Lucy picked up the phone and dialed the Headmistress's direct line. She didn't want to go through Mrs. Levine, the woman might panic. A female voice answered. "Lauren Levine is here," Lucy said.
"Yes?"
"She had an episode in the hallway and two other students brought her in. She may have been using diet pills, although where she got them I'm not sure. She was apparently rambling about the school being all wrong, and everyone changing. I wanted to advise you. I think her mother should be told in person."
"You're quite right, Doctor. That was a very wise idea. I will talk to my secretary personally. When the girl feels up to it, send her to the psychologist's office. We'll investigate this thoroughly." As the woman spoke over the phone, Lucy began to feel flushed.
Lauren woke up, her head feeling clammy. She reached up, finding a washcloth there. Could it have all been a dream? She sat up, and saw Lucy Corinth talking on a nearby phone. She looked pretty much the same, save the labcoat covering the same outfit Lauren remembered.
"Good, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"I had this horrible dream. What happened?"
"You passed out. Your roommate found these pills in your bag. Do you remember how many you took?"
"I didn't take any," Lauren insisted. "Something is going on, and no one believes me. This is all wrong."
"I believe you," Lucy said. Her bleach blond hair began to turn jet black. Just like Lauren, it wasn't a dye, the change was down to the roots. "I didn't think anyone else knew. But, I don't see why you are kicking up a fuss about it."
Lauren stared at her. "You...remember?" She wasn't alone.
"Of course I do," she said. "But think about it, Lauren. Even if someone is responsible for this, anyone powerful enough to do this...what exactly do you want to get them to do? Change things back?"
Lauren's face fell. "But look at me, I'm..."
"Smart. Like me." She paused. "Look...suddenly..." she paused again. "I was dumb, and now, I'm a genius. And you're Lauren Levine. A girl with a future. So maybe you're a little pudgy. What sort of life did old you have to look forward to?"
"WHAT?!" Lauren said. What was wrong with her life?
"I was in my science class...and all of the sudden, I knew all the answers. I know so much now...and it is so easy. And I like it. Why don't you?"
"Because this isn't me," Lauren insisted.
"No, it's better." An expression of euphoria suddenly filled her face. "I..feel something," she said, softly. She began to moan softly, somewhat disturbingly...at least disturbing to Lauren. She could see Lucy aging before her eyes. The features of her face were reforming to the point Lucy's own mother wouldn't have recognized her. Despite this, she didn't get any taller, still a tiny petite figure.
Before long, a attractive short and slender Asian woman in her mid twenties was standing in Lucy's place. "Lucy, are you all right?" Lauren asked, still shocked. She didn't sound a thing like Lucy Corinth. Had Lauren been more worldly, she would have identified the accent as that of a native Cantonese speaker, who had probably been educated somewhere in England.
"Fine, Ms. Levine," Lucy said."And I would much rather you call me Dr. Tan."
"But you aren't a Doctor. You're a teenage girl and my friend." She said, shrilly. There had still been something of the old Lucy, until a moment ago, but now, it seemed almost as if she was talking to a different person.
"I was Lucy Corinth," Lucy corrected. "I am Doctor Lucy Tan. You were Lauren O'Brien. You are Lauren Levine. The sooner you accept the situation, young lady, the better things will be for you. I do not think there is much future in telling people who they used to be."
