Crushed & Switched

The refreshing air outside the ice rink nipped at my cheeks, making them rosy, and here I was, standing by the vending machine with my heart racing as if it might just leap right out of my chest.

“This is really a bad idea, Rae,” my best friend Hana had been saying ever since we arrived to watch the hockey match at school.

“I know, but that’s why I need to do this now before I lose my courage,” I replied, trying to reassure myself.

“You should seriously reconsider. What if he doesn’t feel the same way?” Hana asked, her concern evident. It was a thought that had crossed my mind too, but I was determined to go through with it.

Now or never…

“Rae, he’s the team captain! He’s not even in your league! This feels like jumping off a cliff!” Hana continued, still uneasy about my plan.

Honestly, she had a point—he’s a hockey team captain, the most handsome guy in school… and my crush! It’s hard to ignore how popular he is. With his strong jaw, mesmerizing brown eyes, and charming dark hair, he has this way of catching your attention. Plus, he’s athletic, tall, and always smells incredible, whatever fragrance he uses is hard to pinpoint, but it lingers in the air like magic.

And here’s the kicker: he’s also super smart. His name? Lucas Park.

Talking to him isn’t easy, though—he often seems lost in his own world, focused solely on his team. But there’s someone who has successfully made her way into his life, and they’ve been dating for quite a while... I can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy toward his ex, Minji.

She’s popular, brilliant, and stunning—she even just won a quiz competition. If Lucas turns me down after I confess my feelings, I could completely understand why.

But back to my plan! I’ve liked him for over a year now, and I’m convinced my feelings are more than just a crush. I’ve caught all of his matches and made sure to support him in practice, even skipping class just to watch him play.

“He’s coming!” Hana suddenly exclaimed, pulling me from my thoughts and making me glance toward the open rink door.

The team was coming out, laughing and celebrating their victory, and then there he was—Lucas. A towel draped around his neck, a hockey stick in hand, his damp hair curling at the ends.

“Rae, I really hope you’re not about to do what I think you are!” Hana said, her voice tinged with worry.

“We’ll never know unless I try! Wish me luck; who knows, I might not make it to class tomorrow!” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

I heard Hana let out a resigned sigh as I dashed over to where Lucas was heading with his team.

My heart raced even faster.

“Lucas!”

Wow, I actually called his name!

He turned, his warm brown eyes meeting mine with that cool, unreadable expression. “Yeah?”

“I—I need to tell you something.” My voice wavered a bit. “Can we talk privately?”

He blinked and then nodded, following me a few feet away while still wiping sweat from his face. “You okay?”

Definitely not okay, but I was determined to keep going. I took a deep breath—one that felt almost like a bear hug to my ribs. “I really like you. I’ve liked you for quite a while—like, a year. I thought you should know.”

Silence engulfed us.

His expression didn’t shift. He didn’t raise an eyebrow or smile. He stood there, completely still, as if he needed a moment to process what I had just said.

Then he said, “Oh,” and walked off to join his team, not even glancing back at me.

Just like that.

Just “Oh”? Seriously? I just poured my heart out, and that was his response?

The cold hit me only after he turned away, but it wasn’t about the chilly air outside—it was the kind of cold that settled in my chest, leaving me feeling frostbitten.

Day 2

What a strange morning it was! I could have sworn I heard someone calling Lucas' name. It felt like I heard my own voice, but something was off.

“Lucas!” a voice boomed from the doorway.

I opened my eyes and rubbed them, realizing my body ached as if I had just come from a rough night. I sat up in bed, only to realize—this wasn’t my bed at all!

After blinking a few times, I took in my surroundings and noticed the study table filled with certificates and hockey team photos. I was completely lost.

“Lucas!” The voice called again, filling the room until the door swung open, startling me.

“Why didn’t you respond? You’re going to be late! I won’t be home until next week, so can you please take care of Jennie?” A woman stood there, and I had no idea who she was.

“Jennie?” I mumbled, still confused.

“What’s going on with you? Did you hit your head? Or… please tell me you didn’t get drunk in front of my daughter.” With that, she left, leaving me even more puzzled.

I quickly got up and headed to the bathroom, staring into the mirror. I let out a scream.

What happened to me? Why am I here with Lucas's body?

Wait..

I failed to confess to him yesterday.

Tears streamed down my face as I questioned if this was some kind of curse for confessing my feelings to him. I didn't like this at all.

Suddenly, I heard a loud knock on the bathroom door.

“Open up! Whoever’s in there, hurry!” It was my voice…

I quickly opened the door to see myself standing there in my favorite pajamas, hair a complete mess. I didn't care about that right now.

“What the—?” I covered Lucas' mouth—well, my own mouth. This was too confusing!

He slapped my hand away, looking just as bewildered as I felt. “What happened? Why are our bodies swapped? What did you do?”

“That’s what I want to know! I thought I was dreaming until I woke up in your body,” I explained.

“Oh no! This is a disaster! I can’t train like this!” Lucas exclaimed, looking distraught.

“Excuse me? This is MY body we’re talking about! A little appreciation wouldn’t hurt,” I shot back.

“I just want my body back!” he said, walking out of the bathroom in a huff.

“If I knew how to switch our bodies back, I would do it right now!” I called after him.

Lucas pinched the bridge of my nose—his nose. “I was really hoping this was just some weird dream. I can’t believe I’m in your body, getting offered cereal and being told not to forget my 'art competition sketchbook.’”

“I have an art competition next week!” I gasped. “Wait, so that means I’m…” I pointed at the mirror.

“Me,” he finished, looking annoyed. “And that’s a problem.”

I stepped back, grabbing the dresser for support. “This is just like that one movie where people switch bodies! Or maybe it’s a curse? Did we touch something? A comet? A cursed vending machine?”

Lucas rolled his eyes. “Unless that vending machine was dishing out black magic with its lemon water, I doubt it.”

I blinked at him. “So you really think we swapped bodies because I confessed to you and the universe decided to throw me for a loop?”

Lucas didn’t look impressed. “Trust me, this isn’t a fun gift for me either.”

Ouch.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “But here’s the real issue: Our final regional match is in five days. I’m the captain, scouts are coming, and if you mess this up in my body—”

“I don’t even know how to skate!” I interrupted.

“—you’re going to be in big trouble,” he finished.

“Do you hear yourself? This is so unfair!”

Lucas waved his hand toward me. “Maybe try saying that to the team when you wipe out in front of everyone.”

I shot him a glare. “I can’t even lift a hockey stick.”

“Then you need to start learning,” he said firmly. “Get dressed.”

“What? Right now?”

“Yes! We’re going to the training rink.”

I glanced down at myself—his self—and realized the universe really had a twisted sense of humor.

Twenty Minutes Later

“Don’t tie your laces like that. You’ll cut off your circulation,” Lucas said, crouching down to adjust the skates I had fumbled onto my feet.

We were alone on the rink, just us—well, him and me—but technically just me. I guess.

He stood up, handed me a stick, and pointed to a pile of pucks near the boards. “You’re going to learn how to move, pass, shoot, and please—don’t embarrass me or yourself.”

I took a few shaky steps but stumbled forward. My ankle gave out, and before I knew it, I was crashing to the ice, knocking down a couple of pucks and sending the stick flying.

Lucas let out a deep sigh.

“You’re a real piece of work,” he said, trying not to sound too frustrated.

“Thanks for the encouragement,” I snapped back.

He walked over, retrieved the stick, and leaned in—way too close for comfort. My face—his face—had a scowl that was just too familiar. “I’m serious, Rae. If we lose because of this—”

“I’ll be in big trouble, I know! Thanks for the reminder,” I muttered.

“No, seriously. Losing this match means I can kiss my scholarship goodbye. My chance to get out of this town disappears. I can’t afford to lose; it would mean losing everything.”

That really hit home for me.

I glanced down at the stick and the ice, staring at the unfamiliar version of myself in the reflection. Maybe this was about more than just a silly crush.

“Okay then, let’s get to training!”