The birth of Red and new beginnings

Lily

Everything was bright and new. Lily walked with a bounce in her step, enjoying the unfamiliar jiggle. The light of dawn cast the world in a golden glow. She had always been a morning person, but now she felt supercharged, not even needing her usual cup of morning tea. She had still made it, though.

Some things are worth savoring.

She strode into the gym on long, powerful legs. She was grateful that her wardrobe had been magically altered to suit her new body, but the way they fit took getting used to. Formerly snug leggings were now stretched tight over muscular thighs and a much rounder backside. Her top was stretched out over her bust and rode up revealing her midriff. Even compressed within a sports bra, she could feel the weight of the new breasts on her chest.

She didn’t recognize herself in the mirror this morning. Even in her own clothes, she looked more like Hailey than her old self.

Wasn’t that the point? To be the hermit crab in a new shell?

She decided to hold onto some parts of her old identity by covering up with an oversized hoodie, one she had stolen from Craig.

“Remind me why we’re here again?” Craig complained, bleary-eyed. He had changed into an old t-shirt and shorts when they swung by his place but he looked uncomfortable stepping into the gym.

“Because I feel strong enough to lift a car! And maybe I can, I don’t know how magic works. Could you imagine if I were a superhero? I bet I could rock a leotard, now. Too bad there’s no crime on campus, I wouldn’t want to interrupt my studies to move to a big city,” she rambled. She was giddy at the prospect of using her body and testing its limits.

“It’s too early for this, this place looks deserted,” Craig said, leaning against a wall as he glanced around the weight room.

“You sure you don’t want to see me all sweaty?” She noticed him perk up at the suggestion. “Besides, I know you’ve always wished you were bigger. Now we can work out together.”

“I never said that,” he mumbled, looking away.

“You didn’t have to. I know how you were intimidated by…” Lily saw Craig’s face darken. “… by him.” She continued delicately. “I think seeing yourself get stronger will help your confidence. It won’t be as easy as a magic necklace, but I believe you can change into whatever you want. I already got my perfect body. Now I’ll help you get yours.”

“Maybe not everyone can change like you can. Maybe you’re special.” Craig seemed uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was going.

“You make me special.” Lily closed the distance to Craig, pressing her body against his. “I only broke free because of you. I want to thank you by helping you with this and in … other ways too,” she said, blushing while trying her best to be suggestive. She emphasized her point with a quick kiss on his lips.

“Now, just wait a few minutes for me to change and we can get to it!”

“I’ll be here, if only to keep guys from hitting on you.”

Lily smiled back at Craig while walking into the locker room but sighed to herself once he was out of earshot.

“He denies it, but he’s still insecure about his manliness,” she said to herself. Her words echoed slightly in the silent room. “He imagines guys hitting on me just so he can defend me. I can’t really criticize him, though. He’s been told that’s the right way to be a man his whole life. That’s almost impossible to overcome.”

Lily started stripping down and putting on a crop top and athletic shorts. She watched as the woman in the mirror arranged her hair into a ponytail. With her hair back, she looked even more like Hailey.

“It’s hard to imagine she’s gone. She shined so bright. I think I learned a lot just by seeing the world through her eyes.” Lily gave the woman in the mirror a fierce expression.

“No more invisible Lily!” She exclaimed, psyching herself up. “Craig can change, anyone can change, I can change! I’m brand new and I can do anything, be anyone I want!”

“Easy for you to say.” The lifeless voice echoed in the quiet room.

Lily jumped, startled. Deja vu with an edge of fear raised the hairs in the back of her neck. Her eyes scanned the room until she discovered the figure huddled in the corner. Despite the familiar voice and red-streaked hair, the person was almost unrecognizable. Wild hair framed a face that was red and puffy from crying, cheeks tracked with dried tears. Knees were tucked up in a fetal position.

“Oh my god, Hank. What on earth happened to you?” Lily was struck with guilt. I knew I shouldn’t have let him go. She approached cautiously, her hands in front of her in a placating gesture.

“Not Hank. I don’t know who, or even what I am. But it’s not Hank. I can’t be a man anymore, not like this.” The words came out monotone, the voice hoarse.

Wow. And here I thought I had become a new person.

Lily carefully sat down on the floor next to not-Hank. She paused, letting the not-a-man continue.

“Do you really believe what you said? That anyone can change?”

“I do.”

“Even me?” Her voice trembled. “Even a homeless, hopeless bastard who betrayed his only friend?”

“Even you. This is my fault. I broke the necklace. I’m still trying to figure out who I am now, and if you let me, I want to help you too.”

“I’ve had to be Hank for so long. What am I without him? What if I’m nothing?” The woman was out of tears, but clearly starting to get worked up again, a red flush to her skin traveling down her chest.

“I don’t see him, I see you. You’re not Hank anymore,” Lily said soothingly. She took in the woman’s face, now crimson with emotion. “Right now, you’re just red.”

“I’m … red? Yeah,” she chuckled. “Maybe I can be ‘Red.’”

“Hello, Red,” Lily said, leaning comfortingly into Red’s shoulder. “I’m so happy to finally meet the real you.”

Red leaned back, resting her head against Lily’s. They sat in silence for another minute before Lily remembered, “Oh no, Craig! He’s still waiting for me outside.”

“Fuck,” Red said dejectedly. “I guess I haven’t been humiliated enough already. He’s never going to forgive me.”

“Let me worry about Craig. First thing is we have to get you someplace safe,” Lily said firmly, trying again to fill her new, assertive persona. “It’ll work out in the end. I promise.”

Craig

How long does a girl need to get changed?

Craig’s skin crawled, like he was being watched, or something bad was about to happen. He knew he didn’t belong in a gym, and was afraid that at any minute some jock would pop up to kick him out. At least Lily looked like a gym rat in her new body. He started to reminisce about how great Lily’s abs looked in her bikini but had to remind himself that no, that had been Hailey.

He tapped his foot impatiently. If he was being honest with himself, he would much rather be researching the necklace. There were symbols surrounding the broken gemstone he had only been able to glance at before getting dragged off to the gym. They looked more pictograph than script and Craig mulled over whether it could be ancient Egyptian.

For the first time, he started to ponder the implications of magic being real. Is it possible there are more artifacts? Could every rumor, mystery, or urban legend have some magical cause?

His mind was racing when Lily finally exited the locker room.

She had an intense expression on her face, but her posture betrayed her hesitancy. If she’s nervous about how she looks, she’s got nothing to worry about. Proud breasts rode high on her chest and Craig thought he could make out her nipples even through her sports bra and top. He still couldn’t help but be captivated by the contrast between her curves and muscles, both in abundance compared to her old body. When he saw another Lily follow her through the doorway, still dressed in his old hoodie he did a double-take.

If anything, the second woman looked more like the Lily he knew, with her head down and her hair covering her eyes. Her shoulders were slumped and she looked unsteady on her feet, like a breeze could knock her over.

“What happened in there? Was it magic, I thought the necklace was …” He stopped when the second figure shyly tucked her hair behind an ear, revealing two green eyes. Craig recoiled.

“What the fuck is Han…”

“No, not anymore,” Lily interrupted. “It’s a long story, but her new name is Red. And we are helping her figure out the rest.”

“We?” Craig asked incredulously.

“We.” There was no room for discussion behind the syllable. Lily was trembling slightly, but Craig could feel her resolve. He started to ask if she was sure about this, but her eyes were fixed directly on his. This clearly meant a lot to her.

Craig sighed to himself. Like I can say no to her.

“We.”

He took another look at Ha…Red. She was leaning on Lily for support and looked exhausted. Her hair was a wild mess and her face was blotchy and tear-streaked.

“I hate to admit it, but ‘Red’ kinda works for you,” Craig said to the new woman. “Fiery, passionate, but still feminine, I guess…” He trailed off, not sure how to address his former bully.

“See,” Lily said to Red, giving her shoulder a squeeze. “That wasn’t so bad. Now, do you have anything to say to Craig?” Lily moved behind Red, hands still on her shoulder but letting her face him directly.

“Um,” Red started with a hoarse voice. Her eyes remained downcast. “I’m sorry for what Hank did to you. It was real shitty. I understand if you still hate me. I fucking deserve it.”

“Hey, let’s tone down the negative self-talk,” Lily admonished. “We experienced a lot while we were in Hailey. Trust me when I say you deserve another chance.”

Lily wrapped her arms around Red from behind in a warm hug. Red wilted, giving out a pitiful whimper. It was hard to believe that before today, Lily was the meek one between the two. Red looked so small and ****, almost … cute?

As Lily held Red, she made eye contact with Craig again. She gestured with her head toward Red, inviting him to join in their embrace.

_That’s a big ask, _Craig thought. I can’t put our past behind me like it’s nothing. On the other hand, how am I going to refuse the hottest woman I’ve ever seen when she wants something objectively kind and selfless?

Craig took a breath and acquiesced. He stepped forward and felt Red’s breasts press against his chest as he wrapped his arms around the two women. He was startled when Red collapsed onto him, her arms gripped him tightly to stay standing. He felt her softly shuddering in his arms. Craig’s expression softened.

Maybe she’s right. Even if I’m not thrilled about it, it’s probably the right thing to do.

The three settled there for a moment. Dawn lit up the trio with golden rays, heralding a new beginning.