Codependency.

Next day, Vanessa was the first who woke up. First feeling she got, when her sleepiness started to wear off, was anxiety: something was wrong with her!

She stood on her legs and realized that her body seemed to be heavier somehow. Vanessa looked down at her body and saw, that she now has much plumper legs and a protruding potbelly. Her nightwear also changed somehow. It was something like a babydoll nightshirt, made from some silky material, exactly not the thing that she put on yesterday, before she went to bed.

Vanessa had a bad feeling that only increased her panicky state of mind. She looked around and saw, that Sam was nowhere to be seen and his side of bed looked like he hasn’t been sleeping here at all. Also all his stuff wasn’t in the room anymore. As if he packed all his things, made his half of the bed, hid his covers somewhere and put a bigger one on Vanessa, and he did all of this without waking her up! First: it’s impossible. Second: why would he do such strange doings?

Vanessa opened the door and decided, that she need to go to the bathroom first, then she would search the house for Sam.

While she was walking through the corridor she noticed that some new photos appeared on the places, where they never hanged before, but in her current state she hasn’t look at them to see what was portrayed on them.

In the bathroom everything was almost normal. The only thing that was different: shaving cream, that usually stood on the shelf was gone. Had Sam really left Vanessa, without even a goodbye note?

Vanessa looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror on the wall and almost shrieked, but closed her mouth with hands. Middle-aged woman in the mirror did the same, that meant that it’s really Vanessa’s new body!

Her face had wrinkles and crow’s feet. Vanessa noticed them yesterday, but today they got more pronounced and noticeable. Her chestnut hair now had a duller shade and were made into a shorter haircut, they didn’t reach her shoulders anymore and looked less soft and more dry, there even were a few gray hairs.

Vanessa’s whole body was plumper than before. She now had a poochy tummy, a fleshy upper arms, wider hips with a lot of excess weight concentrated in that area, making her butt and thighs much bigger.

She turned over to see her looks from back. It was obvious, that there was a non-pleasant plus to being overweight. A cellulite now covered her ass and legs.

Still shocked, Vanessa opened her nightshirt to see the other details, that her clothes hid. When she revealed her secrets for her only to see, she saw how much fuller her breasts have become, they are now saggier than before, though. Vanessa leaned closer to the mirror to take a closer look on her larger and darker areolas.

Looking at her stomach once again, Vanessa noticed some new details. Except for stretchmarks, there was a strange red line in the lower part of her body, that she didn’t saw at first sight.

-          It looks like… Looks like… a C-section scar… Oh, God… I thought with my hips the childbirth should go smooth… WAIT!!! I… Have a child?! – Vanessa started to say it so quietly that it almost couldn’t be heard even if you stood right in front of her, but due to the shock, her voice grew louder in the matter of seconds, turning into scream.

Suddenly, a myriad of thoughts galloped through Vanessa’s mind. Tons of memories appeared in her head, all of them had a drastic contrast with all that Vanessa knew about herself. Here’s some information, that filled her head in a matter of seconds, giving her a migraine:

First, Vanessa now remembered being born about 20 years prior, in the start of eighties.

Her memories about growing up remained intact, but were mostly foggy, with only slight changes, so they seemed real enough to believe that she grew up in another time period. For example: Vanessa remembered, that her room, when she was tween, never had a poster of Justine Timberlake, but had a poster of some “boys band” from early 90’s.

This version of her biography started to differentiate from reality Vanessa used to know when she reached her real age. She finished her education, got applied for job in a company, she currently works and used to work half-time in “old version” of her life. This time she has a position of an HR, though.

Vanessa also had memories about a hook up with some guy 13 years ago and getting knocked up after it, then giving birth to a child (through C-section due to unforeseen difficulties in the process), whom she named Sam and other events that predated her current life as a single mother.

Vanessa’s head almost burst, because all of it mixed with her “old” memories. At the same time she remembered being a 42-yearold single mother of a child named Sam and being 22-year old student with boyfriend named Sam, all of those seemed real. The situation, that even Shroedinger wasn’t able to imagine.

Vanessa wiped the cold sweat on her forehead with her palm and rushed to the room, that was empty before, but now she had recalled about it, as her son’s room.

She opened the door and saw a typical tween boy’s room with the table for school studies, computer, etc. There was a bed with a sleeping boy, who looked just like Sam if he was about 12 years old. The gentle rays of morning sun, that streamed from the window, illuminated his childish facial features.

Yes, it looked like all of those, all were real!

Vanessa slowly walked to the bed and gently shook the sleeping boy.

-          Sam, Sam… - she repeated in a trembling and weakened voice.

Sam woke up. He had such a strange dream, but he couldn’t recall what happened in it.

But he was pretty much disorientated. He also could say, that the memories about his life has changed. Of course he remembered who he really is, but at the same time he remembered that he has a mother named Vanessa, who takes care of him, instead of his real parents and that he is at least, 10 years younger, than he really is, so he is still learning at school.

He looked at Vanessa and noticed that she really looks much older. He sat on his bed and took a look at the surroundings. They changed too!

-          W-w-what happened?! – asked Sam.

-          You remember who you really are?! – Vanessa asked too.

-          Yes, but at the same time no… I mean…. It’s strange.

They spent some time discussing what happened and what they can recall about their lives.

They were in the same situation, both had mixed memories about the reality in which they are young couple and in which they are mother and son. Sam noticed, that yesterday Vanessa grew older by 10 years and he got younger by 5 years overnight, the same thing occurred once more, but this time, the fabric of reality itself changed too.

Sam had a textbook and clothes suitable for a 12 years old boy. His birth certificate also said that he is 12.

Vanessa’s ID and other documents verificated her age as a 42 years old. The photos on the wall she noticed this morning portrayed her and Sam as mother and son through the different time periods: 30-year old Vanessa with a newborn in her hands, a cheerful toddler Sam on a tricycle and Vanessa chasing after him, Sam’s first day of school, etc.

Vanessa’s wardrobe changed too, some things she would never wear before, it seemed her tastes in terms of clothes has changed too.

Together they decided to spent the day as if nothing happened, playing their current roles. That meant Sam would go to school and Vanessa would drive to work. In the evening they’ll make a plan for their future.

Vanessa prepared some simple breakfast for them. When they finished their meal, she noticed that sink was full of dirty plates. Sam suggested his help in washing them, while Vanessa will prepare for the day, because he had about 20 minutes before his school bus will arrive anyway, he considered that this time is enough for him.

“It seems Sam is still the one who is more mature between us, even if he is my son and younger than me by 30 years. Oh, God, wait it’s so wrong~!” – she thought, while she was getting dressed.

When Vanessa was applying her makeup, she noticed how changed the tricks she used to do it. Usually, in her “former” life, she did only a “natural” type of make, because she didn’t like when it’s too much. Now, unbeknownst to her she applied different cosmetics (which she now had lots) with skilled motions, attempting to cover her laugh lines and creases.

Vanessa put on a summer dress, that looked formal enough to wear for a job. It hadn’t any technicolor or tasteless patterns and was neutral colored. It seems Vanessa’s sense of style hasn’t got worse with age. Then Vanessa put on her necklace, an accessory she didn’t have before.

Sam finally got on the schoolbus and looked around, trying to find himself a place to take a seat. He was walking through the lines of seats and noticed a sympathetic looking young girl, who waved her hand, trying to attract him and whispered: “Sam, come here!”.

Sam took a seat near his “new” classmate, who wanted to ride to school with him so much.

He realized, that this girl is his friend – Melissa. It seems Sam didn’t remember all the things he should in his new life, but information he needs to know just appears in his head in the right moment, that’s why he didn’t remember who the girl is, when he saw the girl.

Melissa is quite pretty girl with ginger hair, freckled white skin and green eyes. She had skinny and lanky body, that is expected from a girl, who’s just started to blossom.

Sam sat and thought about his current situation. It was quite strange to be in his 12 years old body, because he was an athletic young man only two days ago. Sam felt himself so frail!

This morning he didn’t know what he should put on, so he wore a white T-shirt and jeans. When he used to go to school for the first time, he had to dress according to the school’s dress code, but it seems this time his school doesn’t have any.

All of his life Sam knew before felt so… (let’s be honest) fucked up.

His memories about growing up with Vanessa as his mother and never being any older than 12 mixed with those about the “old” reality. He will find a way to reverse it!

-          Sam, Sam, Sam… - Melissa said, trying to attract his attention.

-          What?

-          Something happened? You’re being very pensive today? Are you okay?

-          Yes, everything’s alright. I don’t know what’s got on me today. Thank you for worrying, Melissa.

-          Yeah, I got it. My Mom says we’re close to the age, when it’s normal to act strange sometimes. – said Melissa, then added in a understanding, but slightly disappointed tone: - I can try to be silent if you’re not really in the mood to talk.

Meanwhile, Vanessa sat in her car (yes, she now has a car, that’s another thing that just magically appeared this morning). She parked near her workplace and took a minute to think what’s she gonna do.

It was very strange, to think that just yesterday she only had her student permit and today her driving improved skills improved harshly, she became much more confident on the road.

Vanessa giggled as she thought about it: her father, who always says that letting women drive, was the biggest mistake, should have seen this.

Wait, or did he say?

Vanessa tried to recall the time, when she heard it from her father. All the memories about her parents was somewhat foggy, both from “original” and “current” reality. It seems, due to the fact, that now Vanessa was born 20 years prior to her “usual” date of birth, her parents are also older now, so they had more conservative values when they raised her.

She unbuckled herself. While she was doing it, she caught a glimpse of her lower part of body, once again, the realization of how big it has become, hit her. Soft and fleshy mass of her butt and thigs was hanging from the edges of the car seat. Vanessa thought to herself, that she really let herself go, yes she’s older now, but she has seen women her… no, this age in mu-uuch better shape. She felt a pity, when she remembered buying the “Lululemon” leggings a few weeks prior, she hasn’t a chance to wear them and now something like that won’t fit her and if will, she won’t wear it, because she mustn’t torture other’s eyes with this horrible view of her huge rear and fat legs. Then Vanessa realized, that she’d better stop thoughts like that. They will only worsen her depressed state of mind. Now she needs to think, what she’s got to do, there must be a way to undo this!

Vanessa looked at the familiar parking lot, then at familiar office building and started to walk towards it.

At first look, nothing changed inside. But Vanessa noticed, that she was automatically walking into direction of HR’s cabinet, instead of her usual place.

Yes, that’s right! It would be strange, if she would work here as an intern being over 40-ty, she now has a job of HR – Vanessa thought as new information and memories was filling her head in an instant.

Vanessa opened the door and saw the table that must be her now, then she heard a voice:

-          Good morning, Vanessa!

She looked at direction, where it came from. It was Samantha – her (former older and now about Vanessa’s current age) colleague. At least one person, who hasn’t changed at all.

-          Hi,.. Samantha… - Vanessa mumbled to herself.

Samantha is white middle aged woman quite tall, but slightly plump in some places (normal for that age), but far from obesity (unlike Vanessa) with fair hair, made into a tight bun, and kind grey eyes. She was dressed in white shirt of some light-weight material, high-waist grey trousers a pair of slacks, she also had her reading glasses on.

Samantha noticed, that Vanessa is a little late today and that she’s somewhat confused too, but didn’t mention it, instead she offered her to have a cup of tea together. Vanessa agreed, it would help her to calm down a little.

Then a thin black girl in her early 20’s walked in. It was Cassandra – another colleague of Vanessa (and her former closest person at job), an intern. She had full black lips and curly hair, she wore a sleeveless shirt and official looking trousers.

Vanessa was glad to see her, since she remembered how they used to help each other all the time, but since there wasn’t even a trace of memory about that in Cassandra’s head, she acted towards her just like towards any other older colleague. She respectfully greeted Vanessa and Samantha, they had a small talk, then the girl walked out.

There was about five minutes left before the start of class. In the hall of school Sam noticed a pair of kids coming closer to him and Melissa. They could be his friends, he realized. In an instant he was able to recall their names. Chubby Latin-American boy with short hair and thin glasses on his nose – Viktor and another one with shoulder-length blond hair – Zach.

They greeted each other. Then, Zach said, mentioning Sam and Melissa:

-          As always, you look great together!

The boys laughed a little. Sam didn’t know why he joined the other guys at this, but something definitely felt funny in Zach’s comment. This situation made Sam feel himself a little better, enlightening his mood.

He looked at Melissa for a second. The girl had a shy smile on her face and her cheeks had a hint of blush.

Victor was the first to break their laugh.

-          I heard we’ll have a math test today… - he spoke, but was interrupted by Zach’s query:

-          Do you have answers?

-          No, we are the first class that’s going to do it and Ms. Cameron said, that she made it by herself and it can’t be found in the net. – Victor replied.

-          I think, we don’t need to be panicky yet. We can always find something similar and look how to solve the tasks or, at least, do the calculation with the help of the phones. If you’re able do it secretly, of course. – said Zach.

-          Sam, are you ready for the test? – asked Melissa.

-          I’m not sure… - Sam answered.

He thought, that it seems his educational and math skills were equal to those he had when he was that age for the first time. At least, he tried to remember something from high school math course, but nothing came to mind. On the other hand, he was pretty good at math, when he was in school.

When the class started and all students took their seats, their teacher – Ms. Cameron walked in and announced, that they are going to have a test. Then the second announcement came:

-          Now you’ll have to put your phones in this box.

Ms. Cameron had a plastic box in her hands.

-          But that’s not legal! I’ve read that nobody can just take our belongings away! – Zach almost yelled from his place. Then his eyes met Ms. Cameron’s strict, but calm glance. It made him stop.

-          Yes, Zach, you’re right. That’s why I asked your parent’s for written permission to take away your phones for the period of the important test.

Kids in the classroom looked at Ms. Cameron, then at each other. Their faces showed, that they wanted to exclaim: “She really did?”, but weren’t brave enough to do it, so the silent question hanged in the air.

Vanessa was struggling with spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, when she heard, that Samantha walked in and announced:

-          Hey, Essa, boss wants to see you!

-          Me?! What happened?! – Vanessa was surprised. It seemed like such an unpleasant thing to happened, counting her case.

-          Don’t know, but he wants to see you right now. – answered Samantha.

While Vanessa walked through the corridor she noticed a person, who sent shivers down her spine in the matter of seconds – Audrey, her former older colleague.

-          Nice to see you, Vanessa. – she said.

She didn’t seem so openly dominating as she were before, but her thin lips, painted with some light shade of pink lip gloss, formed a hardly recognizable unfriendly smirk, which made Vanessa feel herself quite uncomfortable.

Audrey is a woman in her mid 30-ies, she looks quite well with mostly fit body, hidden by the strict business attire she wore. She has her voluminous and lustrous raven hair down to her shoulders, framing her nervous face with some mimic creases, she had them more pronounced, than you would expect for a person her age, pointed chin and cold-shade blue eyes.

Vanessa gulped nervously and answered:

-          Nice to see you too… Audrey.

It was a little unusual for Vanessa to call Audrey by the first name and being treated like equal by her.

She felt Audrey’s hard glance immediately as if she’s being checked from her feet to her head.

-          Are you going to see Mr. Thorn? – Audrey asked.

It was her boss’ name.

-          Yes, I am. – Vanessa answered.

-          Something happened? Do you have a feeling, that he wants to see you too often now? Any ideas why? – Audrey put on her mean smirk once again and a strange glow appeared in her eyes.

-          I don’t know… yet… - mumbled Vanessa as she felt shivers running down her spine and nervously gulped for the second time, due to the fact, she disliked this conversation.

-          Oh, Vanessa, are you waiting for your second child?  – Audrey threw this phrase to Vanessa and started to walk away.

-          I… - Vanessa didn’t have enough time to answer.

She looked at Audrey’s spine and realized that this question didn’t need to be asked, it was a way to say: “Goodbye fat bitch!”. Vanessa was insulted by Audrey and didn’t even said anything to her! She felt herself so bad. Being in equal status to Audrey wasn’t much better than being her junior when it came to listening to such things from her.

Vanessa finally came to the door of her boss’ cabinet and knocked on it.

The door opened and Vanessa saw a man in his mid 40-ties, dressed in business suit. He had short chestnut hair, with a signs of a receding hairline on his forehead, his clean-shaved face with some wrinkles was adorned with small, non-charismatic grey eyes.

When Vanessa came in and greeted him, like a proper employee should, he only came closer to her and locked the door behind her back. Vanessa felt a scent, some mix of cigarette smell and a thin, sweet flavor of male perfume.

Nervousness grew inside Vanessa, to break the silence and somehow make the future conversation better, she made a comment:

-          Mr. Thorne, you’ve got such a nice new perfume for yourself.

-          Yeah, glad you noticed, V, my wife got it for me. – saying so, he gently patted her shoulder and somewhat flirtous looked right into Vanessa’s eyes.

His palm seemed so big on her shoulder, but it was also warm and soft. He continued:

-          Mr. Thorne? *Laugh* Get rid of it, girl, the door’s closed, the walls are quite thick here, almost soundproof, so no point in calling me like this! Come ‘ere, I need you to look at the docs.

Vanessa was surprised by such an informal treatment from her boss.

-          Okay,.. Jack… - she mumbled.

Vanessa came closer to the Mr. Thorne’s table and took a look at the document that was placed here. She noticed, that there was some part of text printed in smaller letters, so she had to bent over more to see it clearly.

Suddenly, Vanessa felt a playful slap on her backside, accompanied by the appropriate sound of soft flesh being hit by impudent palm through the thin fabric of her summer dress and a jiggling of her lipid ass cheek.

She immediately turned her head to see the face of her boss. He seemed to be burning from the sexual tension and desire, his face was hard to describe at the moment, but the energy of lust flowed from him. Vanessa just opened her mouth to say, at least, something to stop it, but he pulled her into the passionate kiss, sticking his tongue inside her mouth (she was close to vomiting soon). Then, he pushed his palm through the upper part of her dress and quickly disposed her left breast of the bra cup and started to grope and squeeze it, while his other hand touched her buttock (still aching from the swat).

Vanessa really hated to admit it, but feeling helpless and fragile in those hands, those fingers piercing her soft flesh and a sweet and heating ache in her breast, kind of turned her on. Sam did something like that too, sometime, but he never was so urgent, if he did it, he would gently massage her breasts, or only slap her ass in a way, that wouldn’t cause pain. The fact, that her body changed also added new feelings. And what a body it was? A body of 40-ty-something single mother without a constant partner, so she caught herself, that she really is craving for some sex. Her underwear soon started to get wet, that’s how Vanessa’s loins signaled how it needs intimacy.

Jack used his hand to support her, when he turned Vanessa’s body, so she wouldn’t need to bend her neck to face him and pulled her closer to him. He said:

-          Oh, so fast… I could feel, that you’re almost ready for what’s going next!

His hand, still groping her buttock under her skirt, started to move, sliding her panties down with an index finger.

Vanessa was trembling, but she found herself able to mutter:

-          Jack, Jack, please… stop.

-          Why? – her boss answered, Vanessa could tell, without a doubt, he was pretty surprised to hear something like that.

Vanessa found a little more courage and confidence in herself, to say it clearly now:

-          No… I can’t… right now… and there… I mean…

An awkward pause appeared between the two of them, Jack let his hands off Vanessa’s body and she used a chance to fix her clothes.

Only if she would be able to see herself! Her face was red from both: embarrassment and arousal, her hands moved awkwardly and legs were trembling a little… Sweet, pulling feeling in her loins made her longing for a continuation… But, even if currently she has, let’s say, “a Shroedinger’s partner” who is her boyfriend, but really not in the moment, she still though, that it isn’t right to do so and it’s still considered cheating.

Then Mr. Thorne said:

-          We’ve done it here before, the walls here are soundproof.

Vanessa felt herself growing nauseous once again, her boss saw it and held her by the hand, then slowly came to his bid leather armchair, that stood near table, dragging Vanessa after him, then took a seat on it and sat her on his lap.

-          Ness, what’s wrong? – Mr. Thorne asked.

-          I… I don’t know… Let’s say, I’m just not in the mood.

-          Is it that bitch Audrey again?

-          No… Though, she approached me just a moment before. – Vanessa answered.

She felt herself so uneasy, the bulge in her boss’ pants touched her ass and it was so close to her wet loins… She was still aroused.

-          I know, she’s been bothering you, because she used to “have fun” with me instead of you, so she’s just jealous – Jack continued their conversation in a way Vanessa didn’t like at all.

The shock of realization and memories, related with that part of her new life flooded her mind.

Not only she’s been having those “affairs” with her boss, but she replaced her colleague. Of course, she heard something like this about Audrey before, but she didn’t believe. It seems in new reality much older Vanessa was more suited for Mr. Thorne’s personal taste. By the way, she’s now a single mom, so she wasn’t against it at all, she had good sex and, it seems, and may receive some career rise for it, so it’s both: pleasure and wellness. Then something else came to Vanessa’s mind, as a train of those harsh thoughts pierced her mind, so she said it aloud to Jack:

-          But, Jack, wait… Don’t you, kinda, have a wife around twice younger than me?

-          Is it all, that really bothers you?! Ness, see, I just had to do it, you know it’s like buying some expensive wristwatch for me! Who the heck needs a wristwatch at all, nowadays?! It’s just being bought as a sign of status and credit, yes? So is Angie! Do you think I really need this giddy girl? Yes, we had some, forgive me for saying it, great sex at first, she made me feel younger a little, also. But it’s more about showing that I can afford her and going out in public with her and… my ermm… business partners wouldn’t have understood me if I’ve chosen some… other type otherwise.

-          Oh, Jack, but I… still wonder why?

-          See, I need some mature woman, like you… We’ve discussed it, Ness. By the way “those things” you’ve got, really drives me all crazy, when it comes to my personal preferences.

He used his palms to fiddle with her “love handles” through the fabric of her dress as he said so. Vanessa unwillingly giggled like a small girl and wriggled on Jack’s boner. She just couldn’t help, it just tickles!

-          Ok, maybe not so mature, can’t believe you’re so ticklish! – Jack continued.

He brushed Vanessa’s hair with his fingers, saying in a lusty voice:

-          Yeah, it seems you’ve gained some more graying hairs, that definitely makes you look wiser and more desirable…

Jack buried his nose in Vanessa’s hair on the top of her head and sniffed them. His hand that supported her was relocated and took its place on her paunchy stomach and started to rub it sexually and play with the layers of excess fat on it. While Jack was doing it, he moved his hips instinctively, making his boner rub against Vanessa’s butt.

Vanessa bit her lower lip from arousal, but she was able to contain her mind intact, her memories about true reality helped her to contain it. So, she broke out of her boss’ grasp and jumped off his lap, then started to fix her clothes and hair.

-          Sorry, Jack, I really can’t do it today… I don’t feel myself so well... Maybe, later – Vanessa started to mumble again.

She saw how Jack’s face changed to more serious expression. He said:

-          Ok, Ok… But remember, you have a kid to provide for, and you’ve gained a patron, it’s me. Maybe this will help you to feel yourself better next time.

He stood up, then opened the door for her.

As Vanessa walked out, she felt shivers running down her spine and a nausea returning, she was ready to fall down and broke in tears as she walked through the corridor on shaky legs, which she felt growing softer and feebler by every passing second.

Meanwhile in the middle school, Sam looked at the test, that was on his table, right in front of his eyes. At first thought, yes, it’s a little harder that appeared at first, his highschool and college knowledge seemed to be gone at the moment. But Sam was quite a good student the first time he learned at school. When he started to think about answers, they started to come to his head soon.

The class was silent. When he looked around he saw the troubled faces of his friends and right in the moment, when the teacher turned her face away he felt something that touched his spine. Sam almost jumped on his seat from surprise, but when he turned to see what happened he saw Melissa, who stretched her hand, holding a small piece of paper to him. Sam quickly realized what it means and grabbed the note and immediately checked that Ms. Cameron hasn’t seen it.

He looked at the piece of paper that was torn from the side of the worksheet and saw the inscription in delicate girlish handwriting:

Sam I have the same variant as you

Plz gimme answers, U’ll have a reward

Sam hid the piece of paper under his test, whenever he noticed that teacher isn’t looking, he used the chance to write the answer on it. Five minutes before the time for test, that was given to class, he was able to give the note back.

When the class ended Sam came to Melissa. She smiled at him:

-          Came here for a reward?  - she asked half-jocosely.

-          I wanted to ask, don’t you think that your plan will work out well?

-          Yes, I mean, I trust your answers, cause you totally rule when it comes to math and I did some mistakes purposely, so Ms. Cameron won’t suspect anything. It would be totally strange if I done my test for A+, due to the fact I usually get, like, C+ or B at best. So, if I understood you’re not interested in reward? – Melissa asked once again.

-          No, sorry, I mean: Yes, I’m interested, but could you say what it will be?

-          No, it won’t be interesting that way. Come on, follow me! – she said, grabbed Sam’s hand and dragged him after her.

Soon, they came to the door, that led to the basement. The area near it was well hidden from the eyes of passers-by and there was no one else except for the two of them. Glimmer from the old lightbulb made this place seem somewhat mysterious. Looks like it is Sam’s and his friends’ “special place”.

Melissa stopped, then looked right in his eyes.

-          Do you want to have your reward now? – she asked.

-          Y-yes… - answered Sam, a bit insecure about what’s going next.

When Melissa heard his answer, she took a step closer to Sam, then leaned onto him and gave him a kiss on the lips. Sam felt his body shivering at the same time his mind couldn’t get over the fact how wrong it is, so he tried to push Melissa from him. She just grabbed his hand and held his palms in hers. When it happened, Sam’s muscles softened, due to the touch of her silky skin, her delicate fingers, her pink lips and her button-nose, that awkwardly pecked his, because she hasn’t done it before and didn’t know, that’s it better to tilt your head to the side, when you kiss someone.

The strand of Melissa’s ginger hair tickled Sam’s cheek, it made him feel fantastic as if it was really his first kiss, because any of his experience in romantic relationship have vanished, so he is starting from square one now.

Melissa stopped and took a step back, then looked in Sam’s eyes once again. She blushed so much, her cheeks and nose became almost as bright red as her hair, that framed her freckled face.

A second later, Sam realized, that he blushed too, he must look so silly now!

There was an awkward pause, that was broken by Melissa’s ringing voice:

-          Is it your first?

-          Y-yes… -  Sam answered.

-          Did you… like it?

-          I don’t… I mean… yes… maybe…

Sam noticed the strange glow in Melissa’s eyes.

-          Sorry, have to go! – Melissa exclaimed and ran away.

Sam’s legs felt like they were made from cotton wool, he leaned on the wall and thought how strange it is – like he hasn’t done it ever before and this sudden kiss awoken a tornado of emotions inside him and all this just from kissing a middle school girl, while really he is an adult and he still remember it…

When Sam and Vanessa met each other at home in the evening, they both seemed to be a little captured by their own thoughts about the day.

Both of them noticed it, so Vanessa was the first to ask:

-          So, how was your day? Anything happened?

Sam was unsure if he really should tell her how he was kissed by a small girl and was astonished by it so much, he barely fainted, so he said:

-          Nothing special… School stuff, hanging out with erm… guys, etc. How was yours?

Vanessa was unsure if she must tell all the truth, including the fact, that she discovered her new role as a paramour of her boss in new reality.

-          Nothing special too, I mean, job, pain-in-the-ass colleagues and other stuff. – she answered.

-          Oh, you sound tired, maybe I should be the one cooking dinner today if so? – asked Sam.

-          No, I think by the start of my 5^th decade of life I need to be grown enough to handle adult responsibilities.

Vanessa’s comment made both of them smile, so atmosphere in the house became a bit lighter.

-          Okay, I’ll search online for anything that could help.

After they had dinner, Sam called Vanessa to look at what he has found.

-          So, you weren’t able to find anything that might be related to our case and decided to seek a help from someone who claims to be a witch?! My god, I realized, that our minds somehow alterated to suit our current bodies, but I think it’s too stupid even for a school kid! – Vanessa exclaimed, when Sam shown her some site with one of the most bizarre design she ever seen.

It looked like it was made in the early 00’s with tons of colorful animated GIFs and buttons, there was also some cringy background patterns, images of alchemical pots filled with serums, broomsticks and other “witchy” stuff.

-          Look, I know that’s as stupid, as it looks, but I haven’t found anything else, it appeared on, if I remember right, 12^th page in Google, there was an article about curse able to bend reality around a certain person and change something about it, including age. – Sam said.

-          And what?

-          It said: contact local practicing witch, and it can be found on the side. Look here. – Sam pointed on the screen.

There was a button: contact your local witch.

-          I don’t like it, but, okay, let’s try. – Vanessa said with a sigh.

Enter your region –appeared on the screen.

When Sam typed their city in, the link appeared.

-          It seems, it’s an Insta page, at least out of this colorful bullshit, here we go! – Sam, still confused, clicked on the link.

-          Young man! – Vanessa exclaimed instinctively, but stopped herself.

Sam looked at her and an awkward pause appeared. Vanessa broke it:

-          Khm, looks like there’s nothing strange, but I think it’s even more suspicious. Just look at it! It looks like some “spooky” acc created as a joke for Haloween, or a complete scam. – Vanessa said.

This Insta account was filled with photos of crystal orbs, alchemic stuff and other things usually associated with witchery.

-          It says, she’ll answer as soon as possible! Let’s contact her. May I log into your acc, I haven’t used Instagram in years, so I forgot my password.

-          Let Mom take care of it, I’ll contact her myself. – with those words Vanessa sat in front af the laptop on the couch.

Vanessa started the dialogue:

Hello

I think me and my boyfriend contacted some curse, can you help us?

Sam said:

-          Look, she was right, there’s an answer already!

Vanessa took a look at the screen:

Hello, can you tell me anything more specific about the curse? – was written here.

-          As I thought! That’s a total scam! Let’s try this. – reacted Vanessa.

She typed:

You’re a witch here, why don’t you say by yourself? How else can you prove you’re the mage for real, if not by this.

An answer appeared:

Ok. I’ll take a look at your acc. Wait a minute…

Vanessa thought, what could she see on her page? She opened her account and looked at it.

Nothing special, a typical page of a 40-ty something woman, rare posts, a pair of photos with old friends, a pair from birthdays and other parties and a pair of boomer memes.

Then, she noticed, that “witch” wrote once again:

I see, you’ve contacted the curse that changes your physical appearance and reality. I can tell it happened recently, but it’s far more complicated than I thought. I think a visit to me can help.

Then, the mysterious interlocutor sent an address and wrote: I’m free tomorrow from 8 to 20.

Vanessa said:

-          I still don’t like it. Don’t you think it may be some kind of social engineering?

-          I don’t know, but we still don’t have other chance to solve the problem. – said Sam.

-          Okay, then let’s go beddy-byes and tomorrow we’re going to her.