A matter of interpretation

Mackenzie O'Malley wasn’t exactly a big reader, but there was one book she read over and over for years.

The spellbook she found underneath the floorboards.

It has been of use to her countless of times; it helped her pass her exams, get out of chores around the house, and general tomfoolery.

While she had some trouble figuring out the cryptic descriptions of spells, it usually brought her no trouble.

Usually.

“Mackenzie, we’re gonna be late for Linda’s wedding! Hurry up!”

“Just a minute, mom!” Shouted Mackenzie from her bedroom. She had been dreading her aunt’s wedding, because she had offered to hold a small roast for the lucky couple (mainly because she forgot to buy an actual present). But she couldn’t come up with anything, and the wedding is in less then two hours.

“Calm down, Mack. Just, flip through the spellbook. Surely there is something that could help in this situation.” She skimmed through the pages, **** to find a solution in the tome. “Here, ‘for one who desires to show their raw side, say the words and with a touch the truth will no longer hide.’ This might be it.” She took a deep breath, and spoke the spell:

“Operuit usque ad tactum!” Mackenzie felt the magic flowing through her like a series of ropes moving inside her body. When she was done, she felt colder, lighter, as if…

“I’m naked! Why am I… bloody hell, why was that spell so unclear?”

Mackenzie’s mother barged through her bedroom door. “Mackenzie, are you finally coming down?”

Mackenzie slapped an arm over her breasts and lifted her leg to cover her womanhood. “MOM, WHAT THE HELL! Can’t you see I’m not dressed?”

Her mom narrowed an eye. “What are you talking about? You are already dressed.”

“What? Are you-?” Mackenzie looked in the mirror. While Mackenzie was naked when she looked down, in her reflection she was wearing a black midi dress and white sandals.

“Now, hurry up and get down, we’re already late!”

“Can I have one more minute, I need to-“

“No, you had plenty already. Just run down and get in the car!”

Mackenzie sighed. “I guess I’ll check how to undo the spell when I get back home.”

“Off to the wedding, Jim?” Asked their neighbor Kenny.

“Yeah, but we really have to go now! I’ll catch up with you tonight, alright.”

“Sure thing. ‘Ey, Macky, looking great in that dress!” He patted Mackenzie on her back, causing him to look in astonishment at the girl. “Mackenzie, why are you naked?!”

Mackenzie froze when she heard that. She was naked in public, the fact that she uses magic finally revealed to her family and neighbor.

“Aren’t you exaggerating a little, Ken?!” Protested her dad. “Sure, the dress is a little low cut, but still.”

“No, she is actually naked! Can none of you see that?”

“Ken, you’re not funny. You’re talking about my daughter here! We’re leaving.” He stepped in the car, and slammed the door shut.

“But…?”

As Mackenzie fastened her seatbelt, she realized something. “…and with a touch the truth will no longer hide. Does that mean that anyone who touches me will see through the illusion? Great, just great!” Mackenzie sighed. “Calm down. For as long as I won’t touch anyone, no one will ever know. After all, I’m just going to a wedding. It’s not like several people will shake my hand or peck me on my cheek…

I’m screwed, aren’t I?”