The Cell Phone Swap

by DoNotMicrowave

Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.

"Hurry up Keeley! I want to ride the Ferris wheel, you know it's my favorite," Nicky yelled to her best friend. This was the last night the county fair was open before packing up and moving to another town. It was nearing closing time and Nicky knew the line for the Ferris wheel would be crowded.

"Don't get your panties in a twist. We'll ride the Ferris wheel," Keeley said offhandedly as she rummaged through her purse looking for her cell phone. "I know it's here somewhere," she muttered to herself. Her hands searched all the pockets and secret compartments but came up with nothing. "Damn it. Where is it?" her tone laced with frustration.

Tired of waiting, Nicky sidled up next to her and peered over Keeley's shoulder. "I already know you have bad breath after eating those chili cheese fries. You don't need to freshen up for me," she joked, thinking Keeley was searching for gum.

Keeley was too engrossed in her task to comprehend her friend's teasing. "Uh-huh. Fries. Right," she blankly repeated. Her heart raced as she checked her purse one more time. She could feel the panic starting to rise.

Nicky noticed Keeley's frantic behavior and became concerned. "What's the hold up?"

"I can't find my phone," Keeley's voice full of anxiety.

Nicky frowned. "You had it while we were eating the fries and deep fried Oreos. I remember because Zach kept texting you."

Keeley grimaced, remembering the argument she had with her twin brother. He insisted she find another way home from the fair because he was giving Bianca Campbell a ride. Keeley mentally snorted at the thought. She knew full well what sort of "ride" Zach would be giving her. That type of ride was the exact reason why she refused to sit in the backseat of his car.

"Maybe you left it on the table?" Nicky suggested. She glanced at her watch and then strained her neck, trying to get a good look at the Ferris wheel line.

Keeley tried to remember if she had taken her phone with her after they finished eating. Her face paled. "Shit, I think I left it there." As soon as she said the words, Nicky's face dropped in disappointment. Her best friend knew the fair would be closing in ten minutes and there was no way they could get across the fairground to grab the phone and make it back in time.

Instantly, Keeley picked up on her friend's discontent and made a quick decision. "Get in line. I'll meet you there," she yelled over her shoulder, as she took off running in the opposite direction.

She weaved her way through the crowds as quickly as she could. Her heart pounded as she neared the eating area, praying her phone was still there. Keeley rushed to the table they had sat earlier and saw with great disappointment that the table was empty. She knew it had been a long shot but it still hurt to know it was gone. Mad and frustrated with herself for being so careless she kicked the chair. The chair toppled over making the people around her stop and stare.

Embarrassed at her immature behavior, she muttered a quick apology and bent down to pick it up. As she righted the chair, she noticed a phone lying amidst the grass and dirt. Hope burst in chest as she grabbed it. Sure enough, it was her phone! Relieved to have it back in her possession, she let out a huge sigh. Keeley quickly thrust it in her purse and raced toward the Ferris wheel, hoping Nicky was still in line.

"Did you find it?" Nicky asked as soon as she saw Keeley approach.

Keeley couldn't contain the grin that spread across her face. "Got it!" she happily announced. She leaned around the couple in front of them to get a better idea of how long they had to wait. Keeley counted six people and knew Nicky would get her wish.

"So have you talked to Brent recently?" Nicky inquired, wanting to know if things had progressed between Keeley and the college boy she had a crush on.

Brent had tutored Keeley during her freshman year of high school. She had been struggling with trigonometry and her teacher had recommended Brent, a senior, to help her. Every Tuesday and Thursday they met at a local café and went over the material.

Brent had been kind, thoughtful and funny. He never yelled or became frustrated when Keeley didn't understand a particular theory or problem. Over the course of the semester, they had grown close and would hang out for a couple hours after their tutoring session was over. Keeley had developed a huge crush on him and was disheartened when he left for college. They still communicated through text messages and emails but it was usually sporadic and short.

Keeley shook her head in disappointment. "No," she replied glumly. "He's been busy with his internship." She knew it was silly and cliché to have a crush on her tutor but she couldn't help it. Every time she saw a message from him, her heart would race with anticipation.

"I'm sure he'll write soon," Nicky assured her softly. She knew how much her best friend liked him and hated to see her so down. "Maybe you should text and let him know you are thinking about him. I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

Keeley shrugged her shoulders. "The thought has crossed my mind but I don't want to seem clingy or overeager. Plus, it's not like anything's ever going to come of it. He's a junior in college and I'm a senior in high school."

"Stop being so pessimistic. You never know what can happen. You should send him a text wishing him a good day or something. That wouldn't appear clingy," Nicky suggested. The line moved forward and Nicky started bouncing with anticipation.

Keeley laughed at her friend's excitement. Nicky really did love the Ferris wheel. "I seriously don't understand your obsession with this ride."

Nicky looked appalled. "How can you not love it? You can see the whole city from there! Plus, it's so romantic being under the stars." Nicky's eyes looked off into the distance, glazing over as she pictured herself cuddled with a handsome boy.

Mentally, Keeley rolled her eyes at her friend's words. Nicky was a die-hard romantic who believed in fairy tales and happily-ever-afters. Keeley was more realistic than that and knew love equaled as much hardships, as it did happiness. "You know you are going on this ride with me right?" she asked dryly.

Nicky narrowed her eyes and elbowed Keeley in the ribs. "Stop ruining my fantasy!" she ordered.

A boy behind them in line heard their dialogue and stepped forward. "You can always ride with me, pretty thang," he leered at Nicky. The smell of cigarettes clogged the air as he spoke. He leaned forward and draped his arm presumptuously over her shoulder.

Nicky looked at him in disgust, noting he was around their age. She grasped his hand between her thumb and forefinger with her pinky in the air, and threw his arm off her body."In your dreams, buddy."

The boy appeared unaffected by the insult. "Oh you'll definitely be in my dreams tonight. Naked." He smirked and his friends behind him laughed.

Nicky scoffed and turned around, ignoring their whistles and jeers. "High school boys are disgusting," she said to Keeley, her voice dripping with disdain.

Keeley laughed. "I know. I live with Zach remember? Why do you think I have a crush on a college guy?" Zach and his friends were constantly talking about which girls were the hottest or which ones were the easiest lay. They even had a rating system that would put Rate-This-Face.com to shame.

The Ferris wheel attendant opened the gate and impatiently motioned them forward. His face was scowling as they settled into their seats. "Enjoy your ride," the surly man grunted with a forced smile.

The juxtaposition of the two was comical and the girls couldn't help but giggle. "Clearly, someone isn't happy with his job," Keeley commented.

"He should have been an actor. He could have played Grumpy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," Nicky teased.

A loud voice erupted over the speakers. "Please keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times. Wait till the ride comes to a complete stop before exiting the carriage." There was a slight pause before the voice continued. "And keep ALL unnecessary comments to yourself," the voice growled, clearly angered.

The girls looked at each other wide-eyed and burst into laughter, realizing the man had heard them. The ride jerked forward and started to slowly spin. The wind rushed past them as they rose in the sky.

Nicky let a little sigh as she stared at the glowing city below them. "We only have one week left before school starts. How depressing."

Keeley crossed her legs, making the seat sway back and forth. "I dunno. I'm excited for our senior year. We're finally on top of the totem pole."

"So what? It's not like we have anyone to order around. At least your brother will have all the freshman football players at his disposal," Nicky argued.

It was tradition at their school that freshman football players were assigned to a senior teammate. The coaches used it as a sort of mentoring program but the football players turned it into something completely different. They used the freshman as their personal slaves. The freshmen were required to clean their uniforms, get their lunches, and anything else the players wanted. Since Zach would be the varsity quarterback, he got precedence over everybody else.

"And god help us when it starts," Keeley drawled. "Zach's ego can hardly fit in his head as it is. I hate to see what happens when he has freshmen to boss around." Keeley mentally groaned at the thought.

"Maybe he won't be so bad," Nicky's voice rang with hope.

Keeley shook her head at her best friend and patted her shoulder. "Ever the optimist Nicky. When will you learn?"

"Aw come on. You have to give your brother a little credit," Nicky coaxed.

Keeley held up her hands in surrender. "I love my twin, I really do. But Zach is spoiled rotten. He has had everything handed to him on a golden spoon. He hardly puts any effort into school or sports yet he excels in both! He's praised for the achievements that come naturally to him. How's the fair?" Keeley ranted.

Nicky raised an eyebrow in response. "Sounds like sibling jealousy to me," she noted.

"It's not so much jealousy as frustration. He coasts by on his good looks and charming personality. He could be so much more if he bothered to make an effort." Keeley shook her head. "But he doesn't. I see all the untapped potential in him but he refuses to use it."

Nicky shrugged as they started their descent to the ground. "It's his life. Let him live how he wants," she advised.

Keeley huffed. "The way he's going, he'll get a girl pregnant before he leaves high school," she grumbled. She hated the way her brother used girls for sex. She's seen too many girls leave their house crying after he was done with them.

The Ferris wheel came to stop and the churlish man stepped forward to let them out. Keeley kept her face turned to the ground, afraid if she glanced at Nicky or the worker she would start laughing. The girls hurried away but not before Nicky turned around and yelled over her shoulder, "Have a great night, Grumpy!" The girls trotted to the parking lot, happy their day at the fair ended on a good note.

"I'm guessing Zach bailed on you again?" Nicky observed when she noticed Zach's car was missing from the parking lot. Keeley's parents had given the twins a silver BMW for their birthday to share but because of Zach's football practice he drove it most of the time. For the most part, Keeley didn't mind because she rarely went anywhere other than school and home but at times like this, it really bothered her.

"Big surprise," Keeley said sarcastically. "I know it's out of your way but do you mind?" She stuck her lower lip out and gave her best friend large, puppy eyes.

"Of course you goof. Do you even have to ask? Get in the car," she motioned to her black Civic.

The girls rolled down the windows and turned on the radio before heading home. As the car rolled up next to Keeley's house, Nicky asked, "So, are we on for the beach tomorrow?"

Keeley nodded. "Yah. I'll text you when I wake up and we can go from there." She got out the car and gathered her things.

"Sounds good. See ya later," Nicky waved and drove off.

Keeley walked up the long driveway to her house, noting Zach still hadn't returned. Knowing him, he probably took Bianca to a party before doing the horizontal dance. She guessed he would be drunk calling her around one or two in the morning, asking for a sober ride home.

She entered in the front door and was instantly greeted by her dog, Tucker. He was a five-year-old, brown, Labrador Retriever. Even though he was suppose to be the family dog, Keeley considered him hers. She walked and fed him every day and he slept in her bed every night.

After playing with Tucker for a bit, she went up to her room and got ready for bed. Tucker was already lying on her comforter when she got in. Snuggling underneath the covers, she pulled out a book from under pillow and started reading.

Reading had always been one of Keeley's favorite hobbies. She loved to get lost in a book for a couple hours, letting her imagination fly. She would visualize the characters and setting of every book and it played out like a movie in her mind. She loved to read everything from science fiction to autobiographies to romance novels. She read for the next of hours before turning off the light and falling asleep.

*****

This first chapter is very different from the published version in Textrovert. Even the first line is different! In Textrovert, the first line is: Fate had a twisted sense of humor. Plus, you get to meet Zach, Keeley's twin right away. If you want to read more, you can purchase Textrovert at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Target, and other stores. Links in bio.