Polyhymnia O'Keefe Regains Control Over Her Body (For Zell)

[polly_okeefe]

At midnight on Sunday, the change occurs. I was just lying down on my too-small bed in my hut when, in a sudden blur of disorientation, I find myself somewhere else. It's another hut, and there's swords on the wall but, most importantly, I'm in my body again. I let out a big sigh of relief. "Oh, thank God!"

I looked around. This must be Percy's hut

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[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

Hearing Zell's voice, I break into a run, arms outstretched, and embrace him. "Oh, thank God that's over!" I shuddered, and burrowed deeper into Zell's arms. "It feels good to feel with my own body, again."

Also, the headache between my eyes was gone.

[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

"Yes, let's," I said. I lean into him, and hold him. This is different from what we've done these past few days. I've accepted his hugs, but inside an alien body, it's never felt right to hold him. But that's not a problem, now. As we walk, I put my head on his shoulder. I want to hold him... a lot more, right now.

Soon, my hut comes into view.

[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

I slip up from pleasant dreams to the feel of warmth and caresses. My body starts to tingle immediately, though it takes my mind a moment to catch up. When it does, I smile and snuggle closer to Zell, and kiss him. "Good morning." My eyes are still half closed, and I end up kissing him on the nose.

The morning after I'd slept with Renny hadn't been anything like this. We'd woken up, holding each other, but we didn't say a word. It wasn't a night that I'd wanted to take back, but there was still a sense that we'd crossed a line we should not have. Renny had quietly slipped out of bed, and I kept my eyes away, and the sheets up to my neck as he dressed, and then left the bedroom to give me privacy.

None of that sense here. I push the sheet down slightly to get a better view of his skin, and him a better view of mine.

"I could get used to this," I whispered.

[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

His hand is distracting me. I let out a shaky breath. I wonder what time it was. It seems early, but I may end up being late to preschool. I hope Charlie won't mind.

"You know," I said, softly, "we do this often enough, it's not called a sleepover."