Star

— You look amazing, Stephanie... — my girlfriend said... or rather, it's probably more accurate to say, my friend now. She carefully adjusted the collar on my new silk blouse, as if perfecting the final touch before presenting a masterpiece to the audience.

I silently looked at my reflection in the mirror. A deep neckline, barely covered shoulders, earrings that glittered in the light like delicate rings. Not a trace of my former self remained on my face. Fair skin, gentle features, lips slightly tinted in a warm peach shade. A lump involuntarily rose to my throat.

— Are you seriously suggesting that I should go out in this? — I tried to object, but even my voice now sounded soft and naive, losing all its former confidence. — Everyone will see... everyone will know who I used to be...

— No one will know anything, — she smirked, stepping back to take a full look at me. — You haven’t been him for a long time. Accept it, Stephanie.

— Accept it... — I echoed, feeling my chest tighten in panic. I used to be a confident man, building a career, leading an active life. But now? I’m a woman. Just her friend.

She stepped closer and, leaning in, whispered in my ear:

— You’ll be fine. No one knows anything. Officially, you’re Stephanie Reed, my charming friend who just returned from France, — her voice wrapped around me like soft velvet, but each word hid a sharp, blade-like undertone. — You have to hold yourself together. Believe me, this is your chance to start over.

I swallowed hard, feeling tiny goosebumps running down my spine from her words. "Stephanie Reed"... It was more than just a new name. It was a transformation into an entirely different person. And if before I could at least hope to return to my old self, now those hopes were fading like morning mist.

— What if someone recognizes me? — I whispered, feeling my heart pound wildly in my chest. — What if... someone remembers who I was?

Her eyes flashed, and for a moment I saw something impenetrable, something cold in them.

— Stephanie, — she said the name like a command, — be braver, — she repeated with a smirk, emphasizing each word, — as ironic as it may sound to you right now.

I clenched my fingers into a fist, feeling my long, perfectly manicured nails dig into my palms. All my life, I’d been taught that strength was something external, something you could show others. Now, trapped in the body of a delicate girl, it seemed like a ridiculous mockery. But there was more truth in her words than I wanted to admit. She left me no choice. I had to be brave, even as a woman.

— Okay, — I whispered, lowering my gaze. A gaze that must have looked touchingly helpless in her eyes. — I’ll try...

She nodded approvingly, like a teacher praising a diligent student.

— Excellent. Now smile, — her hand gently rested on my shoulder. — You must radiate confidence. That’s the key to everything. No one should sense your doubts, or you’ll lose. Remember, women... we... can’t afford to show weakness.

I froze. "We". That word sounded so natural and familiar from her lips, as if I had been a part of this we all my life. But I couldn’t bring myself to accept it. It still felt temporary, like everything could be reversed. Only the reflection in the mirror disagreed with me. An elegant, graceful woman stood before me, whose femininity looked so natural that the idea of going back seemed absurd.

— Remember: people will only see what you allow them to see. You are Stephanie Reed, successful and independent. And no one, got it? No one has the right to question that.

I took a deep breath, trying to hold back the scream rising in my throat. All of this — a facade, a mask — but she knew what she was talking about. To survive in this new form, I would have to play by her rules.

— Now stand up, — she commanded. — The party has already started, and everyone is waiting for our... star.

I rose on unsteady legs. My body felt both light and unfamiliar. I glanced at the mirror again: long hair flowed over my shoulders, the hairstyle was perfect, every detail — flawless. Everything about me now screamed femininity, even this distinctly delicate dress, barely covering my collarbones.

— Star... — I whispered quietly, plastering a smile on my face and adjusting my hair. Yeah, this is going to be anything but easy.