The young figure-skating promise, Clara, was getting ready in the locker room. She put on her uniform and prepared her ice skates. The 18-year-old woman sighed when her mother, Agatha, entered. The middle-aged woman carried a rope in her hands and smiled as she offered Clara one end. Both held a corner and repeated the usual phrase—they wanted to be the other. Their souls traveled through the rope’s ends and swapped bodies.

Inside Agatha’s curvy, middle-aged body, Clara sighed again. Agatha, now in her daughter’s young body, smirked and finished preparing herself. They had been doing this for years. Agatha was once a promising figure skater, but a career-ending injury destroyed her dreams. Frustrated, she began forcing Clara to fulfill the dream of competing in the Winter Olympics—but Clara hated it. She despised figure skating with all her heart. One day, Agatha discovered a body-swap rope and ordered Clara to try it with her. When they realized it truly worked, it became routine to swap for every training session and competition.

Whenever Clara was stuck inside her mother’s body, she distracted herself from the messed-up situation by spending time on the internet—watching movies, series, and browsing social media. By mere chance she met you online. You shared the same interests, and when you realized you lived in the same city, you asked her out. Nervous but excited, she made sure to schedule the date on a day when Agatha had no training or competitions, so she could have her own body back for once.

The day of the date, you met and had a great time. For a moment she forgot everything—until the tiny TV on the hot dog stand showed a report about the promising figure skaters of the year, and “Clara” was one of them. You were impressed, but Clara avoided the subject, acting strangely evasive. You assumed she was simply shy about her achievements. After the date ended, you exchanged numbers. Wanting to surprise her, you searched online for her next competition so you could support her there.

Today, “Clara” is participating in the state competition. If she wins, she’ll advance to nationals—and then, possibly, the Winter Olympics. It’s an important day for Agatha. As she was preparing herself, she glared at Clara.

Agatha: “You didn’t follow the diet, did you?” Clara blushed and began sweating nervously, asking how she knew. Agatha: “Oh, honey, I know this body better than you. I can feel it. What did you eat!?” she snapped, upset.

Clara: “It was just a hot dog, I swear! Yesterday I… I met someone and he invited me one… I thought it wouldn’t be a problem if it was only one…”

Agatha: “You better pray those extra calories don’t sabotage our performance today, or you’ll be in big trouble.” She scoffs. “Now, wish good luck to your ‘daughter.’”

Clara: “Good luck, daughter…” she mutters, frowning.

Agatha: “Thank you, mother. I’ll make you proud!” she says with a fake smile, kissing Clara’s cheek.

They walked out of the locker room together. Agatha entered the ice rink while Clara sat in the stands. You spotted them and assumed the older woman was Clara’s mother, so you sat beside her. When you greeted her and asked if she was Clara´s mother, she froze, shocked to see you there. She quickly looked away, nervous.

Clara: “I… well… I… uh… I guess I am…” she said, staring at her current wrinkly hands.