Dance, Dance, Dance

Full Moon

Chapter Five - Careful What You Wish

By Jo Dora Webster

Has Denise's cover already been blown?

---

Chapter Five - Careful What You Wish

[Wednesday Day Four of the Enchantment]

Wednesday morning rolled around without the drama that the day before had been. Mom had laid out for me the jazz class uniform which consisted of a tube top and hot pants along with a cover up and tap shoes in a Mary Jane style. I got to bring my cheerleader uniform with me to change into afterward since it was a game day. It was a far different world to be a cheerleader rather than Amy since I received all the popularity and attention of a cheerleader all the time now. Much more with being the new girl on the block too!

Mom repeated her car pool duties and soon all of the cheerleaders were in the van. Chelsea made a point of sitting by me on the back seat. It was a perfect chance so I got one of the test crystals out to place it in contact with her while I distracted her.

"Chelsea what do you think of my lip gloss? Do my lips seem more kissable?"

"Girlfriend you have the most kissable lips around!"

She surprised me by giving me a kiss right on the lips. I turned my face up and relaxed into it and the whole thing was rather enjoyable. Chelsea sure could kiss!

"Is my lip gloss too twinkie?"

"Your lip gloss is perfect. I love cherry!"

"Denise, you are becoming such a girl!"

"Of course I am! Like I said before, you guys do good work and I'm enjoying who I am."

"I'm glad girlfriend! There are so many things that I want to share with you now. Girls have all sorts of possibilities for so much closer friendships. We can share everything."

"Except Richard! He's mine!"

"Of course girlfriend! No girl will come between you and your boy."

"I hope so."

"Now that you are adjusted, I want to start sharing things girl to girl with you!"

"I'm down with that. We'll squeeze in what we can before the competition and much more after that when all the pressure is off and we have lots more free time."

"You go girl!"

I had managed to get the crystal in contact with her while she stole that kiss from me.I didn't mean to be quite that flirty but it got the job done. I sneaked a look while Chelsea who was sitting closest to the aisle was turned the other way getting ready to exit the bus. The crystal had turned completely black. The Evil had touched her! I still had to wait on the rest of the tests because then we'd know just how many were affected. It could be a minority or the entire circle might be under the Evil's influence.

We girls had our Jazz dance lesson at one of the premier dance studios in the area. We learned that we would be getting our ballet and ballroom dance classes there too. We met other cheerleaders from the high schools around for the class which was fun. However, since we already knew who the two girls were then meeting the others were not as important.

We quickly went from the basics of tap moves into a much more advanced choreography since a lot of what cheerleaders do is derived from Jazz Dance without the tap moves.

I found myself at one point as pivot girl between Kendra and Star. We started out with me seeming to throw Kendra but it was all her leaping ability. Still it gave me the chance to put my hands on her waist and I concealed the crystal in my hand as I held her. We took a break before practicing the throw the other way with Star. I repeated what I did with Kendra with Star so now I had both of them. I looked at both the crystals and they were both totally black like Chelsea's had been. I had switched out the crystals and stopped at the water fountain when Sabrina came over.

"Hey, Denise! I'm Sabrina. You may not remember me but we met Saturday night late?"

"Oh! Yeah! I didn't get introduced but I remember seeing you there. Thanks so much for what you did for me. I can never repay it."

"Girls do for each other! We're sisters now. And I wanted to see if you could help me?"

"Sure!"

"If you weren't going to eat, I hoped you might go with me to a practice room and you throw me like you threw Kendra. My partner did not get it and it made something which should be beautiful be so awkward.I don't want to hurt her feelings but I do want to learn this."

"Sure Sabrina, I'll be glad to help. Do you know your way around here?"

"Yeah. I take some classes here."

"Cool!"

I followed her to a meeting room and threw her like I did Kendra and it came out just as beautiful and graceful with Sabrina. She was a natural but it helped having someone who knew how to do it to get her timing right. Like before I palmed the crystal as I held her waist the first time.

"Thanks, Denise! Maybe I'll see you in the circle again? We've yet to come up with a replacement for Jenna and you would be perfect."

"We'll see. If not there, certainly in the morning practices and at games."

"You go girlfriend! Later!"

She went off to get back with her cheer-leading squad and I went over to change out the crystal. Sabrina's crystal was black too! I got another one to see if I could check Hailey.

We got back to the practice and just like the other two I managed to palm the crystal when I held Hailey by the waist. When I was able to swap it out, I discovered that it had turned black like the others.

The practice was very rewarding but all too soon we had changed out of the dance outfits and into our school clothes which in my case was my cheerleader outfit. The call came for us to load up on the mini van. At the same time, the other cheerleaders were out getting into their rides as well. I don't know who started it but one van had their cheerleaders singing their Alma Mater as they pulled out of the parking lot with the windows down and the rest of the quads joined in with theirs. All the way to school the Lamur Institute Alma Mater was sung as sweetly and sincerely as I had ever heard it from all of us.

Because the pressure was off on meeting the rest of the girls in "The Club", I got to pay attention to my new school schedule instead of floating by it like I did yesterday. Like Dee Jay, I had Coach Charles Nestle for homeroom. Everyone in homeroom was the same except I took Dee Jay's place and we had Chelsea added as well.

I saw Dr Jordan come to the door and the coach motion her in for a chat. At the end of their short conversation, I was surprised that it was about me.

"Denise Russell, please go with Dr Jordan. She has some school business to discuss with you."

"Coming , Sir and Ma'am."

I gathered my books and clutched them to my chest hugging them as I followed Dr Jordan out of the classroom. I wondered if I had already blown my cover. There was no reason that I knew of that Dr Jordan would have any cause to interact with me but she did have unfinished business with Dee Jay. I wonder if the undisclosed boarding academy and the people behind the mysterious scholarship were one and the same. She led me to a conference room and we sat down across from each other.

"Denise, I want to help you in the best way that I can. However you must be completely honest with me. To aid in that I will tell you about things that you may not know in the hope that it will encourage your participation."

"Of course, Dr Jordan. I'm glad that you wish to help me."

"Please call me Ariel. According to the records, you missed out getting to visit with your brother Dee Jay as he left and you arrived. The meeting that was held with him on behalf of the consortium I represent was prepared to offer a scholarship tentative on further testing, to him was on the Friday at school before his departure. He left on Saturday night/early Sunday morning, while you arrived in town on midday Sunday. Presumably with everything that has been going on, you haven't had much chance to learn second hand things about Dee Jay from your mother. Is this correct so far?"

I decided to answer as close to the truth as I could while maintaining the illusion that Dee Jay and I were not one and the same.

"Ariel, I understand that Dee Jay left at midnight and I arrived soon after.However, I was exhausted and required the next 36 hours to rest before I actually was able to function normally. Dee Jay left before I arrived so we didn't have a chance to talk."

"At the meeting, both Dee Jay and Francine West were informed of their preliminary qualification for the scholarship and alerted that the added testing would be administered by me sometime this week. Imagine the consortium's surprise to find that a computer trail linking Dee Jay's destination with one of the consortium's institutions. Consortium systems were hacked and someone planted that information. They assure me that even though the computer trail is sufficient to stand up, offline checking confirms that your brother did not in fact make it to the school. Denise, your face does not show either surprise or concern for your brother's whereabouts. Do you have anything that you would like to tell me, young lady?"

"Ariel, it's not like that.I'm so sorry that the consortium was involved by us in our cover up. All I know is that we were supposed to be using a computer black hole and not a real school. Dee Jay does not exist right now. I was created from his essence for a month or, more accurately, one cycle of the moon. At the end of which time, Dee Jay will reappear and I will disappear, if all goes according to plan."

"I believe you, Denise. Thank you for being honest with me. Instead of purging the false computer trail, steps have been taken to bolster the trail. The consortium has added offline documentation that the trip did take place and that Dee Jay is actually in residence at a facility. It seems that someone went to a great deal of trouble to explain Dee Jay's absence. Since the consortium is still interested in Dee Jay as a prospective scholarship recipient, they'd like to help. How was this change from Dexter to Denise occur?"

"It was Majick! A group of seven females in a circle around me, chanted until I was changed into Denise."

"I actually know how majick can work. I hope that you will forgive me but an app on my phone has both recorded you and performed voice stress analysis on it and assures me that you are telling the truth however impossible it seems. The consortium expected that a substitution was in place since there was a goof in your records that included a duplication of Dee Jay's test results in your name, which we did not administer."

"It's all true. What now?"

"The consortium has taken the liberty of expunging anything from your records that you could not have gotten with your back story. We have strengthened the computer trail adding offline elements when possible. Actually this duality strengthens the consortium's interest in you, whoever you turn out to be. The consortium has adjusted the conditions of the initial test consistent with your back story, and has chosen to offer to you the same chance it offered Dee Jay."

I'm pleased that the consortium is still interested in me. Are you going to go ahead and give Francine and I the added tests, on schedule?"

If indeed you need the month to finish whatever it is that you are involved in, the consortium would be willing to defer future consideration. It would be deferred for both of you, since we have to fly in special personal which means grouping testing when ever possible."

"What will you tell, Francine?"

"Simply that Dee Jay's being sent away was a mistake, since he did not take the added evaluation, yet. Instead of disrupting him again, he'll finish the school term where he is now. He has not been awarded the scholarship, but he's still being evaluated for it. We'll tell her that Denise's ordeal prior to coming here and the stress of the cheerleader competition, make it desirable to defer bringing the resources here for the testing until both Denise and Fran are ready for it. We'll also explain to her that you both will be eligible for a collegiate scholarship for your further education in the event either of you don't qualify for our scholarship. The consortium feels that is the least they can do."

"Ariel, please thank the consortium for me on behalf of Francine and myself. I know we'll do well with the chance to get a good education. I'm sorry that Dee Jay's disappearance at this phase of the consultation means that they can't be transparent."

"I will. Based on what you have told me, the consortium will keep both yours and Dee Jay's cover stories intact as well as take care of Francine for possible later consideration of which ever of you are available afterward. It is definitely within their mission statement to do so. Both, you and Fran are still potential scholarship candidates and it pleases them to look out for your best interest. I won't ask you to disclose any more now but you might ask the secondary computer expert who examined the initial hacker's work to look at the results again. The secondary expert should be able to verify what the consortium has done on your behalf. Hopefully with that assurance of their good will, it will merit your trust."

"I'll do that. Thank you for everything, Ariel."

"With your identity reestablished, the consortium considers binding on you what Dee Jay signed. Fran will be informed that you are a potential candidate but that the added testing will need to be delayed for a month. We'll let her know that she has the same freedom to discuss in the manner that was outlined with you as she did with Dee Jay. Now we'd both better be getting to class before the student assistant I left the class with gets nervous that she might be expected to teach my lesson plan."

We walked together to my first period class, Algebra, which was the same as I had as Dee Jay. The composition of the class was unchanged. Chelsea had a less advanced Algebra class due to her having to cope with the late year promotion and catching up. As bright as she was, she'd be back in the advanced classes when she got to start her sophomore year from the beginning.

That was okay because Francine was in there and I arranged for my seat to be by hers and Julie's. The girl who sat where I sit in class now, had a crush on one of the guys that Dee Jay's empty seat was close to so I didn't have to sit in Dee Jay's old desk. I had intended to snag Fran either before or after class today to chat but I was with Ariel before and then Ariel asked her to wait after class afterward so I waved to her and went on. Instead I went out into the courtyard and pulled my cell phone out and activated an app which auto dialed Jennifer.

"Hi Jennifer, this is Denise. Did I get that app you put on my phone going correctly?"

"Denise, every thing is secure here. I hope you aren't where you can be overheard."

"I'm okay. I just talked with Dr Ariel Jordan on behalf of the consortium that was in the process of qualifying Dee Jay for that scholarship. It was to one of their facilities that Dee Jay is right now. They suggest that you recheck the arrangements to discover that Star didn't do as good a job as she could have and what you were satisfied with is their work."

"I understand, I'll get right on that. With the clue about the source, I should be able to verify. What are their intentions?"

"They feel it is their duty to protect Dee Jay and they want to have another chance to complete the vetting after the month is over."

"I trusted too much the last time and I missed their work. It will be this evening before I have anything for you. Okay?"

"Sure, Jennifer! Thanks so much for your help! Bye!"

"Bye Denise."

Second period class was the same also as Dee Jay's old schedule. I began to get comfortable in spite of the changes. I had Biology with Mrs. Judy Turner. This was an advanced class also so Chelsea wasn't in it with me. I hadn't noticed her in the class before but Julie was in the class and I arranged with the same girl to swap seats so that Julie and I were sitting together. Julie remembered me in the class yesterday so we walked out together.

"How do you like it at Lamur Institute so far?"

"I really am enjoying meeting the people here and the teachers seem okay too. I still think that I may still be getting settled at the end of the term but it's been easy to join in. Next year in the fall, I should really be comfortable."

"I'm glad that you feel welcome. I know that the girls are counting their blessings that you are so talented that you could pick up the routines just by seeing them in the video. We thought the cheer-leading team was going to have to withdraw from the competition."

"I can't take credit for having the talent but I am glad that I get to use it for a good cause. It's a shame that Jenna had to be called away so suddenly."

"Well, here we are at class. Let's see if we can make another deal so you can sit by me in Women's History."

"That would be great!"

Just when I thought I had it made, third period came and threw me for a loop. Not only was that class different but I had different classes for the rest of the day! Like yesterday, Chelsea met me in the hall going to third period class and it turned out that we had the rest of our classes together. Instead of US History, I had Women's History. Denise, by her old school's records, had been enrolled in Women's History so they scheduled me for it here too. It wasn't an advanced class so Chelsea was in it with me. Julie was in it with us as well. Things were relaxed in there so that there were no assigned seats and no boys to worry about so the girls cooperated to let Chelsea and I sit near Julie.

This was a much different class since it was all female students, not by restriction but most boys were unsure what Women's History involved so they went ahead and took US History. We girls would all have to take it too before graduation but taking this now just delayed the inevitable. Mrs. Tara Fielder who taught the class was a real feminist. The way that she taught the class was vital since she taught with a passion for the subject that was contagious. I found myself hooked and vowed to quickly read the chapters that were already covered so I could catch up with the rest of the class.

Even though I paid attention in class I could not help thinking a little about lunch and letting everyone know that Richard is my boyfriend. After class Chelsea, Julie and I walked to the cafeteria where we were met by Francine on the way. Chelsea and I were again sitting with Francine and Julie.

Once we were settled Julie couldn't wait anymore and asked. "So, what gives? We've discussed everything else but the dance!"

Chelsea said, "The Coach read my mind and proposed the same restrictions without us saying anything. The whole squad agreed and so they are all coming but not with their boyfriends. Of course the boyfriends will be there to claim what time they can with their girlfriends. It will be a big social event and should be lots of fun!"

Francine breathed a sigh of relief. "Denise, I am so glad that your mother came through for us. So, who are you going to ask? Inquiring minds want to know."

"Well, Richard and I have not dated so technically we are not a couple yet. I'm going to ask him as soon as I see him today before another girl beats me to it."

Julie pointed out Richard walking into the cafeteria and coming straight for us. "Don't look now but here he comes!"

Richard came right over to me and handed me a note and said to me, "The Headmistress asked me to get this note to you from Coach Russell. How are you Denise?"

I cleared my throat and told him, "Very well, Richard. Thank you for bringing me the note. Richard, would you like to be my date for the dance this Saturday?"

In front of my friends and the entire freshman class, Richard said, "I would be very honored to go with you, Denise. I accept."

I wanted to give him a hug and kiss but did not want to be sent to the office for a PDA (public display of affection) so instead I tried to let my demeanor show how pleased that I was with Richard, "I am very glad, Richard. I will count the hours 'til then."

"As will I!" Richard quickly turned and left. I was able to open the note and read the message:

"Congratulations Denise. When Richard asked me to send the note to you, I felt it was the least that I could do. You have to cheer for the baseball game against Parson HS after school so you might be ready to test Veronica. Love, Coach." I did not share the message since none of my friends could know about the conspiracy lest the word got out that Richard and I were not real and some other boy suddenly might get infatuated with me.

Instead of having English with Dr Richards like before, I had Drama with Mrs. Gloria Wright. Fran was in the English class along with Julie, so Chelsea and I parted company from them when we turned toward class. We had a few boys in it but there was mostly girls. Drama had a promising beginning for me. The class had been leading up to a presentation of Romeo and Juliet for the school before the end of term. I took over as prompter for a relieved girl who had been doing double duty as the lighting tech too.

Chelsea and I met Julie and Fran on their way into the Theater. They had Deportment with Headmistress Lacon which was being held in the theater too. I asked Fran if she'd like to go to the restroom. Julie and Chelsea said that they would go ahead and save us seats in the theater.

"Fran, did Ariel tell you about the Scholarship?"

"Congrats, Denise for qualifying like Dee Jay and I did and it would be okay to talk to you about it. Congrats, girlfriend! She told me that Dee Jay was sent away by mistake and that he's finishing the school year there. They have some snag so that they won't be ready to complete the testing for a month but they said that we both already qualified for a collegiate scholarship, by getting this far. Going to that prestigious boarding academy would be fun. I hope that I make it so that I get another chance at being Dee Jay's girlfriend."

"I'm glad for both of us! I really hope that you two get together if that's what you both want."

"Thanks Denise. Guess we had better get to class. We don ' t want to be late for the Headmistress's lecture!"

"Let's go!"

Instead of having Study Hall next, I had Deportment. Deportment was a required course for girls only at Lamur Institute. It was taught only one period a day by Headmistress Lacon. We met in the theater usually for our lecture while I found out that the practical portion of class was held at various places depending on what the subject matter was going to be. Sometimes we would be doing Drama in the Theater so that made it nice for those times. I had Francine, Julie and Chelsea in that one with me since all the girls of the freshman class seemed to be in there. It was the makings of a very good time.

My phone vibrated just as I was out in the hallway outside the theater. I looked and it was Jennifer calling me back.

"Hi Denise. The work that was excellent that I couldn't improve on was theirs! They were so fast cleaning up the mess that Star made that I didn't have a clue that Star was so sloppy. She knows the mechanics of hacking but hasn't got a clue about covering her tracks. She's just not experienced on the different formats either so everything comes out pristine new instead of aged."

"So we can trust them?"

"Absolutely! I checked back and not only did they trace Dee Jay to the Academy solid electronically and offline, but they cleaned up your history so that it's as solid as anyone's life. If they want the full story, go ahead and give it to them. To have a resource like them around is worth the exposure. They've been cool about this so far and we shouldn't tick them off by obfuscating. If this all works out well then you'll have more data to base accepting their offer on after we finish with our challenge."

"Good deal! I'll make contact and spill it ASAP. Thanks Jennifer! Bye."

"Bye."

I had swung around outside to take the call taking a short cut that got me to the gym before Chelsea but not before some of the rest of the cheerleaders arrived. I should have noted yesterday my relief from not having drown proofing as the PE required for all boys. A Girl's PE was much better but I got to go right into the cheer leading PE class yesterday so it was all good. We didn't practice at the baseball field today during PE.

It seems that Coach Nestle felt that we were too much of a distraction and he wanted them to focus prior to the game. Instead, we were able to cheer in the gym as the Freshman class PE was out at the volleyball courts. We got in a good practice for the competition.

The last thing that we practiced was the team's fight song. The student body loved to sing the fight song which was based on the words and music to "The Army Goes Rolling Along."

"First to fight for the right,

Full of Lamur Institute's might,

ARMYdillos Go Rolling Along!

Proud of all we have done,

Fighting 'til the battle's won,

ARMYdillos Go Rolling Along.

Then it's hi! hi! hey!

ARMYdillos on our way

Count off the cadence loud and strong; (two! three!)

For where'er we go,

You will always know

ARMYdillos GO ROLLING ALONG! (keep it rolling!)

ARMYdillos GO ROLLING ALONG!

ARMYdillos!!! GO ROLLING!!! ALONG!!!!"

"YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

We loved to jump up and kick out and wave our pom poms after the fight song was over. We all got caught up in the emotion of it. We were fired up! Now we needed to get the crowd fired up so that our team would win!

We all walked out of the gym together with the intention of going over with Mom in the van to get some fast food before the game. I drew next to Mom to see about catching Ariel before she left school.

"Coach, Dr Jordan talked to me about the scholarship that Dee Jay received and she suggested that I check with Jennifer before we talked again. Jennifer said that I should ASAP. Is it okay for me to catch her before she leaves school?"

"Go ahead Kiddo, fine by me! We'll bring you some food back."

"Thanks Mom!" I gave her a kiss on her cheek and then hurried back to the school building to catch Ariel. I was in luck because she was still in her classroom working on something at her desk when I came in.

"Hi Dr Jordan!"

"Thank you for returning , Denise. And it's still Ariel. Did you have a question?"

"I did as you asked and I'm ready to tell what I know. Jennifer confirmed that you all were helpful."

"Come sit down and close the door behind you."

"Thanks."

I took a seat across from her after I had shifted a chair that I picked up on the way.

"Part of this is a school secret that I am not sure if you know about."

"Is it the reason behind Dee Jay being moved to a next to last period study hall early this year? If so I will continue to keep that secret."

"Okay that simplifies it. Since you know, do you mind if I talk around it. It's just uncomfortable for me to do anything .. you know?"

"It's Okay! Proceed."

"Well because of well .. you know .. Dee Jay was in a position for his natural mimic ability to be used to help the school. When Jenna left because her mother was transferred overseas, the cheerleader competition that they had worked so hard for was in jeopardy. Hailey, who took over for Jenna, decided that we couldn't get another girl in championship shape on the routines in time for the competition. Dee Jay knew the routines because of ... you know ... but our team was entered in the all girl classification. So the only way for Dee Jay to participate was if Dee Jay was turned into a girl."

"Denise, relax and take a breath! Goodness girl, don't be so stressed. Okay that's better, proceed."

"Okay, Ariel. Hailey led a Wiccan circle and their friend Ken had turned out to be a transgirl and the circle turned Ken into Kendra. They wanted to do the same thing for me only if I wasn't a transgirl it would only last for one cycle of the moon. Star is a hacker who decided how to do my life history and decided the best place for a non-existent person to be was at the cyber black hole they found. Only I guess it turned out to be one of the consortium's computers. Oops sorry!"

"That explains why you said that Dee Jay didn't exist right now but if all went well he'd be back in a lunar cycle and you'd be gone. How did they change you?"

"Mom's friend Rebecca from her sorority flew in to watch over me to make sure they did it right.It was Hailey, Chelsea, Kendra, Star, Rebecca, Sabrina and Veronica in the circle. They chanted something like greek while I was in the circle only I know it was really something Celtic and I was out of it. Thirty-six hours later I woke up as Denise. Rebecca had to leave but she sent word that something was wrong in the circle. It was pure evil!"

"Is that what you are trying to do besides help win the competition for your lunar cycle is find the evil and best it?"

"A huge evil had corrupted it so that it wasn't Wiccan anymore. The spell is keyed so that if a girl gets pregnant, she stays a girl because turning back would harm the baby. There were additions to the spell to raise my sex drive to a point where I would have gotten pregnant. Rebecca stripped it out but the evil is still after me. Since it can't change my sex drive now, it's throwing horny guys my way. Fortunately the first one, Jennifer's son Richard, had a protection charm that negated the spell for him to deflower me, but it's up to me to identify and banish the evil before it can harm me and trap me as a girl. So going after the evil is really self defense."

"I believe that I understand. Please contact me if you feel the consortium might help you with your task. Either way, as Denise or Dee Jay, the consortium is interested in you. They know that you have to take care of this first, but they will be waiting."

"Thanks. This is so weird, it's just great to have someone else believe me. If I need help then I'll be in touch. Thanks, Ariel"

"You're welcome, Denise. Good luck cheering at the game tonight!"

"Bye!"

I left her room and the building and headed out to the baseball field. Mom was there waiting with an Arby's bag and drink.

"We ended up at Arby's so I brought back your favorite."

"Oh a Turkey and Swiss! You remembered! Thanks Mom! "

I love Arby's Turkey and Swiss only it tasted so much better than I remembered. I wondered about that and then realized that girls have a much better sense of smell than boys. Much about tasting food is also how it smells so better smelling means better tasting.

Hailey came over and took me away from the other girls to chat.

"How are you doing, really Dee Jay?"

"I'm doing well! I'm very comfortable with my body and I seem to be doing the routines even better now than before."

"Are you okay with all this?"

"Yes I am. I know part of that is the spell and I'll have to wait 'til after new moon to know for sure if I were really a transgirl and born to this or not. I'm a great mimic and what I'm learning now will let me continue coping when the "Training Wheels" are gone. I just might need to actually ask questions then. Right now I can just recall the information, but it will be gone then."

"I am glad things are okay for you so far. I made good on my promise. I built into the spell a back door that I can use by myself to end the spell early. The only catch is that it's the same ending conditions as the full spell so like it you'd be a girl if you started out a transgirl and a boy otherwise."

"That's what I expected. Hailey, it may tell you more by me saying that if you want to address the real me then call me Denise because right at this moment she's the only reality that I have. Dee Jay's life feels like someone else lived it and it takes a lot of faith to believe he was ever real."

"How are you adjusting to being a cheerleader? Bet you got the full treatment today with the status and admiration in your cheerleader outfit in class today."

"It's been different and the attention has been at times disturbing. I think that's why I liked being Amy because I could do such good work for the school but personally stay out of the limelight. Now it's a different responsibility. Those around take more from me but give more in return. I already know that I would not trade being a cheerleader for anything except to go back to being Amy. But that's not my place right now and I am needed to be a cheerleader to help the school so I am one. You know?"

"Yes, I know. Each of us have to make the same trade offs since this service intrudes on our personal space but I'm glad that you are willing to make the same choice that the rest of us have that it is worth it."

"It is most certainly worth it. I guess it's time to go to the field and start cheering! Woo Hoo!"

"You go girl! ARMYdillos Assemble! Time to start cheering!"

We all gathered around Hailey as we had Jenna before her to go cheer. It was a little strange that I was in the cheerleader uniform and Chelsea was Amy but that's the way things were right now. We all went to go cheer at the baseball game.

I daydreamed about Richard. Even though I had only just met him, there was something very familiar about him that I could not put my finger on. It was as though if I had only one more piece of the puzzle that it would all fall into place but without that one piece it was hopeless.

I managed to get out and talk to Veronica before the game by herself. I had also managed to slip one of the crystals out and tuck it in my bra without encountering anyone else. We talked and agreed that I would attend Temple on Saturday with her and her family so I would see what it was like. Even with the events going on that Momma had planned for Saturday, I knew that she would make sure she allowed time for those who wanted to go to services to do so. She was just like that, embracing all faiths and their right to practice their religion where and when they felt led to do so.

When I was out of sight of Veronica, I looked at the stone and it had turned black. No wonder she was such a poor Wiccan! She, herself, was under the influence of a powerful force that was used for evil. I wonder how Veronica would react when she was free again to act of her own accord.

That meant that I had tested everyone including Hailey. All the stones had turned black. Rebecca was certain that it didn't come from Hailey already so it could be any one of them. The crystals had revealed "The Club" as an even greater threat but were useless in fingering the one behind it.

Hailey decided that we really needed to get the crowd enthusiastic. From watching practice, I had a pretty good idea what Richard could do pitching and the Baseball ARMYdillos who took the field today would be as different from the team that squeaked out the opener like night and day. We all picked up our megaphones because this was a responsive cheer that the crowd answered us. First time through, Hailey led the cheer and used her megaphone alone and we echoed.

"Heidi Hay! Hit It

Heidi Hay Heidi ho!

Heidi Hay Heidi ho!

Wooly woodly Wily Whoa!

Wooly woodly Wily Whoa!

Lift your heads and hold them high!

Lift your heads and hold them high!

ARMYdillos passing by

ARMYdillos passing by"

We all joined in with Hailey on our megaphones as we repeated what came before and the croud rocked the stands and echoed us! It was sure different being one of the cheerleader's in the short skirt and tank top than it was as Amy. I was out there for all to see and part of me just loved it especially when Richard had his attention on just me!

"Heidi Hay Heidi ho!

Heidi Hay Heidi ho!

Wooly woodly Wily Whoa!

Wooly woodly Wily Whoa!

Lift your heads and hold them high!

Lift your heads and hold them high!

ARMYdillos passing by!

ARMYdillos passing by!"

Sound off!

ARMYdillos!

Hit it again!

ARMYdillos!

Rip it apart!

Aye

Arr"

Emm

Wye

Dee

Eye

El

El

Oh!

Es!

Yeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaah! ARMYdillos!

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

We were jumping up and down and shaking our pom poms in the air and we all ended up by all of us doing a split at the same time, except Chelsea as Amy! We were trying to work on it so that she could duplicate my feat of performing a split in the costume. It was so cool and the crowd loved it!

The crowd was on fire and the baseball game was sensational because Richard was extraordinary! Richard pitched a perfect game for the ARMYdillos and hit three home runs, one of which was a grand slam. The final score was 11-0

I was so proud of Richard and it looked like the predictions that we could win state were not all that far fetched after all. He walked off the field after throwing the last pitch in the perfect game and straight into my arms. I had the perfect excuse to give him all the attention that I had wanted to give him earlier. I did that and more and both Richard and I were very pleased with what transpired

However, both our mothers came by to break up our little PDA.

"Young lady, it is a school night! Go hit the showers! We're going home ASAP"

"Yes, Coach!"

"You too Richard!"

"Yes Mom!"

Before I could get my lip stuck too far out pouting, Mom had me wrapped up in a hug. I saw that Jennifer was hugging her son as well.

"Oh Sweetie, you danced like a star tonight! I'm proud of you!" And she whispered, "Remember."

I wrapped my arms around her hand squeezed. I did remember that the sooner that I got home the sooner that the four of us would be out of prying eyes and able to discuss today. I think that Richard must have gotten the same prompt because he was off like a deer for the showers.

"Thanks Mom!"

I turned and exited quickly for the showers myself. I had to be home quickly before Jennifer and Richard arrived to compare notes. I wanted to change into something a bit racier than the outfit I had in my locker to put on when I finished my shower.

Before we knew it, the five of us were in our living room. I think that they on purpose had Mom and I on the couch sitting across from Jennifer and Richard on the love seat. Alicia took the chair in between the couch and the love seat. They did not trust us not to make out and they were right!

I began, "The consortium which was offering the scholarship to Dee Jay before has blown my cover since Star inadvertently duplicated test results they gave to Dee Jay that Denise could not have taken. The good news is that they made my identity secure from further hacking and will keep my secret in return for the chance for me to finish their scholarship testing after the month is over.

Jenifer continued, "Denise informed me and I verified that they are on the up and up. While they seem to have little experience in the supernatural, they have a way of making things happen in the mundane world and should be a good ally. Denise should be able to learn things about them with the interaction that she might not have been able to learn otherwise. She will be able to make a more informed decision regarding any offer they make."

"Thanks, Jennifer. The other news of the day is with the detection crystals I have six black crystals out of the seven provided. It leaves only Jenna to not turn a crystal black yet and Rebecca was sure that Hailey was not the source of the evil but she was tainted like the rest. That makes them kinda useless except to let us know this is a lot worse than we thought."

"Not entirely Denise, We need to go ahead and try to identify Jenna with the crystal . Since all of the circle is tainted then the last crystal could identify any one who they add to their circle to take Jenna's place. The ones that you have turned can also serve another purpose. If you have any girls at school who you are close to you should check to see if they are untainted. If untainted it should turn the crystal back clear or in some cases a brilliant white. If it doesn't turn then it might not be activated so you'd have to try a clear crystal to confirm someone is tainted."

"That is useful, Alicia. Thanks! I should check Fran and Julie since they have become friends and of course Ariel who is the consortium connection."

"That is a good idea, Sweetie. Anything else today?"

"Guess that is all except that Richard and I are officially an item at the school and I tried to reinforce that after the game tonight."

"I really enjoyed the attention but Denise, I feel we should just do the acting instead of slipping into a relationship for real. Part of what you are feeling now is due to the spell and I would like to be sure it's really you and not the spell behind it. We can still have fun, just within limits, okay?"

"Okay, Richard. You are right but geeze you sound like my mother right now and I would rather you sound like my boyfriend!"

"That's okay Richard! What Denise needs now is a coach and it's curfew young lady. Say good night to all the nice people and go to bed please."

"Yes Coach!" I went around and gave Alicia and Jennifer a hug and a chaste kiss on Richard's cheek.

"Good night All!"

I went around to Mom and wrapped her up in a bear hug and kissed her cheek.

"I love you Mom!"

"I love you too, Kiddo. I'll be up to tuck you in after our guests leave."

"Thanks!"

I turned and went upstairs to bed. I had the best Mom that a daughter could ever want. I got ready for bed and true to her word, Mom tucked me in. I drifted off to sleep without a care in the world because I have faith in her.