Switch

Chapter 1

Jenna's POV

I woke up to my alarm at 7:00 a.m. and immediately tried calling my boyfriend, Jaden, who didn't answer—like he never does anymore. I got out of my queen-sized bed and went to my closet to get dressed. I chose a black long-sleeve crop top, light blue jeans, and Uggs. Then I went to my bathroom, brushed my blonde hair, and did some makeup.

When I went downstairs, the smell of oatmeal that my mom had made filled the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mom," I said. "How's Dad's work trip going?"

(My dad has to travel a lot for work, so I usually only see him once a week. I'm also an only child, so it's mostly just my mom and me.)

My mom said she thinks he's doing pretty well. She sat down with me, and we ate our oatmeal while talking about what I might do after I graduate. I'm a senior in high school, one of the popular girls, and I get good grades, but I'm not a nerd—I just stay focused in class.

When I finished my oatmeal, I washed my dish and thanked my mom for making breakfast. Then I went back up to my bathroom, brushed my teeth, sprayed perfume, and grabbed my phone. I called my best friend Makayla to see how her morning was going. We talked about what we might do when we graduate, and she asked how Jaden was doing. I told her I think he's alright, but I'm not really sure because he barely pays attention to me anymore. Makayla said maybe it's time I break up with him. I told her I'd see her at school, and we hung up.

After that, I tried calling Jaden again, but he didn't pick up. I started thinking that maybe Makayla was right—maybe I should break up with him, because he really hasn't been paying any attention to me. When I try to hang out with him, he either says he's busy or that he's with his guy friends.

We've known each other since second grade, though we didn't really talk until eighth. When we finally did, we started hanging out a lot and officially became a couple in freshman year. Everything was strong between us until junior year, when he became friends with a guy named Tyler. Ever since then, he's been distant, hanging out with Tyler more than me. Tyler and Jaden get into trouble a lot, don't study, and don't care about school. For example, Jaden just got his permit last week on his sixth attempt because he didn't study and ended up cheating on it. Overall, he's been acting like a dumbass lately.

Anyway, I left my house at 7:25 like always. I said goodbye to my mom and started up my car—my birthday present from last year. My dad's job pays him a lot, which is why he's always on work trips. We're not rich, but we definitely have money to spend. I played music in my car on the way to school, and then my dad called to tell me he'd be gone another week because his boss needed help closing a deal. I asked if he ever actually comes home, and he said he'd be back next week, "promise, love you, bye"—but I didn't believe him. He always says he'll come home, and he always ends up staying longer.

I arrived at school at 7:40 and met up with Makayla. We walked inside, went to our lockers, then headed to our first period world history class. On the way, a lot of guys looked at me because I'm one of the popular girls. When Makayla and I walked into class, we talked for about fifteen minutes until the bell rang.

A minute later, Jaden came in.

"Jaden, that is the third time this week you're late," Mrs. Eisenhower said. "You'll be staying after school today in detention."

He just said, "Okay," and sat down.

Jaden doesn't seem to care about anything anymore, which isn't like him. Whenever I try to help, he either ignores me or says, "No, I'm good."

⸻

Jaden's POV

I woke up this morning at 7:01 a.m. to my girlfriend Jenna calling me. I didn't pick up because I knew she was probably going to lecture me about how I need to stop hanging out with my best friend Tyler and spend more time with her. Also, I had just woken up—I usually get up at 6:30, but I forgot to set my alarm.

I got out of bed and threw on black pants, a white shirt, a black sweatshirt, and black shoes. Then I went out of my room and greeted my mom, who doesn't have work until 11:30 a.m. I went to the kitchen and saw an application for another job sitting on the counter.

"Mom, why are you trying to get another job?" I asked.

"Well," she said, "ever since your dad passed away, I knew I might have to work double to make sure we pay our bills."

(My dad died in a car accident one year ago. A drunk driver ran a red light and crashed into him. The worst part is that I could have been there too—he asked if I wanted to go with him to see his favorite place from when he was a kid, but I said no, I'd rather hang out with Tyler. That was the last time I ever saw him. Me and my mom aren't poor—she just feels like she needs to make more money.)

"I can't believe it's been a year," I said.

"Time just flies, Jaden," my mom said.

"I still hate myself for not spending some time with him before he died," I told her.

"Honey," she said gently, "we all make choices we regret, but that doesn't mean we can't change or make up for those choices."

"I guess you're right," I said.

I grabbed a banana because I wasn't hungry, then brushed my teeth and went on my phone to call Tyler to pick me up. I would drive myself, but I only got my permit last week—and I had to cheat on it after failing it six times.

I met Tyler in gym class junior year. We talked and it turned out he got expelled from his last school for punching a teacher he hated. I told him that was kinda funny, and we've been hanging out since. Even at school, we cause trouble. We get detention at least once a week, and we do stupid crap like the time in chemistry last year when we mixed two elements that didn't go well together and it exploded. We got suspended for a week for that. Our grades are terrible because we don't see the point of studying when we'll forget everything anyway.

I walked outside and waited for Tyler. While I was waiting, I got a text from Jenna asking to meet after school—it was "really urgent." I told her okay but I'd have detention for being late, so she might have to wait a bit. She said to meet her at the park at 5:30. I said fine, but if she wasn't there at exactly 5:30, I was going home. She said okay.

Tyler finally pulled up in his Honda Civic that he got last year. I got in, and he said, "Hey man, sorry I'm late, I stopped and got us breakfast." He handed me a bacon breakfast sandwich. We ate while he drove to school, arriving at 7:58. We hurried to our lockers and said "see you later."

My first class was Mrs. Eisenhower's world history. I walked in a minute late.

"You'll be serving detention after school," she said.

"Okay," I replied, and went to sit down.

As I did, I noticed Jenna looking at me with concern, but I pretended I didn't see it and sat down.