Ian strutted around the school halls. In the guise of his former self, he reflected on all he had
accomplished in such short time, all the improvements he had made. Slowly but surely the school was being
cleansed. He had fixed that audacious faggot and stopped him from turning the school by encouraging his
wicked ways. He had repaired the relationship between son and parents, stopping him from spitting in the face
of his true heritage and destiny. Unwittingly he had even stopped the scourge who was pushing drugs on the
students and trying to drag everyone into the pit of his addiction. Yes, under Ian’s watchful eye and
wrathful hand the school had been healed. His mind was a judge he couldn’t shut off though. Everyone around
him was somehow at fault. He saw lustful eyes and hungry mouths, every student was a sin and the rage and
hatred plagued him constantly. He wished he could change them all. But he needed a drummer. His phone
vibrated, it was Conner.
“Meet us in the music room, we’ve found the perfect drummer.” Ian allowed himself a brief grin, finally
everything was going to be complete. Still seething disgust and contempt for those around him he strode to
the music room. Inside he found everyone from Understanding the Infinite gathered around, patiently waiting
for him but Ian didn’t see the drummer. They were all looking at him strangely too. Ian tapped his foot
impatiently.
“So, where’s the new drummer guys?” The band members exchanged glances before Conner spoke up. In the short
time since he had been inducted he had taken the unofficial role of band leader and spokesman. Common for
vocalist but Ian was surprised at how quickly and how well Conner had come into the role.
“He’s not here, we were just going to go get him but we needed you.” Ian shrugged and gestured for them to
lead the way. They left the music room and as they were walking through the halls Ian absent mindedly
scratched his face. This body usually never needed to shave, unlike his ‘true’ form but had to happen
eventually he guessed as he felt a few hairs poking out making him look like an awkward teenager. As they
went through the halls they passed some kids listening to metal. Satan’s music of course. Ian was about to
shout at them but restrained himself, he just didn’t feel up to it right now. He merely shrugged and flashed
the kids a peace sign as he walked by. He didn’t notice his hand was a bit smaller, his fingers short and
stubby. A shadow was also growing up his arm, a very noticeable golden brown tan adorned the tips of his
fingers and began spreading across his hand, slowly engulfing his arm and causing it to swell. His bis and
tris packed on a ton of muscle, giving him a big arm, bigger than his shirt could hold even though it was
baggy. He pulled the sleeve up to let his arm breathe without even really paying attention.
“So how far is this dude, I mean sinner” Ian said, correcting himself. His voice sounded a little higher, and
had a calmer tone than usual. Lately his voice had been fiery and he almost always sounded angry but now his
pitch was almost musical and slow like a gentle wave.
“Nah, he’s not that bad really, he jus has a little ways to go. And we’re getting closer.” Ian nodded, his
longish hair moved a little more than it usually did as if caught in an invisible wind. It didn’t seem as
well cared for as it did this morning, it was thicker and unruly, a mess of dark blond that was ever so slowly
inching down. Some parts even seemed lighter, like he had just gotten highlights. Ian’s mind was elsewhere,
dwelling on the evils in the school. Even with all he accomplished he still thought of all those left to
judge. Conner walked beside him, also seemingly lost in thought. Ian wondered if he had gotten taller.
Conner was always a short guy, but now he didn’t seem too much shorter than Ian himself. They were close to
the same height even maybe an inch or two difference. “So Ian I’m going to start working on the lyrics
tonight, any suggestions?” Ian tilted his head back, pushing the light blond bangs out of his eyes. It was
important to engrave a message, a lot of bands were about that brimstone style but how else do you reach
people?
“Well dude, that’s a tough one… but you know its like all about the love, gotta show them love, let them feel
it” Ian said casually, a little shocked at his own words. That wasn’t what he meant to say, he even swore
there was a bit of a cali accent tinting his words but tried to shake it off.
“I agree man, thanks. Love and kindness are definitely what’s most important, people need to be shown that.”
Ian just nodded, a little unsure of what was going on. He hoped they found this guy soon, this walk was
taking a bit out of him. It felt like shoes were too big or something, he had to struggle to avoid walking
right out of them. They were getting close to the pool though, Ian guessed that’s where they were headed. He
spotted a few shaggy haired surfer looking guys walking past them. Normally he disliked them, especially
their whole culture. They were undisciplined, care free, loose. The exact opposite of what Ian tried to be.
But as they walked past him he smiled and flashed them a hang ten with his other hand, not noticing it now
sported the same stubby fingers his other hand did. It too was small and very tan. The surfers returned the
sign and went on their way. Ian adjusted his other sleeve as his right arm swelled to be as big as his left,
two broad, golden brown and smooth pythons. Chyea he thought, I look pretty good. Ian wasn’t too big on
appearances but he enjoyed the way he looked, he tried to look welcoming and friendly because like that was
just the kind of dude he was. Made him look more approachable so he could share the love with other people.
He pulled at his shirt a little, wishing he could take it off, it was getting a little too tight.
“So dudes, we close?” Ian asked with a very distinct SoCal accent now gracing his words. Even his posture
looked different, more humble and calm.
“Yup, he’s very close now” Conner responded happily. They opened the doors and headed to the pool. Ian
blinked in the sunlight, his eyes becoming a beautiful, deep sea blue as he did. His hair was now a mess of
shaggy platinum blond locks falling past his shoulders. “Hey Ian, its almost time, you should go change”
Conner said. Ian wasn’t sure what he meant by that but he nodded and went to the locker room. Somehow he was
guided to a locker which he knew to be his. He pulled off his clothes, feeling relief as his broad, smooth
and tan chest was revealed and allowed to breath. His pecs were almost brown, large and firm. A nice size
for his age of… weird, he couldn’t remember his own age. Oh well it would come back to him. Ian wasn’t what
you would call smart. He wasn’t dumb he just didn’t know anything he really didn’t need to know and focused
his brains on important stuff. He stripped off the rest of his clothes and pulled out some from his locker.
He started with the white board shorts, etched with calming teal patterns made to look like waves. As they
went over his legs he lost a little more height, ending up five and a half feet tall. Not that he minded,
that was how god had made him. His legs were just as tan and smooth as the rest of him, scarcely a hair
remained on his body except some peach fuzz on his face and a little under his arms. He slid on the two small
flip flops on his feet. They were small like the rest of him with stubby toes like his fingers but they got
him through the water fast enough anyway. Man he loved the water, when he wasn’t with his bros at the church
he was always surfing or swimming or something. He slid on the tight white compression shirt over his pecs, a
blue symbol marking him as a life guard for the school. He remembered being officially declared one at just
15. One of the best moments in his life, for sure. The whistle and shades went on as his face regressed to
that of a 16 year olds. He had a round, cute face similar to Conner’s but much more tan, almost never seen
without his favorite shades. His pearl white teeth always on display as he sat in his chair, smiling,
watching everyone have fun. Shoot he thought, I need to be out there! Ian hurried out, saying hi as everyone
greeted him, he loved everyone and pretty much everyone loved him too. He waved to Conner and the others as
they came over, making sure he’d be at band practice after school. Their band was set to have their first
performance this weekend, he was so stoked. Everything had finally come together and after a long upward hill
battle the band was complete and ready to rock the world.
The End.