The Identity Switch

Chapter 3 - Heartbreaking News

"You've got to be kidding me right now," I say and my jaw drops.

"Think about it," Maueve tells me. "I'm pretty sure you all wouldn't want the media getting hold of this piece of information. If Tori did go to school, the students would swarm her. Would you really want that?"

Goddammit she's right.

I definitely wouldn't want the press to know about this, and I definitely do not want Tori to die from a fan attack.

Rest in peace Tori Colman,
Swarmed by fans.

I turn to Tori. "I'm not making this decision without you. This is mainly about you anyway."

"What about Lane, though? Let's say, hypothetically if I were to take her place around school, would she take my online studying?" Tori's eyes are darting between me and Maueve, her brown irises sealed and blocked off of any emotion.

"That is optional for her. Elaine can technically graduate right now with her astounding grades." Maueve answers and a glint of jealousy appears on Tori's features before it disappears, leaving me wondering if I imagined it.

"You both can sing, you're identical and no one would know the difference." Maueve adds and I stay studying Tori's expressions.

Tori abruptly turns to me. "Would you be okay if you took it? Would you be able to handle three hours of sleep and a packed schedule?"

"I guess: It's kind of similar to staying up for the reports I have to do as president of student council." I shrug.

"But, would you be okay if I took your tour? Something you've been waiting for so long now?" I ask and sadness clouds her eyes. Tori had always been telling me about her dream to tour around the world one day when she gets popular. Now she finally has the chance, and I would be really guilty if I had to take the limelight that was meant for her.

"I guess." she echoes. "At least when I finish school, I won't have to worry about grades anymore. Then I'll be able to do anything I want without school getting in the way."

Maueve clears her throat. "So, do you both agree?"

I stare at Tori, knowing that she wouldn't want somebody else to replace her on her first tour.

She nods slowly, sadness evident in her eyes.

"Yeah, I guess so." she answers softly and Maueve turns to me.

I shrug. "I'm in."

Maueve nods sort of triumphantly as she opens the briefcase I didn't notice was beside her and takes out some papers. She lays them out on the table and grabs a pen from the front pocket of her pantsuit.

"I'll need you both to sign the terms of agreement here, here and here." she points to the blank spots for both of us. I carefully skim through the agreement before signing the first sheet, Tori following suit.

Once we're done with all three papers, I close the pen and place it in the middle of the table and leaning back.

"Great. It's official then, Tori will start summer break next Monday, Elaine will go on tour next Sunday." Maueve says and I close my eyes.