The Swap

Allison 6.1

Shit, shit, shit, how could I have forgotten that!?

As I run past school, the streets start getting more recognisable and I soon find myself in front of my previous home. I run to the door and ring the bell. After impatiently waiting a few seconds, I remember the spare key hidden under the welcome mat and make my way inside. That's when for a split second, I get a heart attack. I'm a stranger in this house. What if I run into mom? What if I run into Chad!?

Luckily, the ground floor is devoid of life. I silently close the door, tip-toe up the stairs and knock on the bathroom door.

No response.

"Zach, are you in there?" I softly ask.

"Hello?" I hear him question from his room.

I enter it and see him lying on bed, curled up.

"A-Allison?" he gasps, immediately straightening his pose and sitting upright.

"I'm here, are you okay?"

"T-There was so much... I-Is that normal? I'm not going to die, am I?" he asks, getting more frantic.

"No. I mean, I can't see how much blood came out, but it's normally a lot. You're not going to die."

"W-What!? T-That's a normal amount!?"

I get a smug feeling.

"You girls have to deal with that each month!? I-I have to deal with that each month!?"

"Yep."

"Including the stomach pains and lightheadedness?"

"Sometimes yeah. You may have gotten a more extreme one though."

"I can't do this... This is torture..." he whines, flinching due to a stomach ache probably, "Can't I do anything to lessen these stomach pains?"

"Not really. Just ignore them as best you can. If you're out and about, then try to get home quickly so you can lay in bed or something."

"Oh my god, you get these at school as well..." he whispers to himself, shocked and frazzled.

"You sound just like me when I had my first period, haha," I chuckle. And I sound just like my mom... Oh no, "Wait, Zach, is anyone else home right now?"

"No, just me and Liam. Mom- Your mom and Chad are on a date again, they probably won't be back for a few hours, I think."

"Good, I don't want them to think I'm an intruder, or worse, your boyfriend coming over for sex," I shudder. My priorities are solid.

"How did you manage to get inside actually?"

"Spare key under the doormat."

"Ah, so you still remember your old life," he says, half chuckling and half disappointed.

"About that, it's almost nostalgic being back here. This room hasn't changed much," I state as I look around. It's almost nostalgic, but not quite there yet. Suddenly, I feel something softly tug on my jeans.

"Who are you?" Liam asks with big eyes.

I almost reply, but my mind can't decide on which name to use.

"T-That's my friend, Zach," Zach helps me out. I look at Zach, wanting to chuckle, but he doesn't seem uncomfortable referring to us as friends.

"Are you two, girlfriend and boyfriend?" Liam follows up.

"We're not!" both of us shout simultaneously. Seriously?

"Why is he here? I thought we were going to play," he pouts.