Chapter 6

"Alright, let's erase everything so far! Just ignore the plan." Stanton threw out his hands, and dropped onto Serena's bed. She was surprisingly still out cold. Everything was coming apart at the seams! He didn't know how to deal with Cassandra now, since he stupidly didn't realize that he couldn't use his powers.

Taking deep breaths, he assessed the situation: He and Collin had switched bodies, as had Derek and Michael; Cassandra wasn't going to tell them unless her ultimatum was fulfilled on Wednesday and probably not even then; Wednesday was exactly three days from now, and they didn't even have a plan.

The earlier knock on the door was Chris, with news from Derek and Michael. "They're gonna try to stick it out at each other's houses for a while. And they said that they're gonna take your advice, and avoid everyone they can until further notice."

Stanton nodded. That would help their situation a lot. The less that people saw them, the better. "Good idea." Knowing that things were still unresolved, Stanton got up, and began to pace; a familiar habit with this new body.

"Now what?" Collin asked, placing a cold washcloth on his sister's brow.

Chris twisted a swivel chair so his chest was leaning on the back, and his arms were crossed over the top. "Well, obviously, we have no choice but to handle Cassandra. She looks like she's the only one who really knows anything about the situation. As painful as it sounds, there's probably nothing else we can do."

His lips tightening, Stanton resolved that he didn't want to go through with Cassandra's stupid challenge. Serena was right, Cassandra was very crafty. And knowing her the way he did, she was probably withholding information. Or, she didn't know anything at all, and she just happened to know about the situation somehow. Whichever it was, he wanted to find out. His eyes shifted. "Chris?"

Chris acknowledged him, raising his eyes. "Yeah?"

Rubbing his chin, Stanton explained what he needed. "You're the only one who's really uninvolved in this. I need you to follow Cassandra for a while. You're right that she seems to be the only real connection to this situation right now, and maybe if we find out what she's hiding, then we can find someway to reverse the body-switch without succumbing to her demands."

Nodding, Chris literally rose to the test. "Do you want me to start now?"

Licking his lips, and still pacing, Stanton nodded. "The sooner the better. Get going. But try to keep a low profile."

Giving Stanton a wry smirk, he walked out the door as he said, "Don't have to tell me twice."

Heaving out a big breath, Stanton twirled so he could continue pacing, quite dizzy by this time. "Alright, that part's handled. Since Derek and Michael have resolved to stick it out on their own for now, then I guess we'll just have to do the same thing."

Collin looked up, speaking again at last. "How can we stick it out? I mean, how're we gonna handle Jimena? And my dad?"

Shrugging helplessly, Stanton finally stopped pacing, only to plop unceremoniously on Serena's bed again. "I guess I'll take your place for a couple days. And some followers will expect me at some events. You'll have to keep up appearances for me. So you'll have to learn to be me too."

Collin rose this time, as if taking Stanton's place. "Are you kidding me? What about school?"

He put his face on his chin, as if he was losing place of his priorities. "You're taking a few days off."

His jaw dropped. "Midterms are next week! Are you joking?"

Straightening, and taking on a completely serious tone, Stanton said, "Yes Collin. I'm joking. I can go to school in your place, and hear about topics that I most likely already know about. I won't be able to pass the information along to you, but that's fine with me. I'll just have to use NOTE CARDS!"

Spreading his arms, as if the answer was obvious, Collin said, "NOTE CARDS ARE FINE! THAT'S HOW I REMEMBER THE INFORMATION! I WRITE THEM DOWN ON FRIGGIN NOTE CARDS! And quit putting my fingers in my hair like that! It's hard to get it just the way I like it?"

Stanton's brow rose sarcastically, and he held up his hands in mock-terror. "Ooh! I wouldn't want to spoil the precious 'beach-bum' look that you worked so hard to make."

Angered now, Collin pointed a threatening finger into his old face. "Listen, there is NOTHING wrong with surfing! It's relaxing, energizing, and it's a hell of a better hobby than anything you want to do in your spare time!"

Oh, this was getting personal was it? "You have no idea what I want, or don't want to do! You have any idea what it's like to have the need to change someone you love to evil!" An ironic smile came to him as he said, "You know something? I'm kind of glad this happened. It'll show you what real trouble it can be for a follower."

Happily accepting the challenge, Collin put his hands on what were technically Stanton's hips, and grinned back maliciously. "Gee. You've been up in your paradise clouds of mind-control and high power for so long, I guess you must have forgotten the hard work it takes to be a college student. I'd love to see you try. I'd pay money to see you try."

A brow rose. "Is that a challenge?"

Arms crossed. "I believe it is."

A hand was extended. "Very well then."

Another hand was extended, while the other one was shaken. "Let's see how easy each other's lives are."

Stanton grinned gamely. "Let's." They were so caught up in their own fight, that neither of the noticed when Serena woke up.

Now, she was clutching the cloth to her head, and she was squinting, when she rose to an elbow, and said, "Guys?"

Two of the most important males in her life turned to face her, neither of them speaking at first, momentarily stunned that she finally woke up. The only sound was Serena's labored breathing, and the light tap-tap as Wally waddled into the room. "Serena?" The guys asked in unison.

Her eyes seemed to roll back in her head. "Could you help me up?"

They rushed over to help her, their bet temporarily forgotten as Serena plunked back onto the bed in exhaustion.