**Dorm Room Holiday Mix-Up**

### A Holiday to Remember Ethan had always enjoyed the hustle and bustle of campus life, but as the end of term loomed closer and students dispersed for the holidays, the dorms grew eerily quiet. Unlike most others, he had chosen to stay back. His family was on an overseas holiday, and he opted out of the long and expensive flight to a distant tropical island, preferring instead to have some quiet time to focus on his projects. He was staying in a co-ed dormitory, but by now, every last student had left, and the silence was almost oppressive. He had promised to take care of his friend Jessica’s fish, an easy enough favor considering she left him with her room key and precise instructions. One chilly December morning, Ethan decided to make the most of the rare luxury of having the entire dorm wing to himself. He grabbed his keys and dawned his towel to enjoy a prolonged, hot shower without the usual disruptions. It was an indulgence he did not get often, given the usual morning rush that left the hot water running out in minutes. Steam billowed around him as he lost track of time under the soothing torrent. Refreshed and relaxed, Ethan dried off, wrapped his towel snugly around his waist, and headed back to his room. That's when he felt his heart sink. He reached for his key only to find Jessica’s key in his hand. His own room's thick steel door stood stubbornly locked, a testament to his force of habit. Freezing air nipped at his skin, and he quickly understood that campus security wouldn't be able to help until after the holiday break. Reluctantly, he shuffled over to Jessica’s room, the towel barely sufficient in the unforgiving cold. Once inside her room, Ethan leaned against the door and exhaled deeply, calming his rattled nerves. As his eyes roved around Jessica’s neat and girly room, he realized he would need to borrow some of her clothes if he didn't want to spend the next two weeks freezing and half-naked. He opened her wardrobe, seeking something that might offer warmth and comfort. The obvious starting point was a pair of Jessica's panties. They were small and snug, a sensation that was both uniquely uncomfortable and oddly amusing. Emboldened by his predicament, Ethan decided to take it a step further, strapping on a matching bra. It felt strange but also delightfully absurd, forcing laughter to bubble from his chest. Next, he pulled on a pair of thick, woolen leggings followed by a cozy sweater dress that enveloped him in warmth. He completed the outfit with her soft, sheepskin boots, looking at himself in the full-length mirror. The transformation was startling, surreal, and kind of fun. Sitting cross-legged on her bed, Ethan chuckled. He couldn't believe he was staring at a reflection that showcased him as Jessica. Two weeks dressed as a girl, specifically his friend, lay before him. Over the following days, Ethan settled into an unusual routine. He fed Jessica’s fish, attended to his studies, and even mastered putting on makeup by watching tutorials. Each time he dressed up, he grew more comfortable and found the experience to be oddly liberating. Ethan learned to embrace the playful spontaneity of his situation, even starting to enjoy the tactile difference the clothes provided. As the days passed, Ethan documented his transformation with photos and watched as his initial amusement gave way to a deeper understanding and appreciation for Jessica's style and identity. He realized how much effort she must put into her daily attire, a lesson in empathy he hadn't anticipated learning. Finally, when the holidays ended and students began returning to the dorms, Ethan reverted to his own clothes, albeit with a sneaky sense of loss. Jessica, who arrived later that evening, was bewildered at first but then immensely amused as Ethan narrated his accidental adventure. They laughed, and she appreciated the levity he brought into what could have been an annoying mishap. Ethan would never forget that strange, transformative winter break. It taught him that life had a way of throwing curve balls and that sometimes, rolling with the punches and embracing the absurdity of our circumstances is the best way to cope. In two short weeks, he had found a new dimension of friendship with Jessica, unlocked parts of himself he never knew existed, and experienced a holiday to remember.