Thomas sat on his bed, surrounded by books and notes. The entrance exam was coming up fast, and he was determined to give it everything he had. In his past life, he had brushed off the idea of going to university, too caught up in distractions to see its value. But now, he was ready to prove he could do better.
As he studied, memories of conversations with friends from his old life came back to him. They had complained about tough exam questions and shared tips about what to focus on. Those memories now felt like a gift, giving him a clear idea of what to study. He spent hours working through past papers, reviewing key topics, and sharpening his skills.
When exam day arrived, Thomas walked into the hall feeling both nervous and confident. As he worked through the questions, they felt familiar, like puzzles he already knew how to solve. For the first time in years, he felt capable—like he was finally taking control of his life.
A few weeks later, the results arrived. He had passed, and not just barely—he had done well. His family celebrated with him, their joy filling the house. His mother hugged him tightly, her eyes shining with tears. His father gave him a rare nod of approval, the kind that spoke volumes.
But Thomas knew this was just the start. There was still a long road ahead.
One quiet afternoon, an idea took root. He remembered lottery numbers and sports results his friends used to talk about in his first life. Back then, he had dismissed gambling as pointless unless it brought quick wins. But now, with memories of specific outcomes still clear in his mind, he saw a way to create a safety net for himself.
He started small, testing his memory with a single lottery ticket. When he won, the thrill was undeniable. It wasn't a huge amount, but it was enough to prove his plan could work. Over the next few weeks, he placed small, careful bets on sports games he remembered. Each time, he won just enough to build up his savings without attracting attention.
This time, he didn't waste the money. He saved every penny, reminding himself that this was for a bigger purpose. He wouldn't make the same mistakes again.
After three months of preparation, Thomas took a leap and applied to one of the top universities in the country—a place he'd once thought was out of his reach. Waiting for the results felt like forever, but when the acceptance letter arrived, it made all the effort worth it.
He had been accepted.
His family was thrilled. His siblings teased him about being a "genius," and his father gave him a rare pat on the back. His mother, beaming with pride, cooked his favorite meal to celebrate.
As the days went by, Thomas prepared for his new life. He bought supplies, read up on his field of study, and even connected with some of his future classmates online. Their excitement reminded him of how he had once been—full of potential before life took a different turn.
But things weren't always easy. Doubts crept in during quiet moments. Memories of his past failures whispered to him, telling him he didn't deserve this second chance. Still, he kept going, driven by the knowledge that he was finally on the right path.
One evening, as he sat with his siblings in the living room, they started asking about his plans for university.
"So, what are you going to study?" Lily asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Business and Economics," Thomas replied, smiling. "I want to learn how the world works and find ways to make a difference."
Peter nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds solid. Maybe you'll start your own company someday."
"Maybe," Thomas said, though his real goal burned deeper. He wanted to rewrite his story, to rise above his past mistakes, and build something his family could be proud of.
As the night went on, Thomas reflected on how far he'd come. The journey wasn't easy, and there were still challenges ahead, but for the first time in years, he felt like he was moving forward.