Chapter 1: The Rise of Emma

Evan Wilson, 14, sat slouched in the armchair, his legs tucked under him as he tried to get comfortable. Even though he wasn’t particularly tall—just about 5’ 3”—the chair still seemed too big, making him feel smaller than he liked. Outside, the sun filtered through the window, casting warm light across the room but he barely noticed. It was a slow, boring Saturday, and while his sister, Katie, was busy scrolling through her phone, probably arranging another babysitting gig. At the same time, he, her younger brother, sat in the shadows of her success.

He cleared his throat, hoping she’d look up. When she didn’t, he tried again. “Hey, Katie.”

“Mmm?” she murmured, not taking her eyes off her screen.

Evan frowned, frustration building inside him. “I was thinking ... do you think I could help with your babysitting stuff? You know, like, tag along with you or something?”

Katie finally glanced up, her expression one of mild surprise. “Help? You mean you want to actually babysit?”

“Yeah,” he said, sitting up a little straighter. “I could use some cash.”

Katie leaned back, her lips curling into a smirk. “I dunno, Ev. It’s not really a ‘boy’ thing. Parents aren’t usually looking to hire teenage guys to watch their kids, you know?”

Evan felt the sting of her words. He knew she didn’t mean to be harsh, but the truth of it still bothered him. It wasn’t fair. He could babysit just as well as any girl if people only gave him a chance. “That’s stupid,” he muttered, kicking at the leg of the coffee table. “I could do it. What makes a girl so much better at babysitting than a guy?”

Katie shrugged, her smirk softening into something almost sympathetic. “I don’t make the rules, Evan. It’s just how it is. Moms trust girls more. They think we’re more ... nurturing, I guess—less threatening.

“I could be nurturing,” Evan countered, his frustration mounting. “I’m not some idiot.”

Katie chuckled, setting her phone aside and finally giving him her full attention. “I know you’re not but look at you. You don’t exactly scream ‘safe and responsible’ to suburban moms.”

Evan crossed his arms, sinking back into the chair. “So what? I’m supposed to just sit here and do nothing all summer while you rake in the cash?”

Katie’s smile turned into a teasing grin. “Well, there might be a way...”

Evan eyed her warily. “What do you mean?”

She sat up straighter, crossing her legs as if preparing for a serious discussion. “Okay, hear me out. You know how people sometimes mistake you for a girl, right?”

Evan’s stomach tightened. He knew exactly where she was going, and he wasn’t sure he liked it. “Yeah, so?”

“So, you already have the look, kind of,” Katie continued, her grin widening. “I mean, you’ve got the long hair, the soft face, and you’re slim enough. You could totally pass as a girl if you tried.”

Evan blinked, the words hitting him like a slap. “Wait! Are you saying...”

Katie nodded, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “If you ’really’ want those babysitting gigs, maybe you should go full ’girl mode’ for a while. Just until you make enough money for what you want or until school starts back.”

Evan stared at her, his mind scrambling to process what she suggested. “You’re joking, right?”

“Nope,” Katie said, completely serious now. “I’m saying, if you dressed like a girl, you could totally get hired. I could even help you. We could say you’re my cousin or something, here for the summer. You’d make bank.”

“That’s crazy,” Evan said, shaking his head. “No way.”

Katie shrugged, unfazed. “Suit yourself but I’ve got a couple of jobs coming up and I could use the help. You’re the one who said you wanted in.”

Evan bit his lip, the temptation gnawing at him. It was a crazy idea but the thought of actually making money—and proving everyone wrong—was appealing. Still, the idea of dressing like a girl? That was a whole other level of uncomfortable.

Katie watched him, her expression shifted from teasing to genuinely persuasive. “Look, I know it sounds weird but it wouldn’t be forever. Just a few jobs. No one would even know it’s you. I’ll help you every step of the way. Until the end of summer at the longest.”

Evan hesitated, “I dunno, Katie. What if someone figures it out?”

“They won’t,” assured him. “You’d look so different, no one would suspect a thing. I could take you to my favorite salon. They’d totally hook you up—hair, makeup, everything. You’d be completely convincing. I’ll even pay for your first visit.”

Evan swallowed, his nerves kicking in. “A salon?”

“Yeah,” she said, leaning forward eagerly now. “I’ve got this place I go to all the time. The girls there are awesome. They could do a full makeover on you; make you look completely legit.”

Evan shook his head again, the idea still feeling too overwhelming. “No way. I’d look ridiculous.”

“You wouldn’t,” Katie insisted, her voice softening. “you’d look ... well, like a girl. A pretty one, too. Trust me, you could pull this off.”

Evan’s face flushed. “But I don’t want to look like a girl.”

“I get that,” Katie said gently. “But think about the money, Ev. You could make enough in a couple of weeks to buy whatever you want. No one has to know. It’d just be between you and me.”

Evan stared at her, the wheels turning in his head. It still seemed insane but ... the money. He did need the money. Katie wasn’t wrong—people already mistook him for a girl sometimes. How hard could it be to lean into it for a little while? It wasn’t like he’d be doing it forever.

“You really think I could do it?” he asked, his voice quieter now.

Katie smiled, sensing she had him on the edge. “I know you could. You’d kill it. I’ll be there every step of the way. We would just need to work on your mannerisms; how you walk, talk, and sit.

Evan took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of nerves swirling in his stomach. “Fine, I’ll do it but only for a few jobs. If anyone finds out, I’m blaming you.”

Katie clapped her hands together, beaming. “Yes! You’re gonna be great. Trust me, you’ll look amazing.”

“I doubt that,” Evan muttered.

“First things first,” Katie said, ignoring his reluctance. “We’re getting you to the salon.”

Evan sat quietly in the passenger seat of Katie’s car, staring out the window as they drove into town. His nerves were a mess. He couldn’t believe he had actually agreed to this—agreed to let his sister take him to a salon where he’d be dressed up, made over, and turned into ’Emma.’ It felt unreal. As the familiar streets passed by, his stomach twisted into tighter knots.

Before leaving the house, Katie had dressed Evan in a pair of her shorts and a T-shirt over a bra and panties to reduce the chance anyone would see her brother entering a salon usually frequented by women. “You okay over there?” Katie asked, glancing at him with a grin.

“Not really,” Evan muttered, his fingers tapping anxiously against his knees. “I still think this is a terrible idea.”

Katie rolled her eyes. “It’ll be fine, Ev. You’re overthinking it. The girls at this salon are super chill. They’re not gonna judge you.”

“It’s not them I’m worried about,” Evan said. “What if someone we know sees me?”

“No one will,” Katie assured him. “I made an appointment during the slow hours. Even if someone does see you, they won’t recognize you after they’re done with you. You’ll look completely different.”

Evan’s heart raced as they pulled into the parking lot of a small, trendy-looking salon with large windows and soft pastel colors on the exterior. The sign above the door read, “Luxe Beauty Lounge.” It looked like the kind of place Katie would go—definitely not the kind of place Evan ever thought he’d find himself.

Katie parked the car and turned to him with a reassuring smile. “Ready?”

“No,” Evan said bluntly but he unbuckled his seatbelt anyway. He couldn’t back out now. They’d driven here and Katie seemed way too excited to let him quit. Katie gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder before hopping out of the car. Evan followed, his bare legs feeling like jelly as he approached the entrance.

The moment they stepped inside, the smell of shampoo and scented candles hit him, along with the soft hum of pop music playing through hidden speakers. The interior was sleek and modern, with polished white floors, mirrors lined with lights, and stations set up with all kinds of hair and beauty products. A few stylists were working on clients, chatting casually as they applied hair dye, brushed out curls, or trimmed ends.

At the reception desk, a woman in her mid-twenties with brightly dyed purple hair and cat-eye glasses greeted them with a wide smile. “Hey, Katie!” she said, recognizing her immediately.

“Hey, Jess!” Katie replied, grinning back. “I’ve got a special request today.”

Jess raised an eyebrow, her eyes flicking over to Evan, who stood awkwardly beside Katie, trying to blend into the background. “Oh?” she asked, intrigued.

Katie leaned forward conspiratorially. “This is my brother, Evan, but today, he’s going to be my cousin, Emma.”

Jess’s eyes lit up with amusement. “Ohhh, I see what’s happening here. Don’t worry, we’re pros at transformations.” She looked at Evan, her smile kind but playful. “First time, huh?” Evan could only nod, feeling his cheeks burn. This was already more embarrassing than he’d imagined.

“No seat,” Jess said with a wink. “We’re gonna take good care of you. You’ll look fabulous when we’re done.”

Katie nudged Evan playfully. “See? Told you it’d be fun.”

‘Fun’ wasn’t exactly the word Evan would have chosen, but he kept his mouth shut. Jess gestured for them to follow her toward the back where a row of salon chairs sat empty. “We’ll start with your hair, then move on to the rest,” she said, flipping through a schedule on her tablet. “But first, I see you’ve booked a full-body wax for our guest.”

Katie nodded eagerly. “Yup! We want everything to be smooth and perfect.”

Evan’s stomach dropped. “Wait—what?”

Katie turned to him; her smile sweet but unapologetic.”Well, you can’t have hairy legs if you’re going to wear a dress, can you?”

Evan’s eyes widened. He hadn’t thought about that. The idea of waxing—ripping hair out of his skin—made his nerves spike even higher. “Katie, I didn’t sign up for that!”

“Yes, you did, when you agreed to dress as a girl,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “It’ll hurt a little, but you’ll survive. Trust me, the results are worth it. Smooth skin makes all the difference. It’s all part of the ’girl’ experience.”

Before Evan could protest further, Jess led them into a small room at the back of the salon where a waxing station was set up. A small woman with curly brown hair and a kind smile greeted them. Her name tag read “Tina.”

“Alright, ready for your waxing, sweetheart?” Tina asked brightly, gesturing to the padded table in the center of the room.

Evan swallowed hard, glancing nervously at Katie. “Do I really have to do this?”

Katie gave him a firm nod. “Yes, unless you want to ruin the whole look.”

With a deep, shaky breath, Evan reluctantly undressed and climbed onto the table, lying flat on his back. Tina was already gathering the supplies—wax strips, applicators, and a jar of warm wax.

“First time?” Tina asked, her voice gentle and understanding. Evan nodded, staring at the ceiling as if it might offer him some kind of escape.

“No worries,” she said, her tone soothing. “I’ve had a lot of first-timers. You’ll be fine.”

As Tina started prepping his legs, Evan braced himself. He tried to focus on anything else—what he’d had for dinner, the game he wanted to buy, literally anything to keep his mind off the impending pain. Just as she spread the first bit of warm wax onto his calf, Tina hesitated, her hands pausing for a split second.

Tina smiled kindly as she applied the wax strips. “I’ve worked with a lot of trans women who come in for their first wax. It takes courage to do something like this, especially when it’s all new. You don’t need to worry—we’ll make sure you feel comfortable here.”

Evan’s mouth went dry. She thought he was trans. His heart skipped a beat as he glanced at Katie, who was now watching the scene unfold with wide, curious eyes.

Should he correct her? Should he say something? Before he could respond, Tina ripped the first strip off and a sharp sting shot through his leg. “Ahhhh!—” Evan winced, biting back the pain.

“Sorry, sweetie. The first one’s always the worst,” Tina said with a sympathetic smile. She moved quickly, applying the next strip. “Your hair is so light and sparse this shouldn’t be too bad.”

Evan’s mind raced as Tina continued to talk, her words blurring together with the sound of his own thoughts. ‘She thinks I’m trans. Does that mean I come across that way? Am I doing this too well—or not well enough?’

The weight of the misunderstanding settled heavily in his chest, but he didn’t say anything. It was easier to let her believe what she wanted to believe. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of waxing, Tina stood back with a satisfied smile. “All done! Smooth as silk.”

It took an hour to do his front and back, including a bikini wax. Evan sat up slowly, his skin tingling from the ordeal. He glanced down at his legs and arms—sure enough, they were hairless and smooth, almost unnervingly so. He barely recognized his own body.

Katie, however, looked thrilled. “See? It wasn’t so bad.”

Evan shot her a glare. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who just got waxed.”

Katie snickered. “You’ll thank me later.”

Tina chuckled softly. “He’s a trooper. You’ll be all set for the rest of the makeover now.”

Evan nodded, still feeling a little shell-shocked from the whole experience. He stood up from the table, feeling strangely lighter without the weight of his usual body hair. It was odd, but not entirely unpleasant.

As they moved to leave the room, Tina handed Evan a silk robe to put on for the rest of his makeover. He slipped it on, the light, soft fabric brushing against his newly waxed skin, and headed downstairs for the next step while Katie stayed behind for her own waxing appointment.

As soon as he stepped out of the waxing room, Evan approached the main salon area with trepidation. Still feeling oddly vulnerable after the waxing ordeal, his legs tingled with every step, a constant reminder of the smooth skin that had replaced his usual hair.

Evan sat in the soft, padded salon chair, feeling increasingly out of place as he glanced around the room. Katie stayed behind upstairs for her own waxing appointment, leaving him alone with Jess, the stylist who was already preparing for his makeover. The soft hum of blow dryers and the muted chatter of other customers filled the air but to Evan, it all seemed distant and muffled like the background noise of a dream.

Jess approached him with a friendly smile, holding up a few combs and scissors. “Alright, Emma, let’s get started with your hair, shall we?”

Jess’s words hit Evan like a jolt, the name feeling foreign and unsettling. He wasn’t used to being called that—wasn’t sure he ever would be. He nodded, the lump in his throat making it hard to speak. “Sure,” he muttered, his voice quieter than usual.

Jess didn’t seem to notice his discomfort. She draped a cape around his shoulders, the fabric falling over the front of the silk robe Tina had given him. The weight of the cape snug against his freshly waxed skin, made him feel strangely exposed. “you’ve got really great hair,” she said as she ran her fingers through his long, dark locks. “Nice and thick. We’re going to soften it up a bit, add some curls, and frame your face to give it a more feminine look. Sound good?”

Evan nodded numbly, unsure how else to respond. His long hair had always been a point of contention with people—it made him look even more feminine than he already did. Now, as Jess styled it to emphasize that femininity, it felt ... different. Like he was giving in to something he hadn’t fully understood before.

Jess began brushing through his hair, detangling it with smooth, practiced strokes. Evan sat stiffly in the chair, his fingers gripping the armrests as she worked. He wasn’t used to this kind of attention—having someone treat his hair so delicately, with so much focus. It made him feel ... vulnerable.

After a few minutes, Jess started trimming the ends of his hair, her scissors moving with the rhythm of someone who had done this a thousand times before. She added soft layers, shaping his hair so that it would frame his face more delicately. Evan watched in the mirror, feeling both detached and hyper-aware of every change happening to him.

“Almost done with the cut,” Jess said after what felt like an eternity. She put down the scissors and picked up a curling iron. “Now we’ll add some waves, give your hair a little more volume.”

Evan could feel the heat of the curling iron as she wrapped sections of his hair around it, holding them in place for a few seconds before releasing them into loose, flowing curls. The smell of hair products and heated tools filled the air and Evan’s nerves buzzed with each curl that fell into place. It was like watching someone else in the mirror—a girl with soft, bouncy hair that framed her face in the most flattering way.

When Jess was finally done with the curls, she stepped back to admire her work. “Perfect. That really brings out your features.”

Evan stared at his reflection, momentarily speechless. His hair had been completely transformed. The once simple waves now flowed in soft, feminine curls around his face, making his already delicate features look even more girlish. He swallowed hard, feeling like the last bit of Evan had just slipped away.

“we’re not done yet,” Jess said, pulling out a tray of makeup. “Now for the makeup. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it light—just enough to enhance what’s already there.”

Evan’s stomach flipped as she approached him with a foundation brush. He had never worn makeup before and the idea of someone painting his face felt ... intrusive, like it was crossing a line he hadn’t realized existed; however, he stayed still, letting Jess work.

As she swept a soft pink blush across his cheeks, giving them a faint, rosy glow. Evan barely recognized the person staring back at him. His skin looked flawless, almost doll-like, and the blush added a warmth to his face that made him seem ... feminine in a way that felt completely unfamiliar.

“There we go,” Jess said, stepping back to admire her work. “Now for the lips.”

She reached for a tube of lip gloss, dabbing it onto his lips with precision. The gloss added a subtle sheen, making his lips look fuller and more defined.

When she was done, Jess smiled and gestured toward the mirror. “Take a look, Emma.”

Evan turned his eyes to his reflection, his breath catching in his throat. The girl in the mirror was a stranger—soft, delicate, and undeniably feminine. His hair cascaded in loose curls, framing his face perfectly, while the makeup enhanced every feature, making him look polished and ... pretty.

“Wow!” he murmured, barely recognizing the voice that came from his own mouth. He looked like a completely different person.

Jess smiled warmly. “You look great but we still have one more thing—your nails.” Evan blinked, pulling his gaze away from the mirror. Nails? He hadn’t thought about that part.

Jess was already reaching for a tray of nail polishes. “Let’s keep it simple—something light and natural. You don’t want anything too flashy for babysitting, right?”

Evan nodded slowly, still in a daze as Jess sat beside him and took his hands. She filed his nails first, shaping them into neat ovals, then applying a pale pink polish that gleamed softly under the salon lights. The feeling of having his nails painted was strange—delicate and oddly satisfying in a way he hadn’t expected. When she was done, his hands looked slender and feminine, perfectly matching the rest of his appearance.

“There,” Jess said with a final flourish. “All Done.”

Evan stared at his hands, his heart pounding in his chest. Everything about him—his hair, his face, his nails—had been transformed. He wasn’t Evan anymore. Not here. Not now.

He was Emma.

Jess patted his shoulder gently. “You did great, Emma. Now you’re all set for whatever comes next.”

Evan nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat as he stood up from the chair. His legs felt wobbly beneath him, and the light fabric of the robe swished softly around his smooth legs. He barely recognized himself as he walked to the front of the salon, each step feeling surreal.

Katie wasn’t back yet, so Evan waited awkwardly near the entrance, catching glimpses of himself in the mirrors lining the walls. Every time he saw his reflection, it was like meeting someone new—someone he wasn’t sure he wanted to be but the girl in the mirror was convincing. Too convincing. It was hard to believe that anyone who saw him would ever guess the truth.

The door to the salon opened and Katie finally appeared, looking freshly waxed and beaming with excitement.

“Well?” she asked, rushing over to him. “Let me see!” Evan turned to face her fully, still unsure of how to feel.

Katie’s jaw dropped as she took in the sight of him, her freshly waxed face glowing with excitement. “Oh my god, you look amazing. Seriously, I can’t believe how good you look!”

Evan bit his lip, his nerves still buzzing. “Yeah ... I guess it turned out okay.”

“Okay?” Katie said, shaking her head. “You look like a whole different person. They did such a great job. I don’t think anyone’s going to recognize you.”

Evan glanced at his reflection one last time, feeling the weight of her words. She was right. He didn’t look like himself anymore.

He looked like ... Emma.

“Okay, now we’re onto the fun part!” Katie said, practically bouncing with energy. “Time to get you dressed.

Evan shot her a skeptical look. “I’m not sure I’d call this ’fun’.”

Katie laughed, nudging him playfully. “Oh, lighten up. You’re about to look fabulous.”

Jess, the stylist, reappeared with a couple of bags in her hands. “Got everything you need right here, Katie,” she said, handing the bags over with a smile.

Katie took them eagerly. “Thanks, Jess. You are a lifesaver.”

“No problem,” Jess said with a wink. She glanced at Evan, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Good luck, Emma. You’ll knock ‘em dead.”

Evan managed a tight smile, though his stomach churned at the thought. Being called ‘Emma’ felt strange and he wasn’t sure how he felt about the whole situation but he didn’t have much time to dwell on it before Katie grabbed his arm and steered him toward the dressing room.

Inside, the space was small but cozy, with a full-length mirror on one wall and a cushioned bench on the other. Katie wasted no time pulling items out of the bags Jess had given her, laying them out on the bench with a flourish.

“Okay,” she said, her voice taking on the tone of a fashion consultant. “We’ve got the perfect dress for you—simple, cute, but not too flashy. Of course, we need the essentials. You know; bra, panties, all that.”

Evan’s eyes widened as he stared at the pile of clothes. His mouth went dry. “Wait ... I have to wear all of that?”

Katie looked at him like he’d just asked a ridiculous question. “Well, yeah. You can’t just wear the dress over your boxers, Evan. You need to fully commit.”

“I thought I’d just wear, like ... I don’t know, regular clothes under it or something,” Evan said, feeling the heat rise in his face.

Katie let out a snort of laughter. “Trust me, that wouldn’t work. Besides, it’s not as bad as you think. It’s just clothes.”

Evan stared at the items in front of him, his nerves bubbling up again. A simple light blue sundress lay neatly on the bench, along with a matching pair of lace-trimmed panties and a bra. Next to them, Katie had picked out a pair of tan sandals, the kind with thin straps that crisscrossed up the ankle. Everything was feminine, soft, and ... not him.

Katie must have sensed his hesitation because she softened her tone. “Look, I know it feels weird, but it’s all part of the disguise. If you’re going to pass as a girl, you have to wear what a girl would wear.”

Evan swallowed hard. “But a bra? I don’t need one.”

Katie smirked. “You’d be surprised how much it changes the shape of your body. Besides, we can always add a little extra padding if it makes you feel better. It’s just for appearances, Ev. No one’s going to see under the dress.”

He hesitated for a moment longer, staring at the pile of clothes as if they might come alive and swallow him whole. This was the point of no return. Once he put those on, once he stepped into the role of, ’Emma,’ he wasn’t just pretending anymore—he’d fully become the part.

Katie sighed, clearly sensing his inner turmoil. “Evan, I know this is a lot, but you said you’d do this. You want that babysitting money, right? Just think of this as a temporary costume. A few jobs and then you’re done. No one has to know.”

Evan took a deep breath, his heart pounding. She was right. He needed the money and this was his best shot at getting it. He’s already agreed to the makeover and after everything—waxing, the makeover, the whole setup—there was no point in backing out now.

“Okay,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper, “I’ll do it.”

Katie’s face lit up.”Awesome! You’re going to look amazing. Now let’s get started.”

She handed him the panties first and Evan reluctantly took them. He stepped behind a privacy screen in the corner of the room, feeling more embarrassed than he ever had in his life. He removed the borrowed robe, stripped off his boxers, and pulled on the lace-trimmed panties, the unfamiliar fabric soft against his freshly waxed skin. He felt a strange mix of discomfort and curiosity—he couldn’t deny that the panties felt different but not entirely in a bad way.

Next came the bra. Katie passed it over the top of the screen with an easy smile, as if this was the most normal thing in the world. “Here, I already adjusted the straps for you. Just hook it in the back like this,” she said, miming the action for him.

Evan fumbled with the clasp, his fingers awkward against the thin fabric. After a few failed attempts, he finally managed to fasten it. The bra felt odd against his chest—tight but not uncomfortable, though he couldn’t shake the strangeness of it all. Katie slipped a couple of small pads into the cups, giving him the faintest hint of a bust.

“Perfect,” she said, sounding like a proud older sister. “Now the dress.”

Evan stepped out from behind the screen, still feeling incredibly self-conscious in nothing but the bra and panties. Katie handed him the dress and he slid it over his head, the soft fabric falling into place over his body. It was light and airy with thin straps and a flowing skirt that brushed against his legs.

Katie stood back, appraising him with a critical eye. “Hmm ... something’s missing.”

“What now?” Evan asked, his nerves making his voice sharp.

Katie handed him the sandals. Evan slipped them on, the delicate straps wrapping around his ankles. He stood up, feeling more exposed than ever, but also ... different. Lighter. The dress swished softly as he moved, the sandals clicking faintly against the floor. He still felt ridiculous, but Katie’s excited expression told him that the transformation was almost complete.

“Now,” Katie said, grinning from ear to ear, “take a look at yourself.”

Evan hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. Slowly, he turned to face the full-length mirror, his eyes traveling up from the floor. At first, he didn’t recognize the person staring back at him. The girl in the mirror had long, dark hair that framed her face perfectly, her skin smooth and glowing. The light blue sundress fit her slim frame like a glove and her legs—smooth and hairless—looked impossibly feminine in the strappy sandals. His eyes widened in shock. “That’s me?”

Katie beamed, clearly pleased with himself. “Told you you’d look amazing.”

Evan swallowed hard, unable to tear his gaze away from his reflection. He looked ... different. Not just because of the clothes or the makeup, but because of the way everything came together. For the first time, he truly looked like a girl—like Emma.

His mind buzzed with conflicting emotions. On one hand, the transformation was incredibly, almost magical. On the other, it felt strange and unsettling, like he was seeing a version of himself he hadn’t known existed.

Katie stepped up beside him, grinning proudly. “So, what do you think?”

“I ... I don’t even recognize myself,” Evan admitted, his voice barely audible.

“That’s the point,” Katie said, giving him a gentle nudge. “No one else will recognize you either. You’re Emma now.”

Evan stared at the girl in the mirror, his stomach flipping with both excitement and dread. ’Emma,’ he echoed quietly.