A sharp pain shot through Leon Carter's head, dragging him out of unconsciousness. His eyelids felt heavy as he forced them open, expecting to see the dull white walls of his cramped apartment or the fluorescent lights of an emergency room. Instead, he was met with something completely different.
The ceiling was unfamiliar—cheap plaster with a small crack near the center. Sunlight peeked through beige curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. The scent of old books and instant coffee filled the air, stirring something deep in his memory.
Leon sat up abruptly, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. He wasn't in his apartment. He was in a college dormitory.
"What the hell...?" he muttered, scanning his surroundings.
A wooden desk sat by the window, cluttered with textbooks, a worn-out laptop, and a half-finished cup of coffee. The small closet across the room was slightly open, revealing cheap college clothes. There was a corkboard above the desk filled with notes, old receipts, and a class schedule.
His eyes widened. A class schedule.
Stumbling out of bed, Leon grabbed the paper and scanned it.
Spring Semester, 2010
ECON 201 – Principles of Economics
MATH 210 – Business Statistics
ENGL 102 – College Composition II
His hands trembled as he read the date over and over again. 2010. Fifteen years in the past.
"This has to be a dream..." he whispered.
But everything felt too real. The warmth of the sunlight, the slight chill in the air, even the rough texture of the paper in his hands—it was all too detailed for a dream.
His gaze darted to the mirror hanging on the wall. Slowly, he approached it.
A young man stared back at him. His reflection was unmistakable—short black hair, sharp hazel eyes, and the slightly awkward posture of a twenty-year-old still growing into his own skin.
Leon took a deep breath and pinched his arm. Hard.
Pain shot through him.
It wasn't a dream.
He had really been sent back in time.
Leon collapsed onto his desk chair, gripping his forehead.
He had died. He remembered it clearly.
His past life had been nothing special. A stressful corporate job. Long hours. No time for hobbies or relationships. He had spent years chasing money, always thinking he would eventually get a break. But in the end, it was pointless. He had collapsed from overwork, his body simply giving out after years of exhaustion.
And now... he was here.
"Okay... okay... breathe," he told himself.
After a few minutes, the panic faded, replaced by calm realization.
This was a second chance.
Everything that had happened—the struggles, the missed opportunities, the regrets—he could change it all.
Leon's mind raced with possibilities. He knew the future. He knew which companies would rise, which investments would boom, which technologies would shape the world.
For a moment, greed flickered in his heart. If he played his cards right, he could become a billionaire.
But then, a different thought surfaced.
Did he really want to waste this second life the same way he had wasted the first? Working endlessly, chasing wealth, and never stopping to enjoy life?
"No," he muttered. "Not this time."
This time, he wouldn't just make money—he would live.
He would enjoy good food. Travel. Spend time with friends. Help his mother live comfortably.
He wasn't going to become the richest man in the world. He was going to live the best life possible.
A smile slowly formed on his lips.
"Alright then... let's do this properly."
Leon turned to his desk, grabbing a notebook and a pen. If he was going to take advantage of the future, he needed a plan.
At the top of the page, he wrote:
GOALS FOR MY SECOND LIFE
Underneath, he listed the first steps:
Secure Initial Capital – Start with small hustles and investments.Invest in the Future – Buy Bitcoin, Apple, Tesla, and Amazon stocks early.Live Well – No stress, no burnout. Enjoy food, travel, and good company.Help Others – Support his mom, guide friends, and improve lives.No Regrets – Avoid past mistakes and make the most of every day.
Looking at the list, he felt a deep sense of clarity.
For the first time in years, he had a real purpose.
Taking a deep breath, Leon closed the notebook and stretched. His journey had just begun.
And this time, he was going to make it count.