Chapter 1: swapped
SUNNY
I checked my reflection one last time, and the woman staring back at me looked composed, elegant, and perfectly in control.
If only appearances meant anything.I sighed, shifting slightly to get a better look at the tiny pimple on my jaw.
My apartment was quiet except for the soft music playing from hidden speakers. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering city below, and warm lights reflected off the marble floors. The place was luxurious, spacious, and expensive enough to make most people stare in awe.
Still focused on my reflection, I adjusted a loose strand of my auburn hair and examined my makeup again. It was nothing dramatic. Just enough to make me look like someone who belonged in a crowded club instead of someone who dreaded walking into one.
Satisfied, I grabbed my purse from the dressing table.
Kelly was sprawled on the bed, scrolling through her phone, and stealing glances at my reflection.
"Ready?" she asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be." I replied, opening my purse.
I reached for a small white bottle inside it, and Kelly immediately looked up.
Without a word, she unscrewed a bottle of water and held it out.
I took one pill and swallowed it.
The familiar bitterness lingered briefly on my tongue before the water washed it away.
Kelly sighed.
"I'm looking forward to the day you'll stop depending on this pill to socialize."
I slipped the bottle back into my purse without saying anything.
"Long-term use can't really be good for you," she added.
I zipped the purse shut. "I'm looking forward to that day too." I finally replied, then stood and grabbed my clutch.
"Besides, I wasn't supposed to take one today if you didn't insist we go to the club." I added.
Kelly shrugged. "No regrets though. It's been a while."
"Easy for you to say." I rolled my eyes.
Unlike me, Kelly could walk into a room full of strangers and leave with twenty new friends.
Crowds energized her, while it sucked the life out of me.
She simply grinned and returned her attention to her phone.
A few minutes later, while I searched for my keys, Kelly suddenly frowned.
"What?" I asked, raising a brow at her.
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she began searching through my purse.
"What are you doing?"
"Looking for your ID of course. How else are we going to avoid the long line?" She answered.
I immediately reached for the bag.
"No.You know that ID is fake. One day we'll be in trouble because of it."
Kelly pulled it away before I could grab the purse.
"The only fake thing in it is our swapped faces, everything else in it is correct. We've done this before, don't be such a baby."
"Kelly..." I groaned.
"Sunny."
She finally found and triumphantly pulled the ID out.
"Kelly."
"What?"
"You already know what."
She held the card up between two fingers.
"Let's swap identities again, just one more time and we destroy this card."
I shook my head."Absolutely not."
"Why?" She asked, bulging her eyes out.
"Because it's ridiculous."
"It works.VIP treatment. Sunny Bennett is the city's sweetheart.We'll get the best space in the lounge."
I hesitated, and Kelly immediately pointed at me.
"See? You care."
I sighed. "A little."
She grinned victoriously. Unfortunately, she was right.
Kelly had been my closest friend for years, and she knew exactly how to wear down my resistance.
"One day this is going to backfire." I said again.
"Tonight isn't that day darling." She started pulling me towards the door.
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The club was already packed when we arrived.
Music thundered through the building, coloured lights flashing across the dance floor.
People crowded every available space.
Normally, the atmosphere would have sent me running for the nearest exit.The pill hadn't completely erased my anxiety, but it had softened the discomfort enough for me to function.
Just as Kelly predicted, getting inside was effortless, and the VIP treatment followed shortly afterward.
Kelly was already enjoying herself.
Within a few minutes she had disappeared toward the VIP bar, I on the other hand settled into a lounge chair overlooking most of the club. It was the best spot.
And honestly?I preferred sitting right where I was. It was useless for me to come to the club, but sort of felt good watching everyone else go crazy and high.
From my seat, I watched Kelly laughing with a man at the bar.
She tossed her hair over one shoulder, and the man leaned closer.
Kelly smiled,the poor guy never stood a chance. I laughed quietly to myself.
Then suddenly,someone sat beside me,and I noticed him immediately. He moved with the calm confidence of someone who never needed to demand attention because he naturally received it.
I turned slightly.He was well-dressed, clean-cut and attractive. The type of men I would consider favourably.
I laughed at the thought in my head.
"Mind if I sit here?" he asked, and I glanced around. Half the lounge was empty, he could have stayed anywhere else. The space was my private space.
"You already are though." I said with slight irritation etched in my voice.
The corner of his mouth lifted, "Fair point."
His voice was pleasant, and oddly familiar. Maybe I'd heard his voice somewhere before.
He extended a hand."I'm Ethan Anderson."
The name hit me like a sudden gust of cold air. Ethan Anderson.
I froze,I knew that name.
Ethan seemed to notice my reaction.
"Something wrong?" He asked, but I just stared at him.
I knew his name, but the face didn't quite fit.Yes growth, but I was certain I would have remembered his face if we ever met again. Yet, I didn't.
"No. Everything is good.My name is Kelly Reed." I lied.
Ethan leaned back in his seat.
His expression remained relaxed, but curious.
And for the first time that night, I found myself completely distracted from everything else around. I was sitting in a club with a man bearing the name of a boy I've been waiting to meet for fourteen years.
AUTHORS NOTE
WHAT'S YOUR OPINION ON THIS CHAPTER?🥰
