Kyla Becomes Desiree

Once upon a time, there was a ten-year-old girl named, Kyla. Kyla was brave, intelligent and revered for her knack of finding a way around things. One sunny afternoon, Kyla was hanging out at her best friend, Joey's house. She had been harboring feelings for Joey and had devised a plan to ask him out to the movies. Kyla had been saving her pocket money that her mom had given her over time to afford this special date. However, things took a tricky turn when Joey’s 25-year-old sister, Desiree, who was temporarily staying with them, spotted Kyla's money. Desiree was known to have a taste for a luxurious lifestyle, and seeing the money, she cheekily said, "Perfect, that money will go to me getting my mani-pedi," and grabbed the money. Kyla, feeling a mix of surprise and dismay, pleaded, "Please Desiree, give that back." Yet, Desiree dismissed Kyla’s pleas, saying nonchalantly, "Sorry hun, I'm the adult and you're the child," and walked away. Shortly after, Kyla heard the rev of Desiree's car engine and its swift recede. This was Kyla's opportunity. She quickly ran into the room where Desiree was staying and saw that she had left her purse behind. Feeling emboldened, Kyla dared to sneak into the closet, and swiped the wallet that held her precious movie savings. As she was making her escape, Kyla tripped on a pair of Desiree's high-heeled sandals. She struggled to remove the oversized shoes and in the midst, ended up slinging Desiree's purse over her shoulder. As she walked toward Joey's room, reality appeared to warp around Kyla. Every step she took in Desiree’s shoes seemed to age her; her feet became those of a grown woman, manicured toes peeking from the sandals. Deep within, Kyla started to panic, fearing losing herself to this bizarre transformation. The change persisted and Kyla grew to Desiree’s tall height, her clothes transmuted into a chic dress, and even a pair of sleek sunglasses rested on her head. Rounding up the uncanny transformation, Desiree’s wedding ring slipped onto Kyla’s finger, and her nails were painted in the same vibrant polish as Desiree loved to flaunt. The last thing Kyla remembered was the sudden shift of her memories, morphing her past, her identity into Desiree’s. She looked around Joey’s room as the new Desiree, feeling a sense of familiarity but couldn't discern why she was in Joey's room of all places. Desiree's purse caught her attention on the floor, along with the money that sparked it all. With renewed purpose, she sauntered to her purse with the clack of her high heels echoing in the room. As though it was second nature to her, she scooped the purse, slung it over her shoulder, and filed the money back into her wallet. Leaving Joey’s room, her mind spinning with her spa appointment, she finally manicured herself into the Desiree everyone knew her to be - audacious, unfazed and always ready for her next manicure.