My cat Urus - 15

Brad’s sheets were damp when he woke. His heart pounded like he’d been running. The dream replayed in fragments: a bus stop, a plaid skirt brushing smooth legs, boys offering drinks, her laugh, his laugh, sweet and sharp at once.

Brad dragged himself up, expecting to see long hair in the mirror. Instead, his usual reflection stared back, messy brown hair, broad shoulders. He breathed out in relief.

Downstairs, his mom greeted him without looking. “Morning, honey.”

Brad froze. Honey? She never calls me that.

But she sipped her coffee, unconcerned.

At school, Josh slapped his back. “You look beat, man. Rough night?”

Brad muttered, “Weird dreams.”

Josh snickered. “Sexy ones?”

The word made Brad flush, for reasons he didn’t want to admit. He shoved Josh harder than he meant to, muttering “Shut up.” But the blush stayed.

That night, Urus spun lazily in the corner of Brad’s room. “Dreams are fun, aren’t they?”

Brad sat up. “You, this is you, isn’t it?”

Urus smirked. “Dreams? They’re yours. I just… nudge.”

Brad turned away. He hated how his chest tightened at that.

The dream was vivid again. Britney, his Britney, walked the school halls. Boys stared openly. Girls whispered and smiled. She brushed her hair back and glowed under the attention.

Brad woke with his heart pounding.

At school, something was off. Walking between classes, he noticed his steps were shorter, lighter. His hips rolled just slightly.

Josh caught up, frowning. “Yo… you okay? You walk like…” He trailed off.

Brad stiffened. “Like what?”

Josh laughed nervously. “Like… I dunno. Just different.”

Brad shoved his hands in his pockets, angry with himself.

But when he passed a group of girls, one smiled warmly at him. For a moment, he almost smiled back without thinking.

That evening, at dinner, his mom suddenly said, “Brad, you’re glowing tonight. Did something good happen at school?”

Brad almost dropped his fork. His dad nodded in agreement. Neither looked surprised.

Upstairs, Brad collapsed on his bed. Urus floated above him, amused. “You’re learning how to shine. People like you better this way.”

Brad snarled, “Shut up.”

But he couldn’t deny it felt… good.

The dream put him on the football field. Britney jogged in with the boys, ponytail bouncing. They cheered when she scored, letting her glide past tackles. Her laugh was pure music.

Brad woke, breathless, his thighs aching like he’d run.

In gym, he noticed his arms tucked in closer, his steps quicker and sharper.

“Brad, you coming?” a teammate called.

“Y-Yeah!”

But he saw Josh frowning at him. Later, Josh muttered, “Not gonna lie, dude… you’re acting less like, y’know… you.”

Brad snapped, “I’m fine!” But inside, fear twisted.

That night, the dream had Britney in a sundress, boys circling her, buying food, holding doors. She laughed and let them. She liked it.

Brad woke, biting his lip. His chest was sore. When he pulled off his shirt, his nipples were visibly swollen, sensitive.

He grabbed his hoodie and muttered, “No one can see this.”

At breakfast, his mom barely glanced up. “You should wear looser shirts, honey. You’re filling out up top.”

Brad froze. His dad just nodded like it was normal.

Britney danced at a party in the dream, music blaring, dress hugging her body. Boys circled, girls cheered, someone spun her in the lights. She felt alive.

Brad woke with tears on his cheeks.

At school, his chest was unmistakable. Not huge, but rounded. He wore layers to hide it, but Josh stared anyway.

“Dude…” Josh whispered. “What’s happening to you?”

Brad whispered back, “Don’t. Just don’t.”

Josh grabbed his arm. “Are you, do you wanna tell me something?”

Brad yanked free, cheeks burning.

But later, when a boy held a door for him, Brad muttered “Thanks” in a softer tone without realizing.

That evening, Urus watched him brush his teeth. Brad stared at his reflection, his lips softer, hair longer at the edges, chest pushing against fabric.

“I’m turning into a girl,” Brad whispered.

Urus smirked. “Not turning. Becoming.”

Brad didn’t argue.

The dream was a blur of softness, Britney waking up, stretching in silky pajamas, chest heavy, hips wide. She dressed in a skirt, pulled her hair into a ponytail, hummed while walking to school.

When Brad woke, the dream hadn’t ended. His chest pressed against the sheets, fully formed breasts. His hips were wider, waist slim. His voice cracked into a higher pitch when he gasped.

He stumbled to the mirror. A girl stared back. Pretty, disheveled, with Brad’s eyes.

He sat down hard on the bed, shaking. “I-I’m..”

The door opened. His mom called, “Britney, breakfast!”

He froze. “Brit..”

Downstairs, his dad smiled. “Morning, princess.”

Nobody looked confused. Nobody acted like he’d changed at all.

At school, teachers called him Britney. Friends greeted him like nothing was wrong. Boys smiled more, lingered more. Girls linked arms with him in the hall.

Josh cornered him at lunch, pale. “Brad… this is insane. Nobody even notices you’re different. But I do. I remember. You were my bro.”

Brad bit his lip. “…Don’t call me that. Not here.”

Josh stared, horrified. Brad turned away, tears threatening.

That night, Brad lay in bed as Urus drifted nearby.

“You hate me,” Urus said casually.

Brad whispered, “I don’t.” And realized he meant it.

The dreams stopped feeling like dreams. They were memories now. Flirting, laughing, being carried by boys.

At school, Brad didn’t even try to act masculine. He wore what his mom laid out: a soft blouse, slim jeans.

He caught himself giggling with girls in the hall, complaining about homework, even touching up lip gloss one handed, without knowing when he’d learned.

Josh avoided him all day. But when they met at the bus stop, Josh whispered, “Do you… like this?”

Brad swallowed. “…I don’t hate it.”

Josh shook his head. “You’re not the same guy anymore.”

Brad looked down at his nails, painted. He didn’t remember painting them.

“…Maybe that’s okay,” he whispered.

That night, Urus hovered silently. He didn’t need to say anything. Brad was already living it.

Brad dreamed he was on a hilltop, hair blowing in the wind. A boy held her hand, gazing at her like she was the most beautiful thing alive.

She smiled and leaned in.

Brad woke, heart pounding.

Urus sat at the window, glowing faintly. “It’s time.”

Brad sat up, clutching the blanket to his chest. “Time?”

Urus floated closer. His voice was softer than ever. “My journey here is over. I’ll return to my world tonight. But before I go… I want to give you something. A choice.”

Brad’s throat tightened.

“You can return to your old body,” Urus said. “The boy you were. Or… stay like this. Stay Britney. My friend. My gift to you.”

Brad’s cheeks burned. His hands trembled in his lap. He thought of football games, hanging out with Josh, his old reflection. Then he thought of the smiles, the laughter, the way his parents looked at him without question. The way he felt lighter. Softer. Happier.

He whispered, “…If I stay like this… it’s forever?”

Urus nodded.

Brad’s face flushed red. He bit his lip, then looked up, meeting Urus’ gaze.

“…I’ll remain. I’ll stay… a girl.”

Urus smiled, not smug, not mocking, but warm. For once, Brad didn’t hate him.

As dawn broke, Britney breathed out in relief. Time to live as a girl.