As Shannon nervously stood before her, clad in a bathrobe, Margaret didn't know what to think. True, she had been acting strange recently, but it wasn't anything too out of the ordinary. On the contrary; considering how much her mood had improved and how often she was going out, Margaret could only assume that she had acquired one hell of a social life. Inviting her into her room like this, though, was simply awkward. "Shannon, what's going on?"
"I just wanted to..." She bowed her head for a few seconds before looking at Margaret again. "I just wanted to say goodbye."
"'Goodbye?' Are you dropping out of college?"
She nodded slowly. "A lot has happened to me these past few weeks, and I've done a lot of thinking about what I really want. Advertising isn't a part of it, not anymore."
"But what are you going to do? Change majors? You can't get a good job these days without a degree, you realize."
"I know." Shannon fell silent again for a few seconds. "Margaret, what do you want?"
"I want to graduate, get a job-"
She shook her head. "No, I mean... what do you want more than that? Even if you can't make a living off of it, even if it's impossible... and what would you do if you could make it a reality?"
"That..." Margaret sighed. "I don't understand."
Shannon nodded to herself before spreading her arms and letting the robe fall from her shoulders, revealing a purple latex two-piece and stockings. As Margaret looked on in confusion, a shiny red spot began to form on Shannon's abdomen, forming a band that quickly spread up and down across her body. As it reached her neck she closed her eyes, her hair and lips turning deep purple as the color rose up her cheeks and head. She opened her eyes - now a brilliant purple - and gestured to herself. "Maybe this will explain it."
Margaret took a step back and stared, aghast. "...wh... what -are- you?"
"I'm... I'm my desires. I don't know how it happened, but deep down, this is what I really wanted."
"No," she replied, shaking her head. "No, you're- look at yourself! You're not -you!- Whatever did this to you is messing with your head!"
"Margaret, I'm still the same person I always was. Just... different." Sighing, she gestured to her desk. "If you still don't believe that this is something I truly wanted, check my computer. You should find some... files and links that prove it."
As Margaret looked at the computer Shannon walked onto the balcony, turning and leaning back against the railing. "I just wanted to give you a heads-up before I left. We haven't known each other that long but you've been really nice to me. If I'm in the area again I might drop by some time." She gave her a wan smile. "Well." She leaned back, tipping over the railing. "See you."
"Wait!" Margaret sprinted forward as Shannon dropped out of sight. She reached the railing just as a huge red and purple balloon float up past her, drifting off into the midnight sky.