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“It’s truly a small world,” Johnie mused to himself, “and the internet serves as the bridge connecting every corner of it. How else could I describe the miracle of reconnecting with my childhood friend Marc?”

Years ago, Johnie and Marc, inseparable best friends in high school, experienced a significant falling out over a trivial matter. Johnie, characterized by his soft-spoken nature and calm demeanor, stood in contrast to Marc, who embodied a more assertive personality. Despite Marc’s athletic prowess, he harbored a disdain for sports and other physical pursuits, while Johnie found solace in books, juxtaposed with Marc’s preference for long walks in the woods.

However, fate intervened to reunite Johnie and Marc, transcending their differences. Indifferent to the opinions of others, they disregarded the curious glances from fellow students and teachers, finding contentment in each other’s company. They embraced their bond, unperturbed by occasional taunts, cherishing their companionship above all else.

As the sound of the approaching train reached his ears, he hurried down the subway staircase. The train was punctual, and so was he. His best friend Marc would also be on time, he thought, as he anxiously arrived at the platform and scanned the crowd around him.

A few passengers disembarked from the train and headed towards the exits. He eagerly scanned their faces, hoping to spot Marc among them. Despite his anticipation, Marc was nowhere to be seen, and he questioned whether Marc’s appearance could have changed during their time apart.

Unaware, he nearly collided with a girl as his attention was drawn to a malfunctioning electronic billboard on the platform pillar. In its reflection, he glimpsed a familiar face, causing him to start in surprise. The resemblance was striking.

Johnie stood there, momentarily stunned by the familiar face staring back at him from the billboard’s reflection. Memories flooded his mind like a relentless tide crashing against the shores of his consciousness. The girl in the reflection before him bore an uncanny resemblance to someone he once knew, someone he cherished deeply—Marc, his childhood friend who had always stood by his side. Yet, this couldn’t be Marc. Marc was a boy, and the figure before him was unmistakably a girl.

For a moment, Johnie’s heart skipped a beat, wondering if fate had conspired to reunite him with a person with a likeness to Marc. But as quickly as the hope blossomed, reality came crashing down like shards of shattered glass as he heard her call out his name softly.

“Hello, Johnie.”

The girl’s gaze locked with his, a blend of confusion and recognition shimmering in their depths. Johnie mustered a faint smile, attempting to conceal the storm of emotions swirling within him. Could this really be Marc transformed into a girl? Or was it merely a cruel twist of fate, teasing him with fragments of the past?

Before he could compose himself and utter a word, the girl spoke again, her voice tinged with uncertainty yet laced with familiarity. “Hello, Johnie,” she ventured, her tone trembling with mixed emotions.

Johnie’s heart quickened its pace within his chest upon hearing his name uttered in that long-forgotten cadence, a melody nearly lost to memory. Could it truly be him?

Taking a hesitant step forward, he searched her eyes for affirmation, for the reassurance he yearned for. And then, like floodgates released, the memories rushed back, eroding the barriers of separation and pain.

“Marc?” he whispered, the word escaping his lips like a fervent prayer, a plea, a promise of rediscovery and reunion.

 “Yes, Johnie. It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, indeed.” He looked desperately at her. He wasn’t expecting Marc in this avatar.

“I hardly recognized you. What have you done to yourself, Marc?” He queried, his voice trembling.

She returned his gaze with a sweet smile, deliberately taking her time to respond. Impatiently, he waited for her reply. At last, she broke the silence.

“This is what I’ve always wanted, Johnie,” she stated, pausing before reaching out to grasp his hand. He hesitantly held it back. “And deep down, I believe it’s what you wanted too.”

“No… no, this is your desire,” he retorted, his voice rising. “This is what you wanted. I had no say in the matter.”

“You don’t appear pleased to see me, Johnie.”

“How could I be happy seeing you like this? You know I never appreciated your feminine demeanor.”

“I understand. It’s a lot to process. But I want you to know, I’m still the same person you’ve always known,” she reassured, attempting once more to bridge the gap between them.

He retreated another step, widening the distance between them. “Yes, I understand. It’s just… different, you know.”

“I understand your struggle. It’s been a journey for both of us. But I’m still your friend, Johnie, regardless of the changes,” she affirmed.

“I never questioned our friendship, Marc. It’s just… I’m grappling with everything. You were my buddy, and now you’re… you’re someone else.”

She nodded empathetically. “Yes, I understand it’s a significant change. But consider this: I’m still the individual you shared moments with, confided in, and laughed with until our sides hurt.”

“No, you’re not the same person. You’re not the Marc I knew,” he yelled with frustration.

“Please, Johnie, give me a chance to explain,” she pleaded, her eyes glistening with tears.

He felt a surge of emotion as he met her gaze, tears welling up in his own eyes. It was the moment their emotions overflowed, tears streaming down their cheeks.

“I’m sorry, Marc. I have to leave,” he said, giving her one last glance before turning around, only to find a police officer observing him with curiosity.

“Are you alright, ma’am?”

He stared intently at the police officer, then shifted his gaze back to the billboard, catching sight of his reflection in its shadowy underside. Except, it wasn’t his reflection; it was hers. He was seeing himself. Marc was no more; Marc had passed away during the operation. Now, he was Johnie, a girl after the surgery. She turned back to the police officer and mustered a faint smile. “Everything’s under control now, officer.”

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