CHAPTER 1

Chrisnah's Point of View

I'm currently standing in front of a life-size mirror, looking at myself.

I frown at what I see. I look so feminine in this uniform. It's annoying! Why does SCU have a Japanese-style uniform? I really disagree with this uniform. It makes me want to transfer schools! Ugh!

"Crisnah, are you done?" I heard Kuya Crane knocking.

I know very well that Kuya Clive and Kuya Crane have been waiting for me since we're all heading to school together. It’s the first day of school, but I’m throwing a fit over this uniform, so I can’t bring myself to leave the room.

"J-just a sec, Kuya. I’m almost done!" I shout back. I blow out a breath. How many more times will I need to say "just a sec"? I’ve said it a few times now, and knowing Kuya Crane, he’s probably getting annoyed.

"We’re going to be late—"

"Hurry up, bro! Crane’s been scowling here for a while now! The guy’s too eager to get to school! Hahaha!"

"Shut up, Clive."

I hear my twin brothers arguing outside my room. I glance at the clock, and it’s nearly 8 o'clock—the start of class hours.

I take one last look at myself before reluctantly stepping out of my room with my backpack.

I find Kuya Clive still teasing Kuya Crane, who’s wearing his signature scowl, but they stop and turn to me as I walk out.

"Woah! You look so girly in that outfit!" Kuya Clive exclaims, putting his arm around me.

I frown. I can’t tell if he’s teasing or not. I feel like punching him!

"Well, you do look good in that uniform, Crisnah. Now, let’s go. We’re really late, you idiots," Kuya Crane says, already heading downstairs.

I feel like crying today! I hate this outfit. I hate this uniform! I want the same uniform as my brothers!

"Stop pouting, twin. You don’t realize how cute you are in that uniform. Trust me." Kuya Clive says with a smile, fixing my bangs.

Cute?! Ew! That’s the last compliment I want to hear, for Pete’s sake! Call me handsome, and I’d be happier! But cute? Ugh! Never mind!

"But Kuya, it’s like you don’t know me at all. I hate clothes like this. Look how short it is! And I’m not cute—I’m handsome! Handsome!" I retort angrily. Kuya Clive laughs and messes up my hair.

What the heck?! He just fixed my bangs earlier, only to mess them up again.

"No matter how tough you try to be, you’re still our only baby girl," he says, laughing, which annoys me even more.

Baby girl, my foot! Gross!

"Stop calling me baby girl! It’s disgusting!" I snap and walk ahead. I head downstairs first because nothing good will come from continuing this conversation with that guy.

He’s such a weirdo. One minute, he says something sweet, then the next, he says something gross! Ugh!

"Wait up, baby girl!" Kuya Clive shouts while laughing.

I just scowl and ignore him. My day is already off to a bad start, and it hasn’t even begun yet. Ugh!

I head straight to Kuya Crane’s car and get in the backseat. Kuya Clive sits in the passenger seat, still grinning at me, and I just roll my eyes at him.

Calm down, Crisnah. He’s your twin brother—don’t get mad at him. Grr!

On the way to school, I keep tugging at the hem of my skirt, hoping it’ll somehow lengthen if I keep pulling it. Even just a half-inch longer would be okay.

This is so frustrating!!! I really want to change uniforms! Can I just wear the same uniform as my brothers? This is so damn annoying!!

"We’re here," Kuya Crane announces as he parks the car in the school lot.

They both get out first, but I stay inside the car.

Oh my gosh!!! I don’t think I can get out and walk around in this outfit at school!!! Aaaahhhh!!! This is so embarrassing, for heaven's sake!!! Can someone please work a miracle and change my uniform?!

I jump when Kuya Clive suddenly knocks on the window on my side, motioning for me to get out.

Holy crap! This is it—now or never!!!

Without much thought, I step out of the car. I can feel my knees shaking, and I doubt I can walk properly.

"It’s okay, twin. You’re still tough." Kuya Clive says, laughing as he pats my head.

I glare at him. He’s been teasing me all morning—he’s reached his quota! Grr!

"Stop it, Clive. You’re making Crisnah uncomfortable," Kuya Crane scolds him. He turns to me and fixes my hair that got messed up thanks to Clive the monkey.

"This isn’t the first time you’ve worn that uniform, Crisnah. Don’t act like it is. Let’s go," Kuya Crane says seriously, leaving me with no choice but to nod.

Kuya Crane walks ahead into the school, and Kuya Clive and I follow.

Of course, this isn’t the first time I’ve worn this damn uniform, but I’m still not comfortable. I’m not used to wearing clothes like this, but since it’s part of the school rules and regulations, I have to follow them.

I’m currently in my third year of high school. Just two more years, and I’ll graduate. Just a little more patience!

"Chris!!!" Zoelle suddenly shouts and rushes to hug me.

We almost fall to the floor, but I manage to balance us.

"Good morning, Chris!" she cheerfully greets me.

"Could you tone it down? You’re so loud for the morning, you know?" I reply sarcastically. She pouts at me.

"Oh, stop it! I missed you, and aren’t you happy that my beautiful face is the first thing you see this morning?!" she says energetically, clinging to my arm like a leech.

This is Zoelle Ariella Willford, the daughter of Tita Miyuki and Tito Blake, and she’s my best friend.

She’s always like this—loud, energetic, and constantly hyper. She must be drinking Milo all the time.

"Zoelle Ariella, you’re too clingy! How could you miss me when we just saw each other yesterday? Plus, you’re just adding to the people ruining my day," I tell her, making her pout even more.

Kuya Clive laughs and pats Zoelle on the head.

"How do you even tolerate my twin’s attitude?" he asks, laughing.

I frown. I know I have a bad attitude, but does he really have to rub it in? Grr!

"Well, we’ll get going now, girls. Crane’s been eager to get inside since earlier. You two head in as well, okay? See you later," Kuya Clive says as he and Kuya Crane leave.

They’re classmates, while I’m in a different section. Unfortunately, I’m not in the same class as Zoelle either.

"Hey, don’t you have class yet?" I ask Zoelle as we continue walking.

"Hmm, not yet. Our class adviser isn’t here yet. I heard there’s a teachers’ meeting this morning, so the teachers might be late to class," she says, and I nod.

So all of Kuya Crane’s rushing was pointless; the teachers aren’t even here yet.

When we enter our building, Zoelle says goodbye and heads to her classroom on the third floor, while mine is on the second.

It’s sad to think that I don’t have any friends in my class! Alli is probably in the same class as Kuya Clive!

I’m all alone! Huehuehue.

When I enter my classroom, everyone seems to be in their own world.

Luckily, there are still plenty of empty seats in the back, so I decide to sit there.

As soon as I sit down, I tie my long hair into a ponytail and prop my feet up on the chair.

I’m literally sitting like a guy. I’m wearing cycling shorts underneath, so there’s nothing to worry about.

I silently observe my classmates chatting among themselves. If Zoelle, Alli, and my twins were here, I’d probably have someone to talk to, and Kuya Crane would’ve scolded me for the way I’m sitting.

Why does my third-year high school life feel so miserable?!

I’m not into socializing. I’m not fond of talking to people outside my circle of friends. I’m usually quiet when I’m not with them. In short, I’m an introvert. Unlike Kuya Clive, Alli, and Zoelle, who are great at socializing. Kuya Crane is a different story—he’s cold and a bit distant.

But I can say that I’m a bit popular because of my twin brothers. A lot of girls like them. They’re popular, especially Kuya Clive. Plus, my friends in the higher year levels are also well-known in our school. Almost all of my childhood friends here are famous, and being surrounded by them made me popular by association.

"Hey, girl!! Why are you alone?!"

The unexpected high-pitched scream almost made me choke on my thoughts. Out of nowhere, someone popped up in front of me, practically vibrating with excitement.

I squinted up at the figure towering over me. Definitely a guy. But why does he sound like he just stepped out of a K-drama as the quirky sidekick?

When I fully took him in—his flawless skin, perfectly groomed eyebrows, and those sparkling eyes—I was hit with disbelief. There was no way the guy in front of me was the owner of that squeaky, bubbly voice. He was too… handsome.

“Ha? Are you talking to me?” I asked, still half-convinced I might be the target of some weird prank.

The guy tilted his head with an exaggerated smirk. I took a good look at him and nearly jumped out of my seat. A pink ribbon hair clip sat proudly atop his styled hair, perfectly matching his shiny lip gloss. Seriously?!

And wait… was he actually wearing lipstick?!

“What on earth is happening?” I mumbled under my breath. Could it be...?

“Hi, girl!!! Yes, YOU! Who else would I be talking to, ate gurl? You’re the only one holding down this spot like a lonely queen. Are you seeing someone else that I’m not?” His voice was so sharp and chirpy that I thought it might shatter glass.

It hit me like a freight train. My suspicions were right—this guy was gay. No doubt about it.

I could barely keep my balance. I was staring at a dude who could easily model for a men’s cologne ad, yet he was acting like he’d just strutted out of a beauty pageant. A stunning guy — a gay guy with the confidence of a drag queen and the grace of a ballerina.

To be honest, if he were a girl, he’d probably outshine me. But I’ve never aimed to be beautiful anyway!

“Uh… um…” I stammered, my brain still struggling to catch up. What exactly was I supposed to say in this situation?

“Do you mind if I sit beside you, gurl? You’re giving off major lonely vibes over here!” he said, giggling like a prim-and-proper schoolgirl.

Oh no. He even moves like a girl. His laugh, his gestures… What is this?! Should we just swap bodies?

“Huh? Sure… I guess,” I muttered.

He beamed at me, practically bouncing with excitement, and placed his bag next to mine like we were BFFs from way back.

“So, hello, seatmate! Kyaah! I’m so thrilled to have someone this pretty sitting next to me!” he squealed, clapping his hands like a kid in a candy store.

My face burned in embarrassment. Did he just call me pretty?

“I am not pretty!!” I snapped.

His eyes widened in shock as he dramatically clutched his chest like I’d just wounded his soul. “Oh, sis, calm down! Watch out or you’ll get wrinkles! What a waste of a face!” he teased with a playful giggle.

“I’m telling you, I’m not pretty! Go back to where you were sitting!” I barked, still baffled by this whirlwind of a person.

He gasped, genuinely taken aback. “Oh my gosh, someone’s feisty! Okay, fine, you’re not pretty—because clearly, I’m prettier than you,” he said, punctuating his words with a sassy finger snap.

This was unreal. How is he more feminine than I am in every possible way?

Since when did Chris become a queen in heels?

Urggg!

“Anyway, highway, skyway, what’s your name, gurl? I’m Michael Gabriel Dela Fuente. But at night, I’m Michaela Gabriella!” He struck a pose, waving like he’d just been crowned Miss Universe.

I blinked at him, struggling to wrap my mind around this whole experience. “Chrisnah Shelyn Perez. You can call me Chris.”

He narrowed his eyes, leaning closer like he was inspecting every inch of me. His expression turned so serious I almost felt like I was under interrogation.

“What are you doing?” I asked, genuinely puzzled.

He raised an eyebrow. “Ate gurl, are you even a real girl? Look at how you’re sitting—it’s all gangster vibes, not ladylike at all. Eww.”

My eyebrow twitched. Wow. Of all the people who’ve met me, this guy’s the first to criticize how I move. Most people find me intimidating, say I’m unapproachable, but here’s this guy, completely unbothered, tearing me apart with a giggle.

And the audacity on this one. Just… wow.

“You even talk like a guy. Your voice is too stiff and harsh for a girl. Hmm. You’re suspicious, sis!” he said, eyeing me like I was some strange artifact.

I smirked, dropping my feet to the floor. Leaning forward, I rested my chin on my palm and stared him down. “And what about you? You act and sound like a girl even though you’re not. Aren’t we a bit alike? You’re just as suspicious.”

For a moment, he froze, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open like I’d just hit him with a revelation. Then, suddenly, he broke into an uncontrollable giggle.

“Oh my God! As in O to the M to the G! You’re so cool, Chrissieeee!” he squealed, practically vibrating with excitement.

I just stared at him, completely at a loss. What the hell?! Why is he reacting like that? Wasn’t he supposed to be insulted? Did I miscalculate?!

And did he just call me Chrissie? Is this real life?

“What the... You’re unbelievable!” I muttered.

His eyes sparkled as he gripped my hands with his own, his touch way too affectionate for a guy I just met. His eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made me squirm in my seat. Seriously, what’s with this guy? I mean, this gay guy—or whatever he is!

“And so are you, Chrissie! Oh my God, I knew it! From the moment I saw you, I knew we were connected! We’re the same! We’re of the same bloodline!” he declared, as if he just discovered a long-lost sibling.

I could feel my brain short-circuiting. What does he mean by “same bloodline”? Is he actually my brother? Do I have a secret sibling I never knew about? Did my dad cheat on my mom or something?!

Can someone explain what’s happening here?!

“W-what are you even talking about? And let go of my hands!” I stammered, trying to pull away, but his grip tightened.

“Your body is actually mine! Don’t you see it? You’re the one I’ve been searching for all this time! Your body is supposed to be mine, and mine is supposed to be yours! We just got switched! You’re a guy at heart trapped in a girl’s body, and I’m a girl at heart trapped in a guy’s body! We were destined to meet!” he ranted, his eyes wild with conviction.

I stared at him, mouth hanging open. Did he just…? Is he really convinced of this nonsense?

A mental patient must have slipped into our school. I’m reporting him immediately. Maybe there’s still time to get him the help he clearly needs.

“Chrissie, from now on, I’m never letting you out of my sight. I’ll be by your side no matter what. And when the time is right, we’ll finally return to our real bodies.”

His words made my stomach drop. Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

This guy is totally out of his mind. I need to get him committed—fast. If not, he’s going to be a thorn in my side every single day.

My 3rd-year life is about to become a living nightmare.