Ava blinked, certain she'd misheard.
"Switch… lives?" she whispered.
Aria nodded, expression suddenly serious.
"You live mine. I live yours. Just for tonight—until the gala ends."
Ava's heart hammered. The garden felt unusually quiet, as if even the wind were listening.
"That's insane," Ava said. "We just met. Fifteen minutes ago. And now you want…"
"I know," Aria cut in. "But think about it. There's a reason we found each other today. Maybe this is fate. Or maybe… it's our chance."
Ava hesitated, then shook her head. "I mean… your family must be loaded. Why would you want to switch lives with a nobody like me? I don't even know your name."
Aria's jaw tightened.
"My name is Aria Harrison," she said quietly. "And I'm engaged to a man who doesn't want me, in a house where every breath I take is controlled. Every smile is planned. Every step is watched. I don't feel alive in my own life, Ava."
"Wait… how do you know my name?" Ava asked suspiciously.
"Earlier, that boy," Aria said, pointing vaguely toward the garden. "He called you Ava."
Ava's phone buzzed loudly.
Zack — Incoming Call
"Speak of the devil," she muttered.
Aria tilted her head. "Does he… like you?"
Ava looked down, swiping to silence it. "Yeah… he confessed. I… I didn't know how to respond, so I ran."
Aria smirked. "That explains the dramatic exit."
Ava bristled. "Dramatic exit? I'll have you know, I'm perfectly composed!"
Aria raised her hands, laughing softly. "Alright, fair. You don't have to answer him tonight."
"How?" Ava frowned. "You'll still need to meet up with him tonight."
Aria shook her head. "I won't. I just need a little rest, that's all. I'll hide out somewhere quiet. When the gala's done, we switch back. You slip out as me, and we switch back. Then you go home. No meeting him, no complications."
Ava considered that, her eyes drifting back to the glittering entrance of the hall. "Hmm. Alright. I can do that. And honestly?" She leaned in a bit, excitement tugging at her lips. "It would be a waste to leave now. I'm… curious."
"Of course you are." Aria let out a soft, tired laugh.
"We need a way to update each other," Aria said. "What's your WeChat?"
Ava unlocked her phone and held it up. "Here—scan my QR code."
Their phones beeped almost in sync, sealing their strange little pact.
Then Aria extended her hand towards Ava. "So. Let's make this official… sister."
Ava's smile spread instantly, bright and eager. She clasped Aria's hand with both of hers. "Alright, sis."
For a moment, the world around them seemed to pause…Two girls holding the same face, same features, same blood, yet stepping into each other's paths for one reckless night.
A beat passed. Then Ava blinked.
"Wait, first, we'd have to exchange clothes, right?" she whispered, looking around nervously.
Aria's eyes widened. "Oh. Right. We can't walk in looking like… us."
The two of them hurried behind one of the decorative curtains lining the hallway—a narrow hidden space where music from the gala hummed faintly through the walls. They traded dresses, adjusted zippers, switched shoes, then swapped hair accessories. Ava pulled Aria's hair into a looser style to match hers, and Aria smoothed Ava's into something sleeker.
"Okay," Ava exhaled, stepping back to look at Aria who was now dressed exactly like her. "It's freaky how perfect this is."
Aria handed her the mini perfume she always used. "Just one spray. My mother will notice immediately if you smell different."
Ava obeyed, eyes widening at how quickly everything was becoming real.
"Alright," Aria said softly, smoothing the fabric of Ava's borrowed dress. "Once you go back in, stay calm. I'll text you everything; Names, little details, everything about my parents. I already sent you their pictures."
Ava nodded slowly. "And I'll be careful with how I talk. No careless speech. I'm a princess now. Duhhh." She said, rolling her eyes.
Aria smirked. "I'm not a princess but let's work with that."
They shared one last look, equal parts fear and excitement.
Ava smoothed the front of Aria's gown, still shocked by how expensive it felt beneath her fingertips. Her hair was now pinned neatly the way Aria had shown her, and Aria who was now wearing Ava's simple dress, had her hair let down in loose waves.
Ava exhaled. "Alright… I guess I look like you now."
"You do," Aria said, stepping back to inspect her. "Just remember to walk slower. Softer. And don't talk unless you need to."
Ava rolled her eyes. "So basically… don't be myself."
Aria stifled a laugh. "Exactly."
They stood near a side hallway that led back to the ballroom. Ava peeked around the corner, her stomach twisting.
"So… where will you be?" Ava asked.
Aria pointed upward toward a dimly lit staircase. "There's a balcony that overlooks the hall. I'll stay there, hidden. I can see everything from above. If anything goes wrong, I'll text you immediately."
Ava blinked. "You're going to watch me?"
"Of course," Aria said, already stepping toward the stairs. "You think I'd throw you to the wolves alone? I'll guide you the whole time. Just keep your phone in your hand and don't panic."
Ava snorted. "Too late."
Aria paused at the bottom of the stairs, turning back.
"And remember… Matthias will be there. Avoid him as much as possible until the switch is over."
Ava swallowed hard. "Great. The fiancé who doesn't want you. Can't wait."
"Ava," Aria said with a tiny smirk, "if he talks to you… just nod, smile, and say as little as possible. You must act like you know him."
Ava groaned. "This is a terrible idea."
Aria nodded. "But it's our idea."
They exchanged a tight, nervous smile.
Then Aria disappeared up the staircase, melting into the shadows of the balcony, leaving Ava alone, dressed as someone she barely understood, about to walk into a world she didn't belong in.
With a final steadying Ava stepped through the ballroom doors.
Her heart slammed into her ribs as hundreds of glittering eyes, chandeliers, and murmuring guests filled her vision. Music swept across the hall, soft and graceful which was the total opposite of how she felt.
She took one careful step.
Soft… slow… elegant, she reminded herself, hearing Aria's voice in her head.
From the balcony above, hidden behind a curtain, Aria watched with bated breath. She gripped the railing so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Ava moved through the crowd, chin up, posture tense but imitating Aria's grace as best as she could.
Her phone buzzed.
Aria: You are doing great.
Ava exhaled slowly, turning her head, only to freeze.
Someone was watching her.
A tall man stood near the balcony doors, dressed in black tailored formal wear, his presence stark and controlled. His expression didn't shift, but the air around him tightened. He pushed off the wall and began walking toward her with the deliberate calm of someone who never rushed for anyone.
Ava's heart leaped.
Oh no. Is that him?
Aria had described Matthias Ashton as intimidating, quiet, and impossible to read—but she hadn't mentioned he looked like a storm wearing a suit.
He stopped in front of her, towering slightly, eyes sharp enough to slice through fabric.
"You disappeared."
His voice was low, leveled, and far too close.
Ava's throat dried. "Oh—uh—I just needed some air."
His gaze narrowed. Not angry. Not warm. Just… assessing.
"You hate crowds," he said flatly, as if reciting a fact he'd memorized.
"Yes," Ava answered before she could think.
Wrong answer.
Aria hated crowds, not her.
He stepped even closer, lowering his head slightly as if to read her face. "You sound… different."
Ava forced a small laugh—Aria's soft, polite one she had practiced behind the curtain.
"Do I? Maybe I'm just tired."
Another long stare. Heavy. Searching.
Then her phone buzzed again.
Aria: DO NOT smile too much. Stop it.
Ava cleared her throat and let her expression relax.
Matthias finally spoke again. "Your father is looking for you."
"O–oh. Right. I was just going back."
He didn't move. Instead, he lifted his hand slightly—as if about to offer it to her—then stopped halfway. His fingers curled back to his side, a decision reconsidered.
"I'll walk you," he said simply.
Panic shot through her.
No no no no—Aria said avoid him!
"That's… okay. I can go by myself." She flashed an awkward smile, then immediately regretted it.
Matthias' jaw tightened just a fraction. "Aria, why are you acting strange?"
Every muscle in Ava's body went stiff. She had no idea what Aria would say. No script. No hints. No backup.
But she had to answer.
She swallowed, lifted her chin gently, and whispered—
"Maybe I'm just tired of pretending."
His expression changed—barely, but enough. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. Surprise? Curiosity? Suspicion?
Then—
"Ari—" someone called sharply from across the hall.
Matthias' attention snapped away.
Ava seized the moment, slipped sideways, and disappeared into the nearest cluster of people before he could turn back.
Her pulse thundered.
Okay. That was way too close.
Her phone buzzed wildly.
Aria: WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO HIM?!
Before she could even reply, she heard a sweet voice behind her.
"Aria, sweetheart."
Ava jolted.
A woman—elegant, regal, and clearly expensive—approached her with a warm but controlled smile. Her mother. Aria's mother.
Ava could feel Aria's panic from the balcony even without seeing her.
"Darling, we're leaving now," Mrs. Harrison said, gently touching Ava's arm. "Your father is already outside. Come along."
Ava's blood froze.
Leaving?
Now?
Already?
She shot a desperate glance upward toward the balcony—toward Aria.
Aria stepped out from behind the curtain just enough to see her, eyes wide with horror.
They hadn't switched back.
They hadn't even gotten a chance.
Ava was about to be taken home… as Aria.
"Ava—don't go with her!" Aria whispered under her breath, but no one could hear her.
Mrs. Harrison tugged lightly at Ava's arm.
"Come, dear. We don't want to keep your fiancé waiting. Matthias will join us shortly."
Ava blinked rapidly, panic clawing up her throat.
Fiancé? Waiting? Leaving? NOW?!
She tried to form words—something, anything—but her voice refused to come out.
Ava's heartbeat drowned out the entire ballroom.
Aria, still trapped on the balcony, whispered frantically:
"No… no, no, no… Ava, don't leave—don't leave—"
But Ava couldn't move.
She was being escorted away.
And right as she was pulled toward the exit…
Right as Aria's panicked eyes met Ava's terrified ones…
Mrs. Harrison said softly:
"Come along, dear. We're going home."
To be continued….