My second chance in a strange reverse world!

Conversations that had momentarily halted resumed as all the guys noticed me entering the password right in front of them. Even though I really didn't want to, I couldn't help but wonder if this was what they called peer pressure. Would we engage in drugs afterward? Would we partake in vandalism?

I snorted at my own joke. I could have refused if I had truly stood my ground, but that would undermine the very reason I had come here in the first place. Apart from wanting to delve deeper into the social circle I had in this world, there was also the desire to experience what it felt like to hang out with friends. Even if they embodied the typical cliché of a group of popular girls in a teen movie, I was curious to know what it was like.

It wasn't an exaggeration. I found myself included in some of their conversations, but I limited myself to simply fake-laughing or nodding with a slight smile at whatever nonsense they said. They discussed an incredibly unattractive, yet strangely appealing celebrity who was dating an actor, as if it were the most intriguing topic. Needless to say, it took a considerable amount of effort and energy on my part to keep up with them even a little bit. If it weren't for my modest experience in conversing with people and my innate ability to listen, honed from my job as a cashier, I would likely be so overwhelmed that I'd faint instead.

"Hello! Nice to see you again!" An enthusiastic male voice snapped me out of my thoughts. A blond-haired man with slight wrinkles in his features greeted everyone in the room with a hug. When he arrived right in front of me, he also wrapped me in his arms. He had a rather strong fragrance. "How's your mother, Alex?" he asked with a smile.

Physical contact as intimate as this was still new to me, so despite my best efforts, I stiffened, returning his warm embrace with an awkward pat on his back. "Good... why the question?"

He seemed to notice I wasn't so comfortable, so he let go of me after only a few seconds of hugging and shrugged with a smile.  "Just asking."

“Okay…”

I looked curiously at the man. It was pretty safe to assume that he was Peyton's father; he was basically an older version of him. And while I was thinking about that, the son in question of the father walked into the living room with a smile but didn't seem that it was time for us to go to the mall.

My theory was solidified when Peyton pulled a small case from behind his back, held it up in the air, proudly displaying it. "Let's get a touch-up, guys!"

Most of them applauded or raised their hands with a smile. "Yay!"

Peyton turned with a smile and motioned to leave as he headed for the stairs with his small platoon of boys. However, before he took the first step upstairs, he looked in my direction, realizing I wasn't following them upstairs and looked slightly confused. "Aren't you coming?" he asked, cocking his head slightly.

"No, natural Look, remember?" I replied, giving him a slight smile.

"Oh, right." He said, shrugging his shoulders.

Everyone started up the stairs and I stood awkwardly next to Peyton's father.

"So... how's Peyton doing in school? Any girls who have an interest in my little boy?" Peyton's father asked with a smile, giving me a light playful nudge in the side.

This is going to be uncomfortable.

(***)

What the fuck were Peyton and the others supposed to be doing? Doing handmade makeup or something? I've been waiting for almost a fucking hour for them to come down. It's almost 11am now, and I'm bored of watching what I can only consider parodies of shows I used to like. I can't take them seriously when a character I used to like is suddenly absolutely awful and acting like a tomboy. It just loses its charm.

I didn't really feel like looking at my social networks either. I had already deleted the photos where I appear, which are absolutely degrading and even some quite provocative. My almost 20k followers are proof of that. Really? I simply showed a little skin, and women started following me in droves. It was fortunate that my former self had turned off comments on his photos, as I have enough unopened chats of shameless horny women sending me pussy pics.

Sure, among the sea of abominations there should be some nice pussies, but I really didn't feel like being a filter to find that. On top of that they didn't put much effort into the photos either, they just took it fast and sent it off. It really gave me food for thought when most of these photos were at an angle that made their vaginas look tighter. Was this the equivalent of taking a drone photo of your penis and hoping it looks big enough?

After sighing, I rested my hand on my cheek using my arm as a support for my head, boredly scrolling through the movies on the subscription platform.

Peyton's father came into the kitchen some time ago, after an awkward talk about things like school, our friends, and girls. It was quite strange, and I enjoyed the moments without the man who, although kind, was the definition of a boomer. However, it seemed that my alone time was over.

He brought a tray with a glass of lemonade on it, or so it seemed, to where I was sitting on the couch.

"Thank you, Mr. Jordan." I said, receiving the glass with a smile.

The man sat down next to me, even though there was more room on other couches. "No problem, sweetie," Jordan said, waving his hand. "That show is my favorite," he commented absently, looking at what I was watching on the television.

“Yes…”

After a while of watching the program, Jordan turned to me. His kind eyes had a seriousness in them that I had not seen before. "Listen, Alex," he said, placing his hand over mine. "There's no need to be so stiff. Your mother owes me money, true, but I'm not one to embarrass my son's friends like that," he commented, squeezing my hand. "I understand your situation."

"Ah- I-"

"We're ready!" Kevin's voice sounded happily, saving me from the situation.

I saw the boys' faces full of makeup, some more asymmetrical than others, but I just ignored them as I thought about what Peyton's father had told me. My mother was in debt? That was a problem. I knew we weren't doing so well financially, but I didn't expect it to be that big of a deal.

I will have to inquire about the issue as soon as possible, and resolve it.