Disclaimer: I don’t own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. Only Barbara is mine.
Chapter One- If I Were You…
“Alexis, your brother is so charming!” squealed one of her best friends, Mindy.
Alexis rolled her eyes. “Charming isn’t a word I would use to describe him. Annoying is more like it.”
Mindy and Jasmine blinked at the irritated tone in Alexis’ voice. “Uh, Alexis?” Jasmine asked. “Something wrong between you and Atticus? I mean, you were so happy when you found him last year.”
“Yeah, well that was last year and this is now.” The two girls shook their heads as they walked away. They don’t understand, she thought. I was happy that Atticus was back at first. Once he had regained his memories, he returned to being my annoying big brother. Then, he started being a ladies’ man and trying to fix me up with Chazz. I wish he wouldn’t meddle in my love life or flirt with the girls which he seems to do shamelessly. Alexis sighed before turning her attention to a telescope, astronomy books, and a star chart. A big astronomical event would be occurring tonight that would last for three nights. As luck would have it, Duel Academy would be one of the few prime spots to truly enjoy the sights. Chancellor Sheppard was seizing upon the event to make it a mandatory report for all the students. At least he’ll be too busy with the report to flirt.
&&&&
“Ready for tonight, Atticus?” an Obelisk boy asked as they enjoyed the warm sun on the beach.
“Oh, yeah. Should be quite a romantic event,” Atticus replied with a grin.
“Think Alexis might find it equally romantic?”
“Lexi? No way. She’ll see it as a homework assignment and that’s it. The girl has no romance in her soul.” He saw the crestfallen look on his friend’s face and felt a rare flash of annoyance toward Alexis. His sister was pretty, no doubt about that and she did attract the attention of most of the boys at school, but she had no interest in dating any of them. She’s wasting her youth. She needs to show some romantic interest. He stood up. “Come on, guys. Let’s get some dinner and gather our stuff for tonight’s event.”
“Any idea what you’ll write for your report?” another asked as they walked.
“I’ll focus on the prettiest one I find. How about you?”
“Maybe whatever Alexis picks. Maybe we could work on it together and we could end up dating.”
Atticus laughed bitterly. “The only way that’ll work is if Lexi was another girl altogether.”
&&&&
The student spread out blankets, set up telescopes, and generally settled down to enjoy a rare three-night treat. Alexis chatted with Mindy and Jasmine about what they might see and on what their reports would focus. Sheppard gave the school three days after the event to finish and turn in the report. Additionally, classes were cancelled during the event. She spied Jaden, Syrus, and Hassleberry across the way. The second-year Ra was adjusting the telescope and seemed to be trying to convince Jaden to take this event seriously due to the report. She smiled at that. Sy’s becoming more serious about his studies but he’s wasting his time trying to make Jaden study harder.
The sky darkened as night fell and lanterns glowed softly. For a time, there was nothing but darkness, glowing lanterns, and the low buzz of talking. Then the sky lit up with all manner of astronomical wonders. There were gasps of surprise and admiration. Alexis immediately looked through the telescope to look more closely at the different phenomena. Her eyes landed on a pretty pink nebula that was across the full moon. That’s my topic. I’m pretty sure it’s in one of my books. A flirtatious giggle was heard and she angled the telescope in that direction and saw Atticus chatting up a group of girls, not even paying attention to the show above.
Her eyes sparked with fury as she pulled back from the telescope. Oh, that’s it! she fumed. She stood and headed over to her brother and his group and was soon standing behind them. She cleared her throat, making Atticus look over his shoulder at her with his easy grin. “Hey, sis,” he greeted.
“Atticus, can we talk privately?”
“Sure. I shall return ladies.” He gave a wink before following Alexis away from the students and stood in the light of the nebula and the full moon. “What’s up, Lexi?”
“It’s your flirting! You’re supposed to be choosing the subject of your report!”
“I will. I have all night plus tomorrow and the night after that to choose.”
“You could choose tonight and do some research between nights. Also, the way you flirt annoys me and you know it.”
“Hey, can I help it if I’m charming? You know Lexi, you could do with some romance in your life.”
“I’m too busy with school and dueling to bother with romance.”
“I don’t believe that. You could fit romance in between.”
“I don’t care about romance right now.”
Atticus shook his head slightly. “Honestly, if I were you, I would make time for romance and actually talk to some guys.”
“Yeah? Well, if I were you I’d spend less time flirting and more time on schoolwork.”
The two siblings glared at each other before heading back to their respective groups. Alexis scribbled down her topic of choice before gazing at the sky with her friends and helping them decide which topic they would write about. Every now and then she’d glare at Atticus. Really, if I was Atticus, I would have him be more studious.
Atticus returned to flirting with the girls grouped around him and even flashed winning smiles at other girls who happened to glance his way. He enjoyed the way those girls would blush or giggle before turning away. It amused him that teenage girls acted that way…except Alexis. She claimed no time or interest in romance. He believe she could make time and he suspected that she did have a crush on Jaden. He didn’t blame her: Jaden was cute-looking and his dueling skills were amazing. They’d make a cute couple, if she ever told Jaden how she felt. But then again Jaden’s just as oblivious to romance. Maybe both just need a push. As s star streaked across the sky, Atticus thought two things. Maybe my report will be on shooting stars, he thought as he wrote it down. Heh, if I was Alexis, I would be putting her love life on track, starting with telling Jaden about having a crush on him. He sensed Alexis glaring at him but resisted the urge to turn around to see if she really was. He turned his attention to the sky and any girl that snuggled up to him.
Jaden laid on his back, his arms folded under his head to watch the amazing show above. Hassleberry sat beside him while Syrus stood nearby gazing through a telescope. He rolled his head to the other side to see Alexis sitting with her friends across the way. The blonde was talking to Mindy and Jasmine, looking at the sky, and seemed to be making notes. He valued her friendship, felt lucky to have befriended her last year. As the new school year began, he started to feel differently about her. He still saw her as a friend, but she seemed prettier to him than she did last year. He would feel heat on his neck anytime he looked at her.
Could I be feeling…interest in Alexis? I doubt it is love, but if it is, maybe I should tell her.
“Ja? What are you looking at?” Syrus asked.
The brunette jerked out of his thoughts. “Uh, that.” He pointed at a comet streaking above the moon. “Maybe that will be my report: Comets.”
“Oh, okay. Glad you decided on a topic.” Syrus turned back to the telescope while Jaden went back to watching Alexis. Hmm, you know I think I am falling for her. I need to think of when to tell her. Maybe after the event is over.
Chapter Two- Surprising Change
Atticus blinked his eyes open around noon, grateful that classes had been cancelled while the astronomy event was going on. His thoughts turned to his report on shooting stars; as luck would have it a cascade of shooting stars would come through tonight. An excellent time to get a video and maybe some pictures of it. He had noticed his sister taking pictures of that nebula in front of the moon. It was certainly pretty; almost magical, he thought. His stomach growled and he decided to get some lunch and maybe do some preliminary research on his report after all. He rolled onto his side, arched his back, and got out of bed.
He knew something was wrong when he looked down and saw a large pair of breasts on his chest. “What?” he said and a hand flew to his mouth. He sounded like Alexis! He went to the bathroom, looked in the mirror, and screamed. Alexis stared back at him! Oh, hell! I’m in Alexis’ body! How did this happen? He or rather she, continued to stare into her hazel eyes and then down to her chest. The guy in her made her run her fingers over her breasts. She always noticed them on Alexis and other girls but never felt them as it came across as inappropriate and she was no pervert. A sudden thought made her eyes widen. Wait a minute. If I’m in Alexis’ body, then that means…oh, boy.
&&&&
Alexis rolled out of bed and immediately noticed how heavily her feet hit the floor. She usually got out of bed lightly. She looked around and gaped. This isn’t my room, it’s Atti’s room. “Atticus?” she called and then she put a hand to her throat. She sounded like her brother! She felt a bump on her throat and after feeling it, concluded it was an Adam’s apple. Swallowing hard, she looked down, saw a flat chest, and screamed. I have Atticus’ body! And if I’m him, then he’s me. I need to talk to him…or is that she since he’s in my body? Yeah, Atti’s a she right now and I’m a he.
Alexis dressed quickly, not wanting to see his body naked for long, combed his hair, and left the dorm for the cafeteria. He paced outside it, marveling at the comfortable feel of a boy’s uniform and the stride with which he moved. A couple of girls passed him and he smiled in greeting. They blushed and giggled as they entered the cafeteria and Alexis face-palmed. He had momentarily forgotten whose body he had. He looked up in time to see his real body hurrying up the hall, feet stumbling slightly possibly due to the heels on the boots. He came closer and dropped his voice to a softer tone. “Atti.”
Atticus followed his example. “Lexi. I swear I had nothing to do with this.”
“You may want to amend that statement,” Alexis said as they started to walk away.
“Huh?”
“It’s both of our faults. If you recall, we both started sentences with the words, ‘If I were you.’”
Atticus nodded. “I remember thinking it further after our talk.”
“I did, too. But merely speaking and thinking such thoughts wouldn’t be enough to switch us. There has to be something else.”
“Maybe something during the astronomy event last night?” Atticus suggested.
“Could be. Atti, get all my astronomy books and meet me at the fountain outside.”
Atticus nodded again before walking away, stumbling still. Alexis sighed as he headed for the fountain. It seemed Atticus was having a harder time being a girl than he was being a boy. I just have to remember not to be too friendly with girls as it may come across as flirting which is what I promised to do less if I was in his body. Well, now I am and I need to make good on my promise.
Atticus hurried back to the girls’ dorm, stumbling as she did. She couldn’t believe how hard she found it to be wearing a girl’s uniform and shoes. The skirt seemed a little too short and why did the boots have to have heels, albeit small ones? Being a girl is harder than I thought, she mused as she entered Alexis’ room and gathered up the astronomy books that had been neatly stacked on the desk. However, as I’m in Lexi’s body, I could make good on the promise I made to myself. Yes, once we learn how this happened and provided the solution is not immediate, I’ll start improving her love life by talking to Jaden.
She headed for the fountain to see her…brother (?) waiting for her. She put the books on the grass and as she sat, said, “Lexi, does this mean that you’re my brother right now?”
“I suppose so,” he answered. “Which makes you my sister. I had already decided that I’m male as I have your body.” He picked up a book.
“Yeah, I was thinking of myself as female.” She, too, grabbed a book.
Alexis turned to the page he had marked last night, concerning the nebula he had decided to report on. It was a rare nebula and when it passed in front of other celestial bodies, magical effects could be unleashed. For example, if it was in front of a planet, anyone standing in the light of the nebula and the planet would change gender until the astronomical event was over. But if in front of the full moon, it was a different story.
“Atti, it was the light of the nebula and the full moon combined with our statements that switched us.”
“How do we change back? Or can we?”
“We must understand the cause of our switch before the event ends. If not, we’ll be stuck like this forever.”
“Forever?” Atticus gasped. “I don’t want to be stuck as a girl.”
“Well, we’ll have to understand one another’s views on romance and flirting. Atti, we shouldn’t tell anyone about this. We’ll need to act like each other. That may also help us understand each other, too.”
“So to understand one another, we have to act like each other.”
“Yes and I mean truly act, not a mockery of it.” The look he gave Atticus was clear: No making fun of Alexis’ study habits and lack of romantic life.
“Fine, as long as you don’t make sport of me.”
“Deal.”
“So,” Atticus said slowly. “You really have no interest in romance?”
“Not in the way you were going about it. I will choose my own interests, not have you fixing me up with someone.”
Atticus arched an eyebrow. “You have a crush, Lexi?”
Alexis felt like blushing but reined that in as Atticus would not blush. “It’s…Jaden.”
Atticus’ eyes widened and then she grinned. “I knew it! I thought that might be the case. The two of you would make a cute couple.”
“Atti, Jaden’s oblivious to romance.”
“I guess you’re right. So, are there any books here with plenty of information on shooting stars?”
“Yeah. Right here.” Alexis extracted a book and held it out to his sister. As she took it, Alexis asked, “Do you need any help?”
“Actually, yeah. I had planned to video the pouring of shooting stars tonight and get some pictures.”
“I can handle that. So, think you can takes some more pictures of the nebula against the moon for me?”
“I can do that.”
“Okay.” Alexis watched Atticus gather up the books and walk away, not comfortable wearing boots. He sighed. Great; because of an astronomical phenomena and casual statements, Atti and I switched bodies. Now we have two days and nights to understand the other’s view on romance and flirting or remain as we are forever. I personally want my real body back as comfortable as a boy’s uniform is. I’d rather not live as Atticus for the rest of my life. It is still strange to hear Atti’s voice when I talk. I know Atticus doesn’t want to be a girl for life much less live as me. Now, how best to understand Atticus’ flirting?
Chapter Three- Atticus
Atticus deposited the books on the desk, sat behind it, grabbed paper and pencil, and opened the books on shooting stars. She began to take notes, making sure to reference the book. She planned to attach a few pictures to her report…provided she got her own body back.
What am I thinking? Of course I’ll get my body back. I just have to understand Alexis’ lack of romantic interest while acting like him. Not too hard a problem. I wonder. Will we have to stand under that same light when we tell each other that we understand one another? Most likely. She looked at her notes, noticing that her handwriting was different due to her gender. Well, it will have to do as I’m currently stuck with Lexi’s body. Hmm, you know I could talk to Jaden about Lexi’s crush on him. I just have to make sure I say I and me when I talk to him. She got up, left the dorm, and headed for Slifer.
Atticus felt her heart pounding as she neared the dorm. She had never admitted to having a crush on someone before. Maybe this was why Alexis hadn’t said anything before: It was a nerve-wracking thing. I flirt but never had a crush on anyone. Now I’m about to make Alexis’ interest in Jaden clear and I’m nervous. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out as she climbed the steps to Jaden’s room. She knocked on the door and called, “Jaden? It’s Alexis. Can we talk?”
The door opened to reveal Jaden in his pajamas and rubbing an eye. “Alexis? Uh, what time is it?”
She looked at her pad. “Two p.m.,” she answered and then thought, Wow, it’s only been two hours since waking up in Lexi’s body?
“Oh.” Jaden yawned. “Okay, I’ll get dressed and we can talk.” Jaden closed the door and Atticus leaned back against the railing opposite the door. Her mind was racing, trying to figure out how to phrase her words. She also needed to ease into the confession, not just blurt it out; Alexis never blurts things out.
Jaden emerged a few minutes later, looking more awake than he did before. “So, what did you want to talk about?” he asked as he closed the door.
“Well, have you picked a subject for your report yet?”
“Yeah. Sy kept pestering me to pick one. I’m doing comets. You picked one?”
“Uh-huh. Did you see that pretty nebula in front of the moon?”
“I did. Nice choice. It…suits you.”
“Suits me?” she repeated.
“Yeah. I mean it’s pretty and you’re pretty…” Jaden trailed off, cheeks turning red.
Atticus felt herself blush and didn’t fight it; after all she was a girl right now. “Oh, uh, thanks Jaden. That’s really sweet.”
“I mean it.” Jaden stopped blushing and looked up at her. “I feel lucky that we’re friends. This year, however, I’ve been feeling something else for you. I…I think it’s love. I just know that I’ve been thinking of you often lately.”
Atticus hardly knew what to say. She knew the sentiments she was hearing wasn’t meant for her. As far as Jaden knew, he was talking to Alexis. Plus, with Jaden admitting feelings for Alexis, Atticus knew she could return those sentiments right now. “Jaden, I’m flattered you feel that way. I like you, too. I’ve had a crush on you for some time, but I was too occupied with dueling to tell you.”
“Same here. I’m glad you told me.”
“I’m glad you told me, too. So, where do we go from here?”
“I think I know.” Jaden stretched up and gave Atticus a deep kiss. Atticus’ eyes went wide. Oh my God! Jaden’s kissing me!
“Sam Hill!” yelped Hassleberry. Jaden pulled away and turned to see Hassleberry peeking through a crack.
“Hassleberry!” Jaden exclaimed.
Atticus fixed a stern look at the freshman. “You better not spread this around school. You got that? I can be scary when I’m mad.”
“She’s right,” Jaden put in. “I’ve seen it. Tell no one.”
“My lips are sealed,” Hassleberry said before shutting the door.
Atticus and Jaden breathed a sigh of relief. “Sorry about that, Lex.”
“If you mean about Hassleberry, I understand. If you mean the kiss, I didn’t mind.”
“Would you like to sit with me and the guys tonight?”
Oh, man. I’d love to, but I’m supposed to be acting like Alexis. “I’d like to, but I promised Mindy and Jasmine I’d give them some help with the report.”
“Oh.” Jaden sounded disappointed. “Okay. I understand.”
“I really am sorry, but we can get together another time.”
Jade perked up. “Yeah, another time.”
“Great. I’ll see you later.” Atticus planted a kiss on Jaden’s cheek as she left the dorm. She shook her head slightly, hardly believing what had just happened. She went over there to tell Jaden of Alexis’ interest in him and Jaden confesses feelings of love and kisses her.
And I kissed him back. I never kissed any of the girls I talk to. That’s jut it. I only talk to them- in a flattering, suave-sounding way that comes across as flirting. The thing is that I don’t see what I’m doing as wrong or annoying; it is how I am. I know I’m attractive and the girls love my looks and the attention I give them. I just don’t feel love for them. Maybe that’s one reason why it annoys Lexi. Hmm, I suppose I could flirt less and have actual conversations with them. Atticus nodded to herself. She was actually glad she had switched bodies with Alexis. It was making her take a hard look at her behavior and see herself from her brother’s point of view. Heh, maybe someone should build a device to switch people’s bodies in order to understand one another. I started off awkwardly in this body, but I adjusted and actually learned something about myself.
&&&&
Atticus sat with Mindy and Jasmine, Alexis’ pad in hand. She was ready to take those pictures Alexis wanted. In the meantime, she was assisting the girls in their reports, being mindful not to flirt.
“So, you want to focus on Jupiter?” Atticus asked Mindy as she leafed through a book.
“Yeah. I hope to get a close-up view of it with my pad.”
“I don’t know about tonight. There’s supposed to be a shower of shooting stars tonight.”
“Yeah, you’re right. But they won’t last all night.”
“True. You’ll have time before and after to get some great shots. What’s your topic, Jasmine?”
“That swirling galaxy that will be over there.” Jasmine pointed at a point in the sky.
“I remember it. That was beautiful.”
“Exactly.” Jasmine flipped through another book. “Alexis, I can’t believe you have all these astronomy books.”
Atticus thought fast. “I always loved astronomy,” she said smoothly.
The sky darkened and, as before, the light show began about several minutes after it got dark. The sky exploded with colors, glittering lights, and glowing stars. Atticus located the nebula that caused their switch, at least partly, and snapped a shot from her position before getting up to take another shot from a different angle. She heard a giggle and her male voice talking. She looked over to see Alexis seeming to be entertaining a girl. His actions were evocative of the flirting she had done last night only it was with one girl. As she watched Alexis flirt, she felt a stab of annoyance. He criticizes me about flirting and now I catch him doing the flirting! Whoa there, Atticus. Alexis said we’re supposed to be acting like each other and that’s what he’s doing. I better head back and help his friends. Atticus returned to Mindy and Jasmine as the shooting star shower began.
Chapter Four- Alexis
Alexis sat on the fountain idly flipping through the book, not sure how to proceed. He knew the best way to understand Atticus’ flirting was to do it, but for some reason, the idea of flirting seemed…nerve-wracking. How does Atticus do it? he wondered. Oh, I wished I had asked her before she left. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Okay, I should be able to do this. I’ve talked easily with guys and girls so that won’t be a problem. The problem is that I don’t compliment in a flirty way, that’s not who I am. But if is how Atticus is and since I’m Atticus, I have to act like her. He looked down at the book in his hands and decided to take some notes first. He got up and as he was heading for the boys’ dorm, a couple of girls called out, “Hi, Atticus!” It took Alexis a moment to realize they were calling out to him before turning and flashing an Atticus smile which made them giggle and run off. Alexis felt satisfaction at causing their reaction; before he would have rolled his eyes and given Atticus a look of annoyance. Hmm, that was actually…fun in a way. Alexis headed up to his room to make notes and reference the book before heading outside to go to the beach. He had seen his sister there plenty of times and always seemed to be surrounded by admiring girls. Time to try some flirting.
He trotted across the sand to where he usually saw Atticus sit. He plopped down and admired the waves in relative peace for several minutes before he found himself surrounded by a group of giggling, smiling girls. Alexis flashed his sister’s charming smile and began making easy, friendly conversation with them. He felt lucky he knew their names from when he was in his real body. He began regaling them with stories of Atticus that he knew well. He suspected they may have heard them before, but they seemed to like hearing them again.
The group thinned a bit as the afternoon wore on, but he still had a decent number of girls hanging around him. He continued to entertain them almost feeling as if he was a girl again. He wasn’t sure at what point he began actually flirting with them but he paused after a compliment caused one girl to smile shyly and blush bright red.
Oh my gosh, he thought in shock and awe. I was actually flirting and I didn’t realize it until now. It felt so natural and I actually enjoyed flirting with them. Something tells me that Atticus doesn’t really feel love for any of them, but they either don’t know or they just enjoy her company.
“Atticus, can I join you for the event tonight?” a girl with long black hair and green eyes asked, doing a girl version of flirting: Eye-batting.
“Uh, sure Barbara,” he said. He felt a little uncomfortable with Barbara’s form of flirting. He never did that. He had always been a serious-minded student, focused on being a top duelist who would go pro after graduating. He had no time to get romantic with someone no matter what Atticus thought.
But maybe that’s not true. After all, I do have a crush on Jaden and maybe after Atti and I switch back, I’ll tell him. I’ll need to plan it carefully so I don’t scare him. Alexis stared out at the water, thinking about how best to tell Jaden. She determined that either in the privacy of his room or the little beach by the Slifer dorm. Perhaps start by talking about the report and the event such as what they liked best about it.
“Atticus? You okay?”
Alexis jerked himself out of his thoughts to focus on a different girl. “I’m sorry, what?” he asked.
“You seemed deep in thought. That’s not like you.”
Actually, it is like me, Alexis thought. Seeing as I’m Alexis, not Atticus. But I’m supposed to be acting like Atticus.
“I was just thinking about tonight. I chose shooting stars for my report and there’s supposed to be a shower of shooting stars tonight.”
“Oh,” the girl sighed. “That sounds romantic.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Alexis said with a wink at the girl, falling back into Atticus’ flirting tactics. He again marveled at how easy it had become to flirt. Maybe some of it had to do with have Atticus’ body. The body language seemed instinctual.
He eventually shook off his admirers by saying he needed to gather his things for tonight. He returned to his room and had just left his room with said things when he heard a voice say, “Hey, Atticus.” He turned to see a guy that usually hung out with Atticus. “Hi,” he answered.
“Being a ladies’ man again?” he said with a teasing tone.
Flashing his best Atticus smile, Alexis said, “Can I help it if they love me?”
His friend grinned and clapped Alexis on the back. “I have no problem with that. You may want to think about choosing one to be your girlfriend, though.”
“Perhaps. I’m going to be watching the event tonight with one girl.”
“That’s certainly a start.”
&&&&
Alexis set up the telescope, laid the book he was borrowing next to it, and sat down checking to make sure he had his pad and that it was fully charged. He wanted to make sure he got the video and pictures Atticus wanted. He looked around to see where Barbara was not worried about her finding him. The sky had just darkened when Barbara sat beside him. “Hi, Atticus.”
“Barbara. I’m glad you found me.”
She giggled a little. “You’re kind of hard to miss.”
“You have a point.”
There was silence for a few minutes before Barbara said, “I heard you’re doing a report on shooting stars.”
“Right. I plan to shoot a video and some pictures.” He held up the pad.
“Great. I’m sure your video will be wonderful,” she said as the sky suddenly lit up with the second night of the event.
Alexis marveled at how twenty-four hours ago, he had been with Mindy and Jasmine in his actual body and saying those fateful words to Atticus. I’m starting to understand Atticus a bit. My suspicions were right, though: She’s not romantic with any to them. Well, at least I don’t have to worry about upsetting any of them.
Barbara snuggled up against him, and he put an arm around her back. “Enjoying the show?” he whispered in her ear.
“Oh, yes.”
“Good. You know, you’re very pretty. You deserve to be up there in the sky with the other pretty jewels.”
She giggled. “You flatterer.”
“Who’s flattering? It’s true.” He pulled her closer and out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw blond hair. He looked back over Barbara’s head and saw Atticus stalking back to her friends. He fought back a smirk. Now she know how I feel when I see her flirting.
A flash in the sky caught his attention: The star shower was about to begin. Since Barbara was on his left, he was able to manipulate his pad with his right hand to bring up the video function, hold up the pad, and hit record. He kept the video recording on for a few minutes before ending it and snapping a few pictures. There we go, Atticus, he thought. One video and some pictures. He set his pad aside, looked over, and saw that Barbara had fallen asleep against him!
Everyone’s supposed to be getting plenty of sleep during the day so they can stay awake at night. Alexis allowed a brief look of annoyance to cross his face before dropping it. He turned his attention to the sky and to tomorrow night. I really hope we switch back. It’s not so bad being a boy, I just don’t like that it’s Atticus I switched with. He lowered his gaze and let it wander over his classmates, thinking, I wouldn’t mind if I had switched with Jaden. Maybe someone will invent a machine to switch people’s bodies with no time limit. I would definitely be interested in trading places with Jaden.
Chapter Five- Day Two
Atticus awoke to a beeping coming from her pad. She sat up, stretching and rubbing her eyes before reaching over and hitting the message button. Jaden’s picture told her who the sender was. “Alexis, meet me on the roof of the school after lunch.” She checked her pad before springing out of bed. She barely had enough time to change and eat before meeting Jaden. Thank goodness Obelisk dorm is close to the school. Atticus changed her clothes, not the least self-conscious about her body as she had changed clothes last night and took the time to examine it. She had to admit that she was damn attractive. It’s no wonder Alexis attracts the attention of most of the boys at school, she had thought.
She quickly brushed her hair and hurried out of the dorm to the cafeteria. She was moving so quickly, she almost collided with an Obelisk boy. He put his hands on her shoulders to avoid the collision. “Whoa, slow down Lexi,” said a familiar voice.
She looked up. “Atti,” she said.
Alexis looked around to see they were alone. “What’s the rush, Atti?”
“Jaden wants to see me, well you, after lunch today,” she said, blushing.
“He does? How come?”
Atticus didn’t answer. She just looked down and blushed harder.
Alexis felt his face pale before saying, “Oh, Atti, you didn’t.”
“Jaden confessed first,” Atticus protested. “I simply reciprocated.”
“He did? So, he likes me?”
“More like love. He also kissed me.”
Alexis’ mouth dropped. “Whoa,” he said in amazement. “Just like that?”
“Yeah and I gave him a kiss on the cheek when I left the dorm.”
&&&&
Atticus climbed the stairs, curious about why Jaden wanted to meet here. Does he want to talk or just enjoy my company? She looked down at her body, only it wasn’t really her body. It was Alexis’ body; she was just inhabiting it right now. I should tell Jaden what happened, but first a call. She pulled out her pad and called Alexis.
“Atti? What is it?”
“Lexi, I’m feeling guilty about meeting Jaden. He thinks he’s meeting you, but he’s not. I feel he should know. I know we agreed not to tell, but-,”
“Attic,” Alexis cut in and she could almost hear the amusement in her brother’s voice, which was actually her real voice. “Go ahead and tell Jaden. I should warn you: He may not believe you.”
Atticus sighed in relief. “Thanks, Lexi. I feel better now.”
“Glad to help. Enjoy your date.” The call ended.
“Lexi!” she exclaimed, even though Alexis didn’t hear her. She sighed as she put the pad away. Well, at least she’d be able to tell the truth. She got to the roof to see Jaden standing in the center. He turned and gave her a shy, sweet smile. “Hi, Alexis,” he said as he came up to her and put his arms around her waist.
Atticus couldn’t take it anymore. She sighed and stepped away. “Jaden, I have something to tell you. I’m not really Alexis.”
“Huh?” Jaden tilted his head. “You look like Alexis.”
“It is her body, but I’m not her. I’m Atticus.”
“A-Atticus?”
Atticus nodded. “Alexis doesn’t like my flirting with girls and I didn’t like Alexis’ lack of romantic interest. So under the light of the full moon and the nebula combined with the words, ‘If I were you’, we switched bodies. In order to change back, we must understand the other by tonight or be stuck like this.”
“You’re serious?”
Atticus nodded again. “I’m serious. I woke up yesterday like this. You were talking to me the whole time.”
“Oh, man. I was talking to you, Atticus!? I, I love Alexis, not you. No offense.”
Atticus laughed. “I know that and no offense taken. Don’t worry, he knows how you feel and he told me about having a crush on you. What I said yesterday was true. You could say I was delivering his message.”
“His?”
“Yeah. While we’re switched, I’m female and Alexis is male.”
“That’s confusing.”
“A little. I hope we switch back. I understand his view on my flirting. I hope he understands that he can have a romantic life while studying and dueling. I plan to meet him under the moon and let him know I understand now. Oh, I better tell Mindy and Jasmine about that.”
“Do they know what happened?”
Atticus shook her head. “No, you’re the only one. I felt you had a right to know.”
&&&&
“You’re meeting up with Atticus?” Mindy asked.
“Yes, just for a bit. I’ll join you girls afterwards.”
“I recall you having a conversation with him the other night,” Jasmine said.
“More like an argument. I just want to make sure he picked a report subject and that he’ll work on it. Tomorrow starts the three day deadline.”
Mindy nodded. “And since classes are cancelled tomorrow, a lot of the work can get done then.”
Meanwhile, Alexis was surrounded by the usual group of girls and he was doing his best to flirt. He was having trouble thinking up compliments, but his body language made up for it. How does Atticus do this practically every day? I’m having trouble doing this two days in a row, he thought as a joke brought a round of laughter from his audience.
“Atticus, please join us tonight,” one girl begged.
He flashed a charming smile. “Oh, I will ladies after a planned meeting with my sister tonight. I need to assure her that I picked a subject for that report.”
“We’ll be waiting.” The girls drifted away and Alexis murmured, “I know you will. I just hope it’s the real Atticus that joins you.”
I now understand my sister’s flirting and really, no harm comes from it. I will apologize for being so hard on her and I should go first as I’m the one who started this mess in the first place.
Atticus adjusted the telescope while Mindy and Jasmine pored over her astronomy books for their reports. “Alexis, do you think we could borrow a book each for our reports?” asked Jasmine.
Atticus noticed that her book was not among them and nodded. “Sure, just make sure to return them.”
“No problem,” Mindy said. “You’re the best, Alexis.”
Atticus saw the sky darken and said, “Well, I’m going to meet Atticus. See you later, girls.” She left them behind and into the spot where the moon would be. She waited only a few minutes before Alexis came up.
“How did it go with Jaden?” he asked.
“Quite well. He kind of overreacted when he realized he had been confessing love to me.”
Alexis laughed. “That’s Jaden for you.”
The siblings fell silent as they waited for the event to start and hopefully switch back.
Chapter Six- Admissions
The sky lit up with sparkles, twinkles, and brilliant lights. The moon rose, the nebula coming across it. The light of both spilled down and gloved on the siblings.
Alexis looked down at Atticus. “Let me start first. I apologize for being hard on you about flirting. I found it difficult to do it at first, then it became easy, but hard to keep at it today. I now understand you’re flirting and that there’s no harm from it.”
“I can see why you’re more into school and dueling as you plant to go pro. You don’t have to have a boyfriend or romance to make your life complete.”
“I do have a crush on Jaden. I just want to explore the possibility of us as a couple.”
Atticus nodded. “I’ll back off from badgering you about love. I understand your views now.” She suddenly gasped as she felt as if she was being pulled from her body. She heard Alexis gasp as well and she also felt dizzy and lightheaded. Atticus panted as the feelings passed and heard Alexis say, “Atti, it worked. We’ve switched back!”
His eyes flew open and he straightened to see Alexis’ body in front of him. He looked down to see his own real body. He grinned at his sister. They were back in their own bodies! He sighed in relief as they stepped out of the light. “What a relief. No offense, sis, but being a girl was harder than I thought.”
“I figured you were having a hard time at first. I have to say, it did seem easier being a boy. I wouldn’t mind switching places with another boy.”
“Huh, I was thinking that someone should invent a machine to switch people to better understand one another as I learned a lot.”
Alexis laughed. “I thought the same thing.”
Atticus laughed too. “It seems we both learned a lot.”
“Uh-huh. By the way, Atti. You have some admirers waiting for you.”
“Thanks and I gave Mindy and Jasmine permission to borrow a book each for their reports.”
“That’s fine. It’s what I would have done and speaking of reports, I took that video and pictures you asked for. Oh and my notes are in your pocket.”
“And I got the pictures you wanted and my notes are in your skirt pocket.” The siblings pulled out the notes and swapped them. “So, see ya later, Lexi. I’ve got some ladies waiting.”
Alexis smiled as Atticus left before heading for her friends, happy to be with them again. And I have someone else to see tomorrow, she thought, using her pad to send a message.
&&&&
Jaden awoke late the next day to find a message on his pad. He saw Alexis’ picture and the message, “Hi, Jaden. We switched back and we need to talk. Meet me at the beach below Slifer at three o’clock.”
Jaden grinned as he hopped out of bed and got dressed. Since it was Friday, he had all weekend to finish the report; he had even gotten pictures of comets and a video. He dashed down to the cafeteria to get some lunch. He thought about what Alexis wanted to talk about; he already knew what he was going to ask her: Did she really love him and how did she handle being her brother?
Three o’ clock arrived and Jaden descended below to see Alexis already there. She smiled at him and Jaden knew this was the real Alexis. He hadn’t noticed before but the body had moved a bit awkwardly when Atticus had been in control. He came closer and stretched up to kiss her. Alexi responded in like and when they parted, Jaden smiled. “I’ve been waiting to kiss the real you.”
“I was hoping you would.”
“So, you really do love me?”
“I do and I’d like to talk about being a couple.”
“Yeah, we can do that. Uh, Alexis? Did Atticus mention that Hassleberry caught Atticus and me kissing?”
“No. He didn’t. So I guess Syrus knows too.”
“Actually, he doesn’t. We made Hassleberry promise not to tell.”
“Oh. Well, you can tell Sy and maybe explain to both that it was Atticus earlier.”
“Speaking of Atticus, how did you handle being in his body?”
“I found it hard to act the way he does, but it was easier being a boy than a girl.”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh. In fact, Atti and I thought it would be interesting if there was a machine to switch people that was reversible and had no time limit.”
“That could be interesting. I’ve kind of wondered what it would be like to be an Obelisk.”
“Well, I wouldn’t mind trading places with you, Jaden.”
Jaden blushed slightly. Oh, wow. Switching places with Alexis? That actually sounds sweet. Maybe Bastion could build one.
&&&&
“You and Alexis?” Syrus repeated.
“Wait. That was Atticus the other time!?” Hassleberry exclaimed.
“Yeah. Apparently being the light of the moon and the nebula coupled with the words ‘If I were you’, caused them to switch bodies. They had until last night to understand one another to change back and they did.”
“What if they hadn’t?” Syrus asked.
Jaden grimaced. “Then they would have been stuck as each other.”
Syrus winced. “I’d hate to be in that situation.”
“I agree,” Hassleberry put in. “A temporary switch I could handle, but not a permanent one.”
“Yeah.” A sly smile crossed Syrus’ face. “I, for one, would like to switch with you, Sarge.”
“What!?” he exclaimed, making his roommates laugh.
