"Your name. You've lost your male name."

“Your name is Mylie now.”

What?

“Mylie. You can’t respond to anything else. You can’t think of yourself as anything but $Mylie. You can’t even say your old one… the curse won’t let you.”

No.

No that’s preposterous.

“It can’t do that,” you say, laughing – giggling – nervously. “Come on. Turning me into this is one thing, but it can’t keep me from being Mylie Tea –“

You stop mid-sentence. You delicate new hands fly over your mouth.

“Told you so,” says Nicholas.

No.

No way.

“I’m –” you start, but the words won’t form.

“My name is…” Come…on! “…is…!” This can’t be happening.

You turn to Nicholas, eyes pleading.

“Please, Nick, oh please, call me Mylie…”

Wait, no that’s not what you…!

Nicholas gives you a sad smile. “If that’s what you want…”

It’s not! But no matter what you try you can’t say it. Can’t say your true name…

(Your old name. You’re Mylie now… Because you wouldn’t let your man kiss you.)

“Oh shit, oh shit…” you stutter, panic setting in. It’s true, it’s all true, you messed up, Nick was trying to help you and you screwed up you stupid girl…

No. No! You’re not a girl! You’re not Mylie, you’re Mylie!

“Aaaaah!” you scream, shaking as you feel the walls of your identity, your very being, begin to crumble around you.

Suddenly you feel strong arms go around you.

“Shh… shh… It’ll be okay.”

Devastated, you find yourself leaning into his chest, his strength…

Nicholas runs his hands through your long, silky hair.

“We can’t change what’s been done. But we can make new chances… chances to show the curse you’re serious about learning to please…”

You look up at Nicholas. Dependable Nicholas. Strong Nicholas.

(Handsome Nicholas.)

Your former student.

(Your man.)

You want to run away. From his touch, his lips, from all this... but if you do who knows what else will change? What else you'll lose?

“Don’t worry…” he says. “We can do things your way. I can take it slow and gentle… or fast and hard…”