J High was its usual chaotic symphony ringing bells, chattering students, and blaring hallway gossip. But today, there was a particular buzz in the air.
All eyes turned toward the classroom door.
Daniel Park walked in.
Not the swollen, clumsy body from the alleyway.
This was his second body tall, sculpted, sharp-jawed, with sleepy eyes that barely concealed their quiet confidence. His blazer was unbuttoned, tie loose, and he walked like he didn't know he was turning heads.
But he did.
"Omg, Daniel's here."
"He's so dreamy… is he an idol too?"
"He's gotten even better-looking since last week."
"Do you think he works out with Zack Lee or something?"
He gave a polite nod to the girls giggling in his path and walked toward his seat in the fashion department classroom.
Right next to him.
Jalen Creed.
Their eyes met for the first time.
Jalen leaned back in his chair, calm, unreadable. He'd seen Daniel around, of course couldn't not with all the noise he made but this was the first time they were close enough to see the similarities. Their beauty clashed and complimented like fire and ice.
Daniel froze for a heartbeat.
That face.
Not the same body… but the vibe, the aura, the calmness in the eyes.
That was him.
The guy who saved him in the alley.
When he was nothing but a punching bag in baggy pants.
Daniel sat down quietly, sneaking a glance again.
Jalen said nothing. Didn't even acknowledge him beyond the initial glance.
But that was definitely him.
"What are the odds…?" Daniel thought.
The girls in the room, meanwhile, were losing their minds.
"They're sitting together."
"How do you even function as a human being when those two are in one frame?"
"They look like the poster boys of two different dramas."
"Can we just… stare in peace? Is that allowed?"
Jalen could feel the air practically vibrating with attention. He looked out the window, ignoring it all.
But he noticed the glances from Daniel. The tension. The curiosity.
And maybe… a hint of gratitude?
He smirked slightly.
He remembered.
Good.
When lunch finally came around, the classroom burst into movement. Girls "casually" lingered near their desks. Some boys tried to act cool, failing miserably. Daniel packed up his things slowly, eyes flicking toward Jalen one more time.
He debated saying something. Asking. Confirming.
But Jalen stood first.
"Later," he said simply, sliding his hands into his pockets as he walked out.
Daniel stared after him.
Same calm energy. Same casual strength.
He didn't know how or why, but the guy who saved his first body was now walking next to him in this new life.
And something told him this wasn't a coincidence.