As the muffled sounds of the wedding continued in the background, Leslie took a deep breath, her newly youthful chest rising and falling rapidly. “Alright,” she said, her voice steadier than her rapid transformation suggested, “if we’re going to get through this, we have to play along. Let’s get changed.”
Hannah and Claire watched as Leslie slipped into the standard waitress uniform. Her transformation was striking; the ill-fitting dress was replaced by a uniform that, though baggy, made her look like a high school senior working her first job. She tugged at the shirt, noting how the sleeves were too long and the pants too loose around her waist. "This is surreal," Leslie murmured, adjusting her bowtie and the sleeves. "I haven’t worn something like this since my part-time job at the diner."
Claire, now adept at styling hair under pressure, quickly fixed Leslie’s hair into a neat, professional style. “There, we’re all set. Let’s just get through this shift without causing a scene,” she said, glancing at the bustling reception hall. The trio exchanged glances, nerves and determination mingling in their youthful eyes, before stepping back into the fray.
Hours passed in a blur of clinking glasses, laughter, and the hum of conversation. The three friends worked tirelessly, blending into the staff seamlessly. Hannah adapted quickly, her years of business experience giving her an edge in organization and efficiency. Her younger, more agile body allowed her to move swiftly through the crowd, balancing trays with ease. Claire, though struggling initially, found her footing and managed to avoid further incidents. Leslie, despite her youthful appearance, moved with the grace and confidence of someone far beyond her apparent years.
As the last of the guests trickled out, the trio began the arduous task of cleaning up. The grand ballroom, once vibrant and lively, now lay quiet and empty, save for the clinking of dishes and the rustling of tablecloths being cleared away.
“Let’s get this done quickly,” Leslie urged, her voice a mix of exhaustion and determination. “I want to figure out this stopwatch before sunrise.”
Hannah and Claire nodded, their youthful energy mingling with the fatigue of a long day.
The house finally clean and the ballroom restored to its pristine state, the three young women collapsed into the living room, their bodies aching from the long day. Leslie’s house, now eerily quiet, offered a strange comfort as they settled onto the couch. Their youthful appearances were a stark contrast to the weary expressions on their faces.
“Let’s order some food,” Claire suggested, her stomach growling in agreement. “I’m starving.”
Within minutes, they had placed an order for pizza and sat huddled around Leslie’s laptop, the screen casting a blue glow over their young faces. Hannah took the lead, typing rapidly into the search bar. They sifted through countless sites, finding nothing but dead ends and unrelated content. Frustration mounted until Claire’s eyes widened as she stumbled upon a peculiar, archaic-looking website.
“Wait, look at this,” she said, drawing the others’ attention. The site, seemingly from the early 2000s, featured a collection of strange and fantastical items, each with an elaborate description and a hint of magic. At the bottom of the page was a small, almost hidden link titled “The Magic Shop.”
Clicking on the link, they were directed to another page that listed a physical address, a place that seemed to exist on the fringes of reality. The address was several hours away, and their eyes widened as they realized the journey ahead of them.
“Six hours by car,” Leslie said, a mix of relief and trepidation in her voice. “That’s our only lead.”
Hannah nodded, her determination renewed. “We need to go there. It’s our best shot at figuring out how to reverse this.”
The sound of the doorbell interrupted their planning, the arrival of their much-anticipated pizza. As they dug into their meal, the conversation flowed, their spirits lifting slightly with each bite. Despite the bizarre turn of events, the comfort of food and the company of friends provided a brief respite.
“Hold on, there’s no way I’m leaving like this, I need a new wardrobe asap,” Claire said munching her slice of pizza.
Leslie agreed, glancing at her waitress outfit. “That’s not a bad idea, a shopping time and we’ll pack a few things then starts our little road trip. It’s going to be a long drive.”
Hannah, glancing at the ornate watch on the table, felt a surge of hope. “Let’s do this, but tomorrow, we all need some good sleep before this big day."