When Claire’s got something in her mind, she’ll do anything to fulfill it. (Like the time she wanted to see that stupid kids’ movie, or the party at her freshman year you had to chaperone.) When you least expect it, you’ll see a fake Claire standing at her room, while she’ll be off who-knows-where.
You have a strong bargaining chip, though. The pens don’t belong to you, but (technically) to your mother. You could just let her handle it. Thus, you make your move. “Alright. But only if Mom approves.”
“Why do I need to ask her?”
“I had to before I could use them. In fact, she said that, once I did, I had to keep them here. So... Can’t give ‘em to you.”
“Hey! You skimpin’ on me?”
“If you want, you can ask Mom. She’ll tell you.”
Claire leers at you, then stomps away. You take the opportunity to lock your door and finish changing into yourself – by wearing your replacement skin – until you hear pounding on the door. “Davey! Open up!”
“Let me finish!” You finish sliding your arms into... well, your arms, your face into your face, and then replace your clothes before opening up. As expected, you see Claire and your mother standing outside. “She told you, right?”
“Claire said she wanted to ask me something, but she’s insistent that you be there.”
“It’s related to that thing I asked you.” You let them in, lock the door, then stretch your outermost layer of skin. “This is basically it.”
That shocks your mother. “Wow. I honestly thought you took off that guy’s skin!”
“See, Claire-bear?” (Revenge feels so sweet when you got the upper hand.) “She knows because I asked her for permission.”
“Permission for what?”
You see how Claire’s about to call you out, but you pre-empt her. “I asked you if I could use the green pen, then explained why.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that was ‘asking for permission’ any more than ‘trying to convince me’, but I’ll give it to you. Why are you telling me that?”
“Because Claire found out and now she wants her own replacement skin, but I told her only if you allowed her.”
You notice how Claire’s cheeks are blushing a bright red, puffing up like balloons. “I told Davey it was for a good cause! Besides – he plans to use them for other purposes!”
“She’s referring to when I told you they were good for alibis. Remember when I told you that?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t explain much. I agreed that you used it explicitly for your idea, though.”
“But I still asked you. Claire wanted to keep it a secret from you.”
“Davey!” she barks, and you team up with your mother to quell her anger.
“Claire! Watch your tone!” “Right - you want Barbie to hear this out!?”
“Alright, alright... Still – I got good reasons why to do this too!”
“That’s why I told her she had to tell you. Basically, she wants to use it to act as a spy of sorts.”
“Claire! What’s that about acting like a spy?”
You see the fear in your little sister’s eyes. “Like, uh... Y’know that cartoon about teenage girls with the spy gadgets...?” Then she snaps her fingers, shocked and awed. “No, ignore that! I know you’re hurt about Tina, right?”
“Claire, if it’s related to what you’re trying--”
“Just listen to me! Tina’s got issues with you, maybe with Davey, but not with me. If you had my looks and my mind, you could act as me and figure out if she hates you or not.”
“Claire, I don’t need to. I know she’s hurt.”
“But it’d be a way for you to share with her! Don’t think about the issues, but the possibilities! Plus, I don’t wanna just stay here while Davey has all the f– uh, does all the work. And I wasn’t talking about the hookers, but--”
“Claire,” your mother insists for the third time. You know she’s livid if her next answer is just a glare. “David mentioned he wouldn’t need the skin afterwards.”
“Are you gonna believe him? Mom, you know he’ll--!”
As expected, your mother glares her. You want to mock her, but you don’t want any of the backlash. (That, seeing “the glare” through Ashley’s eyes distracted you.) “I will remind him of what he said once this is over. That isn’t an excuse. Why do you need the green pen?”
Your sister leers at you, and you ignore her. She responds with a scowl, admitting defeat. “Fine. I’m curious! Ever since you put on Ashley, I wanted to see what’s all the fuss about. You look like you’re having so much fun, and then Davey says how he fooled some guys to rescue you, and I--”
Your mother silences her with a hug, rubbing her head. “Sweetie... It’s not as fun as it seems. It’s a big responsibility. If I gave Davey permission to do it, it’s because he has a reason to. He knows how dangerous things can be, and I know he’ll be responsible with it.”
Claire groans, and her hanging face tells you she acknowledges her defeat. “Alright, Mom. Sorry I asked.”
“I would’ve been angrier if you didn’t. Doing what’s mature isn’t always easy.” Your mother rubs your sister’s hands, giving a pained smile. “The pens aren’t toys, and neither are the skins. And don’t think I don’t know what you’re going through – I got another mind suggesting I shouldn’t be too harsh with you.”
“Guess I gotta thank Ashley for that, no?”
“Well, technically you should thank me. But I get it.” Your mother gives Claire a kiss and pats her back. “Now, let me talk to your brother in private.”
“Alright.”
As Claire closes the door – and you lock it again – you notice your mother relaxing with a big huff. “Good call, Davey. She’s not wrong, though.”
“On what?”
“I told you. I got Ashley’s mind with me. You think she didn’t figure out you’re liking this too much?”
You’re about to counter, but then you recall you’re wearing Quentin. “I was gonna say no, but since you mentioned having another mind with you...”
“Speaking of minds and skins...” She approaches and studies you, and you can feel her shock. “Wow.” She rubs your back, then finishes circling you. “If it weren’t because of the slit, I wouldn’t have thought you were wearing that man.”
“Well, it’s a proof of concept.”
“It’s an interesting concept, I won’t lie to you.” She leans back, crossing her arms and legs. “Be honest, though. You’re thinking on doing what Claire’s saying, aren’t you?”
“Like I said – Quentin might push me. All I can do is resist.”
“David, I know you. And just as Ashley told me about Claire, she’s telling me the same thing about you. You’re trying to act as the hero, but you’re interested in how it feels, isn’t it?”
Maybe it’s Ashley’s influence, but your mother was never this insightful. (Not that she isn’t, but never to a mind-reading degree.) “Pretty much. I mean – with the skins I got, it’s not like I’m gonna go zapping people to wear them--”
“I figured as much,” she responds, chortling. “You’d still use your new skin to replace you while you prance around as one of those women, no? Maybe when you feel you don’t want to go to school? And maybe you could justify everything with ‘having the blues’.”
“Mom...” You give her a stern glare. “It’s tempting, but I know it’s wrong.”
“Knowing it’s wrong only tells you it’s wrong. I allowed you to do this because I know you know the consequences. And because you know about this more than I do. I want you to keep that in mind – not that it’s wrong, but why and what causes it. Alright?”
“Yeah, Mom.”
With a sigh of relief, she hands you five twenties, rolled up and taken from her cleavage. “Here. Use them wisely.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Then, she grabs the pen case and stands up. “Now, to deal with your sister.”
“You’re not going to...” You point at the case, then in the direction of Claire’s room. “Right?”
“Davey, you know your sister. That talk’ll last her for a week.” She shakes her case, grinning. “But if I control how she does it...”
--
It’s nighttime, hours after dinner. You decided not to trigger Quentin’s mind to finish your homework, despite the temptation, and you set up your alarm clock for one hour earlier, figuring you’ll need the extra time
You’ve slipped off the skins, tempted by the idea of playing with one of the girls your mother allowed you to keep. You feel that’ll relieve your stress, not to mention finally explore how girls feel arousal, when an idea strikes your mind.
Your plan is to go to school as usual, then visit Harknell’s Second-Hands to check their clothing and tech sections. During the week, you plan to scout various locations and check their Wi-Fi and how inconspicuous they are, to download all you need. (The first being the TOR browser, which you hope to use to download all the extensions you need to keep yourself safe in the dark web.)
Of course, Quentin suggested his own twist to the plan. He’s got a couple crypto coins stashed around; if you cashed in at least one, you could probably build a decent desktop that could be used to make up all the bots and trackers you need. Not just that, you could get more clothes for the other skins, letting you blend in better whenever you need to do things in cafes or libraries.
But that’s not the only twist. You originally had yourself doing all that after school, meaning you’d have the same issues. What if, however, you sent your replacement to cover for you a single school day, then you bought the clothes and devices during that time? Then, all you’d need is to meet up, cutting your work time in half.
And heck – you could even wear one of the other skins underneath the other layers!
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author
