Joshua and Alexa switch lives

Joshua looked over the flyer for his new school. It was a nightmare. The whole curriculum was based around athletics and outdoor activities. It was designed for future Olympians and college athletes. From everything he could see, it wouldn't challenge him intellectually, and it would be humiliating to be surrounded by mega-jocks, all of whom would be bigger and stronger than him.

He glanced jealously at the flyer his twin sister was examining. It advertised the giant library, literary societies, and a teaching staff that was 90% PhDs. She couldn't have been much happier than he was. He heard her mumble under her breath, "do they even have a soccer team?"

It was bullshit and they both knew it. Since their father had sold his company for millions, he was determined to send them to the best schools in the world for their post-high school years. Since all the best Universities stopped accepting students under the age of 20, elite, 2-year post-high school programs have sprung up to fill the gap. And the two schools their father chose were the very best. The problem was, they were exactly wrong for who the twins actually were.

Alexa said what they both were thinking. "I wish we could go to each other's schools."

This, of course would be ideal. Alexa would love the Altero Academy and Joshua would absolutely thrive at the St. Margaret's School for Gifted Women.

"It's absurd," Joshua agreed, "what kind of world do we live in where the only thing standing between us and getting the world-class education we deserve is the shape of our genitals. If there was a way we could switch schools, I'd do it in a heart beat."

The voice of their butler called from downstairs, "Joshua, your ride's here!"

Joshua sullenly stood, ready to face his dismal future.

"Wait," Alexa said, "Let's do it. I'll be Joshua, you be Alexa. We've always been told we look like identical twins."

"You can't be serious."

"I'm deadly serious," she said, and she handed him a pair of scissors. "Quick cut my hair off. It doesn't have to look good, I'll pay the taxi to stop at a salon."

Joshua couldn't believe his ears, but the more he thought about it, the more he saw this was the best way.

"I'll be right down! Give me a few minutes!" he yelled.

He chopped off Alexa's hair at the ponytail. She grabbed the suitcase he had packed for himself, and ran down the stairs to ride off to his school.

He felt exhilarated. This might actually work!

So it was with a mix of excitement and embarrassment that he put his hair back with a ribbon, applied some of his sisters colored lip-gloss, and waited for his own taxi to arrive.