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Standard warning and disclaimer: All characters are fictional. If you see yourself, buy a new mirror. Contains subjects some people may find offensive. If you are one of them, why are you reading this? Protect your kids. If you are worried about them reading this sort of material, please censor free speech and use a safe surfing program such as net nanny. Or better yet, teach them early and lovingly to understand and accept different lifestyles. Before they learn from bad experiences. All constructive comments are welcome. Please e-mail to me: [email protected] or [email protected] Finally, this is a piece of adult fiction. If you are underage, or if you find it offensive, please go elsewhere. Quickly. Don't Bet Your Underwear By Samantha Michelle Copyright 2000 It was Monday, and my first day of high school. That says a lot in itself. And the School District seemed to have it in for me. One of the reasons we had moved this summer was to get me into the same school as my sister, which was not the zone school for our old house. They hoped a fresh start would make life better. It turned out the school had apparently ignored all my class requests and transcripts, and stuck me with a standard freshman schedule, saying I had never completed the application process. I spent more time in the registration office and halls than I did in class. It was clear they did not have enough seats in the classes I needed, so they told me to check back in the afternoon. After lunch (Ugh!) I made my way to the office to pick up my new schedule. Which wasn't ready. I managed to remain reasonably polite while asking if they had even a faint clue as to what they were doing. When the clerk said no, then thought for a moment, I knew I was in trouble. When the insult finally soaked in, she did little more than giggle, and found me one of the school counselors who were not normally available for lowly freshmen the first day. Mrs. Martin turned out to be a neat person, who agreed with my analysis of the registration procedure. Something I ate had irritated my throat, and my voice was scratchy, but it didn't seem to bother her. When she pulled my file, the only information available was a copy of my 8th grade report card. A wonderful generic piece, it listed things like "Math - A. Language Arts - B." No clue as to what level or anything. So I spent quite a while with her, going over a listing of the courses available at the high school. When she looked them over, she shook her head. "Yeech, what a mess! And you say your parents sent transcripts from summer school too?" I nodded. "I completed college Algebra and Trig over the summer." "You're sure your parents sent us all the registration information?" "I was with my Mom when she brought it by last month. She even had the big folder from my middle school with all my testing stuff. And..." She motioned me to stop. "Wait here, I want to check something." So I sat and searched her computer for hacking ideas while she was gone. She returned with a big smile. "Found them. Because they were so thick, someone assumed you were in a special education program, and they wound up in a different office." She opened the folder, and out fell my class request list. She picked it up "I'm afraid that this won't do you much good now, as most of the classes are full." I started to protest, but she stopped me. "I know it's not fair you were not considered with the other students. But the district rules prohibit "bumping" any students once they are registered. Period. And they also prohibit exceeding class size limits for any reason." I had this feeling of impending doom. "So what do I do, come back next year?" She laughed. "It would be easier, but let's see what we can work out first, okay?" I nodded. She suggested I wait in the library, and gave me a pass. Soon I was deep into reading, and oblivious to the time. I nearly jumped out of my skin when she tapped me on the shoulder, and motioned to me to follow her. Back at her cubicle, she gave me a sympathetic look. "How bad is it?" I managed. She looked sadly at me. "It would have been difficult at best had your paperwork not gotten lost." She slid a printout over to me. "I have tentatively scheduled you for these classes, to make sure no one else takes the slots." I looked it over. 1st period Home Economics EC-14S (Homeroom) Roberts 2nd period AP Calculus. MA-6AP Ling 3rd period Honors English 1 EN-1H Brenden 4th period Honors History 1 HI-1H Brenden 5th period Chemistry SC-12 D. Ortega 6th period Physical Ed PE-46F Oswald "Home Economics? You've got to be kidding! I took that in middle school." "This is a more advanced class. You have to be in a freshman homeroom, and the only other homerooms open are Remedial English and Algebra One. At least it is a small class, as it has only twelve students permitted. You were the twelfth." She paused. "Cindy Roberts is a new teacher here, and she seems very nice. Dr. Ling is the Math department chair. Ms. Brenden is an outstanding teacher, and operates on a seminar basis." "What about Chemistry and Phys Ed?" "Fifth period classes were a special problem. I scheduled you for Chemistry, as the only options available were" she checked a list "Chemistry, Music Appreciation, Beginning Drama, Beginning Ballet, and Office Skills." She paused again. "I understand that Mr. Ortega is a tenured teacher, but nothing special." She paused, and then continued. "Last-period PE here is normally reserved for students who are in interscholastic competition. But because girls' participation in interscholastics was not a high as expected, they have some openings. That made sense, sort of. But then there was chemistry. I thought for a minute. What was it my father said about tenure, something on the order of the person being there too long to fire? "Um, that Chemistry class sounds sorta, well, not so good." Mrs. Martin nodded. "Well, there's always Theater, Drama or Dance..." I shook my head. "My sister is an Arts major. I would be dead meat. What is "Office Skills?" She almost giggled. "Learning to type and use a word processor. But given your abilities, I don't think being a secretary is one of your ambitions." "I can't type worth beans, so it just might help me in my other classes." She nodded, and typed on her computer for a while. "The class had only fourteen students registered, so I dropped the Chemistry Class, and added Office Skills. The class is taught by Mrs. Whillis, who is one of the most popular teachers in the school. If nothing else, you should have fun." She printed me out a new schedule, and noting the time, suggested I go to the supply room and get my books. Apparently most of my classes dispensed their own texts, so I walked out almost empty-handed. I took the bus home with my older sister, Jennifer. Usually Jenn would have avoided me, but I had a nearly empty pack and she was loaded down with books and supplies. So I was "requested" to help. By the "do it or I'll cream you" method. Jenn is not always the most diplomatic person. Mom and Dad were not real happy with the schedule, but since I liked to cook, Mom figured that Home Ec could be fun. When I explained that Office Skills was mostly a typing course, they were much happier, as they had been bugging me to learn to type properly for years. Jenn broke out in evil giggles when I mentioned my 6th period gym class, and refused to explain why. Day two. I wondered if they had put down the wrong room for Home Economics. It was in the Theater Arts area, and the door said it was the costume shop. I followed three girls into the room. And realized that there was something very wrong. Instead of desks there were twelve industrial size sewing machines. And I was the only boy present. The teacher was already there, and as the bell rang, she told us to take a seat. "I'm Ms. Roberts. This will be my third year teaching high school, and my first, hopefully of many, here at New Haven. As this is the first day of class, I want everyone to stand up when your name is called, and tell the others about yourself, and why you chose this class." She looked at her roster, than at the twelve of us. "It seems we have one more student than on my list. So whoever is left, I'll need to see your schedule. So lets begin..." "Joni Adams." I stood up nervously. So did the really cute brunette sitting next to me. We looked at each other, and at the teacher, who seemed annoyed. "I only called one name, so which of you is Joni Adams? We both replied, "I am." My voice still was giving me trouble. That got us both some really strange looks from the other students. "Do you both have your schedules, and student ID's?" We nodded. "Can I please see them?" She sounded really peeved. When she looked at them, she started to giggle, and finally had to sit before she fell over. The girl looked at my ID, and I looked at hers. Then we started to laugh. Now everyone was wondering what was happening. Ms. Roberts got up and wrote on the chalkboard. Joni M. Adams - Brunette Jonnie M. Adams - Strawberry Blonde "Well, girls, that is a first for me. I thought there was a typo on the roster, but we do have twelve students. At least you two don't look alike." She paused "Let's start with the first Joni." I sat down, but something still felt really wrong. The brunette had a melodious, soft voice, and was smiling. "This is so weird. Well, I'm Joni Michelle Adams, I'm a freshman, and my family just moved here a week ago from across the country, so I don't know anyone, or anything about the school. I'm here because I was late in registering, and this was the homeroom they assigned me." I saw the teacher flinch. She obviously wanted volunteers, not conscripts. When Joni sat down, I stood up and cleared my throat. "This is weirder than it looks. I'm Jonnie Michael Adams, a freshman too. I'm also here because of late registration, and this was the only homeroom that would fit my schedule. And my family just moved to this part of town over the summer." I was glad I was back to my normal high-baritone voice. I suddenly felt awfully warm, and realized that everyone was staring at me like I had forgotten to put on my pants. The reason became clear when one of the other students managed to gasp out "Oh my god, she's, she's a, a boy!" I blushed furiously, a bad side effect of being a blond, and started to head for the door. The teacher intercepted me. And where are you going, Miss Adams?" I gave her a disgusted look. "Oops" She looked embarrassed. "Well, you can't just leave. You'll get detention for wandering the halls without a pass." She propelled me back to my seat. I felt awful. I knew my long hair and small size did not portray the most macho image. Neither did my thin face. I had taken a lot of grief from others at my middle school, and was occasionally mistaken as Jenn's much-younger sister. I barely heard the others give their introductions. But I heard enough to know it was worse than I thought. It was not just a sewing class. It was a fashion and dressmaking class. After the last introduction, Ms Roberts got all of our attentions. "Okay class, nine of you volunteered, and it looks like three were volunteered." She looked sad "The school had assured me that all of you wanted to take this class. And there is something in their rules that requires them to cancel any class with less than eleven students..." One of the girls spoke up. "Ms. Roberts, I'll stay. That will give you ten..." "Thanks Mary, but ten is not enough." Joni, the girl who shared my name, stood up. "I'll make it eleven, Ms Roberts. My Mom has been bugging me for years to learn to sew. Maybe some hands-on time will be good for me." I saw the smile spread across Ms Roberts face. "Joni, thank you very much. That means we have a class." She went back to her desk. She looked at me. "Jonnie, I'm sorry about the confusion, and I really want to apologize for mistaking you for a girl. I'll talk with the registrar to try to find you another homeroom." I nodded at her. The other Joni looked at me, and then spoke up. "Hey, you're sure you want to drop? Any normal boy would give everything they owned to be the only guy in a class full of cute girls." Suddenly she looked really frightened. "Oh shit, I hope that I just didn't say what I think I just said." I put my head in my hands, and started to cry. Ms. Roberts was quick on the uptake, and warned that tolerance of all lifestyles was required. One of the girls made a "gay" comment. Ms. Roberts whispered something to her, and she turned white as a sheet. She told all of the others, except Joni, to wait outside for the bell. She tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention. "Jonnie, I really can't apologize enough for this." She stared daggers at the other Joni. "It's not a crime to be gay, or to look a bit feminine..." "I AM NOT GAY!" I screamed at her. "My long hair is the only thing about me I like, and I can't help if I'm not really big." I hung my head. "Now I'm dead meat. Student road kill. It's bad enough to be ostracized for being smart. Now they'll think I'm queer too." I started to cry again. I finally got some of my composure back just as the bell rang. "Will you be okay to go to your next class, or should I take you to the nurse?" "I'll make it. I don't want anyone's help anyway. Besides, what can go wrong in Calculus?" I heard a gurgling sound. Joni was trying to stifle a giggle. "Um, I also have AP Calculus next period, and if we don't get going we'll be late." I don't know why, but I let her drag me with her. Just before we went in, she asked me if I liked playing jokes on teachers. That got my attention. It was something I loved. "If you can talk in a higher voice for a little while, we can drive them nuts." I stared at her, and started to giggle. "You mean..." She nodded. "Major mind-warp. Hey, if you can't beat them, confuse them." I smiled evilly. "Make sure we sit next to each other." I did not know why I agreed to keep being mistaken for a girl. We headed into the class. She was right. They were confused. Dr. Ling finally decided to call us Jonnie one and two. She was one, I was two. By the end of the class I was feeling much better. When I saw Joni heading in the same direction I was, I asked if I could see her now-worn schedule. We had all the same classes. We looked at each other, giggled, and she gave me a hug. I hugged her back. And both of us forgot all about where we were. We would have been late for class, but an older student pried us apart. "Hey girls, ease up, like the mundanes here might get upset." She paused. "But it's nice to see some new sisters here. My name's Wanda. See you around." We looked at each other, and Joni grinned like a cat. She whispered "She must think we're lesbians..." I almost forgot to breathe as she dragged me towards our next class. It was a repeat of Calculus. At lunch we found a corner, and talked. Neither of us felt like trying to eat whatever the poop du jour was. Joni was a lot like me, extremely bright, and lonely. I almost broke out laughing when she said, "None of the guys wanted to date me, because their poor little egos couldn't stand my being smarter than them." "Well, I'm safe from that problem, I know I'm smarter than you." She gave me a hard look. "Don't bet on it, girl." She paused, and looked scared. "God, I'm sorry, I just forgot..." For some reason, probably stupidity, it didn't seem to bother me that much. "Hey, I like you, besides, from the looks of things I had better get used to it." We headed off to class hand in hand. Just like girl friends. What neither of us noticed was that I was now mimicking her movements, and was keeping my voice soft and relatively high-pitched. Office Skills class was a blast. Joni typed worse than I did. As far as Mrs. Whillis was concerned, she had a class of fifteen girls. And I liked her. She was one of the few who I knew could make learning fun. I was noticing that no one paid any attention to me, except when they were trying to remember which Jonnie I was. I liked the anonymity. When arrived at PE, I almost died. The smallest guy heading into the boy's locker room was twice my size. I knew I was dead. I started to cry after being bumped out of the way by a gorilla masquerading as a student, who boomed out. "Hey little girl, you're too young to be legal, so quit staring at the merchandise." He then flexed a bicep that was as big as my waist, and grinned as he headed inside. Joni held me as I sobbed. She suggested we head straight into the gym, and wait for class to start. I stared at the floor as we walked. When Joni muttered "Oh Shit!" I looked around. And fainted. I woke up lying on a padded bench, with Joni and an older woman staring at me. There was a wet cloth on my forehead, and I was covered with a blanket. The older woman addressed me. "Well, young lady, it looks like you decided to drop out of my class the hard way." Her voice was both concerned and friendly. "Do you do that often?" I shook my head. "Is it that time of month?" I stared at her, and then vehemently shook my head. Jonnie interjected "She's had a really rough day, and forgot to eat lunch." The older woman nodded, and quickly brought me a container of Gatorade and a straw "Here, drink this very, very slowly." I nodded. The liquid felt wonderful, and soon my head started to clear. She excused herself, and told Joni to keep an eye on me. Joni rubbed my head. "Where am I?" She started to giggle. Then it struck me. "Oh no, not..." "Yep, the girls locker room. But don't worry, just don't stare if someone comes in." I closed my eyes. And sipped the Gatorade. Soon I was feeling almost human, and Joni asked if I wanted her to help me get up. I nodded, and suggested that we get out before it got crowded. She agreed, and helped me, still wrapped in the blanket, back to the gym. I started to shake, and she told me to relax. I wound up in the stands still wrapped in the blanket, sipping Gatorade, watching a class full of attractive, athletic-looking girls doing aerobics. I was too worn out to panic. Or really appreciate the view. The older woman came over, sat down, and introduced herself as Sarah Oswald, the head of the women's athletic department. She carefully looked at my eyes, and asked how I was feeling. I managed to whisper out that I was better, but a bit shaken. She smiled, and welcomed me to her sports aerobics class. "Don't worry that you are not yet in the same shape they are. Most of them are dedicated athletes or cheerleaders, and have been doing this for years. I groaned. "Are you sure you are all right? When I carried you into the locker room you seemed, well, a bit undernourished..." She looked really concerned. "Do you have an eating disorder?" I stared at her, and then shook my head. "You are sure, because it's okay, a lot of girls your age do." I nodded. "My dad says I have an eating disorder. See food. Eat food. I have a high metabolism, and do a lot of swimming. I even had a sports physical just before I started school, and the doctor said I was in really good shape, just a little late in physical development." I realized I was still speaking like a girl, and clammed up. "Well, you and your friend will get plenty of exercise in this class." She handed me a sheet of paper. "Here is the list of the clothes and supplies you will need. Since you are not on a team, you don't have a regular locker. Find an empty locker, and bring a combination lock. Tell me the locker number, and I'll reserve it for you." She got up, and headed to the floor. I was still trying to figure out why life was torturing me when the early bell rang, and everyone else headed for the showers. Joni met me in the hall afterwards, and we walked to the busses together. She was smiling. She gave me a peck on the cheek and said "See you in homeroom tomorrow." I was still staring at her when Jenn grabbed me and dragged me onto our bus. When she looked at my red eyes and tear-stained shirt, she switched from mean to motherly. "Hey Jonnie, like, are you okay?" I nodded, and then shook my head. She looked really concerned. "It was the aerobics class, right?" I nodded again, and then shook my head. She gave me a hug, and asked if I wanted to talk about it when we got home. "Jenn, I don't know. It's like my whole world just got turned inside out, and I woke up in never-never land." "Hey, I thought you didn't do drugs." "I don't. But maybe they'd help." I could see the fear on her face. "No way. How about a quarter-pounder with cheese instead?" That reminded me I had missed lunch. "Fries and a shake too?" She smiled and nodded. We got off at an early stop, and headed straight for the golden starches. I sat quietly as she collected the food, and we settled in a booth. Soon I was making a super size batch of grease disappear. "Hey Jonnie, I heard someone say that a girl passed out in the aerobics class today. Do you know who she was?" I stopped eating, and stared at the ketchup. "Jonnie, are you okay?" I kept staring at the ketchup. "Was it someone I know?" I nodded "Well then tell me, darn it" "It was me." There was a moment of utter silence. "Oh my god... That explains..." She looked at me with a strange expression. "Want to head home?" I nodded, collected my leftovers, and we walked silently back to the house. I curled up on my bed, and cried myself to sleep, with Jenn at my side. She woke me up for dinner. "You need to eat. Both Mom and Dad were worried about you, but I said you had a really strenuous day, and just needed a nap." "I don't want to face them..." "Why?" "What are they going to say..." "I didn't tell them anything else. So play it cool, and let's talk after dinner." I nodded, and went to wash my face. I claimed exhaustion, and the stress of being at a new school to avoid questions. Mom asked why my voice sounded funny, and I almost lost it. I managed to stammer out that my throat was irritated. She immediately grabbed a flashlight, and after trying to see all the way to breakfast, decided it was nothing serious. Jenn told me she would do the dishes, and said to go rest. I gave her a hug, and headed for my room. I was staring blankly at my computer screen when Jenn walked in and closed the door. "Okay little brother, tell me all about it." She pulled a chair up behind me, and started brushing out my hair. That caused me to relax. Long ago I discovered how wonderful it felt to have someone stroke my hair. I started at the beginning, and left out nothing, including the incredible hug Joni gave me. Her soothing manipulations of my hair left me almost purring. Jenn got up, and plopped herself on my bed, staring at me. "And Wanda thought you were a girl?" I nodded. Jenn laughed. "She said that there were a couple of new sisters in the school, and joked that one looked an awful lot like me." That got my attention. "Jenn, you're like Wanda?" I was really confused, as Wanda was obviously gay, and Jenn seemed to like boys... "Not really, she's just a friend and fellow drama student." I relaxed. "I still can't figure out why they thought you were a girl, I mean, like you've got no figure and..." "And you are used to it. So were the kids at my last school. And with this oversize shirt and loose pants, and because I'm so skinny..." I got up and posed for her. "Shit, you're right." "So what do I do, kill myself before someone does it for me?" "Don't say that!" She jumped up and grabbed me. "Don't even think such a thing..." She was crying. "I lost Terry that way, and I'm not going to lose my brother too..." Terry was a very close friend of hers who had killed himself a couple of years ago. I held her till she quit shaking. "I promise I won't, sis, but that's not going to stop some jock from pounding me to a pulp." She seemed to relax. "You've got to talk to Mom and Dad. Maybe they can think of something..." "Jenn, it cost them a mint to move to this side of town. I can't keep running away from my problems." "Well, what are you going to do tomorrow?" "Move to Canada and request political asylum?" She shook her head. "Drop out of school?" She didn't like that idea either. "Well, darn it, you have any better ideas?" She sat back on the bed, and mumbled to herself. Suddenly her eyes lit up. "Jonnie, I need to call someone. Do me a favor. Take a shower, wash your hair, and shave your legs, arms, pits, and any stray fuzz on your face..." I looked at her like she had lost it. "Same as you did last summer for the swim meet." I nodded. "Wait, better yet..." She dashed out, and came back with a pink bottle. "This'll work even better. Use lots of my lotion when you are finished." She dashed back out of the room. I headed for the shower. The bottle said "Nair". I decided that whatever it was, it really didn't matter. So I decided to humor her. Thirty minutes later I was clean, hairless, and out of hot water. Realizing that I had forgotten to grab clean clothes, I wrapped my hair in one towel, myself in a second, and headed for my room. Jenn grabbed me in route, and pulled me into her room. "Hey, leggo, I need to get some clean underwear..." When I saw the look on her face, I knew I was in trouble. "Oh-oh. Jenn, what are you planning to do to me..." I started to move for the door, and she grabbed the edge of the towel. "I had this really crazy idea..." Now I knew I was dead. Her last "crazy idea" was to use some sort of theater dye to give me a suntan. Something went wrong, and after being in the sun my skin turned a weird blue-green. It took a month before people quit calling me Captain Planet. "Besides, if it's too bad you can always claim to be sick tomorrow..." That sounded like a good idea. I wondered how many days off I could get for the plague. She started by sitting me in a chair, and tightly braiding my hair into a long ponytail. She kept spraying it with some funny-smelling liquid she said made it softer and easier to work with. When she was finished, she handed me a pair of elastic panties. "Hey, like no way!" She made swatting motions with the hairbrush. I was not in a good position to fight. "Well then, give them to me, and turn around." She handed them to me, and giggled. I managed to pry them on. They felt like an undersize Speedo suit, and when I got everything adjusted, I realized that I didn't bulge in the front. She was grinning. I blushed all the way to my toes. When she handed me one of her old sports bras, I balked, but she simply pulled it over my head and into place. I expected it to feel really weird, but it was soft and not too tight. When she pulled out two flesh colored, jiggly things from her drawer, I started to run, then realized I did not want to be seen by Mom and Dad wearing a bra and my sister's panties. I was trapped. She put them in the bra, and pushed them into place. I gasped because they were cold, but when I looked in her mirror I stared, amazed. For as small as I am I have fairly broad shoulders, and very little fat on my body. So I figured I would look silly. Staring back at me was a female athlete. The kind you see in track-and-field events. Or swim meets. I turned sideways, stared more, and almost wet her panties. I looked at Jenn, and in my best Braham Stoker voice I quipped "Vell, Doktor Frahnkenstien, You haff succeeded in creating a monster beyond human comprehension..." She was still staring at me. "Hey sis, lighten up..." She had a weird expression on her face. "Hey, are you okay?" I tapped her on her head. She shook herself, and sat down. "I don't want to continue. I'm afraid of where this is going..." She looked and sounded frightened. "It's too real, like really scary." "Hunh? What are you talking about?" "You. The girl standing in front of me who is supposed to be my brother." "I look pretty silly, but that's about it." She shook her head. "Silly would be fine..." She paused. "You are sure you can handle this?" I smiled. "Hey, remember when I helped you dress like a Martian for Halloween, and superglued the antennas to your head?" She groaned. They couldn't find any solvent, and she had to go to school looking like a radar set the next day. "Okay Jonnie, but promise you won't hate me when I'm finished." "No more than usual, Jenn." She stuck her tongue out at me. "Okay. But here are the rules. Do exactly what I tell you, and don't say a word. I'm going to blindfold you, so you won't see what you look like until I'm finished. Agree?" I nodded. Soon I was sitting on the bed with a scarf around my head. She started by putting a pair of stockings on my now-hairless legs. The feeling was incredible, and she giggled when I wiggled. Next she pulled what felt like one of her soft sweaters over my head, and worked my arms through the sleeves. I felt her take and do a bunch of stuff to my nails, and almost screamed when I smelled polish. "Quit squirming, it'll come off later!" As she finished, she told me to keep my fingers separated and not touch anything. She slid something over my legs, and stood me up. As she fastened it at the side, I realized it was a long skirt with a very wide, extremely tight waistband. Sitting me back down, she told me to keep my eyes closed, and removed the blindfold. She put something on my eyebrows and eyelashes, and then added what I figured was lipstick. I felt her hang something from my ears (I had gotten them pierced as a private rebellion, but no one had seemed to care.) Finally, she got something from her closet, and I felt her buckle a pair of her shoes onto my feet. When she stood me up, I found the shoes were actually comfortable, even though the heels were awfully high. She turned me around, and made me promise not to scream or faint. Her voice seemed agitated. "Jonnie, I, I'm, well... just wait a few more minutes" She told me to wait and not open my eyes, and sat me back down. I heard her rummaging through her closet, and there was the sound of clothes flying around. I felt her move next to me. "I'm going to unbraid and dry your hair" I nodded. When she finished, she brushed it several times, and secured some of it in place with clips. I heard her doing something with her hair. When she next spoke, she was holding my arm, and her voice was shaking as much as she was. "Stand up, and remember, no screaming or fainting. Now open your eyes." I had to hold on to her for support. There was no mistaking my sister. Or her younger sister standing next to her. Me. I slowly turned and watched my reflection. I was stunned. I was far from beautiful, and had a sharp face. But I had a killer figure, and it felt so weird to be tall... And my hair, it was shining and soft and full and wavy and... "Earth to Jonnie, come in please..." Jenn managed to get my attention. "Are you okay?" I nodded, and then started to shake. She grabbed me and got me onto the chair. "What does this mean?" "I don't know, but damn, sis, you look good like that. It's like, well..." "Yeah. Like I belong in these, right?" She nodded silently. "Now what do I do?" "God, I wish I knew." We stared at each other for quite a while. "Do you feel silly dressed like that?" I shook my head. "Clothes are clothes. These are really soft, and comfortable. Except that weird underwear..." "You look a lot better as my sister." I gave her a pained look "I know, and it doesn't help." Mom's sudden appearance was like a bomb. She knocked, and without waiting for a reply, came in to Jenn's room. "Jennifer, I found this really great article on art scholarshi... pp... sss..." Her eyes got huge as she saw me, and she tried to say something, but nothing came out. Jenn helped her to the chair. Her voice really shaky, she spoke up "Mom, it's all my doing, Jonnie just went along..." I hugged Jenn, and looked at Mom, who was still mouthing words. Finally, she shook her head, closed her eyes, and bellowed "Darrin!" like there was a fire. My dad came bounding up the stairs, and stopped at the door. "Honey, what's wrong, is someone hurt?" He quickly looked around, and started to ask again when he gurgled, and stared at Jenn and Me. A moment later he was laughing so hard I thought he would have a heart attack. Still holding the doorframe, he sank to the floor, still laughing. She stared at both of us, then at Dad, who had slowed down to giggles due to a lack of oxygen, and then back at us. He managed "Okay, everyone to the living room, now. Just as you are." Mom had to help Dad, and Jenn stabilized me in the unfamiliar heels. We sat at the dining table, Jenn and me together. Mom went and got herself some aspirin, and told Jenn to get us all something to drink. I whispered in her ear "hemlock" and she slugged me so hard it hurt. I wound up with half of her Mountain Dew, and no ice, which was probably worse. Mom stared at each of us, in turn. Her look at me was pity, at Dad and Jenn, accusatory. Finally, she looked straight at me. "Okay young man, tell me the whole story. From the beginning. And if you leave anything out I swear I will... well, do something really nasty!" I looked at Jenn, who hugged me, and at Dad, who had a silly smile on his still- laughing face. And started in. In my high voice, and, not realizing it, gesturing like Joni had all day. All I left out was the part about killing myself. "...And then you came in without waiting after you knocked, and..." Mom had an exasperated look. Dad's was sympathetic. Jenn was still hugging me, her eyes closed. "So what now? Are you going to beat me up and kick me out, send me to another shrink, or change my name to Ashley?" That caused Jenn to jump. It was a standing joke between us that all Ashley's were boy-hungry air-headed bimbos. Dad suddenly sat up, and replied. "First, you are my child. No one is going to hurt you, or kick you out. As far as changing your name, I hate Ashley. And I'm sure that you will be seeing a psychologist in the very near future." Mom looked at him and nodded. I hated shrinks. He looked at Mom. "As far as what to do, I need to talk to your mother. Getting caught in a girl's washroom or locker room can get you arrested, suspended, or probably both. We need to decide, tonight, if you are going to school tomorrow as my son, or my daughter." Mom gave him a horrified look. "Darrin, she's your son, not some Barbie doll!" Mom suddenly went pale. "I called him a she..." "Take a good look at her, and you tell me what you see. Be honest." Mom asked me to stand, and I realized I was now taller then her. She looked me over. "A young girl with a sharp face and features, beautiful hair, and a to-die-for thin figure. And slightly big feet and hands." She looked some more. "Kind of geeky glasses, and needs to do her nails properly." She stared at dad. "You've made your point. Jonnie looks far better like this than she does when dressed as a boy." I cringed, but knew she was right. Jenn broke in. "Hey, how 'bout asking Jonnie what she, oops, he, wants to do?" I stuck my tongue out at her. They nodded. I looked at them silently for a bit. "Except for the initial shock in homeroom, and the jock and surprise at gym, I actually enjoyed yesterday. Joni, the girl with my name, is great, and I, well, seemed to fit in better. It's like the girls are not as competitive, and no one made fun of me." I looked at myself. "And well, I've never really cared what I looked like, and these feel really comfortable, even the heels, and I love the nylons on my shaved legs..." I suddenly shut up. Mom glared at Jenn, who tried to hide behind me. "Shaved legs? Jennifer, you are in big trouble." "But Mom, he shaved for that swim meet last summer..." "Hey, I agreed to do it, and to be honest, it feels great." That caused mom to sputter. "Enough already." This was Dad, and he sounded irritated. "Honey, I've made a decision." When Dad says he has "made a decision" it means just that. What he says is how it will be. "Jonnie is going to school tomorrow. As a girl. That outfit will work, if she can master the heels." Mom gave him a scared look. "I will call Dr Snyder tomorrow and make her an appointment." He looked at me. "I will talk with this Sarah Oswald and see what her opinion is of your continuing in her class. Either as a boy or a girl." He looked at me. "Use the girls' washrooms tomorrow, but for God's sake remember to sit." That caused Jenn to go into a laughing fit. All I could do was stare at him. He turned to Jenn and me. "Have you two done your homework?" We looked at each other, and groaned. Mom and Dad went to bed, and we spent the next hour frantically doing assignments. Jenn had to help me get undressed, and I was so tired I fell asleep on her bed. Chapter three I awoke the next morning to a very full bladder, and thorough confusion. I was snuggled up to someone soft and warm. And whatever I was wearing felt silky soft. Before I could engage my brain, my bladder sent out emergency signals, and I slid out of the bed and ran straight into a dresser. Open eyes. "Door is on other side..." I made it to the bathroom with moments to spare, and realized that I could not stand and pee in whatever I was wearing. So I plopped my butt on the seat, pulled things up and down, and soon felt much better. As I sat there, I woke up enough to put two and two together. I had spent the night cuddled up with my sister. And I was wearing one of her long nightgowns, which meant she must have put it on me last night. I looked down. The elastic underwear was gone. I was wearing a pair of panties that matched the nightgown. That meant she had seen me... I blushed. The clock said I had another hour to rest. I pulled everything back into place, and started for my room. But the warm snuggle had felt soo good... I headed back and crawled in next to Jenn. The next thing I knew she was telling me it was time to get up and ready for school. When I opened my eyes, she was grinning at me. "Well, notice anything different?" I hopped out of bed, and stretched. "The nightgown was a cute touch, and snuggling felt wonderful." Then I got serious. "Jenn, you are really getting into this. What gives?" She shuddered. "Let's get some breakfast." I usually made do with cereal, but Jenn cooked up some eggs, and I made toast. As we were munching, she started. "Jonnie, I've always felt bad that you were constantly being picked on, and ridiculed for your size. And I've been guilty of it too." She paused "And I watched you as you tried your best to act macho and tough guy, but your heart just wasn't in it, was it?" I hung my head. I didn't like tough and macho. I felt much better hugging someone than punching them. But boys didn't do hugs, unless they wanted to get beat up. "Am I gay, Jenn?" She looked at me. "Do guys make you horny?" "Hell no!" "What about girls?" as she said this she pulled her nightgown against her, and wiggled her ample breasts at me. I grabbed my crotch, where an instant hard-on was competing with tight satin for space, and losing. "Ouch! Don't do that to me." "Nope, not gay." "So what am I then, aside from miserable?" She looked pensive. "I called Wanda last night." I looked at her wide-eyed "And asked her what she thought of the two girls in the hallway." She paused "Wanda is the closest thing to an expert on gay people in the school. She is going to college next fall to become a psychologist. Anyway, she told me that the two girls were really feminine. When I said the one with the long strawberry blond hair was my brother, she refused to believe me at first." "Then I explained what had happened." She looked at me with pity in her eyes. "Wanda said there are a number of boys, and girls, whose physical sex does not match their mental sex. They are called transgendered, and she said if that's what you are, you will need a lot of help in finding out who you are." "Does that mean I'm going to be gay?" "She said that sexual orientation and gender are independent. Which means you could like girls, and think like one also." "Shit." "OOPS! Look at the time. We gotta get ready for school." Mom and Dad, who had just gotten up, stared at me as I, still dressed in Jenn's nightgown, disappeared into Jenn's room. I decided to wear the heels. As long as I took shorter steps, and put my feet in front of each other, I moved pretty well. But it made me wag my tail, which Jenn said looked really good in a skirt. It was the added several inches that made the decision for me. I no longer felt like a grade-school reject. Nobody noticed anything when I got on the bus, or went to my locker. I felt like Daniel entering the lions' den as I approached the homeroom door. To myself I muttered, "If they kill me, it will save a lot of trouble." So in I went. Joni was already seated. As I sat down the entire class went silent. Joni's expression was one of total disbelief. "Jonnie, you're gorgeous, but..." "I will explain later." "You'd better..." Ms. Roberts came in at the bell, and froze when she saw me. "I've decided to stay in this homeroom, Ms Roberts." I managed to keep my fear partly out of my voice. "So please don't make fun of me." There was a collective exhalation throughout the room. She looked around. "Well class, say hello to Jonnie, our twelfth student." Instead of criticism, I got hugs and several kisses. One of the other students looked at me, pouted, and said really loud "It's not fair. She's got a better figure than I do!" I wanted to hide, but she laughed. "Don't worry, I'll start bringing brownies and fatten you up." That made me relax. The rest of the class went smoothly, and at the end the girl who had made the "gay" remarks came over and apologized. When I gave her a gentle hug, she stiffened, and then hugged back. Between classes I encountered my first real problem of the day. One of the guys pinched my butt. I screeched, grabbed my backside, and hissed at him. Jonnie pulled me along, saying that only showed how good I looked. I was beginning to wonder whether I had gone completely off my rocker. By lunch, except for tired feet, I had mostly forgotten how I was dressed. Joni had worn slacks, and told me that she was going skirt shopping that weekend. "There's no way I'm going to look less feminine than you!" I was afraid I had offended her, but she smiled and gave me a hug. We managed to find something almost palatable, and were chatting away when Jenn and Wanda sat down with us. Wanda was eyeing both of us like fresh meat. Something came over me, and I felt threatened. So I pulled Joni against me, gave her a far-from neutral kiss, and said "Sorry Wanda, no poaching. She's mine!" Joni gave me a weird look, then it hit her, and she blushed. And returned my kiss. Which lasted until Wanda and Jenn pried us apart. Jenn looked shocked. Wanda looked jealous. Jenn handed me an envelope. "Dad dropped this off for you. He said to tell your teachers you have doctor's appointments all day Friday." I groaned. "I guess he talked to Sarah Oswald, because he said he needed to get you some exercise clothes. I gave him your sizes, and he was going to drop them off with her." Joni looked at me in shock. "Your parents know..." Jenn rescued me. "I told them last night, and I think they understand." She looked at Joni with venom in her eyes "Treat my little sister right or I will take you apart like a cheap toy. This is not a game for her." Instead of shrinking back, Joni bristled. "She's my friend too, so lay off. And I think I understand a lot more than you know. My Dad's a psychiatrist. So I asked a lot of questions last night, without mentioning names." She turned to me. "I'm inviting you to dinner and a homework session tonight. Kind of like a chaperoned date. Want to come? " She licked her lips, and I was glad for the elastic undies. I looked at her, then Jenn. "Sure." When Jenn began to protest, I stopped her. "Don't tell Mom or Dad that her dad's a shrink. Just tell them I'm on a date. And don't mention if Joni's a girl or a boy." That caused everyone to laugh. "Besides, I have a feeling that homework parties are going to be a regular feature this semester." I thumped my pile of books. Joni nodded glumly. It was almost the end of the fifth period when Jonnie Adams was paged to come to the nurse's office. So we both grabbed out books, and Mrs. Whillis told us to go. Dad was there, along with Sarah Oswald and the nurse. I suddenly felt sick, and Joni grabbed me as I wobbled. Dad asked if I was okay, and I shook my head. "Why are you here?" That made him smile. "I came to talk with Ms. Oswald, and she suggested we also meet with the school nurse. Now who is the young lady accompanying you?" I managed to straighten up. "Dad, meet Joni Adams." Last night's conversation clicked, and he chuckled. The nurse gave both of us a funny look. "I thought your... daughter's name was Jonnie?" I smiled. "I'm Jonnie Michael Adams, and he's my father." I hugged Joni. "This is Joni Michelle Adams, my friend." Ms. Oswald started to laugh, and the nurse groaned out, "Usually it's identical twins causing confusion. Now I've got identical names to worry about." Everyone laughed. We all sat down, and Ms. Oswald told me that I could stay in her class on two conditions. Joni and I looked at each other. "First, I will have to tell the other girls that you are really a boy. I don't want them to think I released a spy in their midst, and many of the exercises require physical contact between students." She could see me start to shake. "I really don't expect any problems, and I am more than capable of dealing with them if they occur." "Second, you will not be able to use the girl's locker room unless you have a letter from a psychiatrist stating that you are transitioning to life as a full- time female." I looked at Dad, and he nodded. Joni's sudden giggling startled me, and she shook her head when I asked what it was about. Ms Oswald continued. "There is an old teacher's locker area that is accessible from the gym. It's pretty rough, but I checked and by tomorrow it will be available to you. They say they think the shower is repairable." She looked at me. "I will not make any announcements today, and would prefer you sit in the stands and watch. If tomorrow you are ready to join us, I will explain everything to the class then, with you there, so there are no misconceptions." She looked at me with sympathy in her eyes. "Joni, I have a slight idea how hard this is for you. If you ever feel overwhelmed, scared, or just need someone to talk to, my door is always open." I nodded, swallowed the lump in my throat, and hugged her. The bell rang, and she excused herself to head for the gym. Dad gave me a hug, and told me to head for class. I watched everyone exercise. There were some girls with less of a figure than I had, even without Jenn's funny jello things. Most were bigger, taller, and obviously stronger than me. I was surprised at how good Joni looked in her exercise gear. Her waist was tiny, and she already had a prominent chest that jiggled nicely. I groaned as the underwear made its confining presence undeniably clear. I wondered if thinking pure thoughts would help. I looked at the exercising beauties, and the words "fat chance" popped up. Life had moved into the fast lane. I fleetingly wondered if I would survive the rush. I took the bus home with Joni, who told me to just be myself. It was not hard. Her older brother was huge, but polite, and when she told him hands off, he smiled. "Cute, but too young. Besides, if my girl friend caught me, I'd be toast. Burnt toast." We headed to her room, and wound up sprawled on her huge waterbed, tossing questions and answers at each other. I had never done homework except alone, and working together was faster and lots more fun. Apparently Joni had the same lack of shared-homework experience. The first inking anyone else was home was when her Mom stuck her head in the door, and told us that dinner would be ready in a few minutes. Joni sort of introduced me as the girl with the same name, and her Mom hurried back to the kitchen. When I asked if she would get in trouble for having a boy in her room, she giggled. "First, what boy?" and pointed to me. I nodded sadly. Around her, I really wanted to be a boy. She noticed my expression "Hey, you're still a boy under the clothes. Don't sweat it." I nodded, unconvinced. "And second, I've been on the pill for a year." That got my attention, and I almost hurt myself when I saw the predatory expression on her face. "Don't do that to me. My sister gave me these weird elastic undies, and when I get hard, it HURTS!" That made her laugh so hard she sat down and missed the bed. When she jumped up and rubbed her bottom, I smiled, and without thinking, assisted her. Her reaction was incredible. If someone had not shouted "Dinner" we might have continued all evening. Her brother Chuck, wearing an apron, served dinner. I looked at Joni in shock. "He went to a university sports camp last year, and when he came back he took a semester of culinary arts." He added, overhearing her. "There was no way I could survive the stuff they served for four years. Besides, now I can arrange a really private candle-light dinner for my date without going broke." Joni's mother was chuckling. I think I blushed. The food was excellent, and I was relaxed. We joined her parents in their living room. They seemed to be really happy that Joni had found a friend in school so quickly. They asked me about myself, and I gave them the short history, forgetting entirely about gender. I almost panicked when her Dad asked Joni if she had any more questions about the boy she was so concerned about the night before. Joni jumped, and mumbled "No". Bad move when your Dad's a shrink. He looked worried, and started to try and draw her out. Joni looked really frightened. I goofed when I tried to bail her out. "Dr. Adams, I know a lot about him." I was amazed how steady my voice was. Joni gasped and ran from the room. Her mother followed her. He looked at me. "Do you know why she is so upset? Did he hurt her or..." I shook my head. "No, he would never hurt her. She's much too wonderful a person to hurt." "Well, then, why is she upset?" He paused as a very distraught Mrs. Adams dragged a crying Joni back into the room. "Robert, she won't tell me a thing." Her voice was agitated. Joni was looking fearfully at me. I went over to her, and she flung herself into my arms. Her father looked at us, and quietly asked if someone would explain what was making his daughter so upset. I turned so I was facing them. "I'm the boy she was worried about." Her Mom sank into the nearest chair with a startled, "Oh my." Joni tried to hug me to death, sobbing, "I'm sorry," and her Dad simply stood there and watched us. He then looked really concerned. Then angry "I wish to apologize for my daughter's disreputable behavior. She obviously was more intent on playing a joke on me than hurting your feelings." That made Joni cry even harder. I shook my head. "It's as least as much my fault as hers. I'm just so new at this," I waved at my clothes, "that neither of us considered what might happen. I guess I had better leave." I attempted to start for the door, but Joni refused to unwrap herself. Her mom said kindly, "You are welcome to stay and talk, since Joni seems reluctant to let you go." Reluctant was an understatement. I managed to drag her over to their couch, and sprawled. She made a valiant attempt to emulate a blanket around me. Her mom chuckled, and tucked a comforter over the both of us. Her dad looked at me. "You are amazingly convincing. How many years have you been dressing as a girl?" Joni looked up at him through her tears "Daddy, please, she's had enough grief for one day." I put a hand over her mouth. "This is the first day." "You mean that this is the time you have dressed in public?" "No. I had never, ever, worn girls' clothes, or tried to act like a girl before." He looked carefully at me. "Interesting." He seemed thoughtful. "Do your parents know?" "They found out last night when my sister tried to see what I would look like really dressed as a girl." He seemed alarmed. "Are they okay with this?" I nodded. "My parents are pretty liberal. They made some sort of arrangements with the school, at least temporarily, and I'm supposed to see a doctor and psychologist on Friday." "Do you know who they are?" I don't know who the doctor is, but the shrink... OOPS, sorry... is a Doctor Snyder." Joni fell off the couch, and her Mom started giggling. "Doctor Snyder is a partner in my new practice, and an old friend." I looked at her dad in shock. "And I'll bet I'm the other doctor you are supposed to visit." He looked thoughtful. And then looked at his watch. "Mind if I give your parents a call, and ask them to drop by?" I dazedly shook my head, and gave him my phone number. He suggested Joni and I head up to her room and finish studying. She almost dragged me up the stairs. When she finally calmed down and quit apologizing, I managed to pry her loose, and we actually got going on homework until we heard a car pull up. Then we got too nervous to study, so we put everything away, and cuddled. We fell asleep in each other's arms. That was how our parents found us after their conversation. We awoke to their jiggling the mattress. Mom and Dad said it was time to go home, so I gathered my stuff, and told Joni I would see her at school tomorrow. Mom and Dad were real quiet on the way home, which made me nervous. "Um, is there something I should know?" I watched as they glanced at each other. "Jonnie, you made quite an impression on Dr. Adams and Carol, his wife. He said he had no inkling you were really a boy until you told him." "He asked about your hair and earrings, and I told him what you told me. You love long hair, and you thought the earrings would make you look more macho. He didn't seem convinced that was the only reason." As we pulled into the driveway, Jenn ran frantically out to meet us. "Mom, I just got a call from Ohio. Uncle Steve said you need to call him right away. He wouldn't tell me why." Mom turned pale, and rushed inside. Dad followed, asking Jenn to park the car. Jenn looked scared. "Whatever it is, it's bad. Uncle Steve sounded terrible, and I could hear someone crying in the background." "Shit." She changed the subject. "So how did your evening go?" I gave her a quick summary of events. When I told her about the four parents finding Joni and me asleep together on her bed, she laughed. "My poor, dateless, virgin brother dresses like a girl, and that evening is caught sleeping with his girlfriend." I started to laugh, and then realized how true it was. She saw my pained expression. "Hey sis, lighten up. It was not meant as an insult." "Am I really that much different when I'm pretending to be a girl?" "You're a lot nicer when you are not trying to act macho." "You didn't answer my question." We looked at each other silently as we locked up the car. Dad met us on the way in, and told us to join them in the living room. His face was strained. Mom looked awful. "We just got word that your aunt Mary is dying, and has maybe a month to live." Mary is my mom's sister, and they have always been very close. "Your mother and I are driving to Ohio tomorrow. We'll be staying at their house, and I'll set up a temporary office at Steve's plant. We will be there until, until the end..." That caused Mom to break down sobbing. Jenn and I made a hug sandwich out of her until she regained control. Mom looked at me. "Jonnie, I know you need us here, but..." "I'll be okay Mom. You do what you need to do. Somehow it will work out." She broke down again. Dad made her take a sleeping pill, and took her upstairs. He asked us to wait up for him. As soon as they were out of sight, Jenn grabbed me. "Are you sure you can handle this without their support?" She seemed almost frantic. "I don't want to lose you too..." We spent a long time in each other's arms. I pulled away. "Jenn, if they're gone for a month, we are going to need money for food and expenses." I looked at myself. "I can probably get by with your old stuff, and maybe borrow something from Joni. And you can drive Mom's car." She smiled, and then looked thoughtful. "Someone's going to have to act as our official guardian to sign things for school, and the doctor, and, well, I don't know any of Mom or Dad's friends that I would trust to understand your, well..." She gestured at my clothes. I nodded. I wondered briefly if I could run away. We heard Dad come down stairs, and we met him in the living room. He waved at us to sit down. "I called Frank and Louise, and they have agreed to be your guardians while we are gone." I covered my face, and curled up in a ball. Frank and his wife were old family friends, and basically nice people, in their own stuffy way. But they thought the John Birch Society was too liberal. "Jonnie, I know what you're thinking. But they are the only ones I trust enough who are available to do this." Jenn jumped in "Dad, all Frank has ever said about Jonnie is that her hair is too long and that boys don't wear earrings. If he sees her in a skirt, he'll freak." "Jenn, I understand that, but what choice do we have? Your mother needs to be with her sister, and she needs my support to get through this." I jumped up and ran to my room, crying. As I lay on my bed, I remembered the promise I had made to my sister not to kill myself. I wished I were a real boy, or at least a real girl like Joni, pretty, smart, and not torn between what I looked like and who I was. I wallowed in self-pity for a while, and then went back downstairs. Jenn and Dad were discussing financial arrangements. I saw my backpack, and realized that I had written down Joni's number. Without explanation, I grabbed the pack and dashed upstairs. Joni's brother answered on the third ring. "Hello?" "Chuck, this is Jonnie, your sister's friend, I know it's late, but it's like an emergency, and I need to talk to her." "She's asleep, so it may be a moment." I heard him put the phone down. She came on line "Jonnie, what's wrong, it's past midnight." I proceeded to cry into the phone as I told her what had happened. "I'll have to go to school as a boy and I'll get teased and beat up, and everyone will laugh at me and I'm wondering if it would be better for everyone if I just killed myself and saved them the trouble." "Jonnie, don't even think about hurting yourself. Promise me you won't do anything without letting me try to help. You're the only friend I've got here, so just hang in there, okay?" "There's nothing you can do. Dad's going to sign the paperwork tomorrow to make Frank and Louise our temporary guardians, and I know Frank will make me cut my hair and I'll kill myself first and..." "And nothing. No one is going to cut your hair. Now calm down and start using that wonderful brain of yours for something other than a wig stand." Her insult got my attention. "But..." "No buts, sister, or I'll find a way to get over there and kick yours." That made me laugh through the tears. "I wish I was your sister, then we could be together and I wouldn't be stuck with Frank and Louise to make my life worse than it already is." The line went silent. I was afraid I had lost her. "Joni, are you still there?" "Quiet, I'm thinking." I waited, and suddenly she spoke up. "Jonnie, can I get your promise to do absolutely nothing to hurt yourself until after school tomorrow?" "Why?" "'Cause I've got an idea. Just promise me, okay?" "I guess it won't make that much difference, so I promise." "Great. Make sure you wear a skirt and heels tomorrow, and look really pretty." "Why?" "Trust me." "Said the spider to the fly." "Get some rest, you're gonna need it. We're both gonna need it. Love you." "Love you." Then I realized what she said. Did she really mean it, that she loved me? I was really confused. And exhausted. I managed to get the clothes off, and slid under the covers. My alarm woke me. I was groggy, and shivered as the memories of last night intruded into my thoughts. When I saw the skirt tossed over my chair, I knew it was all real. Grabbing a robe, I made a dash for the bathroom, and then went to wake my sister. She had fallen asleep fully dressed. It took a while to get her attention. She looked at me, and started to cry. "Jenn, what's wrong?" "I tried to reason with Dad, but he won't budge on Frank and Louise. He told me he would try to get Frank to leave you alone, but he said that they will be our legal guardians until they get back." "I'll run away, or go live in a cave or something." She shook her head. "I'm going to try to get Mom's support today, but you have to get to school." "Why bother. I won't be able to come home... Shit." "What's wrong?" "I promised Joni I would make it to school today, no matter what happened." Her look of surprise and question drew me out. I refused to tell her why she made me promise. "I called her last night. I needed to talk." Jenn nodded. "And I promised her I would wear a skirt and look really pretty." That got Jenn giggling. We managed to shower and get dressed before either Mom or Dad stirred. Jenn found me a corduroy skirt and matching top that looked really feminine. I wished they were on Joni, not me. Mom and Dad, looking miserable, joined us at the table while we ate. Jenn started to ask Mom something, but Dad stopped her. "I already talked to you mother about Frank and Louise, and she agrees with me. We don't have time to make other arrangements, so that's the end of the argument." I put my head on the table, and felt like I was going to be buried alive. Mom and Dad tried to console me, saying they would do their best to make Frank and Louise understand. The doorbell rang, and Dad, muttering who the hell would be at the door this early in the morning, went to get it. I heard him talking, and a moment later Joni and her Dad came into the kitchen. I tried to say something, but Joni grabbed my arm and pulled me out with her. She whispered "Grab your books and let's get out of here while we can..." I numbly picked up my pack, and headed out the door. We were halfway to the bus stop when it clicked. I froze, and stared at her. "You told your Dad what happened?" She nodded, but looked frightened. "Including about running away or..." "I won't let you hurt yourself. I told Dad everything last night, and he wanted to come over then, but I said you promised, and I believed you, and..." She grabbed me and we hugged as she cried on my shoulder. "He said he was going to get your parents to take you to a hospital this morning. That's why I grabbed you and ran. He thinks I'm just keeping you busy outside." "And I'm not letting you out of my sight for one second until I'm sure you are going to be okay. Got it?" "Why are you doing this?" "Because I'm your friend, dammit." That made me grab her and hug her tightly. She screeched when she saw the bus, and we barely managed to make it in time. Jenn was nowhere to be seen. She kept a death-grip on me until we were in class. Joni made me tell Ms. Roberts about my aunt, and after giving me a hug, Ms. Roberts said I could call her at any time if I needed to talk. She also said she would let the main office kno