. Vlad obliged and the couple went on their way leaving the grocery store with a bag of candy. My Russian Boyfriend

The quicksilver ice glinted sharply in the afternoon lights as 15-year-old Jay ambled around the grocery store, his eyes scanning over all the wares but landing more often than not on a particular candy. He yearned for the sweet bite of chocolate, the velvety smooth texture against his tongue, but his pockets told a frustrating tale of emptiness. He wasn’t a thief, he’d decided that much, and decided to ask a customer if they could buy it for him. A stylish couple then walked in, a striking duo that immediately caught Jay's attention. The man was impressively attired in a well-tailored suit. He exuded a sophisticated air, his piercing blue gaze taking every detail in stride. Only complementing him was a woman in an alluring floral dress with sky-high black heels. They were foreigner, likely Russian, going about their own business. As the man moved ahead with the cart, the woman lingered behind, engrossed in examining something on the aisle. Seeing his opportunity, Jay decided to approach her. As he tapped her on the shoulder though, a sudden rush of dizziness struck him. Holding onto the shelf for support, he noticed the distinctively feminine limbs. Looking down, he realized he was standing in those very same black high heels. A voice escaped his lips, thick with a Russian accent, “What is happen?” He looked up and into a mirror, shocked at the woman staring back. Suddenly, the man, Vlad, spotted him. With a grin that could only be described as errant, Vlad sauntered over and hoisted Jay into his arms. Internally alarmed, yet strangely comfortable, Jay felt a strong surge of affection towards the man. As Vlad placed him back down, he proclaimed passionately "I love you Irina" in Russian before pressing a quick kiss on Jay's lips. Trying to process everything, Jay felt his mind murk and his thoughts subside. His past life washed away with every second, and as he opened his eyes, he was no longer Jay. He was Irina, an enigmatic Russian woman deeply in love with Vlad. The pieces of Irina's life fell into place perfectly, as if they had always been there. Smiling up at Vlad, she also confessed her love in fluent Russian. Irina looked around the aisle once again, the addictive sight of candies making her mouth water. She batted her eyelashes at Vlad, pleading for a sweet treat in a heavy Russian accent. He agreed with laugh, the sound echoing in Jay, or now Irina’s, heart, triggering warmth and a sense of deep-seated familiarity. The life of Jay was left behind in the grocery store aisle, new memories and a new life blossoming into existence.