Chapter 2:
That evening, after dinner, the family agreed to wait a few days before using the medallion. Everyone went to do their own stuff. Mom cleaned the kitchen, Dad worked on bills in his office, Tara was video chatting with her best friend Madison, Brad played with his superhero toys, and Kimmy was having a tea party with her dolls in her room.
Meanwhile Andrew was on a secret mission; born from his secret desire to become his sister Kimmy, if only for a short time.
He had everything planned out; he would snatch the medallion from atop Mom’s dresser, then he would go to Kimmy’s room under the pretense of convincing her to switch places for a few days. He figured she would go for it, because she was always complaining about how Andrew and Tara had more freedom then her.
It was funny, he thought as he walked down the hall to Kimmy’s bedroom. Kimmy desired to be older, while he desired to be younger. Knocking on the closed door to Kimmy’s room, he said, “Hey Kimmy, it’s Andrew. There’s something I want to talk with you about. Can I come in?”
There was silence on the other side of the door; until Andrew heard some movement just as the door opened. Kimmy stood in the doorway wearing the same Belle-inspired ball gown from Beauty & the Beast that she had been wearing earlier. Behind her, Andrew could see that she was having a tea party with her stuffed animals.
Looking up at her brother, with innocence in her eyes, she said, “Whattaya wanna talk about, Andrew?”
Coming into Kimmy’s room, Andrew closed the door and said, “I have a proposal for you, Kimmy.”
Her innocence on full display, Kimmy said, “What kinda proposal?”
Taking the medallion from his pocket, Andrew said, “I propose we use the medallion to switch places for a few days.”
Kimmy’s eyes went wide when she saw the medallion in her brother’s hands. “But Mommy and Daddy said no one could use that for a few days.”
Pocketing the medallion once again, Andrew said, “That’s why we’re not going to tell anyone we used it. We’ll switch places and see if the others can figure it out.”
Even at her young age, Kimmy was very inquisitive. She looked at Andrew with curiosity, “Why would you wanna be an 8-year-old girl?”
Andrew hesitated for a moment, his mind racing to concoct a believable explanation that wouldn’t reveal his true longing. With a playful grin, he responded, “Well, wouldn’t it be fun to see if I can actually fool everyone into thinking I’m you? Plus, I bet I can handle being an 8-year-old girl better than you think. It’s like… being undercover for a bit. Imagine all the funny stories we'll have to tell afterwards!” He hoped his lighthearted tone and the allure of shared secrets would distract Kimmy from probing further into his deeper motivations.
Kimmy scrunched up her face, thinking hard. “But being me isn’t easy peasy, you know. I have ballet and gymnastics, and you gotta remember all those steps and routines. Plus, everyone knows I’m the best at them.” She waved a hand towards her room, proudly displaying her girly kingdom. Her ballet outfit, a beautiful sugar plum fairy costume, hung delicately from the closet door, sparkling under the room’s light. Nearby, her gymnastics medals dangled from a shelf, each one a testament to her dedication and skill.
Andrew looked around, taking in the sea of pink walls, stuffed animals perched on every available surface, and shelves lined with books about princesses and brave girls on grand adventures. He felt a pang of envy at the simplicity and joy encapsulated within these four walls. “I know, Kimmy, but that’s part of the fun, right? I get to learn all that cool stuff. Plus, I’ve seen you practice enough; I think I can pull it off,” he said, more to convince himself than her.
Inside, Andrew’s heart fluttered with excitement at the thought. ‘This could all be mine,’ he mused internally. ‘A chance to escape into a world where my biggest worry is nailing a pirouette or swinging on the uneven bars.’ The idea of immersing himself in Kimmy’s activities, her friends, and her carefree life was intoxicating. ‘Just for a little while,’ he reminded himself, ‘I can live a life filled with the simple joys I’ve missed out on.’
Kimmy tilted her head, eyeing Andrew with a mix of skepticism and amusement. “Are you really, really sure? It sounds super hard to be me,” she said, her voice laced with the innocent candor unique to an 8-year-old.
Andrew took a deep breath, readying himself to channel his inner Kimmy. He mustered the highest pitch he could manage and fluttered his eyelids, mimicking her wide-eyed enthusiasm. “Oh, absolutely! I’m like, super duper sure! I can’t wait to twirl in ballet and do gymnastics flips! It’s gonna be soooo much fun, you’ll see!” he exclaimed, putting on his best impression of her bubbly demeanor, complete with exaggerated hand gestures and a playful twirl on the spot.
Kimmy burst into giggles, clapping her hands in delight at Andrew’s performance. “Okay, okay, you sound just like me! But remember no boy stuff for a whole week!” she reminded him, the seriousness of her condition juxtaposed with the sparkle of excitement in her eyes.
Andrew nodded, still in character. “Pinky promise! I’ll be the best little sister ever!” he declared, extending his pinky to seal the deal, his heart swelling with the thrill of the adventure ahead and the secret hope that he might find a piece of himself in Kimmy’s world.
Kimmy, momentarily distracted by the thought of their agreement, suddenly perked up with a new layer of curiosity. "But wait, if we're gonna do this, what do I get if I win? I mean, if I'm the best big brother ever?" Her eyes danced with the prospect of a reward, her mind undoubtedly racing through a catalog of desires.
Andrew paused, considering what Kimmy might value as a victory prize. Knowing her love for all things girly and sparkly, he offered, "How about if you win, I'll get you that princess makeup set you've been eyeing at the store? The one with all the glitter and stuff?" He knew it was a small price to pay for the opportunity to step into her shoes, even briefly.
Kimmy's face lit up like the morning sun, the very thought of owning the coveted makeup set making her practically vibrate with excitement. "Deal!" she exclaimed, wrapping her tiny pinky around his. "But what if you win? What do you want?"
Andrew had thought about this, too. There was more at stake for him than just the challenge; it was also a chance to connect with someone he had been too shy to approach. "Okay, if I win, you have to introduce me to Jenna's older sister. You know, just say some good stuff about me, maybe set up a time we can all hang out together," he said, trying to sound casual but feeling his cheeks warm at the admission.
Kimmy nodded, a mischievous glint in her eye, understanding the significance of his request. "Ooooh, you like her!" she teased, but then, seeing the earnestness in Andrew's eyes, she softened. "Okay, okay, it's a deal. I'll tell her all the best things about you."
With their terms agreed upon, both felt a rush of anticipation for the days ahead. For Kimmy, it was the chance to be seen as more mature, to step into the shoes of her older brother and gain the freedoms she believed came with age. For Andrew, it was a journey toward self-discovery, an opportunity to live a life untethered by his own insecurities and societal expectations, even if just for a short while. And, perhaps, a chance to grow closer to someone he admired from afar.
With their pinky promise sealed, the air between them crackled with a blend of nervous anticipation and exhilarating possibility. Andrew's heart thumped loudly in his chest, a rhythmic counterpart to the myriad thoughts racing through his mind. For him, this was more than just a simple game; it was a doorway to a new realm of self-discovery. Kimmy, on the other hand, bounced on the balls of her feet, her youthful energy palpable. She saw this as an ultimate adventure, a test of her ability to step into her brother's world and perhaps outshine him in his own life.
"Ready?" Andrew asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as he held the medallion out towards Kimmy. His palm was open, inviting her to touch the artifact with him. The seriousness in his gaze contrasted with the playful spark in hers.
Kimmy nodded, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Let's do it! This is gonna be epic!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of glee and daring. Her hand moved closer to his, her fingers stretching towards the medallion.
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