---
The city's evening glow painted everything in warm gold as the four stood outside Aurora Mall Cinema.
Ameya's heart beat unevenly as Michael handed her a movie ticket with a smile. "One horror movie. Thought it would be… fun."
"Horror?" Jenna blinked. "W-Wait, we're really watching that?"
Michael chuckled. "I got us the best seats."
Rico gave a soft shrug. "I like horror. It makes people show their real reactions."
He smiled faintly at Jenna, whose cheeks warmed involuntarily.
Ameya glanced at Rico for a second longer than she meant to.
I wonder if he already forgot everything… everything we shared when I was Jenna.
Michael leaned a little closer to Ameya and whispered, "If you're scared, you can hold onto me."
Ameya flinched back slightly, giving an awkward laugh. "Haha, I'll be fine."
Her smile faltered the moment she caught sight of Rico gently brushing a strand of hair from Jenna's face, checking if she was nervous. Jenna awkward smiled up at him, and something twisted deep in Ameya's chest.
I should have told him sooner…
---
Inside the Theatre – During the Movie
The shadows flickered across their faces as the horror film started, screams echoing through the dark room.
Michael, sitting beside Ameya, leaned close during a jump scare. "You sure you're not scared?"
She jumped a little, clutching the armrest but not reaching for his hand, despite how close he was.
"I'm okay," she whispered, staring forward—but her gaze flicked past Michael, toward Rico and Jenna.
Rico had casually draped his jacket over Jenna's lap when he noticed her shivering. Jenna smiled at him.
Ameya's hands tightened into fists in her lap.
She felt regret, heavy and quiet, that Rico now looked at someone else the way he used to look at her—even if he never knew it was her.
---
After the Movie – Rooftop Café
The four sat under fairy lights. The breeze teased their hair and the smell of popcorn still lingered.
Michael stirred his drink with a straw, flashing a grin. "Alright. Question time. Be honest."
Jenna tilted her head. "About what?"
Michael leaned forward. "Have you ever fallen for someone… unexpectedly?"
Rico said nothing at first. Then he looked at Jenna. "Yes."
Jenna blinked.
"I didn't see it coming. But it felt right. Like I was seeing someone's soul, not just their face."
Jenna's heart fluttered—and again, Ameya's gaze lingered on them, eyes clouded with emotion.
Michael chuckled. "Ameya? Your turn."
Ameya hesitated. "I… I think I fell for someone. But... I couldn't tell him the truth. And now he's close to someone else."
Her voice trembled slightly. Michael didn't notice.
But Jenna did.
And her own chest tightened.
She's talking about Rico…
Michael leaned a bit closer. "Whoever it is, he's an idiot for not noticing you."
Ameya flinched again and turned her head away.
Why do I feel like I'm cheating just by being here…
Jenna glanced at Michael, guilt flashing in her heart.
He still doesn't know… he was never with the real Ameya. He liked me… and I said nothing.
---
After Dinner – The Fountain Path
Rico and Jenna walked ahead near the illuminated fountains. Ameya and Michael strolled behind.
"Rico is… sweet, isn't he?" Michael commented, watching the pair.
Ameya forced a smile. "Yeah… he is."
Michael glanced sideways. "You sure he's not the one you fell for?"
Ameya looked startled. "W-What?"
He laughed. "You keep staring at him like you lost something."
She bit her lip, unable to reply.
Michael's voice turned gentle. "I know I shouldn't say this, but… if there's something you're hiding, it's okay. I'll still be here."
Ameya met his eyes—kind, sincere—but she couldn't lie anymore. Yet she couldn't bring herself to confess, either.
The rooftop restaurant shimmered beneath the moonlight, glowing lanterns hanging from curved wooden frames danced gently in the summer breeze. In the center, a grand fountain spilled silver water into its stone basin, casting ripples of reflection across the marble floor.
Michael's phone buzzed, interrupting the brief, warm silence between him and Ameya. "Sorry, just a sec," he said with an apologetic smile as he stepped aside to take the call.
Ameya leaned forward, her expression unreadable. "I'm going to the restroom," she said quietly.
Michael nodded absentmindedly, still focused on the call.
A few tables away, Jenna sat beside Rico, her fingers stirring the rim of her mocktail glass. She watched Ameya walk off and stood up too. "I need to use the restroom as well," she said.
Rico nodded with a short "Mm," not looking up from his drink.
Ameya took a detour—not to the restroom, but to the bar counter, where she hesitantly ordered a glass of alcohol. Then another. The waiter gave her a confused look, but she downed them quickly. Her emotions churned as the drink warmed her throat and numbed the ache in her heart.
Suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder. She turned slowly, slightly dizzy from the alcohol. Jenna stood there, eyes wide with concern.
"Ameya," Jenna said firmly, "this is your limit. You need to stop drinking."
"I can't…" Ameya choked out, blinking away tears. "I thought I was stronger... but I'm not." Her voice cracked as she wiped her cheek roughly. "I ruined everything…"
Without thinking, Jenna pulled her into a tight hug. "Don't say that," she whispered. "Please. I'm sorry... I never meant for this to hurt you. We can still fix this. Don't give up."
Ameya buried her face into Jenna's shoulder, trembling. "Rico... he likes you, Jenna. Not me. It's all gone beyond our control now."
"What?!" Jenna pulled back, voice rising before she remembered where they were. She lowered her tone and said fiercely, "Ameya, what are you even saying? He loves you—not me. Even now, he doesn't know the truth about us… about the soul shift!"
Ameya looked down, shaking her head. "I don't blame you… I really don't… but everything just hurts. I feel like I've lost something I can't ever get back."
Jenna tried to reach for her again, but Ameya gently moved away, eyes filled with grief and confusion.
Ten minutes later…
The rooftop had quieted. Guests were too engaged with the gentle music and clinking cutlery to notice the lone figure wandering near the swimming pool.
Ameya's heels clicked softly on the wooden deck. She stopped near the edge of the pool, swaying slightly. Her reflection shimmered in the water, her eyes hollow. She teetered dangerously for a moment, losing her balance.
"Ameya!"
A voice cut through the wind. She turned abruptly.
Rico stood behind her, his brows furrowed in worry. "Why are you here alone? Where's Michael?"
Ameya gave a faint, shaky smile. "Did you miss me?" she asked softly, then stepped toward him, placing both hands on his shoulders.
Rico froze, confused. "Ameya—what are you doing?"
"I'm sorry…" she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. "It's all my fault… I should've told you earlier…"
"You're drunk," Rico said, trying to gently move her hands off, but she held tighter. "Come with me. We'll talk when you're—"
"I'm not blabbering!" Ameya suddenly snapped, voice trembling. "You don't understand…"
She took a breath, her words spilling like a flood. "Rico… can't you realize the truth? The girl you think you like—was it ever really her? Or did you just… choose whoever stood closest?"
Rico's eyes widened. "What… are you talking about?"
"Every time someone came close to you, you thought that's who your heart wanted. But… have you ever stopped to think about why you felt that way?"
Tears spilled down her cheeks. "What if… what if the soul you connected with… the one who truly loved you, who saw you, who felt your kindness every day… wasn't the one you were seeing on the outside?"
Rico stared at her in stunned silence, his mind racing.
The pool shimmered beside them, a silent witness to the unraveling of hearts.
To be continued...