Page 6 of Switch!
Me? I feel fine. Better than that! Even if this is a delusion, it sure is an enjoyable one so far. I’m more certain than ever that I’m not crazy, but that’s not good enough for me. I intend to prove it.
— — —
I normally don’t pay attention to the drama that goes on in school. People don’t share the latest gossip with me, which is fine, since it usually centers around the lives of the popular kids. I don’t care about them. Ashley Trussell is the one exception. She’s always been nice to me. Even though she’s pretty. Even though everyone in my graduating class knows her name and wants to be liked by her. Despite her popularity and everything else, she’s still kind. I know because we were paired up for a Biology assignment and had to work together after school. Ashley had me over to her house. The living room alone was bigger than my entire apartment. She didn’t flaunt this or act like I was beneath her. Nor did she expect me to do all the work. Ashley treated me like an equal. It’s pathetic to admit, but part of me has loved her ever since.
I’ve always known that it was a hopeless crush. Until now. If I could find a way to control Caleb’s body, instead of popping into it briefly to spy on him… He must be handsome enough to catch her eye. I don’t see that resulting in much, but even a brief flirtatious encounter in the hall would be better than the big fat nothing my love life has been thus far.
Before getting too lost in deprived fantasies, I refocus on proving to myself that I’m not insane by confirming what I’ve already learned. I hadn’t previously overheard talk about Ashley and Dean breaking up. I would have taken note of anything that involves her. I’m also certain that I can’t usually hear what Caleb and his friends say to each other when clustered around the classroom door. I’ve tried to eavesdrop before, if only to find out if they were planning on tormenting me again, but unless one of them shouts, I never hear a thing. So I either made up the entire story about Ashley being single or my life really has taken a strange new twist.
Finding out is more daunting than I expected. Ashley and I share the same lunch period. I eat by myself. Usually I read, although sometimes I watch people instead. Including her. There’s something about her silky hair and delicate features, not to mention the intelligence that shines in her eyes, or the dignified manner in which she carries herself… Ugh. She’s so great! I could walk up to her table right now and ask to speak with her, and I bet she would be nice enough to humor me. It’s her friends I’m worried about. Caleb has a different lunch period, thankfully, but Elliot is sitting at her table, along with a few other people I’ve learned to avoid.
I wait until lunch is over and follow Ashley down the hall, hating how creepy it makes me feel. I’m about to give up on my ridiculous scheme when she stops at a locker and starts spinning the combination dial. Ashley looks over her shoulder to say something to her friends, who keep walking. I keep walking too, straight ahead and right past her. Then I imagine spending another night wondering if I’m losing my mind. Better to find out now. The excuse to speak with her again is worth the inevitable embarrassment.
My heart is stuck in my throat, my legs stiff and uncooperative, as I turn around and totter up to her. Ashley is unloading her backpack, taking books out to place them in her locker. She hasn’t noticed me. People rarely do. If I was going to have a superpower, I would have expected it to be invisibility instead.
“Ashley,” I say, my mouth dry.
She turns her head toward me, expression blank. Then her face lights up. “Travis! Hi!”
“Hi,” I say back. I can’t help but smile. She remembered my name! My elation is short-lived, because now I have to get more words out, which is much harder than it should be. “Um… Are you doing okay?”
She seems confused. “What do you mean?”
“I thought you might be upset. I heard that Dean broke up with you.”
Her forehead creases. “Who told you that?”
“Just something I overheard. Is it true?”
Ashley starts stuffing books into her backpack for her afternoon classes. “No. It’s not.”
My stomach sinks. It was all in my head.
“I broke up withhim,” she adds.
“Oh! That’s great!”
She cocks her head. “Is it?”
“I mean, it must be easier on you that way. It was your decision, not his. I won’t worry as much now.”
She pauses, a spiral notebook halfway to her backpack. “That’s sweet of you. I’m doing fine, although I plan on taking a break from relationships for a while. Dating too.”
My face flushes. I can understand why she would think I’m interested in her. Because I am. That’s not why I’m standing here though. I’d have the tact to wait rather than asking her out so soon after a breakup, if I was ever brave enough to do so. Swallowing as I glance around, I lean forward, trying to ignore the alluring scent of her perfume as I say, “When you are ready to date again, I don’t think it should be Caleb. He’s only interested in one thing.”
Ashley studies me. Then she turns her attention back to her backpack, which she zips up. “Is this something else you overheard?”
“Yes.” I feel like I’ve just stuck my head through a noose. “Please don’t tell him I said anything. He’ll beat me up. More than he does already.”
She glances at me sharply. “You shouldn’t let him do that.”
“I don’t have a choice.”
Ashley sighs and shuts her locker. “You deserve better. We both do. Thanks for letting me know.”
“No problem.”
That “we” sure sounded good. I’ll be dreaming of it for years to come. But I also know it doesn’t mean what I wish it did, so I turn and walk away. I’m so wrapped up in the thrill of having spoken to her that I don’t realize the implications until I’m sitting in my next class.
