I, Vivian, was lying on my couch, playing video games and listening to music. I am a fourteen-year-old girl, pretty much like any normal girl.
My two best friends, Diana and Violet, are very supportive and caring. I would say we are the perfect trio.
Later, during dinner, I got a notification. It was an email from something called "DreamShift." I didn't remember giving my email to anything like that, but out of curiosity, I opened it anyway.
The email read:
"Miss Vivian, like everyone else, you have dreams too. You want to change your life. Have you ever thought, 'I wish I were like this,' or 'I wish people loved me more'? If yes, we can give you a chance to change your life.
With our app, you can redesign your life however you want. We know it might sound fake, but it's not a bad idea to try it.
Click the link below to start your new life."
I was confused and didn't think much about it for the rest of the day.
The next day at school, I told my friends about it. They immediately said it was a scam and advised me not to open anything like that again.
After getting home, I finished my homework, did some reading, and then checked my phone. I had received another email from DreamShift. This time, it talked about completing game levels to redesign life.
I love playing games, so I thought maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to try it.
I installed the app on my phone. All I had to do was play some 5v5 levels and earn coins. I could use those coins to unlock different worlds.
It sounded interesting, so I kept playing. I didn't even realize it was already 8:30 PM until my mom called me for dinner.
After dinner, I returned to the game and kept playing until I had enough coins to unlock a world.
But this was a very difficult decision for me.
There were names of dramas, pop stars, celebrities, and so many other options. I didn't know what to choose.
Finally, I decided to ask my friends for help. I tried calling Diana, but she didn't pick up. Then I called Violet.
She answered after a few rings. "Hello…?" Her voice sounded sleepy.
"Violet, I need your help," I said quickly. "That DreamShift app—I think it's real."
There was a pause. "Vivian… do you know what time it is?" she groaned. "You woke me up for this?"
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "But listen—I played the game and now I can unlock a world. There are so many options, and I don't know what to choose."
"You actually installed it?" she said, now sounding more awake. "What if it's a scam?"
"I know, but nothing bad happened," I said. "It just feels… different. Like it's actually doing something."
Violet sighed. "This sounds really weird."
"Please," I said softly. "Just help me pick one. Stay on the call with me."
Another pause.
"Fine," she muttered. "But if something goes wrong, I'm hanging up immediately."
I smiled a little. "Deal."
I stared at the screen, my heart beating a little faster.
Different worlds were displayed in front of me—each one glowing softly. Some had names of dramas, some of pop stars, and some I had never even heard of.
"Vivian… what are you seeing?" Violet asked, her voice still slightly sleepy.
"It's like… different lives," I said quietly. "I can choose one."
"What? That's creepy," she replied immediately. "Don't pick anything weird."
I ignored her for a moment and kept scrolling.
Each option looked perfect. Better life. Better grades. Popularity. Confidence.
Everything I had ever wished for… all in one place.
"This doesn't feel like a normal game," Violet said. "Just close it."
"But what if it's real?" I whispered.
There was silence on the call.
"Then that's even worse," she said.
My finger hovered over the screen.
One tap.
That's all it would take.
I took a deep breath…
and selected a world.