As Emily took aim with the camera, Rick glanced up at the sign hanging over the section of the store they were in. Romance books, huh? He knew Emily was a big fan, but he’d never really gotten the appeal, even by book standards. If Rick HAD to read, let him look at something about sports, or one of those comics. They weren’t so bad. Anyway, he…
FLASH
Becky frowned and brushed a strand of her long red hair out of her face. She’d saved up her allowance to buy one of these books, but she just wasn’t sure which one! She shook her head for a second, her former personality struggling to reassert itself. She wasn’t sure whether Emily had accidentally hit a button on the camera or something, but the mental changes this time were super strong. She was having a hard time remembering that she was Rick. Yeah, a college age guy!
Becky glanced down at herself. The camera had apparently transformed her into a much younger girl; a little voice in the back of her head told her she was twelve, just starting to think about what high school she might want to go to. She was wearing a white top and jeans, and she had the cutest pink purse. Mom had dropped her off at the mall to shop and had told her she’d be back in an hour to pick her up. It was a reward for being so responsible watching the neighbor’s kids last week. She’d made some good money—three hundred dollars! And Mom had been proud of her for taking such good care of them. She shook her head again, trying to clear it.
Becky looked through the rows of books. She was searching for one very specific book in particular. It was technically sci fi/romance, and she wasn’t seeing it here, so maybe it was over in the sci fi section? She walked around the corner, noticing a boy around her age likewise scanning the books. He was around her age and had short, jet black hair. He was wearing a t-shirt and khaki shorts, and….sunglasses? Indoors? Becky thought that was a bit strange. He seemed awfully familiar, too.
“Excuse me.” The boy said politely, moving past her to grab a book from the shelf. His voice…..it sounded awfully familiar as well. Becky stared at him for a second, the gears in her brain clicking. Then it hit her.
Becky almost swooned.
“Oh. My. Gawd.” She said excitedly. The boy glanced at her, a resigned look starting to cross his face. “You’re Emile! The lead singer of—“ the boy hastily put a finger to his lips, and Becky cut herself off, clamping both hands over her mouth. “Sorry!” She whispered. Her stomach felt like there was a whole flock of butterflies fluttering around in there. Emile was the lead singer for one of the biggest boy bands in the world! He was on a poster on her wall at home! For him to be here, at her local mall? She couldn’t believe her luck. Maybe she could get his phone number? Oooh, and then they could go out on a date? Her first real date with her favorite singer. It was like a dream come true. Was she dreaming? Becky subtly pinched herself. Nope, wide awake. OMG!
Emile smiled at her, making her knees go weak, and then pulled something out of his pocket. It was….a camera?
The part of her that was Rick surged to the forefront upon seeing it, reasserting himself. “Emily?” He guessed, watching an amused look enter his eyes. “You were really fangirling out there Rick.” She teased. Rick rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, the mental changes were super strong this time.” He said embarrassedly. “I guess you are every tween girl’s big crush right now.”
“Including yours.” Emily said with a wink, causing Rick to playfully whack her shoulder. “So, do you want to head over to the food court and get some food? For a twelve year old boy I’m loaded.” She said with a grin.
They decided….