While creating Public Praise selfie, ask if your old self’s history was erased or altered.

20:15 | Saturday 2 Aug 2025 | Putney, London

Deciding to tackle another task, you tap on "Public Praise" while mentally preparing your questions. The screen flashes pink as task details appear: "Post a selfie to your socials with caption praising your new look. 40 Babe Bucks."

You position yourself near the window where the fading evening light casts a flattering glow across your features. After several attempts—each revealing how unfamiliar your own face still is—you capture an image that doesn't make you cringe: your raven-black bixie cut with silver highlights frames delicate cheekbones, your large glasses perched on a nose more refined than Scott's ever was.

Before crafting a caption, you summon Becky with a deliberate tap. Her cartoon figure materializes in a shower of digital sparkles.

"Oh em gee, looking like a snack already!" she squeals, her impossible proportions bouncing as she twirls. "Just need a cute caption to match!"

You reach for the iPad, typing rapidly: WHAT HAPPENED TO MY OLD SELF? DOES SOPHIE HAVE A PRE-EXISTING HISTORY?

Becky's animated eyes widen with delight. "Existential crisis time? So adorbs!" She tosses her blonde hair dramatically. "Here's the tea, babe—your old self is on 'extended vacation' according to everyone except David-hunk over there." She gestures toward David, who's scrolling through his phone, oblivious to her existence.

"As for Sophie?" She leans closer, voice dropping conspiratorially. "Everyone thinks you're Scott's latest flame! His hot little geneticist girlfriend who's been around for, oh, about three months? All those colleagues, neighbors, baristas who knew Scott? They've got cute little memories of you hanging on his arm at parties, waiting in his office, or picking him up after work."

You type frantically: SO HISTORY WAS REWRITTEN FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT DAVID AND ME?

"Bingo, brainiac!" Becky winks. "David saw the whole messy transformation, so he got the VIP unfiltered package. Everyone else? Their memories got a cute little makeover! They remember Scott mentioning you, seeing pictures of you, maybe even meeting you at some point. The details stay conveniently fuzzy—people fill in the blanks themselves!"

The implications make your head spin. With trembling fingers, you craft a caption that feels least mortifying: "New look, new me! Sometimes change is good? #TransformationTuesday (on Saturday lol)"

You hit post before you can second-guess yourself. Immediately, your phone buzzes with notifications—likes and comments flooding in from people who supposedly already know "Sophie."

"Task complete, gorgeous!" Becky announces as digital confetti rains down your screen. "That's 40 more Babe Bucks in your bank! You're up to 195 now!"

David glances up from his phone. "You posted something?" He checks his feed, eyebrows rising. "Huh. Clara already commented 'Finally posting pics, you secret hottie!' And Jamie liked it within seconds." He studies you with a curious expression. "It's like they've known Sophie forever."

You stare at the screen, watching as more interactions pour in—each one from someone who has false memories of a woman who didn't exist this morning.

21:00 | Saturday 2 Aug 2025 | Putney, London

[Public Praise] | [Medium] | [COMPLETED]