Jacob Shae sat on the edge of his bed, the soft blue fabric of his shirt almost glowing in the morning sun. He ran a hand through his short red hair, staring at his reflection. "Today’s the day," he whispered, searching his own green eyes for resolve.

Jacob took a steadying breath, feeling the familiar tingle in his fingertips. He closed his eyes, concentrating, and a gentle ripple swept over his body—his features softened, hair lengthened, and his form shifted, now reflected as a girl in the mirror, still draped in blue. "You can do this, Jacob. Or… maybe today, you’re Jamie," he mused, voice lighter but no less determined.

Jacob moved with purpose, hugging his books to his chest. Friends waved, but he hesitated, feeling the weight of his secret. In the crowd, his best friend Maya Tran, a bright-eyed girl with a mischievous grin, caught his gaze. "Hey Jacob! You look a little out of it. Everything okay?"

Jacob sat opposite Maya, hands fidgeting in his lap. He struggled to find the words, heart pounding. "Maya, there’s something I need to tell you. I’m not… always who you think I am," he began, voice trembling. "Jacob, you can tell me anything. You know that, right?" Her eyes searched his, unwavering.

Jacob closed his eyes and let the change happen. When he opened them, he had become she, her features unmistakably different yet still familiar. "This is me too, Maya. I was born a boy, but I can be a girl whenever I want. I hope you’ll still be my friend," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "Jacob—or Jamie—it’s still you. And I wouldn’t want you to be anyone else," Maya replied, a gentle smile spreading across her face.

Jacob, shifting easily between forms, felt lighter than ever. The night air was cool against his skin, and for the first time, the secret he carried didn’t feel so heavy. "Tomorrow, I’ll help you pick out a name for your other self," Maya teased, and Jacob grinned, hope blooming in his green eyes as the world stretched open before him.