It was a perfect Sunday afternoon in the park. The sun beamed down through a web of green leaves, and the breeze danced lazily across the open fields, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and distant food trucks. Families picnicked beneath shady trees, dogs chased frisbees in open areas, and joggers rhythmically thudded along the paved path.
Johnny and Stacy strolled hand-in-hand, weaving through the park’s gentle slopes and flowerbeds. The warmth of the sun kissed their skin as they walked, the quiet murmur of the world around them broken only by the occasional laugh or shout from a nearby playground.
Johnny, as usual, drew more than a few curious glances—not that he noticed. He was short and slim, with shoulder-length brown hair that bounced slightly with every step. His features were soft, almost too pretty to be traditionally masculine, and paired with his naturally gentle demeanor, he carried an unintentional elegance wherever he went. Stacy, by contrast, was taller and confidently athletic, her toned legs visible beneath a pair of soccer shorts. Her long blonde hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her expression wore its usual blend of amusement and challenge.
"You know," Johnny said, gesturing subtly with his free hand, "I’ll never understand why people wear stuff like that in public."
Stacy followed his gaze. Up ahead, a group of colorful cosplayers were arranging themselves near a fountain. Capes fluttered, plastic weapons clacked together, and someone was loudly explaining the plot of a niche anime.
"Like, tone it down a little, right?" he added.
Stacy smirked. "Says the guy who owns four different anime hoodies and once cried over a cartoon finale."
"That was emotional, not embarrassing," Johnny defended. "Besides, I keep my nerdiness tasteful. This—" he pointed ahead again, "—is a full sensory assault."
Ahead, standing apart from the group, was a girl who looked like a walking collage of pop culture chaos. She wore a Sailor Moon tiara atop her head, Hogwarts robes over a Deadpool tank top, and bright red gloves that screamed Marvel. A Pikachu tail bounced behind her with every shift of weight, and her boots sparkled like they'd been dipped in glitter glue. Her makeup sparkled with tiny silver stars, and her eyes were ringed with theatrical eyeliner.
She turned slowly toward Johnny, having clearly heard him.
"What did you just say?" Her voice was soft, but laced with an eerie, sing-song undertone.
Johnny froze. "Uh, nothing. Just, you know, cool outfit. Very... uh... bold."
Her smile widened just a little too far. "Thanks. You seem like someone who could really use a little more imagination."
Stacy elbowed him lightly. "Okay, time to go."
They picked up the pace, but the girl didn’t follow. Instead, she raised her hand, and Johnny felt a sudden gust of wind blow across his face. Her fingers shimmered with a faint golden light, and her words rang out over the breeze:
"May your days be bright and never the same,
Each morn you wake, you'll play a new game.
Outfits and roles that twist and twirl,
Now you’ll live in every world."
For a split second, the air around her sparkled with a pink shimmer, like sunlight glinting off sugar. Then she was gone.
Johnny and Stacy came to a halt, both staring at the now-empty space.
"Did she just... curse you?" Stacy asked slowly.
Johnny ran a hand through his hair, heart suddenly thudding. "No. I mean, that’s not real. That was just a weird cosplay incantation, right?"
"Right..." Stacy didn’t sound convinced, but she didn’t push it. "Well, if you wake up tomorrow in full Sailor Moon gear, I'm definitely recording it."
Johnny laughed weakly, but unease coiled in his stomach like a tightening spring.
The walk home was quieter. The sunset had painted the sky in hues of orange and pink by the time they reached their apartment. Johnny found himself glancing over his shoulder a few times, expecting glitter, a tail, something, but the park faded behind them like any other normal day.
At home, they made pasta together. Stacy teased him mercilessly as he dropped half a tomato on the floor, and they spent an hour watching a truly awful reality dating show. Johnny tried to relax, but the girl’s voice kept echoing in the back of his head.
Later that night, he stood alone in the bathroom brushing his teeth. His reflection looked the same. Same boring pajamas, same hair. He poked his own cheek.
"See? Normal."
He turned off the light and padded barefoot into the bedroom, slipping beneath the sheets beside Stacy, who was already dozing.
"Goodnight, weirdo," she murmured without opening her eyes.
Johnny stared at the ceiling.
Please let me wake up normal tomorrow.
He closed his eyes.
And the world quietly waited to change.  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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