Maria or Alan

Morning sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains and fell across Maria's face. Her long lashes trembled slightly as she slowly opened her eyes. No, she should be called Alan now.

Alan felt the warmth of this body, the tangible sensation of blood flowing through its veins, and every powerful beat of its heart. A satisfied curve rose on her lips. Barefoot, she got out of bed and walked straight to the sink.

In the mirror, a terrified, despairing face stared back at her. It was the real Maria.

"Good morning, my dear sister." Alan reached out and gently touched the cold mirror, her fingertip gliding over Maria's cheek in the reflection. "From today onward, I'll live well in your place and enjoy everything you never dared to imagine."

Maria in the mirror desperately shook her head, her mouth opening and closing without making a sound as tears silently streamed down her face.

"Don't cry. You should be happy." Alan's smile grew brighter. "I'll make everyone who bullied you pay the price. Just stay here and watch."

With that, she ignored the despairing soul in the mirror and turned to pick out her clothes for the day. She discarded the plain, conservative dresses in Maria's closet and chose a slightly fitted black T-shirt and ripped jeans. The outfit perfectly outlined the lovely figure that had once been hidden beneath loose clothing.

At the dining table, her father, Dan, scrutinized her with his usual critical gaze. Frowning, he said, "Maria, what are you wearing? It's inappropriate. And your hair is a mess. You don't look like a proper young lady at all."

The old Maria would have lowered her head and dared not say a word. But today, Alan raised her head and met Dan's gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I think it looks good, Dad. Rather than pleasing others, I prefer pleasing myself."

"You..." Dan choked on the sudden retort, his face immediately turning ugly. Beside him, Amy's mouth fell open in shock, unable to believe those words had come from her always-timid daughter.

Alan elegantly picked up a slice of toast and took a slow bite, as if nothing had happened. Dan finally just snorted and said nothing more. An eerie silence settled over the table.

When she arrived at school, the hallway was still filled with pointing fingers and hushed whispers. But Alan did not care in the slightest. She held her head high and walked with her chest out, her heeled ankle boots clicking crisply against the floor. Every step radiated unquestionable confidence.

"Well, if it isn't our timid Maria. Since when did you dare hold your head up?" a mocking voice called from ahead.

It was Mark, a tall football player and one of the people who had bullied Maria most enthusiastically. With two lackeys behind him, he lazily blocked Alan's path, a malicious grin on his face.

Alan stopped and narrowed her eyes slightly, like a cat eyeing its prey.

Seeing that she did not speak, Mark assumed she was scared again. He grew even bolder and reached out, intending to shove her shoulder as usual. "What, cat got your tongue?"

The instant his hand was about to touch Alan, she moved. Her movements were so fast that no one could see them clearly. Her right hand shot out like lightning and precisely seized Mark's wrist. Mark felt his wrist go numb, followed by a piercing pain that made him cry out.

"Aah—!"

Alan applied a little force, and Mark's burly body, well over six feet tall, was effortlessly forced to bend at the waist. She slowly leaned close to his ear and whispered so softly that only the two of them could hear, "I hate people touching me. Next time, you won't need that hand anymore."

Her voice was quiet and gentle, yet it carried a bone-chilling coldness that instantly brought sweat to Mark's forehead. He could tell she was not joking. The icy madness in those eyes was something he had never seen before.

"You... you're not Maria... Who are you?" Mark asked, his voice trembling.

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Alan released his hand and glanced at him with contempt, as if he were an ant. "Who I am isn't important. What matters is that from today on, you'd better stay out of my way."

After saying that, she smoothed her sleeve and walked straight past Mark, who had collapsed to the floor, and his two stunned lackeys without even looking at them. The entire hallway fell silent. Everyone was too shocked by the sudden scene to speak.

The Maria who had once let others bully her seemed to have become a completely different person overnight.

Alan's goal was clear. She passed through the crowd and arrived at Edward's locker.

Edward was surrounded by a crowd at the moment. Ever since he had subdued the Ghostface Killer last time, he had become one of the school's biggest celebrities, never lacking admirers at his side.

"Edward, you're so cool! I heard you took down that psycho with one shot?"

Edward handled the enthusiastic crowd with an easy smile. Just then, he noticed the crowd automatically parting to make way as a figure approached him at an unhurried pace.

It was Maria.

Edward was somewhat surprised. Maria looked... very different today. She no longer had that timid air about her. Her eyes were full of confidence, even carrying a hint of aggression. Her fitted clothes perfectly displayed her curves, giving off a wild, dangerous charm.

"Is something wrong, Maria?" Edward raised an eyebrow.

Ignoring every gaze around her, Alan walked straight up to Edward. The distance between them was so close they could nearly feel each other's breath. She raised her head and looked directly into Edward's eyes. Her red lips parted, and her voice was clear and decisive.

"Edward Connor."

She paused, savoring the attention of everyone watching, then said each word distinctly.

"Let's go on a date this weekend."

It was no longer a question, but an announcement that allowed no refusal.

The hallway fell into deathly silence once again, as though even the air had frozen. Everyone stared at "Maria" as if she were an alien, then looked at Edward, wanting to know how he would react.

Edward looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar face before him, his heart filled with doubt. Was this still the Maria who would blush for ages just from seeing him? The enormous contrast felt slightly off to him, but it brought even more unprecedented novelty and interest.

The corners of his lips lifted into an amused smile. He leaned forward and lowered his voice as well. "Sure. But can I ask why? You've really opened my eyes today."

"You don't need to know why." A sly glint flashed through Alan's eyes. "Saturday, ten in the morning, outside the movie theater in town. I'll be waiting."

With that, she turned and left with effortless flair, leaving behind a crisp, decisive silhouette and a crowd staring at one another.

Edward watched her retreating back and rubbed his chin, the smile on his face growing wider.

"Interesting. Truly interesting."

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