Breakup

  

- "This is the only thing that has changed, Susan. But inside I'm still me. I'm still the man you were supposed to marry." 

- "I'm sorry, Jacob, but this transformation is too much for me. Not only your face has changed, but your whole biology. You and I could never have children." 

- "I know, but we could find an alternative..." 

- "Being a mother has always been my dream, and I need to find a man who can be the father of my children, sorry Jacob." 

- "So it's really over? You give up like this?" 

- "And what should I do? We tried for 6 months to track down your crazy ex to make her undo the spell that transformed you, but she has disappeared into thin air. We didn't find any way to give you back your body. We didn't make any progress in any research. We tried. I tried. But I can't take it anymore. I don't feel like continuing a relationship with a female body, even if there is a man inside. Although I love his personality. I am sorry. I'm really sorry." 

- "I don't know what to say. I didn't suffer like this even in the first days after the transformation. Because I knew I still had you by my side, and you were the most important thing in my life. But now I'm sure of one thing: my ex succeeded in her intent. She destroyed my life." 

- "Don't say that... Your life is not over. You will find a suitable partner for the "new you", you'll be happy again. And I will always be there if you need help. I really hope we will be good friends." 

- "It's too early to talk about it. Now I just need to be alone." *whispering as he/she walks away* "And to cry. Cry a lot. One of the few good things about having this body is that I can cry as much as I want."

Don't strain yourself

*Voiceover*: "Don't strain yourself. You won't be able to talk or move for at least another hour, thanks to the herbs I gave you. Well, my work here is done. I think I'll go back to MY home. My big, beautiful home. Take it easy in this little studio apartment of yours. Within two to three hours you should be moving normally, with no side effects. I was quick, I finished well in advance. I thought I needed more time to steal every single part of your body. While we're at it, I'd like to ask you something: did you really think I liked you? Such a shy and insecure man? I'm sorry, but I've been dating you these three months just to get information and be able to steal your life without any problems. But look on the bright side: your personality made you a pathetic man, but a shy and insecure cute girl is lovely! You will have much more success with the opposite sex eheheheh! Oh, are those tears? Are you crying? You were never really a man, were you? I definitely did you a favor! Well, I really have to go now. Just remember that the magic I used prevents you from revealing your true identity, so avoid making a fool of yourself by muttering incomprehensible lines. Ah, by the way, our relationship is over, baby. You are not the right girl for me. Goodbye!"

Bad conscience

*First person POV inner voice*: "She's smiling! She's finally smiling! I've been waiting for this moment for months!" 

You know, five months ago that girl was my brother, and I was that girl... 

Although we were twins, we were and are very different: he was an athletic boy, I was a chubby girl. But five months ago I found a scroll with a one-shot spell at a flea market. A spell to swap bodies between blood relatives. I thought about it for a couple of days, but in the end I did: I used the spell on my brother, without telling anyone, pretending to be as shocked as he was. I know I did a horrible thing, but try to understand me... I always hated being a girl, being chubby and shortsighted, being pathetic at every sport. And I also had another reason. Both my brother and I, being eighteen, dreamed of going to college next year to study law, but our family can't afford it... Well, he, or rather "his body", got a scholarship for his merits in football! I couldn't bear to be "left behind" by my twin, while he could fulfill my dream of studying law! So yes, I stole his body and his life. And I lied to him and our parents about it. We decided to keep it a secret, "hoping to find a way to get back to normal soon". 

I was hoping my brother would adjust to his new life as my sister, and that we could both happily continue our new paths. But he, or rather "she", didn't. She fell into a terrible depression. She didn't leave home for 4 months (the latter part of our senior year and most of the summer), cried most nights, gained weight (becoming even chubbier), stopped talking to almost anyone. She didn't even leave her room for our 19th birthday, two months ago! She hated having to wear glasses even more than I did. She couldn't accept her out of shape, shorter and weaker body. She especially hated her period: she passed out the first time!

I felt terribly guilty. I was hoping that after a couple of difficult and weird weeks she would start moving on, but she didn't. Then finally a month ago she started going out of the house again, every now and then, wearing men's clothes. It was already a big step! She started seeing a couple of our best friends again. She started to live again, little by little. 

Looking at her around other people it is clear that she is a bit confused about boys and her feelings. Now I like girls, so I guess she likes boys. And for the past ten days, I've noticed that a friend of ours, Jake, is showing her particular attention. And I think she likes it. I don't think anything has happened between the two, I think my "sister" isn't even ready for a kiss yet, but I think texting Jake makes her happy.  She has even started wearing a bit of makeup for a couple of days! Someone wants to look pretty to impress a cute boy eheheh...

Seeing her smile while looking at the phone is a wonderful going-away present. That's right, I'm leaving for college tomorrow! I am so excited! Parties, girls, interesting lessons, it will be great! And seeing that my sister is on the road to recovery is a breath of fresh air for my conscience. I'm sure when I get home in a few months, she and Jake will be a couple. And my conscience will be even lighter. And then, in a few years, maybe when she has a couple of beloved children, I might as well finally tell her the truth, hoping for her forgiveness. But for now, a smile is more than enough.