Within an everyday mall, in an everyday town, people were walking around aimlessly looking for stuff to buy. But in this mall, a lonely girl was walking down with her arms crossed and with a solemn expression. She was a young teen of sixteen with light brown hair that goes down to her shoulders and dark brown eyes. She was wearing a fitting red top with short sleeves, a black frilly skirt that goes down to her mid thighs, a pair of black stockings that goes up above her knees, and a pair of black slip on shoes. Her name is Janet, a homely girl with a lonely life.
Janet was a kind young girl, but unfortunately, she was never truly happy. She never felt comfortable with her body or her station in life. She wasn’t smart enough to be a nerd, nor fit enough to join the clubs, nor pretty enough to be a cheerleader, or sexy enough to be a model. She didn’t have anything special in the way of skills. She was more or less average in every way, which made her always fade into the background wherever she went. And with the lack of friends to support her, she was a lost cause. If only she can change herself, then maybe she can be one with the crowd. That she could fit with the crowd. To be popular and famous. And that she won’t be alone again. But that’s just a pipe dream as she hung her head low and felt a little gloomy. “I wish I could change myself.” she said in a depressing matter.
As she was walking down the mall, she thought buying something would make her feel better. As she was walking along, she passed by a strange shop she had never seen before. Looking at the sign, she read out loud, “Merlin’s Magic Shop? Never seen a store like that before. Maybe it’s a new store they opened up.” Curious, she entered the store through the door to see what’s inside. What she saw was the strangest yet. There were potions, musty old books, strange looking jewelry, and items that look modern, but with some strange names as well. “Sex Changing Flashlight? Ring of Age? A variety of strange collars for pets?” she said as she looked at the contents, “What type of store is this?” Just as soon as she asked that, she heard a voice in the distance.
“That, my dear, is a shop meant to make lives better.”
Janet got startled as she turned around to see who that voice came from. What she saw was an old man with a long white beard, wearing a robe with a hood covering his face. Janet was a little hesitant and stuttered as she talked. “Who- Who are you?” The mysterious person looked to her and responded. “Me? Why, I’m just the store curator my dear lady. Welcome to my shop! What can I help you with?”
Janet looked to him and didn’t know what do say. Rubbing her arm a little bit, she started to say, “Oh, nothing in particular. I was just looking around is all. But I don’t think there’s nothing for me to buy in this shop.” She then turned around and was about to leave the shop. But just as she was about to reach the door, the mysterious old man then said, “You wish to change everything that is you and have a completely different life.” Janet stopped at the exit and was surprise that he figured that out. “How did you know of that?” she said in utter shock. The old man looks to her with a smile and said, “There are many things you don’t know about me young girl. And yet, I could tell that you feel yourself distant from yourself then ever.” Janet turned to him and didn’t know what to say. But giving that he already knows her troubles, she gave a deep sigh and told her anyways.
“You can say that. All my life, I’ve always felt so lonely. That I always felt like a ghost to everyone. I was never the popular one, nor the smartest, or the strongest, or even the prettiest. I’m just some plain Jane with little friends and have no place to fit in. If I can only change myself, maybe even become a different person, then maybe I can fit in and be happy with that.”
The old man rubbed his beard and began to ponder. By the sound of her distress, she could tell that all she wanted in life is to be known. That she wanted to stick out in the crowd and never be lonely again. Seeing the sad look to her eyes, he came up with a solution. “You know, I think I have something that can ease your troubled mind.” Janet looked to him and raised an eyebrow, saying, “You do?” The old man nodded and headed towards storage to look for something in particular. Janet approached the cashier desk and wondered what the old man was looking for. After a few short minutes, he came out and was holding a strange necklace of some kind. It was solid gold pearls with a red dome like ruby within the golden border. “What is that?” asked Janet. The old man presents it to her and explained what it is.
“This is known as the Amulet of Change. A very powerful necklace, yet the most exquisite. Whoever where this amulet gives this person to power to change himself or herself, body, mind, and reality. The user would be aware of the changes around him or her, but the end result would be fantastic. With the amulet, you can change into anything and anyone you want. And if you don’t like the look, you can envision your old self and return to normal. But no matter the outcome, you will always have a perfect life, one where you can be whatever you want and never to be alone again.”
Janet heard the old man’s words and was amazed by it. A necklace that can change herself into whatever she wants. This could be her ticket out of this miserable life she’s having. But then, something had occurred to her that this was all too good to be true and that an amulet like that could be a bit expensive. So looking to the stranger, she nervously said, “Thanks for the amulet. It looks really pretty and all, but I don’t think I could afford it.” The old man smirked underneath the hood and said back, “No worries of paying my dear. For a young lady that wants a change in life, I will hand it to you for free. But only if you handle this power wisely.” Janet was even more shocked then ever. Not only does this strange old man would give her a necklace that can change her life, but he’s also handing it to her for free. Yet it’s under the condition that she handles the necklace with respect. Knowing that, she gave off a simple nod and said to him, “But of course mister. I will take good care of it.”
The old man gave a nice smile and handed the amulet to her. “Here you go.” he said with a kind gesture, “I hope whatever choice you make will make you happy.” The moment Janet took the necklace from him; she placed it in her pocket and said, “Thank you.” Quickly, she rushed out the exit and left the mall, wanting to see what this amulet can do. The old man could tell that she deserves better then the life she has. He just hopes he had chosen wisely.
Back at Janet’s house, she entered the door and was delighted to know that she had gotten something that could change her life entirely. “Mom, I’m home!” she yelled out loud, wondering if anyone is that. “Hello?” she responded again, but didn’t hear anyone. Curious, she checked the kitchen and see if she was around. That’s when she saw a note on the refrigerator door. It read…
‘Janet,
I have to work the night shift at the hospital and your dad won’t be back till late. Food is in the microwave. Be at bed by ten.
Love,
Mom.’
Janet read this and sighed to herself. “Great… Mom’s at the hospital, again. This is the third time this week.” She can’t blame her mother though, let alone her family. Her fathers works in financing and works late. Her mother works as a nurse at the hospital and there are times that she has to work at the late shift. And her older brother is in college and rarely has times to visit with the exception of holidays. So there’s one good reason why’s she’s mostly lonely. But now that she has this amulet with her, she can change everything about herself.
Approaching the main hall, she has a mirror next to the stairway and observed herself one last time before making her decision. Digging into her pocket, she took out her amulet and placed it over her head and around her neck. Looking at herself, she can’t wait to see what this amulet can do. She was thinking of what the wizard said to her. All she has to do was imagine a new version of herself, and she would change. She could change any aspect of her life with the magical amulet. She could change her physical body, from becoming a voluptuous hottie to an incredibly cute young girl. She could change her race to anything she could think of, from African American to Asian to Latina. She could change her age, from 15 to 30 to 5 if she wanted to. She could change her station in life, such as turning into a lovely young schoolteacher or a tough older cop. She could even change her own personality, from a giggling bimbo to a shy nerd. Best of all, she could even change back if she didn’t like how things turned out! Now, she just had to decide what to turn into…