Scratch that.
I don't have time to meet him.
I had to go back to school. My leave of absence was over, and I needed to return.
And so I did.
The moment I stepped onto campus, I felt it.
Eyes.
Lots of them.
It wasn't like before, when people glanced at me out of boredom or just to whisper behind my back. This was different. The stares followed me wherever I went.
Was it the heels? The makeup? The fact that I was walking with my back straight and my head high?
"Woah… who's that?"
someone whispered as I passed by.
I felt my stomach twist.
That old familiar urge to shrink into myself returned, telling me to pull up my hoodie, walk faster and disappear.
But I didn't.
I walked like I belonged there.
Because now, I did.
When I entered the classroom, the murmur followed. A few heads turned, then quickly turned back as if afraid to stare too long. But one face stood out.
Jade.
One of the loudmouths who used to throw paper balls at me and the one who pushed me when the monsters attacked. He glanced up, looked back down at his phone…
Then did a double take.
"…Wait. Viola?"
I raised an eyebrow, stopping just long enough to let him really see me.
"Yes?"
He blinked like someone trying to reboot his brain.
"Damn,"
he muttered under his breath.
"You… look different."
There it was. The cliché line.
I waited for the insult, the backhanded comment and the snort of laughter.
But it didn't come.
Instead, he just stared.
Like I was some puzzle he couldn't solve.
I smiled politely and walked past him without another word. He didn't stop me.
Let them stare.
Let them wonder.
I'm not the same girl I used to be.
A few minutes later, the professor walked in with a coffee in one hand and a stack of tests in the other.
"Alright, everyone. Let's get started--"
He paused, scanning the room, then frowned when his eyes landed on me.
"…Hold on. Who are you, young lady? Are you in the right class?"
A couple of students snickered. My former self would've panicked. I would've turned red, stammered, and maybe even run out.
But not today.
I held up my ID with a smile.
"It's me, Professor. Viola."
His eyes widened behind his glasses.
"Viola?!"
He took a step closer, squinting, as if making sure it wasn't a trick of the light.
"Well… I see the break did you some good,"
he mumbled, adjusting his glasses.
A round of light chuckles spread across the room. But this time, the laughter wasn't aimed at me. For once, I wasn't the butt of the joke.
And yet, my smile didn't fade.
Let them whisper.
I'm not hiding anymore.
When class ended, a few students gathered around me, something that had *never* happened before.
"Goodness, Viola, is that really you? You totally changed in just a few days!"
"'Totally changed' is an understatement,"
another added.
"Did you see how she handled Jade and the professor earlier? That was kind of badass."
"If it was the old Viola, she would've just lowered her head and said nothing."
"Are you really Viola?"
someone asked.
"You're giving off a totally different vibe."
"Oh no,"
said a boy with wide eyes.
"I read about this online once!"
"Huh? Read what?"
his friend asked.
"You know! In webtoons and novels, when the original owner of the body dies and a new soul takes over!"
There was a collective groan, and one of his friends smacked him on the back of the head.
"You idiot. You've watched way too much fiction."
Everyone laughed. Even me.
I let the amusement pass before answering,
"Well… I *did* almost die. Thanks to a certain someone."
I let my gaze slide toward Jade. He flinched when he caught my eye.
Good. He should.
"That near-death experience had changed me."
It had burned away the old timid, voiceless, invisible me.
Now, I wasn't afraid to speak. I wasn't afraid to look someone in the eye.
I wasn't going to be a doormat anymore.
Because I realized something.
If this world only respects power, beauty, and money…
Then I'll master all three.
I'll play their little game and win.
I didn't say that out loud.
Not yet.
But I smiled, tilting my head slightly.
"Anyway,"
I said brightly,
"who wants to go out after this? My treat."
Surprised murmurs echoed around me.
"You're treating?"
"You serious?"
"Sure, why not?"
I said.
"It's a new day."
They laughed again, easier this time.
And me?
I was already planning my next move.
Time to tame them and climb my way to the top.