The Brain Transplant

c h a p t e r | s e v e n

"Where did it go
The passionate fire
We can't find the flame
And now we're both tired
What do we do
When all we have left
Is dying for life
And on its last breath" - Us The Duo

-🧠-

I squeal as I lay back on my bed. Sarah was coming. She was actually going to see me one last time! I couldn't wait to see my best friend again, I was so jumpy and excited all day. And by all day, of course I mean for the three hours I've been up. It's only eleven o'clock right now. But I'm home alone and dad out for a half day at work, then he's coming home and we're binge watching Stranger Things together. But lately things have just been so boring in my life.

I stand up and walk over to my piano. My baby grand. I sit down and decide to play Already Mine by Us The Duo. I start out the song and my fingers glide easily along the keys. As the song starts, I sing. My voice comes out, hitting all the right notes. My fingers play the song and my voice sings along with the instrument. I play softly and sing softly. I really needed someone to sing with in times like these. My voice aches to harmonize with someone. I dreamt of sitting on a piano bench with someone, singing and playing this piano. Oh how I ached to have a singing partner. Someone who felt the same way I do when I sang, someone who felt the same way I do when I play the piano. How I wished I had someone who could share the same emotion as I do when I make music. As the song finished up, I ended it gracefully. I stood up from the piano, and laid back on the bed. My eyelids got heavy, and I dreamt the happiest of dreams.

-

"Day, wake up now."

I groaned and rolled over.

"Day, wake up now!"

I pulled the duvet over my head.

"Daykota Jane Linnel, get out of bed now!"

Oh no. Not my full name. I slowly pull the covers off my head and I stare up at my father. I then look over at the clock and it read 8:24 a.m.

"Daykota Jane, get out of this damn bed. I've asked you enough. We have a lot to discuss today, about your convention in a few weeks."

The mention of a convention makes me shoot out of bed. "I'm sorry dad, I was really tired." He rolls his eyes and walks towards the door. He stops at the doorway and says, "Get yourself cleaned up, and then meet me downstairs. We're going out for breakfast."

I get out of bed, my limbs crackling as I move. I really sound like I'm getting older, the fact that my bones crack that loud is unflattering. I close the door all the way, which my father didn't do when he left. It annoys me every time he does it. I walk into my closet and grab an outfit. Mom jeans and a light yellow shirt. I grab a tan bra and a matching pair of underwear as I head over to my bathroom.

I set my clothes down and hang up my towel on a hook next to the shower. I turn the water on and strip of all my clothes. As I step into the shower, the scalding water burns my foot. I don't flinch. I just let my body get used to the hotness of the water, I was too lazy to make it colder. My muscles relax as the water runs down my body. I quickly wash my hair and the rest of me, the I turn the water off. That may have been the quickest shower I've ever taken. I step out and I dry off and get dressed, brush my teeth and my hair. I put on a little makeup and curl my hair. I run to my closet and throw on my white converse. As I rush out of my closet, I flop onto my bed. That's the quickest I've ever gotten ready and actually did a decent job. I catch my breath as I lie on my bed.