Clothes Switch Rewritten

"Jeremy, wake up!" your mum’s voice echoes from downstairs, cutting through the early morning haze.

You blink against the sunlight peeking through the blinds, rubbing the sleep from your eyes—just in time for a sudden, heavy impact to crash down on you.

A high-pitched screech pierces your ear.

"WAKE UP!!! It's the first day!"

Your five-year-old sister Emma is beaming with excitement, perched like a hyperactive cat on your chest. She's dressed head-to-toe in chaotic enthusiasm: ankle-high Ugg boots with fuzzy socks poking out, shimmering mermaid-patterned leggings, and an oversized white t-shirt with a cartoon dolphin stretched across the front. Mum always buys her clothes a size too big so she can "grow into them."

"Ugh, Emma, why are you so excited? It's just daycare—you've been kicked out of, like, three of them." you mumble, still half-buried in your sheets.

"Nuh uh!" she retorts, hands on her hips. "This one's different! It's uni-ver-sity daycare, so it's real school. We're going to the same school!"

"We're NOT going to the same school," you sigh. "I'm going to university. You're going to a daycare that happens to be on campus. Big difference. And you have to go every day. I only have to go three days a week."

The door creaks open again, and your mum rushes in, fastening one earring while balancing her work satchel.

"Today’s one of those three days, Jeremy. Now get up."

You glance toward the digital clock on your nightstand. 8:00 AM. You groan.

"Mum, my class isn’t until noon."

She gives you a pointed look. "Yes, well, I’m not driving all the way back here to take you later. It’s either now or you bike 20 miles. I’m sure you can find a quiet corner on campus to work on your sketches or nap in the library."

Emma is still bouncing excitedly on your mattress. With a gentle shove, you guide her off the bed. She lands on the floor with a solid thud and the giggle of someone who has clearly never experienced a backache.

You sigh, dragging yourself up. After ushering them both out of the room, you throw on a pair of no-show socks, clean boxers, jean shorts, a plain grey t-shirt, your worn-in Converse sneakers, and your favorite Avengers hoodie. Slinging your messenger-style satchel over your shoulder—the one that’s supposed to make you look more "university ready"—you trudge downstairs.

Emma is already at the front door, pink Barbie-themed backpack strapped on and ready like she's going on a world tour.