Metamorphosis by Ning Cai

Author:Ning Cai
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Epigram Books

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After coming out of the bistro’s unisex washroom, I notice that Charlie has left. Picking up our tab from the table, I grab my messenger bag and head to the cashier. Charlie’s grilled seafood platter for two costs much more than I expected, but I foot the lunch bill anyway and decide against even asking him to send me the money through PayLah. Tucking away the receipt as I walk out, I can’t help but feel that everybody behind me is turning around to stare at the back of my pale blue jeans. I tried to clean up the best I could, but there’s still a conspicuous stain on the fabric, so I hurry to the nearby 7-Eleven.

“Hey, remember when a series of unfortunate events was a book and not your life?” Luce quips.

“Stop it, Luce,” I hiss under my breath.

While I don’t see my preferred environmentally-friendly unbleached tampons with recycled cardboard applicators available for sale, the large convenience store has a pretty decent range of feminine hygiene products on display. It’s a smorgasbord of sanitary napkins… maxi pads with wings, regular pads without wings, ultra thin, overnight and panty liners… Struggling to make a choice, I simply grab the pack nearest to me and pay for it before making a beeline for the public washroom. All things fixed, I wash my hands at the sink. The girl in the mirror looks absolutely miserable with red-rimmed eyes. I guess I’m still upset about Charlie, and worried sick about Albatross. I splash cold water on my face, hoping to wash away the telltale puffiness. I check the time and consider popping into one of the shops in the mall to buy a new pair of jeans.

“Hey, Boss,” says a familiar voice, startling me. “Are you ready to play?”

“Sunny!” I was not expecting to see anyone I know in this public toilet. But there they are, smiling at me from under their usual headful of striking blue-and-purple synthetic dreadlocks as they dry their hands at the Dyson Airblade. Their easy grin melts away when I turn to face them.

“Hey…are you okay?” Sunny asks, and I can see genuine concern rippling in their warm brown eyes.

“Yes, of course.” I hesitate. “Actually, no, not really.”

“Would you like me to drive you back to CK and Uncle Glen’s?” they ask me softly as they snap on a fresh pair of latex gloves. “It’ll be okay. I can let the rest of the gang know. They’ll understand that you’re still upset and worried about Albatross and everything.”

“You’re right, Sunny. I am upset,” I say as I wipe my damp hands onto my jeans. “But it’s actually with Charlie. We just met for lunch and he returned a book he’d borrowed.”

“Ah. The ex-boyfriend.” They purse their lips together and throw me a coy look. “Well, the thing is, not everybody’s going to think that you’re gorgeous, intelligent and amazing…but they’re wrong though. Dickheads.”

I burst out laughing despite feeling sorry for myself just a moment ago. “I’m good now, Sunny.

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