Soul Swap

Chapter 1

November 3rd , 2015

8:12 PM

Dear Diary ,

Today a new student was introduced to us in class. Her name's Angela. She sat next to me. We talked to each other. She is a beautiful tall girl with pale skin and long black hair. She was wearing spectacles which made her look quite studious but when I conversed with her I realized how dumb she was. Nothing special happened today other than that.

Oh yes! My mum packed beans for my lunch today. Again. It's really frustrating. God! Someone please help me to somehow fit into her brain that I am not sick anymore. I really hate beans.

Anyways, I have a feeling that this Angela girl would be running into me often considering how she said to me at the end of the class-"It was nice meeting you. See you tomorrow!"

Oh well, I guess I will have to deal with it even though I am not at all anticipating our next meeting. I've had enough dose of dumbness to last me a lifetime. Okay, I guess I am exaggerating. But you know it too that that is how I happen to be.

Love,

-Ann

Ann keeps her diary in her drawer. She writes in it almost everyday. Which is actually not that often. She just writes whenever she feels like penning down her thoughts. Nothing out of the ordinary ever happens in her life anyways. And to record the similar events each day is not something she enjoys doing. This diary, however, is the one who listens to her when she wants to vent. Having a few friends and a practically non-existent life is not that easy to deal with. So for now, she considers this diary her true friend.

After writing to her diary, Ann goes downstairs. She sees her mum carrying a pack of beans into the kitchen. Her brother, Joy is playing a stupid video game he is addicted to. Ann always somehow manages to forget its name. She says to him- "Joy , is it Counter Freak again?"

"Its Counter Strike ," Joy corrects her with his eyes still locked on the screen.

"Well, at least I got the Counter right and freak was for you." Ann answers casually.

"Mom!" Joy shouts out loud whining like a baby. "She is trying to play smart."

Ann answers proudly-"What can I say? I am smart, bro."

Ann's 38 year old mother, Jane makes her way to the living room. She is the kind of woman who likes to hide her age and believes firmly that she is still young(despite being reminded of her age a multiple times by her kids).

"Ann, stop bothering your brother and Joy enough of Counter Freak for today." Jane orders.

Joy turns off the LED screen knowing that it is in his best interest to not go against Jane's commands. He asks irately-"How much time do you people need to learn that it's Counter Strike."

Now this is when Joy actually uses his eyes , he notices things like how many people are in the house and what is he wearing .

"At least I got Counter right." Jane says the same thing as Ann shrugging.

"Woah! Why does the house look bigger " Joy huffs
" oh its back to normal " Joy rubbing his eyes

With that Jane turns around deciding to go back to the kitchen. This reminds Ann that her mum is planning to serve delicious (not) beans again for the dinner. She just can't take that again. So she decides to bribe Joy by promising him a chocolate bar and to learning to say Counter Freak, oops err, Counter Strike correctly. He is ready to help her in the mission because he hates beans as much Ann does.

Joy starts with his plan. He goes to the bean bag placed near the right corner of the living room and shouts-"Mommy! Mommy! Come here! Come here! Be quick!"

Jane heads out of the kitchen and goes to attend Joy.

"What happened? Is something wrong?" Jane looks somewhat worried.

Joy tries his best to make something up (and he fails miserably)-"I . . . er . . . wanted to ask you something really important. Do you . . . think it's normal for a person to sing the happy birthday song for a panda wearing a green shirt, having a black pet dog with a pink bag, owning a big cowboy hat, carrying a guitar-"

Jane cuts him in between and replies dryly-"The only person I don't find normal here is you, Joy."

Meanwhile, Ann sneaks into the kitchen slowly and sees the pack of beans placed on the counter. She immediately takes the packet of beans puts it in the refrigerator in the freezer section. She then places the packet of spaghetti on the counter.

Joy still tries his best to engage his mum-"Wait, I'm not done yet. Carrying a guitar on his bag and having a mom whose father's mother's cousin's uncle's daughter's granddaughter's-"

At that moment, he is interrupted by a whistle. That was a signal from Ann that she had successfully done her job.

Joy is then like-"I don't think it is. What about you?"

He gives an innocent smile hoping that would be enough to keep Jane from questioning him further. She doesn't buy it at all and isn't even 1% amused his nonsensical ramblings. She continues to stare at him demanding an explanation to his abnormal behavior.

He just waves dismissively saying-"I guess you agree with me. Cool! I'm glad we're at the same page. You should get going now. Don't you have to prepare the dinner?"

Jane shook her head with pity and instructs-"Go to your room now and don't come out until you are called for dinner."

He agrees and goes upstairs to his room. Ann follows him there shortly after noticing that Jane's unable to find those devilish beans. Ann and Joy giggle to themselves finding the episode hideously funny.

After accomplishing the mission, Ann and Joy get to eat spaghetti for dinner and they are overjoyed at the change of menu.

After dinner, Ann goes to her room and washes up first. She decides to call it night immediately and drifts off to sleep.