Fun and Games

Warning: There is strong language in this.

Sidenote: This is from Adrian's point of view, just in case there's any confusion.

"Get the fuck up, you're not skipping again!"

"Skipping, huh? This isn't my house," I think to myself.,"I don't have the option to skip."

I look up and assess my surroundings. Small bedroom. Neatly cleaned, but it feels neglected. The bed isn't comfortable, it feels like an old mattress that's worn out. The room is dark and feels heavy, almost suffocating. I stand and turn on the light. There isn't a bathroom in here, the walls look plain. There isn't any sort of displays at all, but it feels like the room could cave from all the tension. The closet is small, almost painfully. I open it and look at the tiny selection. A few hoodies, maybe three pairs of black jeans. Just who have I switched with?

"Get your ass down here and get ready before Crhis gets here, you lazy bitch!"

And, that isn't my mother. Her yelling is becoming annoying, though. I grab something to wear and head out of the room, looking for the bathroom. The house looks worse than the room. Clearly it isn't being taken care of or kept up with. As I reach the bathroom, I look into the mirror. I'm the girl from school, now? Interesting. Her, or rather my eyes now, eyes look almost sunken in. Her hair looks dead, just how long has she been living like this? No matter, I'll find out more as the day goes on. I shower quickly and look for a toothbrush. I find one, but it's worn. Almost done for, but I'm guessing miss bitch downstairs isn't going to replace it. How much even is a replacement? I shake my head and just deal with it. I look a little more refreshed, but this body feels weak. As if the girl doesn't eat. As I walk downstairs, I see why. "The lady", as I'm going to refer to her as, is standing in the kitchen holding a cigarette. She looks just lovely with her dead black hair and overly pale skin. As if she's a walking corpse. Her attitude is even lovlier.

"You look like shit," She sneers as she smokes.

"Why, thank you, dear mother. You look just as lovely as myself," I grin.

This sets her off, and she walks towards me. You might be thinking that I shouldn't edge her on, but I've dealt with her kind before. I'm testing her to see how far she'll go with this. I wait for her to approach as she walks forward. I expect the worst, violence. Then, I can find the boys and she'll be a new target. She'll be gone. Where I'll go, I have no idea. To my surprise, she backs up and leans against the counter again.

"Whatever,"She huffs,"I wish you were never born."

"Aw, you make me feel the same way,"I smile.

I know my smile doesn't reach my eyes. I've learned how to control my facial expressions and put on an act. Just as she's about to say something, a girl walks in. Dyed blond hair with purple at the ends. Only wearing a tight tank top and yoga pants.

"Come on, Ben's driving us to school."

"Interesting," I think to myself,"I get to see life through her eyes."

"Bye mother," I call dramatically as we leave,"Love you!"

I don't know how this girl usually acts, but my words catch "The lady" off guard. She just stares at me almost in shock and I grin at her.

"Oh, this will be fun," I think.

Somehow, this "Chris" girl doesn't even notice that anything is wrong. Just how long have they known each other?

"You look nice again. Did you meet someone?" She grins.

"Can I not look nice for myself?" I laugh lightly.

She frowns, but says nothing as we enter the car.

"Hey, are you good? You don't seem to be too social lately," Ben, I assume, asks.

He has a "shit eating" grin that oozes bad intentions.

"I've just been thinking about who I spend my time with is all,"I grin right back at him.

He huffs and turns to the road, now driving. My expression doesn't even throw them off, nor do they care. As I listen to them converse, I already know how they are. Chris is "that" friend. You know, the one who smiles in your face, but talks behind your back. Then, later stabs you in the back when it's convenient. She doesn't care. And, this Ben guy has something against the girl, well me now. I'll have to dig more into that one. I notice him look back at me as they talk. That grin is disgusting. I don't even know these two, and I already know how they are. Why did she keep them around?

"We're here. I'll let you two get out."

"But, babe-come in with us."

"No," He grins at me,"You two go. I'll be in."

He kisses her, but his eyes don't close. He's still giving me a look as if this bothers me. Did she like him or her?

"No," I laugh casually,"You two love birds go in together. I have homework to work on anyway."

I grin at them both and open the car door, yelling,"Have fun," as I exit the car. I can feel stares, and I know one is Ben's. I look around and people look away. She isn't popular, it seems. Maybe no one knows who she is. Hell, I didn't know even when she nodded at me. Did she not hear about me? Why did she choose me to switch with? I walk around the halls, looking for her locker when "my" phone buzzes.

"Hey there, champ! I have to warn you, be careful with this one. This body is fragile. Honestly, I was surprised when you agreed to this. But, you had been waiting to switch for a while. So, I guess that answers why. Good luck, I'll be in touch. Also, here's her locker number. Or, your new locker number. She was quite organized, so you'll be fine. Again, good luck."

I sigh and put the phone back in my pocket, which is definitely too shallow. I'll have to look for something more comfortable. I have yet to look through her messages and phone itself, as well. This being isn't wrong. I've been waiting to switch with someone for a while. There was a promise of someone who deserved that life getting it, but I don't think she deserves such a life. She didn't deserve this one, it seems. But, aside from a bad mother, how much worse can her life be? I walk to her locker and open it. Everything is in there. She has a small backpack with all of her books and folders, or binders. Whatever organizes it all, I guess. I grab it and shut the locker, twisting the lock so it resets. As I walk into homeroom, I notice more stares. Why? Who is this girl? I ignore them and sit at the back of the room, in the corner. As I open the backpack, I feel eyes on me. I look up halfway to see another girl looking in this direction. She seems to be trying to intimidate me. Her hair is also blonde, but her roots are growing in. She's tall and a little lanky. I would suspect that this girl has a crush, but the look says otherwise. She looks angry. Why? I look back down at the backpack and pull out the folders, looking through them all. I find her schedule and study it.

"Easy, my ass," I think,"I now have classes way on the other end of the school. Mine was easier, my old one."

I almost feel bad for wanting to switch. I mean, I'll miss little Anna and Leo. I want to protect them, but that life was rough. Rougher than this one, it seems.

"Hey, Mr. B!"

I know that voice, that's Ivan. They're here again? They were teasing me before about the girl. Maybe they're trying to play matchmaker now. I laugh quietly and watch as they walk in. Damn, I see why everyone is scared. Muscular guy walks in, jet black hair always covering his eyes? Although, it might have been the being in a violent gang that scares people...hmm. I watch as the girl, well now who I was, walks over to me. How curious.

"May I sit here?"

His, as it now stands, eyes are gentle. Much different than mine had been.

"Of course, Adrian," I laugh, "So, how is everything?"

"I don't know how to feel. How is everything with you?"

He almost looks...worried.

"Your mother is a bitch."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know this would happen."

"You didn't, but I did."

"I'm still sorry-wait, how did you know?"

I laugh,"I had to accept the switch for it to happen. Did you think the other person had no choice?"

He almost reminds me of a small puppy who has been yelled at,"I didn't know how this would work. I didn't even know I chose you, it wasn't really my intention. I was just having a day and noticed how...strong you were."

"Do you have a crush?" I grin.

"No," He blushes in embarrassment,"It's just been a rough time and you looked so strong, physically and mentally."

"Hmm,"I give him a serious look, unable to tell just how sincere he is.

There's something else there that I just can't place my finger on.

"Why did you nod at me?"

"What do you mean?" He asks innocently.

"Are you not aware of my previous, now your, reputation?"

"No, I just knew I was staring at you and didn't want to be awkward."

I'm not sure how to take this. He seems so...innocent. Almost broken. I'm not sure what to do. It feels like any little thing I do could break him. I hear the boys calling him back, but looks like something is on his mind.

"Do you see that blond girl back there? Please, be careful. She isn't a good person," He says, and he looks worried.

"Hey, don't worry about me. I'm not the one Ivan and Trevor are waiting for," I smile.

It's been awhile since I've really felt anyone had any humanity in them. But, as the boys call him over, he changes. He grins, acting like we've just been flirting with each other the whole time. Ivan and Trevor laugh as they walk out, but that's not all I see. Adrian, now not my name, gives someone a look as he walks out. I follow the previous gaze and notice the blonde girl is glaring at him. She looks over at me and I just stare at her. Sunken in brown eyes, pale skin. She looks dead, mentally, of course. No care for others, just a corpse of a previous person. I look away and listen to Mr. B talk. He's always been to the point, no small talk. He looks over at me and shakes his head. Is he worried? He must think that Adrian and I are a thing or something. Man, it almost feels nice to not be known as that name. This girl's name is...Kat. Just kat. Interesting. I feel a presence as I look through her folders and binders. I ignore the person, this feeling isn't pleasant. It's almost as if this person is overbearing and somewhat of a tyrant.

"So, you're ignoring me now? Since your new boyfriend is in a gang you think he's gonna protect you?" She laughs.

This strikes a nerve, but I ignore her. The more I let her talk, the better. I'll understand the situation fully, or just how this girl is.

"You really think he'll protect you?"

I can feel her breath on my ear, but again, I let her continue.

"I can make you feel better than him," She licks my ear.

"Can you?" I turn to her.

I smile at her, I think I understand better. But, I do have messages to go through. I'll just have to find more about this situation.

"I knew that would change your mind,"She smiles, sitting in front of me.

"Yeah? Of course, doesn't it always?"

She laughs,"It did, yeah. I mean, you didn't let me touch you until I really made you want it."

I smile at this girl and just stare. Her eyes are so hollow, and her smile is evil. She's not smiling for a good reason. She thinks I'm a mouse in a trap. A small prey doomed to fail at this game. But, I can play this game even harder than her without batting an eye.

"Well, you are quite convincing, my dear."

I almost feel...excited. This girl is a player. A manipulator. And, I get to play her game and win.

"Man," I think to myself," This is going to be fun."