Mark stood by the sink, helping Diane wash the plates after their breakfast. The warmth of the water felt nice on his hands, and the repetitive motion gave him time to think.
He was still trying to wrap his head around everything that had happened since he woke up in this strange, yet oddly familiar world.
"Thanks for helping out," Diane said, glancing at him with a warm smile. "Not many people offer to do the dishes."
"Just trying to pull my weight," Mark replied with a shrug. "You've been kind to me since I got here. Least I can do."
Once the last plate was placed on the drying rack, Mark wiped his hands on the kitchen towel. "Hey, Diane," he started, "mind if I use your restroom?"
Diane nodded. "Of course, it's just down the hall. First door on the right."
Mark thanked her and made his way through the hallway, the floor creaking slightly under his feet. As he walked, his mind buzzed with questions. Who was this "cookie person"? And why had he ended up here? The fact that his appearance had completely changed was still baffling him. He could feel it—the strangeness, the subtle differences in his body as he moved, like it wasn't quite his own.
Once inside the restroom, he turned towards the mirror. His breath caught in his throat. The reflection staring back at him wasn't the Mark he knew. This Mark was taller, broader, and far more athletic than he had ever been.
His once-average physique was replaced with a body that looked like it belonged to a fitness model—lean muscle, broad shoulders, strong jawline, and a handsome face. His clothes, though somewhat loose, couldn't hide the transformation.
"Holy…" he muttered, his eyes wide as he stared at his reflection. His hand reflexively brushed through his hair, feeling the texture. His skin was clearer, his eyes sharper. He took a step closer to the mirror, flexing his arms experimentally. The muscles rippled beneath his shirt, and for a brief moment, he couldn't help but strike a bodybuilder pose.
"Okay, this is insane," he said, shaking his head at his own ridiculousness. But there was a sense of awe too—he had never looked like this in his life. "Is this some kind of perk for being in this weird place? Or did that 'cookie person' do this?"
Mark felt a mix of embarrassment and excitement, not quite sure what to make of the situation. He wasn't the type to obsess over his appearance, but he couldn't deny how strange it was to suddenly be…well, attractive.
He couldn't believe how drastically his appearance had changed. He chuckled nervously, trying to reconcile his new reflection with his old self.
"Okay… this is definitely weird, but I can't say I hate it." He sighed, running his hand over his jaw. "Guess I'll just roll with it for now."
Suddenly, Diane's voice called from the kitchen. "Mark? Everything okay in there?"
He quickly straightened up, clearing his throat. "Yeah, yeah. I'm good. Just… uh, freshening up!"
Diane chuckled from the other room. "Well, don't overthink it too much. You're new here, right? I know it can be overwhelming, but you'll get used to it."
Mark splashed some water on his face, trying to wrap his head around what he was seeing. He dried off, gave himself one last incredulous look in the mirror, and made his way back to the kitchen.
Diane glanced at him and noticed his bewildered expression. "You look like you've seen something strange. You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine—just getting used to everything, especially since this place is all new to me," Mark replied, trying to sound casual. "Still trying to find my bearings."
Diane nodded knowingly. "I figured as much. Anyway, I was thinking of running some errands. I need to drop off a box of milk at Tony's pizzeria and deliver some vegetables to the cafeteria at Summerville College. Want to tag along?"
Mark considered it for a moment, realizing it could be a good opportunity to get familiar with his surroundings. "You know what? That sounds like a great idea. I'm still new here, and it'd help me get to know the town."
Diane smiled approvingly. "Perfect! It'll give you a little tour of Summerville too."
Mark chuckled. "Yeah, and who knows? Maybe I'll run into some other interesting folks around town."
As they stepped outside, Diane led Mark to her garage, where her pickup truck was parked—a sturdy, well-used vehicle that had clearly seen many deliveries in its time. She patted the hood affectionately.
"This is Old Betsy," she said with affection. "She might not look like much, but she's been with me through thick and thin. Strong, reliable... and she's got a lot of heart."
Mark smiled, watching her eyes light up as she talked about the vehicle. He could tell this wasn't just a tool for her; it was something she truly valued. "Looks like she's got a few more miles in her yet," Mark said, admiring the truck's sturdy build.
Diane chuckled, her pride evident. "Oh, she's got plenty of life left. You'll see."
Mark hesitated for a moment, glancing at his belongings. "You know, I was thinking of bringing my stuff along. You never know when you might need to prove who you are in a strange place, right?"
Diane shot him a knowing smile and laughed softly. "It does help proving your innocence. Especially around here."
Mark just laughed embarrassedly as he remembers the time Diane caught him in the backyard just now.
Diane said as she gets into the driver seat "Looks like it's time to hit the road. Ready for some deliveries?"
"I was born ready," Mark replied with a grin.
Diane laughed and said "Hop in, and let's get going."
Mark gave a short laugh in return as he climbed into the passenger seat, bracing himself for what the day ahead might bring.
His mind flickered back to the reflection he'd seen in the mirror earlier—his new appearance, his new life. He wondered if this was just the beginning of even stranger things to come.
Disclaimer:
The characters, settings, and elements in this fanfiction are the intellectual property of their respective owners. New Life, New Saga is inspired by Summertime Saga, which is owned by Kompas Productions. This fanfiction is created purely for fun and non-commercial purposes, and I do not claim any ownership of the original works. All rights to the original material belong to their creators. If you appreciate my work and would like to support my writing, consider making a donation on my Patreon. Thank you for your support and for reading!