Switcharoo

Chapter One

(Disclaimer: Since Jack's family members are not publicly named; I am giving them names for this story.)

...

America is not what I remembered it to be. Given, I hadn't been there since I was about six years old, so my memory wasn't the most reliable. It did smell different, though, but that could just be the lack of rain and abundance of hotdog and street food vendors in the area right now. California was interesting, that was for certain.

"Oh, Seán, I'm going to miss you!" my mother cried, pulling me into a bear hug with my father. I hugged them both, dropping my last suitcase on the sidewalk. I would miss their hugs, no matter where in the world we went they always smelled like home. My mother pulled away and looked at me, teary eyed. "I can't believe my last little baby bird is leaving the nest."

My dad rubbed my shoulder with a proud smile, nodding his head. "Now, you best be bringin' home a lady friend fer' Christmas break," my mother whacked him. I rolled my eyes and scoffed lightly at my father.

"Oh, hush, Patrick, you know-"

"I know," he held his hand up. "but a father can only dream."

I took one final look at my parents, smiling despite the recent comment. I could see every part of myself in them. My mother's eyes, mouth, and cheeks. My father's brows, nose, and hair. All of my siblings were visible too, and made me think more of how much I really would miss my family while at college. The only thing I wouldn't miss is the homophobia and wrong turns. College seemed to be my only right decision, not a thing had gone wrong yet.

"I love you guys," I smiled, hugging them both one last time. My mother attempted to grab one of my suit cases, pointing up at the large building in front of us. My new home.

"Are you sure you don't want help, sweetie? You just have so much more to unpack-"

"Come on, Florrie, we have a flight to catch!" My father ushered, pushing her along to the cab that had been patiently waiting for about five minutes now. She dropped the luggage and smiled proudly at me, kissing my cheek.

"You better come back fer' Christmas!" Pointing her finger at me with a very stern, mom-ish look on her face. The same look she got when she found out I had skipped school to see a concert with my friends, and then later that same week I got caught piercing my ears. Waving my hands and nodding 'yes', I picked up two of my bags and turned to face the building in front of me, my new home, my new life:

L.A School of Technology.

...

Entering the dorms, I was happy to see only one bed. Plenty of space for me and no bothersome, loud roommate to disturb me. I sighed and collapsed onto the bed which, to my surprise, is actually quite comfortable, and stared up at the pop-corn looking ceiling. The hallways were quiet, since no one was here yet. The dorm hall I was in was Freshman only, so there were no upperclassman on this floor. On floors two and three you would find Sophomores and Juniors, and floor four for anyone who had attended for four or more years.

Who ever would attend college for over four years is crazy to me.

I checked my watch. It was 6:01 in the morning, about an hour before check in would officially start. What could I do until then? I could take a walk, unpack, check out the commons...

Knock knock knock.

Slowly, I got up out of my bed. There was some quiet talking beyond the door.

"What if he left?"  A female sounding voice said, worried. Whoever was with them scoffed.

"Where exactly is there to go? We probably would have seen him if he left."