He wonders if that’s really a bad thing

You find yourself waiting for Gerald to say something for a little while, and looking at his face, you can tell he’s doing some kind of mental calculations on whether to even say what he’s thinking at all. As he’s wobbling his head a little back and forth, contemplating what to do, you find yourself unable to stop from admiring him.

Gerald has frequently been described as looking like the best friend character from a romantic comedy. It’s only now that you really look at him from head to toe that you really contemplate what that means. He’s fairly tall, without being over six feet; he’s handsome, but in a kind of dorky way; he’s thin, without really looking athletic. The stubble on his face makes it look like he’s going for a Han Solo look, but you almost feel like he’s ending up closer to Seth Rogan. Still, even as you can definitely see why he’s single, he’s no lady’s first choice, you do have to admit you find him attractive. That seems easier to do now, as your mind has become more compliant with the changes. You know it’s now how you used to think, and you want to change back, but for now you’ve nothing else to do but go with the flow.

“Would not changing back...” Gerald finally says, “...be really that bad?” Your eyes go wide at that, and it feels like your stomach is dropping down a bottomless hole. How could he ask that?! He clearly can tell you’re freaking out, and curses under his breath before saying, “Look, I’m not saying you should like this or anything! I’m just saying that...what can you do? This is crazy shit, man, and it’s looking more and more like fixing it is out of our hands.”

You don’t want to believe he’s really saying any of this. “What, so I’m just supposed to give up who I’ve always been?!” you say, your voice too loud. People start looking at you, and you know they probably think you’re some arguing couple. You try not to focus on that thought and how it makes you feel, and instead be angry at Gerald.

He runs a hand through his short brown hair. “No, I’m not saying that! I’m just saying...think of this as an opportunity. Or a vacation! Most people never get to experience what you’re going through, so why not see what it’s like before stressing about how to undo it all?”

Even though you don’t want it to, something about what he’s saying is making sense to you. There is a fun element to all of this, and it certainly is unique, right? But you’re trying to stay gripped onto your outrage and anger. “Oh really?” you ask, your voice quieter, the fire that was in your words before gone now. “What about my job? Are they just supposed to accept that I look like a completely different person now? How am I going to support myself?” You’ve been trying to avoid thinking of details like that, knowing they could cause your mind to spiral down the path of ‘what if’s.

He puts a hand on your shoulder and squeezes it. “I can support you.” There’s a lot of emotion in his words, and they hit you like a truck. You think he means it. And...you kind of want to take him up on it. Maybe letting him help you is a good idea. But, maybe that’s your ever-growing Obedience stat talking. Maybe you shouldn’t listen to your gut, and instead get out of this conversation, before he can convince you further.