I woke up. I realized I was standing and heard ringing telephones, murmurs of people, and constant movement. It took a while before I started to look around since I felt so surprised.

The cubicles. The desks. The old faded red carpet. I was back at work. In my original world.

It's been so long that the place began to feel unfamiliar and yet at the same time nostalgic. I was wearing my usual office dress shirt and pencil skirt. I wore glasses back then but I never really needed them. It was just a fashion thing but people thought they were real.

"Hey, Zoe!"

I looked at who was calling me. He wore a fitting white dress shirt, dark pants, and had a crew cut. I didn't recognize him though I felt like I should've.

"Looking good today!"

I would usually respond with something witty or confident if I recall correctly but instead I just stared at him. After all, I'm still trying to recognize him.

"Hey, Zoe, you alright?" He wondered.

"I-I'm fine. Just need my caffeine boost." I smiled at him.

"Gotcha." He did a finger gun at me. "Well, holler if you need me."

He walked to what I assume to be his cubicle. Who was he? I think we were close.

"Zoe, get your ass over here already!"

I turned again to the sound and went to it. I opened a glass door and saw a man sitting behind a desk.

"The reports?"

"Here you go," I instinctively handed the files I was holding.

"Good."

Another person at work I failed to recognize. Am I losing myself?

"Something wrong, Zoe?" He looked at me with slight concern.

"No sir," I replied automatically.

"Then you may go." He went looked down on the papers I gave him. I guess I never was close with the boss?

When I left the boss's office, as I exited the glass door, I was suddenly in another place. I think… I was at my apartment. How did that happen? More importantly, how can I not recognize the place I called home for four years?

I realized I also changed clothes. I was wearing my usual home outfit; jogging pants and a sleeveless shirt. I sat down on my sofa and looked around. The white walls. The large LED TV. Stacks of fashion magazine on the coffee table. In the corner, my computer desk. There were a bunch of anime figures on it and on the computer. I realized I was quite different before I met that person on Twitter. What was her name? Croissant? Something like that… At least I remembered something from my past. Come to think of it, I think she had something to do with me getting into another world. I should've been looking for her…

I saw a hand mirror on the coffee table so I took it and looked at myself. God, I haven't seen my own face in a long time… I expected to see Sayori's face. But there's my face. My real face. My shoulder length hair. My even bangs. My black eyes. So familiar and yet so alien.

And then, I woke up again.

I slowly opened my eyes, still groggy from sleeping. But I remembered my dream. It was my original life. To think I never had this dream months ago…

After I dressed up, I went downstairs and saw Shinji at the dining table.

Right. I have to tell him.

"Hey, Sayori." He called. Still a pretty boy.

"Morning," I greeted back. "Where's mom?"

"She went out."

I sat across him. "I have to tell you something."

"Sure."

My heart pounded loudly. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I have to tell him.

"Do you remember when I confessed?"

"Yeah. And then I said I needed time… Sorry about that. I know it's been long." He scratched the back of his head.

I shook my head. "Actually, I… I don't feel the same anymore."

Shinji's eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, Shinji."

He looked down for a moment. Now I felt terrible. I knew he liked Sayori for the longest time and I outright told him no. I can't go back now.

"I understand, Sayori," Shinji smiled. "Doesn't mean we can't be friends, right?"

I can't help but wonder if he's forcing himself to smile. But I smiled back.

"You're still my friend, Shinji."

"I can say the same thing to you, Sayori." He grinned.

Lunchtime. As usual, Sawako and I were at the rooftop, eating sandwiches she made which were absolutely delicious. How do you even make sandwiches extraordinary? It's two pieces of bread and something in the middle.

"What's wrong, Zou-chan?" Sawako asked as she was chewing. I wanted to tell her to stop but I always found it too adorable.

"Oh, do I look troubled?"

She nodded then took another bite.

I looked at the top of the doorway and expected to see Minori but it seemed she was somewhere else at the moment.

"It's actually about Shinji."

I explained to her what happened earlier.

"Honestly, I don't know what else I could've done." I took a bite of my sandwich.

"I thought you were so into him?" Sawako tilted her head.

"I thought so too, but the one he likes isn't me," I placed a hand on my chest. "It's Sayori."

I felt Sawako's hand on my shoulder.

"You know, I don't really know what to say with this kind of situation but I'm really glad you told me." Sawako smiled. "Though I feel bad not able to say anything that can help…"

"I always feel better when I talk to you so it's fine."

Sawako gave a surprised look but then smiled again.

I spent the whole day thinking about Shinji and my dream this morning. I can't help but think about how Shinji felt. How was my feelings for Sawako different from Shinji's? Maybe it's because I never had a real gentleman pursue me? Partly probably… But I know how I felt for Sawako and I can tell it was strong compared to how I felt to Shinji. I can't quite explain it… Maybe because I spent more time with her? ARGH I DON'T KNOW!

As for my dream… Why only now? It's been months and that was the first time I had dreamed about myself. Was I getting too used to living in this world? That didn't feel like a bad thing. I know I should be trying to get home but I just feel like it. Should I feel bad about that?

After daydreaming and thinking for the whole day, I went home. I didn't even noticed Taiyo for the whole day. It was kind of awkward to walk home with Shinji after what we talked about in the morning.

"Hey, Shinji," I called out.

"Hm?"

"Won't things become weird between us?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, after all the confession and stuff…"

Shinji petted my head. "What are you talking about? We've been friends since we were kids. I can't just ignore you just because of that."

The thing is I don't even know you that long and I'm in the body of your best friend whose mind I can't seem to tell where. How can I say that to him?

Even when he said that, I knew I would feel awkward around him. Because I knew that he had feelings for Sayori and I had no idea where she was.

For the first time ever, I felt afraid of being Sayori. Afraid if I was ever found out. What everyone would say. What they would do. As soon as I got home, I went to bed and slept.