Resequencing DNA

The two girls made their way arm-in-arm, down through the hedgerows, remaining in complete silence. That was however until they reached the spot by the large pond, the same location that Eloise had taken Ashleigh to, the previous evening. Once there, Eloise let go of Ashleigh’s arm, before walking to the edge of the water, silently gazing out across the water as Ashleigh watched on.

“Why would she even speak about that?” asked Eloise, her eyes not straying from the pond that was in front of the pair.

“I…I don’t know…” replied Ashleigh rather sheepishly, “Is it truly that bad?” she proceeded to ask.

With those words being uttered by Ashleigh, Eloise quickly turned her head to look at Ashleigh, turning that fast, in fact, that it was a wonder she didn’t snap her own neck in the process.

“That bad!” snapped Eloise, “Ashleigh…I mean no disrespect when I say this…but it’s not like we have known you a long time…and here she is telling people she barely knows, embarrassing stories from when I was a child.”

“Yeah…I understand what you mean…I guess,” replied Ashleigh, nodding her head in agreement with Eloise. “Why are you so embarrassed though Eloise…many children mimic their parents…it’s a rather normal thing to do,” she added, stepping forward and placing a comforting arm around Eloise’s shoulder.

“I…I…I don’t know…” replied Eloise, a tear began to roll softly down her cheek. “Well…I do know…well..kind of…there’s more to it than just mimicking my parents Ash,” she added softly.

“Well…I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…Eloise…you can tell me anything,” stated Ashleigh. “Look…I only met you yesterday…and unlike most people…I feel like…I don’t know…something just clicked. I have quickly come to think of you as…well…one of my best friends…you and Pip.”

Eloise turned to look at Ashleigh and smiled,

“I guess…I guess you’re right Ash…I think of you that way too…I…I trust you,” Eloise said softly, with a sweet, warm smile as she looked into Ashleigh’s eyes.

“See,” replied Ashleigh, smiling back at her new friend, “ that’s what I like to see…you know you can always trust me…even when I…you know…and besides…you already know my deepest secret,” she added with a giggle.

Once more, Ashleigh noticed a look of sadness appear in Eloise’s big, brown, soulful eyes. Eyes that were usually so full of joy and almost carefree, it wasn’t like her at all to look this way. She quickly turned her head to look back out across the water, in what seemed as though it was a rather feeble attempt to hide her true feelings from her friend.

“Hey…hey…what’s wrong?” asked Ashleigh, “was it something I said?”

Eloise sighed deeply,

“That…that’s just t Ash…you don’t know just how lucky you are…you…you’ve been given a chance…an opportunity…to see and experience life from both aspects,” explained Eloise in a rather abrupt tone of voice.

“What? what do you mean? It’s not like I asked for this,” replied Ashleigh, somewhat taken aback by Eloise’s choice of words as well as her tone.

“Precisely!” exclaimed Eloise, “You don’t realise just how lucky you are…and on top of that…you don’t even want it…and yet…and yet…” she paused deep in thought, now looking towards the ground.

“And yet…others would love to be in my position…is that it?” asked Ashleigh.

“Yes…” replied Eloise, “That…that’s precisely it…I would do anything…even…just for a day.”

“Does anyone else know how you feel…your parents…your brothers…aunt or uncle...or even Pippa?” asked Ashleigh.

 However, before Eloise had the chance to respond to Ashleigh’s question, a familiar voice spoke up from behind the pair.

“Do I know…what exactly?” said the voice.

Both Ashleigh and Eloise turned around to see Pippa standing behind them, by the entrance to the hedgerows.

“Pippa…what… why are you down here?…it’s your wedding day,” Asked Eloise, attempting to conceal the sadness in her voice by trying to sound a little more upbeat than she had been.

“I noticed the pair of you had left the marquee and wondered where you had gone…when I saw James sitting alone with aunt Bridget for such a long time…I asked him where you were and he mentioned something about Eloise being upset…so I went looking for you both…and I knew I’d find you here,” stated Pippa. “So…I ask again…do I know what?”

 “It’s your wedding Pip…there’s honestly nothing to worry about,” said Eloise, causing Pippa to give her a knowing glare.

“El…you tell me this instant,” demanded Pippa, “I would rather know that you two are okay…that is all.”

Eloise sighed and glanced at Pippa before looking back to Ashleigh.

“Yes…Pip knows…well part of it anyway,” stated Eloise, before turning to look at Pippa once more. “My mother…she told Ashleigh…all about Elijah,” she added.

“Oh…okay…so what of it?” asked Pippa curiously.

“I was just telling Ash…how…how lucky she is…getting to experience what she’s going through…and yet…she never even wanted it…” replied Eloise, a tear rolling down her cheek once more. “It’s been…troubling me…all my life…yet I’ve managed to hide it pretty well…don’t you agree…yet meeting Ashleigh yesterday…it just brought up…a lot of thoughts…and feelings…you know.”

“Oh…my dearest cousin…I knew about the whole Elijah thing…but I had no idea it ran this deep,” said Pippa, gesturing for Eloise to approach her.  

Both Eloise and Ashleigh approached the spot where Pippa was standing, Eloise proceeded to throw her arms around her cousin, hugging her tightly.

“I just don’t understand…” said Ashleigh, “you always seem so…so happy…being a guy…isn’t anything spectacular…trust me.”

Eloise broke her embrace with Pippa and looked back at Ashleigh.

“Well…you see…my mother and father…well…they make aunt Vivian and uncle Alistair appear…somewhat modern…” explained Eloise. “Where they allow Pip to be successful…do what she wants and so on…for me…in my side of the family…it has always been different…William and Lawrence are to be the successful ones…whereas me…I’ve always been told to be like my mother…find a successful husband…be married off to a son of one of my father's rich friends...and that just isn’t me…that’s also the reason I hate being around my family…Ash, you asked what was wrong with me…right after speaking with my father and brothers…well there’s your answer…they always treat me so…so differently…oh my little girl…oh little sister…this is men guys only…you shouldn’t be here.”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t just be who you are…and forge your own way Eloise,” stated Ashleigh.

Eloise shook her head in response, “No…it’s more than that…that’s just the reason I’ve always been resentful of my father and brothers…” explained Eloise. “Ever since I was young…I always felt…different somehow,” she added, looking at Pippa once more who simply nodded and smiled. “That’s one of the reasons…that me and Pip used to come down here…she would want to play dress up or with dolls…in her room…but that wasn’t me,” she added.

“No…it was never you,” said Pippa with a smile, “You always wanted to run around…climb…explore ….get me into trouble,” she added with a giggle. 

“Yes…exactly,” replied Eloise, “As long as I can remember…I have always felt…so…different…like I was meant to be someone different entirely.”

“And yet…since I’ve met you…you always seemed so…” started Ashleigh before pausing.

“Girly…feminine? Asked Eloise.

“Yes…I guess so,” answered Ashleigh.

“Trust me…that is not my cousin..this is one of the only times you will see her wearing makeup,” laughed Pippa.

Eloise simply nodded and laughed along with her cousin.

“Anyway…that is the reason I’ve been so fascinated by your transformation Ash…the fact that you are completely indistinguishable from the likes of myself or Pip…who had been born female…I have always wondered since I met you…would it work…the other way…what would it be like to be a man…for a weekend…or even just a day,” explained Eloise.

“The problem you have there is El…that brother of mine…the one who could make this a reality for you…is an utter arsehole…pardon my language,” said Pippa.

“Right…Wesley…” said Ashleigh whilst nodding and agreeing with Pippa’s statement.

“I have a feeling that it’s going to be a struggle for even you to return Ashleigh,” added Pippa.

“I’m sure Wes wouldn’t stop me from turning back…would he? He would fix what he’s done…right?” asked Ashleigh in a blind panic.

“If I know my brother…he has always tried to run from his mistakes…but…with that said…you were his best friend,” answered Pippa.    

“I’m not sure that we are still on best friend terms…after last night,” thought Ashleigh.

“If not…couldn’t we just…you know…report him to his place of work…or the police…or something?” asked Eloise. “Or….surely there is someone else…someone who works with Wesley…who could reverse it all…right?”

“Oh yeah…because that’s all I’d need…my choices would be to get someone else involved or…make this almost public knowledge…great choices Eloise,” answered Ashleigh.

“Or…alternatively…Ashleigh could not change back…and stay this way…forever,” giggled Eloise, whilst batting her eyelashes at Ashleigh, causing Ashleigh to blush and become slightly uncomfortable.

“In any case…” stated Pippa, “There is no point in worrying just now…I will contact Wes tomorrow and discuss the whole…Ashleigh situation,” she added.

“You’re right…and right now you have a wedding to get back to…Mrs Goldman” giggled Eloise.

“Will you stop,” said Pippa with a smile, “You know…no matter how long it took planning and knowing I was to be married…it still sounds weird and will take some getting used to,” she added rather giddily.

With that being said, the trio of women began to make their way back up the path between the hedgerows, with Eloise and Ashleigh on either side of Pippa, linking her arm as they walked slowly up the path.

“Wow…Eloise seems so relieved after getting that off her chest…she seems much…happier I guess…but I can’t help but think…I don’t know…something seems a little…off with her…like she’s holding something back,” thought Ashleigh.