**Unexpected Mall Transformation**

Emma Crenshaw was a lively, curious seven-year-old girl, standing at 3 feet 8 inches and weighing a mere 45 pounds. Her birthday was September 17, 2016, her birth year marked the start of a clever, bright-eyed child gracing the world. With her strawberry blonde hair usually tied in two playful pigtails and her deep blue eyes sparkling with mischief, Emma was a little bundle of sunshine. She hailed from the vibrant state of North Carolina and was dressed in a yellow sundress adorned with daisies, accompanied by white ankle socks and pink sneakers. Emma had a crush on an older boy from her school, Ryan Harper. Ryan was ten years old, stood at 4 feet 6 inches, and weighed around 70 pounds. His birthday was February 14, 2013, and he had messy brown hair that flopped over his dazzling green eyes. Emma always looked up to Ryan—both figuratively and literally. She admired his kind nature and the way he played soccer with so much passion. Emma’s young mother, Sarah Crenshaw, was a supportive and loving parent at the age of 26. Born on May 5, 1997, Sarah stood at 5 feet 6 inches and weighed 130 pounds, with long brown hair often tied back in a practical ponytail and hazel eyes that mirrored the compassion she carried in her heart. Sarah would go to the ends of the earth to make her daughter happy. One sunny Saturday afternoon, Emma and her mom were out at the bustling North Hills shopping district in Raleigh, looking for a nice gift for Ryan. Emma had spotted a small, intricately designed soccer ball keychain in a shop window and, with excitement, she bolted ahead, not stopping to wait for her mom as she plunged into the crowd of people. In her haste, Emma accidentally bumped into someone and, before she could apologize, the world around her blurred and faded as she went unconscious. When Emma woke up, she felt oddly different. To her shock, she was no longer the small, seven-year-old girl from moments ago. She was standing up, realizing she was significantly taller now. She looked down and saw her hair, which was much longer now, done up in loose waves that cascaded down her back. The color was a rich chestnut brown. Her body had matured; she now had breasts and she noticed she was wearing a tight tank top paired with short shorts and a pair of Birkenstocks. Her nails were painted a bright crimson red, and there were tattoos and piercings adorning her body—something she would have never even thought possible. Slung over her shoulder was a small leather purse. Leaning on a shopping cart, she stared wide-eyed at the assortment of items it contained—bottles of wine and whiskey, recognizable brands like a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from Robert Mondavi Winery and a Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey Whiskey. In her hand, she clutched a large pack of Bud Light. Emma, now consumed by panic and confusion, stumbled over to a nearby mirror and gasped at the reflection staring back at her. She saw a woman with long chestnut brown hair, styled in loose waves, staring back through wide hazel eyes. This woman, who wore a look of pure shock, was Emma. She had transformed into an adult. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any stranger, she felt an arm wrap around her waist and a familiar voice whispered close to her ear. "Yep, that's you as beautiful as when we met in the year 2038. Happy 25th birthday, Emma. I love you so much," said the man. Emma turned to see a tall, muscular man, around 6 feet 2 inches, with dark hair and striking blue eyes. This man, who clearly loved the woman Emma had become, was evidently her future partner. Terrified, Emma quickly pulled away and started walking, her mind racing, trying to make sense of this unimaginable reality. However, the perplexing situation didn't relent. She bumped into a random woman, who lit up with excitement. "OMG! Emma, is that you? I haven't seen you since our college days together. You look so good! I love those shoes on you. You have to tell me where you bought them. And that dragon tattoo, OMG! Are you here with your husband? We gotta hang out and get our nails done together sometime," the woman gushed. Every word the woman said only deepened Emma’s fright and confusion. She felt a wave of apprehension as she realized whatever had happened to her was not temporary. It seemed that she was stuck in an adult world she wasn’t prepared for, and the swap was permanent. Her heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to comprehend her new, unexpected reality.