Chapter 2 (Two)

Laura's P.O.V

The dinning hall buzzed with students, making me feel out of place. The room was filled with an air of excitement and chatter, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I made my way to the table where the Seven Castellan Devils were seated, trying to blend in.

"Hi guys," I said, forcing a casual tone.

The group responded in unison, their voices warm and welcoming. "Hi Amanda"

I took a seat beside Charlotte, who smiled at me. I noticed an empty chair on the other side of the table, beside Jasper. "Where's the seventh member?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. I could feel their gaze at me.

Charlotte explained, "The leader of the Seven Castellan Devils, Ryan Castellan..."

Max chimed in, "Amanda, I think you've really changed a lot."

I managed a weak smile, trying to hid my unease.

Yes! Amanda's changed because the real Amanda isn't in her body anymore.

Kiara snickered, "I told ya she lost her memories again."

Jasper asked, "Kiara, is anything wrong with this loss of memory?"

Kiara replied, "No, just obvious to everyone."

Charlotte whispered to me, "Don't mind her words."

I nodded, trying to play it cool. I couldn't explain that I wasn't Amanda Lavander, that I was actually Laura Lockgreen from the Downtown. I would look like an idiot.

Just then, someone grabbed my hand, and I turned to see Ryan Castellan, Amanda's fiancé. He looked at me expressionlessly, his grip on my hand tight. "You missed training," he said finally, his tone cold.

I stammered, trying to explain. Max intervened, "She had an accident, Ryan."

Ryan glared at Max, "And who asked you?"

I tried to wriggle free from Ryan's grasp as my arm hurt. "Can you let go of me now?" I asked, trying to keep my cool.

Ryan looked at me with a blank expression for a moment before speaking. "To the training room."

He yanked me out of the dining hall, my protest falling on deaf ears.

"Hey, what the hell is wrong with you?" I screamed, but he didn't react, his expression unyielding, his grip tightening, my struggles weakened and I trailed off into silence.

He hauled me through the hallway, students clearing a path as they whispered, the sound of my heels scraping against the floor echoed through the sudden silence is the only protest I could muster.

As we entered the vast training room, Ryan released his grip on me without a backward glance, striding toward a table where daggers lay meticulously arranged, each of it gleaming with anticipation.

My eyes widened as I took in the arsenal:

rows of swords, daggers, bow and arrow and many other weapons.

'Wow,' I breathed, mouthing the word.

Growing up in the downtown slums – or 'the Trenches,' as the elite called it – I'd never seen such an impressive array of weapons.

Ryan handed me a dagger and took a sword for himself. I swapped it for another dagger, feeling a surge of confidence with two in hand. Back in the downtown, I'd often trained with makeshift daggers, dreaming of one day attending the prestigious Castellan Academy. Now, in Amanda's body, I felt a surreal sense of opportunity.

Ryan sneered at me. "You think you can wield two? You can barely manage one without tripping over your own feet."

I frowned, feeling a surge of anger. What did he mean? I'm not Amanda, I'm Laura, and I can handle two daggers. My lip curved into a smile, and I walked forward, ready to face Ryan.

He charged behind me, and I swiftly turned and countered his attack with my daggers. Ryan continued swinging his sword, his movements fast and precise. "Damn it, he's fucking fast," I muttered under my breath, dodging one of his strikes.

~

Ryan's P.O.V

My frustration for Amanda Lavander grew as we got older. My dad constantly told me that I should do everything possible to make Amanda like me. He wanted me to marry Amanda so he could gain support from the powerful Lavander family. Every time I saw her, I felt a strong dislike.

Amanda was so clingy, and she even forced me into an engagement with her. She also expected me to train her, which I did every day. However, she never improved, and this always pissed me off.

Our engagement was still on hold, as the Lavanders suggested we take things slow.

Amanda didn't seem to have any abilities, or at least, she never used them. She had demonstrated a repulsion ability when we were younger, but I hadn't seen her use it since.

I had heard that she nearly died a few weeks ago, and now she was back at school. She should have come to see me, but she didn't. She should have come to seduce me or nagged me to practice with her.

I walked to the dining hall and saw her with our group. I held her hand, and she looked at me innocently.

Is she doing this on purpose to get my attention? She's always seeking validation, I thought to myself.

"You missed training," I said, my tone stern.

"I-I-I..." she stammered, and Max explained, "She had an accident."

I glared at him. "Who asked you?"

Amanda asked, "Can you let go of me?" and I looked at her. "To the training room," I said, and I dragged her away.

"Hey!" she screamed as I pulled her along. "What the hell is wrong with you?" she shouted but I ignored her.

As we entered the training room, I strode to the table, selecting a sword for myself before handing her a dagger. She picked up another, and I raised an eyebrow, a sneer twisting my lips.

"You think you can wield two? You can barely manage one without tripping over your own feet," I taunted, my tone dripping with condescension and her lip curl into a smile.

I charged forward, my sword at the ready. But Amanda was not the weakling I thought she was. She swiftly turned and countered my attack with her daggers, her movements precise and calculated. I tried various tactics, moving fast and trying to catch her off guard, but she dodged and countered each attack with skill.

When did Amanda learn how to fight? I wondered, my mind racing with questions. I clearly remembered her as a weakling, unable to defend herself and her skills were blunt. But today, she was different, she was determined.

She kicked my sword away, and the dagger she held caught my skin, drawing blood. I looked at the wound and walked away, my pride wounded.

"I didn't mean to harm you," I heard her voice behind me. "I'm sorry," she said, and then she left.

I was baffled. Amanda never apologized, never mind saying sorry. How did she catch up with me and even injure me? I thought, surprised.

~

Laura's P.O.V

I walked out of the training room and headed to my room, my mind reeling with thoughts. I sat on my bed and gazed out the window, taking in the breathtaking view of the mountains and hills below. Behind the mountains, I knew, lay the downtown.

My mind began to wander, and I thought about Johnny. How was he? What was he doing? Where was he? I must find a way to return to the downtown area. I had to switch back before it was too late. I couldn't be stuck in this body forever.

Wait a minute... the real Amanda would be in the downtown with my brother. What was her purpose there? Why did she switch bodies, or did someone switch us? I couldn't ask anyone; I had to go to the downtown to find out.

I missed Johnny so much. I hope you're well, Johnny. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I sniffled, trying to hold back my emotions.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Lydia entered. "I'm so sorry, Miss Amanda," she said, her head bowed. "I was worried you got lost."

"Lydia!" I called in surprise.

"Why are you sorry?" I asked, quickly wiping away my tears.

Lydia looked at me surprisingly. "Are you crying, Miss?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"No, it's just that something got into my eyes," I lied.

"Why are you apologizing?" I asked again.

Lydia looked down, her face flushing. "I'm so sorry I barged in without knocking, I was just worried that you might have got lost"

I smiled. "Why would I get lost?" I asked.

Lydia looked at me, her eyes conveying fear. "Because you don't seem to remember things about the school, Miss," she said hesitantly.

"Oh, I..." she began, then apologized as she knelt down "Pardon me for saying that, Miss. I was just trying to tell you the truth."

I reassured her. "It's actually okay. But please, don't tell anyone I lost my memories."

I ordered her to stand up. "Thank you, Miss," she said, and I smiled.