Maryam playfully splashed her twin, “Isn’t that nice?”

“Hey, watch he hair!” Max scrunched his nose in an exaggerated pout. He had to admit, time in the water was just what the doctor ordered. He was still sharing Maryam’s wardrobe, so anything was a nice break from the tight shirts and pinchy bras, even if his bikini still clung to him like it was painted on. The others in house came up with the idea, and despite Max’s trepidation towards going out in something so revealing outside, they had descended on him like vultures, insisting on a fashion show to decide which swimsuit he would wear, voting against any one-pieces and anything modest, for that matter.
 
No one had reported the second Maryam running around yet- what would they even say if they did?- and her sorority sisters were more than happy to take Max under their wing. Though some days it felt like he had agreed to be their pet. They had even begun calling him by a new name: Mei. “A prettier name that fits better” they had said, leaving no room for debate. If there was someone free, you best believe “Mei” would be dressed up like a doll, or have someone do his makeup just for someone to wipe it off and redo it their way. When he had to endure his first period (having his clothes fit even more snug than before) it was a veritable parade of heating pads and aspirin and chocolate and tea and about a dozen other women doting over him. It had been frustrating not having a moment’s peace at times, yet an interesting bonding experience with the rest of the ladies, in a twisted sort of way. And though some habits he gained during his time as a stoic guy were hard to shake, the fact that he could rely on so many people, that he could be more honest with his emotions and get that vulnerability in return was something he began to treasure.

“Oh!” Max was embarrassed. It appeared while he was deep in thought, Maryam had been giving him a face he couldn’t clock. Well, he had to see that face every day, rather she was giving a weird expression: she kept checking the windows, as if she worried about getting caught or something. “Sorry, is there somethi-” he was interrupted by her lunging forward for a kiss. Her plump lips were soft against his own identical ones. She wasn’t being rough, but going at it hard with an urgency, a desparation, like this was her only chance. It was a little clumsy, with Maryam not having a ton of experience taking the lead, but that didn’t stop them from making out for a good minute. She only pulled away for air, a single strand of saliva still connecting their mouths. Maryam was panting with excitement, “I was curious…” she stated matter-of-factly.
Max was at a loss for words. He always had a huge crush on Maryam back when they were just classmates, but even then he didn’t think he had a shot, much less now that he was a woman. A woman who was a perfect copy of her! But if she insisted… “Fuck it…” he said, slipping out of English while slipping off his top, beckoning her back to his side of the pool.