Getting a second chance at life isn't exactly as enchanting as it seems.
Sohee Young, who lived life like the callous person she was, dies. She gets another chance to live life correctly though, and that is by swapping lives with Lina Park, who die...
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THE SOGGY, CRUSHED meringues had laid on the table, still not thrown out. I hadn't chucked them in the garbage can, and my parents hadn't either. The dashboard's arrow spun to the right as I floored the gas pedal, the isolated road near the ocean and the trees to our left blurring.
"Sohee," Emma's voice shook, hand clutching the seatbelt. "I don't think this is a good idea. Maybe we should do something else?"
Accept the affection you've been craving for. Like a dog confined to a shelter, so desperate for an owner. I didn't need somebody to love me to find a purpose in living.
"I don't think my car can take any more of this." Another wary warning.
Have you fallen in love with him or something? My foot slammed the pedal again. 110.
"Sohee! You're going to kill me!" A cry pierced the silence between us, and I stiffened, easing on the speed.
"What's your problem?" I mumbled, readjusting my grip on the steering wheel. Not my fault her beat up, ugly green Sedan couldn't take a mild speed level.
"You! You're telling me you drove past the speed limit and never got caught?"
"Of course not," I scoffed. The countryside existed for a reason—I'd never drive like that in the middle of the city.
Emma wrung her hands together. "I can't have this car exploding on me. It's already bad enough that I have to sit in silence until you decide to talk to me, but please lower the speed?"
"Fine." I blew out a breath. "I'll follow the speed limit."
"I'm not even going to ask how you've managed to not have a speeding ticket," she said. "How do you usually blow of steam instead of driving? Maybe a little huffing and puffing at weak people like me? That's what my dad always did."
"Do you—" I shook my head. Being defensive about it would further group me with him. "Would you want to see him if you could?"
"Hm... I think so. Mainly to ask him why he did the things he did, see if he feels guilty for leaving Mom behind."
Please. Not a hint of guilt existed inside of him, and I didn't need to ask to figure that out. Her grip tightened, and she took in a deep breath.
"Mom had this trust fund from Grandma. I don't know all the details, but Dad basically took it and invested it all in his career, leaving Mom and I alone. And poor. We basically didn't even benefit from the divorce. And yeah, it sucks, but don't give me your skepticism and say it had to be done for fame—"
Ruthlessness and ambition led to fame. It was common sense—kindhearted people who dreamed of becoming known while allowing others to step on them got nothing.
"Your dad did what he had to do." Though not in the ideal way, but his result benefitted him.
Her lips trembled. "You really see the worst in people, don't you? Like you think everyone's out to manipulate people."
I turned to face her. "I do. That's why I think your dad's an asshole. Just because he's ambitious doesn't mean he's not stupid and moronic. He's missing out."
Her mouth curved in a small smile. "You really think that? Like to the point where if he got hit by a truck you'd say he deserved it?"
My expression matched hers. "Sure. I never liked him, anyways. He's friends with my dad, and that's saying something."
"Well. I guess we have one thing in common."
"Maybe," my right shoulder lifted. "But I don't have a strong support system like your mom. I think... it's nice that you two have a good relationship."
Since mine didn't have my back, either.
"Part of me wished that Mom would've done something earlier about it though, you know? Even with his sweet talk, how could she not tell that he was out for her inheritance through his lies? Like, he asked her for the money."
And that circled back to the issue I've been preventing for hours.
"I need to go to the mall," I muttered, hands gripping the steering wheel. I swore it creaked under my clenched fingers. No doubt in fright, too.
Emma's eyes widened. "Sohee, seriously? You're Lina right now! You don't have enough money!"
Of course I didn't. Lina debated on buying something at least ten times before doing the act, having to worry whether it was useful and affordable. But...
"Well, this drive isn't helping," I said. "What else am I supposed to do?"
