Go to School

It seemed like it was the first time in my life when I actually wanted to go to school. Definitely the first Monday, at least. I didn't want to miss it.

"I feel fine," I said. "Um, I have some water, and..."

I realized not only that I did feel fine, but also that I had a chilled bottle of water in my right hand. I sighed, relieved that I'd alleviated my screwup.

I took a big gulp of water and then said, "Yes, please, you may drive me to school."

"Thank you, ma'am. I'll go start the car." She turned to go to the street in front of the house, where my piece-of-shit Honda was parked.

"Just a second," I said, and she turned around and stepped back onto the porch. "I'm not a 'ma'am,'" I told her. "Call me 'Mistress.'"

She smiled. "Of course, Mistress."

She practically skipped to my car, looking happy to do whatever I said. I locked the front door behind me and followed at a slower pace, realizing halfway down the sidewalk that I'd rushed out after what's-his-name and hadn't brought my bookbag. Nah, I think I can get along without all the shit that was in there, now that I have these powers.

I thought about sitting in the back seat, but my beat-up Civic was no limo, so I took shotgun. I thought about improving the car, but I wanted to save my powers for other stuff.

Oh, yeah, this deal with my powers not being unlimited. As Jean pulled out onto the street, I said, "Whenever I try to use my power, I will be aware of the limitations, and won't be able to make any changes that would make me sick unless I definitely confirm them."

I quickly realized I should probably add, "That won't apply to emergency situations such as saving lives or avoiding injury."

Okay, now to test. "There's no dress code at my school," I said.

I saw a quick red flash in my eyes, and *knew* I would get a bit sick from that -- changing the social mores in everyone's minds, mostly, but also changing "school wardrobes" for a lot of my classmates.

I tried something else instead. "Because I have special privileges, I'm not subject to the dress code at school."

My legs felt a bit chilly all of a sudden, and I looked down to see that instead of pants, I was wearing a red-and-black pleated vinyl miniskirt. I reached down to touch it and also saw that my tank top had become short enough to show off my midriff.

"Fu--" I started to say, but caught myself, just in case Jean treated that as a command while she was driving. As it is, I noticed her glancing at me.

"Watch the road," I said, and she went to a more rigid position, sitting up straight, hands at 10 and 2, intently facing forward. I looked at how her melon-sized breasts filled out the top of her black-and-white maid uniform. I almost couldn't wait to get home after school.

The drive to school wasn't too much longer, and I held off on using my powers anymore. Once Jean pulled into the drop-off area and shifted into Park, she allowed herself to relax.

I told her, "While I'm at school today, clean my room -- and the kitchen and as much of the rest of the house as you can."

She nodded. "Of course, Mistress."

I remembered something crucial. "In the backyard, there's a crater. There should be a rock near it that I dropped -- might be glowing, or it might not. Pick it up and put it on the desk in my room."

"I will, Mistress."

And then -- it just felt right -- I leaned over and kissed her soft, warm lips.

As I was halfway out the car door, I realized something else. I yanked off my black elbow-length gloves, balled them up, and dropped them on the passenger seat. "Use those gloves to pick up that rock," I ordered. "Don't use your bare skin." Just in case, I didn't want to give someone else the same power I had.

"Yes, Mistress," was the last thing I heard from her.

I turned toward the school. It looked just like a typical Monday morning. Jocks milling around outside flirting with cheerleaders. Nerds rushing into the building as they pushed their glasses up. Band kids awkwardly carrying their instrument cases.

I vowed that they would all today encounter something they don't see every day.