The Switching Arrangement

Chapter 22

I stare at the glowing rock for a second too long. Then I realize that people might notice and quickly clasp it in my hands.

I backtrack onto the seat again, fully aware of the fast rythm my heart is thumping against my chest.

Taking a deep breath, I reopen my hands.

The purple ornament sits in the middle of my shaky palms, glowing distinctively. After a second, it starts to slowly and steadily dim out.

I blink my eyes a couple of times. Now the glow has completely faded away. But for some reason, I keep squinting at it, as if the glow will come back if I make enough eye-contact.

After a while, I finally let the necklace drop back to its originally place - dangling around my neck with my hands still lightly shaking.

What was that??

Did I... just imagined what happened? Or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

If I recall, in the five years I've owned this necklace from my grandmother, that had never happened even once. And I'm pretty sure I'd remember if abuela  mentioned that this thing is "weirdly electronic" and will glow up at random moments.

Besides, why now? Out of all? Why after Bridgett Olson flirted with me? I mean, it simply doesn't make any sense.

Unless...

My eyes dart to a random book sitting at the edge of the table. The title, "Peculiar Possessions" is written on the front cover in bold red font.

Suddenly, I can feel a wire connecting in my brain and an idea forming itself.

Can it be? Can it be that this is what I've been looking for? Can it be that-

"Excuse me," I snap to the direction of the sudden voice. A tall guy with chestnut-brown hair is standing at the side of the table, looking down at me. "I'm sorry, but lunchtime is almost over," he says.

I nod and quickly gather the books in a big pile before speed-walking out of the library.

🙈🙉🙊

I look at the clock hanging on the white wall of Hunter's AP History class - the last period before school ends and I can finally go see him at Art Club.

Tick tock. Tick tock.

Come on... Just a bit more...

Tick tock. Tick tock.

God, why is it so slow??

Frustrated at how miniscule the movements of the hands are, I tear my eyes away from the clock to my left and catch a sight of Penelope sitting a few tables away from me. She had told me before that she has history class with Hunter, but I guess they don't interact very much.

Suddenly, seeing her sitting there, quietly jotting down notes, with her beautiful blond hair tied up in a bun, I feel my heart ache.

I miss her. I miss her and Jayden. I wish I can tell them how much of a mess my life is right now, how I'm forced to live as a boy. I wish I have them at my side when everyone's talking badly about me - when I just had my first heartbreak.

I wish that my wish didn't come true.

"Okay, class! That's all for today! Please finish reading chapter 5 to 7 by the end of this week because there's a quiz coming up!" I hear the teacher announce, leading to abrupt noises of students getting up from their chairs.