My Bestie (Patreon)

Lucy laughed lightly, leaning against the wall and blowing out cigarette smoke. She enjoyed every second, even if she knew that she could soon get in trouble for smoking in the schoolyard.

– Just look at Mrs. Bruns, haha, what a clumsy old woman! – Lucy, the one with short curls, smiled, waving her cigarette. She looked so relaxed, you’d think she had never felt stressed a day in her life. – I mean, can you believe that just a few months ago I was like her? God, life is just wonderful!

– Eleanor, don’t you think all of this could just be a dream... a nightmare? – said Rachel, slowly exhaling cigarette smoke and staring into the distance as if trying to see something beyond the school walls. But it looked more like a teenager's attempt to appear mature and serious.

– Hey, don’t call me that! I’m Lucy now! – Lucy casually threw out, wrinkling her nose. – Why think about the past when you’re young and have tons of opportunities now? Enjoy it, Richie.

Rachel flinched at her old name. Over the past few months, she had rarely heard it anymore. Lucy was the only one at this school who, like Rachel, was stuck in a new life after the "Alt Shift." But while for Lucy, who had been an elderly woman, it was like a gift from fate – a second chance at youth and freedom – for Rachel, once Richard Winchester, a 35-year-old successful man from a wealthy family, it was her worst nightmare. She had lost everything: status, freedom, and her... manhood!

– I hate this life! – Rachel hissed, narrowing her eyes in anger. She took a sharp drag from her cigarette as if hoping the bitter smoke could extinguish the rage burning inside her. – Every time I look in the mirror, I don’t see myself. I see... this – she waved her hand at her body. – And those stupid parents! – Rachel continued, her voice breaking with accumulated rage. – They think they can boss me around as if I’ve never lived my own life. They treat me like some spoiled little girl. As if I wasn’t the one making decisions, running companies – she paused, her fingers trembling as she gripped the cigarette.

Lucy just smirked and carelessly flicked her cigarette butt to the ground, crushing it with her shoe. Rachel’s constant resistance always amused her. For Lucy, the "Alt Shift" was a kind of cosmic joke, and she decided to embrace it with a smile.

– You know, I guess I won’t call you Richie anymore. Sorry, Rachel – Lucy said with a light smile, giving her friend a friendly hug. Over the past few months, they had grown close amidst all this chaos. – I think it’s safe to say we’re here for good, bestie.

– Bestie? – Rachel squinted at Lucy. – Never thought I’d live to hear that word directed at me.

Lucy smiled, loosening the hug a little but not letting go completely.

– Well, who could have imagined we’d end up here, in this school? – Lucy looked around as if savoring the moment. – Life, as you can see, is full of surprises.

– Well, well, well! What do we have here?! Miss Harris and Miss Matthews, breaking the rules as usual! – came the stern voice of Mrs. Bruns, the teacher who seemed to keep an eye on every student’s move. Her unforgiving gaze landed on the cigarettes and then settled on their faces as if she were already imagining the punishment she’d dish out.

Lucy’s carefree expression immediately shifted to one of mock repentance.

– Oh, Mrs. Bruns! This is all just a misunderstanding! We were just... uh... discussing school assignments! – Lucy said with a fake smile, trying to look as sincere as possible.

Rachel just rolled her eyes, standing still. She had always hated tricks like this, and unlike Lucy, she couldn’t adjust to her new teenage status. Especially when faced with this woman, who tried to control her every move. She strongly reminded her of one of her former subordinates – strict with those under her, but sycophantic with the higher-ups, changing her attitude 180 degrees.

– School assignments? – her voice dripped with sarcasm. – You’re both staying after school!

– Yes, Mrs. Bruns, of course – Lucy kept smiling, as if it was all just part of another game.

Rachel, on the other hand, didn’t move or say a word. Once again, she was reminded of her new place. "This is what it means to be nobody," Rachel thought, lowering her gaze.

As soon as Mrs. Bruns disappeared around the corner, Lucy let out a relieved sigh and burst into laughter.

– That old hag is just jealous of us! God, I’m loving all of this – another adventure – she smirked, glancing at her friend. – Oh, come on, enough with the sour face. Tell me, you do like Brandon, don’t you?

Rachel flinched as if Lucy’s words sent another wave of irritation through her. Brandon.

– Brandon? Seriously, Lucy? – Rachel said irritably. – I’m a man... or at least I was... – she fell silent for a moment, as if swallowing her own words. – I was a man, Lucy! – Rachel finally let out sharply, feeling her voice begin to tremble. – Brandon? Do you really think I could be interested in him? That’s just ridiculous! And I don’t care about teenage nonsense or boys!

Lucy couldn’t hold back a giggle, seeing Rachel’s cheeks flush. It was so contradictory – to see a former man, successful in the corporate world, suddenly blushing like a regular schoolgirl.

– Oh my, Rachel, you’re blushing! – Lucy teased, raising her eyebrows. – Maybe you’re a little bit interested in him? Admit it, you’re not reacting like this for nothing.

Rachel quickly turned away, trying to calm herself. Her emotions felt like a betrayal. How could she, once Richard Winchester, feel something like this? Sure, her body had changed, but inside she was still the same person... or at least she tried to believe that.

– It’s just biology, Lucy – Rachel snapped as she prepared to leave. – I can’t control everything this damn body feels. But that doesn’t mean I have to accept it or enjoy it.

Lucy laughed even louder, but her laughter wasn’t mean – more friendly and understanding.

– You know, Rach – Lucy said, pulling her friend by the shoulders and leading her along – let’s throw a little party on Saturday. Forget about everything for one evening. We’ll have fun, maybe invite Brandon if you’re so against him. Let’s see how much you “don’t like” him. – She winked and laughed again.

Rachel sighed, feeling her irritation slowly fading. Lucy had always been like this – carefree, playful, as if she didn’t take anything seriously. Maybe that’s what helped her survive in this new reality, unlike Rachel, who still clung to the past.

– I’m not hanging out with Brandon, Lucy – Rachel said coldly, but the sharpness in her voice had already diminished.

– Alright, alright, calm down – Lucy waved her off. – Even if he doesn’t show up, we’ll find something to do. You can still have fun, can’t you? Or did they take that away from you along with... well, you know.

Rachel couldn’t help but smile. Despite everything, Lucy had a way of easing the tension.

– We’ll see – Rachel said, slightly more relaxed. – Maybe I can escape this nightmare for one night.

– That’s the spirit! – Lucy cheered, patting her on the shoulder. – Look, life goes on, and we’re still in it, even if it’s not the way we imagined.