Reality overload

The house felt different after the name talk. But in a good way. Like the air after a storm, when everything is still wet and shimmering and new.

Charlie stretched her arms over her head.

”So,” she said, ”do you want to start packing clothes? Like... girl clothes?”

”We can’t afford all new clothes, Charlie...” I said a little shakily.

She rolled her eyes at me so hard I swear I heard it.

”Kris. I have years of clothes. Half of them barely got worn. Some should fit you.”

Riley nodded. ”And if they don’t, we thrift. Or steal from Charlie’s closet again.”

”HEY!” Charlie protested.

I couldn’t help laughing.

Charlie pulled out the first storage box and knelt beside it, popping the lid off. ”Okay... let’s see what we’ve got. Most of this is from when I was your size.”

I hovered awkwardly near the bed, arms crossed tight over my chest like I was trying to hold myself still. 

Riley noticed me doing that, but she was already wrist‑deep in the box. ”Ooooh, look at this! Kris, you’d look adorable in-”

Charlie didn’t even look up. ”Riley, if you pull out anything with glitter, lace, or a skirt shorter than my patience, I swear.”

Riley slowly put the glittery thing back. Pouting like a child.

Charlie sifted through a pile of folded tops, muttering to herself. ”Too small... too pink... too ’middle‑school‑me’... oh god, burn that one... ” Pausing to look at the bin of clothes. She hesitated for a moment.

“Okay, that’s it.” 

She got up and dragged a second and third box out from under her bed with a grunt. ”We’re dumping everything. Sorting one piece at a time is going to take forever.”

Riley lit up like she’d been waiting for this moment her whole life. ”YES! Chaos method. Dump it!”

”Wait... what do you mean by-”

Too late.

Three giant storage bins were overturned onto Charlie’s floor. Shirts, skirts, jeans, sweaters, dresses, leggings, a whole timeline of Charlie’s fashion phases.

I swallowed hard. ”...that’s a lot.”

Charlie grinned and plopped down in the middle of it like it was a nest. ”Welcome to girlhood.”

I stared at the mess. ”We’re... sitting in this?”

”Yup. Sit. Pick. Sort.” She gestured at the pile.

Riley flopped down beside her, already holding up a shirt. ”This one screams ’cozy gremlin.’ Kris, that’s you.” she held up a beige cardigan.

Reluctantly, I sat, pulling my knees up. ”I don’t scream anything... but cozy is good.”

”You squeak,” Riley corrected, as she put it in the keep pile.

”I DO NOOT!” I retorted 

The sound that came out of me proved otherwise. Frost crawling up my neck. I tried to bury it, desperate to change the subject.

”W-We don’t have to do this right now... do we?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Charlie was in her element. There was no stopping her now.

”Kris, college starts tomorrow,” she said without looking up. ”If not now, when?”

”Preferably never...” I pouted.

Charlie snorted. ”You’re not going to college wearing the same hoodie every day like a hobo.”

Riley popped up from behind a box. ”Also you need a—”

Charlie shot her a warning glare. ”Don’t..”

Riley shut her mouth. For three seconds. Then I made the mistake of looking at her.

”—a bra.”

My face went cold instantly. Ice creeping up my skin.

”RILEY...” Charlie groaned.

”What?!” Riley said, hands up.

Charlie groaned into a sweater. ”Riley, please. Just... stop talking for a minute.”

But Riley didn’t stop. She squinted at me, then at my chest. Then back at me. And like ripping a bandaid off she said it.

”Okay, Kris look, you can’t keep pretending those aren’t there.” She pointed at my chest.

”Riley!” I squeaked. Trying to cover my chest, But she kept going.

She made a vague circular gesture. ”You need a bra...”

Charlie stared at her deadpan.

”What?!” Riley repeated. ”I’m just saying it! Someone had to! They are getting bigger!”

Charlie’s voice dropped. ”Riley. You are about as subtle as a club.”

”What?” Riley said again, genuinely confused. ”It’s true!”

Charlie groaned harder. ”You can’t just... you have to be more subtle!”

”I wasn’t being clubish!” Riley insisted. ”I was being factual!”

I wanted to sink into the carpet and never return.

Charlie sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. ”Okay, Kris. Quick version.”

She turned to me, voice gentler. Seeing my expression. ”Look, I know this is awkward. Trust me, I know. But we do need to talk about bras.”

My stomach tightened. ”Do we really-!”

”Yes,” she cut in gently. ”Because you’re uncomfortable, and you don’t even realize how much yet. You need to know what you’re in for, and why.”

She took a breath.

”Bras aren’t... fun,” she said. ”They dig in, they pinch, they ride up, and half the time you buy the wrong size because different brands have different sizes. They’re also annoying, don’t even get me started on under wires.

I blinked my face ice cold. ”You’re really selling this.”

She huffed a laugh. ”I’m being honest. But here’s the thing, they’re annoying because they’re doing a job.”

She tapped her chest lightly.

”When things start growing, they move. And when they move, it hurts. Running, walking, stairs, even just... existing. A bra keeps everything in place so you’re not dealing with pain all day, or shirt rash...

I swallowed, suddenly very aware of the subtle sting from my shirt I’d been ignoring.

Charlie noticed. 

”You don’t have to love it,” she said. ”You just have to wear one so you’re comfortable and supported. That’s all.”

I looked down at my hands. ”It still feels weird.”

”I know,” she said, nudging my shoulder. ”But weird doesn’t mean bad. It just means new.”

”Great. Now I gotta deal with this too... this sucks,” I muttered.

Charlie patted my shoulder. ”Welcome to the club.”

I sighed. ”Okay. Fine. I’ll... I’ll try one, but no guarantees.”

Charlie brightened. ”Good. I’ll find something comfortable for you...” she hesitated before going on. ”Well have to get you measured though. So we can get the right size.

”Measured?” the confusion on my face easy to see.

”Yes... like with a tape measure.” she flushed a little. ”It’s necessary.”

Riley grinned. ”And I promise not to make any more metaphors.”

Charlie raised an eyebrow.

Riley corrected herself. ”Okay, I promise to try not to.”

 We all jumped at the pounding on the door. It came fast and frantic. Charlie hopped up and opened it before they could knock again.

Nate and Lucas stood there, both breathing hard, both already changed in small ways. Nate’s hair was more grey. Lucas looked taller, annoyingly taller. Like someone had stretched him a few inches, and inflated his biceps.

None of us commented.

We all knew why.

”Hestia was right,” Nate said, voice low. ”It’s starting.”

That was all it took.

We followed them downstairs without another word. The living room was dim except for the TV, its blue glow flickering across the walls. The news anchor looked like she’d been awake for days.

I sat between Riley and Charlie, the boys gathered behind us. No one spoke. We didn’t need to.

The anchor shuffled her papers.

”Good evening. This is a special news report.”

A map appeared beside her, dotted with glowing markers.

”...reports are now confirmed across multiple regions,” she said. ”Minor physical transformations are appearing with no known cause.”

Nate and Lucas stood like statues.

”These changes vary from person to person, minor shifts in height, hair color, ear shape, and in one confirmed case, what appear to be changes in gender appearance.”

Riley let out a slow breath.

Charlie didn’t move.

Nate and Lucas looked at me, but I barely noticed I was too focused on the TV. The anchor continued.

”At this time, medical professionals emphasize that the phenomenon does not appear to be contagious. There is no evidence of viral or bacterial spread.”

A clip played of a doctor at a podium, looking exhausted.

”We are investigating all possibilities,” he said. ”Genetic, environmental, neurological. At this moment, we simply do not have answers.”

The feed cut back to the anchor.

”Citizens are urged to remain calm. If you experience any sudden physical changes, please report them to your medical provider. As of now, officials are confident it is ok to continuing daily activities as normal.”

”Citizens are urged to remain calm...”

Charlie snorted softly. ”Calm, sure.”

The anchor pressed on. ”The government is coordinating with international agencies...”

The room stayed quiet.

Riley leaned forward. ”They’re trying not to freak people out.”

Nate nodded. ”And failing.”

This was just the world catching up.

Charlie’s eyes flicked to me. ”Mom said it would start soon.”

”Yeah,” I whispered. Then gave her a look. Smirking at her. ”Mom huh..”

She flushed ”Yeah, what of it.”

I smiled and shook my head. ”Nothing, just nice to see you so idk..., ok with it.”

Yea, she said it with a sigh and a smile.

Then she pulled out her phone, scrolling fast. Her expression shifting to concentration, confusion, and then disbelief.

”Hold on,” she muttered. ”I’m checking the UCC forums.”

Riley leaned over. ”What are they saying? Are they delaying the term?”

Charlie didn’t answer right away. Then she groaned. ”Oh my god.”

My stomach tightened. ”What?”

She turned the phone so we could all see.

A pinned announcement from the college administration filled the screen.

————————————————————UNIVERSITY CITY COLLEGE — OFFICIAL STATEMENT

To all incoming and returning students,

In light of the recent news reports regarding widespread physical changes experienced by individuals across multiple regions, the University has been in continuous communication with state health officials, federal agencies, and our own medical staff.

At this time, there is no evidence that the ongoing physical transformations are contagious or transmissible through proximity, shared spaces, or interpersonal contact.

Therefore, orientation, move‑in, and the first week of classes will proceed as originally planned.

Students experiencing new physical traits, (I.E. , changes in height, hair color, ear shape, limb structure, or other alterations) are encouraged to visit the Campus Health Center for optional documentation and support resources.

The University will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.

Please check this forum and your student email regularly.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus. 

Despite the uncertainty, we remain confident in our community’s ability to adapt, support one another, and begin the year successfully.

—Dean Amanda clouse

 University City College 

—————————————————————

Riley blinked. ”They’re... still doing it?”

Lucas let out a humorless laugh. ”Of course they’d hold classes during the apocalypse.”

Nate rubbed his forehead. ”They’re saying it’s not contagious. So of course they would. Don’t mind me, I’m just turning into a FANTASY RACE!!!”

Charlie re-read. ”Students experiencing physical changes are encouraged to visit the campus clinic...!?’”

Riley snorted. ”Wow.”

I stared at the screen, the words blurring.

They weren’t postponing anything.

It felt surreal, the world shifting under everyone’s feet, and the college acting like it was just... weather.

Charlie lowered the phone. ”Well. Looks like we’re still going tomorrow.”

A strange mix of dread and relief twisted in my chest. ”So should we go to the clinic to report ours?” I asked.

”Yes...” Charlie agreed. ”But don’t let them know you were a boy, Kris. It’ll mess up our plans to hide you in plain sight.”

Riley nudged me. ”Hey. At least you won’t be the only one looking different.”

Lucas nodded. ”Yeah. Everyone’s gonna be dealing with something.”

Nate added quietly, ”Yea, nothin to see here just-.”

”Nate...if you finish that remark I swear I’ll kick you.”Charlie glared at him. One look and he shut his mouth his face going pale. remembering how she putt him in his place before.

I exhaled slowly.

Charlie exhaled too, long and steady.

”Okay,” she said, clapping her hands once. ”We need food. And drinks. And a break from doom‑scrolling.”

Nate looked over his shoulder. ”You want us to order something?”

”No,” Charlie said. ”I want you two to go get something.”

Lucas blinked. ”Like... now?”

”Yes, Lucas, now. Everyone’s starving.” She pointed toward the door. ”Pizza. Drinks. Whatever’s open... Go ”

Nate nodded immediately, too immediately. ”Yeah. O-Okay. We can do that.”

Charlie’s eyes flicked to Riley.

Riley’s eyes flicked back.

I didn’t catch the meaning, but something passed between them, quick, silent, like they were waiting for this.

Before I could ask, Charlie turned to me.

”And Kris? You need to go with them.”

”Me?” I pointed at myself like an idiot. ”Why me?”

”Because,” Charlie said, already digging into her pocket, ”you need to pick up something.”

She pulled out a folded stack of bills, and pressed it into my hand. ”Hair dye,” she said. ”Your old red. The one you had before.”

She said it so casually, like it wasn’t a big deal. Like it wasn’t a piece of my old self she was handing back to me.

”I... you don’t have to.” I stuttered. ”It’s just hair.”

”I want to,” she said, firm but warm. ”And you’ll feel better with it. Trust me, plus hiding from the evil corporation remember.”

Riley nodded beside her, softer than usual. ”It’ll look good on you.”

I didn’t notice the look they exchanged. I was too busy feeling happy. I could have my red hair again. I was too busy trying to swallow the sudden lump in my throat.

Nate was already heading out the door. His face still pale. ”Come on. Before the pizza place closes.”

Lucas grabbed his keys and clapped me on the shoulder. ”Yeah, let’s go bro. Before the world ends or whatever.”

I gave him a look of thanks at his words and managed a weak laugh, following them toward the door.

Behind me, I heard Charlie exhale again, quieter this time.

And Riley murmured something I couldn’t make out.

But the door closed before I could ask.