The Goddess' Blessing

By Angie "kitn" Hughes

Spring equinox had finally arrived, tonight was the night.

The moon was nicely full, too, an added bonus.

Tracy turned off the monitor on his computer and walked

over to his personal altar. All the components for the spell he

was researching were gathered and waiting. He looked around his

room to be sure everything was in place, his bed neatly made, his

clothes clean and put away, his floor clean as he could manage...

All of the windows and doors were closed, and salt sprinkled

around them. He quickly stripped, and started the sage incense

burning. With a softly whispered prayer to the Goddess, he began

drawing a careful pentagram of sea salt on the floor around his

little altar.

The symbol drawn, he mixed lavender oil and his own seed,

fresh from the source, in a copper bowl, then set it aside. He

carefully placed his wax effigies, one of himself and another of

a girl, upon the altar facing each other. He lit a wick in the

top of the wax image of himself, and then looked up.

"Oh goddess of nature, beauty and love, please bless this

ritual with your presence, and help me to create the change I

desire!"

So saying, he lit the candle image of the girl with the

burning image of himself.

"Let one life begin as the same ends, let my physical form

become one with my soul's desired form!"

He put out the candle of himself with his fingertips.

"Let my old life end and the new begin!"

Just then, a small white kitten with a pink patch in the

shape of a star on its chest nuzzled Tracy's leg, unnoticed by

him. As it crossed the circle of the pentagram, Tracy felt

suddenly weak and dizzy.

Blackness engulfed his sight, and time stood still.

--

Tracy awoke on the floor, the remains of the previous

night's activity scattered nearby. Tracy stood and shut off the

alarm that had been buzzing, then gasped in shock. The spell had

worked, as he had hoped and trusted it would, but it was still a

shock to find this new body, this wonderful new female body!

'Omigods...How am I going to explain this to Mom and Dad?'

she thought, grabbing a robe to go take a bath. Tracy's mother

passed by in the hall on the way, with nary a second glance.

"Tracy, honey, you better hurry. You slept in this morning,

and school starts in half an hour."

"Alright, Mom, thanks!" Her voice was different, higher

now. She bit back an excited giggle, it had really worked! And

her mom didn't even notice!

"Oh, Tracy, I went to the store last night, they're under

the bathroom sink next to your bath herbs."

Tracey wondered at this, but shrugged and went to the

bathroom. She loved getting up early to take long, hot cleansing

herbal baths, so sleeping in wasn't a problem anyway, but she did

want to get in a short bath at least, to make sure this new body

was cleansed of all unhealthy influences. Especially sweat, she

felt really sticky.

She turned on the bath, grabbing some lavender, her

favorite herb, and bath salts for the bath, and knocked over a

small package. Picking it up, she looked curiously at it, what

was it doing in here with her bath stuff?

On closer inspection, she realized what it was. A box of

tampons. Then what her mother had said sank in: her mother

thought she had always been a girl! This was even better, if

everyone was like this, she wouldn't have to explain anything!

Putting the box back, she hopped into the bath, relishing

the feel of hot scented water against her skin. She carefully

scrubbed every inch of her skin, getting rid of the sweat of last

night's exertions. She couldn't stop a need to pay special

attention to her more intimate parts, making sure they were real!

On inspection, a thin trickle of red told her the box in the

cupboard would be necessary already.

"Man, my first day as a girl, and I'm already having my

period." She was reminded once again of the difference in her

voice, and decided it was well worth it. The blood showed her

that the transformation was absolute: she had all the right

parts, and could even get pregnant!

Climbing out of the tub, she drained it, and opened the

box. The tampons were small, thin tubes with fabric in the

middle, she had never used one before, so she read the box

carefully and tried to follow the instructions.

"Damn thing!" She growled, trying to get it in right. The

thing just didn't seem to want to go anywhere comfortable inside.

"Ow..." After more struggling and cursing, she finally figured

out exactly where it went, and tried to forget about it, going

back to her bedroom.

'I hope my clothes changed, too... I should have planned

ahead better than this...' She thought, reaching her room. Seeing

the mess, she scuffed the salt symbols into the carpet for later

vacuuming, noticing but dismissing the small kitten pawprints in

the pentagram, and replaced the altar and candles back into their

little corner of the room. Strangely, the male candle was burned

down to a puddle of wax, while the girl candle she had left

burning still looked as if it had yet to even be lit.

The mess cleaned up, she checked her dresser. Thanking the

Goddess for making the transition as easy as possible, she pulled

on a pair of pink panties and a matching bra, glad for the simple

style of both, as well as the front clasp of the bra. Then she

found some jeans and a Tommy t-shirt, and slipped her pentagram

pendant under the shirt.

Slipping on her tennis shoes, she went to the kitchen for a

quick breakfast, brushed her long brown hair and left for school.

On the walk to the high school, Tracy saw a few of her

friends, and waved to them.

"Hey, guys, what's up?" She greeted them, and was shocked

when they ignored her. One, Victor, even laughed when he realized

she had been greeting them.

"Hey, guys, get a load of the lesbo tryin' to make nice!

Hey, Tracy, sack any chicks lately?"

Tracy stared in open-mouthed shock at the angry tirade.

"What are you talking about? Vic, we've been friends since

fifth grade, why are you being such an asshole?"

"If I remember right, it was you bein' a bitch last year,

carpetmuncher. Sarah was into me, till you butted in."

Tracy backed away, and hurried on toward the high school,

wondering what other nasty surprises were waiting. 'I guess it

makes sense, I'm not really into guys... But damn, he was

pissed!' She kept her mouth shut the rest of the way, ignoring

anyone else she recognized.

As she sat at her desk in her first class, she thought back

to the meeting with Victor. 'I don't remember him knowing any

Sarah last year... But he might just have not told me. But I

wouldn't steal my friend's girlfriend...'

"MISS Campbell... Are you present today, or should I just

write you off as absent? Now if you will pay attention, please

explain to the class why Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was an

uplifting story, even as a tragedy?"

"Yes, Mrs. Dalton, I'm sorry." Tracy wanted to die, but

settled for paying attention.

Lunch came around, and on the way to the cafeteria, Tracy

heard her name from the side.

"Tracy! Hey, what's wrong, why are you so air-headed

today?" Three girls were looking worriedly at her, and Tracy had

no idea who they were.

"Oh... Hi, guys... Sorry, lot of stuff is going on

lately... Sorry. So, what's up?"

"Same old same old. Sarah's party was great, too bad you

didn't show." Sarah must be the one nodding and looking upset...

Tracy made a mental note to apologize later.

"So... Whatcha girls doing after school? I don't have

anything to do today, and I'm gonna die of boredom." Tracy tried

to find something to say, still reeling over new friends and the

loss of her old ones.

"You mean after cheerleading tryouts?" That didn't sound

good... "Well, I don't have anything planned, do you, Tara?" That

must be the brunette...

"No, I was just going to finish up my homework and write

some more... I just started the hot scene where the main

characters finally hook up. But I'm still kinda blocked on it."

"Well, why don't we do something then?" Tracy was getting

the hang of this, socializing with these girls wasn't much

different from the guys, except the cheerleading bit... She hoped

she wasn't part of the squad, she didn't know the first thing

about it.

"Like what? There's nothing to do in this little hole of a

town." Tara looked disgusted.

"I don't know, just something. I'm tired of being stuck at

home."

"Well, it's not much but we could go to the mall again. I

still haven't decided on a homecoming dress yet!" The girl Tracy

had yet to place a name to chimed in.

The rest of the school day passed swiftly, and to Tracy's

dismay, she found her name on the tryout list, but after a half-

hearted attempt at a few cheers, she was relieved to be sure she

was not future cheerleader material. Tara, however, displayed an

amazing proficiency at cheering, and Tracey found herself

enjoying watching her new friend perform.

"Hey, Tara, that was pretty good! I must have looked like a

total klutz."

"Thanks! But what happened to you? You were a lot better

than that when we practiced together last weekend." Tara

remarked.

"Well, like I said, I've had a lot on my mind lately."

"Well, let's hurry back to the locker room and clean up,

then we can go look at dresses. I bet you're really excited to be

nominated for homecoming, huh? I know I was shocked to see my

name on the list!"

"What?? I mean, yeah, I can't wait..."

"Try not to say anything in front of Casey, though. She

wasn't nominated, so she must be disappointed."

'She can have my nomination...' "Casey?"

"Duh, you ARE air-headed lately! You know, short red hair,

lives next door to you, suggested the mall at lunch?"

"Oh, yeah, Casey."

The two reached the showers, at which Tracy blushed and

forged ahead, knowing she couldn't show any hesitation. Changing

beforehand hadn't been bad, but the showers looked to be an

exercise in courage for Tracy. She stripped and followed Tara,

managing not to stare.

As they were changing back into their regular clothes, Tara

pointed out Tracy's sweats from tryouts.

"Tracy... You forgot to change your tampon! You better

change it before you put your jeans back on."

"Oh shit! I didn't bring any with me, either!"

"There's a machine on the wall over there. Are you sure

you're alright, Tracy? I've never seen you this absent-minded

before!"

Tracy blushed and dug out a few coins for the machine,

putting in the fresh tampon with a bit more skill than that

morning.

After that embarrassing scene, they dressed again, and

walked back towards Tracy's house. Tara turned a few blocks ahead

to go home, and Tracy watched her go, noting which house she

entered.

Returning home herself, Tracy was greeted by her mom and

went to her room to clear her mind a bit and listen to music. At

least her taste in music seemed to be the same; none of her CD

collection was missing or changed. She popped in her Alanis CD

and hit track eight, 'Head Over Feet,' and lay down on her bed,

trying to sort out the day's events. Tracy had never imagined how

minutely the details of her life would change when preparing the

spell; she only had known that being male was NOT right. Now,

things were starting to feel right, even though new surprises

were massing to leap at he every few seconds. She resolved

herself mentally to enjoy every second of this new lease on life

as the Goddess-given treasure it was.

A short while later, the telephone by Tracy's bed rang. She

muted the music and answered.

"Hello?"

"Tracy, it's Sarah. Just wanted to check with you, can you

make it to the mall with us?"

"Sure, but it'll have to wait till 5:30 when my dad gets

home, if I'm going to borrow his car."

"No problem. Your dad's nice about that! Mine doesn't trust

me to drive; he says I don't have enough experience driving. Like

I'm supposed to practice without a car to practice in!"

"Oh, he'll get over it eventually I'm sure. Or maybe he's

planning to get you one of your own for your birthday or

something!"

"I hope so, it sucks having to bum rides off of everyone

else, when I worked hard to make sure to pass the driver's

license test!"

"I know the feeling. I hate waiting till Dad gets home

every night, it's so boring hanging around home for two hours

after school!"

"So, what dress were you thinking of for homecoming? I saw

a few last time we checked the mall, but you didn't point out any

you liked."

"Well, I... didn't see any I liked at all. I'm hoping they

have something new this time."

"Go with something green, it matches your eyes, and you're

one of the few people I know who can wear green well, so you

might as well flaunt it!"

"Sure, I'll look."

"So I hear Vic caught you again before school. Is he still

trying to spread that crap about you being lesbian? I can't

believe the nerve of guys like him, just because you told me he

was the one that started the rumor last year. It was his own

fault, but just because you let me know he's a jerk, he calls you

a dyke."

"Well, what can you do? I just ignored him anyway, it's not

like he knows anything." Tracy lied.

"Yeah... Still, it pisses me off..."

"So, where were you and Casey during cheerleading tryouts?

I didn't see you there, and you were the one who reminded me

about them at lunch!"

"Well, you know Casey's parents won't let her, and I just

didn't want to spend all my after-school time next year on it. It

just lost its appeal to me, since some of the other girls

believed that gay rumor. I'm surprised you tried out, really."

"Call me thick-skinned, what they think won't hurt me. I

know who I am."

"Lucky you, I thought I was going to die when they all

stared at me this year."

"I'm sorry... And it's partly my fault..."

"Oh shut up. It's ALL Victor's fault. So get over it and be

happy when we go to the mall, kay?"

"Alright. Have you already called the others?"

"No... I need to go, I'll get a hold of Tara and Casey.

Talk to you later!"

"Laters!"

The mall was a small town affair, hardly a mall at all. It

consisted of several specialized stores in one long strip,

leaving customers to travel outdoors between shops. The girls

chattered about nothing and everything as they visited a pre-

selected route... A bath supplies store, a beauty salon and

supply outlet, three different clothing stores and, of course, a

candy shop. Tracy bought a few herbs and bath salts at the first,

some shampoo the others coerced her into at the last second, and

then scanned the clothing stores. She had little experience

shopping for girls' clothes, and didn't say much, but Tara, Sarah

and Casey didn't seem to notice.

"Tracy! There it is, the perfect dress for you! You've got

to try it on!"

The gown Sarah so enthusiastically pointed out did look

good, Tracy admitted to herself. It was a velvet green color,

with silky black trim and a deep V-neck decollatage. The skirt

was long, and flared outward, with a subtle black design in the

velvet green cloth.

"Ooh, you're right, Sarah! I think I'll ask Mom to buy me

it for homecoming."

"You have to try it first, silly! Besides, I want to see

how you look in it!" Sarah almost dragged Tracy to the counter,

and asked about the particular dress in Tracy's size, then herded

her to the change room while Tara and Casey looked at other gowns

in the store. After a short time, the saleswoman returned with

another dress the same style and color, in Tracy's size, showing

that peculiar ability good salespeople show for judging exact

size at a glance.

Moments later, Tracy reappeared from the changing room

door, spinning a small circle for her friends' benefit.

"Wow, Tracy, that's perfect on you! How do I look?" Tara

gushed, spinning her own little circle in a tight red number.

"Great, Tara! Who are you planning on springing that on?

Whoever he is, he'll probably pass out!" Tracy giggled.

Tara blushed almost as red as the dress, mumbling something

vague about nosy friends, and returned to the change room. Tracy

followed suit, returning the gown reluctantly to the saleslady

for now. Tara bought hers on the spot.

"How about you, Casey? Find anything to wear to

homecoming?"

"Oh, I don't know. Nothing really caught my eye." Tracy

looked at Casey, sensing some reluctance, and decided to pay her

neighbor more visits soon.

"Suit yourself, but it's not that long until Friday..."

Tracy offered. Casey didn't answer.

The four finally reached the end of the strip mall, a small

candy shop. It seemed the perfect place to just hang out and

talk, which the girls did at great length. Tracy noticed again

that Casey seemed reticent, and tried to get the girl to come out

of her shell a little.

"So, Casey, do you have a date planned for Friday?"

"No, not really. All the guys that asked me were lamers. I

don't know, I never was much for dances anyway."

"Aw, come on... Are you even planning on going?" Tracy

managed a pouty look without consciously trying, and Casey smiled

a little.

"Well, I guess... It's just... I dunno. I'll go." Casey

smiled wider, and changed tack. "So who are you going with,

Tracy?"

All eyes centered on Tracy, and she had absolutely no idea

how to answer.

"Ummm, well, no one's really asked me." Sarah and Tara

looked on with what could be considered shock, while Casey seemed

thoughtful.

"How about we go together then? After all, surely there'll

be a few... cute guys there without dates, right?"

"Is that a good idea?" Sarah asked, "With all of those

rumors going around about Tracy being gay?" Tara nodded.

"Well, maybe that's why no one's asked me. But I said it

before, I'm not about to let some jerk spreading rumors bother

me. I know who I am, and no stupid rumor can change that. If

people buy into that kinda rumor without bothering to get the

truth from me, I don't want to know them, and I don't care what

they think."

Sarah and Tara looked dubious at this, but shrugged and

decided to support their friend's courage. Casey simply stared a

moment, then smiled.

"Alright then, it's a date!"

A moment later, something made Tracy look to the right,

away from the shop. Spotting a small mass of white, she walked

over to check it. A small kitten, white except for a pink

starburst pattern on its chest, looked up with wide eyes.

"Hello there, cutie! Where's your owner?" The cat looked up

soulfully, and Tracy noticed it had no collar.

"Are you a stray? You look too clean and healthy, are you

lost?" She somehow sensed this wasn't the case, and picked the

cat up, feeling a strange connection to it. When she returned to

the place her friends sat, eating snacks, they instantly circled

her.

"Wow, what a cute kitten, can I hold her?"

"Is she a stray?"

"I've never seen a cat that looked like that before!"

The three all wanted a chance to hold and pet the kitten,

falling quickly in love with the small animal. Logically, Tracy

knew she should be worried the cat might have rabies, or fleas or

something, but it just seemed impossible, somehow, that this

kitten could be less than perfect.

"I'm going to keep her. She's so cute, and I don't think

she has a home." Tracy stated, and the other girls looked

crestfallen, each had wanted the kitten themselves!

"So, can I keep her, Daddy?" Tracy gave her best impression

of cuteness, and it seemed to work.

"If you can take care of it, then you can keep it, I guess.

I just better not find any messes in the house."

"Thanks, Daddy!" She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.

This was so right; she had never been able to let out her

feelings like this as a boy... Her dad would have freaked if the

old Tracy had called him "Daddy" like that, much less kissed him

on the cheek. She felt much closer to her family than ever

before. Speaking of which...

Tracy took the stairs two at a time and found her mom in

the kitchen.

"Oh, hi, Tracy! Did you want to help me with dinner

tonight?"

"Sure, Mom, I'd love to!" She smiled and took over cutting

some vegetables. "Mom, I saw this great dress for homecoming at

the mall today, would you come look at it with me tomorrow? I

want your opinion, especially since I can't afford it myself."

"Sure, honey! I was starting to wonder if you were even

going this year!"

Tracy added the carrots and cucumber slices to the salad,

and took it out to set the table.

"Thanks, Mom, I was too. No one even asked me until today."

"Well, at your age, boys are amazingly blind. Especially if

it took one this long to ask you!"

"Yeah, you could say that, Mom... But I'm glad, really. I

wanted someone I felt comfortable going with anyway."

"Good for you, honey!"

After supper, Tracy went to her room. The kitten had waited

obediently for her; looking up with eyes Tracy could swear were

more intelligent than any animal's should be.

"So, what should I call you, huh?" As if in answer, a word

appeared in her head before she had a chance to think about it.

"Baidh, huh? Kinda unique, I like it! Come here, Baidh!"

The little cat hopped obediently onto her bed.

"Why do I feel so strangely connected to you? Are you a

familiar, come to seek me out? Cats are a little cliche, you

know."

The cat looked back as if to say, "Yes, and with good

reason."

"Why do I feel like you know exactly what I'm saying, and

are answering me?"

'Because I do know, and I am answering you.' Wow...

'You don't have to speak aloud, I can hear your thoughts,

as you can hear mine.' Tracy shut her mouth, and decided not to

be surprised. After all, only twenty-four hours ago, she had had

a male body.

'Okay... So did you seek me out just because my spell

worked?' The cat shook its head.

'No, the spell worked because I sought you out. The anguish

in your soul called to me, and I wanted to help you fix it. So, I

gave you the power to do so. But it won't be an easy road,

either. After all, such gifts are NEVER given without a price,

and often more of a price than even I know.' Baidh lectured.

'I know, but anything is worth this. I could die happy

right now.'

'That is a distinct possibility, Tracy. You are in a lot of

danger, you are a new witch and don't know your own abilities

yet. Without guidance, you could do yourself and others great

harm. And there are others who will want to take your power from

you.'

'What, you mean demons and such, like in that TV show

"Charmed?"'

'No, as long as you don't try to summon nasty things, they

won't bother you. It's other humans in search of power you have

to watch for. You made waves in the balance of power. And sadly,

few humans who realize their own power are content with what they

are given. You aren't any more powerful than most witches, but

you don't have the experience to protect yourself, so you are an

easy target.'

'Well, then, I'll have to learn, won't I? But for now, I'm

exhausted. Is it safe for me to go to sleep, at least?'

'I will watch over you while you sleep. Be prepared to

start learning tomorrow.'

"Goodnight, Baidh!" Tracy laughed, happy to at least have

one friend who knew her secret life.

Morning arrived, and Tracy turned off her alarm two minutes

before it would have gone off, thankful for that small reminder

that she was the same as ever, only with the correct body now.

She went for the bathroom, followed by Baidh, and turned on the

bath, filling it with very hot water. She was in the middle of

adding her favorite herbs and bath salts, when Baidh displayed

her approval.

'Lavender and sea salts... Herbs and sea salt are good,

though people overestimate their significance. Still, they do

help focus your mind and beliefs, so you should use them whenever

you feel they are appropriate.'

'Is that my first lesson, then, Baidh? Follow your

instincts? I just use them because the salts and lavender make me

feel more cleansed. And it smells nice, too. The guys used to

tease me about it, smelling like a girl they said.'

'Well, you should have been proud. After all, girls are

supposed to smell like girls, right?'

'Yeah. They just got over it and accepted it anyway,

eventually.'

Tracy relaxed in her bath, relishing the feel of the hot

water on her softer, more sensitive skin, as Baidh reinstructed

her on the basics of witchcraft that she had read long ago when

she first started believing in it. She cleared up a few small

misconceptions, and laughed when Baidh asserted that the witches

she saw on television were the worst examples of stupidity for

misleading the unwary.

'Baidh... I don't mean to seem ungrateful, but this is all

stuff I've been reading and have believed for a long time. I know

that witchcraft is all mental ability, and that all the herbs,

rituals and tools of the craft are just ways to focus your mind

on what you want.'

'Perhaps, but you can't afford to harbor even the least of

misconceptions. These are the basic principles of everything you

need to know, if you don't believe them all completely, you will

never be able to reach your potential. And other witches will

quickly take your power, kill you, or worse.'

'Alright then, teach on.' Tracy listened attentively as she

dried off, and went back to her room to dress for school. She had

set the alarm even earlier than usual, so that she could spend a

little more time examining the changes in her room and wardrobe.

After all, it was her sacred space. And despite having had the

body she wanted all of her life for more than a day now, she

didn't even know her own measurements or taste in clothing!

Checking her drawers and closets, she found that she wore a

32B bra (modest, but she hadn't wanted to be spectacular anyway),

and her clothes ranged from a size 6 to 8, depending on the type

of clothes. She liked her selection, some girly dresses, 2

cheerleading outfits, plenty of jeans and t-shirts, and an

impressive variety of shoes. She decided to keep things simple

for the moment, and went with a tight pair of jeans and a t-shirt

emblazoned with the word "Angel." She also was very careful to

bring a few extra tampons in her backpack today, reminding

herself to change them every few hours to avoid a repeat of the

previous afternoon's embarrassment.

'What will you do while I'm at school, Baidh?'

'I'll be nearby. You can talk to me across any distance

like this.'

Tracy went to the kitchen, kissed her parents good morning,

and started in to breakfast. Minutes later, she was on her way to

school again, this time with Casey in tow.

"You look particularly happy today, Tracy... I take it your

mom is going to get you the dress?"

"Yeah, and I just feel more... myself today than in a very

long time."

"Yeah... Me too..." Tracy completely missed the sparkle of

joy in Casey's eyes as they walked.

"Hey, you two, you look all cheery today... Guess you

really weren't all that upset about tryouts, huh, Tracy? I

thought it was just an act. You seemed so happy about

cheerleading last week."

"Well, it just wasn't as important as I thought. But I'm

glad you made it, Tara!" Tracy changed the subject slightly.

"Yeah, I love the workout it gets me, and being the center

of attention, I guess!"

The other three laughed at this, and they headed on to

school. From a block away, Victor watched, rage clearly evident

in his eyes, unnoticed by either his friends, or the target of

his fury: Tracy.

School passed rather quickly for Tracy, and she was having

the time of her life! Classes seemed almost pointless now, but

she used the time to socialize, passing notes and chatting in

class. Just before her last class, while retrieving her books

from her locker, Tracy noticed a golden glimmer. Someone had

slipped a ring into the vents in her locker!

Feeling flattered, Tracy immediately slipped the ring on,

turning it to view the stone embedded in the top. It was a red

stone with small black flecks swirled into it, polished to a very

pretty sheen. Under the ring, she found a note.

'From my heart, I send this to you

A ring to show my intentions are true

A stone set in red, the color of passion

A ring of gold, forever lasting'

An admirer

Tracy looked into the stone, wondering who might have sent

her such a beautiful gift. The ring might be gold-plated, or low-

quality, but somehow she didn't think so. Someone had gone to

great lengths to give her this, and she would find out who

tonight. Maybe it was Casey... She found herself humming happily

as she walked to her last class of the day.

"Hey, Tracy, where'd you get that ring?" Casey asked on the

way home from school.

"I... I'm not really sure; I found it in my locker with a

note... Someone's trying to get my attention with a "Secret

Admirer" act. It is kinda sweet, though" Tracey said, deciding

maybe it wasn't from Casey after all.

"Well, whoever it is, is trying pretty hard! That ring

looks expensive."

"Don't worry, I already promised I'd go to the dance with

you, Casey!" Tracy giggled conspiratorially.

Casey made big goo-goo eyes at Tracy. "Oh, thank you, that

would have broken my fragile little heart!" That said, the two

girls descended into a giggling fit.

"Mom, I'm home!" Tracy called out, stepping in the front

door.

"Hi, honey! How was school?" Was the answer from the

kitchen.

"Not bad. Same old, same old." Tracey walked into the

kitchen, made herself a sandwich and watched her mom do dishes.

"Tracey, hon, are you ready to go to the mall? I wanted to

see that dress you want so much!"

Tracy nodded, her mouth full of sandwich, and went to her

room to put away her homework for now. As she stepped into her

room, she suddenly felt dizzy and weak. A headache formed

suddenly, driving all thought from her as she fell to her knees.

Then the room went black.

Tracey woke seconds later, to the feeling of a sandpapery

tongue licking her cheek. 'Wake up, Tracy, it's me, Baidh!'

'Wha... what happened?' Tracy thought, feeling the odd

headache and weakness gone already.

'Your life energy dropped suddenly, almost dangerously low.

Did anything happen to you?'

'No... I just got really weak and dizzy for a-'

"Tracy, are you ready?" Her mom called out from downstairs.

"Yeah, Mom, just a minute!" 'Baidh, we'll figure this out

later, I have to go.'

'Be careful, Tracy. Something isn't right about this.'

The mall was exactly as it had been the day before,

somewhat busy with teenagers hanging out, gossiping and looking

for just the right dress for prom, or snacking at the candy shop.

Tracy led her mom to the store where she had found the

dress, then pointed it out to her. Tracy then dutifully tried on

the dress again, spinning a little dance to show it off, and Mrs.

Campbell smiled in response.

"That looks wonderful on you, Tracy!" Ignoring the high

price tag, Mrs. Campbell bought her daughter the dress with a

credit card, and then carried the package as the mother-daughter

pair went to visit the candy shop. Over sodas and cookies, Tracy

learned about her mother in a way she had never been able to

before. They talked about school, social life, Tracy's father,

and the merits of living as a housewife. It seemed Tracy's mom

loved her place, unlike many modern women, as a homemaker. It

gave her free time to follow her own pursuits, including the

mystery novels she loved reading and writing.

Then, Tracy's mother asked her about the ring. She seemed

to have just noticed it, and was asking if Tracy had an admirer

when the weakness struck again. It didn't seem as strong this

time, but Tracy still reeled, as her vision went momentarily dim.

"Tracy, are you alright? You almost fainted!" Tracey looked

up, gathering her wits.

"I'm... okay Mom, it was just a little dizziness."

"Well, we should get home anyway. I want to start dinner

before your father gets home, want to help?"

"Sorry, Mom, but I have a lot of homework tonight."

"That's alright, homework comes first."

'Baidh?' Tracy walked into her room, closing the door

behind her. The white kitten hopped into her lap. 'This is

getting bad, it happened again.'

'I know. I think this is your first challenge... Someone is

using your life energy to cast his or her own spells.'

Tracy thought about this, not having the slightest clue

what to do.

'How can anyone do that? I haven't let anyone know about

me, much less given them any of my power.'

'It has to be some kind of link, this kind of thing isn't

possible unless your enemy is drawing through something you're in

contact with.'

"The ring!" Tracy jumped up, almost yelling out loud, as

she removed the gold ring she had found in her locker.

"Tracy, are you alright? I heard a shout..." Her mother

peeked in the door; to find Tracy holding a ring the way one

might hold a live scorpion. "What's going on in here?"

"Oh, um... Mom, I just remembered I had this ring... A

friend lent it to me, and I need to return it."

Tracy's mother looked unconvinced, but seemed to accept

this.

"Well, make sure that you do, it looks very valuable, and

whoever owns it will be glad to get it back, I'm sure."

"Yes, I just bet they will..."

The next morning, Tracy watched everybody surreptitiously

as she walked with her friends to school. Nothing seemed out of

place, no one was giving her covert looks, or glowing black, or

anything. Sarah, Tara and Casey were getting upset at her

inattention, however.

"Tracy, what is your problem lately? One minute you're

ignoring us, and the next you're acting like there's someone out

to kill you! Are you on drugs or something?"

Tracy looked surprised for a moment, had she been that

obvious?

"Sorry... It's just, somebody gave me a ring yesterday with

a 'secret admirer' letter, and I'm trying to figure out who it

is."

"Jeez, Tracy, is that all? The way you act, you'd think it

had been a death threat, not a ring!" Tara frowned at her.

"Come on, Tara. She's probably just afraid it's Victor

again. Maybe he wants to make up for the rumor thing, you know?

They were pretty close before she dropped him. You never did say

why you did that, Tracy, you two were a hot couple, and he didn't

turn into an asshole until Sarah told him off, too," Casey pried.

"I dunno, I guess it just wasn't working out." Tracy

stalled. She was stilled shocked to find out she and Vic had had

a thing, and had no idea what might have happened. After all, a

lot of this changed life was new to her.

Sarah looked down for a moment, and then looked sadly at

Tracy when no one else was looking. Almost as if she knew

whatever it was that had happened, and was keeping some secret

about it. Tracy decided to try and pry it from her later.

"Tracy, is it bothering you again?" Sarah asked at lunch.

The other girls hadn't shown up yet, so the two were alone at

their usual table.

"What do you mean?" Tracy had no idea what the other girl

meant.

"You know, Victor. You got over the whole thing pretty

fast, last year, and what Victor did to you... Well, it worries

me the way you're acting today."

"I don't even know what you're talking about. I don't

remember Vic doing anything to me."

"You can't hide it from me, Tracy, I kept the secret, but I

won't let you just bottle it up. I mean, jeez, he tried to...

force you!"

Tracy just gaped. Vic had done that? Victor, the guy that

was always so self-conscious before? This change went really

deep, and for once, Tracy worried that it might not all be good

changes.

"Listen, Sarah, don't worry about it. I can handle Victor;

he's not what's been bothering me. I can handle it, okay? I

really am alright."

"Well, okay, but let me know if you ever need help. I still

owe you for the warning about Victor, after all." Tracy smiled,

and agreed, just as the other girls came to join them.

Tracy dropped her books in her locker, and grabbed some

others. Another note caught her eye, and she held it like one

might hold a live scorpion, before opening and reading it...:

'I see you enjoyed my little gift.

I enjoyed what it gave me from you.

Can you find me before I strike again?

Your admirer...'

Tracy crumpled the note and threw it in the trash. This was

getting scary, somebody was stalking her, but she couldn't tell

anybody because who would believe it? She had to find this

person, and soon.

After school, Tracy went straight to her room.

'Baidh, are you in here?' The kitten crept out from under

her bed.

'Yes, Tracy?'

'Is there any way I can use this ring to find out who's

stalking me?' To an observer they looked like a girl just playing

with her pet kitten, but Tracy closed the door and curtains

anyway.

'Yes, but you'll have to put it back on. You'll be

vulnerable to your attacker then, but if you're quick enough, you

might find out who it is before they try to drain you again.'

'I have to try it, Baidh. Whoever it is sent me another

note today, and I can't stand not being able to do anything about

it.'

Tracy stood in her little sea-salt pentacle, staring into a

copper bowl full of water, incense smoking at the sides of her

little altar. Waving her ceremonial knife over the bowl, she

concentrated on finding the source of the enchantment on the

ring, then, feeling prepared, she slipped the ring over her

finger.

Slowly an image formed in the water, brown eyes seemingly

stared back at her, being the first part of the image to clarify.

Baidh stood at her knee, eyes closed, but Tracy was sure she

could see the image form as well.

The image suddenly cleared up completely, as the lips

moved. Tracy gasped, feeling her life begin to ebb.

"Victor!" She gasped, and Victor's face seemed to laugh

cruelly at her. She fumbled the ring off of her finger hurriedly,

sure that this time he wouldn't stop when she passed out.

'Tracy!' Baidh's mental voice screamed as all went black.

Lights. Bright lights were shining into Tracy's eyes as she

opened them. Starched cotton sheets of an unimposing blue lie up

to her neck, and she saw her mother leaning over.

"Tracy, you're awake!"

"Mom? What happened? The last thing I remember..."

"Tracy, what are you involved in? When I found you in your

room, you looked like something out of a witch movie! You're not

doing Satanic stuff or something are you?"

"Mom, relax... It's nothing like that. You know I wouldn't

do anything evil!"

"Well, the doctor said you were anemic to the edge of

death... I was so scared I was going to lose you..."

"Mom... I'm alright. I just passed out, is all." Tracy

lifted her arm to hold her mom's hand, feeling incredibly weak.

"Tracy... The doctor did a test, and said you weren't on

drugs or anything, but why did you pass out? Are you in some kind

of trouble?"

"Don't worry, mom... It's just stress. Some guy at school

is giving me some trouble, and with the dance coming up

tomorrow..."

"Well, just take care, okay? You really scared me tonight."

"Okay, Mom, I promise. Can we go home now?"

"Yes, the doctor already told me we could go when you wake

up. He just said to make sure you eat tonight, to rebuild your

strength."

Baidh's mental voice spoke up the moment Tracy entered her

room.

'Tracy, are you alright? Whatever he did that drained you

so badly must have been big! Before you passed out, you said it

was Victor that did this, do you remember?'

'Yes, I remember it all, Baidh. And I intend to deal with

him as soon as I figure out how. In the meantime, I have to

wonder, what DID he do that took so much out of me? As you said,

it has to be big, and I'm sure it's not done with my best

interests in mind...'

Tracy flopped down on her bed, looking up at the ceiling.

'Baidh, I'm going to take a bath, and think this stuff

through a bit.' Baidh hopped onto the bed, the ring in her mouth.

'Maybe you should do something with this?'

Tracy sat up, put the ring in the bottom of a drawer,

hidden inside a rolled-up pair of socks. Then she left for the

bathroom.

'Poor kid, she's still not ready for this...'

Tracy stepped into the lavender-smelling bath with a long,

slow sigh, letting the heat relax and refresh her. Once settled

in, she pushed away all thoughts of Victor.

'I can't deal with that right now, it's just too much.'

Instead, she thought about the dance tomorrow, and how

carefully she'd have to act. 'I can't mess this up, I really like

Casey, and I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable, but how

can I find out whether she'd even entertain the idea of going out

with me, or any girl for that matter? She seemed so happy to be

going to that dance with me, but that probably just means she

didn't want to miss it or go alone...

I feel so strangely attracted to her, she's cute, and shy,

and there's just something about her... But the way the rest of

the school reacts to a rumor about being a lesbian... Maybe I

should just be happy with having the right body, and not worry

about a relationship.'

Tracy let that go for the moment, too, and tried to clear

her mind. She worked through a few meditations she had read, but

none really seemed to help much. Victor and Casey both kept

intruding on her thoughts. Finally, she gave up, and let the

nicer of the two images invade her conscious.

Casey's warm inviting smile, her fiery red hair and girl-

next-door cuteness (literally)... Tracy blushed at the bent her

thoughts were taking, but decided to go with it, after all, a

little fantasizing never hurt anybody, and that's what teenagers

do, right?

'I toyed at it a little bit, the first day, but I never

really... Funny, when I still had the guy body, this was so

different.'

Tracy spent the next half hour carefully exploring herself,

imagining it was Casey's lips, hands, fingers, and tongue doing

the exploring.

'Gods, I'm such a pervert...' She thought as she emptied

and rinsed the tub.

Just then, the phone in her room rang.

'I wonder who would call right now? It's almost 11...'

She picked up the handset with her left hand, her right

busily brushing out her long brown hair. Baidh sat on the bed

beside her with what amounted to a feline smirk.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Tracy? Are you alright? I talked to your mom while

you were in the bath, and she said you passed out and had to go

to the hospital!" Casey's voice sounded almost frantic.

"I'm alright, Casey... I'll be fine."

"Great! I can't wait for the dance tomorrow, and I'd be

really lonely there without you..."

'Wow, that was kinda blunt, maybe she really does like

me...'

"Well, I promised I'd be there, Casey, and I wouldn't miss

going to that dance with you for anything!"

Baidh was rolling in a little fit at this point.

"Great, Tracy! Any plans for after homecoming? There's a

party at Sarah's again, and it'd be a great way to make up for

missing her last one."

"Sure thing, Casey!"

"So, how's the kitten? Did your parents let you keep her?"

"Yeah! Her name is Baidh, by the way. And she is the

smartest cat! She already knows her name!"

"Cool! Can I come over and see her?"

"I guess, my parents shouldn't mind. I'll go ahead and get

dressed, see you in a few, 'kay?"

"Alright! Be right there!"

As Tracy hung up the phone, Baidh looked up at her.

'I heard you in the bath, you know. I may just be a cat to

you, but I do know a bit about love. Just let her know how you

feel, alright? Unfinished business of that sort is the last thing

you need when dealing with someone like Victor.'

'Hey, that was private!' Tracy blushed redder than she had

at any point in the bath.

'I don't judge, Tracy, and there's nothing wrong with what

you were doing. But if you don't work something out with Casey,

you won't have the proper focus to deal with the dangers of being

a new witch.'

'It's not that easy, Baidh! I don't want to make her feel

weirded out, and the others at school can be pretty harsh when

they think someone's gay.'

'Like you told Sarah, why should what they think bother

you, as long as you are confident about who you are?'

A ring from the doorbell ended the conversation, and Tracy

rushed downstairs to let Casey in.

Minutes later, the two girls sat on Tracy's bed, playing

with the little kitten. Casey fell instantly in love with the cat

again, and Tracy couldn't help but once again feel the attraction

Casey held. She just seemed to glow with energy while holding the

cat.

"Baidh, huh? How'd you come up with that name? It's a

little unusual." Casey asked, looking up at Tracy with ever-so-

deep green eyes.

"Well, the name Baidh just seemed to... call out to me."

Tracy explained, not lying, really.

"It does seem to fit her. Is this pink fur died? It doesn't

look like it, but I've never seen a cat with quite this color of

fur!"

"Oh, it's her natural color. Funny, isn't it?" Tracy petted

Baidh, who just luxuriated in the attention.

"Well, I happen to like pink, it's my favorite color!"

'Do you really need any more clues, Tracy?' Baidh

interjected mentally.

'Shut up, you... It's not proof.'

"Tracy, you seem a bit spaced out, still. Are you sure

you're alright after what happened?" Casey leaned over, very

close, and made a show of feeling Tracy's forehead.

"I... I'm a little warm, right now, but it's nothing-"

Casey leaped back as if she'd been burned, as the door

creaked open and Tracy's mom peeked in.

"Hey, you, don't you think it's about bedtime? You need to

get your rest, and the day after tomorrow is homecoming dance!"

"Hi, Mrs. Campbell! I was just chatting with Tracy about

the new kitten! I wish my parents would let me have a cat!"

"Oh, well, you should probably get back, there'll be plenty

of time to see the cat tomorrow."

"Alright Mrs. Campbell. See you tomorrow, Tracy!" Casey

winked at her, on the way out of the room.

'Okay, Baidh, you win. Tomorrow I'll just tell her how I

feel. But I have a feeling it's going to be a long night.'

Baidh settled in on the blanket as Tracy tried to get

comfortable, then asked, 'Would you like some help getting to

sleep, Tracy?'

'Well, okay, I...'

Baidh grinned a feline grin and settled in to sleep,

knowing Tracy would have dreams of true love. After all, she had

put them there.

(End Chapter One)

This is a work of fiction, any and all resemblance to actual

persons, real or created, is purely coincidental. This work may

be redistributed and reposted anywhere on any free site, so long

as it is not used for the purpose of making money and no part is

altered or deleted.

Angie "kitn" Hughes