Sora started feeling the slow, piano-laced beat and mellow rap as her head swayed to the music, a purr sliding through her throat as she went out to lean over the balcony glass to stare at the sea far below.
Smiling at the morning surf, rising and falling on the hotel’s private beach, she allowed the wind to carry back her loose hair.
Why does everything smell so much more vivid?
Mind clearing as she let the relaxing sound of the ocean cleanse her worries, Sora went back inside and threw off her nightwear, tossing them in the corner of her bathroom, not caring to bother with the chute.
Stepping into the shower, she activated the three taps to start all the ceiling faucets and stood in the water; it was freezing and felt so good.
It warmed quickly, and Sora turned up the heat, chirping with pleasure as steam rose around her while she hummed along to the songs; everything felt so fresh.
Sora took her time brushing and washing her newly grown locks before applying her skin and hair products on the center bench.
After a few minutes, her brow furrowed while listening to the raining liquid, and, closing her eyes, the song faded into the background.
The swishing of water tickled her ears as if she could follow it down the pipe, hearing several sharp turns the stream made as it continued into the building.
Eyes opening, the music shifted back.
Am I dreaming?
I have to be, because this is insane!
She turned off the water and moved to the side closet, removing a towel to dry off and straighten her damp hair, using different-sized toothed combs to untangle it, and finishing with a boar’s-hair and nylon-bristle brush.
Applying her after-shower skincare products, she lifted an eyebrow at how her tan skin glowed; it was cleaner than ever.
What in the world happened last night?!
Will anyone believe me?
Switching the playlist to Smooth Jazz – Instrumental, she closed her eyes and hummed as the sound expanded around her; it was as if she were in a concert hall.
I can’t be imagining it; my hearing is so much better!
Vision clearing, she completed her morning routine before heading back to her room to search for clothes, debating between several outfits as the instruments played in the background.
She picked out a loosely-fitted, white V-neck shirt accented with black roses, black shorts, and a brown belt before examining herself in the mirror with a smile.
Why would I ever think ‘this’ was ugly?
I’m super cute!
I can see what Mary’s been on about.
What’s this… Leaning in closer, she peeled back her lips to notice her canines had become pointier.
“Okay…” Dismissing it with slight interest as she carefully slid her tongue across them, Sora checked her watch—67% battery life was fine—and added a turquoise, teardrop pendant necklace before stuffing her phone in her purse.
She puffed out a sigh as she caught the time when she was done, eliciting a frown.
6:15 a.m., hmm?
I didn’t oversleep, at least, and for some reason, I’m… not afraid to head to school.
“Huh… Breakfast?
Mmh…” Laughing internally, a slight twist came to her lips.
“Why don’t I grab something on the way?” Making sure her wallet was in her purse with her phone, Sora took out her orange-tinted sunglasses and shook her head; it would still be dark for a while yet.
She then slipped on her brown wedge sandals, turned out the lights, and stopped the music before double-checking everything and heading for the elevator.
Sora pressed the button and grinned at the late-night/early-morning attendant.
“Hey, Ron!
How was the night?” I hope I’m not losing my mind!
Please, don’t say I’m making all this up.
Ron’s eyebrow lifted as the metal doors slid open, scrutinizing Sora’s toothy grin with her hands held behind her back.
“It… wasn’t bad.
You seem to be doing well… Howie told me your hair got butchered… Did you get a wig at some point because it looks real?” Yes!
At least I’m not seeing things now… I think?
“Uh… to be honest, I don’t know what happened, and, heh,” she shifted a little to examine her copper locks, “I totally feel a little crazy.
Kari had Wendy cut off my hair yesterday, but… no, this isn’t a wig.
Am I crazy?” “Huh.
Weird… I don’t know what to tell you,” he shrugged.
“Umm.
Huh.
Yeah, so, we just going to go on like… nothing strange happened?
Wait, and Howie didn’t say anything about Wendy being the one to cut off your hair?
As in your best friend Wendy, Wendy?
What?!” “Haaa.” Sora rubbed her temple and motioned for him to enter the penthouse before holding up her watch to catch his interest.
“I’ll tell you while you get my pills—heh, pill, I guess, whoo!
Also, talking about weird shit, let me show you my sleep data.
I had a really off night—like… nothing I’ve ever experienced.” “Good or bad?” “Bad,” she hissed, rubbing her shoulders and shivering as Ron took the key out of the elevator to head inside for their quick morning routine.
“It was like someone snuck in and just tortured me all night… It was… brutal.
But I didn’t have my meds last night, so… I bet I’ll have some side effects or something.” “Not that soon, I don’t think, and your hair just ‘magically’ grew back… Not that I’m doubting you—I’ve seen it grow fully back in three months, so, yeah… Huh.” “Right?” Sora grumbled.
“It’s like, when can I just be a normal girl?!
Gah.
I’m not crazy, though?
It’s all back?” “As far as I can see.” “Can you tug it to make sure?” Ron stopped in the front room to give her a pointed grimace.
“I’m not going to pull your hair, Sora.” “Just… watch me do it then—ack… See!
Oof.
I just want to show you I’m not making this up—I swear—I went to bed and woke up with all this grown back!
I’m totally an alien, huh?”