Doppelganger: Anamorphosis

Chapter one. Blame the mirror

Judy sprinted out into the street, turned down a deserted alley, and pressed her back against the wall. She slammed the back of her head against the brickwork several times, hoping that it would make her stupid brain fall into place.

Alas, the measure did not have the necessary effect. Her mind was still a mess.

How stupid I am, - she thought angrily and reached into her jacket pocket for her phone. Her palms got wet, and the gadget almost slipped out onto the sidewalk. Luckily, Gabriella immediately picked up the phone - with some sixth sense she recognized the urgent need her friend had for her.

- Gabs? - Judith began pitifully, - Are you busy? Can you come over?

- I'm on my way, baby, - the cheerful voice on the speaker assured her.

Judy texted Gabriella the address and looked around-the back alley was a nasty, dirty place, but she wasn't ready to leave her hiding place just yet. Maybe he was still there. Awkward conversations were the last thing the confused girl needed right now.

She hated February, and near the end of the month she was finally losing control.

She should have gotten used to it a long time ago and avoided the upheaval as much as possible.

The best thing she could do was lock herself up at home, stock up on food, and think of some activities to distract herself. Certainly not get involved in dubious ventures like this one, and not fall for Gabriella's nudges.

Yes, this is all Gaby's fault. The absurd, ridiculous situation and the existential dread that now possessed Judy.

As soon as her friend appeared in her line of sight, she began to voice her displeasure.

- Why did I listen to you? - You're a terrible, deceitful woman,- she exclaimed instead of greeting, pacing the alley from side to side. This is a total failure!

- That's how, - Gabriella grinned, and stretched out mockingly, - I'm so sorry! So sorry I care about your life. So sorry that I don't want you to die a lonely old maid, surrounded by forty cats!

- I haven't got one cat,- Judith reminded her grumpily; - the landlord forbids me to have animals.

Not that she was uncomfortable about it. She couldn't take care of herself, let alone the welfare of any other creature. It was frightening to think of the fate of her hypothetical pet, given that. And, of course, her extremely precarious financial situation.

- Done. I'll give you your first cat for your thirtieth birthday,- Gabriella finished, - I won't bother to drive around all the shelters and find a "fenomeno". The ugliest and shabbiest one. Okay?

Judy glanced in her direction; her friend was amused, not feeling any sympathy for her distress. It was infuriating, as was her habit of inserting Spanish words into her speech.

It's easy for her, - Judy thought, - easy for her to make fun of me.

Gaby is so confident and bright and charming! If Judith were a man, she would fall prey to her charm and exotic beauty. How can you resist caramel skin, feminine shapes, luxurious hair and a languorous look from under long eyelashes? You can't. But Judy was a girl, and all she had to do was envy. And to feel like an ugly duckling next to her friend. A "fenomeno".

- I still have time, - she said.

- Well, well, well, - Gabriella hummed, - bien, I'll give you a chance. But if you don't find a man, you get a cat. Can you do it in two years? Oh, I doubt it, - she laughed.

Even her laugh was melodic and infectious, not like the dying seagull cries Judy usually made.

- In three, - she corrected, pouting.