The sunlight filtered through the curtains of the hotel room, casting a warm, muted glow. Afternoon silence echoed between the walls.
Jenna blinked hard at her reflection in the mirror.
But something had changed.
The air was different.
Her heart pounded.
She took a hesitant step toward the mirror—and then, it happened.
A strange pull, a sensation deep within her chest. For a fleeting second, her vision blurred.
When it cleared, something in her gaze felt… real again.
Her breath hitched.
She was back.
Back in her real body.
Behind her, Rico stood silently. "Jenna?" he asked, concern etching his voice.
Jenna turned slowly, unsure. Her lips parted but no words came. Instead, her phone rang, slicing through the tension. She picked it up.
"Hello?"
A familiar voice answered, slightly breathless.
"Jenna... it's me... Ameya."
Jenna's knees almost buckled. "Ameya? I—wait, I'm back too."
"What?" Ameya gasped. "You mean—our real bodies?"
Jenna nodded instinctively,. "Yes "
Ameya asked "Wait… is Rico with you?"
Jenna hesitated, eyeing him. "Yes."
Ameya's voice turned urgent. "Please… move away from him. Just for a second."
"Who is it?" Rico asked, approaching gently.
Jenna waved a hand. "Give me a moment. Please."
Rico frowned. "Why?"
Without explaining, Jenna hurriedly pushed him outside the room and closed the door, locking it. From the other side, he began knocking, confused and annoyed.
Jenna returned to the call. "He's gone....How...?."
Ameya spoke quickly. "I don't know how it happened. I was alone... crying after seeing that article with those stupid rumors about you and Rico... and the teddy bear wasn't with me this time."
"Wait—" Jenna interrupted, her voice tight. "You saw that article? "
Ameya snapped. "Why did you hide it from me?!"
"I… Rico told us hide it from you.."
Knock-knock.
"That sound… Is that Rico?" Ameya asked.
Jenna sighed. "Yeah. He's still knocking. I locked him out."
"You what?! You locked him out?!"
Jenna ignored that. "Look. I'll head back to the dorm. We'll talk face to face. This is too confusing."
---
After Flight Departure...
Outside the airport, Rico gallantly opened the car door for Jenna. She glanced at him, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Why are you doing this? I can handle it."
Rico smiled. "It's my pleasure."
Once inside, Rico walked around and got into the driver's seat. He reached over to help her with the seatbelt.
Jenna gently moved his hand away. "I said I can do it myself."
As he started driving, Rico threw on his sunglasses. "You have two more days."
Jenna frowned. "Two more days?"
"To give me an answer," Rico added casually.
Jenna looked away, her mind racing. Answer to what? What happened between him and Ameya while I was in her body?
---
At the Dorm...
"Jenna!! Welcome back!" Lia, Sofie, and Ruby swarmed her with excited energy.
Jenna gave a quiet nod.
Linda asked, "How were your parents?"
Sofie grinned. "Did you bring anything for us?"
Then, almost too quickly, she asked, "Where's Ameya?"
"She's in her room," Ruby answered.
Jenna didn't waste a second. She walked down the hall, entered Ameya's room, and locked the door behind her.
Ameya stood by the window and turned.
Jenna crossed her arms. "Tell me everything."
Ameya sighed and began from the moment she'd cried over the article, through to the moment she suddenly felt herself drawn back into her real body.
Hours passed.
"…And that's all I know," Ameya finished, looking just as confused.
Jenna exhaled deeply. "You've said the same thing since evening. Fine. At least we're back."
Ameya nodded.
Then Jenna narrowed her eyes. "Wait. Did you go to my house while you were in my body?"
Ameya flinched. "Well…"
"And how did you end up with Rico of all people?"
Ameya smiled awkwardly and tried to deflect, "I think we should move on—"
"Hey! No avoiding. Answer me!"
---
Next Day – Dance Studio
SuperNova rehearsals were in full swing.
Ameya walked over to Linda. "Did the rumors die down?"
Linda whispered, "The Rico–Jenna rumor? Yeah. The agency handled it."
Ruby giggled. "Our manager said it was nothing serious."
Just then, Jenna stepped in. "Are you gossiping?"
Ruby blinked. "It's you. Of course."
Linda quickly pinched Ruby and laughed nervously. "Nothing, nothing."
As they walked away, Jenna sighed. "Anyway, things feel normal again. But… that rumor…"
Ameya looked down. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault."
Jenna looked up sharply. "You're not Jenna anymore. You're Ameya. Remember that. And keep it a secret. No one should know about our soul exchange. Got it?"
Ameya nodded solemnly.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
She looked at the screen. "Michael?"
Ameya turned to Jenna, eyes wide. "Wait… are you close with Michael?"
Jenna's eyes widened. "What?" She snatched the phone.
"Oh, right," she muttered. "I can't speak... my voice…"
She handed the phone back to Ameya. "You answer."
Ameya picked up. "Hello?"
Michael's calm voice came through. "Hi. Ameya. Can you meet me at the departmental store? The one we usually meet at."
Ameya hesitated. "Usually meet? Where?"
Jenna whispered, "Say yes. I know where it is."
"Yes," Ameya replied quickly.
Michael said, "Come within 10 minutes. Hurry."
Before she could protest, the call ended.
Ameya turned to Jenna. "What's going on between you and Michael?"
Jenna scratched her head. "We're just friends. That's it."
"What did he say?"
Ameya said..."He wants to meet. "
Jenna replied.." You go. I'll follow. If you need help, I'll message you."
Ameya sighed. "Alright. Let's go."
---
At the Departmental Store
Ameya barely stepped in before Michael grabbed her hand and pulled her gently inside.
Behind a large pillar, Jenna stood, watching everything from a distance.
Michael took off his mask.
"Why did you call me?" Ameya asked.
He grinned. "Can't I just call you?"
Ameya blinked. "N-No. I mean… is something serious?"
Michael shrugged. "Nope." He motioned to a seat nearby. "Want a Coke or something?"
She shook her head.
Then, casually, he leaned forward.
"Wanna go on a date with me… tomorrow?"
Ameya's jaw dropped. "What?!"
Behind a rack of shelves, Jenna clutched her bag, eyes wide with disbelief.
She whispered under her breath.
"A… date?"