The new body made Nova's brain race. What would she do when the urge to use the bathroom knocked? Despite the pressing question, she opened the refrigerator and grabbed a juice. Simply whipping out a penis and peeing wouldn't be a big deal if she didn't think much of it.
Before she could take a swig, the doorbell rang. The bottle dropped to the floor, the juice flowing.
"God, I'm tired of surprises!"
She pulled her hood over her head and walked with heavy footsteps to the front door. Peering through the keyhole, she saw that the entrance gate was closed and the street was deserted. Who was trying to pull her leg? Frowning, she opened the door and glanced around the jamb. Her face immediately twisted. Was what she was seeing real? She wanted to speak, but her jaw felt heavy. She raised a hand and slapped her face.
"What's going on? Why am I a different person?" she cried out.
The figure on her doorstep was her original self. It was like she was looking into a mirror. She trembled, but the figure simply stared into her eyes, hands crossed behind their back. After staring for four seconds without blinking, the figure spoke.
"I switched us. You're me now, and I'm you."
Nova's lips slightly parted. Given the presence of horns on the body she was in, she didn't doubt the feasibility of what was said. The person she was speaking to was the horned boy she was currently inside. This horned boy was in her body. Nova wondered what the boy's motive was. Besides, was he even human?
From Nova's constant knitting of her brows and her eyes moving from side to side, the boy deduced the questions she was asking herself.
"I'm human."
Nova exhaled. If this was what the boy identified himself as, who was she to object? "Yeah. How about you give back my body now?"
The boy stared into her eyes again for a few seconds. Nova wondered whether he couldn't speak without trying to read her thoughts. Even though it was her body, the eyes were cold. Another second of being stared at and a sweat would run down her spine.
"Can you stop looking at me like that? It's uncomfortable."
The boy looked away, then back at her. "Is this really the first time you're seeing me?" Following this, he muttered to himself, "You were conscious, though. I'm sure."
Nova scrunched her nose. When or where had she ever seen this kind of person? Was he her childhood friend? Definitely not. "I haven't met you, and I'm certain I'd remember."
Without a word, the boy stepped toward Nova. Her stomach clenched, but she didn't move from her spot. Why was he closing the distance? She stared at him, her mouth agape. When they were ultimately close, facing and staring into one another's eyes, the boy stretched up on his toes and wrapped his arms around Nova's neck.
At that instant, a wave of unexpected warmth spread from Nova's chest, tingling down to her fingertips and toes. A moment ago, she was anxious, but now, it felt like every atom in her body, every thought in her mind, had finally aligned into a perfect, vibrant harmony. She had been certain she had never been hugged, but she realized she was wrong. This feeling and sensation, she had experienced them before. This was the previous night, before losing consciousness.
With a soft sigh escaping her lips, Nova involuntarily wrapped her hands around his lower back. She wasn't planning to do this, but she found herself doing it. Was a hug always this comfy? Her head began to spin, so she held him tightly. Her vision darkened, then, in an instant, it returned. It was like she was back from spacing out. Surprisingly, she was standing at the doorstep, and she was the one with her hands wrapped around the boy's neck. This meant she had returned to her original body.
"What!" She gently pushed away from the boy, scanning her familiar hands and legs. "Am I hallucinating?"
"No," the boy answered, slightly tilting his head.
Nova's gaze flicked to him. Now that she was observing him from her own eyes, she realized how vulnerable she was. If this boy were to attack her, she would absolutely not be able to guard herself.
Nova's eyes darted around the vicinity, avoiding eye contact. The boy noticed this, so he tried to make her settle down.
"My name is Ares. What's yours?"
"Celeste," Nova replied immediately, without even thinking.
After six seconds of awkward silence, Ares spoke again. "There's a favor I'd like to ask you."
Nova's heart lurched. She wondered what kind of favor this person wanted to ask of her.