As the laughter subsided, Kaitlin pulled a cute sweater and skirt set from a nearby rack. It was a pastel pink cardigan with pearl buttons and a matching pleated skirt. “Oh, this is perfect for you,” she said, holding it up to Laura with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Laura raised an eyebrow. “You think so? That’s something a college girl would wear, maybe even a teenager. It’s not really my style.”
Kaitlin grinned. “Nonsense. You’re not even thirty anymore, remember? Besides, this will look adorable on you.”
Before Laura could protest further, Kaitlin grabbed the outfit and pushed it into Laura’s arms. “Go on, try it on. I’ll hold your things. You won’t need them for now.” Kaitlin grabbed Laura’s die off the nearby table with a quick, subtle motion as Laura reluctantly headed toward the fitting rooms.
Laura disappeared into the fitting room, muttering something about how ridiculous this was. Kaitlin smirked as she held the die in her hand. The idea had crossed her mind—what if Laura had just a little more fun with this? Kaitlin’s smile widened as she gave the die a gentle shake and rolled it on the table.
“Twenty-nine years you have walked this earth. Now this number is but twenty-six. Each roll of the die shall return more of what has been lost.”
Kaitlin watched as a faint glow surrounded the fitting room door. She giggled to herself, picking up a sharp-looking business suit from a nearby rack. “Now this is perfect for me,” she muttered.
Laura’s voice called from inside the fitting room. “Kaitlin, what was that? Did you roll the die?!”
“Relax,” Kaitlin called back. “I just thought you’d fit the outfit better, that’s all. It’s a cute set, trust me!”
Kaitlin stepped into another fitting room to try on the suit. It slid over her frame like it was tailored for her, the sharp lines accentuating her curves perfectly. She admired herself in the mirror, her honey blonde hair brushing against the blazer’s crisp collar. Feeling emboldened, she rolled Laura’s die again.
“Twenty-six years you have walked this earth. Now this number is but twenty-two. Each roll of the die shall return more of what has been lost.”
Inside the fitting room, Laura groaned. “Kaitlin! Seriously, stop it! I’m going to kill you if you keep rolling that thing!”
But Kaitlin wasn’t listening. She adjusted the blazer, fastened the buttons, and couldn’t help but roll Laura’s die one more time, a wicked grin spreading across her face.
“Twenty-two years you have walked this earth. Now this number is but sixteen. Each roll of the die shall return more of what has been lost.”
From inside her fitting room, Laura’s voice grew higher-pitched as she shouted, “Kaitlin, what did you do?!”
Moments later, Laura emerged, looking furious and... startlingly young. The pink sweater and skirt fit perfectly now, her teenage frame filling it out with effortless charm. Her face was rounder, her cheeks flushed with youthful indignation. She looked like a high school sophomore angrily scolding her older sister.
“Kaitlin, give me my die right now!” she demanded, stomping her foot. The effect was both hilarious and endearing, like a kid trying to seem serious.
Kaitlin turned to face her, looking composed and elegant in her business suit. Her lips curled into an amused smile as she held up Laura’s die. “Now, now, Laura. Is that any way to talk to your mother?”
Laura’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?!”
Kaitlin tilted her head and chuckled. “Well, if you don’t want me to roll this again, you’d better behave yourself. Otherwise, I might have to teach my new teenage daughter some manners.”
“You’re insane!” Laura lunged toward Kaitlin, but Kaitlin held the die out of reach with ease. “Give it back, Kaitlin, or I swear—”
“You swear what?” Kaitlin teased, tapping her chin with the die. “You’ll ground me? Oh, wait—you’re the one who’s grounded now, young lady.”
Laura scowled, her teenage features making the expression less intimidating and more adorable. She crossed her arms, glaring up at Kaitlin. “You’re going to regret this.”
Kaitlin smirked and tucked Laura’s die into her blazer pocket. “We’ll see about that, sweetie."