For the duration of the ride to the mall, Chris sat in quiet contemplation. The entire time, she was feeling denial. Her body felt alien to her.
There has to be a way to reverse this. I can't be a girl, I'm not a girl!
The two ran into the mall once Alex parked the car. Chris noticed several guys looking at her.
"Everyone is looking at us!" Chris said.
"Yeah I know," Alex answered.
When they reached the doors to the mall, a young man held the door open for them. Chris coulden't help but realize he was looking her over. She tried to ignore it, however suddenly being the object of affection from guys was enough to make her want to scream.
They thanked him before walking into the mall.
Chris noticed almost every guy looking at her as they walked. Some tried to hide it but Chris knew from experience what they were really doing.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked.
"All the guys keep looking at me!"
"Of course they do, they always do that. I actually think it's funny how much attention I can get just walking by them," Alex said.
"It's embarrassing! I'm not a girl!" Chris said.
"They don't know who you are and what's happened to you. Anyway, you're a girl now so you should enjoy the attention," Alex said.
"Let's just get back to that store so I can get changed back," Chris said.
Chris led Alex back toward where she remembered the store was. When she found it, she ran inside and found the old man sitting at the counter.
"Hello young lady, how may I help you?" the man asked.
"You did this to me!" Chris yelled. She grabbed the necklace, took it off of her neck and put it down on the counter. Somehow, she'd expected to change back when she removed it but had no such luck.
"Ah yes, I remember now. You having an exciting time yet?"
"I'm don't want to be a girl! Why did you do this to me?"
Alex ran up to Chris' side and put a hand on Chris' right shoulder. "Chris, calm down. I'm sure this was a mistake."
"Please, change me back!" Chris pleaded.
"Back? Into what?" the old man asked.
"Stop joking around! You know this thing turned me into a girl. I'm supposed to be a guy!"
"Not anymore my friend. I can't change you back. This will be exciting for you! Enjoy your new body ... young lady!"
"No!" Chris yelled. She pointed to her chest. "I'm not supposed to have these!" Tears started forming around her eyes. "Please," she started, grabbing the man's shirt. "I'll do anything to be a guy again!"
Chris could not contemplate the idea that she'd be a she for the rest of her life. Panic was starting to consume her.
"There has to be something here that can change me back! Please, I don't want to be a girl!"
The old man pushed Chris' hands away and sighed. "They all react this way at first. You'll get used to it in a while. Now please, I have business to attend to."
With that, he walked away and through a door behind the counter, closing it behind him. Chris ran toward the door but found it to be locked!
"Chris, calm down! Being a girl isn't that bad. Maybe there's a reason this happened to you," Alex said.
Chris turned and looked Alex in the eyes. "You don't understand, I don't know how to be a girl! I can't picture myself doing stuff as a girl! I don't know anything about this body! How can I explain this to my parents and friends? I don't want to start dating guys!"
"Chris, relax. There is no special way to be a girl. You'll be fine! I'm here for you. Come on, let's get out of here before something else happens."
Chris nodded and walked with Alex out of the store. She felt vulnerable and as though everyone were staring at her. How do I take myself seriously like this? She found herself looking back and forth at everyone, especially the guys. She felt sick at the thought that she'd probably have to start looking to men if she wanted a relationship.
"I know this seems crappy to you Chris but at I promise that I'll show you that being a girl can be fun," Alex said.
"What do you mean?" Chris asked. She wasen't sure she wanted to learn to take joy in her body. There had to be a cure for her. Things like this wern't supposed to happen, let alone to her!
"Well," Alex started.