Hey there, Aria here!
Have you ever encountered a celebrity in public? In my previous life, this wasn’t exactly a rarity. I used to hang out in places where celebrities gathered all the time, and some even tried to get me to sponsor them. It was just another Tuesday back then.
But in this life? This was the first time I’d ever run into a celebrity. And not just any celebrity—one who was the same age as me. It's too bad our first meeting wasn’t exactly what you’d call ideal.
“Hey, can you climb?” I asked Syena as we ran through the alley, trying to escape the growing crowd behind us.
“What?” she panted, clearly bewildered by my question.
“That’s a no, huh?” I muttered. “Well, no problem.”
Before she could even process what I meant, I bent down, hooked an arm around her legs, and hoisted her onto my shoulder in one swift motion.
“Wha—?! Wait, wait, wait—!” she yelped, squirming.
“Brace yourself,” I warned.
And then—I jumped.
With Syena in my arms, I jump over the nearest wall, my feet landing soundlessly on the other side. I barely even staggered, but Syena? Yeah, she was not handling it as well.
“What the hell?!” she gasped, gripping onto me for dear life. “What even are you?!”
I grinned. “Just someone who knows how to make a quick exit.”
Behind us, the crowd that had been forming was still clueless about where we went. For now, we were safe.
“Alright,” I said, setting her down. “Now, before we go any further, let’s talk. What’s a famous actress like you doing running around alone without bodyguards?”
"I... don't have one," she said in a small voice, barely above a whisper.
I blinked. Wait, what?
She was Syena Fiolera—one of the most famous young actresses right now. How the hell was she walking around without a single bodyguard? That just didn’t add up.
“You’re kidding me, right?” I asked, my brows furrowing.
She shook her head. "My family didn’t let me hire one."
I stared at her, completely dumbfounded. "Hold on—your family stopped you from getting a bodyguard? You? A famous actress who literally just got mobbed in public?"
She didn’t answer right away, instead looking down and fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. Her posture screamed discomfort.
"That doesn't make any sense," I muttered, crossing my arms. "Most celebrities have bodyguards even when they don’t want them. But you—someone with a legit reason to need one—don’t have any?"
She bit her lip, clearly hesitant. "It's... complicated."
I raised an eyebrow. "Complicated how?"
She hesitated, then finally sighed. "...My family doesn't think I need one. They say hiring security would make me 'weak' and 'dependent' on others." She clenched her fists. "They think I should handle things myself."
I stared at her, completely baffled. "That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard."
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself… My name is—"
"Aria. I know," she suddenly cut me off.
Huh? Does she know me?
"We're classmates, after all," she added, looking at me like it should’ve been obvious.
Wait, what? She’s in my class? How did I not notice?
"We're classmates? But earlier, you asked who I was," I pointed out, confused.
"I asked what you are," she corrected, crossing her arms. "How the hell did you jump that high? But... never mind. Forget it." She let out a small sigh, shaking her head. "Thanks for the help… and goodbye."
She turned on her heel, clearly ready to walk away.
But before I could think, my hand shot out and grabbed her shoulder. "Wait, wait—hold on a second!"
She froze, looking back at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Uh…" Crap. Why did I do that? What am I even trying to say? Think, brain, think!
"Let's, uh… hang out a bit?" The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
The moment I said it, regret hit me like a truck. Wait, what am I doing? Am I trying to pick her up?! I’m a girl now!
Syena blinked, clearly caught off guard. For a moment, she just stared at me, probably wondering what kind of weirdo she just ran into.
Then, to my absolute shock, she shrugged.
"Alright," she said casually. "Where do you wanna go?"
Wait… what? She actually agreed?!
Uh… I didn’t really have a place in mind. I just blurted that out without thinking.
Before I could come up with something, Syena sighed and shook her head.
"Goodbye…" she said, her tone flat as she turned and walked away without another word.
I stood there awkwardly, watching her leave, feeling like I had just completely fumbled whatever that was.
"Uh… see you in school," I mumbled, but she was already gone.
That was probably the worst first impression I’ve ever given to someone.