Swapped with the Pop Star
E veryone kept telling me that it was a huge deal to play in Kendra Kadences backing band, but I didnt see it. What was so awesome about having to spend every day and night with one of the most inflated egos in the music business?
Kendra was beautiful, and a good singer, but she was notorious for treating her team like crap. The pay wasnt worth the pain of dealing with her diva meltdowns.
Rehearsal was about to end, and as usual, Kendra had found a reason to make us work later.
Guys, I thought I said this breakdown had to be perfect! The shows tomorrow night! she snapped, spinning around on the stage and facing the musicians. In her latex ensemble, the busty brunette looked smoking hot. The only thing missing from her dominatrix ensemble was a whip she could crack to get us all on the same page faster.
Sorry, the other guys muttered, hanging their heads in shame.
I was the only one who had the guts to say something.
Come on, Kendra, I said, putting my guitar down. We played it exactly the way you told us to. And now you want something different?
Kendra fixed her dark eyes on me and took a few slow, measured steps in my direction. It was a wonder that she didnt fall over in those insanely high platform heels.
Paul, youre on my payroll, so youd better listen to me, she said, staring me down. Maybe if you werent spending so much time staring at my ass, you wouldnt be having so many problems with that run in the middle of the song.
With those words, she returned to the microphone and snapped her fingers. The rest of the guys laughed at me. I was furious.
Well, maybe if you didnt wear a thong onstage, I wouldnt stare at your ass! I shouted.
Kendra ignored me, counting down until the drummer started playing. As if in response to what Id said, she began to gyrate on the stage, swinging her sexy hips and shaking her ass. If Kendra wasnt so hot, the other guys definitely wouldnt have put up with her antics for so long.
By the time rehearsal ended, Kendra seemed to have forgotten all about our little dispute. She told us all wed done a great job and that wed see her tomorrow. Then, as usual, she disappeared, probably heading back to her luxury hotel suite for the night.
I think we were all staring at her ass, Jake, the drummer said, nudging me and winking. Her outfits keep getting hotter and hotter.
I guess thats what happens when sales go down. All she can do is dress like a stripper and grind on the microphone like its a pole, I muttered.
Its the only thing I look forward to these days, Jake sighed.
You really like her, dont you? I asked incredulously.
What can I say? Every man in America wants Kendra Kadenceand I get to sit behind her every day while were on tour. Im living the dream, Jake said.
Jake was pathetic. He was a pretty good-looking guy, and he could get any regular chick he wanted. But for some reason, he was hung up on Kendra. She knew how to turn up the charm when she wanted a good performance out of him, and then as soon as he got up the nerve to ask her out for a drink, she would shoot him down.
What is it you like about her, anyway? Is it because she tells you what to do? You want her to walk all over you in those heels? I asked.
Shut up, Paul, he said, glaring at me.
After putting our gear away, we stepped outside. It took me a minute to adjust to the darkness. It was already extremely late.
You going back to the hotel? Jake asked, yawning.
A little later, man. I think I just need to clear my mind.
I strolled through the parking lot, staring at the night sky. Stars shimmered up above.
See you later! Jake called out, waving as he got into his car.
See you, dude.
I began to wonder if I was jealous of Kendra. She really seemed to have it all: the adoration of the public, all the money in the world, and the power to do whatever she wanted, whatever she wanted. But then why did she act so bitchy and miserable all the time?
Then it hit me. In spite of her provocative wardrobe and suggestive song lyrics, Kendra wasnt getting laid. Maybe her ice queen act repelled any men she deemed successful enough to date. Maybe she looked down on the poor saps like Jake who blindly lusted after her.
I had to admit, Kendra was a pretty complex pop star. My life as a member of her touring band would be way easier if she wasnt such a bitch, though.
At that moment, a shooting star streaked across the sky. I gasped in awe as it passed overhead. Id never seen a comet that looked like that.
All right, I said out loud. I guess I should make a wish. I wishthat Kendra would get laid! ShitId do whatever it takes to make that happen. Even if it means sleeping with her myself! Orpretending to be her or something.
And just like that, the shooting star had vanished along the horizon. I headed to my car, ready to spend another uneventful night in my dingy hotel room.
I started to feel weird on the drive home, like there was a lump in my throat. By the time I got to the hotel, I was sweating profusely. I skipped room service and went straight to bed.
A few floors up, Kendra was sleeping in the nicest room in the whole hotel. I imagined her wearing a slinky little nightgown and a silk eye mask. As I lay in bed, I could practically feel that mask over my eyes and the silky fabric of the nightgown clinging to my skin.
I wondered what had compelled to me to waste my wish on Kendra. And why couldnt I have finished making my wish when I suggested that I, Paul, sleep with Kendra? Whatever. It was too late to go back. Besideswishes on stars never came true. Right?
*
M y eyes fluttered open , but all I saw was darkness. I frantically sat up, reaching my arms out and flailing around. Where was my phone?
I realized that something was covering my eyes. I yanked the eye mask off and sat there, breathing heavily. Where was I? And why were my eyes covered?
I examined the luxurious room, with its elegant decorations and light streaming in through the huge windows. I was on a huge king-sized bed. Next to me was a phone covered in a glittery rose gold case. I glanced at it and saw that I had five missed calls and ten texts.
This had to be a dream. None of it felt real. Why were my fingernails long and sparkly? Why were my hands so petite and soft? And why were my arms smooth and tan and slender?
I let out a little whimper of confusion as I tugged at the white nightgown covering my body. Well, it wasnt my bodybut somehow, I was inside it.
Had I been turned into a woman?!
Oh, my God, I sighed, my voice sweet and feminine. What the fuck is going on?
I pressed my hands against my chest and felt the soft, round curves of breasts. I let my trembling fingertips slide down over my torso and my soft tummy. Holy fuck. I had the body of a woman now.
No. I cant beher, I breathed as the truth dawned on me.
I picked up her phone for confirmation. The first text said, Hey, Kendra! Miss u girl!