Chapter 23

I woke up to a sunny, albeit chilly, Saturday morning. I opened my eyes and was greeted by the warmly decorated bedroom of Jasmine. It’s certainly a far cry from waking up in the cinderblock prison of Daniel’s dorm room.

I reached over to my nightstand and picked up my phone. There was a message from Lauren already. A heart emoji followed by, “Last night was amazing.”

G didn’t indicate they’d had sex, but I figured making out with someone you really love is amazing by itself. After all, I loved making out with Kaylee. That was amazing.

I replied with a heart-eyed smile and added, “Yes, it was.” I pried myself out of my warm bed, sat up, and stretched before I slowly walked out to the kitchen in my bedtime T-shirt and shorts.

Morgan was already in the kitchen eating toast. “How’d last night go?” she queried.

“Amazing,” I replied, echoing Lauren’s sentiment. “She finally came out to me. Well, I mean, she didn’t come out exactly, but she told me she loved me and we’re going to try to make something work. I then swapped with ummm…” I caught myself before saying G, “the real Jasmine. So - so she could be with Lauren. Then we swapped back after Lauren left.”

“Aww,” Morgan cooed. “I’m so happy for you. That explains why Lauren texted me to tell me she’s not coming over on Mondays anymore.” Morgan held up her phone with a smile. “I told her I was happy for her and I still wanted to be friends.”

“What did she say?”

“She said not yet. Which I get. It’s going to take time.”

“I’m sorry for ruining your weekly booty call.”

“Don’t be. While I can’t speak for the other Morgans, it was starting to get old for me. Not the sex, of course. The secrecy. Besides, this frees me up to look for another booty call. Maybe this girl, Chloe, that Daniel is trying to hook me up with.”

I smiled at that. It at least confirmed that Morgan didn’t know I was D. I missed being treated as just Jasmine. I made myself toast with jam, poured a glass of orange juice, and sat down at the table with Morgan. She was scrolling through her phone sipping coffee, while I did the same with my OJ.

Lauren texted back, “I want to see you again today. Come over?” 

I beamed at the love story unfolding in front of me and responded. Of course, I didn’t want to take this away from G. I knew she had a game as Gabriel at 3:30 today, so the earliest Gabriel would be available would be 7. I replied, “Sure. But I’ve got things to do today. I won’t be available until tonight.”

“Tonight is fine. I can’t wait.”

I really should run this by G first.

Morgan looked up from her phone. “What do you think of a girls’ clubbing night tonight? I already asked Sydney, she's going to bring a friend.”

“Clubbing… tonight?” I asked before what she said finally registered. “Wait - Sydney is bringing a friend? Who?”

I wondered how she knew, but then I remembered that M was there when Kaylee texted me and I was talking about her with James.

“She didn’t say. I haven’t met them yet. If it’s who I think it is, Syd’s been dating her for a couple of weeks.”

“I just texted Lauren that we could hang out tonight,” I relayed to Morgan.

“Then bring her with us,” Morgan said with a devilish smirk.

I frowned. “You know she won't go for that.”

“Won’t hurt to try.”

“Yes. Yes it will. We just got together. Part of her hesitation has been her jealousy of you.”

Morgan put her hand on my arm. “Jaz, I know, I’m just teasing. Are you OK? You seem a bit wound up.”

“I really don’t want to screw this up,” I said, thinking about both Lauren and Kaylee. G needed to be with Lauren and I wanted to be with Kaylee. But G is playing football as a favor so I can be with Kaylee. This swapping is getting complicated. “How am I going to be in two places at once?”

“Girl, you don’t have to come clubbing with us. Spend time with your new girlfriend. There’s always another time.”

Ugh. Wrong girlfriend. “But I want to,” I countered. Actually I wanted to spend time with Kaylee. I just want to avoid saying that to Morgan. Then she’d know I’m D again, and I rather like being treated like a—

“Then swap with J. You said so yourself, she should be with Lauren anyway.”

“Ideally, I would.” Morgan also doesn’t know J is Daniel and G is Gabriel. G was insistent that I keep their intention of a permanent swap a secret. I kinda feel bad that we’re keeping all of this from Morgan. “But then that would require me to play in a football game I didn’t practice for.”

“Oof,” Morgan replied. “What time is the game?”

“3:30.”

“Oh, you have plenty of time!”

“But that means swapping with Gabriel. I want to go to girls’ night too.

“So, come as Gabriel. Nobody will bat an eye if the star football player tags along with us. In fact, you can make sure no creepers start hitting on us. Not to mention, you would have your pick of practically every girl in the place.”

I went to protest when Morgan held up her hand.

“I know what you’re thinking,” she calmly said. “You want to go to girls night as one of the girls.” She sighed. Maybe she did know I was D. “Do you want to swap with me now, and I’ll swap with Gabriel when he gets here?

“Thanks, but what about you?”

“I’ll deal,” she chuckled. “That new booty call can wait. Besides, I’ve been a girl all my life.”

“Sorry.”

“You know, if Lauren is going to keep Jaz on the sideline, I think we need to find more ladies to go out with. We should get to know Daniel’s new girlfriend. We can invite her next time.”

I chuckled at the thought of having a girls’ night with Kristy. I lead a strange life now. “Let’s wait on the swap. Maybe Gabe will get here early enough.”

“Yeah, there’s no reason to swap now anyway. We’re both doing the same chores.”

I looked around the apartment. “Oh, right, it’s Saturday,” I sighed.

* * *

I spent most of the day doing chores. Going grocery shopping with Morgan, cleaning our apartment for tonight, doing my bioengineering homework, continually checking the time until I can see Kaylee again. Actually, it was quite enjoyable just doing normal things with Morgan. I missed being her roommate. I missed the girl's talks we’d had.

I worked out a plan in my head. Gabriel will stop by around 7. We’ll swap. He said to order a pizza for him. Just one? So Morgan, Jasmine, and I - as Gabe - will eat dinner. After the cool-down, I’ll swap with Morgan. At 9, Sydney and Kaylee will come over to pregame. Jasmine will hang out with Lauren after we leave. Gabe may or may not join us clubbing.

It was complicated, but it was all I had.

Of course when 7 got here, Gabe was running late. Like, real late. The game was still going on! Morgan put it on TV so I could pace around the living room munching on a slice of pizza. It was triple overtime. I wasn’t even sure what that meant in college football, but I know it meant the game was eating into my swap time.

The TV camera panned to Gabriel. Sweat was visible under his helmet. I wondered if he was nervous because he was late meeting up with me or because the score was tied. Probably the former. Yeah, definitely the former.

There was a knock at the door and Morgan opened it.

That’s when Sydney and Kaylee came in holding hands. 

“We came early!” Sydney announced, taking off her coat, and placing it and Kaylee’s on a nearby couch.

I turned to face them. My heart did somersaults as I made eye contact with Kaylee. 

Kaylee was dressed in a fancy black blouse over a short red skirt. Her strawberry blonde hair was down and given a slight curl. She always gives off cute girl-next-door vibes, and I couldn’t help but stare.

She acknowledged me with a wink. So that must mean she knows I’m D and she’s hanging out with R. Of course she knows. We had this conversation last night. She’s dating Sydney - not D. 

I noticed she’s holding Sydney’s hand. I wish that was my hand. Jealousy becomes me. I just need to be patient. Hopefully, Sydney would be amenable to swapping. 

Speaking of Sydney, she was wearing a white tube top with a tight leather skirt that came down to the middle of her thighs. “Wow,” I wondered, looking her up and down. That wouldn’t have been my first choice to wear to the club. She pulls it off though. I wonder if I can pull it off.

“The game is still going on?” Sydney asked incredulously, looking at the TV.

“Yeah, it is,” Morgan replied impatiently. “I wish Turbo would just score and end this.”

“How’s he doing?” Sydney asked, inching closer to the TV.

“He’s having a shit game,” Morgan replied. “No touchdowns, one reception, and he’s been held under 50 yards all game.”

Hearing that made me feel remorseful. G said she wasn’t ready to be Gabriel so soon. I should’ve listened. But I was too selfish. It’s not like I would’ve done much better though.

“Oh, I forgot the introductions!” Sydney said. “Morgan, Jasmine, this is my girlfriend, Kaylee.”

Girlfriend. I felt both an excited warmth and a simmering jealousy at the same time.

“Kaylee!” Morgan echoed. “I’m Morgan. It’s so good to meet you.” She gave Kaylee a hug. “I’ve heard about your and Sydney’s book club.”

“Good to meet you, Morgan,” Kaylee replied.

“Hi, Kaylee,” I said, giving her a hug too. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Hi, Jasmine.” Kaylee squeezed me and her hand slid down and grabbed my ass.

I looked at her as she giggled. “How did you know I was D?” I whispered.

“R told me when she picked me up,” she replied. “I assumed you were still Jasmine.”

I giggled. “I’ve swapped twice since I saw you yesterday.”

“Then I’m glad I wasn’t wrong.”

The crowd on the TV erupted in disappointment as Gabriel was stuffed on his run. 

“Where’s your blockers?” Morgan yelled at the TV.

I picked up my phone and texted Daniel. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

He responded, “It’s nobody’s fault. It’s only a game.”

I’m not sure if that made me feel any better.

“Don’t count G out,” Daniel added. “Turbo is unstoppable when the game is on the line.”

The camera panned to Gabriel, Derek, and Leach having a discussion. After the huddle the players all lined up.

We all stared at the TV with bated breath.

Leach snapped the ball, handed it off to Gabriel - wait, no - it was a fake handoff as Gabe crashed into the defense. Leach scrambled. Derek was covered by two defenders. Leach pump-faked. That’s when Gabriel showed up on the other side of the field wide open. Leach threw a perfect spiral right into Turbo’s waiting arms.

Gabe caught it, and just as a defender dove at him, leaped right over him and started running down the field.

The crowd at the game was cheering. The crowd in my apartment was cheering just as enthusiastically.

Touchdown, Gabriel! We won!

We all yelled and high-fived.

When we all calmed down, Sydney pulled me aside. “Jaz,” she whispered. “Can I see you for a minute?”

“Sure,” I replied, and followed Sydney to my room.

“D, right?” Sydney asked me.

“Yeah, how’d you know?”

“Kaylee said you were Jasmine yesterday,” Sydney said as we got to my room. “I assumed you were still Jasmine. I know you’re eager to switch with me.”

“Definitely,” I replied. 

“Kaylee wanted to hang out with you, even though I told her I was still R. When Morgan suggested a girls’ night, I invited her over.”

“Thanks,” I said as I retrieved the stone from my purse and held it out for Sydney.

Sydney grabbed my hand and five seconds later we were swapped. 

Jasmine kept the stone. After all, I didn’t need it anymore tonight, and she still needed it to swap with Gabriel.

After the swap I was hyper-aware of my new clothing. I wobbled a little, as I realized I was wearing heels. Along with being tight-fitting, the outfit was very skimpy and the air in this apartment was a little chilly. I also noticed I was wearing a strapless pushup bra under the tube top. Looking down provided a perfect view of the cavernous cleavage this outfit provided. I pulled the hem of the dress down to cover more of my leg. “Isn’t this kinda short?” I asked Jasmine.

“Girl, that’s what we wear to the club.”

“In November?”

“In January too,” Jasmine giggled. “Wear a jacket. Get a nice buzz going.”

“Will that help me get warm?” I asked, rubbing my arms.

“No, not at all. But you’ll have a buzz.”

I smirked at her as we returned to the party in the living room.

I went over to Morgan, “No need to swap anymore.”

“Good,” Morgan said, relieved. “I was really looking toward being myself at the club tonight.”

“Yeah, now you can look for that booty call”

“True! I could’ve gotten one as Gabe too. But Gabe is a very different experience.”

“I’ll bet.” I then joined my date and whispered. “I’m D again.”

“Good,” she whispered back. “I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off of R for much longer.”

I playfully stuck my tongue out at her.

“So, where did you two meet?” Morgan interrupted.

“Coffee shop,” Kaylee replied.

“That one I always go to,” I added.

“We share the same interest in books.”

“I heard about this private book club,” Morgan teased. “Are you looking for more members?”

“Sure,” Kaylee replied gleefully.

“No,” I said to both of them, turning red with embarrassment. “Morgan, it’s not that kind of book club.”

Morgan laughed.

“I mean… it can be,” Kaylee offered.

I looked at Kayee with my mouth open.

“I’m kidding!” She said, putting her hand on my arm.

“Oh, Kaylee, I love you already,” Morgan gushed. “We are so going to get along. I can’t wait to share Sydney stories with you.”

“I look forward to hearing them,” Kaylee giggled while looking warmly at me.

I shook my head and chuckled. What have I started?

* * *

For the next hour, we pregamed. The wine and beer were flowing. We joked and laughed. Kaylee seemed to be enjoying her time as well, often glancing at me with a flirtatious grin.

Eventually, Gabriel showed up, freshly showered, wearing a snazzy blazer over a button down shirt and designer jeans. He was ready for a night on the town, too. We all congratulated him on his game-winning touchdown. 

I introduced Gabe and Kaylee. Gabe asked the usual questions. Where Kaylee and I met. Kaylee asked if she could squeeze Gabe’s biceps.

“Both of my hands can’t even make it around once,” Kaylee exclaimed.

When we had a moment in private, Kaylee whispered in my ear, “I love your friends.”

“Me too.”

“Sportsball Orc is bigger in person.”

“Yeah, he is,” I laughed.

“So you’ve been them all?” Kaylee asked. 

“Yeah,” I admitted. “One a week for the past month.”

“Wow. This group is amazing. I’m kinda jealous of you.”

“Sometimes it gets complicated.”

“I’m sure, but think of the experiences you’re having.”

“None compare to this experience.” I gently pulled her closer to me, and she gladly moved in tight for a kiss.

Morgan, Jasmine, and Gabe noticed us and gushed at our affection.

Since not everyone knows Kaylee is aware of the stone and our group, Gabriel and Jasmine nonchalantly went to a corner and swapped. That meant that G was in Jasmine in time for Lauren to come over, and R was Gabriel. 

After a while, Jasmine interrupted us. “Alright everyone!” Jasmine yelled over the crowd in her apartment. “The Uber is here and Lauren is on her way over. It’s time for you all to leave. Get out!”

“Let’s go!” Morgan cheered, herding everyone out of the apartment with our coats and purses.

The cold air felt like it was stabbing my bare legs. Thankfully, the Uber had the heat on.

Kaylee got into the car first, followed by me, then Morgan. Gabriel got into the front seat. The Uber driver looked at the big fella as if he wouldn’t fit in the car.

Kaylee put her hand on my bare thigh. Her hand was warmer than the air. Maybe I could get used to skimpy skirts in November.

Twenty minutes later the Uber pulled up to the club. We all piled out of the car and got to the back of the line.

“I got this,” Gabriel said, walking up to the bouncer.

The bouncer recognized him, calling out his name, “Turbo!” He smiled, they shook hands.

Gabriel motioned for us to cut the line and we followed him into the club.

“Have a good night, ladies,” the bouncer said.

Once inside, like a gentleman, Gabriel took our coats. Kaylee and I followed Morgan to a table.

Kaylee glanced at the football player. “I thought this was going to be a girls’ night. Not that I’m complaining of course. We have our own bodyguard.” 

“I’m pretty sure that’s R now,” I replied. “Honorary girl.”

“How do you keep track of everyone?” Kaylee asked.

“We’re not supposed to. But sometimes it's hard not to see patterns.”

Kaylee nodded.

“Alright Syd, you’re up,” Morgan said to me, nodding her head toward the bar.

It was my turn to get the drinks. This would be a first.

I grabbed my clutch, left Morgan and Kaylee, and sauntered over to the bar. I had finally settled into the heels as I walked to the bar. Far from feeling embarrassed, I actually felt empowered.

After adjusting my boobs for maximum effect, I waved for the bartender.

The bartender came over, quickly flashed his eyes at my cleavage, pretended that didn’t happen and asked, “What can I get you?”

“Cosmo,” I replied.

“Can I see some ID?” he asked.

“Sure,” I nervously replied. I fished my driver’s license out of my clutch and handed it to him, giving a nervous smile to match the one on the ID.

He examined it, tilting it back and forth in the ambient light of the club for a good three to four seconds, then glanced at me, before handing the card back.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I watched as the bartender made my drink. Sure, I know that I’m Sydney and 21, but a part of me is still that 19 year old Daniel who would never consider using a fake ID. Not that this is a fake ID either. Maybe I suppose I’m a fake Sydney.

I laid down my credit card and he exchanged that for the cosmopolitan and placed it in front of me. 

I felt a gentle hand at the small of my back. It was Morgan. I nonchalantly slid the drink to my side and I saw her hand reach around and the drink disappear behind me.

When the bartender returned my credit card, I stuffed it back into my clutch and signed the receipt. Almost on cue, about a half minute later, a guy walked right up to me in a cloud of cheap cologne.

“Hi,” he greeted me, also glancing at my cleavage. Universal Guy Greeting. Trademark, me.

I had a part to play and smiled warmly. “Hi, yourself.”

“I saw you standing here all alone.”

“Just trying to flag down the bartender,” I lied and giggled. I twirled a lock of my blond hair.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“Oh, yeah, sure,” I replied enthusiastically. Behind the guy, I saw Gabriel flag me down, holding two drinks. That told me I only needed one more.

“What are you drinking?” the stranger asked.

“Cosmo,” I replied.

The guy raised his hand to get the attention of a different bartender than the one I had used. “Can I get a Cosmo and a Manhattan?” He asked her.

The new bartender asked for our IDs, and I showed mine again. This time, I felt a little more confident than before.

“A Manhattan?” I asked the guy. “Who are you - my grandpa?”

The guy looked mortified. Maybe my playful banter was too much.

“I like it,” he said unconvincingly. He clearly thought I would be impressed by his mature choice of drink. “So, you go to school around here?” the guy asked to change the subject.

“Yes, I do,” I replied.

“I graduated a year ago,” he replied. “I work for an accounting firm.” He puffed his chest in confidence.

“Oh, really?” I replied. I remember Morgan telling me the trick to this was to get the guy to continuously talk about himself. That allows him to feel like he had a deep conversation with a cute girl, and we get a drink out of it. “I’ll bet that pays well.”

“It does,” he bragged. “I have my own apartment.”

“Must be nice to have a job and your own money.”

“It’s the best.”

“Do you enjoy your job?”

“It’s tedious. The bosses work us hard. But they also pay us well. You know what they say - work hard, play hard.” He turned to me. “Are you graduating soon?”

“Next semester,” I replied.

“What are you going to do?”

“Well, I’m getting a degree in Music Theory.”

“And what are you going to do with that?”

“I have no fucking clue,” I giggled, which elicited a friendly laugh from him.

The bartender placed our drinks down.

“Cheers,” the guy said, raising his glass.

“Cheers,” I echoed as we clinked glasses and took a sip.

I stayed with the guy for another five minutes, trying to figure out a good time to exit his company. Eventually the conversation stalled, I thanked him for the drink, and retreated over to my friends. When I returned to the table, everyone had their own drink.

“Thanks, Syd and Gabe for the drinks!” Morgan said, raising her glass.

The rest of the table raised their glasses and cheered.

“That was stressful,” I admitted. “I don’t like flirting with guys.”

“For someone who doesn’t like to flirt, you sure were doing a great job of it,” Morgan countered. “I was worried I was going to have to save you.”

“And I was getting worried that that guy was going to take you home,” Kaylee commented.

“Not a chance in hell,” I chuckled and smiled at my date. I looked at her, looking all cute in the mix of strobe and black light. “Wanna dance?”

She leaned into me. ”I have a confession.”

“What?”

“I’m not much into clubbing.”

“You’re not?” I asked. I don’t know why I was so shocked. I mean, neither was I. Or rather neither was Daniel. My enjoyment here is based solely on my girlfriends and the confidence in my body.

“I only came here to be with you.”

I almost melted on the spot. “Well, we don’t have to stay long,” I assured her.

“So, let’s dance, then get out of here,” Kaylee urged.

“I like how you think,” I giggled.

We took our drinks and walked onto the dance floor. 

It was loud and I could tell Kaylee was a little uncomfortable. There were vultures of the male persuasion circling us, so I danced close to her.

Kaylee said something but I couldn’t hear her, so I got even closer. 

Our bodies were touching now while grooving to the beat. I wrapped my non-drink hand around her. “What was that?”

She leaned into my ear. “Remember the celebration scene in The Fated Crown?” Kaylee asked over the music. “I imagined it looked a lot like this. But more natural.”

“Well, Orcs are more attuned with natural forces,” I replied, raising my voice so she could hear me. “Although Lenaria struggled more because of the Elvish culture’s commitment to prim and proper dancing.”

“I read it more as the struggle to let go and allowing the world to influence her for once. Once Toriji pushes Lenaria to listen to the rhythms of the world she starts to move with them.”

“Yeah. And she starts to enjoy herself.”

“God, it’s so hot when you show me a new way to look at a story.”

I looked at her, and my face turned red. Here I was being a book nerd at a nightclub. Normally when I’d bring up books in a social setting, girls would run. Kaylee, however, thinks it’s hot, and I’m not even sure what to do with myself.

She noticed I was speechless and added, “Will you be my Toriji?”

I giggled. “You’re assuming I’m in tune to clubbing culture. I most certainly am not. But I’ve found that if you’re dancing with a good friend, it doesn’t really matter.”

I was about to give her her space back, but her free hand wrapped around me, holding me close.

After a song or two, we both loosened up. A dance partner makes all of the difference. It was as if the crowd of grinding dancers beside us vanished and it was just Kaylee and I on the dance floor. Just as I wanted.

“Wanna get out of here?” Kaylee finally asked.

“Yeah,” I grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”

We went back to the table where Gabriel was chatting with two girls, one on each side of him, competing for his attention. I couldn’t find Morgan. I scanned the club and finally spotted her in a dark part of the dancefloor, grinding and making out with another girl.

“Hey Gabe,” I said, interrupting him. “I think Kaylee and I are going to head out.”

I expected him to say something about us leaving so soon, but instead he smiled at me and winked. “Have fun. I’ll keep an eye on Morgan.”

I pulled the phone from my clutch and summoned an Uber. Kaylee and I finished our drinks, fetched our coats and purses, and left the club.

Standing outside, waiting for the Uber with my arms wrapped around Kaylee, I forgot it was cold outside.

* * *

During the ride, I could tell we were both tired. The Uber dropped us off at my apartment. Both of us clumsily walked inside.

I was looking forward to getting her alone. Now that we were finally alone, we were tired and slightly drunk.

I offered her something to sleep in. She chose an old racing T-shirt and shorts. I chose an old band camp T-shirt and slipped on a more comfortable bra.

We both laid down on my bed. She put her arm around me. I loved how her arm tucked under my boobs. I could feel hers pressing up against my back. Our bare legs were tangled together.

“This is so much better than that loud night club,” Kaylee mused.

“I agree,” I said, taking in her warmth.

“Tell me what it’s like,” she tiredly whispered.

“What’s what like?”

“Being in the Guild. Changing lives. Bodies. Genders.”

“It’s different.” I answered. “It’s actually been eye-opening to the fact that I was wasting away as Daniel. A spectator in my own life.”

“And now?”

“I’m having fun learning about everyone. Learning about myself. I’ve done things I’d never considered doing.”

“It looks like you have a good group of friends, too.”

“They are. They look out for me too. Sometimes too much.”

“How so?”

“Well, I’m the newest member. So they’re a little overprotective of me. Sometimes they treat me like a newb. Or a boy.” That last sentence came flying out of my mouth without me thinking it through.

“How do you want them to treat you?”

“Well…” I started. “I didn’t tell Morgan I was D tonight. She might have known anyway. But it was girls’ night. And… I just really wanted to be treated like a girl.”

“But, you are a girl.” Kaylee said with a yawn. Her statement shot right through my defenses and hit me at my core. 

I was silent for a minute as I let her statement soak in. It’s been an issue I keep kicking the can on. An issue I keep tabling until tomorrow. At some point I need to answer it. I gave some good advice to Gabriel last night. It’d be nice if I followed it too, right?

“Kaylee, does this make me trans?” I asked.

She didn’t respond. Instead all I heard was her gentle, rhythmic breathing.