June’s bedroom was a riot of soft colors and scattered clothes. Sunlight streamed through the lace curtains, catching on sequins and chiffon as Everett stood in front of the open closet, humming softly to himself. He pulled out a pastel pink sundress with delicate straps, held it up against his chest, and tilted his head in the mirror, turning side to side to see how it would fall on his frame.

“Mom, this has to stop,” June said sharply, standing face-to-face with her mother near the doorway. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, cheeks flushed with frustration. “Look at him! He’s going through my closet again. Make him stop!”

Their mother, calm and composed in a simple blouse and jeans, simply raised an eyebrow. “I will do no such thing, June.”

Everett, completely absorbed, didn’t even glance their way. He set the pink sundress aside and reached for a floral midi skirt, pressing it to his hips with a dreamy little smile, swaying gently as if imagining how it would twirl.

June’s voice rose. “He’s wearing my clothes! My dresses, my skirts-everything! You hypnotized him into this, didn’t you? Undo it. Right now.”

Mother sighed, but there was a satisfied glint in her eye. “You seem to have forgotten how this all started, sweetheart. Do you remember when Everett made that rude remark about the outfit you were wearing? He called it ‘ridiculous’ and said you looked like you were trying too hard. You were so angry that you came to me and begged me to do something about it. You made me promise I would make sure he would stop criticizing your clothes. In fact, you specifically said you wanted him to understand what it felt like-to love every single thing you wore.”

June’s mouth opened, then closed. “I didn’t mean like this! I didn’t ask you to turn him into... into this!”

“But you did ask,” Mother replied smoothly. “And I kept my promise. Everett now genuinely loves all of your apparel. He finds every dress, every skirt, every blouse you own absolutely beautiful. He wants to wear them. He feels happy and confident in them. Isn’t that what you wanted? For him to stop being so judgmental?”

Everett pulled out a silky emerald-green slip dress next, holding it up to his shoulders and admiring the way the fabric shimmered. He was murmuring to himself, “This one would look so pretty...”

June threw her hands up. “Mom, please. This is insane. He’s my brother. He’s going through my closet like it’s his own personal boutique. Make him stop!”

Mother’s expression hardened just a fraction. “June, you had better stop complaining, or I’ll make sure you regret it. Keep pushing me, and I’ll have you dressed in a sharp black tuxedo for prom-complete with bow tie and polished shoes-while you take the head cheerleader as your date. How does that sound? I’m sure she’d look stunning in a gown while you play the perfect gentleman.”

June’s eyes widened in horror. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me,” Mother said coolly. “I kept my promise to you. Now respect the results.”

Across the room, Everett remained blissfully unaware of the argument swirling around him. He held up a white lace-trimmed blouse against his torso, eyes sparkling with innocent delight as he twirled in front of the mirror, lost in his own enchanted little world.

“Mom,” he called out happily, still not turning around, “do you think June would mind if I borrowed this one for the weekend? It’s so cute!”

June stared at her mother, mouth agape, while Everett continued humming and sorting through another rack of dresses, completely entranced.

---

June stood there for a long moment, her mother’s cool smile and the looming threat of prom in a tuxedo still ringing in her ears. She swallowed hard, forcing her fists to unclench. Arguing clearly wasn’t going to work right now.

“Fine,” she muttered through gritted teeth. “Whatever.”

She turned toward her brother, who was still happily swaying in front of the mirror with one of her skirts held against his hips.

“Everett,” June said, keeping her voice as steady as she could, “when you’re done looking through everything... just put it all back where you found it, okay?”

Everett blinked slowly, still in that soft, dreamy haze. He turned to her with a gentle smile. “Okay, June. I’ll put everything away when I’m done. Promise.”

June gave a tight nod, shot one last glare at her mother, and walked out of her own bedroom without another word.

She needed air. Badly.

Twenty minutes later, June slid into a corner booth at the little coffee shop downtown, across from her best friend Tiffany. A steaming vanilla latte sat in front of her, but she hadn’t touched it yet.

“You look like you’re about to explode,” Tiffany said, stirring her iced mocha. “Spill. What happened this time?”

June leaned forward, voice low even though no one was nearby. “It’s Everett. My mom actually did it-she hypnotized him. He’s obsessed with wearing girls’ clothes now. My clothes. He was in my closet this morning, holding up all my dresses, twirling in front of the mirror like some kind of fashion model. And Mom just stood there defending it! She even threatened me-if I keep complaining, she’ll make me go to prom in a tuxedo and take the head cheerleader as my date.”

Tiffany’s eyes widened, then she burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand. “Wait, seriously? That’s... actually kind of hilarious.”

“Hilarious?” June groaned, burying her face in her hands. “It’s my brother raiding my closet every day! He’s wearing my stuff because of some weird hypnosis session Mom did after he made fun of my outfit last month.”

Tiffany leaned back, still grinning. “Okay, but picture it-Everett in your prettiest dresses, spinning around, probably practicing cute poses. Does he do the little hair flip too? I bet he looks ridiculous and adorable at the same time.”

Despite herself, June let out a reluctant laugh. “He was humming. Actually humming while he held up my lavender sundress. And Mom says he’s ‘never looked happier.’ I just... I don’t know what to do.”

Tiffany reached across the table and squeezed her arm. “Look, it sounds temporary and weird, but it’s not hurting anyone, right? He’s just playing dress-up in private. Let your mom’s hypnosis thing run its course. Eventually he’ll get bored or she’ll snap him out of it. Until then... maybe hide your favorite stuff in my house if it really bothers you.”

June sighed, feeling some of the tension finally ease. They spent the next half hour giggling about the mental image of Everett trying to walk in heels or struggling with a bra strap, the absurdity of it all making the situation feel a little less suffocating.

By the time June headed home, she felt calmer. Maybe Tiffany was right. Maybe it was just funny in a bizarre way.

But the moment she opened the door to her bedroom, all that calm vanished.

The room was spotless.

Every dress, blouse, and skirt had been carefully hung back up or folded neatly in the drawers. The closet door was closed. Nothing was scattered on the floor.