This is not a love story. Or rather it is, but it isn't intended that way, or at least not 'just' that way. I'd like to explore some along the way, delve into some deep issues with sexuality along the way. Hopefully in a light and humorous way, without taking away too much of the serious nature underlying these things.
I hope you the reader enjoy.
P.S. If you haven't read at least chapter 2, you may be a little confused as to what is going on.
*
Emily took a few minutes for a break from all the work, as she fretted about how her brothers shopping trip with their mother was going.
'Not to mention that shower they shared! Shit I swear it's like the planets and everything else have aligned to cause this freaky Friday. Poor Evan, trapped in my body, about to start his period, and who knows what else. I'm having a hard enough time of it, but Evan... How hard must this be for him? I at least got to cut the grass topless this morning. I still can't get over how scandalous and exhilarating that was, wandering around outside without a top on.'
Over the next few hours though, Emily was frustrated by not getting a chance to talk to Evan. The chores just kept coming, right up until dinner, and it wasn't as though she could talk to him over dinner either.
In fact, nobody seemed interested in conversation of any sort over dinner. They were probably all too tired and hungry for anything but eating. Sighing, Emily got up after she had her fill, and was about to start clearing away the table when her mother stopped her.
"No more work today Evan. You and Emily might as well get started on your studying, or just go relax if you'd rather. I'll clean the kitchen first thing in the morning. At least that's all that's left. Hun, did you finish everything you wanted to?"
"I just need to nail up the panelling in the laundry room. It's already all cut, and dry fitted. Shouldn't take more than twenty minutes in the morning. I could use your help with it though Evan, if I can be forgiven for dragging you out of bed early?"
"Sure dad. I'll hold them up, you nail." she said, proud of herself for understanding exactly what was needed. "Just don't try and drag me out of bed before eight, or I'll be holding them up crooked."
As she made her way to Evans' room, she tried to figure out what to start with. She hadn't had the chance to talk to him about that kiss, or how they felt about each other. Then there was the discussion about being stuck in each others bodies, and how to approach that.
They also did need to spend time studying, so with all this and the uncertainty of their future after a long hard day, Emily was feeling more than just a little overwhelmed as she walked into his bedroom, followed closely by him.
'In my body!'
"I'm sorry Em... Evan, I'm sorry but..."
"What did you do now?"
"Well... Mom seems to think that you... or me... Oh shit, she thinks Emily is either... So how did your day go?"
"
Emily
what did you do?"
"Well, I think it's more a matter of what your body did, than what I did! Ha, ha. Your not laughing are you?"
"Evan I swear to you, I've had a long hard day, after a couple of shitty months, and to top it off, are you ready for this? I have a cock swinging between my legs! Not a pussy, a fucking cock! So I'm not in a good mood."
"I know Em, I do, which is why I'm trying to see the humour in all this. I think that if I let myself dwell on how seriously fucked up everything is, I'll come unhinged. I figure it can't be any easier for you either, so if I can make you laugh, even just a little, well it's some medicine that I think we really need."
She hated that he was right. She wanted to rail at him and let out all her frustrations, but she felt like she was to blame for all this as well. He was taking things so well, trying to make her laugh. "So have you heard any good jokes?"
"Have you heard the one about the twins who switch bodies?"
"Humph, some laugh doctor you are. So what did you do? I'm not letting you off the hook."
"Well, the shower got kind of awkward. Your nipples are really easily excited by the way!"
Groaning, Emily thought she could see where this was going. "What did mom say?"
"Oh, you know... She sort of started asking questions about... well, your sexuality!"
"And what did you tell her?"
"That you're straight of course. I don't think she believed me though. She hadn't gotten around to bringing it up until we were almost home, and I think she wanted to grill me more."
The words from that artifact drifted back to her. Particularly the part about only in complete honesty and what not, would they find their way back. "Fuck. Alright, complete honesty right? You better appreciate this, and be completely honest with me in turn. I want my body back Evan. At least it's you that gets to deal with it. If she asks again, and doesn't seem to want to let it go... you can tell her that I'm bi-curious. No... Scratch that. I might be a lesbian. I just don't know."
She was looking at him, in her body, awash with so many emotions she couldn't sort them all out. The first tears started to slide down her cheeks as Evan was suddenly on the bed beside her, and she felt his arms embrace her.
"Why didn't you ever say anything Em? You know I would have been there for you right?"
"I... I don't know... I was scared... I didn't really want this. I can't help it. It's just how I feel. Guys don't do anything for me. I'm looking at you walking around in my body today, and damn this must make me some kind of vane... but I can't get over how awesome you look!"
He gave her a squeeze that just felt so damn good. "I can't argue you that Em, every time I see.. sorry, I guess you don't want to hear that."
"No, it's nice. At least it would be if... you know, it was me in my body."
"Em, I feel like such a fool now, trying to kiss you back in Quebec."
She looked at him, and could see that he was trying to put up a brave face for her, but she knew how he felt about her. Knew that he must be feeling crushed.
"Evan... complete honesty right?"
"Of course Em."
"Have you ever thought about it? Do guys do anything for you?"
"No Em. Not at all."
'So while I might eventually be happier in a guys body... Poor Evan.'
"You know... Part of the reason it was so hard on me, when you tried to kiss me, well you're the only guy that ever did anything for me, and I thought I had just come to grips with maybe being a lesbian. All of the sudden, the only guy that excited me, but that I couldn't have because he's my brother, suddenly he was kissing me... Opening up all the turmoil all over again. I felt crazy to be having those feelings for my brother, but also some hope that I could be normal after all."
"Oh Em... You are normal, whether you like guys, or you like girls, or even better if you like both... You're awesome. And you're normal... well at least in your own bizarre kind of way Em!"
She wanted to dissolve into tears he was so sweet, right down to that rib he always broke out on special occasions. Somehow it always made her feel better. "So you think I'm a little bizarre do you?"