Chapter 1The Accidental Upgrade

I bought a used laptop online. I was expecting a beat-up machine. Instead, I received the brand-new, latest model.

I opened it up. The wallpaper was a photo of me. The password? My birthday.

Just as I was wondering if this was some secret admirer’s surprise gift... My phone blew up. The seller was spamming me:

"Girl, I messed up! I mailed you my sister’s new laptop!"

"That wasn't the one for sale! OMG, she’s going to end me."

"Did you see the guy on the wallpaper? That’s my brother-in-law. She’s obsessed with him."

"For the sake of a hopeless romantic, can you please send it back?"

* * *

My four-year-old laptop finally gave up the ghost. Blue screen of death. No coming back.

I was broke, waiting on my next paycheck, so buying brand new wasn't an option. I decided to go second-hand. High risk, high reward.

I spent four days scrolling through Marketplace until I found "The One." It fit my budget perfectly, and the seller seemed chill.

In the spirit of saving every penny, I decided to play the game. I pulled out the big guns and sent a message that would make any seller cringe:

"Would you take $200?"

A brave lowball offer from a broke man, praying for a miracle. I was ready for her to curse me out, block me, and roast me on Reddit.

Instead, she replied instantly: "Sure. I'll cover shipping too."

Mom, I think I met an angel.

I was so moved I almost cried. I copy-pasted a wall of generic, flattering blessings to her default avatar: "You're a queen," "Manifesting wealth for you," "You're too kind, good karma is coming your way," "May you win the lottery, get a promotion, have eight kids, and marry your crush."

She didn't reply to any of that until the last one: "I claim that energy."

Of course. Everyone wants to win the lottery. Me too.

I paid and filled in my address.

She messaged: "We're in the same city. Can you pick it up?"

"Sure."

A while later, she texted back: "Sorry, something came up. I have to go out of town tomorrow. I can't meet."

I quickly typed: "I can come grab it now. Where are you?"

She seemed cautious and didn't drop the address. "Too far. I'll have my family courier it to you tomorrow."

The next afternoon, I didn't have classes. I got home, and the package was waiting.

Excited, I tore open the box. My smile froze.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

This laptop was Rose Gold. The one I bought in the pictures was Space Gray.

And looking at the sleek design, this was the latest flagship model. The price tag on this thing was at least ten times what I paid.

Confused, I turned it over in my hands. My finger accidentally brushed the power button. The screen lit up instantly.

A familiar face stared back at me. I froze.

It was a photo of me.

In the picture, I was standing under a cherry blossom tree, holding an ice cream cone, waving at the camera with a goofy grin. Based on my outfit, I was in high school. I looked young, energetic. Alive. Unlike now—working a 9-to-5, running on fumes, basically quiet quitting life.

Why would a stranger have my photo as their wallpaper? A thought crept in: Was this a surprise gift from a friend or family member? I did just complain on my Instagram story about my laptop dying.

I looked at the password prompt. I typed in my birthday.

Click. Unlocked.

The desktop background was me, too. The laptop was pristine. No apps installed. Just the wallpaper change.

My theory solidified. I grabbed my phone to text the seller, intending to ask which friend put her up to this so I could thank them properly.

But before I could type, a barrage of notifications flooded my screen.

"Girl, I am so sorry. I sent the wrong one. That's my sister's new computer."

"It’s not the one I sold you! Ahhh, she’s going to kill me!"

"Hello? Are you there? Please reply!"

"I'm begging you. I was helping her ship stuff, I was half asleep, I grabbed the wrong box!"

"Did you see the hot guy on the wallpaper? That’s her future husband. She cries if she doesn't see him for a day. She’s obsessed."

"For the sake of a hopeless romantic, can you please return it?"