Changing Places with Yourself

Chapter 4

Everyone headed out for practices, their buses or their cars after he finished speaking. I turned and looked at the superintendent and asked if I could ask for a favor. He nodded so I continued, “As long as the swim team isn’t using the pool before or after school, can I use it? I would only stay until normal sports practice is completed and be gone before the final buses come. I just have limited options available to me exercise wise, plus I love our pool.”

He chuckled and told me he would set up something with the staff so I could use the pool an hour before school and/or an hour afterward as long as the swim team didn’t need it. Then I thanked him before heading home for the night.

My lawyer, Samuel, called me as soon as I reached my car and we discussed what had transpired today in greater detail. He passed a copy of all the pertinent footage along to the DA's office and the police department for them to use to aid their cases and further their investigations. I used the hands-free Bluetooth on my phone to be able to drive to the store for food. I asked if he’d be able to get in touch with the house staff from before my aunt moved in and took over, which he was still working on. He let me know he was attempting to get the Greek government officials in order to bring my parents' bodies back for a proper burial, but they were burying him in red tape. With that info, we ended the call and I went shopping. After I got home and put the food away I went in search for a swimsuit in the closet and chest of drawers. I found one that looked brand-new so I tried it on finding that the fit on the bottom half was okay but my chest was popping out like I had dealt with in my previous reality for most of my life. I find an oversized t-shirt to wear on top to avoid accidentally flashing anyone. I pulled out the biggest towels I could find but none of them fully covered me up. I searched through the house for some kind of sewing machine but found none, so I went to the office to use a computer to go online to buy some terry cloth material since there aren't any fabric stores in town. I bought 5 yards of several different colors from the website and paid to have it overnighted to me. Checking the time I saw it was still early enough to go to the closest craft store to buy a sewing machine and several spools of thread to match the terry cloth I bought. I went ahead and added baby soft yarns variety sizes of knitting needles and crochet hooks and a few crafting scissors to the cart, before heading to check out. I decided to stick with the supplies to make baby blankets for now. I had tons of goals that I needed to accomplish before I could Branch out to most of the crafts I could do before. And your schoolwork wouldn’t take me very long and I could keep myself from getting super bored at night by making blankets instead of eating. When I got home I put my yarn and crafting supplies down in the living room to begin setting up things for over the weekend. I headed to the kitchen making a small sandwich just save my growing hunger. I’ve heard a cup of tea and then put it into a 32oz glass and filled it with water and ice. When I was done eating I took the rest of my drink into the office so I can complete a list of goals for the next few months.

1) Exercise in the school pool for at least one hour a day.

2) Talk to the school dietitian about a meal plan around my favorite foods.

3) Get my parents’ bodies back home to bury near the grandparents.

4) Plan the holiday party for the family’s company with a PA of the CEO.

I worked on a list of foods I love, like, might be willing to try and then a list of foods that I totally hate and printed it off. I was planning on taking that to the dietitian, aka lunch lady, at school the next day. I decided to go pack a workout bag with my swimsuit, t-shirt, and a few towels. Then I set my alarm and headed to bed for the night.

The next morning I got up one stressed grab my bags and made a quick breakfast of cereal. I got my book bag, workout bag and list for meal plan then headed out to school. I put my things in my locker and headed to the kitchen. I asked the head Chef, yes I called her Chef because she earned the title in culinary school if she had any time available to discuss a meal plan with me that will help me lose weight but keep me healthy at the same time. She was happy to be called Chef and inform me that until lunch was completed in the kitchen would be busy although they usually finished cleaning up by the end of 5th-period. I asked if I could swing by her office then. I knew I would be able to get my 6th-period teacher to agree since it was a self-improvement class and this is the definition of trying to improve myself. I also told her that I would pay her for her time because I know she usually goes home after cleanup is complete. I handed her a copy of my list and she agreed to help me during 6th-period. After I thanked her, I headed to talk to Ms. Retrass for her permission, which she was thrilled to allow me saying it would be a great idea for everybody to come up with a meal plan. She seems so excited about the whole idea. I showed her a copy of my food list, which she loves saying she would have everyone in class make their own list for homework. She gave me a pass so I could meet with a Chef during my 6th-period, and I headed to get my books for my 1st and 2nd-periods. The bell rang and I took my seat hearing the gossip as others came into the room about what happened yesterday. The morning announcements were read reminding everyone of the school-wide assembly in the gym after 2nd-period. The first two classes went by quickly and everyone headed toward the gym to the assembly. It was interesting to see how everyone chose to sit with like-minded people; sports teams, cheerleaders, band members, emo’s, Goths, nerds, geeks and everyone else kind of grouped up. I found a spot on the far side of the bleachers to sit on.

Superintendent Specks came in to begin speaking. “Everyone, settle down, so we can get this started. As a lot of you know yesterday afternoon Principal Antcid was arrested. The reason for this arrest was his inappropriate actions with a student and he will be replaced. Also, there are rumors going around about the arrest of ex-head cheerleader Gina Sprintz yesterday before lunch. I can confirm that she admitted in front of multiple witnesses to orchestrating a vicious attack against a fellow student. She is being held for trial and so as of right now, the coaches will be determining who will be the new head of the squad. Now onto something I find exciting, we have a new way to make sure our 0% tolerance for bullying upheld. Anyone who thinks about bullying other students should know that there are selected few who have been outfitted with hidden body cameras that will be filming daily and the footage will be monitored by a team of security officers. Any student who engages in any type of bullying on the cameras will be subject to expulsion immediately. Students are the only people who will be equipped with these body cameras, some teachers, lunchroom workers, and janitors may also have one on as well. We also have surveillance cameras set up in the halls and outside to catch anything that might happen. If you were a student chosen to wear a camera it is very important not to share that info with others, that way we can ensure that the bullying stops. Because if they don’t know who’s filming them they won’t want to chance getting caught.”

He drowned on about other minor happenings coming up and then turn the microphone over to our Vice-Principal Hansen, who might be taking over as the head Principal. “Thank you Superintendent Specks that is great news, since everyone is here to learn how to respect and treat others as they wish to be treated.” He directly spoke to Mr. Specks. “HELLO WILDCATS!!!! Welcome to another great school year! We hear know that this is going to be a safe and wonderful year. A special congrats to our senior class.” Seniors all over the room cheered. “I just wanted to say the teachers and staff are here to help you and make your school life better also my door is always open if you just need to talk about anything. I have a great feeling about are cheerleaders going to regionals and bring home a trophy once more now that we will be restructured with a new captain!” More people cheering around the room. “And our football, soccer, track and swim teams are going to bring home even more trophies.” The room went crazy. “We have a few new orchestra and drama club teachers. So, I know we will have some great plays coming out and our band leader has told me we could take it to the All-State championship as well.” The band and drama section went wild. “One more thing before we go, this year we are passing out a personality questionnaire that will help our guidance counselors better understand each and every one of you here. Your 4th-period teachers will be passing them out, make no mistake, anyone who doesn’t turn it back in by the end of next week to the office will have to do their questionnaire in detention. That's how serious we're taking these surveys. Now, let’s everybody have a great school year and Go Wildcats!” The sound level in the gym was deafening at this point as he walked off.

I began walking back to my locker only to be stopped by Donovan’s voice, “b***h, cameras or not watch your back. I'll get even with you for telling everyone about Gina and me when you least expect it.”

“Step off me, prick. I'm not scared of you.” I responded as I stepped around him. Before Donovan could move to stop me, three other football players grabbed him by the arm telling him to back off or they would stop him.

The rest of the day went by fairly fast and I headed to talk to Chef Annie. We spent about 30 minutes coming up with a meal plan and a few recipes that I could make using the foods that I like to eat. I asked her if she would be interested in coming over every Saturday or Sunday to improve my cooking skills. I thought a few meals could be frozen then eaten later during the week. She agreed to be my personal chef on the weekends for a reasonable fee, including buying all the groceries for the week. Finally, I gave her my address and I pulled out a $100 bill to pay her for the meal plan insisting she take it when she tried to say it was too much. The final bell rang signaling the school day was over. I took the folder back to my locker and grab my workout clothes heading to the pool locker room to change into my suit. I set my alarm on my watch and then grab my towels after rinsing off per pool rules. And the pool completely to myself while I began doing my water aerobics. The janitors came in to clean as my watch beat. I went back into the shower room to get the chlorine off and change back into my school outfit. Stopped at my locker to get my books before heading home.

The packages with my terry cloth material were waiting for me at home and my gate guards had placed them at my door. See during normal business hours I had security guards keeping others from getting in my gates to the driveway, but once I was home for the night and the gates were sealed they could only be open for emergencies per my instructions. I laid my book bag on the dining room table and took my workout bag upstairs to hang my wet clothes up to dry overnight. Running back downstairs I grab my meal plan folder and hit the kitchen to make dinner. I ate and I worked on my personality questionnaire to get it completed. Part of me contemplated answering as a teenager would, but in the end, I decided against it. I filled it out as myself drawing on my 49-year-old mentality, memories, skills, and intellect. Once I finished it and my homework had put everything in my backpack and then put it in the car. I set my dishes in the sink and clean them quickly. I collected my mail and toss the junk mail into the trash before putting the bills on my desk to deal with that weekend. By now it was 10 p.m. and I was getting tired, but first I grabbed a pastel terry cloth material to get it ready for the sewing machine in the morning. I took a hot shower before heading to bed and fell right to sleep.

My alarm went off at 6:30 a.m. way too early. I hate mornings!!! I threw on clothes for the day and grab my dry suit to add to my workout bag. I made breakfast, ate it, cleaned up and then sewed a new towel that was big enough to completely cover me with the material that I had readied the night before. Since it was time to head to school I tossed it in the bag with my suit and drove myself to school.

I headed to the office as soon as I got in and handed in my questionnaire then headed to my locker and started my day. Everything went by quickly and soon I was doing my water aerobics again before heading home. And so the pattern was set for the rest of the week. Sleep, School, exercise, home, homework and back to sleep. On Friday there was a buzz about a new guy that just started everyone said he was so hot. I didn't have any classes with him, so it was no big deal for me. Chef Annie confirmed that she would be at my house on Sunday at 1 p.m. when I saw her at lunchtime. I turned and bumped right into the new boy.