Ethan's heart pounded as he held the small diary in his hands. The smooth, pink cover was unassuming, but inside it might hold the answers he'd been desperately searching for. With a deep breath, he flipped it open to the first page, the tension in his chest tightening as his eyes scanned the handwriting.

Dear Diary,

I can't believe we're finally moving to Washington! It's such a big change, but I'm so excited to start fresh. Mom says this is going to be the best year ever, and I really want to believe her. I'm going to use this diary to write about everything—all my new friends, school, and anything fun that happens. Here's to a new adventure! I hope it's everything I've dreamed it to be!

Ethan stared at the page, reading it again to make sure he hadn't missed anything. But that was it. No stories about her life. No mention of who Olivia really was. Just an entry full of optimism from a girl he'd never met but was somehow now supposed to be.

The disappointment hit him hard. This was supposed to be his first step to understanding, to piecing together this bizarre puzzle. Instead, it was nothing. He closed the diary and set it on the nightstand, leaning back on the bed as his mind swirled with questions.

How could this be real? Every scenario seemed impossible. Maybe it was some dystopian hoax orchestrated by the people in New York. But why? And how could they pull off something so elaborate? Or maybe... maybe it really was something beyond explanation, like a shift in realities.

The frustration and confusion bubbled over, and before he could stop himself, tears slipped down his cheeks.

Ethan's mind went back to a few days ago, sitting alone on a bench in Central Park, wishing for things to change. He'd wanted so badly to escape the monotony, for everything in his life to be different. And now? Everything was different, yet the emptiness inside him was still there, heavier than ever.

He wiped his face roughly, angry at himself for crying. "Pull it together," he muttered. Letting out a shaky breath, he forced himself to think. He needed a plan.

If this really was some kind of elaborate setup, then the woman downstairs had to be part of it. But how could he confront her without risking everything? What if he wasn't supposed to remember his old life? What if she was in on it and had a way to erase his memory for good? Or worse, what if this really was some kind of alternate reality, and she actually was his mom? She'd think her daughter was losing her mind.

"I can't just ask her," he thought. "I need to be smart about this."

An idea started to form. Maybe he could get her to slip up. Something subtle, like asking her about his childhood. If she was lying, it might show in the details. He'd have to be careful, though. Too direct, and she might get suspicious.

"Alright," he thought. "I'll give it a few days. Act normal. Then I'll tell her I have an English project about childhood. Ask her to tell me a funny story or something. If she stumbles, I'll know."

As he finished forming his plan, a voice called out from downstairs.

"Olivia! Dinner's ready!"

Ethan sighed, bracing himself. "Time to pretend," he thought, standing up and wiping his face one last time. He looked at the mirror, trying to muster a smile, even if it felt fake. "I'll figure this out. I just need time."

With that, he headed out of the room and down the stairs, ready to face whatever came next.