Enjoying Carmen's life while it lasts

Dahlia and I played Mario Kart for a while until it was almost time for my shift as a waitress. I had a lot of fun playing with her, it really helped me relax more. And she was surprisingly strong at the game, too, it took me a while before I was able to match her.

"I should go or I'll be late." I said as I got up and stretched. "Today shouldn't be too busy, but I'm still not looking forward to doing Carmen's shift."

Dahlia giggled softly. "Being a waitress can be pretty tiring, I get you. Good luck, Ed."

"Thanks. And thanks for today, it was fun to play with you."

She smiled. "You're always welcome to come back and play more, if you'd like, no matter which skin you're in."

"If I decide to stay around, I'll gladly take you on your offer." I replied, smiling back, before opening my bag. "By the way, once you meet Claire, can I ask you to give these to her?" I added as I took out the money from my wallet and the dagger.

"Is this..."

"The dagger the woman used to stab me, yeah. I still had it lodged in my stomach when I ran away, and I didn't know what to do with it so I've kept it since."

"And you want to give it to your sister?" Dahlia asked, confused.

I shrugged. "Or you can keep it yourself if you prefer. It just... seems like a waste to throw away an item of such high quality."

"You're weird, Ed, you know that?" She said, chuckling.

"Says a skinwalker, hmm?" I replied, smirking at her.

Dahlia smiled slightly. "Touché. Although, even for a skinwalker, I am pretty weird."

"How so?"

"I'm too... normal, I lack the greed and ambition most of our kind have. All I want is to live a tranquil life as Dahlia, nothing more. I don't even use my own abilities anymore."

"There's nothing wrong with that as long as it makes you happy." I replied, smiling. "But anyway, we'll talk more later, I need to go."

She came closer and hugged me. "Before you do, thank you, Ed."

"For what?"

"For... not hating me." She replied, smiling weakly.

I smiled back "You're welcome. Have a good evening, Dahlia."

"You too, Carmen, and good luck."

I blushed slightly as I left her flat. It always felt so good to be called Carmen, but it was especially intense when Dahlia was the one using this name. Maybe because she knew who I truly was underneath this skin, I wasn't sure.

In any case, I drove to the restaurant Carmen worked at, greeting the owner with a bright smile as I walked inside. Carmen may find the job tiring, but at least the owner was very kind and friendly, making her life a bit easier. I helped clean the room and the tables until it was time to open the restaurant.

I worked diligently for hours, welcoming the customers with a professional smile and serving them their orders. Maybe it was due to my own stamina and strength still being present underneath this slender frame, but I was tiring out more slowly than Carmen would. Not to say that it wasn't taxing, because it was, but I still had some energy left at the end of it, alongside a good amount of tips received throughout the evening.

Something else I noticed and was starting to get used to were the gazes of some of the male customers on me as I worked, mainly on my chest and ass. But instead of taking offense to it, I felt proud. I was a stunning hot Latina woman, it was only natural that some men would stare at me like this. Unfortunately for them, though, I was already taken, and with no intention to cheat on my boyfriend.

It was overall a pretty satisfying evening, and I got back home with a tired but happy smile on my face. I made sure not to wake up Rowana and quickly went to my room, changing into my pajamas and flopping onto the bed.

I closed my eyes, my breath slow, as I started to instinctively caress my stomach, recalling what I did earlier that day. I had masturbated as Carmen in the shower, it was my second time doing it as a woman, and it felt so wonderful. Afterwards, I admired my beautiful body in cute clothes in the mirror, spent time with my loving boyfriend at college and listening to fun lectures, played with Dahlia, and then worked as a waitress, enjoying the gazes of the men who were there.

After experiencing all that, do I really want to become a man again?

The answer was a resounding no. Now that I had tasted life as a woman, being a man seemed so bland. I really had no interest in skinning one anymore, even out of curiosity.

I've been a man for twenty-three years anyway... and being a woman is much more fun...

I peacefully fell asleep shortly after, in the comfort of Carmen's bed and skin.

The rest of the week flew by as I completely immersed myself in Carmen's personality. I studied rigorously, had fun with her friends, hung out with Bruno, and kept working dilligently during her shifts as a waitress, doing my best to forget about my issues and just enjoy this life I borrowed. Dahlia told me that she had contacted Claire by phone during that time, but they hadn't met yet. They planned to do so during the weekend. I truly hoped that they would get along well, but I didn't see any reason why they wouldn't.

On Friday, after college, Bruno invited me for dinner, an invitation that I gladly accepted as I didn't work that day. Even playing the girlfriend was starting to feel more natural now, as long as I let Carmen's personality and love guide me.

I was getting ready, fixing my makeup at home and changing into a cute white dress and a pair of block-heeled sandals. I let out a satisfied sigh as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I always loved what I was seeing recently. I was starting to really get attached to this skin, to this life. Imagining that I would soon leave it was making me feel a pang of disappointment in my chest.

I should, though... I can't stay as Carmen forever...

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again and smiling, trying to cheer myself up.

"But for now, let's just keep enjoying it while it lasts." I whispered in my cute accented voice. "I shouldn't make my boyfriend wait too long."

After making sure that my look was absolutely flawless, I grabbed my purse and went outside, where Bruno was waiting for me, next to his car.

He smiled when he saw me. "Hey, beautiful~"

"Hola, cariño~" I came closer and pulled him for a kiss. "Where are we going~?"

"Hmm, why not to the Vietnamese near the city hall?"

It was one of Carmen's favourites, making me giggle happily. "That's perfect~"

We climbed into his car and drove to the restaurant. It was a traditional one, ran by a Vietnamese couple. They served delicious traditional food at an affordable price, and Carmen often went there with Bruno and their friends.

The food was indeed extremely good, I could see why Carmen loved it so much. Although, I had her tongue currently, so obviously I'd love what she loved. Bruno and I spoke a lot about our classes, and also of potential plans for the summer break. Carmen wanted to return to Mexico to see her grandparents and old friends, so she'd spend the summer without Bruno. As for him, he'd stay here, working with his father at his garage.

After dinner, the two of us went outside and kissed again, his hands caressing my back and his tongue invading my mouth. All this intimacy was making me feel aroused, my lower abdomen was warming up. He was a very good kisser and knew exactly where to touch me to excite me.

I can't believe I've gotten used to kissing a man already... I thought as we broke free from the kiss. But I admit that it's not so bad...

Had I been told just a week ago that I would start to enjoy kissing men, I'd have laughed, treating it as a funny joke. And yet, here I was, in the skin of a woman and the arms of a man, enjoying a date with him. Bruno was a pretty nice guy, one I could have seen myself liking the company of as a friend as my original self had we met before.

"I love you, babe." He said softly.

"I love you too." I replied, smiling at him.

After our kissing session, he drove me back to my flat. I recalled in the car that Rowana wouldn't be here tonight, as she'd be with her boyfriend.

I was still aroused, and he was here... The Carmen part of me was so tempted to invite him in. To share our bed and spend some intimate moments together. But the Edward side was still unsure about taking this next step so soon.

I knew I would most likely have to sleep with a man someday, but should I bite the bullet and try it now? Or delay it any further?