I'm slowly moving towards the dark water. My feet are sinking into the increasingly wet sand. The waves are starting to lick my toes. I'm startled by how fresh she is, which makes Stella laugh, always on my back.

"You'll laugh less in a few seconds," I say, running in the water.

The sudden impetus I take the imbalance slightly and she tightens her arms around my neck, not without giggling. My body immediately comes into contact with the coldness of the sea, which pulls out a cry. The lower part of Stella's body suffers the same fate as mine and she can't help but scream. Our cries turn into laughter. We are completely submerged and we gradually get used to the temperature of the water.

Stella's still clinging to me and I'm walking until I'm off my feet. I feel my friend's body detaching from mine, although she still clings to me. I turn on myself to face her, which surprises her. I feel her panicked a little before I catch her size so that it does not sink.

"How are you feeling?" I ask her.

She starts to look at the water around her before answering me.

"To tell the truth... I feel foreign to this world that was mine."

I look at her, puzzled.

"I competed in swimming," she says. "It was my whole life. I even won medals and cups. I lived only for my passion. I had joined a good university that offered me a scholarship following my athletic results. My ambition was to have a career in this sport. Maybe even become an Olympic champion! But that was before... my leg."

The tone of this last sentence is more serious.

"What happened?" I ask her, without taking my eyes off her.

"I... I had a leg injury. Nothing to worry about, according to the doctors who treated me. They assured me that it would not affect my physical performance and that I could continue to swim after healing. Except... it never healed. Yet, I was careful. I followed the medical indications to the letter. Instead, the wound got badly infected... to the point where they had to..."

She pauses, as if to silence this traumatic memory. I now understand better the fixation she made on the sea and the water.

"I am so sorry."

"Nothing can ever change what happened," she sighs. "It was my destiny, I suppose—"

I really feel sorry for her. Having to give up the one thing that made her vibrate must have been terrible. I want to hold her in my arms to comfort her. Suddenly, she changes her attitude and looks at me with determination.

"Now that you know a lot about me, it's my turn to discover the darkest secrets of Brody Bennett," she says.

I begin to smile. She is decidedly confusing.

- There is not much to say, I reply, without much enthusiasm.

Which is not wrong in itself. Brody Bennett doesn't really have a past or a future. Right now, I don't even have the strength or desire to embroider a lie to satisfy his curiosity. I really want her to know me. Hero. But would she accept my true self? As with Freddie, who also entrusted me with important parts of his life, I feel guilty for deceiving them. But I don't know if it's a good idea to tell him the truth. Now or afterwards.

"What you are hiding that is so shameful?" she asks me, with a malicious smile.

- Brody Bennett is boring as hell. He has never done anything exciting in his life, except for the last few weeks when he discovered an adventurous nature to brave the forbidden! And all this, to impress a beautiful young woman, I say, like a theatrical monologue.

My diversion works and Stella starts laughing. I imitate her.

- And the beautiful young woman appreciates the efforts of the boring Brody Bennett, although she doesn't find him that boring! she exclaims, laughing at the most beautiful.

Although she is joking, I am pleased with the last part of her comment.

- That would be a good start to a film, she says, with a dreamy look.

"So maybe I should start writing the script. Of course, you would be the star!" I say in the same joking tone, as if it were an obvious.

"It is too much honour!" she shouts, carrying her wet hand on her forehead, as a typical gesture of the actresses. But I would only accept this role if you were in the movie with me!

Despite the light tone of the conversation, nervousness takes hold of my being. The fact that it evokes what -- is/was -- my real life upsets me. Because she has no idea who I am. I'm torn right now.

Stella continues to laugh, but finds her seriousness by noticing my torment.

"What's wrong, Brody?" she asks.

My alter ego is really starting to shit in my boots. And hearing that name come out of her mouth reminds me every time she's accompanied by an imposter.

"Don't call me that", I whisper with my eyes closed.

- What... I? I don't understand.

I sense confusion in her voice. But I'm so sick of being taken for someone else. Being someone else. Especially with her. I open my eyes and see that my reflection has disturbed her.

"Stella, I have something to confess to you", I end up saying.

Her blue eyes are on me.

"Remember, one day you told me I didn't look like an Brody... and another time you didn't believe in my version of the burn-out..."

"So... who are you?"

"What I am about to reveal to you must absolutely remain between us. If it were to become known... I would be in big trouble. You trusted me with your secret, so I trust you with mine."

I take a deep breath before I start. I play double or nothing.

- My real name is Hero Fiennes-Tiffin and I'm at GoldenBay House doing research on mental pathology. To prepare a role. Because I'm an actor...

That's it, I said. And I feel a tremendous amount of weight leaving my body. I feel free from that burden. From now on, there is no turning back possible. My destiny is in her hands...

******