Switch

Chapter 5

Jaden's POV

Me and Makayla got to school at 7:42. Classes started at 8:00, so we still had time, but just barely. When we pulled into the student parking lot, we grabbed our bags and walked into the building. The hallways still had that early-morning quietness to them—lockers clanging here and there, the echo of someone laughing far away.

We stopped at our usual lockers like we always did. Makayla glanced over at me and asked, "Did you study for the history test today?"

I froze for half a second. "Yeah," I answered slowly, trying to sound confident. "I mean... I already knew a lot from memory, so I didn't study that much." I tried to cover up the hesitation, and she nodded like she accepted it.

We kept walking, and when we passed my actual locker, I automatically stopped in front of it. Habit. Makayla stared at me and went, "Uh... Jenna? Pretty sure that's not your locker."

In my head I went: Shit. Keep forgetting.

Out loud I laughed awkwardly. "Sorry. Where's my locker again?"

She tilted her head. "Are you okay? You didn't sleep well last night, did you?"

"No," I said quickly. "Barely slept."

"Well, your locker's next to mine."

"Oh—right." I forced a smile and walked with her.

Opening Jenna's locker felt weirdly surreal. It was so organized. Perfect rows. Neatly stacked binders. Color-coded notebooks. Nothing like my usual chaos. I grabbed her history stuff, told Makayla bye, and walked to class.

When I stepped in, Mrs. Eisenhower smiled. "Good morning, Jenna!"

That actually helped. Hearing someone say it grounded me. Reminded me that yes—I was supposed to be Jenna right now. I walked to her seat, the one I'd watched her sit in a hundred times.

It was already 8:00, and Jenna still wasn't there. Not surprising. Tyler always picked me up late when I was me.

A minute after the bell, Mrs. Eisenhower announced, "So everyone, I know the chapter test was supposed to be today, but I forgot to make copies of the test key for my senior classes. So the test is moved to Friday. Since today's Thursday, you get today to study while I make the copies."

Right after she finished, I raised my hand and stood. "Can I study in the library? I think it'll be better."

"Sure, Jenna," she said. "Go ahead."

"Oh—and... don't write Jaden a detention. Just send him to the library so I can tutor him."

Her eyebrows lifted slightly, confused but agreeing. "Uh... sure. I'll tell him that."

"Thanks." I left before I could say something weird.

⸻

Jenna's POV

Me and Tyler got to school at 7:58, and by the time we pushed through the front doors, the 8:00 bell rang. Perfect. I was screwed.

He told me bye, and I told him bye back, then rushed straight to history. When I walked in, I noticed right away—Jaden wasn't there. I thought he was skipping again.

"Jaden," Mrs. Eisenhower called. "Come here, please."

I walked over. "Okay."

"You're late again. Normally I'd write you a detention, but... I'm not."

"Why?" I asked.

"Well, I forgot to make the answer key for the chapter test, so I moved it to Friday. Everyone's studying today."