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And I just sat there, neon green with envy. They looked like they were having the time of their life, and I just watched them as they played their first original song flawlessly. I was most jealous of the drummer, which I so arrogantly considered MY instrument, as he made it look so effortless – as did the lead, bass and rhythm guitarists, as they flaunted their skills on the cramped stage in the club affectionately known as 'The Dumpster'. Then the singer came back on, all the tattoos and piercings he was too, and belted out the final lyrics with a room-filling strength. He was known as the 'leader' of their band, and I had known him since high school. In fact, I had asked him almost a year ago if I could have joined, but by that time the drummer spot had already been taken. Now they were looking for a keyboard player, but I was as much a pianist as I was a flying pig, so I was left out again.

"Damn it… " I muttered beneath all the noise and wound my way through the cheering crowd to get out of the stifling room. I couldn't bear the envy anymore.
The snow outside lay thick and powdered, and the cold as bitter as I was. I trudged through, shoulders hunched and hands stuffed in pockets. In my huff I hadn't noticed my path had taken me up past Ms. Green's house, an old lady who I had known since I was a kid, and who I'd helped out on a variety of occasions. She had just finished taking her garbage cans out and stood at her door watching me come up the street. I looked up and gave a little jump of surprise;  I hadn't heard her say anything but somehow she got my attention.

"Oh, hi there Ms. Green!" I called, trying my best to put on a cheery face.
"Hello there!" she smiled, her wrinkled face benevolent and welcoming. "It's awful late for a young scamp like you to be out!"
I gave a dry chuckle; it was only 8:30, and I was 21. "Just been out to the club down the road."
"Why don't you come inside for a spell? You must be dreadfully cold, mustn't you?" She beckoned, and I stepped inside. I felt kinda sorry for her, all alone since her husband had died almost two years ago, and I tried my best to speak to her whenever I was in the neighbourhood. I sat on her olive green sofa and smiled as she busied herself with making tea.

Five minutes of small-talk and catching up later, she leaned forward and gave me a long look. I sat there, not knowing what to say, and sipped the over-sweet tea.
"I'm sensing something's troubling you…"
I shook my head. "Nahh, I'm just fine."

But she kept staring, and said "No, I know it. You're burning with jealousy, and anger."
I looked back at her. I'd never hear her talk like this, with affirmation and a strange strength.
"Well… It's kinda silly really. I just wanted to join my friend's band… 'The Ribcages', have you heard of them?" I highly doubted she was up-to-date with the heavy prog-rock bands in our area.
She paused, before saying "No, I can't say that I have. So why haven't you joined them?" She sipped the last of her tea and laid the cup with a clink on the saucer.
"Well they've already got a dang good drummer, and now they need a keyboardist, but I'm no good at it, and…" I trailed off, uneasy.

"Keyboardist?" there was a tug at the edges of her mouth, almost betraying a smile. "Why, I was quite the piano player in my day you know."
"You were?" I looked up, surprised.
"Yep. Lots of classical stuff, as well as more contemporary pieces now and then."
"Could you…" I felt odd asking. "perhaps teach me a little?"
She sat back in her worn, felt-covered chair. "Oh, you want to join them that badly?"
I fidgeted. "Well… sort of…"
She gave a small sigh and looked me in the eye again.
"You might be surprised to know that I know all about your band troubles, how you hated the singer, your friend, for leaving you out. How you wished you could fill some other role. I've known a lot about you, for a long time now."
Now she was starting to creep me out. "What do you mean…?"

"I can do better than just teach you to play." That quality had returned to her voice, that strange force that I had never anticipated. "I can give you all of my skill, all of my practice, in an instant."
This was definitely getting weird. "…What?"
"You've always been kind to this old lady, and I owe you a little early Christmas present this year. What better gift than talent?"
I stared, bewildered. "How… are you going to do that?"
She stood up slowly, stretching her fingers. "Oh, a little trick I've learnt over the years. Now, close your eyes and relax."

I gave her a very confused look, but obliged and tried my best to stay calm. She placed her bony hands on my temples and took a deep breath.

Then she took them off, and I opened my eyes.

"What… huh?" I blinked, not sure what was going on.
"That should do it." She smiled contentedly and sat back down.
"But… you didn't d-" I stopped abruptly. My voice.
"Oh, I think I did. I haven't used that spell in a long time but you never do forget it."
I looked down, and couldn't believe my eyes.
"I maybe should have mentioned the little condition of my present…"

My eyes fed me images of two soft, round mounds of flesh, cupped in a black corset-like dress, which showed off a gorgeous female figure leading down to a flared hem. Where my legs had been just a moment ago sat two silky-smooth thighs, wrapped up in fishnet pantyhose, and those lead onto a pair of knee-high laced boots. Immediately I leapt to my feet, backing away from Ms. Green in shock.

"What have you done to me?!" I gasped, still unable to take it in.
"Why, I've just imbued you with decades of experience and expert tuition on the piano!"
I turned to the mirror hanging over the mantelpiece, sure that my eyes were playing tricks on me.

In the mirror, a girl wore mascara, eyeshadow, foundation, black lipstick. A shock of spiky, pure white hair, a necklace with a fragmented heart around her neck, fingerless gloves made of see-through black fabric, and a gothic dress that hugged her curves and exposed her shoulders. I raised my hand to my face and the girl did the same. Her mouth fell open as mine did.

"I'm a girl!" I gasped, as if saying it out loud would convince my brain of this reality. I turned to Ms. Green, bewildered. "wh… Why?"
She clasped her hands and smiled. "I know everything about you, and I know everything about the boy whose band you were rejected from. I know that there's too much bad blood between you, and even if you were the best musician ever, he wouldn't be comfortable around you. So now, like this, you've got a fresh start!"
"But I'm not a… this won't work, I'm a guy!" I protested, staring at her.
"Not according to him, your parents, everyone you know except me! That's one of the little fun things about magic, changing perceptions on a grand scale. You'll still have all your memories of your previous life, but everyone else will be under the impression you have always been this way." She smiled warmly, and I looked my new form over again.
"What's with the… outfit?" I tugged at the hem of the dress; it was as solid and real as the rest of it.

"Well, I wouldn't approve of such things myself, but I know how those boys style themselves, and I'm sure you'll fit right in. Speaking of which…" She stood up, checking her watch. "The Ribcages will be finishing in ten minutes or so… if you head down there now, approach the singer after the show, endear yourself to him and ask to join, I'm certain they won't refuse. You'll do a little improv on the keyboard backstage and they'll be blown away." She gave another smile, and laid her hands on my bare shoulders. "And it'll be everything you wished for, won't it?"

Trills and slides, leaping chords and blazing fast solos, I played that synthesizer with passion and ease. The Ribcages just stood  there dumbfounded. I grinned uncontrollably and with a final burning, echoing note I finished and turned to face them.
"So, am I good enough?" I spoke with my soft voice. Lead and Bass stood agape, while Drums and Rhythm stared at my ample chest – which, I was surprised to find, I didn't particularly mind.
"… I'd say so, yeah." Singer stepped forward, breaking the trance I had over them. "Welcome to our band!"
"It's an honour."  I shook his hand and gave him a devastatingly cute grin, making a mental note to hug the hell out of Ms. Green whenever I dropped by next.

Three weeks later, I was sitting backstage with the rest of the guys, buzzing with excitement. This was a massive gig, in one of the biggest bars in the country, and we were all on top form. Our singer came through the side door and gave a thumbs up.
"On in five minutes!" he spoke, and I got up and walked towards him.
"Gonna wish me luck again?" I crooned, laying my arms over his broad shoulders.
"As if you need it!" He chuckled, and we kissed passionately, lost for a moment in the embrace.
Bass just rolled his eyes. "Guys, c'mon, can you keep it in till' after the show?"

I smiled. Sure it wasn't what I had expected, but it was far better than what I had wished for.