Volunteer to go in first before anyone can pressure you further—maybe taking the initiative will earn you some respect for once.

Westfield Galleria Mall, unknown city, at 2:50 PM on Saturday June 15th, 2024

The words tumble out of your mouth before your brain catches up. "I'll do it."

Four heads swivel toward you in unison, expressions ranging from surprise to outright shock.

"Wait, what?" Marcus blinks at you like you just spoke Mandarin. "Dude, you don't have to—"

"No, seriously. I'll go first." Your heart hammers against your ribs but you force yourself to take a step toward the machine's door. "Someone's gotta do it, right? Might as well be me."

Tyler's eyebrows shoot up. "Holy shit, Nate's got balls today. Did you hit your head or something?"

"Fuck off." You reach for the door handle, your palm sweaty against the smooth metal. The surface is cool to the touch, almost inviting.

Derek actually looks concerned. "Bro, you sure? We can seriously draw straws if you want. No pressure."

"I'm sure." You're absolutely not sure, but you've already committed and backing down now would be even more humiliating than whatever might happen inside this thing.

Evan steps closer, his voice quiet. "What if it's like... dangerous or something?"

"Says it's safe right there." You point at the scrolling text with a hand that trembles slightly. "'Safe, reversible, unforgettable.' Can't be that bad."

"Famous last words," Tyler mutters, but he's grinning now, phone already out. "I'm recording this shit. For posterity."

Marcus claps you on the shoulder. "Alright man, you're actually doing this. Respect. If you die or whatever, I call dibs on your Xbox."

"Reassuring, thanks." You pull the door open and it swings smoothly on silent hinges, revealing an interior that glows with soft violet light. It's smaller than you expected—barely enough room for one person to stand comfortably. The walls are lined with what looks like black glass or mirrors, all reflecting that ethereal purple glow. In the center of the back wall, a single button pulses: a glowing green circle with the word "TRANSFORM" beneath it.

No turning back now.

You step inside, and the door closes behind you with a pneumatic hiss that makes your stomach drop. Through the tinted glass you can see your friends watching, their faces distorted by the dark material. Tyler's still holding up his phone.

The button beckons.

"Fuck it," you whisper, and press it.

Immediately the mirrors light up brilliant white, so bright you have to squeeze your eyes shut. A sensation like static electricity crawls across every inch of your skin—not painful, but intensely strange, like your entire body is falling asleep and waking up at the same time. Your clothes feel loose, then tight, then different. Your scalp tingles. Your chest feels weird. Your center of gravity shifts.

It only lasts maybe two minutes, but it feels like an eternity compressed into a moment.

When the light fades and you can finally open your eyes, the first thing you notice is that you're looking at the door from a slightly different angle. The second thing you notice is the weight on your chest. The third thing you notice is the long, dark hair falling past your shoulders into your field of vision.

"What the fuck," you breathe, and the voice that comes out is not yours.

It's higher, softer, distinctly feminine.

You look down.

Two large breasts push out against a tight pink crop top that definitely wasn't what you were wearing a moment ago. The fabric clings to curves you've never had—a narrow waist flaring into wide hips wrapped in tiny denim shorts that barely cover your ass. Your legs are smooth, tanned, and go on forever, ending in white sneakers.

You raise a hand to your face and it's delicate, with manicured nails painted the same pink as your top. Your skin is flawless, a warm honey-brown tone.

"What the FUCK," you repeat, and this time there's panic in that feminine voice.

The door clicks and swings open. Your friends stare at you, jaws literally hanging open.

Tyler breaks the silence first. "Yo... what the actual fuck just happened to Nate?"