Amanda turned into the passage and saw Joe sitting at his desk, admiring the ring on his finger.
"Joe, I need to be visible," she panted.
I jumped at hearing the voice out of nowhere. "Amanda, where are you?" I asked, looking around.
"I'm right here, to your left. Please make me visible. My shift is over in a few minutes and my co-workers are wondering where I'm at."
"And where did you go?" I asked.
Amanda was a little cross that she had to explain her 'disappearance'. "I went to the help desk to spook my co-workers. They wound up spoking me when I learned what time it was," she answered.
"Good. It's not nice to play on people like that. I was worried when I couldn't find you," I added. "I almost wished that you would reappear."
"Would you make that wish now?" Amanda begged.
"Not so fast," I teased. "I wish I looked exactly like Amanda before she became invisible."
Amanda gasped as she watched me transform before her. I sat there in the table and shrank in areas, grew in others and my clothing became exactly like hers.
To me, it was my first wish on myself. It was a very radical wish to me, too, but I could have fun like her. The ring filled my body with warmth and I felt dizzy as my being changed. My vision blurred and then sharpened. My arms thinned and chest felt heavier. I sat in the chair and it felt different. My fingers were daintier. Breezes on my legs quickly made me realize I was wearing a dress.
"Joe! Don't you dare be me," Amanda whispered.
I looked toward her voice. With her voice, I replied, "And why not have fun, too?"
Amanda gasped hearing her voice. "You can't be serious! You look and sound exactly like me."
"The ring can do it," I added. Perhaps I should turn you into me," I giggled.
"No, don't! Come on, let me get off work at 4. Then we can have fun," she again pleaded.
I looked at Amanda's watch on my arm. There was 7 minutes left. I stood up, "You just let me know what you need to do to check out, and I'll do it." I felt odd standing with her body and steadied myself. "Come on, let's go."
I felt her grab my arm with her hand. Each impression made a dimple on my arm. "Joe, I'm not comfortable with this."
"Do you think I was comfortable with you walking away? Besides, I'm not doing this to embarrass you. Let's see if I can do this," I persuaded.
Amanda held tighter, keeping me at bay. "Please don't," she cried.
"Amanda, let go, okay. Don't worry," I tried to sooth using her voice.
Amanda let go. "Okay, but if you miss up my life, you can keep my body!" she screamed. The library all the sudden seemed quiet.
My face turned red. Everyone in the library could have heard her. I whispered, "Amanda, do you think you could be quieter? I wish you and your clothing were visible."
Amanda reappeared and the two of us looked at each other. We were exact twins. "I wish I was invisible." I disappeared from her view. "Now, wrap up your work," I said sternly.
Amanda looked worried. She had really upset me and had made a scene despite being invisible. Being invisible kept her from seeing how upset I was with her. I made a silent wish and returned to my normal body, although she didn't know it. I watched Amanda explain to her co-workers that I was a rather eccentric researcher and that she had been running around the 3rd floor for quite awhile. Her co-workers asked her if she heard someone scream about keeping their body. She heard it and blew it off.
I rejoined her after the next shift of help desk staff came on to relieve her. Christy walked with her a little while, keeping me quiet. Christy did not need to go to the locker room where Amanda kept her stuff.
I whispered to Amanda, "I probably shouldn't go in there."
Amanda heard my voice and gasped. "You're not me," she asked, somewhat confused.
"No, I switched back. It didn't make you comfortable. Besides, I wanted to tease you. I'm amazed at how upset you got with me being you, let alone thinking of impersonating you."
"It would be nice if we could find a place to be alone and talk," she whispered, hanging outside the door. "I'll be right back, okay?"
"Be right here," I half laughed. Amanda laughed slightly and disappeared behind the door. Several other women walked right by me, unaware I could watch them enter the locker room. Amanda popped out two minutes later.
"Joe?"
"Yes."
Amanda jumped a little when I whispered in her ear. "Joe, I want to talk to you and apologize. I'm sorry to be so demanding earlier. I like my job and I felt it was at risk. The idea of you being me only made me more antsy."
"Amanda, let's find a place to talk, face to face."