Wrong table

"Hey, miss! Sorry I'm late, work kept me longer than I expected. An old college buddy said he'd be waiting for me here... but, well, he didn’t mention he’d have such... lovely company. He said he was at this table. Have you seen him? Did he leave? Have you been here long? He texted me just a little while ago saying he had arrived."

"Alex... I’m the one who sent you the message. I’ve been waiting for you since I got here."

"Oh, right! You must be his girlfriend, huh? He always had good taste! Nice to meet you, I’m Alex."

"No, sweetheart... I’m Peter. Your old college buddy."

"Good one! Peter was never one for jokes like this... So, where is he? I really wanna know why he disappeared for so long."

"Alex... listen. It’s me, Peter. Sit down... because this story is going to knock you off your seat."

"What? Wait... Peter? No way... This has to be some kind of prank, right? A test, maybe... you’re messing with me. What the hell is going on?"

"I know it sounds crazy. I wouldn’t believe it either if it didn’t happen to me. But take a good look... I’m the same Peter who used to drink beer with you on campus, who helped you with your assignments, who watched you chase after girls. Only... something happened to me, something I didn’t expect. Now, I look like this. I know it’s hard to swallow, but you deserve to know the truth. So sit down... because this conversation is only going to get more interesting.

Look, I know it’s a lot to take in, but here it goes. I saw on your social media that you had broken up from your long-term relationship. And I couldn’t help but think... think a lot about us, about what we were back then and what that meant to me. After I went through with the procedures that finally made me who I always wanted to be, I knew I had to see you. That’s why I chose this bar, this place with so many of our memories. It felt nostalgic, you know? The perfect spot for this reunion."

"Wait... you’re telling me you just disappeared all this time to... 'become a woman'? Deliberately?"

"Yes, Alex. I’ve always dreamed of this. For years, I kept that desire hidden. Every time we hung out, when we were together, I’d smile and pretend everything was fine, but inside... I always knew something was missing, that I wasn’t who I was meant to be. I couldn’t keep ignoring that. So yeah, I disappeared for a while, went on a journey to become who I truly am. And now... here I am. No more hiding, no more pretending to be someone I’m not."

"But... why now? Why call me here, why tell me all of this now, after so much time?"

"Because, Alex... it was always you. It’s always been you that I wanted by my side. I’ve watched you from a distance for years, never having the courage to say how I really felt. And when I saw you were single again, that your life had changed... I knew this was my chance. It wasn’t just about transforming physically, it was about finally having the courage to be honest about how I feel about you.

I became the woman I always dreamed of being, but I also... wanted to be the woman you could fall for. I know it sounds crazy, and maybe you’ll never be able to see me that way. But I had to try, I had to let you know... because this feeling I’ve held inside for so long, the one that pushed me to make this decision... it’s about you. I’m here, Alex, body and soul, telling you this face to face. You’re the one I’ve been crushing on for years. And as risky and terrifying as this is, I needed you to know."

"I... I don’t know what to say. This is... a lot. A lot to process. I’m still trying to wrap my head around... all of this."

"I know it’s a lot. I don’t expect you to have an answer right now. I just needed you to know the truth. What you do with it now, that’s your choice. I only hope you can see... that it’s still me, the same person who’s always been by your side. But now... finally whole."