In the middle of the night, Sid crept into Star's room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he watched as she slept. A tear rolled down his cheek as he wondered why he had to change his own life so drast

Sid, at just twelve years old, was generally a responsible kid, and was honored when his friend Erica asked him to help watch her seven-year-old sister Star. The responsibility also worked in his favor; he'd planned to ask Erica out while they shared a meal of chicken nuggets. With this plan in mind, he kept careful watch over the cooking food, with how it hissed and crackled promisingly in the oven. He decided to take it a step further and put away some ice cream and cake, safely out of Star's reach. The cunning of their seemingly harmless scheme made him chuckle. However, what he didn’t account for was Star’s prying, playful curiosity. Sneaking over to where Sid's phone was placed, Star couldn't contain a peal of giggles as she heisted it from its location. She ran around the house, her giggles echoing in the hallways, until the energy drained from Sid, leaving him winded. Figuring that after all that running, Star would surely tire herself out and fall asleep, he pulled the nuggets from the oven. He decided to sneak into her room to retrieve his phone. The sight that greeted him was a cotton candy pink wonderland, with dolls and princesses scattered all around, shelves lined with frilly dresses, and every corner whispering childish innocence. Spotting his phone where Star had mischievously placed it, he reached for it, but in doing so, lost his balance. Things took an unexpected turn as he noticed that he was now wearing a pair of Disney Princess flip flops. Panic bubbled in him as his feet began to shrink and soften, the hardened skin of his pre-teen years melting away, leaving behind dainty, smaller feet. Calling for Erica triggered no response, as she was unaware of the chaos unfolding downstairs while waiting for their dinner. Sid's world began to spiral as the changes continued, his body shifting quickly. His dark hair lightened to blonde, his tough exterior softened, his once gangly legs now petite and feminine. Change found its way even within his mind, erasing his memories of being Sid and leaving behind only memories of Star's short seven years of life. In the reflection of a Barbie-themed mirror, he pointed, his eyes, wide with bewilderment. He'd become an exact replica of Star. He blinked, now with a childlike innocence that hadn’t been there just a couple of minutes ago. Sid - now Star - spotted the Disney Princess flip flops and giggled as he put them on, bouncing on his toes in delight with the reflected image. The aroma of chicken nuggets still lingered in the air, bringing Star's attention to the food. She barely managed to grab a nugget and happily munched on it while teetering on a kitchen chair. But the peace was short-lived as she discovered Sid's (or rather her own) phone and, not recognizing it, she shot-put it across the room, causing it to shatter on impact. The reality of being alone in the dark dawned upon her. With the ghostly shards of the phone staring back at her, she ran into the living room, ducking under the table. Her tiny heart pounded in her chest as she curled up, whispering names she could barely remember now, waiting for Erica and an unfamiliar friend who she didn't know was her old self.