The rest of the story (spoiler) sees more three-way romantic complications and Chelle’s overuse of the oil to the point that she almost drowns at the beach (for some reason the oil now makes her unable to swim).

That night she applies more oil, even though the instructions say to stop if there is a burning sensation (which she has been experiencing). The next day Chelle buys a new dress-she fits into a medium size for the first time-and then texts Preston while she is at the beach, asking for an audition with his movie-maker father. The me that rises is brighter, lighter, slimmer. I stumble through the ache and pull myself up to the mirror. Sparks dance under my skin until I double over on the bathroom floor. I massage more into my soft arms, jutting stomach, and radish calves. My face is my face, but firmer, brighter, thinner. I check the mirror again and I’m shocked. The tingling continues long after I’ve dressed. It goes on light and colorless but smells like sulfur and charcoal. I dab beads of oil on my face and pat them with the balls of my fingers like I’ve seen Wenqian do. After the two of them leave to have dinner Chelle has a shower: When Chelle gets back to her room she finds that Preston is, much to her displeasure, with Wenqian.

On her way out she gets an experimental body oil from one of his assistants that may help with her problem. Chelle is romantically interested in Preston but he is interested in Wenqian.Ĭhelle later goes to an advertisement casting in the Valley and gets some uncomplimentary feedback from the Mandarin speaking (there is a cultural identity subtext to the story) producer (“let’s face it, you are a little fat”). Fong (Tor.com, 1 22 nd February 2022) opens with the Asian narrator, Chelle, at the beach with her college student friend Preston and another woman called Wenquian.

Girl Oil by Grace P. Fong