Transformation
A while later, Avery and Madeline could be seen sitting in the waiting area. They had been given permission to see Owen, who had been transferred to a ward.
Mrs. Campbell and her mother already went to see him, while Avery decided to remain in the waiting area. Her body was in the waiting area, but her mind was far gone. She was thinking of the millions of ways she could make money.
"Avery!" She was suddenly jolted back to the present when she heard Madeline calling her name. She looked up, and then saw Madeline standing, while extending a glass of water to her.
"Here, have some water. It will make you feel a lot better."
Avery slowly accepted the glass, and then smiled stiffly. "Thanks." She managed to say.
Madeline then took a seat beside Avery, and said, "Spill it, Avery. What is going through your head?"
Avery took a sip of the water, before she then sighed and said, "I'm thinking of a million things, and nothing at the same time."
Madeline's brows creased in confusion. "I don't get you. How do you mean?"
"I'm thinking of many possible ways I can come up with the money for Owen's medical bills, okay? But most of the things I've thought of, are either illegal or just plain impossible." Avery whimpered in helplessness as she tugged at her hair.
"Woah! Slow down there, Avery. I won't let you do anything illegal, not on my watch." Madeline made sure her voice didn't sound too strict, as she knew Avery was just hurting at the moment.
"I also don't want to do anything that goes against my morals and beliefs, but… I'm beginning to get desperate." Avery said as she bit on her fingers.
"That's why we have the internet, Avery! You can always go there in times of desperation, and it helps out most of the time." Madeline said, before she then brought out her phone.
"Highest paying jobs in Silver Crest city." Madeline mumbled as she typed the words on her phone. A few seconds passed, and then so many results popped up on her screen.
"See, I told you the internet is always the best option." She said proudly as she scrolled through the results, and then she suddenly paused when her eyes saw a familiar name.
"Avery. What work was your brother supposed to be doing at GameHive?" Madeline asked Avery, while her eyes were still glued to her screen.
"He was supposed to work in the technical department as a tech guy. Why?" Avery began to wonder why Madeline was suddenly asking.
"Oh my gosh, Avery!" Madeline exclaimed in surprise.
Avery's sadness, and worry was immediately replaced by curiosity, and confusion. "What is it?"
"It says here that, the salaries of those working in the technical department of GameHive ranges from seven thousand dollars to ten thousand dollars per month. The salaries of the other employees aren't bad either." Madeline read out what she saw on the web.
Avery's mouth fell open in shock. That was a lot of money! "O-Owen never mentioned anything about that to us." She said in disbelief.
"He must have wanted to surprise you guys when he brings home his first paycheck. Typical Owen." Madeline joked, and she managed to make Avery smile this time, even if it was only for a brief moment.
"Too bad that jerk of a CEO hates women. I would have gone there in search of a job. Wait, who am I kidding? I'm sure he would send me straight to jail once he recognizes me to be the barista that poured hot coffee on him." Avery let out a sigh.
Madeline's face suddenly became serious as if she was considering something. She then looked at Avery, eyeing her from her head downwards. "What time was Owen's interview supposed to be?"
"9AM." Avery answered.
"Oh shit! We are going to be late." Madeline said as she grabbed Avery by the arm, pulling her towards to the exit of the waiting room in a hurry.
"Wait! Where are we going? I haven't seen Owen yet." Avery protested as she tried to pull her arm from Madeline's strong hold.
"There's no time for that. We are already late for our interview!" Madeline answered while still pulling Avery along with her.
Madeline's words only confused Avery the more, and she was starting to wonder if Madeline had finally lost her mind. "Did you hit your head on something on your way to the hospital?" She couldn't help but ask.
Madeline didn't bother to answer, and just kept going, while Avery followed silently, deciding to trust in whatever schemes her best friend had come up with.
…
A taxi came to a stop in front of the Campbell's house, and when the doors opened, Avery and Madeline quickly alighted from it.
Madeline was holding a box in her hand which she and Avery had earlier retrieved from her house, before coming down to Avery's house.
Immediately they entered the house, Madeline put her box on the table, and opened it, revealing many makeup products such as contour powder, angled brush, wigs, highlighter, trans tapes, and so on.
"Okay, are you going to tell me what you are planning to do, or what? I've been asking for like thirty minutes now, but you keep saying 'there's no time'." Avery mimicked Madeline when she said the last part.
Madeline groaned and said, "Fine, I'll tell you." She sighed and then continued, "As much as you pretend to hate it, you have to admit that you and Owen look alike to a very large extent. Even your height difference isn't that obvious."
"Yeah, so?" Avery asked, not knowing where Madeline was taking this to.
"So what I have in mind is for you to undergo a transformation into a man, which in this case, is your brother, Owen. Then you will be able to go to GameHive for the interview as Owen." Madeline took her time to explain.
"You are sick, Madeline. You expect me to disguise as a man, and enter the den of lions? What if that jerk manages to recognize me? I'll land myself in a life imprisonment for sure, for not only pouring hot coffee on him, but for also having the guts to go to his company, impersonating someone else." Avery rattled out.
"You will just have to trust in my makeup skills, Avery. When have I ever let you down?" Madeline said, and before Avery could respond, she quickly continued, "besides, we don't have many options on our hands, and you are also good at programming and tech stuff to some extent. Think of Owen."
Avery pressed her lips into a thin line, and stayed silent for a bit. Madeline was right, they didn't have many options in their hands. She had even been the one thinking of so many things she could do to make money earlier, many of which were illegal, so this shouldn't be a problem, right?
"Alright, let's do this." Avery spoke with determination brimming in her eyes.
Madeline gave Avery a reassuring smile, and immediately set to work, while Avery's heart pounded with anticipation. Madeline carefully selected the contouring products, and brushes needed for the transformation, and with a steady hand, Madeline began to work her magic.
Using the contour powder, Madeline skillfully sculpted Avery's jawline, creating shadows that gave the illusion of a more defined, and masculine appearance. She then expertly blended the product, ensuring a seamless transition.
Next, Madeline reached for the highlighter, and delicately applied it to the high points of Avery's face. The subtle shimmer caught the light, enhancing her features and adding a touch of glow. As the contouring, and highlighting came together, Madeline handed over a mirror to Avery.
Avery caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror, and a smile spread across her face as she sees the transformation taking shape. She felt a newfound confidence, knowing that she's one step closer to resembling her twin brother, Owen.
But the transformation didn't stop there. Madeline reached for a wig that perfectly matched Owen's hair, and with gentle precision, she secured it onto Avery's head, completing the look.
"All done!" Madeline excitedly squealed.
Avery nodded in approval at her image in the mirror, but then she said, "I'm still a little worried about my eyes though. Even if I and Owen have the same eye color, my own is still so unique, and my 'boss to be' might find it a little familiar."
"Easy fix, you can just wear glasses." Madeline said before handing over a chest binder to Avery. "Your chest is already so close to being flat, so all you have to do is to wear this, before you then wear one of Owen's presentable suit. Go go go! Time is running out."
Avery then took it from Madeline, and ran upstairs to Owen's room to complete the transformation.