From Geek to Beast

Part 6

The day felt oddly still, as if the world was holding its breath in the wake of everything that had happened. Allison sat at the kitchen table, a half-eaten bowl of cereal in front of her, but she had no appetite. Her mind kept replaying the events of the past few days—the wolf bite, the transformation, and now this. This strange new version of herself that she wasn't sure how to process.

Her mother, still quiet, was at the counter, making a cup of coffee, her eyes flicking over to Allison every so often, still unsure of what to make of the change. The silence stretched on, thick and uncomfortable, until Allison finally broke it.

"Mom," she said softly, her voice tentative, unsure how to word what she was about to ask. "Do you think... we could go shopping for some new clothes?"

Her mother paused, glancing up from her coffee. "Shopping?"

Allison nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Yeah. All my clothes are too big now. I can't wear any of them." She fidgeted with her sleeve, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious. It felt strange to ask for new clothes, especially with everything else happening. It was a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but it felt like the first step toward acknowledging her new reality. "I don't know what else to do."

Her mom's eyes softened, and she set her coffee mug down. "I don't think that's a bad idea. You can't keep wearing clothes that don't fit, and... well, you need some things that actually suit you now."

Allison shifted uncomfortably, not sure if she liked the idea of suited to her new body. The truth was, she hadn't even had a chance to process everything yet. She wasn't sure how to feel about her transformation, but the one thing she knew for sure was that she couldn't keep wearing the oversized clothes she used to hide behind. It felt like an era of her life had ended, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to embrace the new chapter yet.

"I guess I don't have much of a choice," she mumbled, glancing at the clothes scattered across her bed—the pants that were too loose, the dresses that hung lifelessly on her. She had been putting it off, pretending that the changes would somehow reverse, that things would go back to normal. But she knew deep down that wasn't going to happen.

Her mother smiled and reached for her purse. "Okay, let's make a day of it. I'll call Leah, and we'll take a trip to the mall. You deserve a new wardrobe, honey. After everything that's happened, you've earned it."

Allison couldn't help but feel a little guilty, but her mom's enthusiasm was hard to ignore. The idea of going shopping for new clothes felt exciting and terrifying all at once. It wasn't just about the clothes—it was about the fact that she wasn't the same person she had been just a few days ago. She was someone new, and it was time to face that reality.

A little while later, they were on their way to the mall. Her mom had insisted on bringing Leah, even though Allison wasn't sure if she was up for the attitude Leah always carried. As much as her sister had been distant lately, Leah was still her sister. And Allison knew she'd be there—whether she liked it or not.

The mall was busy as always, filled with teenagers and young families on their last-minute shopping trips before school started. Allison felt out of place, as if everyone could tell she was different now, but she pushed the thought aside. She was here for one thing: to find clothes that fit her, that made her feel... right.

They wandered through store after store, Allison's hands nervously drifting over the clothes, unsure of what to choose. She was used to hiding behind baggy clothes, and now, standing in front of a mirror in a fitting room, she had no idea what would suit her new body.

Her mother, ever patient, picked out a few things and handed them to her to try on. "You know, honey," she said, "you don't have to hide anymore. This is your time. You're not the same girl you were before. You've blossomed into someone... stronger."

Allison's heart fluttered nervously at her mom's words. Was she ready for this? She wasn't sure. She barely recognized herself, and now, her mom was telling her to embrace the new her.

She tried on a few dresses, but they felt too... revealing. It was strange to look at herself in something form-fitting when she had spent most of her life avoiding anything that clung to her body.

Eventually, she picked a few simple pieces: fitted jeans, a few blouses, and a couple of dresses that were still modest but more flattering than anything she'd ever worn. She was still getting used to the idea that she didn't have to hide anymore. And even though the clothes fit her perfectly, she felt an odd sense of loss—like something about this new version of herself wasn't entirely hers.

Leah, of course, had no such problem. She glided through the stores with her usual confidence, picking out trendy outfits without hesitation, laughing and chatting with the salespeople. She didn't seem to care that Allison was suddenly walking through life like a stranger to herself.

When they finally met up at the food court, Leah shot her a look, raising an eyebrow.

"What's with the new look?" she asked, arms folded. "You think you're all that now?"

Allison swallowed, the comment stinging more than she expected. It wasn't like she needed Leah's approval, but it still hurt to hear her sister's coldness. She tried to smile, though it didn't reach her eyes.

"Maybe I am," she said quietly, unsure of the answer but hoping Leah didn't hear the uncertainty in her voice.