his muscles, twitching, stretching, everything. But with each move he got the same result.
Nothing.
Mack was actually glad when the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Since Mack didnât need to transform back into his human form, he was the first one out the door. Comics Club was meeting today, and that was always fun. Suddenly, Mack felt like heâd barely seen or talked to Joel since riding the bus on the first day of school. Hanging out with non-Changers is just what I need, Mack decidedâuntil he arrived at Comics Club and saw everyone poring over the latest issue of Super Warriors . Superpowers, superpowers, superpowers wherever Mack turned. For the first time in his life, Mack was sick of comic books and superheroes.
âMack! Get in here!â Joel hollered when he spotted Mack hovering in the doorway. âYou wonât believe what happens in issue seventeen!â
âActually, I canât stay,â Mack replied. âI have some stuff to do at home.â
Joelâs face fell. âOh. Okay,â he said. âTalk to you later?â
âSure,â Mack replied.
Mack sent a quick text to Jiichan to ask for a ride home and then set off for the parking lot to wait for him. The clouds had never cleared up, and now, a lightdrizzle was falling. It didnât seem like much, but soon Mackâs shirt was soaked.
âMack!â a voice called.
He turned around to see Gabriella approaching. He could see her friend Daisy trying to get her attention, but Gabriella didnât seem to notice her.
âHey,â Mack replied. âWhatâs up?â
âPractice got canceled,â Gabriella said, gesturing to her cleats. âThe weather.â
âDo you need a ride? My grandfather should be here soon,â said Mack.
Gabriella shook her head. âI live close enough to walk,â she said. âBut I can hang out with you while you wait.â
âThanks,â Mack said. He glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone was nearby, but they were alone. Just do it, Mack told himself. Swallow your pride and ask.
âCan I ask you something?â Mack said.
âSure,â replied Gabriella.
âWhatâs it like?â Mack asked, his words tumbling out in a rush. âChanging, I mean.â
Gabriella stared off into the distance, deep in thought. âItâs . . . hard to describe,â she began. âIâveonly done it twice now. I guess . . . Have you ever been bodysurfing?â
âLike in the ocean?â said Mack. âSure.â
âIt kind of feels like that,â she explained. âYou feel this wave approaching, and then you have a choice: if you take a deep breath and, like, prepare yourself . . . and just sort of let go . . . the wave will lift you up and carry you. Itâs so easy and natural. It feels right, you know?â
Mack nodded.
âBut if you force it, youâll face-plant,â Gabriella continued. âThe wave will drag you down, and youâll be sputtering through a mouth full of sand and salt water.â
Gabriella pulled her hair out of its high ponytail. âIâm not sure that makes any sense,â she said with a self-conscious laugh.
âNo,â Mack said earnestly. âYou made perfect sense. I think . . . Iâve been doing everything wrong, you know? Iâve definitely been trying to force it . . . and getting nowhere.â
Gabriella looked sympathetic. âI think that first transformation is kind of out of our control,â she confided. âMy eyesâTheyâd started changing on their own.If we hadnât started Changers class right around the same time, I donât know what I wouldâve done. Can you imagine how terrifying it would have been to change without warning?â
âYeah,â Mack said. âI hadnât thought about it like that before. At this point