I look at myself, at my smooth skin. I’d shaved earlier, doing my best to get rid of the 5 o’clock shadow that appears every day around nine in the morning. Reaching up, I run my fingers along my cheeks, feeling both sides of my face as the oddest sensation tingles down my spine. My face is … handsome. High cheekbones, strong chin, a fine, straight nose. My hair is cut short on the sides, longer on top, and falling across the side of my forehead in a dark wave. There’s nothing amiss.

