Mr Hanson, your 33 year old science teacher

The doctor’s words hit you hard, so surreal and unnatural that you felt lightheaded. George Hanson taught science and biology at your school and was, per seemingly the entire female student body, a dreamboat that they dubbed “Mr Handsome” on account of his good looks. You had always rolled your eyes when you heard that. Yeah, Hanson was objectively good looking, he was tall and kept in shape, with neat sandy-blonde hair and very striking blue eyes, but the guy was a pretentious ass.

Looking down, you noticed the way the thin bedsheet lay over your now more noticeably muscled form. It felt weird as you shifted your limbs. Hanson had kept in shape, whereas before you had barely done a little track but had otherwise eschewed sports or gym time. It was so strange to feel the new muscles shift and twitch with every movement.

“I understand that this is probably terrifying for you, Tim,” Saunders said from your side, his eyes looking at you with pity. “But, you’ve been given a second chance. George Hanson had an aneurysm that was sudden and severe, he was left brain dead before he even came to us. But his body…it saved you. Yes, it’s going to be strange, and yes there will be a period of adjustment, but your life will continue. Better days lay ahead.”

Your throat felt raw, the words struggled to come out and when they did you were shocked by how much deeper you sounded. “What…what am I gonna tell people?”

Dr Kerry exchanged a glance with his colleague and stepped closer. “Tim, you have to understand…even though this procedure saved your life, it’s not altogether….legal. Your body couldn’t be saved, and George Hanson’s own brain ceased to function. As far as the rest of the world is concerned, Tim Connors is dead, and George Hanson managed to survive a brush with ****. You can’t tell anyone, your old life is over…”

“But…”you felt a tremor run through you as grief and confusion took hold. “My Mom…my dad…my brother and sister, all my friends, my…my girlfriend Alison. Don’t they deserve to know that I’m still here?”

Saunders placed his hand on your now muscled arm. “Tim, think it about carefully. What kind of life could you live with them? You were an eighteen year old student, but now you’re a grown man. The kindest thing you can do right now is allow them to grieve and move on, while you find your own path forward.”

It made your head spin and your heart ache, but you understood at a little of what the old man was saying. Though it was all you could do to keep from crying in your bed. Saunders patted you on the shoulder awkwardly, uttering empty words of encouragement.

Kerry, however, moved full steam ahead. “You’ll have to take on George Hanson’s life, but not worry, I’ve got a full file for you to study,” his grin felt strange and tone deaf as he handed you a manilla folder. “Welcome to your new life, George.”