A brand new day

I got up still feeling somewhat tired the next day. I was lucky to have classes late in the morning because it was so hard to get out of bed. Unlike yesterday, I wasn't surprised when I woke up and saw my room. If anything, I felt gleeful and relaxed, smiling as I opened the shutters.

I never knew dancing could be so thrilling, I had so much fun last night. I have to do it again someday.

Carmen only had two classes today, so I'd have a good amount of free time before her waitress shift during the evening. I wanted to give Claire the money I had left in my original wallet and I'd like to ask Dahlia for her help. It'd be a way to have them meet. I hadn't checked Claire's reply to my message from yesterday, but I couldn't delay it any further. I took out my phone and read what she wrote. Obviously, she was extremely worried about me, asking me to call her as soon as I could.

I got out of my room and inspected the apartment, making sure that Rowana wasn't here. I was relieved to see that I had the place for myself for the time being, Rowana having most likely left for the campus already.

I suppose there's no harm in calling Claire...

I grabbed my neck and pulled, the pain quickly fading as I removed Carmen's face. It's only been two days, but having my original face was already feeling strange. I should have expected that, though; my own face would probably soon feel completely foreign the longer I spent inside a skin. I tried to ignore the discomfort and called Claire while preparing some coffee.

"Ed, what happened?!" As soon as she answered the call, I heard Claire's fearful voice.

"I... I got into some trouble... I'll be safe on my own, but I can't let you get involved." I replied hesitantly in my far less pretty original voice.

"Why? I'm... I'm a grown woman, Ed! And a police officer. I can take care of myself, and I can help you, no matter what you got into!" She was starting to panic.

I sighed. "No, unfortunately you can't help me with this matter, it'd be far too dangerous. Listen, I promise you that I'll be fine. I even asked a friend to help you if you ever need anything."

"I need the truth, Ed! You're hiding something, I know it!" Claire exclaimed.

"Claire, please... Calm down, don't make things harder for me... It's not like I chose to be in this situation. But as I said, I'll be alright, I promise. And you know that I don't break my promises, especially not those I make to you. I'll find a way to stay in touch, don't worry."

"Why won't you tell me what happened?"

"I... I can't... As I said, telling you would be dangerous, and I want you to live a safe and fulfilling life. My friend will visit you soon, I hope you two will get along. I have to hang up now, I'm kinda in a hurry. Love you, sis."

"Ed, wai-"

I hung up and quickly turned off the phone before Claire could call again. The call made me feel depressed, but I tried not to let it affect me too much. I went back to my room and hid the phone in a drawer, just in case. I pulled back Carmen's face over mine and it quickly reattached itself to me, making me Carmen completely once more. I felt relieved, as if I was fully myself again.

"I can't even enjoy the brief moments I'm my original self anymore..." I muttered dejectedly in my now cuter voice.

After finishing the coffee and eating breakfast, I took the opportunity that Rowana wasn't here to take out the dagger and clean it in the bathroom. It seemed to be a very sharp and sturdy dagger, as it should be if it was used to hunt monsters.

Considering that Aurora asked what I was, I assume that skinwalkers aren't the only creatures roaming this earth...

It was scary to imagine vampires and other monsters blending in as well, I hoped I wouldn't meet any. I had no idea what to do with the dagger yet, so I hid it again after wiping it.

Maybe I'll give it to Claire.

It was now time to get ready for college. I grabbed a pair of slim jeans and a babydoll tank top and got in the shower, making sure to thoroughly clean my beautiful body. The sight of it was so arousing, it was so tempting to slither my hand lower and satisfy myself. And it wasn't like Carmen never did it herself, she even had a dildo she hid in a drawer underneath some unassuming bed sheets.

Maybe it'll help me feel better...

I gave my lower lips a slow caress, sending jolts of pleasure through my body.

"Hmm~"

I let out a sensual moan as I gave in, the hot water from the shower running along my body not helping my arousal in the slightest. I closed my eyes, memories of when I masturbated as Sarah mixed with Carmen's own past experiences flooding my mind. I let them guide my hand as I slid a finger inside, moaning again as my body tensed.

Why does it feel so good~?

It was night and day between this and when I tried to masturbate as my original self these past two weeks. I started to finger myself, the pleasure growing more and more intense as I fastened my pace. With my free hand, I groped my generous chest, rubbing my nipples. I kept going more vigorously, inserting a second finger and hurrying the pace even more until I finally let out a blissful squeal as I climaxed a few minutes later.

For a moment, I just stayed against the wall of the shower, catching my breath as I tried to regain my composure.

"It felt so amazing... I might get addicted..." I whispered while cleaning myself up

If female masturbation alone felt that good, I was looking forward to trying sex as a woman. Carmen already slept with Bruno twice, and also with her previous boyfriend a handful of times too, and she remembered these moments very fondly.

I'll probably have a multitude of opportunities to try that in the future.

Maybe I was getting used to Carmen's personality, but imagining myself having sex with a man seemed a bit less uncomfortable than before, even if I'd still prefer trying it with another woman should I get the opportunity.

After drying myself properly, I got dressed and applied my makeup. I smiled pridefully as I saw how hot I was yet again. It truly felt like my own body now, a body I was so proud of. I put on a pair of red flats and was now ready to leave for college and spend another day as Carmen.

As I arrived on the campus and approached the building I had my lecture in, I spotted Bruno sitting on a bench nearby and reading his notebook. It was time for me to play the girlfriend again.

"Hola~" I said, smiling, as I sat next to him.

"Hey, how are you?"

"Good~" I replied before kissing him. "I'm sorry for last night, but I really needed the sleep."

"It's alright. I took your example and started to study for our exams too. But some of these books are so boring..."

I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Some aren't as interesting, yeah, but I know you can do it~"

I stayed with him and tried to help him study while waiting for the lecture to start. Bruno had a hard time with some older plays we were studying, but was fine with most more modern stories. The two of us joined our other friends afterwards in the lecture hall. Like yesterday, I found the lecture fairly enjoyable, the professor being very enthusiastic as he taught his lesson. He clearly loved theater with a burning passion, it was honestly inspiring.

I smiled as I listened to the lecture, recalling these classes I taught as Sarah. It was so fun, so fulfilling; I really wanted to try teaching classes again.

I'm a college student right now, it shouldn't be too hard to find a professor to borrow the life of.

It would have to wait until I had recovered enough, but it was extremely tempting. Or I could just find a teacher or professor to replace in another country too, should I leave this city.

During lunchtime, I spotted Dahlia again. The two of us made eye contact and she smiled warmly at me. I smiled back and gave a quick glance towards the bathrooms, hoping that she'd understand what I wanted. She apparently did, as she started to walk there.

"I'll be right back." I said to Bruno before following Dahlia.

"Hi Carmen, how are you?" Dahlia asked while fixing her make-up.

"Good." I replied before leaning closer. "I can't stay here too long, but can I meet you at your place later?"

"Sure, you still have the keys?"

"I do. I only have one class left today, and you?"

"Two, but you can wait for me in my flat if you'd like. As long as you don't do anything to my flowers and plants, I allow you to come whenever you want." She said with a teasing smile.

"Thank you, really."

She patted my shoulder gently. "You're welcome. See you later, Carmen."

"See ya."

After my brief conversation with Dahlia, I went back to the table with Bruno and our friends. I still felt hungrier than usual, but less than yesterday. It was far more manageable. I spent lunch talking and sometimes flirting with Bruno until it was time for us to have our seminar. Like the morning lecture, it was pretty fun, Carmen was lucky to have a lot of very nice and passionate professors.

Once the lecture was over, I parted ways with Bruno, but not before kissing him another time and wishing him luck with his studies. I stopped briefly at my current flat and grabbed the dagger and my old wallet before driving to Dahlia's place.

I unlocked the door and walked in, observing my surroundings. I've only been here once, and I didn't have the luxury to examine her apartment last time. It was large and cozy, and filled with a multitude of flowers and plants. In the living room was a HD TV with a Switch and some games next to it. One of the bedroom's door was open and I spotted even more plants inside.

"She really likes plants, huh?"

There was also a mirror in the hallway, and I caught a glimpse at my reflection. Last time I was here, I was still human, I was still a man, I was still Edward. But now, I was a skinwalker, a woman, Carmen. And yet, despite my life having been turned upside down, a part of me couldn't help but enjoy it. I had so much fun being Sarah and Carmen, those were among the best days of my life, without a doubt.

I sighed and laid on the couch in the living room. I decided to play one of Dahlia's games while waiting for her. I hadn't played Mario Kart in years so I tried it and really got into it. Time flew and I heard the door open. Dahlia entered, giggling when she saw me lying on my back with her Switch in hand.

"You're having fun?" She asked as she came closer.

I quickly sat up and freed a space on the couch for her. "Y-yeah. Sorry, I got too comfortable."

"No need to apologize, you were cute. Do you usually play games?"

"I used to, with Claire." I replied, looking down. "We loved playing Tekken together, and we also played a lot of Mario Kart when we were kids."

She sat next to me and gave me a hug. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Maybe you'll be her new gaming partner? I told her this morning that a friend of mine would take care of her."

"A friend..." Dahlia muttered. "Do you consider me as a friend despite what I did?"

"Well, you've been trying your best to help me, so yes, I do see you as a friend. You're the only person I can truly confide in."

She smiled sheepishly. "Thanks, Ed. Did you have a good evening yesterday?"

"It was... very nice overall. I danced almost all night while keeping up appearances with Carmen's boyfriend. Flirting with a man is still a bit strange, but I'm slowly getting used to it."

"I saw you earlier with him, it's impressive how good you were at playing Carmen's role. Had I not known it was you underneath, I'd have been fooled."

I smiled awkwardly. "Well, I'm just trying to make sure I don't mess up with her life while I'm in her skin, even if I'd personally prefer to kiss a woman instead."

She chuckled. "It wasn't easy for me either at first, I always had some trouble being a good straight wife or girlfriend. It was somewhat enjoyable, but I've always preferred the company of other women. At least, it's something I don't have to worry about since I decided to settle here and become Dahlia."

"What do you mean?"

She paused for a moment, as if she was searching her words. "The original Dahlia was... not a good person. She was spoiled, haughty, overly proud. And homophobic too. When I was searching for a person to replace on the long term, she seemed like the perfect candidate. After taking her life, I worked on fixing it. I apologized to those I wronged, and I came out as a repressed lesbian to justify my homophobia and bitchy attitude. Now, I have a comfortable life, with some close friends and a loving family, and I can be a proud lesbian. I told you when we had that first meeting on the campus, you can find a shitty person to replace if you don't want to betray your own morals."

"It's probably what I'll do. But I'd like to experience different things first."

"Tell me, have you tried to... explore your body?"

I blushed and looked away. "Yeah. I... already did it when I was Sarah, and it was as amazing as I remembered. I have no idea why, but it just feels so good to know that I am a woman. This morning, I felt proud of this body as if it were mine from the start."

"I'm happy to see that you're enjoying it too. And you're a very beautiful woman right now, it's normal to feel proud."

I looked back at her, blushing more after hearing her compliment. "Why do I feel this way, though? I might have thought a few times about what life would be like as a woman, but I was comfortable living as a man before."

"Hmm... From what I've seen, a lot of skinwalkers enjoy being a different gender than the one they were assigned at birth. The ones I've met were mostly like this, at least..." She said, her tone becoming a bit more depressing at the end. "Anyway, the only thing that really matters is that you're having fun, don't you think?"

"You're right. Well, since I'm here and I have some time before going to work, want to play with me?" I asked while gesturing at the Switch. "Playing Mario Kart again made me feel nostalgic."

Dahlia smiled and took a second controller. "With pleasure."