"What on earth was that screaming about?" Tommy's attention was suddenly drawn to the presence of his/her mother in the hallway.
Tom was initially lost for words. She*!?? had just somehow magically swapped bodies with his 14 year old sister. He was now a she. She felt like a lamb in the spotlight as 'her' mother glared at her accusingly.
"Are you fighting with your brother again? It's time you two grew up"
"But Mom..... What screaming?" Tom was embarrassed that Sally's unbroken voice came out of her mouth" Should she explain to her mother what had just happened? Would Mom understand? Had she been screaming in her panic? She couldn't remember screaming. These were just some of the thoughts were racing through Tommy's mind as she tried to regain her composure.
"What screaming? You were just screaming at the top of your lungs! What will our new neighbours think? A blood curdling scream the evening we move in? What are you playing at Sally? What were you thinking?"
"I don't recall screaming... I.... We... I've just somehow swapped bodies with Sally"
"What! You're not making sense! What did you say you just swapped Sally? Are you wanting to swap rooms? Which rooms did you choose anyway" When they had arrived at the house the 5 siblings had raced upstairs to claim a room each. Having their own rooms had been a big selling point to get the kids to approve of the move. Tommy had previously shared a room with Max. His/her parents had claimed the downstairs bedroom and left the kids to fight for the upstairs bedrooms.
"I'll swap rooms with you Sally" Tom hadn't even noticed his/her little brother Max standing behind Mom. "My room has a scary old wardrobe in it"
"No I don't want your room" Max had the smallest room. "I want that room" Tom pointed at the room she had claimed when she was in the own 'Tommy' body.
"That's Tommy's room" declared Max. "Besides you wanted the room closest to the bathroom. I remember you saying so"
"But I'm not Sally. I'm Tom" Unfortunately Tom didn't sound too convincing. She certainly didn't sound or look like a 15 year old boy.
"I have no idea of what has gotten in to you Sally, but you need to snap out of it quickly. We have all been invited around to dinner at the house of your father's new boss, Mr Kensington. I want you all to put on your best clothes and be on your best behavior. I know you don't like wearing dresses but I would really appreciate if you tried to appear to be a normal girl, just for tonight. The Kensington's evidently have teenage children as well. You look lovely in that floral sundress your grandmother gave you last Christmas. I really do want to try and make a good impression"
"But Mom! I've swapped bodies with Sally! I can't go anywhere like this!" Tom didn't actually realise she was screaming
Linda looked puzzled. Sally had never shouted at her before. Her younger daughter was strong willed and was going through a tomboy phase. Sally had even recently announced that she was a lesbian. Linda didn't believe that for a second. It was just a phase she was going through. In Linda's mind Sally was just embarrassed that her body was blooming and was trying to hide it behind ugly clothes. Linda was sure that once Sally grew out of this phase she would follow the pathway taken by herself and Tracy to become a cheerleader. "That's enough Sally! I will not have you speaking to me like this. Go to your room at once and get yourself ready. Embarrass me further tonight and expect to be grounded for the next week!" Sally was not normally like this and Linda didn't like being strict with her, but sometimes you had to show a bit of tough love.
Tom now realised she had been yelling at her mother and also recognised that her Mom was genuinely angry. Perhaps she had crossed a line. She decided that for the moment it was probably wisest just to retreat to Sally's room. She tried to regain her composure. Finally she found some words and spoke calmly "I'm sorry Mom. I didn't mean to yell at you, but there is something really strange happening in this house" Tom was still embarrassed that it was Sally's voice that came out of of his/her mouth
"Just go to your room Sally" Linda sounded slightly appeased "Be ready to leave in an hour" she then turned dismissively and asked Max "Which room did you say Tom was in? I need to let him know what is happening"