You awake from slumber as the morning rays invade your bedroom. Your body feels different-- as if you're of another weight and height. You shrug it off as the grogginess is starting to consume you.
Upon entering the bathroom, you see yourself in the mirror. Except that it's not (text-style: "outline")[[[you]]]. You're in a different body, someone who you've never seen before. With the new eyebrows furrowing, words escape your lips in absolute confusion, "Woah, what the...?"
You wash your face to clarify the grogginess. (click: "Wash your face") [It's still not you.]
[[Leave the bathroom.]](text-style: "blur")[Café Ipsum]
The cafe is adorned with vintage knicks and had the soft luminescence from the heated lamps. Relaxing jazz music is playing, and not too loudly.
Your friend sits in the corner with their coffee already ordered. You rush to greet them with the expectations of them looking at you as if you're a stranger.
To your surprise, they did not react. Instead, they greet you the same as if nothing has change.
>> You start questioning [[them]].
>> You start questioning [[yourself]].
>> You question [[nothing]].<img src="https://i.imgur.com/AwXtxTG.jpg" width="20%" height="20%" alt="phone">
Your phone (text-style: "rumble")[vibrates].(click: "phone")
[ Everything on your phone is still the same.]
All of your contacts, messages, and apps are the exact same from last night. Even the photos in your gallery are the same, including the ones that had your non-new face in them.
You call your friend in panic to [[meet up for lunch.]]Taking a deep breath, you brace yourself to ask the question of concern:
"Are you (text-style: "italic")[sure] you don't think I look any different?"
To which they reply, "No, you look the same to me. Sound the same too... although a bit shaken up. Are you okay? Is everything all right?"
"I look different in the mirror. I feel different. I just... I don't know what to do."
They stare at you, confused. "You look the same to me. You look fine! Don't worry about your appearance so much."
>> "You're [[right]]."
>> "You're [[wrong]]."(text-style: "italic")["Why did I bother coming here? This is clearly a dream that I can't seem to wake up from."]
You abruptly leave the café, hoping that it all is just a dream.
---
Back at home, you sit and stare at yourself in the mirror.
2 hours pass.
Your friend that you ditched at the café left you text messages of worry.
The feeling of guilt made it clear that whatever is happening is not a dream.
A part of you refuses to believe that it is you, but another part of you sees something past that-- the honest and living person that you are.
You didn't have to get up and go about your day, but you did.
You didn't have to leave your house to experience an event in your life, but you did.
You apologize for making the sudden rendevouz and proceed to sit on the mahogany bench.
Small chatter begins between you two, nothing of your new appearance. You didn't bring the topic up as they have said nothing.
...
Being with your friend made you feel better.
>> You're ready to [[go home]].You made it home.
Despite leaving and coming back once, it feels as if you've been going back and forth all day.
Nothing has really changed, has it?
You (text-style: "italic")[look] different, but you're still the same.
You fall asleep, hoping that everything will stay the same, and that you will look the [[same as before.]]"You're right. I was just joking. Feeling a bit off today..."
You're wary of the atmosphere surrounding you and refuse to press the concern any further.
But your friend is still concern. Albeit, they do not press the concern as well.
"Regardless of what you're thinking, (text-style: "bold")[you are still you in the end].""No, you're wrong."
Your friend is shocked at your aburpt denial. You feel tense, so you quickly apologize. They could not respond to your aggressive tone, so they waited for you to say more.
"I mean," you began, "you don't know what it's like to be me today."
Your friend nods before responding with the sweetest voice, "You're right. I never will. But you know who does? You do. You know what it's like to be you today, so take care of yourself. Y'know, I wanted to help you, but how can I help you if you don't want to help yourself?"
(text-style: "expand")[Silence.]
[[They leave.]]You, who is trying to find their place in this world. You are young, but you feel as if time is running out.
You're living alone in a small place. You have a lot of time to think about your future plan.
But you don't. You take the days as they are rather than planning them out. When something goes wrong, you blame yourself. And then you spiral.
You detest yourself, so you shun yourself away from yourself.After returning home, you think about your friend and their words: (text-style: "italic") ["You're right. I never will. But you know who does? You do. You know what it's like to be you today, so take care of yourself."]
You return to the bathroom mirror again.
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/z7ig3py.jpg" width="25%" height="25%" alt="mirror">
There you are: [[tired.]](text-style: "blink")[Tired...]
Tired...?
You realize that your emotions are what makes you, you.
Your fulfillment of interacting with others, your obsession with yourself, your survival instincts of getting through the day, your scattered emotions-- they're all traits of you.
In full exhaustion, you accept yourself. Life can throw curveballs, but eventually you learn how to catch them. After everything you put yourself through today, you deserve to take care of yourself.<img src="https://i.imgur.com/ni2KZP4.jpg" width=25% height=25% alt="window">
You wake up with the usual morning rays invading your bedroom. Your body feels familiar. Did you get used to it?
(text-style: "blur")[You've never changed, you are the still same.]