O n o u r w a y to the University of Winchester, Ruby helped me with a few British dialects and slang words. I can pull a good-enough British accent, but I'm not hundred-percent perfect at it: sometimes I accidentally pronounce a word in my own American accent. I also learned a really great tip: that rubber here means eraser and not the common euphemism I know from my former homeland.

'So don't expect uni to be intellectual in any form. What you have back at your home is here as well. This place is a load of tosh.'

I nodded at her, not really listening as I studied the streets of Winchester. I've resided here when I was little - 4 years or so old. But then my father found a job that pays better in the States, and Mom wanted to be close to her folks, so we moved to Oregon. But I know I would've loved it here. I would've been content if I lived among these lush-full trees and colorful one-story buildings. Or maybe my mind is just making it up. Maybe I'm already starting to tarnish my past as an excuse for how bad I was, for how bad I misused my life.

'...it's still kooky that the American passenger seats are on the right. How do you survive, exactly?'

I shrugged, covering up my reverie. 'I guess I could ask you the same thing.'

'Fair enough, I suppose.'

Ruby switched the ignition off and the car stopped running. We got out of our seats and Ruby clicked on her keys once, causing the car to chirp and die.

'So,' Ruby talked nonchalantly, her brown eyes peeking at the students rushing to the gates. 'You need to get behind the security safely, don't you?'

I fiddled with my 500 pounds heavy bracelet. I told her about not having a fake ID for my new identity, and she scolded me for not telling her earlier. She said she knew a person who can help her with that, but for now, we got to think of something in order for me to get past the gates for today. 'Mhmm. What do you suggest we do?' I eyed the admission cubicles by the metal gates nervously.

'Don't panic, dearie. We'll get our arses to the main campus on time without difficulties.'

But as soon as we were ushered by an officer to a cubicle and we had a look at the person who'll be taking a look at our IDs, we froze. In front us stood a fifty-something-old lady, her crinkled, angry eyes studying us disapprovingly. Our faces instantly paled.

'Oh, bugger,' Ruby, whose eyes widened in fright, muttered under her breath, and I could sense that she worked so hard to maintain her bladder intact. The woman studied both of us with her pale, jade green sockets.

'ID cards and papers.' Her forced, authoritarian voice rushed out of her lips like a train in a hurry. Ruby fumbled with her huge handbag, fishing almost all its contents out.

After a prolonged, awkward tension that stretched between the three of us, the woman's blank eyes followed mine, waiting for me to pass her the desired administration papers.

I gulped and prayed for someone to just get this done. I'm pushing my luck too far, but maybe I deserve a few more miracles. So, I shakingly took out my former ID, the one with Dorothy on the front, and handed it to her.

She studied my ID card first, looking repeatedly between me, the blonde, cheery girl, and the person in the picture, a brunette with a daring smirk on her face. And then, as if by a phenomenal work of heaven, the lady collected my papers at once with her eyes stuck on mine. She then handed me all of our possessions before saying, with her natural, strict voice: 'Have a nice year, young ladies.'

And I can swear that I saw a small smile tugging its way contrastingly to her face.

Well, maybe my facade isn't convincing enough. But at least she managed to smile.

'We can pass with no difficulties, huh?' I smirked at Ruby, who rolled her eyes.

'I thought that it'd be a male who I can have my ways with through my charms.'

I shook my head at her. 'Charms, alright.'

Once Ruby and I parted ways, I found the office to which I was supposed to meet my faculty adviser. I walked through the double doors, making sure that my dress isn't creased and my wig is still over my head.

'Hello,' I greeted him, sitting before his desk cautiously when he ushers me toward the chair. After introducing myself, he clears his throat and speaks.

'Let's directly talk about your ambitions so that we don't lose much time. I think you might still get to glimpse the last of Freshers' week since it's the last day of the student orientation. Are you going to stay in one of our dorms?' I shook my head. 'Very well, then.' He cleared his throat as he took out my files and schedules. 'Shall we start?'

And through the haze of lecture discussions and major options, I was left with a sore butt and a harsh headache. I collected my schedule, calendar, and personal possessions before thanking the adviser and leaving the office.

I looked around for the cafeteria to get some water. The services building was almost desolated since almost all the newcomers and other scholars were celebrating the last day in campus before diving into a new year.

I consulted a campus map that the adviser has provided me. The nearest cafeteria was where the festival was held. I sighed as I headed out of the building.

As soon as my feet carried me to the eastern section of campus, I was able to hear the laughter and the loud music coming out of the snack bars and the herculean yard.

I felt self-conscious then, tugging at my mid-thigh floral dress and slightly trying to make myself smaller. The crowd was beginning to engulf me in as I tried to cross to the other side.

I kept walking forward, maintaining a cheery look on my face even though my insides were squirming in unease. Students studied me and some boys even dared to touch me. I had to take that all in in silence; I had to be strong for the sake of attaining forgiveness for my mistakes.

-

'I shouldn't have gone today,' I whined.

Ruby was lying on my bed. She got here earlier and triumphantly handed me my fake ID card. She also said that the hacker she consulted has altered the university's soft and hard archives a little so that the information there are similar to the ones on my new ID.

'Orientation isn't always the best. But believe me, you needed this before starting classes tomorrow with all that, well, flair.' She flailed her arms around me, and I sighed. Enduring all the extra weight and the clumpy feel of the makeup wasn't easy, but maybe that'll be my door toward a clear conscience.

'Hey, Jay?' Ruby said, her body language turning serious. She started calling me Jay right when I confessed to her about my identity transformation. I guess Dorothy is officially back in the states: long forgotten where she belongs.

'Yeah?'

'Um, so I suppose it'd be weird to ask and all, but my flat is close by, and I was thinking we could share it together and divide the rent over us? My roommate already cleared out and the rent is too expensive for me alone. You won't miss your own flat, I promise.'

I thought about that. I would love having Ruby as a roommate. She might also be a great help when it comes to prepping me up every morning starting tomorrow. Not that I wouldn't have accepted if I didn't need her help.

'Sure,' I smiled at her. 'That would be "fantastic",' I smothered out the last word in a fancy British accent.

'Love ya, matie.' She hugged me for what felt like hours, and I chuckled.

Perhaps there's some hope in Jules. Yeah, she'll probably be a better version of myself.

-

Hello, lovelies! I'm apologizing for the loooong wait. This year is greatly substantial to my future, so I write in the wee small hours that I could spare. I hope you enjoy this ^_^

As for The Foretell Machine, there are no promises that it'll be republished anytime soon. I'm still editting the first few chapters, so it might take some extra time. However, I'm proud of this version I'm working on.

Anyhow, I hope y'all are having a great day so far.

-Freude and Luna 🍍