Okay, Atticus may acting OOC from this point out. Just thought I give you fair warning.

Chapter Three- Announcement

Sheppard stared down at the book before looking at the pendent around Atticus' neck as the siblings stood in his office early Monday morning before school. "So, you'll eventually be a girl, Atticus? There's no way to stop it?"

"That's right," Atticus said. "The clasp is gone and I started thinking differently yesterday." Atticus had also realized that now that he knew what was happening, the headaches had stopped.

Sheppard looked down at the book again. "It says here that the time it takes to change depends on the person."

"Great. I guess I'm in for a rough time."

"So, it would seem. I will let the students and staff know about this. I will leave it to you to tell your parents."

They nodded and as they left the office, Alexis asked, "Are you feeling any different now?"

"Same as yesterday so far, but the day's just started."

"When do we tell Mom and Dad?"

"I think lunchtime would be good."

Atticus went to class and found himself admiring the guys around him of which there were a lot. He allowed himself to do so, as he now understood where he thought this way. The biggest surprise was when he looked at his friend, Zane, before lunch and thought he was the best-looking guy of all the ones he saw. Whoa. Am I getting a crush on Zane? I really am thinking like a girl when it comes to looking at guys. I'm becoming boy-crazy. Man, this is getting weird.

"Atticus? What is it?" Alexis asked as they headed to the video phones. Her brother was rubbing his forehead.

"I think I've got a crush on Zane. I never noticed before how cute he was."

"Well, he is cute, I'll grant you that. Just don't tell him yet. Wait until Sheppard announces your change."

"Yeah. Let's get this call over with." He dialed the number and after a few rings, the image of their mother appeared. She had Alexis' hair color and Atticus' dark eyes.

"Alexis! Atticus! How nice of you to call! How's school?"

"School's fine," Atticus answered. "Uh, Mom? I've got something to tell you."

"What is it, honey?"

"I found this on the beach yesterday." He held up the charm. "I put it on and learned last night that it's magical. I'm, I'm…going to become a girl."

Mrs. Rhodes blinked and then looked stern. "Atticus Rhodes, is this a joke?"

"No joke, Mom," Alexis piped in. "The necklace's picture and what it does was in a library book I checked out. He can't take it off as the clasp has vanished and the chain is magically enforced to be unbreakable. He's already starting to think differently. Eventually, he'll be a girl and there's no way to reverse it or stop it."

Mrs. Rhodes looked stunned. "So, I'll have two daughters, then?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, Mom. I should have left it where I saw it."

"Atticus, dear. If you hadn't picked it up, someone else might have. Would it have affected a girl?"

"Yes. It affects whoever wears it. A girl would become a boy and a boy would become a girl."

"I see. Well, I better let you go so you can get back to class."

"Yeah. Thanks for understanding, Mom."

"Of course and don't worry about your father. I'll tell him."

"Thanks again, Mom. Bye." Atticus hung up and sighed in relief. "Well, that went well."

"Yeah, it did. But, it might take her and Dad awhile to really adjust to having two daughters."

"It'll take a while to adjust to being a girl. I don't really want to think like one, no offense sis."

"None taken. I know you don't want to think like a girl as that probably feels weird right now. But you will think like a girl. You're already starting by checking out the guys. You even have a crush on one."

"I know. I appreciate your help in helping me understand these new thoughts going through my head. So… checking guys out is normal for girls?"

"Girls that are boy-crazy and seeing as you were girl-crazy, it's natural that it's switching to boys."

Atticus was silent for a moment. "Mindy and Jasmine are boy-crazy, right?"

"Yeah, they are. You might enjoy talking to them about boys once Sheppard tells the school."

It was the last class of the day when Crowler announced that Sheppard had an important announcement to make after classes were over. "Atticus Rhodes," he said. "The Chancellor want to see you before the announcement."

"Yes, Doctor," he answered, certain that he was the announcement. Oh, man. Something tells me this is going to be embarrassing.

As the bell rang to end classes, Atticus headed for Sheppard's office and actually met him and Alexis outside it. "Follow me, you two. I should warn you, Atticus," he said as they walked. "People might treat you differently during your transition and perhaps shortly after it, too."

Atticus nodded. "That makes sense." It did occur to Atticus that he would be viewed differently. The boys would feel awkward around him as he thought more like a girl and the girls would feel uncomfortable as he still looked and sounded like a guy. But once my mind's changed, my voice and body will change and I'll be a complete girl. I wonder if my friends will still be my friends after I change.

The trio stepped through the back door of the auditorium and were on the platform facing the rest of the school. Silence fell as Sheppard stepped up to the mic. "I received some surprising news this morning and it is imperative that you know about it. No doubt some of you have noticed the necklace that Atticus is wearing. Well, the necklace is a magical item. The one who wears it will permanently change into the opposite gender. It's impossible to remove the necklace and Atticus has already started thinking differently."

Students exchanged looks and started murmuring to one another. Some of them were staring at Atticus who looked down and felt his face grow hot. I was right: This is embarrassing. But at least I won't keep getting weird looks every time I say something girly. Plus, I won't feel embarrassed whenever I express feelings or whatever I'm thinking.

Alexis saw students exchanging stunned or shocked looks, the latter being shared by Jaden and Syrus while the former was on Zane's face. She looked at Atticus who had looked down and she saw a blush spread across the cheek she could see. He's embarrassed, she thought. She felt sympathetic over his situation which made sense as she was his sister. She slipped her hand into his and gave it a comforting squeeze. She felt him respond in turn and the blush faded. That's it, Atti. Everything will work out.

Atticus was trying to get a hold of his embarrassment but wasn't having much success. Oh, great. I'm becoming more emotional now. My brain is seriously being rewired to behave like a girl. He was distracted from his altered thoughts by the feel of a hand sliding into his and squeezing it.

Lexi, he thought, squeezing it back and feeling the heat leaving his face. It'll be all right. When I'm a girl, everything will be all right. He lifted his head and left the room, still holding his sister's hand and feeling his emotions subsiding for the time being.