Super weird"

"Because," the Alison-shaped Walter said, crossing her slender arms and leaning back with a swagger that was entirely too masculine for the petite frame, "my body is currently undergoing what we call a 'bio-molecular stabilization phase.' It’s very technical, Rebecca. Highly advanced stuff!"

He paced the room—or rather, sauntered in a way that made him look like he was walking on air—gesturing grandly with Alison's delicate hands.

"You see," Walter continued, his deep voice vibrating through the small frame, "If we attempt to **** the reversal before the cellular structure settles into its permanent state, there’s a risk of... well, total molecular soup! So, for the time being, I am technically 'in transit.' It's not that I want to stay like this; it's just that science demands patience!"

Sandra stared at him, her jaw practically hitting the floor. "So, you're saying you're stuck as a teenage girl?" she asked, her voice a mix of confusion and suppressed giggles.

"Precisely! It’s a temporary inconvenience for the sake of progress!" Walter replied, flashing an All-American grin that looked strangely charming on Alison's face.

Rebecca threw her hands up in the air, pacing the length of the living room with frantic energy. "A 'temporary inconvenience'? You are currently an 18-year-old girl standing in our living room! How are we supposed to go about our lives when you’re... you're this!"

The reality of the situation began to sink in for Sandra, who looked at her father with wide eyes. "Wait... if you're stuck like this, that means..."

She trailed off as she realized the sheer awkwardness of the situation. Since Alison was Sandra’s absolute best friend—the girl she spent every weekend with, shared secrets with, and even went on shopping trips with—having her father inhabit a duplicate of her BFF's body was a logistical nightmare.

"It means," Walter added with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "that since you two are such close friends, you might have to help me 'blend in' until the stabilization is complete!"

Sandra’s face went bright red. "Dad! You can't mean that! Having you as my best friend's clone is... it's weird! It's super weird!"

Walter gave a casual shrug, his—her—shoulders moving with an effortless grace that looked entirely too natural for him. He leaned back, wearing a look of pure mischief.

"Weird? Sandra, 'weird' is just what scientists call something they haven't understood yet!" he said with a playful wink. "Besides, think of the bright side: you’ve always wanted to know what it was like to have a best friend who can also fix a kitchen sink or grill a perfect steak."

He paused, his eyes twinkling as he leaned in closer to her, casting a sly glance around the room.

"And don't think you can hide your secrets from me now! Since I'm officially 'the new Alison,' you’re going to have to tell me everything. Who’s on your crush list? What are you really thinking about when you're at school? This isn't just a scientific necessity—it's the ultimate opportunity for father-daughter bonding!"