Chapter Eight- Budding Romances

"He asked to see you after dinner?" Alexis asked. "Atticus, that's wonderful!"

"He also kissed me," Atticus added, touching the cheek. She removed a shoe before reaching for a flat she saw last week and liked. She put it on and stood to get a feel for it. It was not as roomy as her old shoe which was male, but it was comfortable. Alexis knelt down to feel the outside and the toe area. "Seriously? He kissed you, just like that?"

"Uh-huh."

"Wow, he really does like you."

"You think so?" Atticus sat and removed the flat.

"Definitely. Hmm, I think you need a smaller size." She looked at the flat's bottom. "You need a size eight."

"Eight!?" She looked at her feet. They were smaller than her male feet which had been average for her size. "You think I have feet that big?"

"Don't be silly. I'd say you have seven and a half feet. It's best to buy shoes at least half a size bigger to give your toes some room. The flat you tried on was an eight and a half."

"Oh, of course." She picked up a size eight blue flat and put it in the cart before looking at other size eights. She added the blue uniform ankle boots and a pair of white flats. "Okay, now what about socks?"

Two hours later, both sisters returned to their room, laden with bags and boxes. Atticus, in addition to the shoes and socks, bought panties, bras, more nightclothes, a swimsuit, and a surfing wetsuit. She put her purchases away and saw she had plenty of time to surf. "Alexis, I'm thinking of heading to the beach to surf. You wanna go to the beach?"

"No thanks. I've got some homework I need to finish."

"Okay." Atticus went into the bathroom and came out in her new wetsuit and her hair tied back in a low ponytail. She retrieved her board, grabbed a towel, and left saying, "See you later, sis."

Alexis peeked out the window and once Atticus was out of sight, she left the dorm and headed in the direction of Slifer. Her talk with Atticus about her relationship with Zane made her want to tell Jaden how she felt about him. She climbed the stairs and knocked on the door. It opened to reveal Jaden. "Hey, Ja," she said. "Can we take a walk somewhere and talk?"

"Uh, okay. Sure." He closed the door behind him and followed Alexis down the stairs who led the way to the small beach near the dorm. There was silence for a time until Jaden broke it. "How's Atticus? Last I heard, his voice is more female than male."

"Actually, he's now a she. Her body changed last night. We just finished shopping for clothes and shoes."

"Already? It's only been two weeks since she found the necklace."

"True and she definitely caught Zane's attention this morning. He's asked her to see him privately after dinner tonight."

"Wow. So, he likes her?"

"It seems that way. Jaden, I have something to tell you."

"Yeah?"

"You remember the conditions of the duel you had with Harrington?"

"Yeah. I became your fiancée. But, you know, I think you weren't being honest with me about what fiancée is."

"You do? Well, you're right. A fiancée is what a couple call one another when they're engaged to be married."

"Married!? But, we're too young to get married!"

"I know that. However, I came to realize that I like you, Jaden. I would like for us to date, maybe be girlfriend and boyfriend."

Jaden stared at Alexis, feeling a flush creeping up the back of his neck. He had always thought of Alexis as pretty and a great duelist. He had assumed that she was interested in Zane, but he had clearly been wrong. Zane was nothing more than a friend to her and Zane was developing an interest in Atticus who was now a girl and had developed love for the Obelisk blue boy.

"I'd like that, Alexis. I'd like to date you and perhaps be a couple later on."

Alexis smiled and pulled Jaden into a loving hug. "Great. Meet me on the school roof tomorrow after lunch and we'll talk." She gave a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving, aware that the conversation was similar to the one Zane and Atticus had, including a kiss and a future meeting.

Atticus wobbled slightly as she rose to her feet. Her body was messing with her normally sure-footed balance, especially her breasts. Of course, that was to be expected and part of the reason why she had wanted to surf. She slowly slid her feet across the board so that she stood sideways on it. She put one arm in front of her and the other behind her. She bent her knees and moved her hips back and forth and soon she was surfing with her usual confidence. She smiled as her old instincts adapted to her new body. She rode up a wave and as she reached the top, she let out a joyous yell as she slid across the top and rode it in to the beach.

There was a small group waiting for her as she came ashore and began clapping and cheering before heading to her. It was then that she realized they were all guys, a few were her old friends. They began to compliment her on her surfing. "I've surfed before," she pointed out. A few of them appeared embarrassed and shuffled off. Only her friends remained, a couple of them seeing to be looking her up and down, admiring her.

"Atticus," said one of the non-admiring guys. "We're sorry for how we acted. We felt betrayed that you were changing genders even though you hadn't meant to do it and couldn't stop it."

"You're beautiful," one of the admirers spoke up.

"Uh, thanks, but please don't look at me like that. I accept your apology and hope we can be friends again."

"Of course, we're friends again. So," the first guy said as they started across the sand. "What's it like being a girl?"

"I could put the necklace on you so you can find out for yourself," she teased.

"Uh, no thanks."

Atticus giggled as the others laughed. "Honestly, I'm no different from the other girls and I still enjoy all the things I did before except for being ladies' man. It's actually nice being a girl, really."

"Your surfing is as good as ever, maybe a bit better."

"Thanks. Listen, I want to shower and change before dinner."

"Of course. Maybe you could sit with us?"

"I'd like that." She smiled before heading for the girls' dorm, feeling lighthearted. She had her guy friends back and life was getting back on track.

Hours later, Atticus stood at Zane's favorite spot with said boy beside her, holding her hand as they gazed at the water. Thus far, they had simply stood there admiring the view and enjoying each other's company.

"Atticus, what are you going to do with the necklace?" Zane asked.

"I'm thinking of tossing it into the volcano so no one else falls under its power."

"That's a good idea, but it's not necessarily a bad item. After all, it brought us together."

"Yes, it did." She smiled as Zane released her hand, put an arm around her waist, and pulled her closer to him.

"Atticus, once I graduate I'll be pro dueling. How would you like to spend the summer with me? You and Syrus will have front row seats to my duels."

"I'd love to."

"Good." Zane turned her head and kissed her on the lips. Atticus deepened the kiss and knew that she and Zane were officially a couple.