Amaris' POV
It still feels somewhat surreal at times.
Whenever I glimpse my reflection, I am reminded of a truth that continues to settle within me—this young lady gazing back from the mirror is, in fact, me. Amaris Shin.
I appear to have inherited my mother's gentle eyes—soft, warm, and expressive, carrying a natural kindness that draws people in. My lips are naturally pink, with a graceful curve, and my eyelashes are long and delicate, framing my eyes without the need for enhancement. My hair, a silky shade of black, falls smoothly past my shoulders, always seeming to glisten as though cared for by nature itself. My complexion is fair and clear, with not a single blemish to speak of.
It is, admittedly, a lovely appearance. The sort that would have caused quite a few glances—perhaps even the occasional request for a phone number, had I remained who I once was. I believe the version of me that was Mark would have been utterly captivated.
And yet, that very beauty now belongs to me.
There are moments when I pause before the mirror, caught between bewilderment and acceptance. What an unusual turn of fate—to admire such beauty once from afar, only to now carry it in the face I wear.
I sighed softly and moved to change into my clothes for the day: a lavender pleated skirt, a white blouse with a lavender ribbon tied neatly at the collar, white knee-high socks, and polished black loafers. I must admit, being a man once, I initially disliked wearing skirts or feminine clothing. However, when one's mother is a fashion designer and frequently requests one to model her creations, such discomfort gradually fades into familiarity. That is precisely what happened to me.
As I dressed, an unwelcome thought crept into my mind—school. The very idea still filled me with dread. Fortunately, being a member of a prestigious family came with its advantages. I had received guidance from exceptional instructors who had each mastered their respective fields. With their recommendation letters, enrollment became a simple matter.
Of course, as a family that honors law and tradition, we provided all the necessary documentation. I even took an entrance exam two days ago. Naturally, I performed exceptionally well.
I stepped out of the bathroom just as one of the maids approached, carrying a small jewelry box in her hands. Inside were several accessories, but I selected a bracelet adorned with butterfly designs and lavender-colored gemstones. "Thank you kindly," I said, accepting the bracelet with a gentle smile.
Making my way downstairs, I found both of my parents already waiting for me. They were dressed impeccably, as always. I smiled at them. My mother turned toward me and asked, "Are you ready, dear?"
"Yes, Mother," I replied, my voice polite and composed.
My father stepped forward and opened the door for us. Once we were all seated inside the car, the driver began the journey.
I glanced at my parents and decided to ask, "May I inquire as to the name of the school I shall be attending?"
My mother's eyes lit up as she beamed. "Reefside High School!" she announced cheerfully.
"I see. Reef–" I began calmly, only to stop mid-sentence as realization struck. 'Reefside High School?'
'Was that not the very school the main cast of Dino Thunder attended?'
"Amaris, are you feeling well?" my mother asked, clearly noticing my sudden silence.
I snapped back to reality and offered her a reassuring smile. "Yes, Mother. I am perfectly fine."
Internally, however, I was in disarray. This revelation was far from expected. Of course, I understood that avoiding interference with the original timeline was an unrealistic expectation, but I had hoped, at the very least, to observe the story unfold from a respectful distance. I simply wished to witness the moments I once watched unfold on screen. But now…
Wait. Just because I was attending Reefside High did not mean I would become involved, did it? It was entirely possible to maintain a low profile.
'Yes. Of course. That was common sense.'
I exhaled softly, attempting to regain my composure.
'Except… attending school still required me to socialize, did it not?'
I groaned mentally. 'Calm down, Amaris. Deep breaths.'
Eventually, we arrived. The driver exited the car and promptly opened the door for me. "Goodbye, Miss," he said with a courteous nod.
"Thank you very much," I responded.
My parents also bid me farewell. I smiled at them. "Please take care on the way back."
And with that, the car drove away.
I turned toward the entrance of Reefside High School, mentally bracing myself. The noise was immediate. Students moved about in groups, shouting, laughing, creating the sort of rowdy energy I was entirely unaccustomed to. Seventeen years of peaceful living within the estate had not prepared me for this.
Still, I maintained my usual polite smile.
Approaching one of the students, I asked gently, "Pardon me, but may I ask where the principal's office is located?"
The student pointed toward a hallway. "Down there, then take a left."
"Thank you very much. I truly appreciate your assistance."
Following the directions, I eventually reached the principal's office. The plaque read "Principal Randall." A familiar name. Elsa—one of Mesogog's generals.
I entered and greeted her with a bow. "Good morning, Principal Randall. It is an honor to meet you."
She looked at me with narrowed eyes. "Get your schedule from the table and leave."
Unbothered by her hostility, I replied with a calm, "Thank you, ma'am."
I took my schedule and exited the office. Once I was alone in the hallway, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
My first class was… Science.
My polite smile wavered slightly.
'Of course. Of course, it had to be Science.'
Dr. Oliver's class. One of the key characters.
I took another deep breath and began walking to my class. Hopefully, today would be uneventful. Hopefully, I would go unnoticed.
And with that silent prayer, I stepped into Reefside High School, a quiet outsider among the future legends.