Chapter Text
Jackie's hungover.
She hadn't even had much to drink the night before, it was a weekday, but her head is pounding before her alarm even goes off. She groans into her pillow when the beeping starts and throws her arm toward her nightstand to shut it off. Her hand hits a wall instead.
“Fuck-”
She sits up and blinks into the room. Huh. Shauna’s room. She reaches behind her and shuts off the alarm. There’s no way she drank enough to not remember going back to Shauna's place.
“Shauna?” Her throat is dry and the word comes out a croak.
No response. Whatever. Jackie slides out of bed and makes her way to the bathroom. The light flickering on makes her squint and when she opens her eyes she goes still. Shauna's reflection is staring back at her. As her hand slowly raises, so does the hand in the mirror. She turns her head side to side, and watches the reflection do the same. She’s dreaming. But when she pinches herself, it hurts. And she doesn't wake up.
What the actual fuck.
Her breathing picks up and she turns the tap on cold, splashing it on her face. When she blinks the water from her lashes, Shauna is still looking back at her.
How is this not a dream? She needs to breathe. Calm down. Her hand goes to her chest and she feels her heart beating quick and hard against her palm. She drops down to sit on the tile and takes in deep shaky breaths. Memories of a little red faced Shauna counting her breaths with their teachers after playground fights with boys start to filter in. Jackie starts counting and her breathing slowly evens out.
Okay. She just needs to think.
If Jackie is in Shauna's body, then… Shauna must be in hers. Right? She’ll just drive to her house, find Shauna there, and they can figure out what’s going on…. somehow. That makes sense.
Jackie picks herself off the floor and steps back into Shauna's bedroom. She throws on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, then picks her favorite flannel off the floor and wraps herself in it. It’s soft and smells like Shauna, and she feels some of the remaining anxiety in her chest fade. She catches her reflection in Shauna's vanity and stops to take everything in a bit more. Shauna is always so pretty first thing in the morning. Jackie lowers herself in front of the mirror and takes a minute to apply some makeup, nothing serious, just some mascara to feel a little more herself. And lip balm. And blush. And maybe takes the time to curl her hair. She stares at Shauna’s reflection in the mirror a minute too long before blushing, feeling caught at, what, exactly, and starts toward the stairs. Focus.
She’s practically running toward the front door and almost misses Deb standing in the kitchen.
“Good morning, sweetie.”
Oh god. Act normal.
Sweat is gathering on her palms. She grits out a smile.
“Good morning. I’m just… Headed to pick up Jackie. For school.” Jackie stammers out.
Deb's back is to her as she puts on a pot of coffee.
“Oh! Before I forget.” She turns and rummages through a pile of mail on the counter, seemingly finding what she was searching for and handing it to Jackie. “This came for you.”
The envelope reads Brown University. Huh?
She tears the envelope open without thinking and unfolds the paper.
“Dear Ms. Shipman,
Congratulations! On behalf of the Admissions Committee…”
Deb's voice cuts through the ringing in Jackie's ears. She sounds nervous.
“Remember honey, no matter what, I'm so proud of you.”
The letter slips from her fingers and floats down to the floor. She doesn't move. This definitely isn't a dream. It's a nightmare. Deb is suddenly gasping and squealing and Jackie feels herself getting wrapped up in a too-tight hug.
She’s speaking but Jackie isn't even registering the words.
How could Shauna not tell her about this? She’s proud of her, obviously, has always been in awe of just how smart Shauna is, but she also feels sick. The heavy feeling in her stomach is immediate and she thinks she might throw up. Maybe Shauna wasn't actually planning on going. Maybe she applied just to see if she could get in, to prove something to herself. Of course she could. Jackie wouldn't let her go to Rutgers after this anyway, Shauna has so much potential that shouldn't be squandered. But, still. It feels… wrong. No decorating their dorm room, no picking out classes together, no waking up together every morning.
This is all too much.
She needs to leave, now. Find Shauna.
She tears away from the hug and forces out a laugh.
“I’m gonna be late. Thanks mom.”
-
The car door is too loud as she pulls it closed and her head pounds in reminder of what’s happening. She takes a minute with her head resting against the steering wheel before turning the key in the ignition.
One problem at a time.
The drive to her house feels like it takes forever, even though it’s less than ten minutes away. None of the lights are on when she pulls up. Maybe Shauna had the same idea as her, and was on her way to find Jackie right now. But Jackie's car is still in front of the garage.
She inhales before hurrying up the driveway. Knocks, no answer. Knocks again.
Cmon, Shipman.
She fishes the spare key from under the welcome mat and unlocks the door. The house is completely still. Her stomach twists. Despite the silence, or because of it, she creeps up the stairs as quietly as possible. Her bedroom door is shut.
When she pushes it open, relief washes over her. There she is, Shauna, Jackie's body, lying in bed.
“Shipman!”
She basically pounces on her and shakes her shoulders.
“We need to talk. Now! Something really weird is happening. Shauna!”
Shauna’s eyes jerk open. It's so weird seeing herself, her body, like this. Shit. She probably should have thought this through. Jackie was freaked out enough discovering this on her own, if she got woken up like this, her own body shaking her awake, she definitely would have had a full blown panic attack.
But Shauna only looks slightly alarmed and… annoyed?
“Shauna? What are you doing in my-” Shauna looks around, then pauses. “Wait, where the fuck am I?”
What? Shauna's been in her room a million times.
“Huh? You’re in my room, I know this is weird, but listen-”
Shauna lets out a surprised laugh. “Wait, this is your room? Didn't peg you as such a girly girl.”
What the fuck is happening?
Jackie sits back on her heels.
“Shauna…?”
“Jesus, I knew I was high, but not high enough to go home with Shauna fucking Shipman.” The girl rubs her hands over her face and lets out a sigh. “What happened last night?”
“I’m not- this isn't Shauna's room. It's my room. What are you-?” Jackie is totally lost.
I knew I was high…
“Natalie!?” Jackie shrieks.
Nat laughs.
“Shit, you must be high too. What did we take?”
Oh my fucking god. This isn't happening.
“Nat- look. I know I sound crazy. It’s me. Jackie. I’m Jackie. And you need to get up right now and help me find Shauna.”
Jackie swings her feet off the bed and grabs Nat's hands, trying to pull her up.
“Okay, you need to calm down. Jackie and Tai are gonna flip if you’re still like this at practice.”
Jackie. Her. No, not her. Natalie. She grabs her makeup mirror from the bedside table and shoves it toward Nat. She takes it and rolls her eyes but when she looks down at it her face drops. She turns her head side to side, the same way Jackie had done earlier.
“Woah.” She laughs.
“Natalie” Jackie hisses “This isn't funny. I’m Jackie. But I woke up in Shauna’s room this morning. You’re in my room.”
Natalie's smile falls.
“Wait, so like, when you look at me… Do you see Jackie too?”
Jackie’s this close to ripping her hair out.
“Yes Nat, that's what I'm trying to tell you. I thought since I was in Shauna’s body, if I came here, she would be in mine. But for some reason it’s you.”
Natalie seems to consider this.
“So that means someone is in my body. And Shauna is in someone else’s body.”
Jackie nods and jumps up.
“Yes, so you need to get up, get dressed, and meet me outside. Ten minutes. I’m taking us to school.”
Before Nat can sputter out a response, Jackie is running down the stairs and out the front door to wait in Shauna's car.
This screws up her whole plan. How the fuck is she supposed to find Shauna if she could be anyone? Nothing was out of ordinary at the party last night. She hung around Jeff and Shauna most of the night, had a few drinks, danced… Then Jeff drove her home. She had stood in the mirror while she got ready for bed and everything was fine, so whatever happened, happened after she fell asleep. Between midnight and this morning. Please god, let Shauna have a better idea of what's going on.
The door handle jiggling snaps her out of her thoughts. She leans over to unlock the door and gasps at the sight of Natalie.
“What the fuck are you wearing?” The words come out high and shrill and it sounds funny in Shauna's voice.
Natalie is wearing the same purple tank top she had been sleeping in, with no bra, cutoff shorts that haven’t fit Jackie properly since sophomore year, and the strappy heels she’d worn to Junior prom. Her honey blonde hair unbrushed, wilder than when she woke up, like it was mussed purposefully. She looked insane.
Nat smirked.
“What, you don't like it?”
Jackie groaned. There couldn't be a worse person to be doing this with right now.
“Just… Get in. And put this on”
She shrugs Shauna's flannel off and shoves it into Nat’s lap.
They spend the first few minutes of the ride in an uncomfortable silence. Nat’s the one to break it.
“So… I’m surprised you aren't, like, jumping for joy to be in Shauna's body”
Jackie whips her head around.
“What?”
“Its just that, you know, you guys are already so far up each other's asses. This isn't that far off from a regular day for you.” Natalie chuckles.
“I don’t know how you find this so funny. You woke up in someone else’s body and don't even seem to care.”
“I mean, sure I care. But what am I gonna do about it?”
“You’re infuriating, you know that?”
-
Shauna's car rumbles as it slows in front of their school. Jackie puts it in park.
Natalie sighs. “Seriously though, you seem freaked out but also, like, totally pissed. Did you guys break up again?”
Jackie is about to say her and Jeff haven't broken up in months, but when she turns to Nat she sees her smirking. What an asshole.
“Whatever. No. But I found out this morning that she-”
Why should she even tell Natalie this?
Nat leans in, genuinely interested.
“She what?”
The stale air of the car fills her lungs.
“She… got into Brown.”
Natalie’s head jerks back.
“Shit, good for her.”
Jackie suddenly feels stupid.
“I mean, of course she did, she’s like, the smartest person in Wiskayok.” She scoffs.
Natalie’s brows raise. “So, what’s the problem exactly?”
“She didn't even tell me that she was applying. And we tell each other everything."
Nat snorts, then seems to realize Jackie’s actually upset and collects herself.
“Listen, I'm sure it’s nothing. It was probably some sort of, I dunno, a surprise. I bet she thought you’d be excited for her.”
Now Jackie feels like a total bitch. Shauna had probably not wanted to tell her in case she didn't get in. Was… shy or embarrassed about it. And of course she’s excited for Shauna, but she shouldn't have kept this from her. Jackie totally would have supported her if she’d just told her. They could have talked about it, and maybe Jackie could’ve even convinced her to apply somewhere closer to Rutgers. Princeton is fancy and it’s even in New Jersey. Maybe Shauna could defer her acceptance while they looked…? Ugh.
Jackie blinks. “Yeah. Probably.”
Suddenly Nats fingers are gripping Jackie's bicep as she barks out a laugh.
“Holy shit- check out Misty”
Jackie focuses her eyes and they land on Misty walking across the parking lot.
She seems to be more relaxed, walking a little slower than usual, less frenetic, her shoulders back. It makes her seem taller. She’s in her regular clothes, a turtleneck and jeans, but the top is untucked and she’s wearing small gold hoops with a little matching necklace. It’s simple, nice. Her normally frizzy curls are hydrated and shiny and they bounce as she walks. She looks… good?
Jackie and Natalie snap their heads toward each other at the same time, eyes flashing the same question.
They don't have to speak, just throw the car doors open and jog to catch up with Misty.
Jackie shoots Nat a warning look and clears her throat before she speaks.
“Hey, Misty!” Shauna's voice comes out syrupy sweet and artificial.
The girl stops walking and hesitates before turning her head.
“Oh, hey Shauna. Jackie.” She nods to each of them and smiles nervously.
Jackie realizes she has no idea how to ask her who she actually is without sounding insane. What if it is Misty? Maybe she just… got a new conditioner?
Natalie doesn't seem to have the same concern.
“Look, uh, Misty,” She makes air quotes with her fingers. “It’s Nat. This is Jackie.” She gestures to the two of them. “ Do you, y’know, get what I'm saying?”
Misty’s face goes white. She steps forward and grabs Nat by the shoulders.
“NATALIE?” Her head snaps toward Jackie. “Jackie? You guys arent fucking with me?”
Nat laughs and shakes her off.
“No, dude, and I'm guessing by whatever that was, you believe us? And you… Arent Misty?”
She lets out a huge sigh and stumbles back a couple steps. She’s smiling and… Crying?
“Oh my god, I'm not crazy. Oh my god!” She lets out a laugh and shakes her head. “Sorry, god, it’s Lottie! What the fuck is happening?”
Natalie shrugs. “We have no idea. This one seems to think Shipman will save the day.”
Lottie's eyes light up.
“I said she’s smart, not that she can fix whatever this is.” Jackie did think Shauna may have a better idea of how to fix this, but she didn't tell Natalie that.
Nat rolls her eyes. “Whatever. Listen, we all pretty much know each other's schedules so lets just go about the day as normal. If we see anyone else who’s maybe, y’know, not themselves, we ask them to skip last period and meet us at the bleachers to try and figure this shit out. Deal?”
The girls nod in agreement. Jackie’s more than a little surprised that Nat has a plan, and that it actually makes sense.
Lottie is visibly more relaxed. “Okay”, she breathes, “I have to go to the office and read over the morning announcements before first period. But I’ll see you guys around?”
Jackie gives her a reassuring nod, and Lottie seems to pause before pulling them both into a hug. Jackie and Natalie both stiffen.
“Thank you guys.” Lottie whispers before pulling away, off in the direction of the office.
Oooookay. Jackie turns toward the main entrance, sighing. Now Misty is involved?
She only makes it a few steps before Laura Lee steps in front of her. Great.
“Shauna, hey, we need to talk.” She’s smiling, but her eyes are narrowed and her voice has an edge to it.
Jackie Likes Laura Lee, but isn't in the mood to hear about her bible study, or celibacy club, or whatever. “Sorry Laura Lee, I'm kind of in the middle of something here.” Jackie goes to step around her, but the girl steps in front of her again and crosses her arms.
“Yeah, I know.” She drops her voice to an angry whisper. “Laura Lee.”
Jesus. Jackie grabs her sleeve and pulls her to the side. The girl starts talking again, still whispering and still angry. “I don't know what you did, if you, like, prayed for this or whatever, but you need to change us back.”
“What? I’m not Laura Lee. And I definitely didn't pray for this.” Jackie rolls her eyes.
“Bullshit! If I'm in your body then I know you’re in mine, so just-”
Shauna?
“Shauna!” Jackie had assumed that Shauna would be in her body, so it made sense Shauna had assumed the same. But with… Laura Lee. Jackie giggles as she pulls Shauna into a bear hug. “It’s me! It’s Jackie!”
“Jackie?” Shauna pulls back. “Where the hell is Laura Lee?”
“I don’t know, but listen, I really need to talk to you-”
“Then who the fuck is that?” Shauna is looking over Jackie's shoulder, eyes zeroed in on Jackie's body standing about ten feet away, watching them with an amused look on her face.
Jackie turns around to catch Nat smirking as she steps forward. She wiggles her eyebrows. “Jeff. Pretty sweet, huh?”
Shauna's face turns red and she looks absolutely furious. Seeing such an expression on Laura Lee’s face almost makes Jackie laugh, but she manages to hide it under a huff as she swats at Natalie's arm.
“Oh my god, shut up. It’s Natalie.”
Shauna's face flashes from rage to disgust. “Seriously? Why does she get to be you?”
Natalie laughs. “Why do I get to be her? Do you hear yourself sometimes?”
Jackie puts her hands on Shauna's shoulders and gives her the look that means you need to relax, and also please don’t do this right now. Shauna rolls her eyes but the tension recedes from her shoulders. Only then does Jackie pause for a second to actually take her in. Laura Lee’s hair is clearly unbrushed, but Shauna had put on a yellow headband so it isn't entirely disheveled. Laura Lee’s yellow denim jacket is thrown over a plain WHS t-shirt and blue shorts. Jackie smiles.
“You look cute, Shipman.”
Shauna glares at her. “Yeah, right. Can you not make fun of me right now?” Why would Jackie be making fun of her? “You look…” Shauna's eyes drift from her hair down to her sneakers. “...Whatever. Good.”
Jackie blushes, even though Shauna is technically complimenting herself. And not very enthusiastically.
Natalie abruptly steps between them.
“Sorry to break this up, but uh, we should all probably get going.” Natalie takes a second to repeat what she told Lottie, and Shauna agrees to meet at the bleachers during last period. “And me and Jack here are gonna stick together today. No one will bat an eye at ol’ 69 clinging to each other.”
Jackie can see Shauna tense back up.
At least you don’t have to deal with her all goddamn day.
Jackie’s about to bite out a comment about how people might bat an eye at her dressed like a hooker to school, but Nat’s turning on her heels before Jackie has the chance to respond.
“But first, I need a fucking cigarette.”