The Sleepover - Part 13

They didn’t touch the mask for another couple of weeks after that. Not until Halloween.

Billy and Fred stared at the crumpled up mask on the bed like it was radioactive. Neither of them wanted to be the first to talk. 

Finally Billy said, “You think this is going to work?”

Billy looked at the mask, the rubber and hair limp but somehow still threatening. His heart beat faster just thinking about it. 

He thought about how Fred had stayed in control last time. How he’d been Erica but still himself. Billy didn’t know how he’d done it, but maybe he could too.

Fred watched him, waiting for Billy to make the first move. 

Billy took a breath and reached for the mask. 

“Are you sure?” Fred asked, a smirk playing on his lips. 

Billy nodded. He was nervous, but there was an excitement bubbling under the surface, a need to try. 

He pulled the mask over his head.

Fred watched, eyes wide with anticipation. 

Billy felt the rush of the transformation, his body swelling and changing, filling out in an instant. 

This time, Erica’s voice was waiting for him.

“Miss me?” she teased, soft and enticing. 

Billy’s breath caught in his chest. He could tell she was strong, stronger than before.

“Billy?” Fred’s voice was uncertain, almost challenging, “Are you there?” 

Billy felt himself slipping away from her, his mind stretching to hold on, to stay. 

Fred kept his eyes on him, watching. 

Billy’s voice was a whisper, but it was there, “I’m here…”

He pushed back against Erica with all his might.

He felt it, the way Fred must have. A flicker, then a flame. He held on. 

“Got a lot stronger, didn’t I?” Erica’s voice was coy, teasing. 

Billy wobbled, feeling the thrill of change, the push and pull of being her. But this time was different. He felt the rush of staying, of resisting, of being Erica but not her. He held on longer than he thought he could, the sensation intense and dizzying. 

Fred watched, eyes wide, “Holy crap, dude. You’re doing it.” 

Billy felt Erica’s body, Erica’s skin, but his mind was his own. The relief and excitement were overwhelming. 

“I am,” his voice was Erica’s, but it was all him, “I really am.” 

Fred grinned, “Told you!” 

Billy laughed, the sound breathy and amazed.

“Here,” Fred handed him the Spider Gwen costume they had bought at the store.

Billy slipped into it, feeling it cling to his body, feeling the thrill of how real, how adult it made him. He adjusted the top, amazed by the way it hugged him, the way it transformed him. He was Erica, but he was Billy too. He could hardly believe it.

Fred watched, amused and impressed, “You look insane.”

Billy did a little twirl, “Pretty convincing, right?”

Fred pulled on his own Spiderman costume. The two of them laughed and grabbed their paper bags, heading out into the night.