A young New Yorker finds himself in over his head after finding a symbiote that changes him in unexpected ways.

Update 1 added cover and story description.

Logan's first day at Westridge Academy thrusts him into a world of unwanted attention and carefully choreographed social hierarchies. As he searches for small cracks in the system that controls him, an unexpected incident during practice threatens to push him even deeper into a role he never wanted.

Chapter 18

On Monday morning, Willow felt better. She had dreamed about life back in Bristol and had pictured herself in a bramble bush after being bullied. The word ‘stoic’ stayed in her mind. She went down for breakfast, determined that life continues, whatever had happened, and you just have to adapt. She was even able to speak about things when Wendy asked what had happened.

The alarm woke me up with this annoying sound l despised so much. Last night’s sleep didn’t feel restful. I had to think about my big sis right away which made me sad. This sadness did not last very long because I knew I had to fight my own battles. I remembered the musical meeting which made me feel excited. I actually was looking forward to seeing Madison again. I wanted to get to know her more. I remembered that she mentioned she was going through some stuff. Maybe I could help her by being a good listener.

Chapter 19: Fun, Sweat, and Guns

Dorm life begins at Westridge Academy, where anonymity for Logan proves impossible and unwanted attention becomes unavoidable. After a critical confrontation leads to consequences that alter his path, he realizes his strategy for survival must change. Amid the watchful eyes of his new roommate and fellow students, Logan makes a pivotal decision about how to navigate his increasingly complex circumstances.

The final chapter of an AI-assisted story.
This chapter has more of my voice as the AI once again de-railed the storyline so I had to do some corrections.
Created using the NovelAI app

Journey Into the Forbidden West
by
E. E. Nalley
A thousand years after the end of the world...

September 18th, 3040

Logan undergoes an advanced neural synchronization treatment that promises to help him navigate the perils of living as a Westridge Academy Elite cheerleader. The intense procedure challenges Logan's understanding of self as he experiences a profound and unsettling transformation that goes far beyond mere physical changes. As he faces his first social test with the cheerleading squad, Logan must confront the increasingly blurred boundaries of his own identity.

Resort Fling
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

Him

The secured conference room in Kane Hall felt like a pressure cooker despite the early morning chill seeping through the reinforced windows. Sunlight filtered through ancient oak trees outside, casting dappled shadows across the polished mahogany table where Whateley's senior faculty had gathered. The room smelled of old books and fresh coffee, a deceptively normal backdrop for the extraordinary discussion about to unfold.

As the effects of the mysterious GIRLI protocol continue to reshape Logan's entire physical presence at an alarming rate, an outing with three senior cheerleading captains takes an unexpected turn. What begins as an uncomfortable shopping trip to establish "Elle's" new fashion identity suddenly becomes much more precarious. A chance encounter with someone from Logan's past threatens to expose everything, forcing a desperate decision about how far he'll go to protect his unwanted new identity.