---
Morning sun filtered through the dorm curtains, brushing Jenna's cheeks as she sat at her bedside table, gently applying sunscreen. The soft smell of citrus and mint mixed in the air. She hummed a soft tune, lost in her little ritual of getting ready. With careful fingers, she uncapped her favorite lip balm.
Thud.
It slipped from her grip and rolled beneath the low table beside her bed.
"Aish…" she muttered with a sigh, crouching and stretching her hand under it. As her fingers fumbled blindly, they brushed against something cool and hard.
"Huh…?"
She grabbed it and pulled it out—her lip balm, yes, but also… something else.
It was a golden ring, delicate and gleaming, with a green gemstone set in the center. The light danced off it like fireflies in the moonlight. Jenna's brows furrowed as she stared.
"Where did this come from?"
She stood and turned toward her roommates, holding up the ring. "Hey, did anyone drop this?"
Ruby blinked from her bunk. "A ring? Not mine."
Sofie shook her head, brushing her hair. "Nope. I don't wear rings. You know that."
Linda shrugged. "Maybe it rolled in from someone else's bed?"
Ruby grinned. "Try it on. Maybe it's yours. Come on, it might be fate!"
Jenna hesitated, but curiosity got the better of her. She slipped the ring onto her right ring finger.
Perfect fit.
Ruby squealed. "See? I told you—it belongs to you! It's like it was waiting for your hand."
Jenna chuckled nervously, but her heart thudded oddly. Something about the ring gave her a strange feeling. Nostalgia? Or déjà vu?
Before she could think more, Sofie whined, "Ugh, I want ice cream so bad right now…"
Linda nodded. "It's boiling outside. Ice cream is our only hope for survival."
Ruby clapped. "There's a famous new shop around the next street. Everyone's been talking about it. Shall we go?"
Sofie flopped dramatically on her bed. "No energy left after yesterday's performance… Jenna, pretty please, can you buy some for us?"
Jenna smiled. "Alright. What flavors?"
The girls cheered. Ruby tossed her a mask. "Here, wear this just in case. You are SuperNova's rising star, remember?"
Jenna blushed, tied her hair, slipped the mask on, and headed out.
---
At the Gym
Meanwhile, inside the campus gym, Ameya—the real Jenna—wiped sweat from her brow. She'd just stepped in for a light session, still adjusting to this new life in Jenna's body.
She paused at the entrance, suddenly stunned.
Michael.
He was in the middle of a workout—lifting weights, arms flexing, beads of sweat rolling down his jaw. His sleeveless shirt clung to him in all the right places. Ameya froze.
Oh…wow…
Her brain stopped working. She didn't even realize she was staring until—
Michael turned.
Their eyes met.
He blinked in surprise, then smiled and walked over.
"Hey," he said casually, wiping sweat with a towel. "You come here often?"
Ameya stammered. "H-Ha… Yes… I mean—no…"
Michael smirked. "Pick one, mystery girl."
She bit her lip. "Yes. I joined a week ago."
"Really?" he said, stepping closer. "Strange I haven't noticed. I usually notice the interesting ones."
Her heartbeat went haywire.
Michael leaned slightly, voice lowering. "I like a girl who works out."
Ameya blinked. "W-Why are you telling me that?"
Michael gave a small smile. "Didn't you ask me yesterday… who my ideal girl is?"
She gasped softly. "Ah… right…"
He stepped even closer.
She tried to step back—bad move. Her ankle twisted slightly.
"Ah—!"
Michael caught her by the waist, steadying her. Their faces came this close.
Ameya could barely breathe. His hands were warm, steady, gentle.
He murmured, "I meant it, you know. A girl who loves to be strong… is attractive."
Then, slowly, he let go.
Ameya stepped back, cheeks flushed, avoiding his eyes. "I-I have to go… Are you… leaving?"
"Yeah," he said, but his gaze lingered on her as she walked into the gym.
---
Near the Ice Cream Shop
Jenna sat on a bench across the street, watching the massive crowd outside the shop. Her fingers tightened around her mask.
What if someone recognizes me…? I can't get mobbed again…
She sighed. "I just wanted ice cream…"
Just then, a tired-looking woman approached with a four-year-old boy.
"Sorry to bother you," the woman asked hesitantly. "Could you please watch my son for five minutes? I need to get ice cream and the crowd is too much for him."
Jenna blinked. "O-Oh! Sure!"
The woman smiled gratefully and disappeared into the crowd.
Jenna looked at the curious little boy. He stared at her with big eyes.
"I saw you somewhere before," he said innocently. "But I don't know your name…"
She laughed nervously, pulling her mask tighter. "No way, you must be mistaken!"
She changed the subject quickly, and soon the boy was giggling at her funny stories.
Ten minutes later, the mother returned, holding four ice creams.
"Thank you so much," she said, handing Jenna the cones.
"Oh! That's okay, I—really—you don't need to…"
"Please, take them. It's my thanks," the woman insisted with a warm smile.
The little boy waved. "Bye, mystery lady!"
Jenna laughed, heart full. Well…this was easier than standing in line…
But just as she started walking back, snap—the strap of her mask tore.
She didn't notice until it was too late.
"Wait… is that…?"
"Isn't that Jenna from SuperNova?!"
People began to notice. A small crowd gathered. Phones lifted.
Her heart pounded. No. Not here. Not now.
She froze.
Just then—from across the road—a figure moved.
Rico.
Wearing a hoodie, he noticed her immediately. His eyes narrowed at the scene, and without hesitation, he darted across the street.
He jumped the low fence and dashed to her.
"Jenna!" he shouted.
She turned—panicked, tears at the edge of her lashes.
He reached her and pulled her into a hug, shielding her.
"Don't worry. It's me."
"R-Rico…?" she breathed, overwhelmed.
"Yeah. I've got you. Let's get you out of here."
---