What a stupid Saturday, Nadia thought, as she pulled a can of grape soda out of the refrigerator and a small bag of chips from the snack bin. The phone rang before she could sit down; it was Jody.

"Who was that guy who challenged Darrell at the gym? He seemed to know you. He said his name was Dew and that he was going to marry you before you passed out. Are you okay? Are you really engaged? Darrell looked so angry when he carried you out like that! But it was so cute! But are you okay? You looked so exhausted and I've been worried."

Nadia spit grape soda, "No! But yes I'm okay, I'm fine. But NO! Look, he's a friend from Montana with a crush on me and he sort of followed me here. I haven't even known him very long. But I don't have any interest in him except for being a friend. And that's being really generous! I just want him to understand that!"

"Oh really, you seemed like such a cute couple," Jody teased, “But he sounds obsessed so I hope he's not causing you problems."

"It's nothing I can't handle. I'd rather not talk about him anymore, okay."

"The curse of beauty. Anyway, are you coming to the pool party this afternoon? You did promise to join us and everybody’s going to be there.”

“I’m afraid I can’t. I have a ton of unfinished chores. Nice talking to you though; Bye-”

“Hey, don’t make me come to your house! Why is it like pulling teeth to try and get to know you better? You promised, and Tish’s birthday party is the most fun you’ll have around these dry and boring parts this summer.”

“I don’t really. I mean, wait, her birthday is in August and this is June.”

“Tish is going to Europe in July so she’s holding it early. Wait a minute. How would you know her birthday was in August, anyway?”

There was an awkward silence. Nadia knew she had just made a terrible blunder, an outsider wouldn’t have known that; unless, she found out about it from someone else. The coiled green cord of the phone wrapped Nadia’s index finger.

“I think someone told me on the t-trip for the shopping. Anyway, no offense, I really do like everyone, but I get nervous in crowds. I’m not feeling well either, just got over a fever. Really, I’m not up for it.”

Jody decided to play her trump card, “I think I might know something that’ll change your mind.”

“Go for it.”

“Darrell is going to be there.”

That was the whole point in not going, not only Darrell, but Bill, Howard, and a bunch of other friends from school would be there. If she acted like herself, she risked giving herself away, but she didn’t know how to act otherwise. Worse, she found herself blushing at the thought of her friends seeing her like this, even if they couldn’t possibly realize who she was. As the purple can pressed against her forehead; a drop of moisture ran down her nose.

“I’m- I’m... going to have to say-”

“Please, I’m begging you to come out of your shell a little. Nadia, I really want us to be friends. I like you so much. Could you please come?”

How could she possibly say no to this?

“Fine. What time?”

“One o’clock sharp, so you still have a good hour to get ready. You can even bring your friend Dew if you want.”

"That's absolutely not happening, I'll come on my own."

Short notice, of course. There was time for a quick shower and a change of clothes. When she came down the steps, she wore an oversized shirt with a big white pocket and a pair of blue swim trunks that reached down to her knees. The trunks had a tie which allowed them to fit her frame, though the hem bunched awkwardly. Her white sneakers with the pink trim were worn with white ankle socks she’d bought on her trip.

“Dad, Tish is having a birthday party today, it’s early because she’s going away somewhere over summer, can I go, can you give me a ride, please?”

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“So, you’re actually going to that pool party. I would have never thought you one to give in so easily.”

“I don’t want to disappoint Jody and I’d kind of like to relax little anyway. And I want to see how everyone is getting along without me. Please, I'm begging you, help me out and keep Dew from showing up at the party.”

“It’s hot today, and you deserve a little time to cool off and have fun. And by cool off, I mean keep it cool. All you have to do is obsess over some boy and you’ll never be able to change back, ever.”

“What kind of girl do you take me for?”

What she had really wanted to ask was whether or not she could obsess over Jody.

-----

Jazz tunes from a live band drifted through the air. They hovered over the refreshment tables, animated the crystal blue water of the grand swimming pool, and welcomed newcomers who were allowed to pass through the side fence. There was a nice bowl of watermelon cubes at the nearest table; Nadia plopped a few in her mouth before she laid her towel over a big plastic lounge chair.

Quite a few of the other guests were already swimming. She surveyed the party; Tish sat under a canopy chatting with Jody, Amanda, and a few other girls Nadia knew from class but never bothered to pay much attention too. Bill swam back and forth from end to end in crystal blue water of the huge pool. There were banquet tables spread with fruit bowls, salads, and snacks one would normally find at a party.

The aroma of sizzling meat came from a large brick grill; a few people were already eating hot dogs and burgers. Nadia noticed that the bathing suits tended to be trendy and colorful. She soured at the thought of not enjoying the sight of the girls enough as she applied sunscreen over her legs and arms, and then to the skin under her loose outfit. Normally an event like this would be visual overload.

“It would be easier to put on if you sat down and lost the shirt,” said a heavy muscular boy with brown hair and a light mustache. It was the first time she saw Howard Slemsky since her transformation. They had been best friends since the first grade, so she loathed having to act like she didn’t know him. If she had to rank him, he'd probably be number two. His bright yellow swim trunks were about knee length and had a dark green wave on the left side.

“Are you Howard?”

“Ya, how’d you know? You’re Nadia right, Nathan’s cousin?”

“My cousin told me all about you.”

“It’s all lies. I’m really a very nice guy,” he joked, “Actually, Nathan and I are best buds. So umm... Do you want to get a hot dog- I mean a burger... something to eat.”

“Okay, Race you.”

She punched his shoulder in a friendly way and darted to the grill. When she turned back, she realized Howard had not raced her and his eyes were focused on her chest. Flushed with embarrassment, she couldn’t help but feel silly. She looked back toward Howard, who hadn’t moved an inch; he rubbed his arm where she had hit him like it had become a sacred spot. His face looked a bit red.

“Umm,” Nadia said, “would you like a burger or a hot dog?”

“A burger would be great... Thank you!” Howard's lips quivered.

“Okay, you get the soda.”

She started to walk off towards the grill.

“What kind?” Howard yelled.

“I’d really like grape if they have it.”

With a relaxed smile, she turned away. Howard felt his heart hit the wall of his chest as he stared at the way her body moved. He checked out her backside as she walked to the grill before he managed to get the soda as promised.

The promising aroma of flame broiled burgers and plump hot dogs induced salivation; Nadia wiped her lip with the back of her hand and swallowed before grabbing a plate. It was a help yourself affair, which presented no obstacle to Nadia; she piled two burgers on her plate and two hot dogs while fetching one of each for Howard, who met her halfway back toward her lounge chair.

“These smell delicious.”

“Umm, are you sure you want to eat so much before going swimming?”

“Who said I was going swimming?”

“Well, we can always wait a half hour.”

Howard sat next to her, placing the cold purple can on her side of the table. They both started with a burger. A mix of condiments and tomato juice ran down Nadia’s chin when she attempted to take a bigger bite than she could handle. Tilting forward prevented a piece of condiment-soaked lettuce from falling on her shirt. She grabbed a fluffy white napkin and wiped her mouth. Embarrassment caused the skin under her eyes to redden as she forced a nervous smile. Looking away was not an option but she managed to force her smile to disappear, then slowly get her color normal. Another bite and the same thing happened; this time she didn’t have a napkin. Howard stopped eating.

“No problem, I’ll get some more.”

With an eager smile and a gleam in his eye he quickly retrieved a neat pile of about ten napkins. Nadia wasn’t comfortable with his behavior, normally Howard was the type of guy to tell someone to get it themselves. The only person she ever witnessed Howard eager to do a favor for was his mother.

The napkins were much needed however, so Nadia took one. From now on she had to remember to take smaller bites; it seemed not only more difficult to envelope the burger in a gaping bite. It seemed impossible. She took smaller, more delicate bites, just enough to get as much food possible without making a mess. Taking two bites in quick succession worked just as well anyway. Howard waited for her to swallow before speaking.

“So, you’re Nathan’s cousin or distant cousin? He never said anything about you, though you might pass for his sister.”

“I never said much about him either, I guess. We shared some info before we traded places, so I know a little bit about things around here, I think.”

“Really!? Anything he said about me is a lie.”

Nadia smiled, “Actually, he said you were one of his best buds and that you were actually a pretty cool guy, someone who’d never hesitate to be a good friend despite the rough edges.”

Howard did a double take, “Really, he said that, about me?”

“He certainly did.”