Knock-knock-knock

  "Jordan, it’s time to wake up," came the sharp reverberation of my mother’s voice, slicing through the tranquil stillness of my room. The piercing clarity of her call grazed the edges of my dream, almost rousing me awake.

  With a slow, sluggish swipe, I drew the blankets over my head, cocooning myself in its warm, velvety embrace, in an attempt to drown out the unyielding pull of her voice.

  Bang—bang—bang.

  Unfortunately…..

  Bang—bang—bang.

  It did not work.

  "Get up, young man!" she continued, pounding her fist against the door, her voice sounding more demanding with each knock. "I know you're still lying there, wrapped under your blanket."

  The constant banging jolted me awake, and I groaned frustratedly. "Ugh, can't a guy get some sleep?"

  Rubbing my eyes, a sudden thought struck me—Wait, Mom? What is she doing in my apartment?

  My eyes snapped open, and what I saw left me completely stunned. Cluttered knick-knacks, cracked DVDs, and a haphazard pile of discarded Playboy magazines, laid scattered across the floor.

  In an instant, a wave of realization hit me. This was my old bedroom, back when I still lived with my parents.

  "...The hell?" I blinked, a rush of nostalgia sweeping over me. 'How did I wake up here?' I thought. Just the night before, I was sleeping in my apartment.

  With a slow, reluctant step, I rose from the bed, leaving behind its warm embrace.

  It was then that I noticed something disconcertingly off about my body. Although it was still soft and round, I felt lighter, more nimble. Free from the aches and pains that I’ve long grown accustomed to.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  "....This is so surreal," I whispered, the words falling from my lips like the echoes of a forgotten dream.

  "Jordan! Hurry up, you're going to be late for school!" My mother’s voice cut through my introspection, her urgent tone snapping me back to reality.

  ‘School, seriously?' I thought, a quiet laugh escaping my lips. “How old does she….?” But then I stop mid sentence. “Wait, it can’t be... How old am I?’”

  I stood there frozen. School? My old room? And even my body, being more spry than ever? Panic washed over me, as I struggled to make sense of what was happening. Was this some kind of joke? Had I been sent back in time?

  Knock-knock.

  “This is getting old, Jordan!” My mother’s voice rang out once more, now tinged with a hint of exasperation. “Should I come in?”

  “NO!” I freaked out, heart thundering in my chest. “Sorry, Mom! I’m coming, just give me a sec.”

  I hurriedly dressed in the familiar fabric of my old school uniform, the sensation feeling oddly comforting, and then rushed out the door.

  At the breakfast table, I ate in a daze, the taste of the food barely registering in my tongue, oblivious to my mother's worried gaze.

  "Jordie, are you okay?" My mother asked, her voice soft with concern. "You seem a little off, this morning."

  "I’m fine," I muttered, voice small and distant. From the look in her eyes, it must have not sounded very convincing.

  "Are you sure? You’re in your old uniform," she noted, her words light but puzzled. "Why aren't you wearing the new ones?"

  New ones? I paused. Letting the words linger in the air. Then a strange realization slithered into my mind. ’Wait….What year is this?’

  "Umm, Mom..." I stammered, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "I… I forgot what was the name of the school I’m supposed to be attending?"

  She locked eyes with me, a flicker of perplexity crossing her brows. "New Haven High," she replied, as though that were the most obvious thing in the world. "How could you forget? Are you sick?"

  ‘New Haven High?’ The words echoed in my mind, pulling at the edges of my memory. I’d never attended such a school before, and yet... why did it sound so familiar?

  "Umm... thanks, Mom," I said, my voice awkward and stiff. "And, no. Sorry, I’m fine, just a little tired." I lied, avoiding eye contact. "I didn’t sleep well last night."

  "Goodness, Jordie. That’s why I told you to go to bed early." she lightly teased. "Too busy playing games, huh?"

  "Uh, yeah... hehe," I chuckled nervously, the sound hollow even to my own ears. "I’ll go change in a bit."