Charlotte's POV
On a weekend afternoon, Charlotte, Chris, and Sarah walked into the cinema together. Today's feature was a Marvel blockbuster that they had all been eagerly anticipating. Soon after the movie began, the three were immersed in the unfolding drama on screen.
"Check out Black Panther's moves; they're getting smoother by the second," Chris said, sitting next to Charlotte, his voice tinged with admiration.
"Yeah, his fight scenes are so cool, especially that building-jumping stunt. Perfectly executed," Sarah commented, grabbing a handful of popcorn without taking her eyes off the screen. "I wonder what I'd do if I had that kind of power."
"I bet you'd head straight to the supermarket for a jumbo ice cream," Charlotte joked, chuckling, but his mind was elsewhere.
"Haha, maybe, but I kind of wish I could be a superhero like that," Sarah replied, turning to Charlotte. "What about you, Charlotte? If you could be a superhero, who would you want to be?"
Charlotte's heart skipped a beat, his gaze drifting to the fierce female heroes on screen. They were no longer the traditional damsels in distress but powerful beings capable of fighting their own battles and solving their own problems.
"Well, probably them," Charlotte whispered, his eyes inadvertently fixing on a female character clad in a form-fitting suit. "They're really impressive."
"Oh? Which one caught your eye?" Chris turned, surprised, his gaze landing on Charlotte's face.
Charlotte hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "That powerful female warrior. There's an irresistible force about her."
"I knew you'd go for the strong characters," Sarah teased. "You've always liked decisive, tough personalities, haven't you?"
"I suppose," Charlotte smiled faintly, but inside, he wasn't as lighthearted. "Still, that character is quite compelling."
Throughout the movie, the trio exchanged comments on the characters and plot, discussing everything from the storyline to the special effects to the heroes' growth, with hardly a pause.
"What do you guys think about that male hero—do you think he's dead or alive?" Chris asked excitedly.
"I think he's probably alive. After all, Marvel characters always find a way to come back," Sarah munched on popcorn, seemingly prescient about it all. "Even if he is dead, there's got to be a way for him to return."
"I'm not so sure. The villain in this one seems different," Charlotte replied absentmindedly, his gaze turning back to the screen, but his mind contemplating another matter: If I could become strong and free like these heroes, perhaps I could break these shackles and truly become myself.
He couldn't help but recall the website link Jake had given him. The slogan of that website echoed in his mind again: "Gender reshaping, we will help you find your true self." Charlotte felt conflicted; this longing was like an invisible force, always pushing him forward. Maybe this was a sign from the heavens?
Yet another emotion followed—fear. What if he really did it, changed his identity? What would happen? Would his relationship with Chris become awkward? Could he, who had approached Chris as a "buddy," maintain this close relationship? Was all this change worth the risk?
"Charlotte, what are you thinking about?" Chris's voice pulled him from his thoughts. Charlotte realized he was staring at the female hero on screen, lost in reverie.
"Ah, nothing. Just that the female hero's lines were really great," Charlotte forced a smile, trying to hide his feelings.
"Haha, yeah, that speech of hers was so powerful! It felt like she outshined all the male heroes the moment she appeared," Sarah said, lightly patting Charlotte's arm. "Look, don't you want to be someone like that?"
Charlotte paused, his heart racing involuntarily. Could I be as strong as them? He dared not think about it, fearing that a decision at that moment would make everything irreversible.
As the movie continued, the three returned to discussing character traits and fight scenes. Chris and Sarah seemed engrossed in discussing character development and plot twists, while Charlotte gradually became lost in his own thoughts. He tried several times to shift his focus, but every time the female heroes appeared on screen, the desire in his heart flared up again.
After the movie ended, the three walked out of the theater into the twinkling street lights and a cool evening breeze. Charlotte walked silently between them, his heart still unsettled. The movie tonight had given him much to think about, especially when he saw those female heroes; the urge to change within him began to quietly grow again. Perhaps if he could become as strong as them, everything would be different.
"How was the movie?" Chris asked, patting Charlotte on the shoulder. "What part did you think was the most exciting?"
"Uh, it was pretty good overall, the fight scenes were impressive," Charlotte replied casually, his gaze drifting away unconsciously.
As they were leaving the theater, Charlotte suddenly noticed a familiar figure swiftly pass through the crowd. His heart skipped a beat, and his sight locked onto that fleeting silhouette. Although it was just a brief glimpse, he was certain he recognized that person.
"What's up?" Chris looked back at Charlotte, who had stopped in his tracks, his gaze a bit dazed.
"Nothing, just saw someone familiar," Charlotte shook his head, trying to hide his unease. "Just thought I recognized them."
"Oh? Who is it?" Sarah also turned around, curiously asking.
Charlotte stood in place, still savoring the feeling from that moment. That silhouette, that person brushing past in a hurry, was that really Jake? He dared not think more about it, took a few steps, and his gaze continued to search for that familiar figure. But the crowd had dispersed, and that silhouette had vanished into the city lights. He stopped, still without an answer.