Turnaround

Mike was betraying his best friend. It had been going on for a few months — something that, at first, seemed impossible, but slowly became part of his routine. Brian, his longtime best friend, was always busy, traveling for work, away for long periods. And in that empty space, Barbara, Brian’s wife, found an opening. One that Mike, although hesitant at first, eventually stepped into.

It started with innocent visits, turning into slightly more intimate conversations, until one afternoon when Brian was away, the inevitable happened. Since then, their apartment — modern and spacious — became the stage for secret encounters. Barbara kept saying the marriage was dead, and Mike, torn between guilt and passion, kept going along with it.

But that day... everything went wrong.

Brian had a last-minute change of plans. He never even boarded the plane. He jumped in his car and drove straight home, without warning. Inside the apartment, Mike and Barbara were in the bedroom, relaxed, until they heard the key turning in the front door. Mike’s blood ran cold.

The apartment was small. No place to hide. He thought about jumping out the window — third floor, certain death. Under the bed? Too tight. Closet? Not a chance. The footsteps were getting closer.

That’s when Barbara had a crazy idea. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and muttered something under her breath — strange, unfamiliar words. In a matter of seconds, Mike felt his world spin. A wave of dizziness, heat, and then... everything changed.

He opened his eyes and ran to the mirror — and almost screamed.

The reflection staring back wasn’t his. It was a woman. A stunning blonde with delicate curves, smooth skin, and a bewildered look. He blinked several times, touched his face, then his neck — it was real. That woman was him.

— What the hell did you do?! — he whispered, panicking.

— It’s a spell I know. It only lasts a few hours, max. But it'll save you. Quick, put this on! — Barbara tossed him a red satin nightgown with lace detail.

Mike held the garment like it was some wild animal.

— Okay… but there’s no way I’m wearing this!

Brian’s footsteps were already in the hallway. No time for debate. Barbara stepped closer, urgency blazing in her eyes.

— Either you put that on and live... or try explaining this new body, naked, in our bedroom. Trust me — he won’t recognize you, but he’ll definitely question a naked woman in here.

Caught between humiliation and survival, Mike took a deep breath and gave in. He slipped into the nightgown awkwardly, the fabric sliding over his new skin like it had always belonged there. He felt ridiculous, uncomfortable, and yet incredibly vulnerable.

When Brian entered the room, he found only his wife and a nervous blonde sitting on the edge of the bed, legs crossed and a forced smile.

— Babe? — Brian said, confused. — Who’s this?

— A distant cousin... just arrived from Bahia. I told you she was coming, remember?

Mike smiled and forced out a soft voice he barely recognized as his own.

— Uh… nice to meet you. I’m Michele.

Barbara just nodded, and Mike knew in that moment — nothing would ever be the same again.

---

The Next Morning

The night dragged on. Mike — or rather, Michele — barely slept. Lying in the guest bed, still in that foreign, feminine body, every movement felt like learning something for the first time. The sheets, the weight of the long hair, even turning over was a whole new process.

“She said it’d wear off by morning,” he thought. “Just a few hours, she said…”

But the sun was up. Birds were chirping outside… and still, nothing.

Mike dragged himself to the bathroom mirror. Still her. Still that blonde with striking eyes and a panicked expression. He ran his hands over his face, his neck, down to his shoulders — nothing had changed.

— Barbara! — he whispered urgently through the crack in the door. — Wake up! This isn’t going away!

She appeared in pajamas, holding a coffee mug, half asleep.

— Relax, maybe it’s a timing thing...

— Timing thing?! Barbara, look at me! I’m still your damn “cousin from the countryside”!

She tried to calm him down, walked into the guest room, and tossed a set of undergarments on the bed. Mike picked up the red lace thong, holding it between two fingers like it might bite.

— No. Nope. Look, I refuse to wear this. There are limits! I need to get back to my normal body — like, now!

Barbara shrugged and sipped her coffee.

— Suit yourself. But trust me, not wearing it under that robe might make things even weirder...

Mike rolled his eyes, defeated.

As if on cue, Brian’s voice echoed from the hallway:

— Morning, ladies! I made coffee!

Mike froze.

— He made coffee? — he whispered.

— Of course. He’s a great host. Come on, join us.

— Join?! — Mike looked in the mirror again. Still wearing the same red nightgown from the night before. His hair looked even fuller. — I can’t show up like this!

— Just throw on a robe... comfy clothes. Now you see why I have three drawers of “stay-at-home” outfits?

Mike wrapped himself in a silky robe, still disoriented. Everything moved, swayed, brushed against his skin — it felt like wearing a borrowed body that refused to feel normal.

In the kitchen, Brian smiled.

— Morning, Michele! Did you sleep well?

Mike nodded, flashing a very fake smile.

— Great night… a bit weird, but… great.

Brian studied her for a moment.

— You look familiar. I swear you remind me of someone… just can’t figure out who.

Mike froze.

Barbara jumped in quickly:

— She has a cousin from São Paulo — remember Leandro?

Brian nodded, distracted, pouring more coffee.

— Ah, yeah... maybe that’s it.

Mike poured himself a cup too, fingers trembling slightly. As he sat down and tried to play it cool, Brian leaned back in his chair with a grin.

— So, Michele… are you single?

Mike choked slightly on the coffee, eyes wide.

— Uh… I mean… yeah, I guess…?

Brian smiled wider.

— That’s great. I’ve got this awesome friend I should introduce you to. I think you two would hit it off.

Mike forced a laugh, glancing at Barbara in panic.

“I swear,” he thought, “if this spell doesn’t wear off soon, I’m going to lose my mind — or end up on a date with one of Brian’s poker buddies.”