Keep It All a Secret?

— What do you mean Mandy... um, I mean Jake is in the hospital?! What... what happened? — Jake stammered in that still-unfamiliar, high-pitched voice, pushing himself up onto his knees, feeling how the tank top now stretched tightly over his suddenly much heavier chest.

For some reason, right at that moment, the thong that had only been uncomfortable before now felt like actual torture — like someone was deliberately yanking the straps upward, biting into the skin between his ass cheeks, leaving behind a maddening, hopeless kind of discomfort.

— Hello? — came the familiar voice of Zack, Mandy’s boyfriend, through the phone. — Hey, what’s up with you? Why are you freaking out about Jake all of a sudden? He’s a grown-ass man, not some kid going to daycare. So he ended up in the hospital — big deal, happens to everyone…

— Zack! — Too sharp, too shrill, too... feminine. Jake froze for a moment, squeezing his eyes shut. — Sorry. It's just... it’s important. Tell me, is he conscious?

— I think so. — There was a pause on the other end of the line before Zack added — Why are you acting like this about him?

Jake pressed his lips together, feeling sweat trickle down his back — not from the heat, though the day really was warm, but from sheer awkwardness and... something close to panic. No one knew he and Mandy had swapped bodies for the day. No one was supposed to find out. Everything had been agreed upon: she wanted to "see what it’s like to be a guy," and he… he had just gone along with it, out of dumb curiosity dressed up as bravado. Like, “Whatever, it’ll be funny. I’m not the kind of guy who screams just ’cause he suddenly has boobs.” He had even laughed. Winked, too.

And now he was kneeling in the middle of the park, pressing into the warm grass, trying to act like everything was fine — even though inside, he was unraveling with panic. Because Mandy... Mandy had gotten into an accident. In his body.

— I’m just worried, — she breathed into the phone, trying to steady her voice. — He... Jake... he’s your best friend and... — she faltered. — And he’s like a brother to you, and I’m your...

'What the fuck am I saying?! I’m your girlfriend?! I can’t say that,' — the thought crashed through his head with the full force of those moments where the ground disappears beneath your feet.

— My what? — Zack finally asked after a few seconds. His voice now carried an obvious edge of irritation, and he wasn’t even trying to hide it. — Mandy, what the hell is going on? You’ve been acting weird all morning, saying weird shit, freaking out over Jake like he’s... I don’t even want to think about it. And now you can’t even say you’re my girlfriend?

Jake swallowed hard, glancing to the side like he was actually talking to Zack in person — but of course, it didn’t help at all. A warm breeze caught his long hair, tossing it over his shoulders, tickling his face, reminding him yet again of who he was right now. Jake — or, for the time being, Mandy — felt his chest, like two even heavier anchors, constantly pulling the fabric of his shirt downward, the tank top clinging to them even tighter now... and making every stare from passersby feel ten times worse.

— Mandy?.. — Zack’s voice dropped, heavier now. — I’m asking you: do you even realize what you’re saying right now? Are you my girlfriend or what? I don’t get why you’re suddenly all over Jake like he’s... like he matters more than me?

— Jake took a breath, trying to catch a single thought that sounded girly enough, but wouldn't give him away.

— Sorry, — he exhaled, the voice breaking into that high pitch again. — It's just... I don't know, maybe it's hormones or... — he hesitated. — I just thought, what if it’s something serious, and we’re here, you know... — his tongue tangled. He needed to find out what was going on with his body, how Mandy was doing right now, but at the same time, he couldn’t blow up her relationship with his friend.

— Look, — Zack began, more restrained now, like he was trying to step back, — if it means that much to you, I’ll go to the hospital myself. I’ll find out how he’s doing. But Mandy, seriously, you’re acting like there was something between you two. Or still is.

— No! — Jake nearly shouted, raising his eyes to the sky like it might offer him backup. — There’s nothing. We’re just friends, and... — he clenched his fingers, feeling those neat, well-groomed nails digging into his palms. — It’s just... I don’t know, maybe it’s pregnancy.

— Preg... what?! — Zack’s voice cracked, like his internal compass had just shattered. — Are you fucking serious right now?!

Jake froze. It had slipped out in desperation — a messy attempt to dodge the topic, to hide behind something wildly illogical but undeniably feminine. But even he heard how insane it sounded. He had no idea where it came from.

— No! I mean... — he tried to backpedal, but his voice was fully trembling now, rising with each word, sounding more and more like a girl’s. — I didn’t mean it like that. Just... random thoughts. From nerves. I haven’t even taken a test... God, — he almost groaned, — that’s not what I meant to say at all.

— A test?! — Zack was clearly way past tense now. His voice turned sharp. — Mandy, I’m coming. Now. We need to talk. You’re gonna tell me everything. About tests, about Jake, about all this shit, got it?

— No! — Jake shouted, too sharp, too instinctively. — Don’t come. Please. I’ll come to you. Later. Just... just stay with Jake for now. Find out if he’s okay. I need to... pull myself together.

A tense silence followed. Then — a breath.

— Fine, — Zack said quietly. — But Mandy, if you’re lying to me right now... I’ll know. And I won’t forgive you.

The line went dead.

Jake dropped the phone into the grass, leaning forward, hands pressed into the ground. His body responded with a faint hum: his Tits bounced, hitting the tank top softly, his hair fell forward, covering his face, and he squeezed his eyes shut.

Going to the hospital was even more dangerous now — and Zack might get even more suspicious if he showed up. On the other hand, he had to meet Mandy to switch back, and he had no idea how bad things were. He needed to wait for Zack’s call. But what if Zack never called? And if Jake called him instead, Zack would only get more suspicious. Fuck, fuck, fuck! And that pregnancy crap?! Why the hell did he even say that?

But there was a twisted sliver of logic in it. Mandy hadn’t told anyone yet, but she had noticed she was late. Maybe because of the stress, she suggested the body swap to Jake in the first place. Unfortunately, neither of them could’ve known she’d get into that accident... and despite Zack’s reassurances, she’d end up in a coma for at least nine months.