupid book," Chelsea announces. "I can't figure it out, so Gordon's just going to have to stay the way he is. As for you guys--" She sighs and shrugs. "Well, thanks for your help. There's no point in all this pretending anymore, so I guess it's back to normal for you."<br/>
<br/>
You're unsure what to say--what to pretend--and just look over at Jonas. He looks back at you, and shrugs. "Whatever, Chelsea," he says tonelessly.<br/>
<br/>
"Okay, Caleb, you and, uh, you and Caleb--" She stumbles over the confusing use of personal names. "You two go wait in the boys' locker room. I'll be along in a moment and we'll get the masks off you. You two--" She turns to you and the golem-Will. "Wait in the girls' changing room."<br/>
<br/>
You shrug in your turn, and you and your twin do as she commands. The golem looks around the room with open curiosity before turning on you. "So, did you have fun?" it asks. "I bet you did."<br/>
<br/>
"Don't be a creep." It's a turnoff to have to go back to being a lanky, ill-kempt doofus, even for a little while. "Go wait in the showers." But it grins and refuses to move.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea must have gone with Caleb first, for it's several minutes before she returns. "Well, that's taken care of," she sighs, then does a double-take at you. "Why aren't you--?" she starts, then does a double-take again at the golem. "Oh. Yeah," she snorts. "I'd wait to get undressed too, if <i>that</i> thing was in here with me."<br/>
<br/>
You wince. Is she going to be like that when you're back to being yourself? But you start to pull of your shirt as she directs the golem to turn around and get itself undressed.<br/>
<br/>
You've everything but the panties off when Chelsea steps in close. "You thought any more about a second place?" she asks quietly.<br/>
<br/>
"I thought you were going to give me a choice," you reply.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, okay," she says, and stares up at you gravely. "I still need to fix things with Cindy. Remember what I told you about her and Seth having a break up?" Her eyes glint.<br/>
<br/>
Actually, you'd totally forgotten about that, like you'd forgotten about Lisa and Geoff, and suck in your breath sharply. After Saturday, you'd just assumed that Chelsea would be using the masks for alternate identities. It hadn't occurred to you that she might still want to use them to screw with people.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, here's the thing," she says. "I want Seth to dump Cindy. Hard. And it would still look best if he landed with Cara. You know," she adds meaningfully. "With whoever is <i>being</i> Cara. So what would you say to being <i>Seth?</i>" Her hand goes to the phone in her pocket. "I can have him out here in thirty minutes."</span></div></div>


path: 113121122211122222122
author_id: seuzz
title: A Return to Normalcy?
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>This is exactly the kind of thing you've been wanting: a disguise that puts you and Chelsea together.<br/>
<br/>
And yet you hesitate. Maybe it's because you don't want to be a catspaw in any of Chelsea's schemes. Or maybe it's because you feel one last tug from Cara's own preferences, for you feel a twinge at giving up the idea of pairing off with Geoff Mansfield. Will Chelsea feel the same urges when she's inside Cara?<br/>
<br/>
"Well, we can do that later, can't we?" you ask. Another thought occurs to you. "Besides, I should get with Caleb, make sure that he's not going to do anything funny."<br/>
<br/>
"Caleb will be okay," Chelsea says, and you blink a little at her confident tone. "But that's alright," she continues. "We can wait until Cara is actually on the squad."<br/>
<br/>
"And maybe we should wait until you're settled in as Cara," you say. "In case you decide that she and Seth wouldn't really work."<br/>
<br/>
"I guess," she says. "So come on, finish up." She points at you.<br/>
<br/>
You twitch off the last of Cara's clothes, then lay down on a bench. Chelsea bends over you and touches your face. She mutters under her breath, and then pulls at your features.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
She and golem-Will are still there when you wake; she'll finish the swap once you're gone, she tells you as you dress.<br/>
<br/>
You've just got your shoes tied when it hits you: You've missed more than a week of your own life and have no idea what has happened in the meantime. "What are we gonna do about that?" you ask after you've explained to Chelsea.<br/>
<br/>
She looks at the golem. "Is there anything he needs to know?" she asks it.<br/>
<br/>
It smirks back. "We got a job," it says.<br/>
<br/>
You pale. "The fuck?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah," it says, grinning at your discomfiture. "Out at dad's work."<br/>
<br/>
"How did this happen?" you exclaim in a near shriek.<br/>
<br/>
It shrugs. "It was Caleb's idea. Or, I guess, fake-Caleb's idea," it says, making air quotes around the sarcastic words. "Yeah, we were like best buds while you and real-Caleb--" Again with the air quotes. "While you guys were off having fun."<br/>
<br/>
You wheel on Chelsea. "This is fucked up!"<br/>
<br/>
"It wasn't <i>my</i> idea," she exclaims. "I didn't pay any attention to them after-- After those two days." She shifts on her feet. "Oh, come on, Will," she says. "It's not a disaster. If <i>that thing</i>--" She points at the golem. "If <i>that thing</i> can do it, you can too."<br/>
<br/>
You glare at the golem. Its grin is infuriatingly smug.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Caleb is leaning glumly against his car when you find him in the parking lot. "So, here we are," you say as you walk up.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, I guess," he grunts back, and doesn't look at you.<br/>
<br/>
"I hear I'm working at Salopek now," you tell him.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah," he drawls. "You and me and Sean Mitchell."<br/>
<br/>
"How'd you know?" you demand.<br/>
<br/>
He looks at you, then down at his feet. "I, uh, I talked to the golem," he says. "Isn't that how you found out?"<br/>
<br/>
"Sure. But--"<br/>
<br/>
Caleb looks over your shoulder, and you turn around. Jonas has appeared, and is looking around the parking lot with a vexed expression on his face. It takes you a moment to remember that it must be the real Jonas, and that he's probably a lot more confused than you. He catches you looking at him, and glares back with a suspicious expression, then trudges over to his car. <br/>
<br/>
You turn back to Caleb. "So tell me about this job."<br/>
<br/>
"It's just manual labor," he shrugs. "Nothing to get excited about. We'll go out tomorrow after school for a few hours of work. Me and Sean'll guide you through it."<br/>
<br/>
<i>Sean Mitchell.</i> He's another senior, on the football and wrestling teams. You don't really know him, but he seems like a nice guy. You feel nervous, but maybe Caleb's right, and it's nothing to get excited about.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, it was quite an adventure," Caleb says. "But I guess it's time to get on with the rest of our lives."<br/>
<br/>
<i>The rest of your life.</i> It's only going to be temporary, you reflect to yourself, but you're still tempted to call Chelsea and set up a quick switch with Seth. You don't, though. Caleb is being tight-lipped, and it seems like a good idea to keep an eye on him for a little while first.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You get through the evening and night by keeping to yourself, and by bedtime you've almost got yourself used to being in your old bedroom. But habits as Cara die a little hard, and you uncharacteristically clean it up before going to bed. And once you're under the covers you can't resist rubbing your chest regretfully at what you've surrendered. Instead of Seth, maybe you should lobby for a cheerleader or some other girl. <i>Oh, but then you wouldn't have Chelsea for a girlfriend,</i> you sigh. Your hand winds up traveling lower, and in the fantasies that follow her form and Cara's get thoroughly mixed up with each other.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"He said I'd look good in a skirt," Keith says bleakly. He raises the sandwich to his mouth, then with a sigh tosses it aside uneaten.<br/>
<br/>
"He was lying," Caleb says around a mouthful of his own lunch. <br/>
<br/>
Keith flips him off. "Let's just get off campus as quick as we can after school," he says. "Fucking Javits would probably like to haul me into the gym for those tryouts."<br/>
<br/>
<i>Fucking Javits</i> is Seth Javits, the guy Chelsea wants you to substitute for. He also happens to be Keith's personal bully, for reasons that none of you can fathom. But at least once a week the basketball player will haul Keith off for a little private attention. And yet he doesn't seem to have it in for anyone else at the school, unlike Lester "The Molester," the soccer goalie who picks on you, and on lots of others.<br/>
<br/>
You suck on the peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth and gaze at Keith. Maybe that's the reason you resisted taking Seth: You'd have to stay in character and bully your friend. Or maybe you wouldn't. Couldn't you use that spot to relieve Keith of Seth's attentions? Your brow crinkles. Or maybe--as with Cara--you'd find yourself gradually assuming many of his attitudes, and find yourself enjoying the bullying.<br/>
<br/>
"Lotta excitement today," observes James Lamont, who is taking a break from his usual group and is eating with your trio. "Those tryouts. The new guys on the basketball team." He looks over at Keith. "That's probably why Javits was on your ass, Tilley. He has his alpha cred to look out for."<br/>
<br/>
"What's this about new basketball players?" you ask.<br/>
<br/>
"Two new guys," James repeats. "Oh, and they're transferring from Eastman. So, like, bad for them <i>and</i> good for us. Yay, team, go Westside," he adds sarcastically.<br/>
<br/>
"They any good?" Caleb asks.<br/>
<br/>
"I dunno, I'm not on the team," James retorts. "But I heard they tried out this morning and made it." <br/>
<br/>
"Just a couple more jock jerks to worry about," Keith grumbles.<br/>
<br/>
You cock your head thoughtfully. Jonas ... Seth ... Chelsea kept steering you and Caleb toward the basketball team. Maybe one of the new guys would make a decent second identity. "Are they cute?" you ask before you realize what you're doing.<br/>
<br/>
Three jaws freeze in mid-chew, and three heads turn toward you. You never do succeed in explaining yourself, and the subsequent teasing is merciless.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
After school you get a ride with Caleb out to Salopek, and he fills you in on what you need to know--the things you're <i>supposed</i> to already know--so you'll be prepared. But he's right, there's not a lot to the job, and Sean seems to expect you to be a bit of a mechanical ditz, for he supervises you closely (but patiently) and doesn't express any surprise when you drop or misplace things, or get lost when trying to get from one building to the next.<br/>
<br/>
Your own dad also doesn't seem to think there's anything odd going on, for he doesn't ask you anything awkward over dinner. He does give you a look, though, when your phone rings, and you excuse yourself to take the call. You don't have enough of a social life that this sort of thing happens very often.<br/>
<br/>
It's Chelsea. Only two weeks ago, a call from her would have sent you into a frenzy of confusion and fear--in fact, it did--but now you're just curious. "Hey, why aren't you calling from Cara's phone," you ask, for it was her name and number that showed up on the ID. "And hey, how were the tryouts?"<br/>
<br/>
"I was brilliant," she says, and snickers in a way that sounds adorable. "The head cheerleader thought I was awesome, so, omigod, I'm in." She titters again. "Oh, but I switched back because there's a party happening tonight. You wanna come over?"<br/>
<br/>
"What, me?" you gasp. "Uh, <i>Will Prescott?</i>"<br/>
<br/>
"Don't take this the wrong way, Will," she says, "but it wouldn't be <i>you.</i> You'd come out as Cara. You know, you switch with her, and we put that old Will Prescott mask on the real girl."<br/>
<br/>
You blink. "You mean, you'd let me take over as Cara again?"<br/>
<br/>
"Well, you seemed kind of sad about leaving her," Chelsea says. "And I can totally understand why. So I thought you might like it if you got to be her while I wasn't."<br/>
<br/>
<i>Well, isn't that thoughtful,</i> you think to yourself. And then you kick yourself for thinking that such thoughtfulness is <i>uncharacteristic</i> of her. But still, it is, and you find yourself breathing heavily. <i>My God, Chelsea Cooper is doing thoughtful things for me, almost as if ... as if she's my girlfriend!</i><br/>
<br/>
"So, are you gonna come out," she asks again. "It's a party for her and those two new guys. Oh, did you hear? We just totally stole two basketball players away from Eastman!"</span></div></div>


path: 1131211222111222221221
author_id: seuzz
title: Party Time
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"Yeah!" you blurt out. "When do I need to be over?"<br/>
<br/>
"As soon as you can," she says. "I'll have Cara out here waiting for you."<br/>
<br/>
<i>This is perfect,</i> you think to yourself as you dash back down the stairs. <i>Back as Cara, for the night at least, maybe for the weekend. A party. And you can get a look at those new--</i> You catch yourself so hard you stop with a jerk on the stairs. <i>So you can eyeball some possible new identities,</i> you tell yourself more carefully, remembering the ribbing you took at lunch.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm heading out for a while," you announce as you pass the dining room table.<br/>
<br/>
"Where?" your father demands in a tone that commands you to stop. "Where do you have to go in the middle of dinner?"<br/>
<br/>
<i>A party,</i> you have the presence of mind <i>not</i> to say. "That was Caleb," you quickly lie. "He needs help with his car."<br/>
<br/>
Your little brother laughs: "Since when do you know anything about cars?"<br/>
<br/>
You glare at him. "He needs me to help push it." Your dad rolls his eyes, but lets you go.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
Cara's car is in front of Chelsea's, and you brush it lightly as you pass. It's nothing special, but it is hers, and you'd missed it. You rap loudly at the front door and hop impatiently from one foot to another.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea's dad lets you in; he's looking harried, and shouts gruffly to his daughter. She comes out of another room with some cola bottles in her arms, and smiles warmly at you. "The stuff is in my room," she says. "Oh, I better come show you where it is. Cara, can you help us," she calls over her shoulder. The new assistant captain of the cheerleader squad appears in her turn, looking radiant in skinny jeans and a sleeveless blouse. Chelsea leads both of you upstairs.<br/>
<br/>
And then there's a subtle shift of personas: "Get changed in the bathroom," Cara says, "while I switch back with myself."<br/>
<br/>
You do a double take. "I thought you said--" You start speaking to Chelsea, but at a frown from Cara switch your attention. "Chelsea?" you ask her. "I thought you said you already--"<br/>
<br/>
"Technically, I guess I lied," Cara says. "But I was already Cara, and I was going to stay as her if you didn't come out. So I just had fake me make the call." The other Chelsea smiles tightly as Cara continues. "She knows how I think."<br/>
<br/>
<i>Ah. That makes sense.</i> <br/>
<br/>
You step into the bathroom and are out of your clothes lickety-split. You look in the mirror while you wait. You were here a week or so ago, you realize, in almost identical circumstances. But you look a lot different now. A week ago you were pale and haggard. Now your eyes dance and your cheeks flush with anticipation. Something else is feeling flushed with anticipation, too, and you grit your teeth and try to force the erection down.<br/>
<br/>
Last week's pattern continues to repeat: there's a soft knock at the door, and when you open it, a hand thrusts a mask inside to you. You take it eagerly and look inside its surface: CARA GILLIAN FUHRMAN. In a dreamy state you're about to put it to your face when you stop dead.<br/>
<br/>
The inside of the mask is a funny color.<br/>
<br/>
When you'd had it before, its inner surface had been blue, like its outer surface. But now it's a dull, off-white. You stare at it, and the hair on the back of your head stands straight on end. <br/>
<br/>
It's the color of a golem. The last workable spell in the book, the one that puts a kind of golem inside a mask-- This is what it does to a mask.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea has given you a mask that turns people into slaves.<br/>
<br/>
You're still staring palely at it, trying to wrap your head around what looks and feels exactly like a horrible double-cross, when there's another knock at the door. "Will?" Chelsea calls.<br/>
<br/>
You swallow hard. "Yeah?" you say, and your heart thumps hard in your throat.<br/>
<br/>
The door opens and Chelsea comes in. "Oh, thank God," she says when she sees you, then peers down into the mask. "I think I gave you-- Shit!"<br/>
<br/>
"What's wrong, Chelsea?" you ask in as neutral a tone as you can muster.<br/>
<br/>
"I've got two of these silly things," she says, and holds up another mask. It too is turned inside-up, and you can see it also sports Cara's name and a golem shell. "I think I got them mixed up."<br/>
<br/>
"What are you talking about, Chelsea?" you continue in the same neutral tone.<br/>
<br/>
"I made another one. You know, if you and me are going to share Cara--"<br/>
<br/>
"Why can't we share one mask?"<br/>
<br/>
She puts a hand to her hips. "We have to keep the real girl hidden, for when I'm being me and you're being you. Or when you're being someone else, right? So we need to put some of that golem stuff inside her mask."<br/>
<br/>
"Uh huh?" you say, for words have coagulated in your throat.<br/>
<br/>
She peers at you. "Are you okay? Anyway, I realized I had to make up two masks of her, because, like, we couldn't share her if she was <i>my</i> slave, or if she was <i>yours.</i>" Her eyes cloud over with puzzlement as you continue to stare at her. "So, I made another mask of her. You know. His and hers versions of Cara?" She points to one mask, and then the other.<br/>
<br/>
You have to stare at her another moment before it all clicks into place. "Oh," you sigh in relief. "So, one of these is a slave-Cara for you, and one is a slave-Cara for me."<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah. Except I pulled one off of me, and then I got the other for you, and--" She frowns at the masks. "I'm not sure I gave you the right one. Dammit, I can't tell them apart."<br/>
<br/>
"Then I guess I'll have to try them both," you say with a nervous laugh. "Um, if I put the wrong one on, you'll let me out, won't you?"<br/>
<br/>
"Will," she says, and frowns deeply.<br/>
<br/>
"Just kidding," you say. "I trust you," you add, and then wish you hadn't.<br/>
<br/>
She just sighs, and you lay down on the floor. Your cock, at least, has gone flaccid from the panic.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
"Give us a big smile!" Kendra says, and holds the phone up. You turn on your most dazzling smile, and pull Gloria closer to you. She tenses in your grip.<br/>
<br/>
Kendra steadies the phone, then looks up. "Get out of there," she chuckles.<br/>
<br/>
"I always improve a picture," a voice says behind you. You turn, and jostle the interloper as you do. It's one of the new guys, and he is grinning dopily as he bends down next to you. "Don't take any of Frank, though, unless you wanna break your camera," he adds.<br/>
<br/>
You sigh. Joe Durras is his name, and his shaggy blonde hair glints under the bright living room lights. He's made a big splash with himself, and it seems like you can hear his loud voice and barking laugh no matter what room you're in or he's in.<br/>
<br/>
"I'll get one of you later," Kendra tells him. "This is for Cara."<br/>
<br/>
"Promise?" Joe asks. "One of me and Cara here? One of me and Gloria? And I want one with you, Kendra," he adds slyly.<br/>
<br/>
"Let's get Chelsea in here," you say, and gently push him away. "Chelsea!" you call. "Chelsea!" But she's somewhere else. "Oh, just take it already," you say, turning back to Kendra and putting the smile back on.<br/>
<br/>
Kendra takes the picture, and then you feel a hand around your waist. "Our turn now," Joe says. "So I guess this party is for you too? I gotta say I'm loving Westside so far."<br/>
<br/>
You smile back, though it feels a little forced, and put your arm around him in turn. His torso is very tight, and you can't miss the feel of strong abs under your fingertips through his shirt. He apparently notices, for you feel his fingertips play over your own stomach.<br/>
<br/>
Kendra takes the picture, but Joe doesn't release you right away. "So, you're a junior?" he asks. You nod. "But you hang out with all these guys?"<br/>
<br/>
"Well, I hope to start hanging out with them," you stammer. "But, you know, I've got friends and all already--"<br/>
<br/>
"Introduce me to them?" he asks in a hopeful tone. "Come on, come talk to me," he says, and tugs you toward a doorway.<br/>
<br/>
You follow with some reluctance. He's very cute, you have to admit. His smile is very wide and inviting, and his eyes dance merrily. That makes him a marked contrast to the other basketball players. Gordon, it's not taken you long to notice, glowers down over the heads of everyone else. Patterson gazes at the crowd with icy contempt. Seth--your proposed home--is very watchful, and seems attached at the hip to Cindy. And all the other players, including Jonas, who is there, seem sullen. You, of course, have been wrapped up mostly with the girls, but you've not missed the temperature of the boys. Not one of them looks like they want to be at this party, and they snap and bite at each other.<br/>
<br/>
"So, you say you're liking Westside," you say. You can't quite believe he's being truthful. "It must have been quite a scene at Eastman."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, Frank and me weren't there that long," he says. "We just moved to town at the start of the year, and it turns out we enrolled at the wrong school."<br/>
<br/>
"He's your brother?" you ask, for you've seen Frank, and he looks nothing like Joe.<br/>
<br/>
"Yep! He's a year older, but I skipped a grade because I'm totally smart and stuff!" he says boastfully.<br/>
<br/>
"You're an idiot," a voice interrupts. "I'm a year older, and got held back because I was in an accident."<br/>
<br/>
You turn: It's Frank Durras, and you almost swoon to have him--dark, intense, brooding, magnetic--so close. He makes Geoff look like that Gollum creature in those fantasy films. <i>He's</i> the guy for Cara.<br/>
<br/>
So if Chelsea is going to be Cara, maybe he's the guy for you.</span></div></div>


path: 11312112221112222212212
author_id: seuzz
title: The Hangover
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"What kind of accident, Frank," you breathlessly ask. A tremble passes through you, for you can hardly bring yourself to speak to this dark god, this black prince, this-- You brain seizes up as he turns to look down at you.<br/>
<br/>
"A motorcycle accident," he says. "I went sailing over a cliff back in our old home town. Totally fucked myself up and trashed the machine. I had to pull myself back up to the highway with a broken leg and flag down a--"<br/>
<br/>
"Bullshit!" Joe chortles. "He fell off his tricycle when he was nine, Cara, and skinned his knee. You hear that, Frank?" He guffaws. "I totally told her how you were still on a <i>tricycle</i> when you were in fourth grade."<br/>
<br/>
Frank slowly turns on his brother. You would melt to have that laser-like gaze directed at you; and if you were being yourself and not Cara, you'd probably shit out your own sphincter if he gave you that kind of look. But Joe just grins insolently back. "It was <i>your</i> tricycle--" Frank starts.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, a hand-me-<i>up,</i> because I was already on a dirt bike."<br/>
<br/>
"--and I was riding it off the <i>roof of our house,</i> where I'd thrown it because you were being <i>a typical little smartmouthed shit--</i>"<br/>
<br/>
Joe punches Frank in the shoulder. Frank doesn't shift a millimeter on his feet. He grabs at his brother, and inside of three seconds they're wrapped around each other in a tangle of limbs. You step back from the scrum; it's a hard-fought one, with neither brother giving an inch to the other. They seem locked in place, until you hear Joe murmur something inaudible. Then Frank shifts his foot, and a second later he's fallen to the floor with Joe sitting astride his chest. "Pussy Frank, pussy Frank," Joe prattles childishly. He flicks his finger just above his brother's nose. "Does this bother you? I'm not touching you."<br/>
<br/>
You wince. Maybe you <i>don't</i> want to take a spot in this fraternity. It reminds you of what it's like to live with a younger brother. And Joe would be at the same school, in the same classes, on the same team--<br/>
<br/>
"What the hell's going on in here?" Chelsea enters with a frown. "Oh my God, are you two <i>fighting?</i>"<br/>
<br/>
"Aw, we're just playing," Joe says.<br/>
<br/>
"Not like that, not in my house," Chelsea barks back. "Get up, or I'll kick your asses myself."<br/>
<br/>
That settles it; given this reaction, you wonder if Chelsea would like these two even under the influence of Cara's--<br/>
<br/>
You have to bite back a moan at Frank's panther-like grace as he springs to his feet. "Our apologies, Chelsea," he says quietly. "We <i>are</i> guests here, after all."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh. Well, yes you are," Chelsea says. The polite, almost courtly reply seems to have rattled her. "Remember that." Her frown turns upside down when she glances over to find you. "Oh, there you are, Cara!" she exclaims. "Are you having fun?"<br/>
<br/>
"Oh, it's the best, Chelsea!" you exclaim, and grab her hands. Then, impulsively, you pull her close for a squeeze and a hug, which she returns. "I was looking for you earlier, because I totally want to get some pictures with you."<br/>
<br/>
"I want some too!" Joe says. He is almost bug-eyed as he stares at the two of you.<br/>
<br/>
You pull Chelsea closer. "Would you like some of us like this?" you tease him.<br/>
<br/>
Joe gulps. "She's going to turn a garden hose on you in a minute," Frank growls at him.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You get the pictures with Chelsea, and with other girls, and even a few with the basketball players. You're quite exhausted by the time midnight rolls around and the various guests start to depart under their Friday-night curfews. You offer to stay with Chelsea and help her clean up, but she demurs. "I'll talk to you tomorrow," she says in a loud voice for the benefit of her other friends. "We'll get together and go shopping or something." She hugs you again and whispers in your. "You did good tonight."<br/>
<br/>
"I didn't want to steal your spotlight," you say. She squeezes your hands. "And if you want to switch back tonight--"<br/>
<br/>
"Tomorrow," she says again as she releases you. "We'll get some lunch and then go pick Kendra and Gloria up." Her two lieutenants maintain poker faces at the implied snub: lunch with you, but not with them.<br/>
<br/>
So you go back to Cara's, and it's like a homecoming. The neat bedroom room and the cute little laptop surrounded by stuffed animals and the-- You gasp and put a hand to your mouth. It's wrapped in thin drycleaners plastic, but there's no mistaking it: a red-and-gold cheerleaders uniform, hanging off the edge of your closet door. Your mom had said something when you got back about something arriving. Chelsea must have had it sent it out.<br/>
<br/>
In something like a daze you take it down and unwrap it. The fabric is stiff and smells a little like chemicals, but it's like perfume. Eagerly, impulsively, you pull off your own clothes so you can try it on, then stop. No: You'll wait until tomorrow. You'll put it on tomorrow and go eat and go shopping with Chelsea, and you'll take it off so you can try on some outfits, and then put it back on, and take it off to try on some other outfits, and put it back on, and the two of you will giggle and gossip and plot and be best friends with no secrets at all from each other ...<br/>
<br/>
You're so excited you doubt you'll be able to sleep, but you're also exhausted, so you soon sink into a whirl of dreams in which sometimes you're pulling off and putting on clothes, and sometimes pulling off and putting on skin and faces and hair.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
It's eleven o'clock the next morning, and you've just finished putting yourself carefully together when you remember you're supposed to have a horseback riding lesson at Riddermark. You sag and groan. After all the confusion and drama last Saturday, how could you forget? There's no way you'll be able to talk your mom out of skipping it. You call Chelsea to tell her you'll have to meet her much later than you'd intended.<br/>
<br/>
She explodes. "Why the fuck didn't you remember? You were out here last night!"<br/>
<br/>
You recoil in shock. "I'm sorry, Chelsea! But I was so caught up in the party--"<br/>
<br/>
"That you misplaced your brain. For God's sake!"<br/>
<br/>
You're stunned. This is much more like the Chelsea you're familiar with, and with a shock you realize that maybe this is the real Chelsea, and that the girl who's been so <i>good</i> to you has just been act. "Can't we just push it back?" you meekly ask. "To two o'clock? I'll be done and cleaned up by then."<br/>
<br/>
There's a long silence, and you can picture her fuming. But when she speaks again she's much calmer. "That'll be fine. I shouldn't have yelled at you. My mom's being a busybody."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh?" Maybe you can get her to channel her anger back onto that target. Or maybe it will set her off again.<br/>
<br/>
"Usually she's okay," Chelsea says. "But sometimes she wants to run my life. Two o'clock is fine. Meet me at Le Jardin."<br/>
<br/>
"I won't be late," you assure her, and linger on the phone long enough to let her hang up first.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You're distracted and edgy all during your lesson, and the horse feels it, so that Randy, your instructor, has to speak to you sharply about keeping your focus. Grimly, you comply. The lessons are usually fun: hard but refreshing. Today you're just glad to get it over with, breaking fifteen minutes early so you can get in as much showering and careful primping as you can before meeting Chelsea. You'd forgotten to ask if you could or should wear the cheerleading uniform, and decide the best thing is to just go in jeans and t-shirt.<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea's face is a study in frozen neutrality when you arrive--five minutes early!--at Le Jardin, a frilly little restaurant specializing in exotic salads and sandwiches. She looks you up and down as you sit. "Did your new uniform get there okay?" You nod. "Why aren't you wearing it?" She's wearing hers, you'd immediately noticed.<br/>
<br/>
"I didn't want to get it dirty," you say. You glance up at the menu board and wonder how cheap you'll look if you get the least expensive items.<br/>
<br/>
"I'm trying to do nice things for you, Will," Chelsea says in a quiet voice. "I thought you'd like to break it in yourself."<br/>
<br/>
"Maybe after lunch we could go by my house and I could change?"<br/>
<br/>
"We'll do that," she says. "Kendra and Gloria won't be in theirs." She glances at the menu board herself. "I always get the spiced pumpkin salad," she says. "What about you?"<br/>
<br/>
"I don't come here that much," you say. "And I'm not that hungry."<br/>
<br/>
"After that lesson?" she asks skeptically. "Get the citrus salad with sea scallops. It's delish." You'll have to put it on your credit card, as you've not enough cash, but agree. "Now, while it's just the two of us, let's talk about who Cara is going to start dating." <br/>
<br/>
"Are you still thinking about Seth and Cindy?" you ask. You don't want Seth, but you can tell that she's going to be able to bully you into anything.<br/>
<br/>
But she shakes her head. "I've changed my mind on that. I don't need to do anything about Cindy. Not after adding Cara and Leah and Peyton to the squad."<br/>
<br/>
"You're picking those two? That's kind of a weird division. Shouldn't it be the twins, or Leah and Kelli?"<br/>
<br/>
"Divide and conquer, Will," she says. "Anyway, with them on the squad and Lin and Michelle and Yumi off, Cindy will only have Eva and Jessica for friends. But as for you, what about Steve?"<br/>
<br/>
Steve Patterson, Gordon's right hand man and apparent best friend? Maybe only friend? It would make sense. Except--<br/>
<br/>
But Chelsea has anticipated that. "Of course, Steve would have to be faithful to me. To Cara, I mean. Totally faithful."</span></div></div>


path: 113121122211122222122122
author_id: seuzz
title: Some Surprising Conversations
chapter_content:
<div><div> <span>"Doesn't Steve--" you start cautiously. "Doesn't he have a reputation for, well--"<br/>
<br/>
"That's why I say that he--that <i>you</i>--would have to be totally faithful. No more tomcatting around, even secretly. We have to make it clear that Cara has Steve totally hogtied." Her grin is like a shark's.<br/>
<br/>
You take a deep breath. "I'm not trying to be difficult, Chelsea," you say. "Really, I'm not. But you were only Cara for one day. Maybe you should take a week as her, really get settled in, before deciding who would be best for her?"<br/>
<br/>
"Steve would be best for her," Chelsea declares. "It's obvious. The two top guys at school. One is with me, and the other is-- Well, also with me, though no one would know it. It would totally set Cara up."<br/>
<br/>
"But what if you get settled inside Cara and decide that you-- I mean, these things have a lot of influence." You point to your face. "You might not realize it, but they can change your thinking while you're not looking."<br/>
<br/>
Chelsea stares at you, and her gaze grows amused. You blush. "Oooh, are you saying you're starting to like things that you didn't like before, Will?"<br/>
<br/>
Your face feels very hot. "It's not like that!"<br/>
<br/>
"Are you saying you <i>did</i> like those things before, Will?" Her grin is manic.<br/>
<br/>
Your face is probably black with embarrassment. This is even worse than what you got from Caleb and Keith and James. "I'm just saying that even if you still feel like yourself, and have all your own likes and dislikes-- Well, the mask has its own likes and dislikes, and you feel them, and if you do things it likes then you feel good, and if you do things it doesn't like, you'll feel it. You'll feel unhappy at doing them." <br/>
<br/>
"Hmmm." Chelsea sucks at the tip of her thumb. "So maybe Cara doesn't care that much for Steve?"<br/>
<br/>
"Do you?" you retort. If you thought you could turn the tables on her, and force her into making embarrassing confessions of her own, you're quickly disabused, for she just continues to look amused. So you can only press on: "If you're not into Steve, and Cara's not, how happy are we going to be together?"<br/>
<br/>
To your surprise, <i>that</i> seems to startle her. "You want us to be happy together?" It sounds like an idea that hadn't occurred to her.<br/>
<br/>
"Well ... Yeah. What you told me last week, about not wanting to graduate-- Chelsea, I was serious when I said I wanted to help you. To make you happy." Again, you start to blush.<br/>
<br/>
She stares back in open-mouthed astonishment. "Oh God, Will, that is so--!" She actually turns a little pink. "That-- Oh my God!"<br/>
<br/>
Is it really possible that no one has ever told her that they want to make her happy? Has it never occurred to her that someone might want to do that for her?<br/>
<br/>
Whatever is the case, she seems totally wrong-footed. "Well, you know, I'm trying to be nice to you too. That's why I thought you'd like it if you got to be Steve, since he's so--" Out of nowhere, she hiccups. "Of course, if you're right about these things, maybe Steve <i>would</i> be a bad choice. But--" She cocks her head, and a most adorable expression of confusion washes over her face. "Oh God, this really puts things in a new light, don't you see? There really isn't anyone at Westside, not that <i>I</i> can think of, that--"<br/>
<br/>
"They're all jerks, aren't they?"<br/>
<br/>
She winces and then sighs. "Well, it's kind of back to the drawing board, isn't it? I'll have to think about this some more." <br/>
<br/>
And it appears that she's going to get started right away, for lunch comes, and you both consume it very quietly.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
After that, it's back to your house to change, and then the rendezvous with Kendra and Gloria. The trip is fun, but the spirit is muted, even though Chelsea coos and squeals over lots of ensembles, both for yourself and her. Kendra and Gloria dance attendance on both of you, and you can tell it's eating them alive. Then you go back to Chelsea's house, and she summons the fake Prescott out so you can switch. That reminds you that it is still under her control, and you ask about making a new mask so it can be your slave. "I'll take care of that this week," she says. You don't press it, for she still seems distracted by the conversation at lunch.<br/>
<br/>
The rest of the weekend passes, and Monday comes. It is uneventful, even when you go to fifth period and find Caleb lingering in the classroom doorway with Frank Durras. As you approach, you're relieved to find that you feel nothing of what Cara had felt, and are only mildly puzzled at the scene. Frank claps Caleb on the shoulder and moves off just as you step up. "What was that about?" you ask Caleb.<br/>
<br/>
He shrugs. "One of the new guys. I have him in AP Physics and we got to talking about Salopek. Weird."<br/>
<br/>
You don't see anything weird about it, unless it's that a jock might be in an AP class, and shrug it off. <br/>
<br/>
But it proves to be a precursor.<br/>
<br/>
<div align="center">* * * * *</div><br/>
You're in your bedroom surfing the internet when your mom knocks at your door. "Don't you have work?" she asks.<br/>
<br/>
You gape. You'd totally forgotten, and explode off the bed and run past her with a muttered oath. You're not so much worried about getting in trouble at Salopek as about getting in trouble at home with your dad. It's exactly the kind of irresponsible thing that sets him off, and you break several traffic regulations in your hurry to get out to the plant.<br/>
<br/>
You park in the first open spot and leap from the cab of your truck. You're in mid-sprint to the front gate when you stop at a sharp voice: "Prescott!" You turn and do a double-take: It's the two Durras brothers. Joe's smile is friendly, but Frank eyes you keenly. "You're not late, are you?" Joe laughs.<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah," you say, but something in the way Frank gestures compels you to trot over to where they are. <br/>
<br/>
Joe hangs a friendly arm around your shoulder. "We just got through talking to Sean and Caleb, you know."<br/>
<br/>
"Oh? You looking for a job out here?"<br/>
<br/>
"We're trying to finish a job," Frank says. His voice is quiet but heavy, and he steps up to you in a way that causes you to flinch back against his brother. Both of them are very big. <br/>
<br/>
"Job got a job jerking jokes by the Jordan," Joe says in your ear. "That's the kind of thing for us."<br/>
<br/>
"What?" you exclaim. Something about what he's said has alarmed you.<br/>
<br/>
Joe snickers. "You try saying it. Then it'll make sense. Job got a job," he prompts you, and squeezes your neck in the crook of his arm.<br/>
<br/>
You blink, and in something like a daze stammer out the tongue twister. Your guts, which have knotted up, suddenly loosen.<br/>
<br/>
"Very good," Frank says dryly. "Now, what can you tell us about masks?"<br/>
<br/>
"Masks?" The word is like a burr on your tongue, and you have the urge to start gabbling, as it's the only way to make the pain go away.<br/>
<br/>
"You don't know how to do it, Frank," Joe says. "Will, have you ever seen a book, an old book, full of Latin and weird pictures, that shows how to make crazy, magical masks?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yeah," you say. "I found it at the used book store." The words slither unbidden out of your mouth.<br/>
<br/>
"Jackpot," Frank says, and his eyes gleam. He steps closer, crowding you in. "Where is it?"<br/>
<br/>
"I don't know," you say faintly. "Chelsea took it."<br/>
<br/>
"Chelsea Cooper?" he asks sharply. Your head wobbles in a nod. "Are you and she working together?"<br/>
<br/>
"Like how?"<br/>
<br/>
"You're fucking it up, Frank," Joe sighs. "Will, what did you do with the book after you found it?"<br/>
<br/>
"I gave it to Caleb," you say, and only Joe's supporting arm keeps you from toppling to the ground.<br/>
<br/>
"How did Chelsea get it?"<br/>
<br/>
"She took it from Caleb, after he tried using it to make a copy of her boyfriend."<br/>
<br/>
"Caleb. That's Caleb Johansson, right?" Frank asks. Your head doesn't want to work right, but you manage to nod.<br/>
<br/>
Frank says something to Joe. Joe replies, and they talk some more, and you hope they're talking some strange language, and that you're not having a stroke or something, because you don't understand a word they say. Then Joe grips your shoulder tightly. "Will," he says. "Is Caleb your friend? You didn't use the book on him, did you?"<br/>
<br/>
"No. I mean, we made masks of each other--"<br/>
<br/>
"Did Chelsea use it on him? Because that's not your friend in there." Joe nods at the complex. "It's a fake. Sean Mitchell is a fake, too."<br/>
<br/>
You stare at him dumbly. Your brain isn't working right. And then a third voice shocks you out of your stupor. "Will!" <br/>
<br/>
"Who's that?" Frank demands.<br/>
<br/>
"My dad," you say miserably.<br/>
<br/>
Frank mutters something at Joe, and the latter releases you. "We're going to wait here for you," Frank says. "Come find us when you get off work." He lowers his head. "Don't try slipping past us." He gives you a light shove, which almost sends you sprawling.<br/>
<br/>
You totter over to your dad. "What the hell are you doing out here?" he demands.<br/>
<br/>
"I was late. I forgot about work," you reply. You want to faint.<br/>
<br/>
"Well, shake it off and get in there. We'll talk afterward."<br/>
<br/>
Somehow your legs carry you into the complex. <br/>
<br/>
Who are those guys? How do they know about the book? And why the hell did you tell them all that stuff? You're wandering in a daze between buildings when you hear Caleb calling you, and you jerk back, staring. They said he was a fake. Sean too. How would they know?<br/>
<br/>
Your hand goes to your pocket. Should you try calling Chelsea? Maybe she could help you.</span></div></div>


