Vanessa B

With the pen's weight a grounding presence in your pocket, you navigate the crowded hallways, your mind set on Vanessa. There's a history there, a thread of connection from your past that you can't ignore. Choosing Vanessa, the girl you once crushed on and who ignored you then, seems like the right mix of familiarity and intrigue. You recall her confident stride and the way she commands attention when she moves, her skills in dance translating into a poised elegance.

As Milla, you have the perfect pretext to approach her. You're classmates, after all, and the existing camaraderie between her, Lisa-Marie, and Susanne provides a natural cover for any interaction. You wait until the hallways start to clear, biding your time until you spot Vanessa at her locker, alone, the afternoon light spilling through the windows and casting her in a warm glow.

"Hey, Vanni," you call out, using the nickname that feels so natural coming from Milla's lips.

Vanessa turns, a smile lighting up her face. "Milla! What's up?"

"Just wanted to talk to you about the dance routine for the upcoming school event," you say, ad-libbing with information gleaned from Milla's memories. "Mind if we walk and talk? I've got to head out soon."

"Sure," Vanessa replies, closing her locker and falling into step beside you.

You make small talk as you walk, discussing school events and mutual acquaintances. Vanessa is animated, passionate about her dancing, and you find yourself genuinely engaged in the conversation. It's easy to see why you had a crush on her all those years ago.

As you reach the quieter part of the school, near the seldom-used auditorium, you sense an opportunity. You slow your walk, letting the silence of the empty hallway envelop you both.

"Actually, Vanni, I wanted to show you something," you say, feigning a casualness you don't feel. "It's this new dance move I found online. Thought you might like it."

Vanessa's eyes light up with interest. "Really? Show me!"

You glance around to ensure no one else is nearby, then pull the pen from your pocket. "I think it's better if I just give you a quick demonstration," you say, clicking the pen five times to activate it.

Vanessa watches, unaware of the true intent behind your actions. With a swift press of the pen's knob, you point it towards her. She looks at you with a mix of confusion and surprise, but before she can react, she begins to deflate, her body collapsing into a skin suit in much the same way you experienced with Milla.

Your heart races as you catch Vanessa's skin, the process now familiar yet still unnerving. The hallway is silent, save for the distant echo of a door closing elsewhere in the school. You take a deep breath and begin the process of slipping into Vanessa's skin, repeating the steps you learned from Milla.

In the quiet corridor by the auditorium, with Vanessa's deflated form in your hands, you realize you must first return to your own skin before taking on hers. The thought is disorienting, the sequence of actions required to switch identities somewhat overwhelming. Nevertheless, you steady your nerves and lay Vanessa's skin suit gently on the ground.

You find a secluded spot near the auditorium's back entrance, where you're sure not to be disturbed. Taking a deep breath, you begin the process of removing Milla's skin. You reach behind you, feeling for the seam that your body knows must be there, and you gently pull it apart. The skin suit loosens, and you carefully step out of it, one limb at a time, with a sensation that's akin to shedding a layer of yourself.

Standing there, in the body that is truly yours, you feel a sudden rush of vulnerability. You look down at Milla's skin, now an empty vessel on the floor. It's time to bring her back. You position the skin suit, ensuring it's properly laid out, and you activate the pen once more, reversing the process. You watch as the suit begins to fill, taking on Milla's familiar shape, her features re-forming until she is whole once again.

Milla takes a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with life, but she remains ****, unaware of what has transpired. You know from the agent's instructions that she will not remember anything; she'll simply wake up feeling as though she's had a deep sleep.

Now you turn your attention to Vanessa's skin. It's time to become her.

You approach the skin suit with a newfound sense of respect for the process and the lives you are briefly stealing. You kneel beside Vanessa, observing the intricate details of her skin, the way her hair fans out on the floor, the gentle curves of her form. You stretch the back opening carefully, mindful of preserving the integrity of her figure.

You slide into her skin, starting with the legs, feeling the tightness as it begins to conform to your frame. You wiggle into the torso, your arms finding their way into hers, the suit clinging to you like a second skin. You align your face with Vanessa's, pressing into the mask that will soon become your identity. There's a moment of disorientation as you push your teeth against hers, slipping your tongue into place.

The familiar headache starts, a pressure at the temples that builds to a crescendo of pain and then fades, leaving behind a flood of new sensations and memories. Vanessa's life flashes before your eyes, her triumphs and failures, her joys and fears, all merging with your consciousness.

You stand, Vanessa's clothes fitting perfectly on her body now yours. The tight leggings embrace your legs, and you feel the fabric stretch with every movement you make. You practice Vanessa's walk, her confident stride that's so different from Milla's athletic gait.

You check yourself in the reflection of a nearby trophy case. You adjust Vanessa's hair, run your hands down her sides, and straighten her clothes. You are her now, and with each step you take out of the auditorium and into the fading day, you become more accustomed to her body, her presence.

As you walk home, Vanessa's thoughts mix with your own. You're aware of the power you wield, the lives you're juggling, and the delicate balance that must be maintained. For now, you are Vanessa, and you must navigate her world until you choose to return to your own—or until you decide to step into someone else's life once more.