The Secret Switcheroo

Chapter 3: Morning Surprise

- Rina -

The filtered sunlight shone into my room, landing on to my listless body on the bed. I sluggishly stood up and dragged my lazy body to the bathroom, ready to do my usual morning rituals. I remembered I have to go to school today, we have math this morning, or was it chemistry? Scratching my head, I stripped off my pants and sat down on the toilet seat to pee. But as I drowsily sat there, I suddenly felt something wet dripping down my legs, making me look down quickly. And what I saw instantly shook me that my sleepiness was gone in a flash.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!"

'Grandma! What is this!'

Brisk footsteps sounded out and the bathroom door was thrown open with a bang. I automatically raised my hands to cover my chest and legs in defense.

"Shut up!" 'My body' yelled, glaring at me angrily with her tangled hair and shirtless figure at the doorway. My jaw hung ajar as her appearance reminded me of something important that I actually couldn't believe I forgot.

"We haven't changed back?!" I shrieked, disbelief obvious on my face. "And why the heck are you wearing nothing but an underwear?"

"Stupid. The shirt was too tight for sleeping, and this is suffocating!" Neo complained, gesturing to the brassiere he's still wearing.

He abruptly stopped speaking and looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"Why the hell are you covering yourself? You're a guy, stupid."

"Stop calling me stupid. It's innate reaction, duh." I rolled my eyes and relaxed my posture.

"We have school today though, do we have to go like this?" I asked skeptically. For pete's sake, I have no idea on who he usually hang out with, or worse, what if I get called in class?

Wait, it's his identity anyway. Might as well tell them I'm sick in the head.

I burst out laughing with what I thought of, and Neo stared at me like I've gone crazy. He suddenly squinted his eyes, and spoke in an even tone, "Don't go overboard, or else.."

He trailed off and went out of the bathroom, leaving me confused with his words. I just shrugged it off and stood up, ready to take a bath when I realized something was off whem I stripped. I paused, then ran after him.

"HEY! DON'T TAKE A BATH!!"

After I dashed out of my room, Neo was in the midst of undressing to take a shower. I stopped him in time, and as he gazed at me frostily, I blurted the first thing that came into my mind.

"I'll be the one to shower you, okay?"

" Are you nuts?" Neo countered, looking at me incredulously.

"That's my body! At least I have to protect it's innocence alright?!" I grumbled, tightening my grip on 'her' pants that was pulled down halfway. The back of my hand brushed against 'her' thigh as we faced each other.

Neo was silent for a moment and and replied in a seemingly interested tone with his eyebrow raised, "Are you sure you want 'my body' to help wash 'yours'?".

I faltered as I understood what he meant to say. If I help him wash up, that'd also mean 'he' touched me?

"Argh! Whatever, just don't look!" I yelled in surrender, letting go of the pants I'm holding on to. I turned on my heel to walk out, but Neo suddenly gripped my arm to turn me back around.

"Let me out of this thing," Neo gestured to 'her' chest, and I realized he actually meant the brassiere. I paused, thinking if I should just teach him how to wear this one.

"Get your arms out of the straps, like how I helped you with it yesterday," I began, my right arm supporting my left, holding up my chin as I instructed him.

He did as I told, then I made him turn the brassiere in a circle on his torso so that the locks would face him for easy access. With closed eyes, he quickly unclasped it and quickly went to the bathroom, leaving me standing alone in the room.

"Don't look!" I warned again as I went back to my room and took a shower. And it was where my embarrassment began, for I had to touch around Neo's body to wash up. I lightly scrubbed, careful not to touch, especially those important bits...

Even as I finished and got dressed with the extra pair of clothes Jessa gave me yesterday, my face was still a steaming beet red.

I went out of the room and chanced upon Neo as he walked down the hallway, already wearing his bag. 'Her' long black hair was let down, the tips wetting the blue blouse I picked out for 'her'.

We both blushed as our eyes met, knowing what had transpired earlier.

"Let's go." Neo called, 'her' face stiff as he briskly walked out of the house.

I quickly ran after him, locking the door as I went out.

"What about breakfast?"

"We're late." He turned down. We sped up and rode the bus to school, with him ignoring me all the way even as I tried to chat him up.

I puffed out a breath in annoyance, but then I realized, is he being shy with what happened in the shower this morning? Did he touch... Damn it.

"Stop blushing." 'Rina' scolded expressionlessly when my face heated up as we walked down the school hallway to our classrooms. We're walking together because apparently, he's in Class A and me in Class B in senior year, and our rooms were just right beside each other. It's a wonder I wasn't familiar with him when we first met.

"You're one to talk," I scoffed, poking at 'her' reddening cheeks. He must have thought of it too huh?

The students we passed by glanced at us curiously, making me tuck my hands into my pockets in embarrassment. We both looked out of sorts, especially after what happened this morning. Though Neo was calmer than I was.

I entered my room mindlessly, and I sank into my chair, not noticing the surprised gazes of my classmates. When I realized the surroundings were unusually quiet, I looked up and saw everyone was looking at me, or rather at 'us'.

" Right side, last seat by the window next door." Neo tapped my shoulder and mumbled shortly beside my ear. I froze, and stared up at him in surprise.

Goodness, I actually entered the wrong room. Not that I was wrong, but..

I sighed. This stupid switching is messing up my life.

I stood up and silently offered the seat to Neo, watching as he sat down and blankly stared up at me. I met his gaze for a moment then walked out.

"I guess I'll see you at lunch."

**

- Neo -

Everyone was in uproar after Rina left. The girls all swarmed to my seat, eager for first hand gossip, but unfortunately for them, I had no plans to talk.

"I didn't know you two were close Rina! Why did he say to see you at lunch?"

"When did you both got so close?"

"Are you two dating?!"

Their nonstop chatter filled the room, making me feel overwhelmed with all their buzzing.

I leaned back against my chair, crossing my arms as I looked outside the window while tuning them out. Their questions rained down unceasingly but I never gave them even a single look, steadfastly ignoring them. The morning bell abruptly rang and Ms. Donoson entered, prompting the class to get back to their seats properly and finally saving me from the noise.

The class started and I listened as the teacher droned on and on about the subject, when someone suddenly poked my side.

"Are you alright now?" The girl beside me whispered. " You were already discharged when I got there. "

I glanced at her and nodded, then turned back to watch the teacher write something on the board.

"Then that's good. Let's eat together at lunch, I heard the canteen would be serving barbecues later." She drooled, and her eyes twinkled with just the mere mention of food.

When she said something about lunch, I remembered Rina's words as she went out earlier.

Well, I'll just have Rina deal with this one.