Chapter 10

The rest of my week went by quickly. Finally, it was Thursday - Halloween - and the night of the Delta party. I put on my Spider-Gwen outfit but left the mask off until we got to the party. When I first put the costume on, I realized it was very form fitting. It left nothing to the imagination.As I looked at myself in the mirror I realized quickly that underwear lines were ruining the look, so I decided to forgo the bra and panties. I found pasties in my things to tame the nips.

Jasmine came out of her room wearing a very revealing and sexy mermaid costume. She had a form-fitting sequined mermaid skirt that flared into a sheer dress just below the knees. Her top was a purple bikini, with beads dangling over her exposed midriff. Her hair was pulled up and braided into a crown with glitter strands running throughout it.

“Wow!” I exclaimed.

“Whoever bought this for me had a sick sense of humor,” Jasmine complained. “I suppose I should be grateful it’s not an Arabian princess costume.”

“Good point,” I agreed. “It could be worse - but you pull this look off.”

“I feel very exposed,” she fretted, tugging at the low-riding skirt.

We decided to walk from our apartment to Greek Row. As I walked, I could feel the spandex cling to my skin. It was certainly different. Kinda sexy. Kinda hot, too. 

As we were walking, Jasmine leaned into me. “So, I brought something with me to make the evening more interesting,” she whispered.

“What?” I asked. “A flask?”

She opened her clutch. Right there in the center was the swapping stone.

“You brought that with us? How’d you get it?”

“I asked to borrow it. I thought it would be fun to experience this party from both perspectives. Think of it like trading costumes. Besides, neither of us wants to be at this party. I figured this could be fun.”

I looked her up and down in the mermaid costume. “But, I don’t wanna trade costumes!” I whined.

“Sure you do,” she said with a wink. “Don’t you want a turn at being Ariel?

I rolled my eyes. “So, what’s the plan?” I asked. “Do you just want to hang out together all night?”

“Actually, I was thinking I really need to spend some time with Lauren. You already spent time with her this week.”

I chuckled. “Well, I wouldn’t call what me and Lauren do, friendship bonding.”

“You can mingle with the rest of the girls. But check up on me from time to time to make sure I’m not cornered by Aiden.”

“I don’t know, Jaz,” I said. I wanted to say I sucked at mingling, but that might out me as D. “What if they don’t like me because of my reputation?”

“Then they’re bitches. We can leave if you're bored.”

“Really? That’s all I have to do to get you back home?,” I replied with a smirk and a giggle.

She stuck her tongue out at me. “Let’s just give it an hour.”

* * *

Finally, we were at the Delta house. There were already crowds of costumed guests on the front lawn. I put on my Spider-Gwen mask to cover my face. We made our way through the crowd and into the house. 

Once we got inside, Lauren spotted us. “Jaz!” she shouted, rushing over to give her a hug. Lauren was dressed as a cheerleader with a very short shirt, and a top that left almost nothing to the imagination. I doubt that was a regulation cheer outfit. After the hug, she then looked over at me, scanning for clues to my identity. “So, who do we have here?”

I like grand entrances, so I pulled my mask off to reveal my face.

Lauren took a step back in shock. She had one of those expressions like when you see something that doesn’t belong in this setting. After all, I’m her secret Monday fuck buddy. She doesn't want me in her sorority house. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s Halloween,” I said. “I’m here for the tricks and the treats.”

“I invited her,” Jasmine said. “I didn’t want to be here by myself.”

“You’re not by yourself,” Lauren coldly replied. “You have me and the rest of the Deltas.” 

I was concerned about taking advantage of her earlier in the week, but seeing as she wants to keep treating me like a bitch in public I decided, I was just going to tease her. “I figured you could introduce me to some of your friends,” I said to her. I seductively licked my lips.

“No,” she quickly said. “Absolutely not.”

“C’mon, Lauren,” I protested. “We’ve been fighting all semester. Don’t you think it's time to bury the hatchet?” I know where I’d like to bury her face.

She looked at Jasmine, confused at what to do.

“Morgan will behave,” Jasmine said, putting her hand on my shoulder. “Trust me.”

Lauren slowly nodded in resignation.

“Let’s all get a drink,” Jasmine suggested.

Each of us grabbed Halloween-themed punches from the kitchen. They were neon green with gummy worms at the bottom of them. Part of me wondered if they were spiked. I took a sip - yup definitely spiked. I’m not sure why I doubted it.

While Jasmine and Lauren started talking about stuff I wasn’t privy to, I decided to leave them and mingle. 

There were some cool costumes all over the place. I found a pair of girls - one was dressed as Dorothy and the other the Wicked Witch. There were a few Taylor Swifts. One Wonder Woman. The guys were not as sexy. They wore superheroes. A giant banana. A walking voting booth with a sign that read, “Women vote here!” Creeper.

I found a group of three girls near the corner of the living room, looking over the party like they were judging everyone. The girls were dressed like the Plastics from Mean Girls. Not that I could tell which one was which. I wondered if their judgemental postures and expressions were part of the costume.

I took a deep breath. Here we go. Being Morgan was much like being Antonio. Very much the extrovert. Yes, it was draining, but the more I did it, the more confident I got.

“Hi, I’m Morgan,” I announced, shaking two of the girl's hands. They didn’t give me their names. I therefore dubbed them Gretchen, Regina, and Karen. “It’s Thursday. Why are we wearing pink?” I giggled.

They gave me an annoyed look like they had no idea what I was talking about.

I stopped giggling. Tough crowd. “You know - Mean Girls? ‘On Wednesdays we wear pink.’ It’s a quote from the movie.”

“Oh, right,” the middle girl - whom I’ve deemed Regina nodded, and the others echoed her understanding. Maybe these girls weren’t in costume.

“Wait - Morgan? Aren’t you Lauren’s friend’s roommate?” Gretchen asked.

“I am,” I said with a great big smile on my face.

“Then is what they say true?” Karen asked, her voice conspiratorial.

“Depends,” I asked with a cocky smirk. “What are they saying?”

“That you’re a… hypnotist,” Regina supplied. Funny, she left off the ‘lesbian’ part.

“No, I’m not,” I replied. “I don’t even own a pocket watch. No pockets.” I laughed again but stopped when nobody joined me.

“Oh,” Regina replied, looking disappointed. “I figured a hypnotist would be great at parties.”

“But, I am great at parties,” I smiled and stuck my tongue out. “I just don’t brainwash people.”

“Wow!” Karen said, looking me over. “That is some costume, Morgan.”

“Yeah,” I replied, sliding my hands over my spandex curves. “It’s very tight. I’m not even wearing panties.”

The looks on the girl’s faces were priceless. Gretchen and Karen giggled nervously, but I noticed that Regina had a certain smile on her face. Oh, you like that Regina?

“What are you supposed to be?” Gretchen asked.

“Spider-Gwen,” I replied. I wasn’t surprised none of them knew the character.

“Is that like… Spider Man?” Karen predictably asked.

“Well, kinda,” I explained. “She’s Peter Parker’s girlfriend from an alternative universe who got… you know what, it’s not that important.”

They at least nodded their heads.

“You wear it well,” Regina complimented, as she eyed me up and down.

“You do,” the other two nodded. Jeez, they even act like the Plastics with the group agreeing with Regina.

“Well, thank you,” I replied graciously. Finally, I was getting somewhere. All I had to do was prime the pump with Morgan’s personality. I doubted I could ever pull this off as Daniel.

Suddenly they weren’t as cold, and acted as if I was the most interesting person at the party. Maybe I was.

Over the next twenty minutes, these Delta girls hung on every word I said. Never had I ever had a group of women eating out of my hand. There is certainly something about the confidence of being Morgan that I never had as Daniel. 

Eventually Gretchen dropped out of the conversation and disappeared. Regina, however, kept inching closer. Occasionally her hand would brush up against me. Before I knew it, Karen disappeared too, and it was just me and Regina.

“Morgan,” Regina asked. “Do you want another drink?”

“Sure,” I replied as we each got another punch.

Then she asked, “Would you like a tour of Delta house?”

“I would love one,” I smiled graciously. At least getting a tour would give me a break from having to constantly think of something to say. I was getting exhausted from being an extrovert.

She walked me through the common areas. Places I had already been. The living room, the kitchen. The study. Each of the common areas were packed with partygoers.

Then she led me upstairs. “These are the bedrooms.” I felt her hand graze my hand. Her touch was electric.

“Which one is yours?” I asked.

“This one on the right.” Her hand timidly touched the small of my back and led me into the bedroom.

“Nice,” I said, looking around. “Do you have to share?”

“I dooo,” she pouted. “My roommate is Taylor.”

I’m not sure who Taylor is. “My roommate is Jasmine.” I then turned to face her.

She didn’t let go of my back and I wound up rolling into her. Her hands went to my hips.

“Hello there,” I slyly chuckled. Perhaps now might be a good time to get her actual name.

She turned red and let go of me. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice breaking. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I just broke up with my boyfriend and-”

“Don’t be embarrassed,” I interrupted. “We’re just two girls at a party. You’re being a gracious host.”

“Yeah,” she replied, her eyes focusing on my lips.

“Can I break the ice?” I asked softly. I didn’t want to spook her.

She gazed into my eyes and nodded.

I hope I interpreted her signs correctly. I leaned in and our lips met. Her lips and tongue tasted like Mango.

Her hands gently caressed the spandex of my bodysuit.

Before we could go any further though, or before I could even ask this girl’s name, I heard someone in the hallway clearing their throat. It was Jasmine.

“Morgan, I need to talk to you,” Jasmine said. “Privately,” she added.

“Sure,” I said. I turned to Regina. “I’ll be right back, I promise. Don’t go anywhere,” I smiled. 

I stepped into the hall and closed the bedroom door. “What’s up, Jaz?” I asked impatiently. “I was really hitting it off with Regina George in there,” I said pointing at the bedroom door.

“Can we swap now?”

“Now?” I asked, flabbergasted. “You just interrupted me making out with that girl in there.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just that Aiden has been hounding me and isn’t taking no for an answer. Plus Lauren ditched me again.”

“Where’s Lauren?”

“She’s playing beer-pong with Ella. I’m just done dealing with Aiden’s advances and Lauren’s standoffishness. She invited me here but keeps spending her time with Ella.”

“Ella,” I echoed, rolling my eyes. “Figures.”

“And I kinda want to trade costumes. I feel naked in this. So, can we swap?”

I looked from Jaz to the bedroom door, behind which was to have been my reward for coming here tonight. But at the end of the day, I’m still D. And D is more at home being a wallflower than flirting with girls at a sorority party. Swapping now did seem tempting. “Fiiine,” I sighed. 

Jaz looked surprised I gave in that she got a great big smile then looked towards the room. “What’s her name again?” she gestured toward the bedroom door.

“I don’t know. She never gave it… but Jaz, you owe me big time,” I said, pointing my finger at her for emphasis.

“I do,” she said. “And I swear I’ll pay you back - with interest.” She pulled the stone out of her clutch, and I held her hand and the stone.

Five seconds later I was Jasmine and she was Morgan. I could feel the cold air on my exposed midriff. Wow, she wasn’t kidding. I feel naked.

“Good luck, Spider-Gwen,” I told Morgan. 

“Thanks, Ariel!”

I tucked the stone back into my clutch and decided to seek out Lauren.

Morgan smiled then dashed back into the bedroom to give Regina the best night of her life.

I looked down at my new attire. This was my first bikini, and it didn't cover much. I did, however, love the braids in my hair. I’m going to have to learn how to do that.

I was disappointed. Not so much that I had to cut short my time with Regina George, but that I let D’s personality allow it. It took me a lot of effort to talk to this girl and not run away. And then when she started showing interest in me, to not screw it up. And after getting past all that with her, I still ran away. But now I’m drained. I was kinda drained before Jasmine showed up, but now I’m back in introvert mode and want to be at home with a good book rather than remain here at this party. I wish the stone would allow me to be an extrovert without all the effort.

I suppose I could try again to find a closeted bisexual Delta girl, but I was already drained. I needed to do something to get back into the role. I needed to center myself to become Jasmine again.

I retrieved lip gloss from my clutch and reapplied it. I wanted to sit and get reacquainted with this body, but since I was at a party there was no time for that.

I wandered the Delta house sipping spiked punch. I wondered where Lauren had gone off to this time. I finally found Ella near the keg. She too was dressed like a cheerleader. I wondered if she and Lauren coordinated that. Seeing Ella reminded me of my encounter with her Saturday night as Gabe. A knowing smile crept on my face. In fact, I felt a tingling down below. A phantom dick was reacting to her.

I walked up to her anyway. “Hey, Ella, have you seen Lauren?”

She looked up at me with disgust. “No.”

Ugh. I was hoping she’d give me a little more information than that. She was much nicer when I was Gabriel. “I heard you’re dating a guy on the football team.” Maybe if I’m friendly to her, she’ll be friendly back.

“What?” she asked. “Who did you hear that from?”

That was an odd response. “He told me.”

“You know a member of the football team?”

“He’s a good friend,” I said, getting frustrated. “Listen, I just want to find Lauren.”

“She was talking with a guy. Maybe she wants to be alone with him. You know - that thing that normal girls do when cute guys are around.” 

Before I could argue, she sighed and walked away from me and out of the kitchen.

Geez, what’s up her ass? I should go find that Wicked Witch and let her know I found her broomstick.

I watched Ella walk away. I noticed that she wobbled while she walked. She must be drunk. Then she kept looking around as if she was hiding something. She walked down the opposite wing from where Morgan and Regina were, then ducked into a bedroom.

I don’t know why I followed her. Did I believe she was lying and she knew exactly where Lauren was? Maybe.

I stood in front of the open bedroom door and saw Ella inside making out with Aiden. Aiden who looked like he was dressed up as Elon Musk. I wasn’t surprised.

A part of me felt sorry for Gabriel - or rather whichever Guild member wanted Gabe to date her. But then I realized, we’d all have had to date her if it had worked out; in which case we’re all better off without Ella in our lives.

Aiden was the first to notice me standing there. He pushed Ella away. “Jasmine! What are you doing here?”

Ella turned to me, “What the hell? Why are you spying on us?”

“I was just looking for Lauren,” I said, holding my hands up.

“You can’t tell anyone you saw us,” Aiden said to me, his voice tinged with fear.

“Hey, it’s none of my business what you two do,” I said. Honestly, I didn’t care about either of these clowns and I cared even less about who they’re cheating on or with. Or why they’re so concerned about being caught.

That’s when Ella grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me into the room, shutting the door behind us.

“What the fuck?” I yelled at her. “I told you I don’t care about what you two are doing in here.”

That’s when Aiden pinned me against the wall. I could smell alcohol on his breath. “I can make it worth your while to stay silent.”

Seriously? Sober Aiden is a creeper. Apparently Drunk Aiden is full-on rapey. He thinks he can buy my silence by screwing me? “You’re drunk, Aiden. Let me go.”

Then he forced a kiss on me. I cringed as his tongue forced open my mouth. Yuck. I wonder if a previous Jasmine finally put mace in this clutch. I reached in and found something a little more interesting. The swapping stone.

Aiden finally pulled away from me, as Ella awkwardly watched in silence. I wondered what she was thinking watching this. I doubt she’d have my back.

I needed a plan of escape. I figured I could overpower Ella, but not Aiden. The stone gave me an idea. “I was watching you two because I was jealous. Theesome?” I glanced at Aiden.

The look on Aiden’s face turned to one of intrigue. He got a big smile on his face. His hot breath reached my nostrils. Ugh. He was so drunk.

Ella shook her head in disgust at my suggestion.

But Aiden either didn’t notice or didn’t care and pulled Ella over to us. 

She didn’t look happy at this turn of events, but she stumbled over anyway.

Neither looked concerned that I had a hand in my clutch.

I intertwined my free hand with AIden’s, hoping for him to mimic that with Ella.

He subconsciously held Ella’s hand then started kissing my neck. She reluctantly started kissing his. Now was the opportunity I was waiting for.

I remembered what the Guild said about a cool-down period. It’s only been 15 or so minutes since I last swapped. I pulled my hand out of my clutch with the stone inconspicuously palmed. I grabbed both Aiden and Ella’s hands with it, and waited five agonizing seconds

They must’ve been too drunk to realize I had a stone in my hand. But right on time, they stopped what they were doing. I saw Aiden’s and Ella’s eyes glaze over. I was still me. I let go of them as they both collapsed to the floor from the vertigo, or so I assumed.

I stashed the stone back into my clutch, stepped over them, and left the room, closing the door behind me. 

This might have broken one of the Guild rules, but it was either that or get assaulted - or worse - by Aiden and Ella. 

I was done with this place. I’ve come here twice and twice gotten assaulted by Aiden. I wanted to leave, but I also didn’t want to leave Morgan behind. I also didn’t want to flee without saying goodbye to Lauren again. Also, I didn’t want either of us walking home alone, especially in these costumes. I could barely take baby steps, running was out of the question.

I pulled my phone from the clutch and texted Morgan. “I’m ready to leave.” I then headed down the hall and ran into Lauren coming up the steps.

“There you are,” Lauren said, looking relieved. “I thought maybe you left again.”

I thought about it. “You left me alone again, Lauren.”

“I’m sorry, Jaz - I tried to get away. This guy wasn’t taking a hint.”

I nodded. Fair excuse since I had the same thing happen each of the times I’ve been Jasmine. “Let’s ditch this place,” I said. “It's kinda stuffy in here.”

“We can go outside,” she suggested. “There’s some games out there.”

“Anything’s better than in here,” I replied. “Hey, So you were talking with a guy?” I inquired, making small talk.

“Well, he was doing all of the talking. He was mansplaining something about cryptocurrency. He clearly didn’t sense my boredom. Ugh. I’m sorry.”

“That sucks,” I simply said. A part of me wondered if I used to do that as Daniel. But then I remembered Daniel rarely talked to girls, and could never be accused of rambling on.

“Where’s your roommate?” Lauren asked.

“Last I saw her she was getting a private tour from one of your sisters,” I replied.

“Oh?”

Was I detecting some jealousy?

I followed her outside. I expected a scream to come from the upstairs bedrooms, but it never came. Maybe the stone didn’t work. Either way, it served its purpose and allowed me to get away. No doubt I won’t be on either Aiden’s or Ella’s friend list any time soon. I’ll have to bring this up with the guild so future Jasmines can avoid them.

“Morgan’s behaving herself, right?” Lauren asked.

I chuckled. “I’m pretty sure she found that one of your sisters was interested in a private hypnotism session.”

“No, really?” she said, surprised.

“Really.”

“I thought the Deltas were all straight,” she mused.

“Not everyone is straight,” I said, looking at her intently, hoping she gets the hint that I wasn’t, and that maybe she’d admit she wasn’t either.

“You were straight last year.”

“Lauren,” I whispered. “No, I wasn’t.” I recalled what J had told me. “I realized I was bi before college.”

“How come you never told me?”

I thought about that for a moment. I was entering the part of the conversation where I didn't know Jasmine’s exact history. But, I took a few guesses. “Well back home I was afraid of my mom. And in college, I was afraid of changing our friendship.”

“Why would you being bi change our friendship?” she asked.

Oh, no. How do I answer that? I tried to think of something-

“Oh,” she whispered looking straight ahead. Apparently she didn’t need me to say it.

“Yeah,” I replied.

My memories went to Monday. When Lauren whispered, “I love you Jasmine,” as she sucked on my neck.

She was predictably silent, and I desperately wanted to know what was going on in her head. Was she contemplating coming out to me? Was she going to come clean about her secret arrangement with Morgan?

Before she could answer, Morgan finally showed up. 

“Oh, hey,” Lauren said.

“Hey girls,” Morgan smiled. She whispered into my ear. “That was amazing. I owe you!”

“You’re damn right,” I replied.

“What did I miss?” Morgan asked.

Lauren shook her head. “Nothing.” I guess I won’t be getting any deep confessions from her tonight.

Morgan leaned into my ear. “Let’s go home,” she whispered. “I plan to pay off my debt tonight.” She then playfully nipped at my ear.

I turned to Lauren. “Thanks for the invite. I think we’re going to head home now.”

Lauren nodded.

“Bye Lauren!” Morgan sang. “See you soon!” Then winked at her.

As we walked away, I casually glanced back at the house. I expected some sort of commotion from Aiden and Ella. But nothing. Did I use the stone correctly? Did they swap? Did something else happen? The lack of knowing was eating away at me.