Facade

Chapter 2-A different beginning

The morning sun cast a warm golden glow over the quiet streets as Maya and Kelly made their way to school. Just like before, the same cracked sidewalks. Same old bakery with the smell of fresh bread drifting into the air, same elderly woman watering the flowers outside her gate. Everything looked exactly as it had in their previous life. Kelly walked beside Maya with a bright smile, laughing at every joke Maya made as though nothing had changed.

"You seriously stayed up until midnight doing the math assignment?" Kelly giggled.

Maya chuckled. "I might have... Don't remind me."

Kelly rolled her eyes dramatically.

"You never learn."

Kelly stole a glance at Maya from the corner of her eye. Maya caught the glance but simply smiled back, causing Kelly to quickly look away.

"Was she also reborn?" Maya thought to herself. The school gates came into view, and students flooded into the campus, chatting excitedly. Everything felt painfully familiar. Even the classroom smelled the same. As the first lesson began, their homeroom teacher entered carrying a stack of papers.

"Good morning, class."

"Good morning, ma'am."

The teacher placed the papers on her desk before smiling warmly. "Today we'll be choosing our class representative for the new term."

Maya lowered her eyes. She remembered this day perfectly. In their previous life, the teacher had asked for suggestions, before Maya even realized what was happening, nearly half the class had nominated her. She hadn't expected it then. Everyone simply liked her. She had become class representative without even trying. But today, before the teacher could finish speaking, "I'd like to volunteer." Kelly stood confidently from her seat. Every head turned toward her. She folded her hands politely in front of her and smiled with practiced sincerity. "I know we're only just beginning the term, but I truly want to help our class. I'll listen to everyone's concerns, make sure nobody gets left behind, and do my best to represent all of us fairly." Her voice was calm. Confident. Convincing. The classroom fell silent for a moment. Then whispers spread through the room.

"That was a nice speech."

"Kelly would be good."

"I think she'd do great."

The teacher smiled with approval. "Very well. Since Kelly has volunteered and many of you seem supportive, I believe she'll make an excellent class representative." A chorus of applause filled the room. Kelly accepted the position with a graceful nod. As she sat down, she turned slightly toward Maya. Their eyes met. There was triumph hidden behind Kelly's innocent smile. "You lost your first opportunity. One step closer to taking everything from you." But Maya simply smiled.

Then she joined everyone else in clapping. Kelly blinked.

"...What?" There wasn't even the slightest disappointment on Maya's face. No forced smile. No hidden frustration. Nothing. For the first time that day, uncertainty flickered through Kelly's heart. Maya knows.The thought disappeared as quickly as it came.

Impossible. The lunch bell rang, interrupting her thoughts. Students poured into the hallways toward the cafeteria. Kelly's heart began racing. This was another important moment. She remembered it perfectly. In their previous life, a boy carrying a tray had accidentally bumped into Maya. His orange juice had spilled all over her uniform. He had apologized so desperately that Maya couldn't help laughing. That tiny accident had become the beginning of their friendship. Months later, they fell in love. Kelly remembered every single detail. Even the exact place where Maya had been standing. She walked ahead without hesitation. If I change this, he'll fall for me instead. There he was. Walking exactly as before. Tray in hand. Orange juice balanced carefully on the edge. Kelly smiled. She deliberately stepped into his path.

"Oh!"

The tray tilted. The cup slipped. Splash! Cold orange juice soaked the front of Kelly's uniform. The cafeteria gasped. The boy froze in horror.

"I-I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed, grabbing napkins from the nearest table.

"I wasn't looking! Are you okay?"

Kelly laughed softly.

"It's alright."

She accepted the napkins with a gentle smile.

"Accidents happen."

The boy looked relieved.

"Still... I feel terrible."

"It's really okay," she assured him kindly.

He smiled back.

"I'll buy you another drink."

Kelly's heart swelled with satisfaction. Just like before. Exactly like Maya did. Now he'll fall for me instead. She lowered her head slightly to hide the cold smirk threatening to appear on her lips. Across the cafeteria, Maya watched Kelly step into the exact place where the accident had happened in her previous life. Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. So you remember too. Without saying a single word, she turned around and walked away. Kelly noticed. Her smile faltered for only a second. Why...Why isn't she reacting? The rest of the afternoon passed quietly. Lessons ended. The final bell rang. Students gathered their bags and headed home. Kelly walked behind Maya for a moment, waiting. Surely Maya would say something. Anything. Ask about the class representative position. Mention the boy. Show even a hint of disappointment. Instead..."So," Maya said casually, "are you going straight home?" Kelly blinked. "Y-Yeah." "Alright. See you tomorrow." Maya waved cheerfully before walking in another direction.

Kelly remained standing where she was. Her chest tightened.

"She's... normal. Why is she acting so normal?" This wasn't how it happened before. Maya should have been disappointed or upset. Instead, she looked almost relieved. Kelly clenched her fists. No, it doesn't matter. Everything is still going according to plan. That evening, Kelly sat at the small desk in her bedroom. Moonlight filtered through the curtains as she opened a leather-bound diary. She uncapped her pen and began writing. One thing changed today, just as planned. I became class representative. I took the meeting that brought Maya and him together. This life belongs to me now. She smiled proudly before closing the diary.

Across town...

Maya sat quietly in her room. A notebook rested open on her desk. Unlike Kelly's diary, there were no long entries. Only a simple sentence, it read;

Day One ✔

Then she gently closed the notebook.