She's not the same person (Patreon)

Keara sat next to Aya in the old theater they'd frequented as teenagers. The velvet upholstery was still as plush as it had been in their youth, and the faint smell of popcorn and nostalgia lingered in the air, scents that immediately took Keara back to simpler times. Aya had always been a character who was larger than life. Her personality was overwhelming, and frequently destructive, but Keara still loved her regardless. 

She often found herself drawn into Aya's orbit, and while they'd been inseparable in high school, their friendship hadn't quite survived the transition into adulthood. Aya was an acquired taste, a flavor that only a few could appreciate, let alone tolerate. Keara was one of the few since she also came from a well-off family, and even then, it was out of concern for what might become of Aya if left to her own devices.

Yet, as Keara waited for the beginning of the film, she noticed something different about Aya. It wasn’t just the less makeup or new perfume. It wasn’t just the cute nails and softer hair. She was quieter, more composed, a stark contrast to the whirling dervish of a girl she'd known. Their conversation flowed easier than it ever had before, and Aya's responses were thoughtful and measured compared to her chaotic past. She wasn’t on her phone as much, and she wasn’t constantly looking for a new boyfriend to mess around with. She never rose her voice or started an argument. Aya was also dressing in more elegant clothing. Before, she used to prefer low-cut crop tops and short skirts. Now, she flaunted herself in expensive dresses and cute, sparkling jewelry pieces.

And whenever she did talk about anything, Aya seemed to actually think about what she would say. Keara listened as Aya spoke about college. Her decision to drop out of school scared her entire family, but the investments she'd made had left her with a sizable sum of cash that could last her for years. She didn’t know what she wanted to do for school, but she figured that the big gains she made would help give her time to explore the world before making her decision. Aya was now a picture of financial stability.

Keara was both shocked and impressed. She'd always known Aya was well-off, but she'd feared her friend would squander her wealth on frivolous pursuits, perhaps even dangerous ones. She had been big into cocaine at the start of college, and she apparently had to go to rehab a few times throughout her first year of college. But as Aya spoke, Keara's fears began to ebb away. The woman beside her was not the reckless teenager she'd once been, but a mature adult, making sound decisions and seemingly having her life together. A swell of pride rose in Keara's chest. She was genuinely happy for Aya.

But if she knew the truth, she would have been horrified for her. Aya wasn’t the same. Aya’s family had been sick of their daughter’s poor behavior. So, rather than risk having her waste the family fortune, they sought the help of a rehabilitation center that specialized in mental health therapy. Aya’s mind was forcefully removed from her body, and a much more deserving person was given her beautiful body. Ariana was a transgender woman who desperately wanted a new beginning, and when she had an opportunity to have Aya’s body, the woman’s mind made itself right at home. And as the world seemingly accepted the new Aya, Ariana slipped seamlessly into her stolen life. She loved everything about her new flesh. Her long blonde hair, dazzling brown eyes, and sexy physique made her feel so perfect. All it took was a bit of money and a nondisclosure statement, and her new life was fully secured. The real Aya was left trapped in a server, never to be heard from again.