My alarm goes off at eight o'clock in the morning. For a few seconds after I turn it off, I sit in bed and listen to the silence that permeates the house. Then I get up and head downstairs for breakfast after putting on shorts and a t-shirt. The table is barren of any bowls or boxes of cereal. Looks like she's still sleeping.
I look to the side at a photo above a dusty cabinet.
Good morning, I sigh out in my mind as I pour myself a bowl of cereal. I look on my phone and see one message. In the group chat Megan has posted a reminder and address, together with the message:
"You boys better not flake!"
I put my phone down and go upstairs to get ready, even though I still have an entire day before the gala. After brushing my teeth, I do my hair; a bit of water does the trick and if it doesn't, I can't be bothered to use gel to fix it, although this is a special occasion. I still don't budge, and just look in the mirror to assure myself it looks good enough.
A brown-haired boy with blue eyes looks back at me. I'm Zachary Marlowe.
In the evening, I wait outside on the street until a familiar car stops in front of me. I step inside and sit down next to Sam.
"Hey guys, good evening, Mr. Willington," I say.
Evan, his father and Sam reply and we start heading over to the address Megan shared.
"Zach, why are you dressed in shorts and a t-shirt?" Evan asks, half laughing, half frustratedly.
"I told you all multiple times, I don't have anything fancy to wear."
"Dude, even the school uniform is fancier than this," Sam chuckles.
"Whatever, I don't want people thinking I'm a dapper person anyways," I joke.
A few minutes of pointless banter later, we make it to a big building in the centre of the city. The three of us step out of the car, and Evan's dad rides off. We make it to the door and present our school passes before entering the building. For once, the end-of-the-year school gala doesn't look like shit. I wonder if it's due to proper funding, or just that my perceptions have changed.
"You guys go on ahead, I'm waiting here for the others," Evan suggests.
"No, I'll wait with you. It's not like I really know anyone here," I reply.
Right as I say that, a group of people enter and walk past us. One of the girls catches my eye, and her face lights up when she does.
"Hey Zach!" Emily exclaims. When she says that, the rest of her group notices and they all wave at me. Since when has that been a thing?
I wave back.
"You don't really know anyone here?" Sam and Evan ask with raised-eyebrows.
"Okay, besides them. I don't even know those guys that well anyways," I defend myself.
"Weren't you dating that Emily chick?" Sam asks. I can't tell if he's being serious or not.
"No, I'm not dating that Emily chick!"
"Oh, what about the rest of that group?"
"The rest of that group? I just said I don't know them very well, like, who would I be dating?"
"Allison Par," Evan smirks.
"Oh shut up about Allison," I scoff, chuckling.
"What about me?" she asks.
I jolt my head around only to see Megan and Allison standing at the entrance. Megan is wearing a dress and Allison a miniskirt with a jacket. They're wearing much nicer clothes than I am. Why do I feel like a creep commenting on their outfits? Is this really the only thing on my mind?
"Oh, Megan and Allison, you two are already here," I quickly stammer.
"Yeah, we decided to hurry up a bit," Allison smiles, "What were you guys talking about?"
"N-Nothing, just about when you two would arrive," I lie.
With the squad assembled, we walk away from the entrance to make room for other people. Sam splits off from us when he spots another one of his cliques, and Evan walks next to Megan. Allison and I walk next to each other. She's talking about some video she saw online, and for some reason, I can't help but notice how expressive she's been.
As we walk through a crowd, they don't make way for me. I don't know why I don't mind having lost that perk. Without it however, I bump into a freshman girl, who, upon seeing my face, stiffens.
"Sorry," I smile back, before resuming with my conversation.
"Wow, since when has Zach been such a kind person?" Allison grins.
"What, would you prefer I start swearing and acting like a terrible person?"
"I never said it was a bad thing," she smiles, "Oh by the way, Liam is asking me when you're coming over again. I swear, he likes you more than me, his own sister!"
"And it only took me one month to get him to like me that much," I chuckle.
She gives me a look, but can't maintain the stern face for long before we collapse into laughter.
"You could never have pulled off this look," she grins. I roll my eyes.
"I'm glad I never have to wear a skirt again."
She giggles.
"Y'know, I actually wouldn't mind trying out being swapped again."
"What?" I gasp.
"It was a joke!" she sputters, "But still, now that we're friends and we trust each other... I mean, of course I wouldn't want to be stuck for a month again, but it's just a fun thought."
"Am I really talking to Allison Par right now?"
"Come on, admit it, you're a little curious."
"Not really, the only thing I'd want to do as you would cause you to hate me again."
"Ah! You pervert! Is that really the only thing on your mind!?"
"I take back what I said earlier; you are Allison Par."
And I'm Zachary Marlowe.
YOU ARE READING
The Swap
Teen Fiction"Where am I? This isn't my room. Wait, this isn't my voice, either! This isn't my body!" Allison Par is a timid girl. She just moved to a new town and her mom started dating a new man. Allison just wants him gone, but she's too terrified to speak up...
