New Rachel

— And then he tells me, "Rachel, you know I don't give a damn about all these school rules!" — mimicking a gruff male voice, Lily dramatically rolled her eyes and adjusted her tie. — Hell, buddy, I couldn’t care less about them either. I graduated twenty years ago, and I even had a dick! — she laughed, remembering how panicked she was a year ago when, because of an experiment she’d participated in, she ended up in Rachel's body. Lily was the only one who knew the truth and who actually liked the new Rachel even more. They used to be enemies, but now they were best friends.

— And what did you say to him? — Lily giggled, glancing at her friend.

— Oh, you know me, — Rachel grinned slyly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. — I just gave him the look and said, "Well then, prove it, Brad! Or are you too chicken?!" His face at that moment was priceless. I think he actually believed for a second that I was going to challenge him right there, outside the principal's office.

Lily laughed so hard she had to press a hand to her mouth to avoid drawing attention. Both of them knew how much Rachel had changed over the past few months, and it wasn’t just about her appearance.

— Brad's always been such a coward, — Lily added, still trying to stifle her laughter. — But now, seeing you all confident and, well, looking like you do, it’s driving him crazy.

Rachel shook her head, letting out a short chuckle. The whole thing still felt absurd to her. Just a year ago, she couldn’t have imagined being one of the most popular girls in school — and not just that, but feeling confident in the role. Still, something inside her kept reminding her of the past.

— If only he knew who I really am, — she mumbled, looking down slightly.

Lily turned to her with sudden seriousness in her eyes.

— You’re not who you used to be, Rachel. And you know that. You’ve found yourself here, with us. Do you remember what the real Rachel was like? She didn’t have any friends; she lived as if the world revolved around her, and she didn’t care about anyone else. But you... you’re different. You see people in a way she never did, and that... that makes you stronger.

Rachel bit her lip, frowning slightly. She remembered her first few weeks in this new body — the confusion, the shyness, the strange looks from others. Yes, the real Rachel had always been on a pedestal, but she’d never had any real friends. This world was harsh, and oddly enough, Lily had become the only person with whom she felt like herself. But something had changed over time — the new Rachel wasn’t the scared person who had come here from another life.

— So, how’s Brad, hmm? — she asked with a smirk, clearly trying to change the subject.

— Boring, as always. But, you know, sometimes I feel... — Rachel squinted, thoughtfully running her finger along the edge of her bag, — like I have some kind of power over him. It’s so weird — seeing him get all flustered around me. Maybe it’s even... satisfying.

— Satisfying? — Lily raised an eyebrow. — Oh, you have to tell me more about that!