Keeping Up Appearances (Patreon)

This is a story I thought had a brilliant little twist with the jock being the manipulative guy that fakes outrage over the equipment malfunction. I just wanted to improve the reasons for it, being a kind of real life education for his room mate, to repay him in a way. This is another lightning rod for sequel requests. I think for that to happen the first part would have to be rewritten to not reveal the entire plot going forward.

I didn't like the photos in the original. I decided to stay with the jock one, but change the nerd one. These are some of the rejected photos.

Original Story

 “I’m ready to switch back whenever you are,” I said, looking up from my spot on the couch.  My scrawny body had just come back from class, and I could only assume that Dylan was ready to get out of it.  “I passed your Physics Midterm with flying colors, and as an added bonus, you had a pop quiz in Trigonometry that I aced for you.” 

He breathed a sigh of relief.  “Peter, once again, I’m in your debt.  This is, what, the fifth test you’ve passed for me?  Anyway, let’s switch back.”  

He gestured over to the now-familiar body swap device in the closet.  We both slipped on the device’s headbands, and I closed my eyes as Dylan started up the machine.  It had a tendency to swap without warning, and the sudden change in vision was very jarring.  I stood there, waiting, listening to the various clicks and thumps of the machine.  Nothing. Then several thumping sounds.  I cautiously opened one eye, only to see my body angrily pounding the device.

“It’s not working!” Dylan yelled.  “Why isn’t it working?”  He spun around on his heels, staring me down before I could even react.  “You!  What did you do to the machine?  You’re trying to steal my body, aren’t you?”

I felt myself panicking, despite being in the taller and stronger body.  “Dylan, I swear, whatever is happening, I didn’t do it.  I swear!  If I was gonna steal your body, I would have done it ages ago!  This is… some sort of malfunction or something!”

“I… shit, you’re right…” he paused, stroking his chin.  “I just… I have no idea what’s wrong with this damn thing.  And now we’re stuck like this.”

“It’s… it’s fine,” I said, trying to steady my excitement.  This was Dylan’s body, not mine.  It wouldn’t be right to steal it.  “We can… we can just stay home this weekend.  Until we fix the machine.”

“Yeah, I… shit, no you can’t!  I finally got invited to one of the football team’s keggers!  Do you know how unheard of that is for a second string?  I can’t not be there!  I… you’re gonna have to go to that party for me, Peter.”

I could not believe my luck.  “Dylan, are you serious?  I can’t… Dylan, those parties are swarming with sorority girls!  What happens if someone wants to have sex with me?”

He paused, reached into his sock drawer, and tossed me several condoms.  “No glove, no love,” he said.

“Are you serious!?  I… Dylan, you want me to get laid?  In your body?”

He placed a hand on my shoulder.  “Look, I know this is weird as hell.  But… I have a reputation to maintain.  If someone wants to have sex with the D-man, I’ve got to be a stud.  Besides, I… trust you, okay?  You’ve been in my body so many times, and you haven’t betrayed my trust at all.  You’ve earned it.  Get drunk, get laid, and have a good time.  Really.”

—————————————

I watched my former body head out the door, eager to attend his first party.  Peter had no idea that I was the reason the body swap machine no longer worked.  A few more convincing acts, and I think I can convince him to keep my body for good.

I’ll miss those muscles, that’s for sure.  But I won’t miss my ugly face, and I sure as hell won’t miss my conservative, overbearing parents.  There was no way they would have let me major in anything other than Finance or Business, and if they found out I was gay, they would flat-out disown me.  Nah, Peter will be a much better son for them.  Meanwhile, I’ve met Peter’s parents before, and I doubt they’ll care that their son suddenly comes out as gay and decides to major in Theatre.  Hell, they might actually support me.

I quickly changed clothes, and took a quick picture of Peter’s body.  He’s actually quite the sexy otter– he just doesn’t have enough self-confidence to realize it.  I smile, and save the photo to my phone.  This will make a great Grindr profile pic.  In the meantime, tonight should be a good night to check out the local gay bars.  My new life as Peter is going to be great!