"Medium decaf with coconut please" I said to the barista eyeing up my trench coat. It was early fall now but not yet cold enough to merit such a heavy jacket but the protection it afforded me made it worth while to have on. A young man extended a slightly shaky hand and smiled awkwardly as he handed over my drink. I returned the smile and sat at a booth looking out over the street where I last saw the woman with the ring 2 months ago Today. Glancing back at the counter I saw the young man had continued to stare at me and blushed and looked away immediately when I caught him. The blonde barista saw the interaction and snorted at her embarrassed coworker. Although it had been a girl for two months I still hadn't quite gotten use to this body or it's effect on men. Soon this curse will be over I thought while watching as the girl continued given her friend a hard time.
I sipped my coffee and cursed myself for picking a hot beverage while wearing this stupid coat. Shaking my head I glanced at my phone, 3:11pm. I didn't know the exact time my run in had happened but I must be getting close. I pulled out a toque, sunglasses, and scarf and hid my face as best I could. Not knowing exactly when or really what would happen when my male body reappeared made me nervous. I lifting the coffee to my lips again and realized it was now more than half gone. Good thing I got decaf.
3:50 and my foot was taping away when the ring around my finger burned red hot and faded back to cool. I tried to remove it but it was still sealed onto my finger. With haste I took a mental inventory of my body. Hands, still slender. Boobs? I brought my arms to feel my chest but the jacket obscured them from me. I crossed my legs and felt nothing. Fuck! I pulled off the facial disguise and opened up the front of my jacket. I could feel the heat escape my from body and a cool breeze of the ceiling fan hit my chest hardening my nipples. I was still Anna.
But then why did the ring burn me if I wasn't about to change back? Did it work now? Glancing around I saw the 2 baristas from earlier on their preoccupied phones. A dark haired woman typing on her laptop in the corner also wasn't paying attention so I muttered under my breath "I wish I was man again." My heart seemed to stop beating as I held my breath but nothing happened. Well perfect, ugh... I knocked my coffee cup and sent the liquid along the table and into my lap.
Feeling completely defeated I sat unmoving and watched as the rest of the cup drained onto my lap before finally sitting it back up. I looked back at the counter where the napkins where stored and wished I had at least remember to grab couple before sitting down. The ring went hot again and handful of brown napkins appeared before me. I let an audible gasp and nearly squealed with delight. I wished my dress was dry again and the coffee immediately evaporated. Yes! I again wished for my old body back but again nothing happened. That lowered my spirits a little but still, the ring seemed to be able affect other things again.
I looked over to the woman typing on her laptop. She was in her mid-twenties, with dark hair and conventionally attractive body. So I wished her was half a foot longer. My ring warmed up as I saw her hair grow before my eyes. I smiled to myself as the woman absentmindedly twirled it in her fingers. Next I wished she finish her drink in one sip. The woman stopped playing with her hair and reached out for her coffee and in one motion swallowed it whole and continued typing.
I stood up and walked over to the male barista. He turned his attention away from his phone and was about to say something when I interrupted "I wish you would lock the front door, and forget I asked you." I saw the blonde barista look up so I went over to her "I wish you would make out with me." I pulled her body towards me as she closed her eyes and leaned in and gaving me a passionate kiss.
"Whoa" I heard the male barista say. The dark hair woman was also looking up now.
"I'm sorry" I said. "I'm just so happy to have my ring back that I need to celebrate right now."