If you like my art, sketches, stories, transformations you can find more like this on my Patreon page or in DeviatArt Premium Early Access folder for subscribers here. Every bit of support is truly appreciated, but just having you here means the most to me - without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you very much!
Check also my shop at DeviantArt for other works
— Jessica, let go... — Mark breathed out, barely audible, feeling like he couldn’t break free from her embrace, as though his entire body had gone limp. Jessica finally pulled away.
— Em, what’s with you? — Jessica pouted, looking at him like he’d just ruined her whole day. — I’m just proud of you. All those guys at school…
— I don’t give a damn about them, okay? — he blurted out, turning to the mirror. — I don’t care. I’m not… — He stopped short, the words unfinished. ‘I’m not Emma,’ he wanted to say, but bit his tongue just in time. His eyes fixed on the reflection of a girl with frightened eyes. ‘But maybe… maybe this is for the best, right, Emma? Your life’s kind of coming together now, after I nearly ruined everything with my nonsense about not being you... What an idiot... You’ll come back someday... won’t you?’
— Are you… spinning up some drama again? — Jessica sighed theatrically, waving her hand, and her smile lit up her face again. — My God, Em, you’re just the same, but I’m used to it, of course. Though sometimes it’s like living in a soap opera with you: Who am I? Why am I here? Why am I so beautiful? Oh my God, oh no, no… — Jessica continued in a fake sob, then suddenly beamed and added: — I’m just waiting for you to smile at me and say, “Yeah, Jess, you’re right, I’m a star!”
Mark stared at her while Jessica giggled, nudging him with her elbow.
— Is it really that hard? Come on, smile for once!
Mark barely moved the corners of his mouth, forcing something that resembled a smile, though inside, everything felt scraped raw.
— Fine, let them stare if they’ve got nothing better to do. It’s all... — ‘temporary’ he wanted to say, but Jessica immediately snorted, folding her arms across her chest and suddenly, almost quoting Mark’s own “philosophical” ramblings that he sometimes shared with her:
— It’s all just a stage of self-discovery! — she declared, holding up a finger as if making an important announcement, staring seriously at Emma’s widening eyes, before bursting into loud laughter. — What, you thought I wasn’t listening to all your weird little speeches? Classic you, Em! You forget who you’re talking to.
Mark sighed lazily, remembering those evenings when he’d tried to explain to Jessica why “people always find the strength to adapt to anything.” Back then, it had sounded profound, but now he wanted to slap himself for such pompous nonsense.
‘Alright... I’ll figure it out... someday. Everything will go back to the way it was…’ flashed through his mind, but the thought didn’t sound as solid as before. Hope felt more like a ghost every day, while this new reality kept pressing in on him from all sides.
— Let’s go, Miss Philosopher, — Jessica struck a mock pose, then grabbed his sleeve and tugged him toward the door. — Or you’ll get all broody again and waste the whole break on your deep thoughts.
Mark gave a crooked smirk, shaking his head as he slowly followed her to the door.
The hallway was noisy. Crowds of students rushed back and forth, laughter, loud conversations, the clatter of footsteps — the usual chaos of a school break. But after Mark had taken just a few steps, he suddenly noticed a familiar figure near the lockers. Dan. His heart gave a traitorous jolt again, even though he thought he’d learned to control it.
— Oh, look, here comes your knight in shining armor, — Jessica immediately perked up, nudging Emma with her elbow as she noticed how her pace slowed.
— Oh, shut up, — Mark muttered, feeling his cheeks betray him as they flushed red. Damn. Maybe that’s enough for today?
Dan turned and noticed them. That rough face, the one that intimidated everyone here, suddenly softened with a barely noticeable smile when he locked eyes with Emma.
— Emma! — Dan waved and started walking toward them.
— Looks like someone’s popular, — Jessica whispered with a sly grin, watching the reactions of those around them.
Mark shrank inwardly, trying to look away. But no matter where he looked, it was all the same. Or rather, he saw everything differently now. A few girls shot envious glances at Dan and then turned their eyes to Emma. ‘They look at me like I just stole a million bucks from them.’