Reaching over, her hand touched mine, “What does your mind’s eye see?”
“A woman, but not you. Shouldn’t I see you?”
“You are.”
“Wait, what?”
“Whenever shifters touch one another, they only see the original.”
“But you’re beautiful. Why hide this from me? I’m in love with you, not your skin.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t worried about my looks, bonehead.”
“Sorry, I was just–“
“Stop thinking for a moment and listen. Being a shapeshifter is complicated. Avista security cameras are everywhere; entering and exiting in different bodies might bring unwanted attention.”
“You mean the way I did, earlier?”
“No one saw you leave. The security cameras on our floor were damaged last night by a frustrated drunk looking for her room. Turns out she was in the wrong resort. Security chased her onto the beach and lost her there.”
“How do you know all this?”
“She raised her eyebrow again.”
“Oh, so that’s why you went for a run on the beach last night.”
“You’re so cute when your eyes light up.”
“But wait, why go through all that trouble? We could have stayed home until I was able to shift.”
“And miss an opportunity to teach you a valuable lesson. Now, wait here while I get the car.”
“For what?”
“Wait here. And I better not see you talking to another girl when I pull up.”
It seemed like an eternity sitting there in that chair. And it wasn’t long before a redhead approached in a strapless bikini. I tried to look the other way but failed; my stare fixated on her breast.
“Is this seat taken?”
“Well,” I said, looking up at her face.
“Don’t tell me it is; I watched your girlfriend walk away fifteen minutes ago.”
“Don’t I know you?”
“Do you?”
“You were sitting beside Karen the night we met.”
Moving in closer, she placed her hand on my cheek and asked, “Was I?”
“Who are you?” I said, pushing her away.
“Adam Baker.”
“A Shifter.”
“That’s right, Karen told me she had a new student. Said she needed someone to keep an eye on you while she went for the car. Seems a little odd coming from a woman you’re going to marry next year, don’t you think? Maybe she’s having some trust issues. And with your new body, I can see why.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You don’t think she would worry if I was sitting here in my own body?”
“I’m not saying anything, sweetie. Anyway, here she comes.”
Leaning into the car window, Adam whispered into Karen’s ear while winking an eye. “A perfect gentleman.”
“So you don’t trust me?” I asked as we pulled out into traffic, narrowly missing a golf cart.”
“I trust you.”
“Then why have Adam keep an eye on me?”
You’re not ready to be alone, was the only response I got as we made our way to 2nd avenue into the empty parking lot where Crazy Zacks Beach Club used to stand.
“Why are we stopping?”
“You need to shift before we go home, so get in the back; your clothes are in my gym bag.”
“Somebody might see me.”
“The windows are tented; you’ll be fine.”
The rear seat was a little tight for a bodybuilder. I managed to squeeze in but could not stretch out.
“I seem to be having a little problem.”
“Relax, it’s just a little stage fright. I was nervous the first time I did it in public too. And you don’t have to lie down. Sitting is fine, but don’t try it standing up for a few more weeks.”
Later that night, we made love, and I’ll have to admit, it felt like I was cheating as images of her original flashed in my mind. Before we went to sleep, I kissed her and asked, “Why did you wait until seven to show me how beautiful you are.”
“If a new student dies, it’s usually within the first three hours of their virgin shift,” was her reply.
Shift is an online work of fiction.
This is the first draft of my manuscript Shift – Don’t judge a book by its cover. I am writing it online in sections as I go. So feel free to comment, good or bad. If you see mistakes, point them out.
The story centers around shapeshifting.
I’m currently working on chapter nine.
Timothy French 