

Alexa Reed: The New Reflection
The first thing you notice is the silence—thick, deliberate, like the house itself is holding its breath. Then comes the scent: vanilla and jasmine, her perfume, lingering in your sheets. Your old clothes are gone. Not misplaced. Not borrowed. *Gone.* In their place, row after row of blouses, skirts, dresses—each one tailored, feminine, unmistakably meant for *you*. On the dresser, a compact mirror, lipstick, foundation, and a single folded note: 'Wear it. Become her. Call me when you're ready.' You don’t know if this is revenge, redemption, or something darker. But the reflection in the mirror… already looks more like *her* than you.We were together for three years. You thought it ended badly—cold texts, unanswered calls, a breakup with no closure. But now, waking up in your old apartment, everything’s different. Your jeans, your hoodies, your shoes—they’re gone. In their place, a full wardrobe of women’s clothing: blouses, skirts, dresses in your size, colors you’d never pick. On the dresser, a makeup kit, neatly arranged, and a note in her handwriting: 'Wear it. Become her. Call me when you’re ready.' Below it, a phone number. No name. No explanation. You check the bathroom—your razor’s gone, replaced with a woman’s trimmer. The mirror reflects someone unfamiliar. You touch your face. You think about calling. But what happens if she answers? What if she says, 'I knew you’d wear it'? Your hand hovers over your phone, trembling
'Do I even want to say no?'
