The Switch

Chapter 1

PART I

Five months ago

Ivy

Homecoming night in Legacy Rivers is like a nightmare come true.

I sit on the side of the road, twirling a strand of my hair around my finger as I watch the marching band be cheered on by spectators lined up on the streets.

Their melodies fill the air with a festive energy I can't be bothered to feel, but everyone else gravels in.

Following the band are elaborately decorated floats adorned with flowers, lights, and banners showcasing the town's pride and spirit.

The thought makes me almost laugh.

As someone who grew up in this suffocating town, I was one of the few who saw this shitshow for exactly what it was; the powerhouse of blood, power, and corruption hidden beneath a tapestry of perfection. Wealth and influence come hand in hand around here.

Everyone here knows it, just nobody cares.

All that matters is that this place stays afloat, no matter how many people they drag to the bottom in the process.

"I didn't think you were serious about missing out on the parade." Bianca plops down on ground beside me, stuffing her mouth with popcorn she got from one of the many concession stands lined on the street.

I shrug, watching the homecoming parade with an air of detached interest. My classmates march proudly in their formal attire, waving to the crowds and carrying banners. The sidewalk is packed with families, friends, and curious onlookers.

The obsession with homecoming in this town is something I'll never understand.

My gaze flickers over the passing floats and cheering crowds as a faint, but heavy hint of boredom trickles down my spine.

"I don't see you out there." I murmur, blowing out a breath.

"I'm not a cheerleader." My friend—for the most part, laughs loudly. "Yet here you are, passing up on great opportunities. Do you know how many guys I'd have under my belt if I were on the team?"

I roll my eyes. "Double the amount you already have?"

She giggles, just as her BFF Corry strolls over, a proud smile on her face. She's wearing her boyfriend's jersey, the oversized shirt hanging loosely on her frame. The team logo is stretched across her chest, and despite its large size and the way the jersey seems to engulf her petite figure, she still wears it with forced pride.

"They're so lucky to have my man on the team." Corry's smile is cunning, somehow pointed directly at me.

I almost smile.

The never-ending, one sided competition she thinks we have is almost laughable. She doesn't think I notice, but I do. The way she mirrors my every move, carefully creating her own image to match mine. She's always measuring herself against me and when it comes to her boyfriend, James, she's especially prickly.

I know she thinks I secretly want to fuck him, and even though I'd rather clean gum off the sidewalks with my tongue, I've never bothered to tell her that— or put her insecurities to rest.

Frankly, I don't give a fuck.

She plays her fake-nice role and I play mine, despite knowing that Corry and Bianca both hate my guts.

On the surface, they're the perfect picture of loyal friends. Always by my side, laughing at my jokes, echoing my opinions. But the bitterness in their tones when the principle announced over the intercom during first period that I'd won homecoming queen— for the fourth time in a row, was palpable.