For the rest of the afternoon, Genesis and Ramona shut themselves in their rooms so they could gather up the stuff they needed for their road trip-changes of clothes, cell phone chargers, and books to read when they got bored. While she was packing her stuff, Genesis got out her phone and called Jesse to ask him to accompany her on her trip.

After a few rings, Jesse answered his phone. "Hey," his voice said. "Who's this?"

"It's me. Genesis."

"What...Genesis? That new intern at Pride Laboratories who walked off?"

"Yes, it's me."

"What do you want?"

"I need your help," said Genesis. "Your boss just sent a school shooter after me."

Even though she couldn't see him over the phone, Genesis could easily visualize Jesse's face contorting in disbelief. "What?" he asked. "How do you know that?"

"Remember the day I walked off, when Lucas called me into his office?" Genesis asked. "He wanted to take some of my blood for his DNA studies. I told him I couldn't do that, because I have a rare form of anemia where I can't donate blood. But he didn't want to take no for an answer. That's why he sent the school shooter after me."

"And what do you want me to do about it?" Jesse asked.

"Me and my stepsister are going to track down someone else who's a man-turned-woman," said Genesis. "Someone you know."

Jesse was silent for a count of five. "Are you talking about Rachel Miller?"

"Yes."

"Genesis...look, I really want to help you, but...do you really expect me to drive all the way down to Georgia with you and knock on Rachel's door asking her for some of her blood?"

"It's not just that," said Genesis. "You'll have the chance to reconnect with her and tell her how sorry you are."

"I don't know..." Jesse mumbled.

"Me and Ramona are leaving tonight, after our parents go to bed," said Genesis. "That's why she's taking a nap right now. So you have until 10:30 to decide."

"No, I'll go," Jesse blurted out. "Just-just come pick me up at my house. I'll text you my address."

"Alright," Genesis said as she breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much."

***

Once Genesis and Ramona had packed all their stuff, they hid it under their beds and then waited. For the rest of the evening, they tried their best to act natural. Unfortunately, that turned out to be easier said than done. When Reginald got home, he sat his daughter right down to talk about the traumatic school shooting event. Genesis tried to be patient as she answered her father's questions. Even when Paulette got in on the act, Genesis kept her cool and avoided letting it slip that she was planning on bailing that night.

Eventually, after dinner, Paulette went to get ready for bed, and Reginald followed suit. Genesis and Ramona waited half an hour to make sure the coast was clear. Once they were certain their parents were sound asleep, they snuck back into their bedrooms and got their bags of stuff. Then they went outside to where Ramona's car was parked in the driveway.

"Wait," Genesis said as she got into the shotgun seat, "What if they wake up when we start the car?"

"Maybe they'll just think it's the neighbors," said Ramona.

Fortunately, as they drove out to Jesse's house, neither Genesis nor Ramona got texts from their parents asking where they were. They drove right up to Jesse's house with no trouble whatsoever.

When they got there, Genesis went up to the front door to knock. It occurred to her that Jesse's family might be asleep, so she resorted to texting him rather than knocking. Less than a minute after she'd sent her text, Jesse answered the door. "Hey Genesis," he said.

"Hey Jesse," said Genesis. "You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Genesis took Jesse back to Ramona's car. Since Jesse was their guest, she felt it was only fair to let him have shotgun. "Jesse, this is my stepsister Ramona," Genesis said as she opened the passenger-side door. "And Ramona, this is Jesse."

"Nice to meet you," Jesse said to Ramona.

"Nice to meet you too," said Ramona.

"So are we gonna start driving to Georgia right now?" Jesse asked.

"Yes," Ramona answered. "Do you have your license?"

Jesse nodded. "Genesis, do you have one?"

"I have my permit," Genesis answered. "But not my license."

"Don't worry," said Ramona. "I can take the first shift driving. You two can get some sleep right now if you want."

It wasn't until that moment Genesis realized how tired she was. "That sounds good," she said.

***

While Ramona and Jesse sat up front, Genesis sat in the back. Once Ramona got on the freeway, Genesis fell asleep.

When she woke up, it was still night. According to the clock on Ramona's car's interface, it was now 2:00 AM. Jesse was now driving, with Ramona napping in the shotgun seat.

"Hey," Genesis said in an undertone so as not to awaken Ramona.

"What-you're awake?"

"Yeah, I just woke up," said Genesis. "Are we there yet?"

"Depends on what you mean by 'there,'" Jesse answered.

"Well, I know it's gonna be a while before we get to Georgia..."

"We're nearing the North Carolina border," said Jesse. "Ramona stopped at a gas station half an hour ago to top off the gas and wake me up so I could have a turn driving."

Genesis nodded.

"I still can't believe we're actually doing this," said Jesse. "We're going down to Georgia so you can get Rachel's-or Lanie's-blood, and so I can see Rachel again."

"I feel like Rachel's blood would be a better bet," said Genesis. "Lanie's a witch, and if her magic shows in her DNA, then Lucas will know the blood I give him isn't really mine."

"Good point," said Jesse. After a minute of silence, he said "Was there any other reason you wanted me to come with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, just...I don't know."

Genesis frowned. "I thought you might like the chance to mend fences with Rachel," she said. "Plus, if you did, then Rachel might be more willing to help me."

"I know that. But, like..."

"What are you getting at?"

"You've been really nice to me," said Jesse. "You're not...you know. Dating anyone, are you?"

Suddenly, Genesis got it. "You think I'm interested in you?"

"Well?"

"No, that's not why I invited you!" It was all Genesis could do not to burst out laughing right then and there. "I just thought you'd be the best person to help me and Ramona!"

"Oh," said Jesse. "But seriously, are you dating anyone?"

"No."

Jesse nodded. "Then maybe, after we're done with this trip, maybe I could take you out? We could go get something to eat. See a movie. Go golfing."

"Golfing?"

"Or bowling."

Okay, Genesis thought. This was crazy. A guy was asking her out! She knew this was inevitable ever since Mirna turned her into a girl. The whole reason Mirna punished Gene was because he'd been moving in hard on girls and trying to bed them. Mirna's thought was that, when lovesick boys started hitting on Genesis, she'd learn a lesson about respecting women. And boy, did she. Wallace Mendoza, Gene's old best friend, had tried to sexually assault her at the Homecoming dance. That alone was enough to give Genesis an idea of how she'd made girls like Cassy feel when she was Gene.

Now, however...Genesis didn't feel threatened or violated at all. She'd known Jesse for some time now, and he obviously wasn't trying to hurt her. Plus, by being nice to him, Genesis had probably inadvertently given Jesse the idea that she liked him. That wasn't her intention at all. But then again, if he was offering...

"That sounds fun," said Genesis. "Heck, maybe we could do that while we're in Georgia, after we've gotten Rachel's blood."

"Sure thing," said Jesse. "Sure thing..."

To be continued...