Randall spent some time getting acquainted with his new body and life

He shrugged. "I guess I've got to learn about being a chick. I'll have to lay on this 'amnesia bit' pretty thick. But hell, I've always been good at acting confused!" he said with a chuckle.

You smiled at his joke but couldn't help prodding. "Are you sure you're okay? I mean, you're taking all this really well..."

Randall laughed. "Maybe I don't quite believe it's real yet. Would you?" You gave him a pointed look and he sighed. "Look, Tim, this is all crazy. I'm not sure what to make of it. Waking up in a girl's body does kinda throw you for a loop, you know? Even more, you tell me that I'm 'dead' and am going to have to live as Teresa. It's alot to take in."

He leaned in toward you. "But I'm alive when I should be dead. And I've still got my best bud."

He lowered his voice a little. "And honestly, you know how things are with Dad & Alice. I'd hoped to move out this year, but I can't afford it - not while in school. This is almost worth it just to get away from all that crap."

You nodded, knowing quite well how difficult Randall's home life was since his dad had remarried.

"I get it, man," you told him. "And I'll do whatever I can to help out."

The door opened at that moment and the two doctors finally came in. You stepped back as they gave Randall a thorough check and answered his questions. Dr. Saunders looked very grateful that you'd already explained the basics of everything to Randall.

After they finished, Dr. Saunders called you back over. "I'm afraid I can put it off any longer. I must tell Teresa's parents that 'she' is awake. So you'll need to leave for now, Tim. I'm sure that you and 'Teresa' can make contact once she's discharged."

"But..." you start to complain when Randall interjected. "Dude, it's okay. I've got this. I'll catch up with you as soon as I can. Your parents probably want to see you anyway, so go on."

After getting Randall to promise to ask if he needed anything at all, you let yourself be ushered back to your room. Your parents were brought in a little later, ecstatic that you were okay but sorry to hear about Randall's ****. Within a few hours you were discharged and on your way back home.

You thought about Randall constantly for the next few days - having to attend his funeral and pretend he was dead didn't help. Your parents and your girlfriend assumed that you were grieving, but in actuality you were worried. How was he handling everything? What was going on? Was he adjusting to his new body and life?

Finally, after almost a week, you heard that 'Teresa' had been released from the hospital and would be returning to school on the following Monday.