Most Popular At 9:37 P.M., David sat cross-legged on the floor of his dimly lit bedroom, surrounded by the clutter of teenage life: posters of his favorite bands plastered across the walls, a stack of textbooks haphazardly piled in one corner, and clothes strewn about as if they had been tossed in a whirlwind. The deep blue of the walls contrasted with the soft glow of the fairy lights that twinkled above, casting playful shadows that danced across the ceiling. He was a lanky eighteen-year-old with tousled brown hair that seemed to have a mind of its own, often falling into his hazel eyes that sparkled with a mix of curiosity and insecurity. Today, he wore a well-worn graphic tee featuring an obscure indie band, paired with faded jeans and scuffed sneakers. Despite his unassuming appearance, there was a fire of hope in his heart as he dreamed of being someone different, someone admired. In front of him, resting on a small wooden table cluttered with sketchbooks and half-finished drawings, sat a peculiar object: an ancient-looking mirror, its surface framed in intricate silver vines that twisted and curled like plants vying for sunlight. The frame was dented in places, and the glass shimmered with an otherworldly sheen. Rumor had it that this mirror had once belonged to a long-forgotten sorceress, known to grant the hearts' desires of those who dared to consult it. David leaned closer, drawn in by the mirror's faint glow. With a deep breath, he placed both hands on its cool surface, glancing at his own reflection and feeling the weight of his wish. He whispered softly, his voice barely above a murmur, "I wish to be the most popular person at school." As he spoke the words, the mirror's surface rippled like water disturbed by a pebble. The light swirled and brightened until it enveloped him in a warm, golden glow. David's heart raced as he felt the energy pulsing from the mirror, tingling through his fingers and dancing along his spine. Would this be the moment everything changed? Would he finally step out of the shadows and into the limelight he had craved? He went to sleep, hoping that tomorrow he would become the most popular person at his school. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= When David awoke the next morning, he found that his wish had indeed come true. He had become the most popular person at school. He had become Lucianna Henderson. That wasn't what he had meant, but that was indeed what he had asked for. Lucianna is the kind of girl who commands attention the moment she walks into a room. At 18, the same age as David, she's effortlessly beautiful, standing at 5'7" with a slim, toned figure that she maintains with early morning Pilates and a carefully curated diet. Her long, glossy black hair falls in soft waves down to her mid-back, always impeccably styled---sometimes sleek and straight, other times in intricate braids or soft curls, depending on the trend of the week. Her skin is flawless, a warm olive tone that seems to glow naturally, thanks to a meticulous skincare routine that she never skips, even on the busiest days. Her face is symmetrical, with high cheekbones and full, naturally rosy lips that always look perfectly lined, even though she swears she's just wearing lip balm. Her dark almond-shaped eyes, framed by thick lashes, are her standout feature---always outlined with just the right amount of eyeliner and a hint of shimmer that makes them pop. Her brows are perfectly arched, never a hair out of place. She spends time ensuring her makeup is flawless, subtle enough to look effortless, but expertly applied to enhance her natural beauty. Lucianna's wardrobe is a walking advertisement for the latest fashion trends. She's known for mixing high-end designer pieces with the latest fast-fashion items, always managing to pull off a look that's both chic and trendsetting. One day she'll be in a fitted blazer over a silk blouse with high-waisted jeans and ankle boots, and the next in a flowy dress paired with the trendiest sneakers. No matter the outfit, she accessorizes perfectly---whether it's with a simple gold chain, oversized sunglasses, or the latest "it" handbag. She's never seen without polished nails, either in classic nude or whatever color is currently making waves on social media. Lucianna's day starts early, even before the sun rises. Lucianna's day has become David's day. At 5:30 AM, the alarm buzzes, and she immediately rolls out of bed. Before taking a shower, something he would do early in the morning, he slipped into her perfectly coordinated workout gear---sleek black leggings and a matching sports bra from Lululemon. David knew that he would take a shower after his morning weekout, not before. David was of two minds, he knows what he must do, he has to get in contact with his former body and fix his problem, but he knew that he wasn't up yet. He had never gotten up at 5:30 any school day. David would have to wait to talk to his former self. He was sure that Lucianna would want her life back. David hoped that she would be so greatful to just return to her lbody and life that she wouldn't give him too much grief for what he had down to both of their lives. In the meantime, David felt compelled to live the life of a popular girl. He seemed to know everything that he would need to live her life. He took a few moments to look around Lucianna's room. Everything seemed familiar. Then he took stock of his life and could remembered things that he couldn't possibly know, Everything that he needed to live her life. David wanted to take a moment to center himself. But he...she knew he couldn't. There were things that she needed to do, she was already dressed for her workout, she didn't have time to lay in bed and think. She heads downstairs to her home gym, where she begins her 45-minute Pilates routine, a mix of stretches and core-strengthening exercises that keep her toned and lithe. Afterward, she does 15 minutes of cardio on the treadmill, ensuring she maintains her flawless figure. By 6:45 AM, she's in the bathroom, taking a shower and beginning her extensive beauty regimen. During this time, Lucianna didn't think about loking at her own body in a sexual way. She would appreciate a pretty woman's body, but this morning she didn't have time to explore her body. He was already late. Whe had waisted precious miniutes planning as David. There wasn't time for anything else. Lucianna's skincare routine is sacred---she cleanses, applies toner, serums, eye cream, and finishes with a lightweight moisturizer, all from several luxury brands. Lucianna applied all these products as if she had profected the technique and use of these products over several years. The products that she used were selected through several months (or years) of trial and error until she found the proper combination of procts. Lucianna not only knew which products to use, but also could remember many of the products she had tried to get to this point. After her skin regiment, she carefully applies her makeup. It's a practiced routine: a dewy foundation that gives her that natural glow, a hint of bronzer for a sunkissed look, and a soft pink blush. Her eyeliner is winged perfectly, and her lashes are curled and coated with mascara to make her eyes pop. She chooses a soft, nude lip color to finish the look---always on trend but never overdone. She knew how to use each product and how the product would affect her appearance. By 7:30 AM, she's dressed for school. Today, she's opting for a cropped cashmere sweater, a plaid skirt, and white ankle boots---preppy, chic, and perfect for the fall season. The outfit had been laid out the night before to makke dressing in the morning as quick as possible. Before heading out, she checks her phone, scrolling through her favorite fashion influencers and TikTok videos to make sure she's up-to-date with the latest trends. She sends a quick text to her group chat of "it girls," making plans for the weekend, and then grabs her Louis Vuitton bag before heading out the door. Lucianna was on autopilot. She knew everyone in her contact list and even what most of the fashion influencers were telling her. She wasn't without some influence of her own and years of fashion knowledge had accumulated. At school, Lucianna is immediately greeted by a group of her admirers---girls who want to be her and boys who want to date her. The feelings for her closest circle of friends is genuine. Girls that would drive the former David wild, she no longer had feelings like that far. She loves them dearly, but not in a sexual way. She glides through the hallways like she owns the place, stopping at her locker to check her reflection. She diesn't think about the number of times she looks at herself. She is't vain, but she needs to be perfect and minor touchups of her makeup are a necessity. Everyone expects her look to be perfect. Throughout the day, Lucianna balances her social obligations with effortless charm. She subconsciously flirts with the boys around her, always keeping them interested without getting too attached. Even though she's casually dating three different guys---Jake, a football player from her school; Liam, a preppy guy from another school; and Marcus, a sophomore at a nearby college---she likes to keep her options open, reveling in the attention. Lucianna has a true affection for all these boys, even though she doesn't want to commit to one, not at this time. In between classes, Lucianna checks her phone, responding to texts from her boyfriends and leaving flirty comments on their Instagram posts. She's always planning her next move, whether it's an outfit for a party, a weekend getaway, or just maintaining her popularity. Every glance she throws, every smile she gives, is carefully calculated to keep her at the top. As Lucianna walked down the hall between classes, chatting with one of her friends, she heard someone call 'Lucianna'. She turns instinctively. It was Jake, the school's star football player, jogging to catch up with her. Her friend smiled knowingly as Jake approached, clearly smitten. "Lucianna," Jake said, slightly breathless but flashing his signature grin, "I've been thinking... would you want to go out with me sometime? Like, maybe this weekend?" Lucianna, ever composed, tilted her head and gave him a charming smile. She knew how to keep things in balance, especially with the boys. "Jake," she started sweetly, "you know I'd love to. But you also know how busy I am." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, glancing at her friend as if to emphasize her packed schedule. "I've got so much going on---cheer, student council, and, you know, the charity stuff. Plus, I promised the girls I'd hang with them." Everything that Lucianna said was the absolute truth. Jake's smile faltered for just a second, but he quickly recovered. He knew Lucianna's life was a whirlwind, and though it bothered him that she was casually seeing Liam and Marcus too, he didn't want to push her away. "But," Lucianna continued, sensing his hesitation, "I'll figure out a day and time, and I'll let you know. Sound good?" She placed a gentle hand on his arm, her tone suggesting that he was important to her, but her schedule just didn't allow for spontaneity. There was a pleasant tingle In her fingertips as she touched Jake's arm. Jake nodded, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, sure. Just text me when you're free." Lucianna gave him a bright smile, already turning back to her conversation with her friend as if the exchange with Jake had barely interrupted her. "You'll hear from me soon, promise." Jake watched her walk away, torn between frustration and admiration. He knew how busy Lucianna's life was, and he couldn't deny the hold she had over him, even though she was balancing her attention between him and the other two guys. He wasn't going to give up. All he could do now was wait for her text, whenever she decided she had the time to see him. Jake didn't sense anything was different with Lucianna despite David was living her life. As to Jake and everyone else, Lucianna was Lucianna. You had to understand who she is to be in her world. It was a world that everyone wanted to be included. As Lucianna walked off, she resumed her conversation with her friend, her mind already moving to the next social interaction, Jake's request tucked away for later, just one more thing on her long to-do list. After school, Lucianna's schedule is packed with high-visibility activities. First, she heads to cheerleading practice, where she leads the squad with energy and precision. Dressed in a sleek, form-fitting stretch cotton leotard, Lucianna stood at the center of the cheerleading squad, her posture confident and commanding. Her every move was precise and energetic, leading the team through complex routines with ease. Her long, toned legs moved in perfect rhythm as she flipped and leaped, each motion accentuated by the smooth fabric clinging to her body. The girls on the squad watched her closely, their eyes glued to her as they tried to mimic her flawless technique. It was clear that Lucianna set the standard for everyone. On the sidelines, a group of boys had gathered, ostensibly there to watch the practice but really there for her. Lucianna noticed them, of course, flashing them a dazzling smile whenever she caught their gaze. She knew how to play her role---confident and popular, but with just the right touch of flirtation that kept their attention locked on her. Even during practice, Lucianna managed to balance both the athletic and the social demands of her life, seamlessly transitioning from being the star of the cheer squad to the girl everyone admired. When the practice ended, the girls crowded around her for feedback. "Lucianna, should we tweak the ending formation?" one of them asked breathlessly, trying to keep up with her. Another said, "You were amazing out there, like always." Lucianna offered them all a friendly, yet authoritative, smile. "Yeah, we should tighten the ending a bit. Make sure the timing is perfect," she said, her voice firm but encouraging. "We'll go over it again next practice." As the team dispersed, Lucianna walked over to the group of boys who had been watching. She didn't have much time, but she made sure to give each one a quick, flirty glance and a smile, making them feel like they had her undivided attention, even if just for a moment. "Hey, Lucianna!" one of the boys called, trying to catch her as she passed. "You crushed it out there." She slowed just enough to flash him a playful grin. "Thanks," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Glad you guys enjoyed the show." Despite the limited time, Lucianna made each boy feel special. She knew how to keep her social image intact, even with a packed schedule. With just a few minutes to spare before her next activity---whether it was student council or another club meeting---she didn't linger long. "I'd love to chat more, but I've gotta run," she said, her voice light and breezy. "See you later!" She gave one last wave to the group before dashing off, her next obligation calling her away. As she left the field, still dressed in her leotard, her presence lingered, leaving both her cheer squad and her admirers in awe of her ability to dominate every facet of her busy life. Lucianna never let anything slip through the cracks, even when balancing her many roles seemed impossible. After cheerleading, she rushes off to a student council meeting, where she helps organize the upcoming school dance. At the student council meeting, Lucianna entered with the same confidence she carried on the cheerleading field. Her presence was immediately felt, her radiant smile and warm demeanor making her the center of attention the moment she walked into the room. Dressed in a chic, school-appropriate outfit, she effortlessly combined professionalism with style, a reflection of her polished social image. The meeting was about to begin, and the agenda focused on organizing the upcoming school dance, one of the most anticipated events of the year. Lucianna took a seat near the front, subtly positioning herself where she could command the room. She leaned forward slightly as the meeting began, her body language open and engaged. When the discussion shifted to decorations, she saw an opportunity to exert her influence. "We need something elegant but also fun, something everyone can enjoy," she said, her voice sweet but authoritative. She turned to one of the girls, Amanda, who had been struggling with her ideas. "Amanda, I loved your suggestion about using fairy lights. They'd give such a magical atmosphere," she said, flashing her a supportive smile. Amanda beamed, clearly thrilled to receive Lucianna's approval. Another girl chimed in, backing Lucianna's idea. "Yeah, that's perfect! We could even string them up around the entrance." Lucianna nodded, fully aware of how easily the girls in the council would follow her lead. "Exactly! And maybe we can add some pastel-colored streamers to complement the lights. What do you think?" she asked, directing the question to one of the boys, John, who was sitting a few seats away. John hesitated for a moment, obviously distracted by her attention. "Uh, yeah, that sounds great," he said, stumbling slightly over his words. Lucianna smiled playfully, letting him know she appreciated his input, all while subtly using her charm to keep him invested in her idea.
|