Derek took a moment to collect himself. He looked down at his muscular arms and his loose-fitting T-shirt. He was completely different. Even his hair was different, now with a shorter (much shorter) hairstyle. He still couldn't figure out how all of this could happen. It was times like these when he could really use a friend.
"Hey, Derek," someone said, diverting him from his thoughts. He turned and saw Randy Goodman, best friend to Steve Farber. At least, normally he was.
Randy approached him and slapped him on the shoulder, causing Derek to cringe.
"Whoa, man," Randy said. "What's wrong with you? I didn't startle you, did I?"
"Uh ... no." Derek watched Randy closely. It was a known fact that he was Steve and Randy's biggest target for bullying. Derek was just trying to prepare himself for whatever came next.
But what did come next surprised him.
"I just wanted to ask you if we're still on for Saturday."
"What?"
"You know, the party. Are your parents still gonna be out of town?"
This got Derek's attention. What did Randy mean by "parents"? Derek lived with his mom, no one else. His father skipped out on his mom years ago, before Derek even knew him. But from how his mom described him, the guy must have been a real scumbag. Could it be true that in this new world his dad had never left?
"I'm not sure," Derek said, finally answering Randy.
"Well, I want to know by tomorrow, because I'm thinking of asking Jessica to go with me."
"Jessica?"
"Yeah. Jessica Davis." He paused. "Derek, are you okay, man? Because you seem really out of it."
"I am really out of it."
Suddenly, the school's warning bell sounded.
"Ten minutes to get to class," Randy said, stating the obvious. "See ya later, man." Then he walked away.
It was the most pleasant meeting he had ever had with Randy. No insults, no punches.
Derek turned and walked down the hall towards his locker. He still needed his books for his first class. But as he walked, he spotted Yukio Meshida walking towards him. Then suddenly, he felt different as his other persona kicked in.
