Before you could answer, Kurt instantly hypnotizes her and enters the house with you, shutting the door.
“Kurt, didn’t you want to explain what’s going on?”
Kurt lets out a chuckle.
“Oh Valerie. Just watch what I will do.”
He turns to an entranced Angie. Her stare is so blank, so empty...
“Angie, you are 30.”
“I’m 18...n-n-not 30...” she says, squirming. What was Kurt doing? Is her going to make her believe she’s 30? And why does your head hurt?
“What...what are you doing? That’s not why she-”
“Silence, Valerie!”
He turns to a visibly shaking Angie.
“Angie, you are 30 years old.”
“I’m...18 y-y-years old...”
“No, you are 30.”
“I’m...I’m...”
“You’re 30.”
“I’m...30...30 years old...” she admits, and you watch her body start to change. She’s put on quite a few pounds, her hair is longer and straight, and she’s a bit taller. Her youthful outfit is now more mature, womanly dress, and her face simply has more maturity to it. Your head throbs as you try and wrap your head around what’s going on...is this magic? She was just your teenage best friend a moment ago...right? No, that couldn’t be...
“You act and think like a 30-year-old would.”
“I act and-wait, but I am 30...right?” She says, a bit puzzled.
“Yes.”
You are still freaked out by what’s happening but then, all of a sudden, your memories instantly adapt to this new reality: of course Ms. Taylor is very, very mature. And she’s always been that marvelous, confident woman who lived next door. She’s almost like a second mother to you, and she’s a family friend. She lets you call her Angela, but you always prefer Ms. Taylor out of respect.
“Are you still confused, Valerie?”
Your head stops it’s throbbing. “No...I don’t think so...” you say sheepishly. “How are you going to change Ms. Taylor? I think she might not need your help...she’s a strong woman and she helps me a lot...”
“I’m sure, I’m sure,” the man says, noting how your reality has changed. “Angi-I mean, Ms. Taylor, might benefit from what I did to you and accent your strengths, I suppose.”
You nod. You just want the best for your friend, even though you envy Ms. Taylor as she is.