Jessica, usually the trendsetter, swishes her long hair and gossips with Maya and Olivia. None of them notice as their fingers thicken imperceptibly, and their voices deepen by a hair’s breadth. The janitor’s cart sits near the trophy case, its mop propped like a scepter, and a faint, magical shimmer pulses through the air, unseen by all. "You girls, did you hear about the new substitute?""I hope he’s nice, not like grumpy old Mr. Higgins—imagine if we had to deal with him every day,""Ugh, yeah, he’s always muttering about messes and leaks. So gross,"
Jessica picks at her food, her fingers now thick and stubby. Her laughter rumbles lower than before, and a shadow of stubble appears on her chin. Maya absentmindedly scratches her head, finding wiry gray hairs among her locks. "Hey, why does this spaghetti taste like cleaning fluid?""You know, back in my day, cafeteria food was worse. Kids these days, no respect,""Speak for yourself, old-timer," (everyone laughs, not realizing how true it sounds).
Jessica feels an odd, constricting tightness around her waist and hips and, with a muted groan, realizes a thick, plastic baby diaper is strapped under her clothes. The sensation is oddly familiar, like it’s always belonged there. "Why is this thing so tight? Feels like I’m wrapped in a pillow,""Eh, better this than having an accident. At our age, you gotta be prepared for leaks,""Speak for yourself, Higgins," (pause) "Wait, why did I call you that?""Probably because I’m always cleaning up your messes, kid!"
Maya rubs her—his—chin, squinting at the reflection, while Olivia tugs at his suspenders, which strain over his rotund belly. The janitor’s cart seems to beckon them, as if it’s always been theirs. "Mirror’s looking a bit smudgy today. Somebody oughta clean that up,""You volunteering, Maya? You know, I think I got just the rag for the job,""Bah, you two always bicker. Let’s just get back to work before Principal Thompson catches us napping,"
Jessica—now Mr. Higgins—feels a warm pride swell in his chest as he grabs the mop. The girls’ old personalities are gone, replaced by the wisdom and quirks of a lifetime spent caring for the school. "Hard work never hurt nobody. Besides, this place would fall apart without us old timers,""Ain’t that the truth. Now, let’s get to it before someone tracks in more mud,""And don’t forget to check your diaper, Higgins! You know you leaked last time!" (the group bursts into hearty, oblivious laughter).
Mr. Higgins leans back, a satisfied groan escaping his lips as he adjusts the snug diaper beneath his overalls. The world outside continues, oblivious to the magical, cartoonish transformation that has quietly rewritten the lives within these halls. "Another day, another mess cleaned,""And not a single kid the wiser,""Just the way we ike it,"
