After Miles parked his van next to Alice’s car in the parking lot at the Museum of Fine Arts, he and Alex got out of the van and walked up to Chad and Alice.
After the introductions between Alex, Miles and Alice were done, Alice said, “The museum doesn’t open till ten.”
“I think the only thing that is open right now is the national parks; like the Charleston Navy Yard and the Bunker Hill Monument,” Alex said.
“One of those places would be a good place to start,” Chad said.
“Chad, I have plenty of room in my van if you and Alice would want to ride with us,” Miles said. “I also know where the sights are.”
Alice looked at Chad while saying, “That’s fine with me.”
“Okay,” Chad said.
Alex got back into the passenger seat while Chad and Alice got into the seats directly behind Alex and Miles.
Just after Miles drove off the parking lot, Alice said, “So Alex; Miles, I hear that you two go to Harvard.”
“That’s right,” Alex said.
“Where are you two from?” Alice asked.
“I’m from St. Louis,” Alex said.
“I’m not from any city in particular, but the last city before coming to Harvard was Wichita, Kansas,” Miles said.
Alex looked at Miles before asking, “You and Trudy moved around a lot?”
“My dad is a one-star general in the air force and so my parents, my sister and I traveled from base to base,” Miles said. “The longest place that we lived at was two years.”
“So you and Trudy must have grown up in a disciplined environment,” Alex said.
“Actually, my dad might have been an officer in the air force, but my mom made sure that when he was home that his rank came off before entering the house.”
Alex chuckled before saying, “So in other words, your mom out ranked your dad at home.”
“No,” Miles quickly said. “My parents talked and decided things as partners.”
“That’s good,” Alex said.
“So, Miles, where have you lived?” Alice asked.
Miles listed a long list of cities and one was in Germany.
“Oh, can you speak German?” Alice asked.
“I can.” Miles then said in German, “Alex is a gorgeous woman.”
Alex gave Miles a curious look as Alice asked, “What did you say?”
“Since I heard my name mentioned, I want to know what you said too,” Alex said.
Miles glanced at Alex while saying, “I said that you are a gorgeous woman and you are.”
Alex gave Miles a stunned look as Alice said, “Ah, that’s sweet that you tell your girlfriend that. Chad tells me I’m pretty all the time too.”
“Except Miles and I aren’t dating,” Alex said. “We’re just friends.”
“It sounds as though Miles wants to be more than friends and you two do make a lovely couple,” Alice said.
“Alice, I think we should stay out of Alex and Miles’ personal matters,” Chad said.
“Chad, Alice didn’t say anything wrong,” Alex said. “I actually know that Miles wants to be more than friends, but I won’t date anyone until I straighten out some things in my life.”
Miles looked at Alex while saying, “We’ll see.”
Alex grinned before saying, “I’m telling you, you’re wasting your time.”
Miles grinned before repeating, “We’ll see.”
“Okay, time to change the subject,” Alex said. “So, Alice, where are you from?”
“I’m from Long Island, New York,” Alice said. “Chad and his family are also from there.”
“Why does Chris remain in Boston?” Alex asked.
“Chris is still attending Harvard,” Chad said. “My mom and the people at Harvard worked out something to where Chris doesn’t have to attend classes, but he does have to turn in his homework. That is where I come in. I go to his classes to get his assignments and I turn in his completed ones.”
“How long has Chris been in the hospital?” Alex asked.
“Ten days,” Chad said.
“Keeping him in Harvard and paying his medical expense must be costing your parents a fortune,” Alex said.
“Well, my dad is a president at a fortune-five-hundred company,” Chad said. “It may be draining my parents’ finances, but they’ll survive.”
“So do you work for your dad?” Alex asked.
“No,” Chad said. “I’m actually a computer game designer. I have my laptop at the hotel that we’re at and I work from there when I’m not with Chris.”
“That’s fascinating,” Alex said. “Alice, what do you do?”
“I actually do work for Chad’s dad,” Alice said. “In fact, I’m his dad’s secretary.”
“That is also how we met,” Chad added. “My dad didn’t like the idea of me dating his secretary, but he calmed down when we became serious.”
“We actually hid the fact that we were dating from him for the first five months which I thought was romantic,” Alice said. “Then we got caught kissing in the parking lot of the company.”
“You can probably imagine the choice words that my dad had for me when he found out,” Chad added.
“Oh yeah, I can imagine,” Alex said.
“So, Miles, what was it like to grow up on an air force base?” Alice asked.
In a long and detailed story, Miles described the experiences he had while living on each base.
As the morning slowly passed, Alex, Miles, Chad and Alice had visited three museums. At one point Miles and Chad were telling jokes. Alex and Alice just listened. Alice also noticed as to how Alex was enjoying herself around Miles.
At 1:30 P.M., Alex, Miles, Chad and Alice entered a pizza parlor for lunch that had a dining room and a jukebox. After the pizza and the drinks were ordered Chad and Alice excused themselves and left the table.
When Chad and Alice stepped away, Miles asked, “So, Alex, are you having a good time?”
Alex nodded before saying, “I am. I’ve been to these museums before, but for some reason I’m enjoying them more today.”
Miles grinned and said, “I’m also enjoying myself and by seeing the sights with you, today is a perfect day.”
Alex gave Miles a smirk before saying, “You’re really full of it.”
“I’m serious. I’ve seen these sights before also, but I didn’t enjoy myself as I am today, and I do believe it’s because you are with me.”
Alex gave Miles a delightful stare for a brief moment. She then broke the stare and as she was standing up she said, “I’m going to use the restroom.”
Miles just watched Alex as she walked away.
As Alex walked into the restroom, Alice was washing her hands. Alice looked at Alex before asking, “Why do you deny your feelings for Miles?”
“What do you mean?” Alex quickly asked.
Alice pulled out a paper towel and as she dried her hands she said, “I see how you look at Miles. You’re romantically interested in him. He’s definitely interested in you, so you should go for it.”
Alex said in an unconvincing tone, “I’m not romantically interested in Miles.”
“Yeah… you don’t sound convincing.”
As Alice was throwing the paper towel away Alex tried to sound more convincing while saying, “Miles is just a friend and that is the only way I see him. So the only feelings I have for him is of a brother image.”
Alice grinned before questioning, “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
“I’m serious. I’m not interested in him.”
As Alice walked towards the exit she said, “Okay. Whatever you say.”
As Alice was opening the door to step out, Alex said, “I’m serious.” Alice just waved as she walked out. When the door shut behind Alice, Alex looked into the mirror. “I am serious. I’m a heterosexual so I can’t be attracted to Miles. I can’t be.” Alex thought for a second as she stared at her reflection. “Oh god I think I’m losing my identity and becoming a woman.” Alex turned towards a stall. “I have to do something to speed up at getting back to my own reality before I lose my identity completely.” Alex stepped into the stall.
At the table, Miles, Chad and Alice were having a pleasant conversation as the waitress stepped up to the table with the drinks. Alex was walking towards the table and saw the waitress as she was walking away.
After Alex took her seat, she said in a distant tone, “Miles, I’m sorry to be a party-pooper, but I just remembered something that I really have to do. So if you don’t mind, can you take me back to Harvard? Of course I mean after we eat.”
Miles gave Alex a confused look before saying, “Okay, after we eat, I’ll take you back to Harvard.”
“Thank you,” Alex said in the same distant tone before she picked up her soda and took a drink.
“Miles, perhaps you should take us to our car before you take Alex back to Harvard,” Chad said.
“Is that okay, Alex?” Miles asked.
Alex swallowed the drink that she took before saying, “Of course it’s okay.” She then put her soda down and stood up. “It’s too quiet in here. I’m going to play the jukebox.”
As Alex was walking away, Chad said, “Okay, Alex suddenly turned into an iceberg.”
“She did act a bit strange,” Miles said before standing up. “I’m going to see what’s up.”
Alex was looking through the songs when Miles stepped up to Alex and tapped her on the shoulder. Alex glanced at Miles and then turned back towards the jukebox before asking in a distant tone, “What do you want?”
“Did I do something to get you mad at me?”
“I’m not mad at you.”
“Then why all of a sudden that you turned cold towards me?”
Alex looked at Miles before saying, “I’m not…” Alex cut off what she was about to say.
“Alex, you had talked to and listened to me all morning. Earlier you even smiled and laughed at my stupid jokes. You were enjoying yourself and now all of a sudden you’re acting as if you’re not having fun at all.”
“I told you earlier that I was having a good time.”
“Then what is it, Alex?”
Alex stared into Miles’ eyes while saying, “I am not Alexandra. I do not belong here. I told you this yesterday.”
“It doesn’t matter how you got here; you’re here now. Shouldn’t that be the only thing that matters?”
Alex pressed the top play list button before saying, “I do not belong here and as soon as I’m able to, I’m going home.” Alex then turned and walked back to the table. Miles took a troubled breath before following behind Alex.
As the minutes slowly passed, Alex remained quiet and just listened to the others as they talked. Alice would ask Alex questions while trying to get her into the conversation; however, Alex remained short with her responses.
After the pizza came, Miles, Chad and Alice continued with the discussion as they ate. Alex ate two slices of pizza before placing a few dollars on the table and saying, “I’m going outside for some fresh air.”
Alice saw a heartbroken expression on Miles’ face as Miles watched Alex leave. Alice then told Miles, “Alex is very much interested in you.”
“Well, if that’s true then she has a funny way of showing it,” Miles said.
“She’s just scared to open up around you,” Alice said. “Just be patient and give her, her space. Just don’t give up on her.”
Miles, Chad and Alice finished eating, paid for the meal and left. Alex was again quiet as Miles drove Chad and Alice to their car and she remained quiet as Miles was driving back to Harvard.
Miles got frustrated with the silence and asked, “Alex, will you talk to me?”
“I have nothing to talk about.”
“Talk about anything. Talk about your favorite movie. Talk about the weather. Just please talk to me.”
“Miles, I’m sorry, but I’m not in the mood for small talk.”
“This silence between you and me is driving me nuts.”
“Okay, fine; if you want to talk then let’s talk,” Alex said before taking a deep breath. “I need to raise more than five thousand dollars in addition to what we have already so my friends and I can charter a plane to Mexico City. Do you have any suggestions on how I can do that?”
“Alex, that’s not what I meant.”
“You told me that you want to talk about anything and that’s the subject I want to talk about.”
“I don’t know where or how to raise that much money.”
“If you can’t help me get to Mexico City then there’s really nothing for us to talk about,” Alex said in an unpleasant tone.
“Okay, with the mood you’re in right now, I’ll deal with us not talking,” Miles said before turning up the radio.
With a mournful expression across her face, Alex looked over at Miles before saying, “I’m sorry. I’m just very confused about things right now and I need to deal with my problems.”
As Miles was turning down the radio a little he said, “I understand that, Alex, but you’re not alone in this. I’ll help you through it.”
“Miles, thanks for wanting to be there for me. I really appreciate that, but you are actually the one person who can’t help me.”
“Why can’t I help?”
“You just can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Okay. I guess I have to accept that,” Miles said before turning up the radio again.
Alex looked at Miles for just a second before turning and staring out her window.
Several minutes later, Alex grabbed clean clothes and went to take a shower. Miles searched for Trudy for a few minutes before finding her at the library.
Miles sat in a seat across from Trudy and when Trudy looked up Miles said, “I need your help.”
“You need my help with what?”
“Alex is acting a bit strange and I was wondering if you can talk with her to find out why.”
“What do you mean that she is acting strange?”
“I was with Alex, Chris Swan’s brother Chad and Chad’s fiancée for the past few hours. We were having fun… but then all of a sudden it was like a switch was flipped and she turned cold towards me.”
“I’ll talk with her to find out what’s up. Why are you hanging out with Alex anyway?”
“I know Alex switched places with the Alex from our reality, but I feel something for this Alex. For the first time since Maria and I broke up, I feel that I can move on.”
Trudy grinned before saying, “You’re the one who sent Alex those flowers.”
“Yes, but don’t tell Alex that I’m the one. I don’t want her to know right now.”
“Okay, I won’t tell her, but you really need to refocus your attention on dating someone else.”
“Why?”
“It’s not my place to say,” Trudy said before standing and collecting her books. “I’ll go and talk to Alex for you.”
Minutes later, when Trudy walked into her dorm, Alex was in her room getting dressed in a nice pair of blue jeans, a sloppy T-shirt, tennis shoes and no makeup. Trudy heard Alex moving around in her room before she walked up and knocked on her door.
Alex opened the door and as she stood in the doorway she asked, “Hi; what’s up?”
Trudy looked at what Alex was wearing before asking, “Are you planning to go out looking like that?”
“I’m planning to go to work looking like this. Why do you ask?”
“I thought you were going to maintain Alex’s character, and put on makeup and wear what she would wear.”
“I don’t think I can do that anymore.”
“Why can’t you?”
“Trudy, I’m not a woman, and I’m uncomfortable at pretending to be one.”
“Well, physically you are a woman.”
“Yes,” Alex uttered, while being snippy. “And I’m reminded of that fact every time I look into the mirror, so I really don’t need you to remind me of it.”
“Okay, you’re not due to become moody for another week, so what’s up with you?”
“I am a woman is what is up with me,” Alex unpleasantly uttered.
“Okay, I’m not following you.”
“I’m feeling like a woman.” When Trudy made a gesture that she’s still wasn’t following, Alex blurted out, “I’m feeling things for Miles that I shouldn’t be feeling.”
Trudy thought for a second and when it suddenly dawned on Trudy as to what Alex was meaning, she said, “Oh. That’s uh… that’s uh…”
As Trudy was having trouble at finding the words to finish the sentence, Alex said, “Yes; my thoughts exactly.”
“Okay… well if you can’t get back to your reality then that’s actually not a bad thing.”
“Trudy, I have only been here since Thursday and already I’m being assimilated as a woman. That is not good. And why didn’t you tell Miles that I was a man in my reality?”
“Okay, if you want Miles to know then that is something you have to tell him. That is not my secret to tell.”
“Well, he wants to date me and if I tell him now, I feel that I would lose him as a friend.”
“If you are going to act cold towards him then what does it matter?”
“I just need to get a handle on the feelings that I’m having, and then I can be around him as a friend.”
“Yeah… good luck with that.”
Alex gave Trudy a confused look before asking, “What do you mean?”
“You have a romantic interest in Miles…”
“Okay, you don’t have to keep telling me what I already know.”
“And that’s not going to change, unless you find someone else who you are more attracted to.”
“I wonder if I should go out and find a woman to be with.”
Trudy gave Alex a skeptical look while saying, “Yeah, I really don’t see that happening.”
“Why don’t you?”
“I’ve seen how you were checking out hot guys Friday night.”
“What are you talking about?”
“O’Shannon’s Pub was packed Friday night with men and women, and the only half I saw you staring at the entire night were the men.”
“I’m sure I stared at a few pretty women.” Trudy just shook her head ‘no’. Alex gave Trudy a curious look before asking, “Not even one?”
Trudy continued to shake her head while saying, “I’m afraid not.”
“Okay, I have to get out of this reality and back to mine as soon as possible before I completely lose myself.”
“Meanwhile I think you need to maintain the image of Alexandra.”
“Fine, I’ll put on nicer clothes and some makeup.”
“Alex wore perfume too, so it wouldn’t hurt for you to put some on.”
“Fine, I’ll put on perfume too,” Alex said before stepping out of the doorway while walking towards her closet. When Trudy followed, Alex asked, “I think I know, but what did you mean that I’m not due to become moody for another week?”
“Your menstrual cycle is almost exactly a week before mine and mine is about two weeks away.”
As Alex was opening the closet, she said, “And I thought that was what you were referring to.” Alex pulled out a nice blouse. “Perhaps you should tell me what I need to know about that now.”
Trudy grinned before saying, “I was actually thinking the same thing.”
As Alex was changing her shirt, Trudy was telling Alex what she needed to know and do when she has a menstrual cycle.
After Alex put on a nice blouse, her boots, makeup, and perfume she went to Brandy’s dorm and knocked on her door. The hallway was slightly crowded with people walking in both directions.
Chloe, Brandy’s roommate, opened the door and asked, “Yes, may I help you?”
“Yeah, I’m Alex…”
Chloe said with a slight attitude, “I know who you are, but what I don’t know is what you want.”
“I’m looking for Brandy.”
“She’s not here,” Chloe uttered, while being snippy.
“Do you know where she is?”
Chloe shook her head while saying, “No; I don’t.”
“Thanks, and I’m sorry for what I did to you in the past.”
“You never did anything to me.”
“Then why are you having an attitude towards me?”
“I’ve seen how you treat people and you never did anything to me because I stay clear of you. Brandy stays clear of you too so I can’t imagine what you want with her.”
“Well, if you see Brandy please let her know I’m looking for her.”
“Yeah, I’ll put it at the bottom of my to-do list.”
“You stay clear of me because of how I treat people, but where I’m standing at the moment you’re no better,” Alex hissed before turning and walking away.
As Alex was walking away, Chloe blurted out, “That’s where you’re wrong.”
Alex never responded to what Chloe had said. The people in the hallway stared at Chloe as if she had lost her mind. When Chloe saw that the people were looking at her, she stepped back into her dorm and closed the door.
Alex went straight to the library and looked around. Brandy wasn’t there, but Cindy was. She walked up to Cindy and asked before Cindy had a chance to notice her presence, “Hey, have you seen Brandy?”
Cindy looked up and when she saw who it was, she said, “I saw her this morning. What’s going on?”
Alex sat down before saying, “I’m thinking that at least one of us needs to go to Mexico City to look for Randy now and I want to be the one to do it.”
“None of us has the money to go to Mexico City.”
“Brandy has the money for one person to go.”
“Alex, I really think that we should stick to the plan and that we all should go there together.”
“And that will take weeks; possibly even months.”
Cindy gave Alex a curious look before asking, “Why is that a problem for you all of a sudden?”
Alex stood up before saying, “I can’t stay in this reality and be a woman.”
Before Cindy was able to respond Alex walked away. Cindy then said barely above a whisper, “Nice talking to you too.” Cindy then went back to her studies.
Alex was gone for five minutes when Cindy noticed Doug walking in. Cindy then left her book on the table and as she walked up to Doug she said, “Hey, Doug.”
“Hi, Cindy, what’s up?”
“Something weird is up with Alex and I think you need to talk to her about it.”
Doug gave Cindy a curious look before asking, “What do you mean?”
“She was in here about five minutes ago looking for Brandy. I think she wants to borrow money from her so that she can go to Mexico City alone.”
“Did she say why she wanted to go alone?”
“I think she is having a problem with being a woman in this reality.”
“Okay, I’ll talk with her to see what’s up. Do you know where she went?” Cindy just shook her head. Doug took a breath before he continued to say, “She works tonight so if I can’t find her soon then I’ll check there when her shift starts.”
“Okay. Well I’m going to get back to my studies.”
“Okay, bye,” Doug said before turning and walking away.
After a short search, Doug saw Trudy in the hallway of the dormitory and walked up to her.
Trudy saw a concerned expression on Doug’s face and as Doug stepped up Trudy asked, “Is there a problem?”
“I just talked to Cindy and she’s worried that Alex is not adjusting to this reality too well. Have you seen her? I want to talk to her about how she’s adjusting.”
“I saw her about fifteen minutes ago. She was getting ready for work.”
“How did she seem when you saw her?”
“Doug, I know what’s going on with Alex and her adjusting to this reality isn’t the problem. Her problem is that she’s adjusting to this reality too well and that’s frightening the hell out of her.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Doug, Alex is losing her male identity…”
“Wait!” Doug interrupted with. “You know that Alex was a man in our reality?”
“I do, and because she’s a female in this reality, she’s having female urges and desires.”
“When you say female urges, you mean what exactly?”
Trudy grinned before saying, “I think you know what I mean.”
“I think I do too, but tell me anyway.”
“Alex finds men sexually attractive… my brother Miles for one in particular.”
“And you said this is frightening her, which explains why she’s in a hurry to get to Mexico City to look for Randy. Thanks, Trudy, for the information. I’m going to Little Bucks and wait for her there.”
“Okay; bye.”
“Bye,” Doug said before he and Trudy went their respective ways.