Or well... not my skin.
The reflection staring back at me was not myself. I was not reflected, and not in some deep sense of not recognizing myself anymore because I have changed. This was not me. Bright green eyes stared back at me, messy strands of ginger red hair flowed over my shoulders and almost all the way down my back in beautiful curls and waves. Light freckles spotted the nose and cheeks with a gentleness that made them seem like dream.
I touched my face and so did the girl in the mirror. This... what is going on?! Panic welled up once again as I looked down, touching the red hair as if to make sure the reflection was real. Tears started fogging my vision as I felt overwhelmed.
I was scared, lost, in someone else's room, in someone else's BODY, and I don't even know how it happened or why.
The tears flowed down my cheeks and I began to cry, feeling hopeless and scared.
Then I heard it.
The sound of footsteps approaching.
A new wave of panic overcame me as I rushed to the door, locking it quickly.
The footsteps stopped outside the door. I strained my ears, my heart beating so loud that I felt like I wouldn't be able to hear them.
"Juuune." A female voice this time. She tried the handle and my heart jumped into my throat. "Juuuune!" She knocked on the door, sounding desperate. "C'mon June, everyone's waiting for you and I'm hungry, hurry up and come down."
I held my breath, waiting for her to retreat like the other, but she didn't.
She spoke again with concern, "June? You ok?"
I went to open my mouth and stopped. What if I didn't sound like her?
I looked around quickly, and upon spotting the bathroom, got an idea. I tip-toed as quickly as possible into the bathroom and flushed the toilet to make it seem like I was using the bathroom, then turned on the shower.
I leaned out of the bathroom door, straining my ears. A deep sigh came from the other side followed by an exasperated, "Reallyyyy" before she too walked off.
I finally let out the breath I had been holding. Clearly I did not have much time. I had to figure something out, and fast.
I went back to the room, looking around once more and noticing some details I missed. I hadn't paid the much attention since I was looking for a way our, but now I noticed that the me in the mirror was in the photographs around the room.
And her family is expecting her to come downstairs...
I sigh, deciding I can't do much else but try to see where this leads....
But first, that shower sounds pretty nice.
I walk to the bathroom, getting a good look around. The counter tops are white marble, and the walls the same wood as the bedroom, the main difference is the clean white marble tiles lining the walls around the shower and bath tub, with matching marble tiles on the floor. The shower stands like a room all its own, the clean black steele minimalistic shower head hangs over a minimalistic rectangular drain in the floor, the floor a very slight curve towards the drain. Fogged glass walls surround the shower area, and two long bamboo style benches line the corners against the wall, with a gap between them for several wooden ledges that seem to act like shelving, each holding different hygienic supplies all neat and organized.
I admire the shower before looking at the bath tub, or should I say hot tub. The tub is recessed into the floor with steps reaching into the depths of it. Jets and seats line the walls of this jacuzzi like tub, as if it was made for parties. A few low shelves line the wall facing me, with more hygiene products displayed for use. Two large screens, that seem to be tvs, are neatly displayed over the shelves in the bath area and shower area. It seems so futuristic, built into the wall seamlessly as if they were part of it. I pull my eyes away and lean down, admiring the intricate black steele spout with removable shower head. Along the edge of the bath under the window seems to be a digital display, showing off many of the functions included in the tub.
I stand again, turning to my left where the whole wall is a one way window overlooking a mountainous wooded valley. The view is breathtaking, and nowhere like my home in the suburbs. Sure, the trees are the same, but I only ever saw mountains like these on vacation...
I tear my eyes from the view, biting back my homesickness and worry for my other life and family, and begin taking off the silky pajamas and take a step into the shower, where the hot water has been running since I used it as a distraction.
I take a steadying breath, letting the hot water burn away my worries and sadness, trying to cleanse myself for what I have to do next...