Skin Tells A Story

She doesn't know it yet, but her reflection is about to betray her. The first glance is familiar--pale, narrow, blonde hair lank and straight, the same old her. But the second? A whisper slithers the glass as melanin and a new identity washes over her skin: Once you go brown....

This is a story I posted on my Deviantart. A taste of what's to come. Please enjoy:

"Picture Day"

"H-hello, Winifred McCulloch here for my y-yearbook photo? Y-yes, thank you. I'll just sit here. D-do you mind if I use the mirror f-for a bit? I'm sorry, I just wanted to check if I look alright. Oh, thank you!

"Y-yes, you're right, um, sir. I'm the only white girl in the high school. And n-no! My c-classmates have been really cool. Really nice to p-pasty and ginger old me. Made me feel really welcome, y-you know? I'm not e-exactly the m-most fun person to be with... Ohmigosh, look at me. R-rambling! Should I j-just sit--sit there? Got it. smiles

"Hm? Oh, t-the strapless top? Y-yes, it's r-really not my speed, but my friend Monique l-lent it to me. She just popped right out of it in the dressing room and handed it to me. It even still smells like her! B-but I don't mind a little stink. I k-kind of even like it.

"BUT, UM! Oh my gosh. It's honestly too r-roomy. I'm t-too flat for it. Monique, though--mmm, that girl could fill this r-right up--oh my goodness... Did I just say that out loud? I'm so sorry! It's like I don't have a filter today!

snap

"O-okay, sir. That should be it. If you'll excuse m-me... Oh, you need to take m-more photos? Safety photos...? O-okay. No problem! I have a free period anyway. L-let me just double check m-my makeup... Huh, is it just your lighting or do I look a bit... tanner? N-no, it's okay. Don't c-change it. I... like it. I like it a lot... Should we start again? 

snap

"Wooh, that l-last flash--hang on--that last flash made me w-woozy. It's fine. I'm fine. Thanks for w-worrying. You're really nice, you know? A good listener, too... Hmm... listen. Can you keep a secret? Thank you, I appreciate that. O-oh, you'll keep shooting? No, that's fine. Of course! This is your job.

"It's just sighs I've been having these daydreams lately. Of me... having a different skin. Like Monique's. Have you seen--taken her photo? Yes? Yes! I know! She stands out, right?! She's pure South Sudanese, Dinka tribe. Her skin's like this matte and shimmery blue-black--it's almost reflective. And when she sweats--during PE? God, I'm telling you--she literally glows. It's so sex--I mean, pretty. She's so pretty.

snap

"And her voice. Oh my god, I can listen to her all d-day. Her voice is pretty deep, compared to muh--my--mousier one, but it's still so feminine. She sounds strong, you know? L-like no one's gon' fuck wit her. Ahem, sorry. And her accent! Mmmmm, I hope she doesn't get mad, but I try talkin' like her when ahm all alone. Feels fuckin' tight, speakin' like dis! Oh, ehem. I'm really sorry. Wow, for a second there, I really sounded like her...

"Y’know, it’s funny. Ever since I started thinkin’ 'bout Monique, I been feelin’... different. Not just ‘bout her, but ‘bout myself. Like, I be lookin’ in da mirror more. Not just to check if I look a’ight, but to... to see if I look like me. Dat make sense? Like, I be starin' at my reflection and be like, ‘Who dat girl?’ Den I’ll blink, and it’s me again. But sometimes... sometimes I swear I be seein' somebody else. Somebody darker. Somebody... sexier.

snap

"O-oh, dat flash again... it’s like... it like it be doin’ somethin’ to me. My skin be feelin’... tighter? Warmer? I don’t even know how to explain it. Maybe it’s just da heat in here. Or maybe... maybe it’s somethin’ else. Hah, look at my hands! Muh freckles mergin' together. Gettin' darker. Browner. Mmmm. Skin be gettin' BLACKER. Oh my god, it’s happenin’. It’s really happenin’.

snap

"O-oh! Dat flash! It’s like... it’s like it be pullin’ somethin’ outta me. Or maybe puttin’ somethin’ into me. Mmmgawd yes! Yes, I can feel it! My hair... it’s gettin’ thicker. Curlier. Like, I can feel every strand poppin’ and twistin’ into itself, like it’s alive or somethin’. I run my fingers through it, and it’s so dense now, so full, like a crown sittin’ right on top of my head. Fuck dose ginger locks! Gimme dat afro! Gimme dose jerri curls! Oohh, the 'dos I can do witchu! Oh, it feel so good!

snap

"And my lips... oh maw gawd, muh lips! Dey be gettin’ fuller, softer, like they just puffin’ up right before my eyes. I press ‘em together, and dey feel so soft, like pillows or somethin’. I can’t stop touchin’ ‘em, runnin’ my tongue over ‘em, feelin’ how smooth and plush dey be. I always used to envy Monique’s lips, how dey looked like dey was made for smilin’ and laughin’ and.... mmmm... kissin'. Now I got ‘em too. I can’t wait ta rock some gloss on dese babies. Mmmm. Maybe Monique and I can tes' drive 'em together, HAH!

snap

"And my nose... oh, dis be wild. My nose, it’s changin’ too. It used ta be all thin and sharp, like a lil’ beak, but now? It’s flattenin’ out, gettin’ wider, nostrils gettin' rounder. I touch da bridge, and it’s like it’s spreadin’ out, takin’ up space like it’s s’posed to. Like I'm s'posed to! It’s strong now, like it belongs on my face, like it’s always been dere. I look in da mirror, and I see Monique’s nose—no, wait, it’s my nose now. It’s perfect. Gawd, I can't wait to smell Monique! I... can't wait for her ta smell me...

snap

"T-thank you. Thank you fo’ not trippin’. Fo’ just... lettin’ dis happen. I don’t know how or why, but dis be right. Dis be who I’m s’posed ta be. I can feel it in my bones. In my soul. I ain’t Winifred McCulloch no mo’. I’m... I’m somethin’ else.. Somebody else. Somebody beautiful. Somebody strong. Somebody... black, proud, and ready to show da world dey can't fuck wid me.

"But maybe I should show Monique first, and let her fuck around wid me."