Switching back with Lia

After cuddling and kissing for a while, we got up from the bed. It was getting late, we couldn't leave Claire and Laura alone for too long.

"I'm a bit sad we're switching back so soon, but with everything that happens, it's better if we don't confuse and scare them more." Lia said as she pulled on her neck, removing Seo-Yun's face.

"We'll have other opportunities to have fun once everything is settled." I replied, smiling as I did the same.

I hurried to remove Lia's skin and slither back inside mine. I really hated being my plain, boring Edward self, even if for a short time.

Lia giggled. "If I didn't know you any better, I might have been offended. It almost looks like you hated being me."

"I loved being you. I just dislike being the old me." I spoke with my voice after regaining my face. "I am Yun, now. This is my body."

"Heh, we really chose the perfect skin for you~"

After fully becoming me again, I went to take a quick shower to clean myself before getting dressed. Old Yun's soul already really missed her skin, so it was such a relief to be back. Lia also went to shower afterwards and we went to my home, so she could walk Laura back.

"Do you think we should tell them the truth about Minh?" I asked Lia while driving.

"I don't know... I don't think Laura is in the right state of mind for that currently. Knowing that the skinwalker who wore her is now parading as Sherine might hurt her even more. It might be better to wait until after meeting your mother, at least. Let's just say we met with Minh without mentioning Sherine."

"Right."

Lia stayed silent for a moment before speaking again. "You know... I've never seen Laura so meek before... When I used to bully her, and even afterwards when Dahl befriended her, she always seemed so strong... It hurts..."

"She's a strong woman, yeah."

"I... had a crush on her in high-school." Lia admitted, surprising me. "I always envied her carefree and kind yet strong-headed nature. I just... didn't want to accept it, just like I couldn't accept my homosexuality."

"You loved her but kept trying to convince yourself otherwise?"

"Yeah. I needed Dahl to finally accept who I am. We both knew a relationship with her was impossible, though. She is straight, after all."

"Is that why you flirted with me when I wore her skin the first time?"

She chuckled weakly. "Maybe. It was a bit of an impulsive move, I was too excited. In retrospect, I'm glad you didn't take me on my offer. Our relationship probably wouldn't have been the same."

I smiled at her. "I mean, I'm sure we'd have ended up at least as great friends nonetheless. You've always been so supportive and patient with me."

"Dahl and I would never have let you down. She was too **** for company."

"Thank you."

As I parked in front of the house, Lia continued. "I'll keep my eyes open to make sure Minh doesn't try to mess with Sherine's life. She said she was only asked to keep an eye on us, but I prefer to be careful."

I nodded. "Better safe than sorry."

When we got inside, we saw Claire and Laura playing a game in the living room, visibly trying to relax and return to how they used to be like before this whole mess.

"Hey girls, sorry for taking so long." I said as we approached them.

"What were you doing?" Laura asked.

"We've... met with one of the two skinwalkers." Lia admitted, making both Claire and Laura gasp. "We're trying to compromise, to make sure they won't harm you again."

"They're... still here?" Laura muttered, her fear coming back.

"One of them. My mother will return next week. She sent a text to Claire and me last night."

Lia went to hug Laura. "Don't worry, they promised not to do anything more to you and Claire."

"Are they... Are they hiding as someone I know?" Laura hesitantly asked.

Before Lia could say anything, I replied. "No, they're wearing a professor at college. One you don't have. They only want to keep an eye on me, no one else."

I preferred to be the one lying to her, I knew how much Dahl and Lia cared about Laura. Claire looked confused by my declaration for a brief moment before glancing away.

"I-I see... You trust them?"

Lia spoke. "They're skinwalkers. Our kind lie as naturally as we breathe, so not really. But they seem willing to compromise. Otherwise, they probably wouldn't have restored you and Claire."

"M-maybe..." Laura said. She didn't seem reassured at all.

"Laura, would you like to stay with me another night or return to the dorms?" Lia asked.

"I think I'll crash at your place one more night." She said, sighing. "I don't feel like staying alone for now..."

Lia smiled. "Alright."

After wishing them a good night, Laura and Lia left. Claire looked at me once we were alone.

"Minh... is Sherine, right?"

Her question surprised me. "Huh?"

"I can recall what Mother did as me... I don't think she changed my memories..." She confessed. "I know Minh planned to wear Sherine."

I sighed. "Yeah, she's wearing Sherine. Dahl and I thought it was better to hide it from Laura for the time being."

Claire nodded. "Good call... She's not the same anymore... She's scarred."

I hugged her. "I won't let them do anything else to you two."

Claire spoke timidly. "I... I don't think Mother wants a fight. If... what she felt as she wore me is real, she wishes for us to be on good terms with her... She was truly happy when she learnt about you. She missed us..."

"She missed us and yet still did that to you?"

"I think... I think we should give her a chance..." Claire muttered.

"Are you sure?"

"Y-yeah... Knowing that I've been worn is scary, but... she could have done a lot worse, I'm sure of it..."

I sighed. "You're most likely right... She didn't make Laura remember that I wore her even though it would have been a breeze for her. It would have probably broken our friendship had she done so, and I'm sure she was aware of that..."

"Sis, let's think about everything calmly until she returns, alright?"

I smiled at her. "Alright."

The two of us played some more games for the evening, Claire slowly relaxing a bit more. As I got to bed, I tried to follow Claire's words and relax. I couldn't do anything apart from watching Minh whenever I was with her and think carefully about how to act and what to say during my upcoming meeting with Mother, hoping that Claire was right about how she felt.