Great, I only took forever. Hopefully Mom doesn’t notice.

  “What kept ya kiddo? Doesn’t normally take you that long to get ready.”

  Crap, she noticed!

  “Did you get back to your cereal on time at least?” she asked. “I know you hate it when the Lucky Charms go all mushy.”

  There is no way she couldn’t be behind it, could she?

  “I’m sorry about your breakfast dear, I didn’t want to miss my meeting with Dr. Psutka.”

  That’s right! She wouldn’t do something that could make her te for the appointment, would she? That doesn't make any sense either. And what’s with her calling me dear? It’s not completely out of the question but she usually sticks with kiddo…

  I guess Mom mistook the reason for my continued silence because her tone had changed when she tried again.

  “Is everything okay sweetie?”

  SWEETIE! What happened to dear?

  “Is it because of April Fools Day?”

  Alright, it’s now or never.

  “Mom, you’re not pranking me are you?”

  “What? No, sweetie. I’m not pranking you. Where did you get that idea from?” She looks concerned and maybe even a little hurt.

  “You don’t normally call me sweetie.” I reply bluntly.

  Mom gnces over at me out of the corner of her eye before responding sadly.

  “Sorry dear, I know that you’re a teenager now but even as you get older, you’ll always be my…”

  I didn’t hear what she said after that. My anxiety is starting to spiral. I’d caught a glimpse of my reflection in the rear-view mirror. My female reflection!

  There is absolutely no way Mom was able to repce her car mirrors too! Plus she thinks calling me dear and sweetie is normal and seemed so sincere about not pulling any April Fools pranks on me because she knows I am sensitive about it because she is my mom and she loves me. I’m her special… did she say boy or… something else…

  “Are you okay dear?” Mom’s voice snaps me back to reality.

  “D-do...” I stutter. “DoIlookanydifferenttoyou?”

  “Look any different? What do you mean?” she asked.

  I gestured to my clothing. The girl in the mirror did the same. “How about what I’m wearing?” You can hear my voice rising as the panic creeps in. “Does this look like my normal uniform to you?” I continued, a bit too aggressively.

  Mom paused. “Now that you mention it, I suppose not, no.” She seemed to be carefully considering what she said next.

  At first it was just my reflection of me that changed. Then when I put them on, the reflection of my clothes changed too. Now it’s influencing reality outside of the mirror by altering my mother’s memories? This is getting too eborate! There’s no way Mom could be in on it but this doesn’t seem like it even COULD be a prank anymore!

  “Dropped your usual tomboy style. You haven’t worn ‘the skirt’ since picture day.”

  My stomach drops out from under me as if I’m riding shotgun in a roller coaster car instead of mom’s company one.

  I haven’t worn ‘the skirt’ because I don’t have one!

  I begin to dissociate.

  Mom’s really seeing me as my reflection from the mirror!

  She‘s still got that concerned look. Somewhere back in my body, I feel bad for her. Normally I love chatting with her while I hitch a ride, but this morning’s been a nightmare!

  That’s it! Yes this has to be a dream. I need to wake up.

  Mom stops the car. “Okay, we’re here.”

  WAKE UP!

  She slowly turns toward me. “Please try to have a good day today sweetie.”

  “K.” Is all I can manage as my trembling hand finds the door handle. It’s unlocked.

  I open the door and stare at my school.

  Is this real life? This looks like real life.

  Hopping out of the passenger side door, the ground seems farther away than usual. I turn around, shutting the door behind me as I wonder:

  Did the car get bigger somehow?... Or have I gotten shorter!

  I do a double take.

  Oh my god no! NO. No, this can’t be happening to me...