And speaking of mouths … why was this one on mine, when it’s the first day of summer? Why did Kevin walk in here like he’s been here a million times before? Is time bending? Am I now at the end of summer? No. Something tells me there’s a more logical explanation.
I need to hear it, so I turn to Kevin.
Part of me doesn’t want to ask the question, because I don’t want to ruin this perfect moment, but I need to know the truth.
I tilt my head and give Kevin a sideways glance. “Hey, what day is it?” I ask.
“What do you mean?” he asks.
“I mean today. What day is it?”
He looks at me blankly. “Um, Monday?”
“Right, Monday, as in the first day of summer.”
“Oh, yeah,” he says, sitting back. “Of course it is.” He laughs and runs his fingers through his hair. “Did I do okay at the beach? Pretending to meet you for the first time? You were acting so funny. I couldn’t figure out why, at first, but then I realized it was an act to throw Katie off, and you did an amazing job. She seemed thoroughly confused. No way could she have a clue about us.”
Yikes! Hearing these words, replaying the afternoon in my head, I feel sick inside.
I don’t want to ask this next question but I have to. “If today’s the first day of summer, then how long have we known each other?” I wonder.
Kevin doesn’t answer me right away and at this point, he almost doesn’t have to. I can tell by the look in his eyes that I’m not going to like what I hear.
“It was over Christmas break, remember? Are you sure you’re feeling okay? Because confusion could be a symptom of a concussion, and I didn’t think you hit your head when you fell this morning, but maybe you did and—”
“No, I’m fine,” I say, sinking back into the couch cushions.
The truth hits me like a lightning bolt straight to my aching heart. Melody was right. This is no dream.
We’ve switched bodies for real. My wish came true. I’m starting summer over as Melody. This is really happening, and that’s not all.
When I spied Melody and Kevin kissing in her hot tub, I was furious because she stole him away from me. We got in a huge fight because I fell for Kevin first and we both agreed that I could have him.
Except I was wrong about that. Melody actually knew Kevin way before I did. The two of them have a whole secret history I know nothing about.
That means my best friend has been lying to me for ages! And I have no idea why.
MELODY
Not So Peaceful Melodies
Beethoven’s Fifth sits on the music stand in front of me and it feels like a time bomb. As I stare at the bars and notes, panic butterflies rise up from my tummy and flutter around inside my throat. The strange shapes swim before me, becoming blurry and nonsensical.
I used to take piano lessons back when I was seven and I wanted to be just like Katie.
My parents were so happy that as soon as I told them they rushed out and bought me a glossy black grand piano—a Steinway & Sons, which is supposed to be the best, according to my dad, who did the research.
They went around telling people, “Kyle is the straight-A student and Melody is studying to be a classical pianist, which is fitting considering her name.”
“Play me a melody,” my dad would say on the rare evenings he was home. He’d laugh because he thought he’d come up with a superclever pun.
I tried, I really did. I wanted to be the Melody who made melodies. I wanted to sit down at the piano and close my eyes and make beautiful music, effortlessly. I struggled to read the notes on the page, yearned to understand them. I figured reading music would be like reading books, something I’d always loved. Except this was different. The piano bench was cold and hard and my feet didn’t touch the ground. Sitting up straight with my wrists held high was a drag. Every time my fingers hit the keys it sounded awful, and whenever I practiced Kyle would cover his ears and complain. He’d tell our mom he couldn’t focus on his homework because my playing sounded so awful.
I can’t completely blame him. I did sound awful. But at least I tried. Not that my teacher believed me. Closing my eyes, I can still see Mr. Hurdy’s chubby cheeks turning red and his blue eyes flashing with anger behind his horn-rimmed glasses. The dude had a mean streak. “What’s the point of even coming, Melody, if you’re not going to make an effort?” he’d ask. And what was I supposed to say? Truth was, I practiced for hours but I never got any better. Better for him to think I didn’t try, because that was less embarrassing.
I came to dread the lessons so much I’d tear up from merely thinking about them. I begged my parents to let me quit and eventually they gave in, but they kept the piano.
“It doesn’t matter that no one plays,” my mom would say, sliding her hand along the shiny black surface. “It looks lovely in the living room.”
It did.
But now I’m in a different living room. Katie’s piano is brown and shabby and regular size, nothing grand about it, except for its origins. It belonged to her great-grandmother, who used to be a music teacher. The seat is more comfy than the one we have at my house. This is covered in a faded red corduroy cushion.
Jeff is saying, “I’m not hearing any music.”
If only I’d stuck with the lessons a little longer, practiced more, learned the notes, or insisted on finding a teacher I wasn’t afraid of.
But it’s too late for wishful thinking. I’ve got to face the facts. I’m going to be discovered. Jeff and Anya will find out I’m an impostor and send me back home, regardless of who I look like, whose body I possess.
Before I sink my finger down on the key I hear someone pounding on the door.
I’m startled and the rest of the family is, too.
The knocking gets louder, angrier. I have a bad feeling about this.
Anya raises her eyebrows at Jeff, who gets up from the couch.
I jump up quickly, because I know who this must be.
“I’ll get it,” I say, rushing to the entryway. “I’m pretty sure it’s for me.”
As I open the door I stumble back. It’s Katie in my body, and staring at her feels like looking at a mirror image of myself. Except not quite, because something is off. I am never this angry, yet the Melody in front of me is fuming—teeth gritted together, cheeks red, eyes narrowed. If there could be steam coming out of her ears right now, there would be.
“We need to talk,” she hisses at me.
I’m shocked by not only her fury but also her wardrobe. She’s wearing this tiny red dress that belongs to my mom with a pair of calf-length Ugg boots. Also, I can tell she broke into my mom’s makeup. And in true Katie fashion she went way, way overboard: navy eyeliner, baby-blue eye shadow, a thick coat of mascara, bright-red lipstick, and even brighter blush.
“You look like a clown, Katie!”
“It’s Melody to you,” she says pointedly.
“Fine, Melody. Whatever. Do you realize you’re revealing way too much cleavage? And the boots don’t match that dress. Plus, why are you even wearing those boots in June? Aren’t your feet hot?”
“Oh please,” says Katie, running her hands through her hair. My hair, which looks stiff and shiny from all the gel she must’ve used. “Excuse me for finally putting some stylish clothes on your body.”
“Everything okay?” Anya calls from the living room.
“Not now, Mom,” Katie yells.
“Excuse me?” asks Anya.
I pinch her and whisper, “That’s not your mom. She’s mine!”
“Anya,” she says. “I said, everything’s great. I just need to talk to Katie for a few minutes.”
“What about piano?” Anya asks.
“I’ll practice after,” I reply. “Promise!” Then I grab Katie’s hand and pull her upstairs.
As soon as we are in my room, I close the door and turn on the stereo so no one can hear us.
“So, Kevin stopped by,” Katie says.
Oh boy! Now I
realize what the problem is.
“He did?” I ask. “That’s strange.” I look down at my feet because I can’t meet her gaze.
“Don’t play dumb with me!” she says.
Except she doesn’t simply say the words—she growls them.
I could accuse Katie of plenty of things, too. Borrowing my stuff and never giving it back, always complaining about her family when they’re so sweet and fun. But something in me makes it impossible. The arguments are swimming around in my brain but they never make it to my mouth. This always happens: I am too often left speechless. Dumbfounded. Which, it’s no coincidence, has the word dumb in it.
I’m like this in school, too. Whenever I get called on in class, either an answer pops into my brain and I’m afraid it’s the wrong one, or my mind goes blank. Then I think of the absolute perfect thing to say an hour later, when it’s way too late.
“Don’t just sit there!” Katie barks, standing over me.
I need to stall her. I need more time. “Why are you so upset, exactly?”
“You know why,” Katie says. “Kevin kissed me. And why would Kevin kiss me, why would he even come over to my house, when we supposedly didn’t even know each other? Except guess what, Melody? You do know Kevin. And obviously you have known him for a long, long time.”
“Keep your voice down. They’ll hear you,” I whisper.
“Is that all you have to say?” she asks, shaking her head. “Not good enough. Kevin told me you two met in December, but you made him keep it a secret. Why would you do that?”
Katie is right to be upset. I lied and then I lied some more. This is just like our fight in August all over again, except worse. Maybe I should take this chance to really explain things, try to make her understand, except I don’t even know where to begin.
She stomps her foot, impatient. “I’m waiting!”
I can’t think faster than I’m already thinking. If I could, I would. I’m about to say something along these lines when my door bursts open and Ryan and Reese stumble in.
Katie, in my body, seems annoyed and she snaps at them, “Guys, we need privacy.”
Reese and Ryan look up at her, shocked. Melody never talks to them like that. And it drives me crazy that she does. Not only is she making me look bad—she’s being supermean to my favorite little guys.
I pinch her.
“Ouch!” she says, rubbing her arm. “That hurt!”
“Good, you deserved it. Don’t snap at my brothers like that.”
“Okay,” she says, unhappily rubbing her arm. There’s a red mark on her skin—on my skin. I wonder if it’ll still be there when we switch bodies again. If we ever switch back.
“It’s not okay—you need to apologize,” I say.
“Sorry I yelled at your brothers,” says Katie.
“No, not to me. You need to apologize to them.”
Katie blinks and turns to the boys. “Sorry, Ryan. Sorry, Reese. Katie is right. I should never yell at you guys.”
She forces a smile and blinks hard. She’s trying not to cry, I can tell.
Ryan grins back but Reese stares at her like he’s trying to figure something out.
“You guys mind giving us some privacy? We’re kind of in the middle of something,” Katie says as she wipes a stray tear from her face.
“Who are you?” Reese asks Katie.
“What do you mean?” She sniffs. “I’m Melody.”
Reese looks her up and down and says, “No, you’re not. Your outfit is weird. You’re not dressed anything like Melody.”
Ryan nods, eyes wide. “And you’re not acting like her, either. You’re being mean like Katie.”
“You think Katie is mean?” Katie asks, her hands on her hips. “Maybe she’s had a hard time suddenly getting used to two little brothers who are in her face all the time. Maybe she needs some space because it’s not always fun being outnumbered like that.”
Well, now the boys seem even more suspicious. I shoot Katie a warning glance as I steer her brothers toward the door. “Guys, I love you but we need to talk right now. Okay? We can build a fort or play superheroes together later, I promise.”
The boys leave, both of them looking over their shoulder, confused. I have the feeling they are on to us, which could be tricky.
Once we’re alone and the door is shut and the music is turned up even louder, Katie is actually crying.
I sigh and sit down next to her on the bed and say, “I’m sorry, Katie. I didn’t want to lie to you. I only did it because it seemed like it would be easier.”
“He must think I’m horrible,” she cries, wiping her eyes. She takes some deep breaths before continuing. “I’m so humiliated. Will you please tell me everything?”
There’s no way out of this, so I decide to be honest with her. “Well, Kevin and I met over Christmas vacation when you were up in Seattle. He was visiting his dad, who’s my neighbor. This is before Kevin decided to move to Braymar.”
“Um, we did talk almost every single day, Melody. I think you might have mentioned meeting and falling in love with a gorgeous guy. Do our other friends know? Did you tell Ella and Bea?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I didn’t tell anyone about Kevin and I didn’t fall in love. We just hung out. And talked.”
“And kissed,” she adds.
“Not right away,” I say with a sigh. “But eventually … yeah.”
“I can’t believe you had your first kiss and you didn’t even tell me about it. Wait, Kevin was your first kiss, right?”
“Of course,” I say.
“Well, how could you not think to tell your best friend? Or do you not consider me your best friend anymore? Why else would you keep kissing Kevin a secret? I mean, what is going on?”
I hate it when Katie gets pushy like this. Sometimes it’s too much, her whole strong personality, how I end up seeming meek in comparison, when I’m not. Or at least, I don’t want to be. “You don’t get it. It’s hard,” I say.
“What’s so hard about kissing an amazing guy? What’s so hard about being beautiful and perfect and having everything? And fine, there’s no law saying you had to tell me you met a cute boy over Christmas vacation. But it’s so cruel to keep it a secret when you know how I feel about him. I mean I can’t believe you let me call dibs on a guy you were already going out with!”
“That’s my point,” I start, but Katie interrupts me before I can finish.
“Is this what middle school is going to be like?” she asks. “You and Kevin off on your own, keeping major secrets from me?”
“This is not about you,” I remind her.
“Of course it is!” she wails. “We’re best friends—we have been since forever. I tell you everything about my sad, pathetic life. And I thought you told me everything, too. But I was wrong—obviously. So why didn’t you tell me?”
Something wells up inside of me. I can’t keep quiet about this any longer. I’m sick of Katie’s whole attitude. My best friend is resentful and completely wrong and I’m tired of it. So I take a deep breath and tell her, “Your life is not pathetic—it’s awesome. And my life is far from perfect. Maybe I didn’t tell you about me and Kevin because I’m sick of you saying things like that all the time.”
Katie gasps, speechless for once in her life. But she recovers quickly.
“That is a rotten thing to say.”
“Why? It’s the truth,” I say, standing up. “You asked how it’s going to be in seventh grade? I don’t know, but I’ll tell you how it’s not going to be. I’m not going to be sitting around waiting for you to tell me what to do. I have my own opinions and my own life. You’re not allowed to decide you’re in love with Kevin and no one else can have him. It’s not fair. You can’t call dibs on a boy, Katie, and you’re not the boss of everyone.”
“Don’t call me Katie,” Katie says, smugly. “You’re Katie now. And I’m Melody.”
I throw up my hands and say, “You’re right. Hope you enjoy being me, Katie.”
“Oh, I will,” she says, turning around and heading out of my room.
I hear her stomp down the steps and then the door slams shut and then it’s over—the screaming, the fighting, maybe our friendship, too.
KATIE
Nerds No More
I try too hard. I know I try too hard. I try too hard to meet boys and I try too hard in school and I try too hard in life. I reek of desperation, always have, but I can’t help it.
Melody thinks I’m a big nerd and she’s not the only one. I’m not in denial. I know I’m a big nerd. The thing is, we used to be nerds together. The two of us gawky and gangly, total geeks.
I don’t know when things changed, exactly. It was subtle at first. People used to say we were both cute. Now everyone talks about Melody and how beautiful she is, how grown-up she’s become. And me? No one says I’m beautiful. I don’t mean to sound shallow. I know looks aren’t everything. But they are certainly something. And it stinks having to watch everyone constantly fawning over your best friend while completely ignoring you.
It’s like we’ve fallen into these roles. Melody gets to be mellow and gorgeous while I’m the high-strung witty sidekick. That’s how everyone sees us. And I don’t want to be the funny-looking best friend in middle school and beyond.
That’s why things are so awesome now. Now I’m Melody through and through. I’ve got her looks and I’ve got her body and her boyfriend and her wardrobe and I am living in her fabulous house. I don’t have to try too hard. I don’t have to try, period. My life is perfect now and I, unlike the old Melody, will appreciate it. No, I won’t just appreciate what she has—I’ll enjoy it.
They say that living well is the best revenge, but that’s not good enough. I’m going to show Melody how amazing life can be. I’ll be a better Melody than Melody was herself. Starting right now.
Rather than head back to Melody’s, I go straight to Kevin’s place and knock on his front door.
His dad answers and says, “Hello, Melody. Nice to see you!”
“Um, sorry to stop by so late,” I say. “Is Kevin home?”
“Sure thing. Why don’t you come inside and I’ll get him.”
If I Were You Page 6
