Samantha's heart skipped a beat as she processed the new information. The arrival of this young bridesmaid meant that she would be even younger than she had anticipated. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she listened to the conversation unfolding outside the bathroom. The familiar voice responded to Diana's question, revealing that the new bridesmaid was now old enough to drive. That meant she was 16...meaning Samantha would now be 15.
As Samantha's mind grappled with the fact, she felt a strange tingling sensation coursing through her body. It was as if time itself was rearranging her existence. The migraine intensified briefly, and then abruptly faded away, leaving her feeling disoriented but oddly rejuvenated.
Summoning the courage to face her transformed self, Samantha turned away from the bathroom door and slowly approached the mirror. With trembling hands, she reached out and removed the towel that had been covering the reflective surface.
What she saw was a young girl staring back at her—a 15-year-old version of herself. Her once curly red hair was now longer and vibrant, cascading down her shoulders. Her complexion was smooth and unblemished, untouched by the passage of time. Samantha's hazel eyes widened as she took in her youthful appearance, a mix of excitement and disbelief washing over her.
Her cocktail dress was more modest now. Not ankle length but past the knees. Her hair was now in a pony tail. Her firm breasts were much smaller.
Samantha couldn't shake off the nagging questions about her memories. The mingling of her old and new experiences had already begun, and she wondered how her teenage self would make sense of the conflicting narratives in her mind. Her memories of her 25 year old life were gone but the new ones of starting high school recently, having a bigger cousin like Diana who helped her deal with puberty, middle school and now high school flooded her memories. She still remembered her old life but it seemed more like a dream or fantasy.
But for now, Samantha decided to set those concerns aside. She was determined to deal with her situation and try to turn back and hope for no one else younger showing up. Being 15 was bad but could be a lot worst. She couldnt imagine being a flower girl in training pants or worst diapers than a young bridesmaid. She would make the most of this extraordinary opportunity, to embrace the joys and challenges of youth with an open heart. As she adjusted her green dress, she took a deep breath and stepped out of the bathroom, ready to join the party.