Ms. Yates, Chapters 2 And 3 free porn video

Ms. Yates A Novel Two Thursday afternoon, Meredith came over. Marjorie was working, so they were alone in the house. Meredith was the only friend so permitted. "Holy shit!" she gasped when Tina answered the door. "Look at you!" Tina turned to face the full-length mirror in the hallway: denim miniskirt with lace trim at the hem; white gauze blouse through which the outline of her new training bra was plainly visible; pantyhose and a pair of black pumps with a little heel. Lipstick, blush, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara. Hair brushed out and full. A gold heart pendant that Barbara had given her for her birthday. "Not overdone?" "Fuck, no. Do anything to your tits? They look bigger." "The training bra has some padding." They went into the living room. "What's the occasion? Ken ask you out?" Tina glared at her. "Shit, I was only joking. Not that you don't have a thing for him." "What makes you say that?" "I dunno. It's just that even when you're trying your best not to be 'girly', when he's around you seem to be all girl." Tina told about the conversation with her mother and sister, and Meredith smiled. "Oh, yeah, you definitely send signals. And I guess seeing them received by a guy and getting the reaction you do - him going all protective for you - has to be a rush whether you have a thing for him or not." "But I don't." "Yeah, you do. Maybe not completely. I mean, if he whipped it out, you wouldn't suck it, but you'd be turned on by the idea that he might want you to." She stopped teasing and turned serious. "You both send signals, whether you mean it or not, and you both like it. And to me, that's kind of having a thing for each other. That's all I'm saying." Tina sighed with contentment. She wasn't prepared for what came next. "But, really, I can't believe how sweet and pretty you are." "Really?" "Word. You're glowing like my sister was when she found out she was pregnant - the second time, after she was married, not the first time, when she was in high school." They both giggled. Meredith touched her cheek and said, "My favorite girly girl. I'm kind of surprised you still want to hang with a raunchy lezzy like me." Tina leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "You're my friend. And you always tell me the truth. I want to know what you think about me becoming Tina full time." "You are Tina full time." "No, I mean in school and everything." But Meredith insisted. It was just that in school, she was Tina masquerading as Chris. The teachers who favored girls over boys encouraged her and the ones who preferred the boys gave her a hard time. "But if I suddenly start going to school like this..." "You mean, like you really desperately and totally want to?" "Yeah. If I do, everyone will freak out. 'Sissy faggot' will be the nicest thing they'll call me. And they'd turn on anyone who was still my friend. Look what they did to Ken the other day." "Looked more like what Ken did to them, if you ask me. He cleaned their clocks." Tina waved her away. "Even my mom is worried about me changing in the middle of the school year. She always figured that if I did this, it would be over the summer and I'd change schools." Meredith sat back and looked her up and down. "If?" she asked. Tina blushed. "You know what the biggest problem is, here?" Meredith went on. "You've never been completely honest with yourself about what you wanted. First, you just wanted to try on my school uniform. Then, Barbara's Easter Dress and maryjanes. Then, your mom's stockings and heels, all 'just to see how it felt'. "Finally, after a massive struggle, you wanted to be Tina, but only on the weekends. And then, well, maybe a little after school; oh, and on vacations. Then it was the hormones, not to change anything, but just to feel more girly when you wanted to, except that then you figured out a way to snooker an extra supply and up your dosage. "What a bunch of shit! I remember you slipping your feet into Megan Wilson's penny loafers when we all had our shoes off at my seventh birthday party to play Twister. You always wanted to be a girl but you figured everyone would freak out, especially your father, and only when he was gone did you admit it to your mother and even then you thought you had to dial it down. Fuck that!" Tina said nothing at first. "I'm not like you," she said at last. "No? Who stood up to Mr. Rodriguez? Not Ken 'Kong' Carlisle. Who told Cecilia Gromke that she had to report being raped by three seniors and threatened to go to the principal herself if she didn't? Who made a public display of friendship to both me and Alyssa Petrino after gossip got around that she and I had been caught making out, and then even got Jeff O'Malley and his entire band of geeks to join in?!" Now it was Meredith trying not to cry. "You're the best fucking girlfriend I have. And tough as nails. Tougher than Hilary Clinton and way prettier." They hugged for a long time. Tina mentioned Barbara's suggestion of telling her closest friends and get their ideas. "Okay, you've already told me. That leaves Jeff and Ken." "But..." Meredith held up a hand. "Do it. Then we can get everyone you consider a friend, or even a friend of a friend, together and tell them all, your own special 'coming out'. Then you don't have to stop, don't have to pretend, and we can stop all this bullshit." Tina furrowed her brow as she thought about it. Meredith wondered if Tina was really going to hold back. She was unprepared for Tina's only concern. "What would I wear?" # Jeff O'Malley had become a friend in kindergarten. They'd played soccer together and had discovered computer games together, leaving most of their other friends in the dust. In time, they'd collected a like-minded group and by the time they'd reached high school, they'd become known, collectively, as the Band of Geeks. It was a name they wore with pride. Once Chris started dressing as Tina, the clock had been running on when Jeff would find out. It had finally happened the previous spring, when Jeff had popped over unexpectedly. Tina had been in the bathroom at the head of the stairs and came out thinking Jeff had already gone from the vestibule to the living room. He hadn't. "Wait," he'd said to Marjorie. "Didn't I just see Barbara drive away?" "Honey," she'd called out, "I think you'd better come down just as you are." Still wearing a sundress and white sandals, she had slowly come downstairs, praying the stairs would somehow open up and swallow her before she reached the bottom. But Jeff's only reaction had been an incredulous stare, and as she later explained, her greatest relief was that he never asked, "does this mean you're gay?" Since then, he had seen her dressed several times, each time growing more comfortable than the last. She waited for him now, dressed the same as she had been for her talk with Meredith - "might as well be gorgeous", Meredith had cracked. He could only stare. "Jeff, you've seen me dressed before." "Not like this." She felt a warm tingle. "Thank you. Come in," she added, and realized with a start that she was being just as demure and coquettish as Meredith had accused her of being, and that she was enjoying it. "I guess you're not going to be in phys ed any time soon," he said. She smiled and kissed him on the cheek, which made them both blush. "I'm considering coming out." "Considering? Not much doubt, I'd say." "I'm exhilarated and terrified at the same time. I need to know, first of all, that you are still going to be my friend. I mean a real friend." "What other kind is there? But, yes, of course, I'm your friend no matter what you decide to wear." "It's not just about clothing. It's about the person I am. I'm a girl." "I'll say." She relaxed, and then he surprised her by cutting right to the practical problem. "You're going to need help from some unusual sources, from people who don't usually talk to your friends. Right now you've got Meredith and me, so you've got the lezzies and the geeks. Well, we'd all probably be cool with this even if you didn't ask and in fact don't be surprised if you get asked out by someone in either crowd." She was tempted to kiss him again but resisted. She made a mental note that she was going to have to talk to Dr. Fleming about this kissing instinct. "Kong can probably help you with the jocks. Might even be able to get the cheerleaders on your side. Have you told him, yet?" She shook her head. "Gotta do that. Kong is the key." "Don't call him that." He smiled at her and she blushed. "I'll host the party. How about Saturday night?" "Isn't that kind of soon?" "You want this done with, don't you?" # They were walking together, but the words wouldn't come. Ken had accepted the offer of an after-school chat immediately. Now, she had no idea how to start. "You okay?" Ken asked at last. As always, caring and protective. And then it was clear. "Do you remember the other night, when you told me how you sometimes think of me as a girl?" He began to stutter apologies. "No, it's okay. The truth is, since I was really little, I always wanted to be a girl. My oldest and dearest friend is a girl, my sister and I are really close and the desire I feel has only gotten stronger as I've gotten older. "I know. Weird." He shook his head but said nothing. "Over the past year or so, I've been spending more and more time as a girl, and I've been taking hormones that make me feel more feminine. The hormones have now started my breasts developing, which is probably why I remind you of your sister." They walked further. Still nothing but silence. "Please say something." "Why are you telling me this?" he asked at last. "Because I'm going to start living full time as a girl. I'll be Tina instead of Chris. I'll wear skirts and makeup and do girl things. All the time. In school and out. "I know the in school part will be the hardest, and I know it will be bad for you, too. So, I wanted to let you know." He stopped and looked at her. "Are you asking me if I think you should?" he asked. A deep breath before answering. "No. I have to do this. And I'm terrified. But I feel like if I don't, I'll explode." They started walking again. Soon they were at the house. "Why would you be terrified?" he asked. "It's not like the garbage will get any worse. You can't get any lower than what some kids say, now." They lapsed into silence. "Tina?" he asked. She felt herself starting to cry. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently held her. "Hey, don't cry. I was just trying it on for size." "I know." "Can I ask you something?" She nodded. "Does this mean you're going to stop wearing that ponytail?" She blinked several times. "Yes, why?" "Good." Three Saturday morning, she met Meredith at her house. It had been Meredith's idea to go shopping, and that struck Tina as a singularly odd suggestion. Meredith did not typically go in for shopping sprees; too "girly". But as she walked up the path to the Bennett house, she saw that Alyssa Petrino was joining them and hesitated. "It's okay, Tina!" Meredith called. "You're among friends." Alyssa was smiling, so she relaxed a little. The main question on Tina's mind was how they would be getting to the mall. Meredith told her that her mother would take them. "Don't worry," she assured Tina. "She's cool." As if on cue, Meredith's mother emerged from the house. When she saw Tina, she stopped in her tracks. "Wow. Meredith wasn't kidding. You really did it." Tina could only nod. Ms. Bennett reached out and touched her on the cheek. "She was right," she added. "This is what you really needed to do. How's your mom dealing with it?" Tina told her how supportive she'd been so far. "That's good. I'll stop by later and see her. Okay, girls, let's go." They all got into the car, Tina sitting in the back seat with Alyssa. Every time she glanced over, Alyssa smiled at her and patted her hand. "You know what you're looking for?" Alyssa asked. Tina told her that her main concern was a dress for that night, but that she also needed to add to what was now a very limited wardrobe. "Up until now, I've only needed it for weekends. Full time is a whole different matter." "Okay," Alyssa replied. "So, besides the dress, we need skirts, tops, lingerie, leggings..." "No pants." "Tina is even 'girlier' than you, Alyssa." "We'll talk about it later," she replied. "In the meantime, you might want to also get your ears pierced?" Tina nodded vigorously. "And Baker's is have a special makeup demonstration today." "A makeover?" Tina asked with a frown. "More than a makeover. I've done one before. It's fabulous. They don't just do a makeover, they explain exactly how to do what they are doing and even have you try it. And these women really know their stuff." They were at the mall. "Okay, girls," Ms. Bennett said. "I will pick you up here at 2:30 sharp! Understand?" They all assured her they did. She drove away. As they entered the mall, Meredith walked a little ahead. Alyssa took the opportunity to take Tina aside. "You think it's strange, don't you? Me wanting to help you like this?" Tina nodded. "Meredith keeps secrets better than any girl I know. She probably hasn't told you about mine." Tina shook her head. "I thought not. Someday, I'll tell you. She only started telling me about you recently; I think she wanted me on your side." She turned and started walking briskly into the mall. "Come on, you two!" Meredith called. The ear-piercings were first. Tina listened carefully as they gave her the instructions for aftercare and for the posts. "You okay?" Alyssa asked as they left the boutique. Tina nodded and grinned. "Major barrier crossed," Meredith said with a laugh. Alyssa gave Tina's arm a squeeze. "You up for the makeover? It takes a long time, so if you don't feel up to it, we can do it another time." But Tina wanted to do it. Whatever discomfort she felt was put aside as they entered the department store. There was no line at the cosmetics counter, and for the next hour, she was an attentive student, learning the finer points of makeup application and applying them herself. "Holy shit!" Meredith said when they were finished. "You look like a model." "Dress next," Alyssa said. "And I know just the thing." They stayed in the department store and took the escalator up to the Juniors department. Alyssa led them to the dresses. "I have a great idea!" she said. She led them to a rack near the front of the display and pulled out a sleeveless dress, a lovely blue pattern print, with a tight bodice and a flared skirt. "It's called a skater dress," she said, "and it is absolutely you." When Tina came out of the dressing room a few minutes later, she walked over to the mirror, did a quick twirl, and was thrilled at the effect of the skirt flaring. "Did you ever see such a flirt?" Meredith asked Alyssa. "I mean, other than you." Alyssa stuck out her tongue. Then she turned back to Tina. "Well?" "I love it, but doesn't it kind of emphasize how small I am on top?" "Just the opposite. I think they stand out a little more. And it's not the kind of dress that you need mega-boobs to look good in." "What kind of shoes do you think I should wear with it?" "If you have a nice pair of ballet flats, I think they'd be great. Or pumps with a heel." Tina broke into a big grin. "I knew it," Alyssa said. After the dress, they stopped for skirts and tops. But when Alyssa again suggested leggings, Tina resisted. "Let's get lunch," Alyssa suggested. They walked out to the food court and found a place to eat. They were seated at the table when Alyssa said, "We need to talk. "I understand you want to be as girly as possible. And you are; I mean, God! You're so cute! But there isn't anything unfeminine about leggings, and they are very comfortable. "You want to be accepted by the kids in school as a girl, right? Well, even girly girls like me don't wear skirts all day every day. Besides, you can pair the leggings with long tunics that look almost like dresses. It keeps a casual look but also keeps to the very feminine impression you're after." "Why is this such a big thing for you?" Tina asked. Alyssa smiled. "You have no idea how grateful I was last spring when you made such a big thing about being friends with me, even though we really didn't know each other. Then you went and got Jeff and his friends involved, and the whole thing calmed down. "Meredith told me about you - about this - shortly after all of that, swearing me to secrecy. I want this to work. You're a really nice girl, and I want everyone to see that." She bought the leggings, along with the tops that Alyssa suggested. "But I'm wearing the dress tonight," she insisted. "Of course. It's perfect." They were invited back to the Bennett house for dinner, and then they all changed for the party that night. Alyssa brushed out Tina's hair and watched as she retouched her makeup. She helped her on with the dress so as not to disturb her makeup, and then Tina finished it off with black high heeled pumps. It was only then that she noticed Alyssa, wearing a snug and very short black and white dress and heels. "You know, Alyssa, you are really beautiful," she said. "Isn't she?" Meredith asked. Alyssa blushed. "No, really," Tina went on, "guys must be falling over themselves." The smile vanished. Alyssa stared at the floor. "I'm sorry!" Tina said. "I forgot..." "It's not what you think," Alyssa said. "But I can't talk about it, okay?" Meredith came over and touched Alyssa on the cheek. "You're okay, remember?" Alyssa nodded, then turned to Tina and said, "It's not your fault, Tina. You're very sweet, and I hope we'll be good friends. And tonight is going to be a triumph, you'll see." It was only a short walk to Jeff's house. As they rang the bell, they could hear noise from the basement and realized that everyone else was already there. Jeff's mother opened the door. "Oh, come in...girls." Tina's stomach tightened as they stepped inside, and Mrs. O'Malley stared at her. "Chris? Is that really you?" "This is Tina," Meredith said. "So I gathered. Does your mother know about this?" Tina giggled. "Of course she does. Kind of hard to keep secret." Mrs. O'Malley flushed slightly. "Well, I don't know what you hope to accomplish by this, but everyone is downstairs." Jeff came into the room. "Oh, Tina. You're here. Wow, you look great." Mrs. O'Malley frowned. "Thanks," Tina said with a smile. "Come on down. Everyone's waiting." "Nice talking to you," Tina said to his mother with a smile. The babble of voices was loud as she started down the stairs just behind Jeff, but then a voice she didn't recognize called out, "She's here!" and everyone in the basement fell silent. "Everyone," Jeff announced. "Tina Yates." She could feel dozens of pairs of eyes on her as she stepped down off the stairs and into the finished basement. One of the fluorescent fixtures overhead was humming, the light flickering slightly. "Hi," she said, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. There were murmured replies. As she glanced around she could see that there were easily more than twenty kids there, mostly boys but some girls, mostly from among Meredith's friends. "I know this is probably a bit of a shock to some of you," she said. "But I have struggled for years with the fact that, deep down, I really wanted to be a girl, felt I should have been born a girl. Lately, I've been more convinced of it than ever, and I've now decided that I'm going to live as a girl full time. "I know it seems strange, maybe even abnormal, but it's how I feel. As you can see, I've been working pretty hard at it, and I have to say, I'm pleased so far. My mom and my sister have been really supportive, which is very lucky for me, but I need for you to accept it, to accept me, and to be able to continue as friends." She waited for a reaction, but there wasn't any. "Somebody say something," she said. "Please." There was a rustling in the crowd and Ken emerged. He looked uncomfortable, but he smiled at her and gave her a quick hug. "Thanks," she whispered to him. "Tina," Jeff said, "Maybe you could answer any questions that anyone has? I mean, it might be easier to do it here than to have the same questions over and over." "Okay. Anyone want to ask me anything?" No one said anything. "Hey, I know there are at least two questions that somebody has to ask, so let's get them out of the way." "I have one," called out Ray Foligno, a friend of Jeff's. "Okay, Ray." "Does this mean you're gay?" Meredith groaned but Tina smiled. "There's one," she said, and most of them laughed. "No, Ray, it doesn't. I'm transgendered, which is about gender identification, not sexual orientation. I'm not sure how the term 'gay' applies to a transgendered person, but I don't really think about that right now. "I've only just figured out that, in my heart, I'm a girl. Having made that determination, I am extremely happy. But, as of now, I really don't know what kind of girl I am. So, who I might want to date and have a relationship with, I really don't know." "Um, Chris?" It was Bruno Capetto, another member of Jeff's group. "Please call me Tina. I find the other name very hurtful." Bruno blanched. "I'm sorry. Force of habit. Would it be too personal to ask if you're going to have the operation?" Tina smiled. "Yes, Bruno, it is very personal. But since I've invited you all to ask me questions, I'll tell you. I assume you are referring to Sexual Reassignment Surgery, or SRS, and the answer is, no, I probably won't. For one thing, I'm scared to death of any kind of surgery and for another my doctor and I agree that it would not be the best thing for me, at least not at this time." No one said anything. "That was the second question, by the way," she added and a few laughed. "I have one," Meredith said. "You said that you're not sure who you might want to date. There are at least a few here tonight who might be interested in dating you. I know this isn't what you came for, but since we all want this to go well for you, want to be as supportive as we can be, who should ask and who shouldn't?" "You want to be first in line?" Bruno quipped. Meredith glared back at him. "I probably have known about Tina longer than anyone, including her mom. I also know what it's like to admit you're different and to have to get comfortable with that. I love her like a sister and I want her to be happy, and I happen to think that the best thing that she could do is to date lots of boys and lots of girls and figure out who she is." The room got quiet. Tina hugged Meredith and squeezed her eyes tightly shut to keep from crying. "I'm sorry," she said. "One of the effects of the hormones I've been taking is that I cry a lot more easily than I used to. I love you, too, Meredith." She glanced around the crowded basement. "I don't really know if I'm ready to date anyone, yet, or if anyone is really ready to date me. So, I think I'll just take things as they come." There were murmurs of approval all around. "I hate to bring this up," said a voice that had remained silent. It was Rick Hayden, president of the sophomore class. Tina was stunned he had come. "It's obvious that everyone here is supportive of you, Tina, and I think that's really great. But as everyone except Kong, here, is from the sophomore class, it could make for problems for you at school." "What problems?" Ken said, and Rick rolled his eyes. "Don't be dense, Ken. There are two classes ahead of us, and they could make Tina's life miserable unless there is a concerted effort to stop it." Tina said that she had gone the day before to the principal to tell her what she was going to do. Ms. Barnes had promised to be completely supportive. "That's nice," Rick said. "But if Ms. Barnes can't stop cheerleaders from being gang-banged, or students from doing crystal meth at dances, or certain football players - and, yes, Ken, I know you aren't one of them - from doing steroids, then what practical use do you think she is going to be if they start giving you shit?" He came over to face her. "What you are doing is going to piss a lot of people off. It shouldn't, but it will." "We can deal with that," Ken said. Rick turned to face him. "Not by physical intimidation, you can't. That might work with one or two, but it won't work with large numbers and it won't work with the girls, who are going to get catty as shit when Tina starts attracting dating interest, which she will." "Rick," Meredith said, "not everything is politics." "Maybe not," Jeff reflected, "but this is. You have a plan, Rick?" He did. All of them were members of social groups that crossed class lines. They should all reach out to the juniors and seniors they knew among the lezzies, geeks and jocks and spread the word that everyone needed to look out for Tina. "You think you could be a little less pejorative?" Alyssa asked with an edge in her voice. "Sorry," Rick replied, "but sometimes, you need to just tell it like it is. We are seen how we are seen; no sense in sugar-coating it. I'll reach out to the kids on student council and the officers in the other classes." "I got the football team," Ken said. "Not enough. You gotta try and get the cheerleaders and the dance team. They're going to be the biggest problem." "What makes you say that?" Meredith asked. "I trust my gut." Alyssa had one other question: why was Rick so interested? He smiled at her. "You distrust my motives." "Yes." "I had a cousin who was gay. He was outed and harassed so badly he slit his wrists. People have a right to be whoever they want to be." He turned to Tina. "We're going to protect you," he said with feeling. On impulse, she kissed him on the cheek. # Barbara dropped her and Meredith at school Monday morning. Her instructions were to come directly to the main office and see Ms. Barnes. She got there early, but the principal was already in, and she looked Tina over - denim skirt, pink sweater, ballet flats. "Very nice," she said with approval. "Your hair is longer and fuller than I expected." "I guess. I really want to let it get a lot longer." The principal smiled. "You may change your mind when you see how much work it is to maintain." "That's what my sister says." "Wearing it longer shows off the red more. It's very pretty." "Thanks." There were forms that Tina had already completed and Marjorie had signed to begin the process of changing her student records from "Christopher" to "TinaMarie". "Oh," the principal said. "I thought Tina was short for Christine or Christina." "It probably was when I first thought of it. But I talked it over with my mom, and I told her I wanted a name that kept Tina but made a break with Chris, and she suggested this." "You have a good mom," she said. She went over the forms and pronounced them satisfactory. There was also a note from Dr. Fleming asking that Tina be excused from phys ed for the rest of the school year. "I think that will come as a relief to everyone," Ms. Barnes said with a smile. "I want you to know that we are completely behind you. If you have any problems from students or teachers, you are to let me know immediately. "You're a very brave young lady." She saw that Alyssa had joined Meredith and together they walked her to her homeroom. Rick Hayden was waiting, and the other sophomore class officers were with him. Deanna Yardley, the class secretary who sat in front of her in homeroom, looked uncomfortable but the two boys seemed fine. "You look great," Rick said. Turning to the others, he said, "As I told you, Chris is no more, our classmate is now Tina. I want to make sure she feels as welcome and as secure as she always has here." "Did you always feel welcome and secure?" Deanna asked. "Let me rephrase," Rick said. "It is in everyone's best interests for Tina to feel as welcome and secure as we all want to feel here. Isn't it, Deanna?" She paled and nodded. "You're gonna be fine," Meredith said with a laugh. "See you in English." The four officers escorted Tina to her seat. The other students stared at her, some glaring, others in curiosity, a couple smirking. Mr. Radisson, the homeroom teacher who was also Tina's biology teacher entered and immediately stared down toward her desk and nodded. Rick broke off and talked with the teacher. The bell rang and the other officers joined Rick at the front of the room. "All right, everyone," Mr. Radisson said, "Let's settle down. We have some guests who want to say a few words. Your class president." "As many of you have already noticed, there is a change this morning, and I want to welcome your classmate, Tina Yates. She - and I do mean she - has made a major decision regarding her life, and I think we, as schoolmates, owe it to her to respect that choice. We all have a right to be the person we want to be." "Tina," Mr. Radisson said, "why don't you stand up so the class can formally meet you in your new, um, persona?" She stood, blushing a little, gave a little wave, and sat down. "Deanna," Rick said, "as a member of this class, is there anything you'd like to add?" Deanna shifted on her feet and cleared her throat. Tina suspected she had not planned on this. "I hope everything goes great for you, Tina," she said. Deanna returned to her seat and the other three officers left. The day got started. Announcements were made encouraging the students to attend the game against Stevenson that Saturday and reminding them that it would be Homecoming, with the Homecoming Dance Saturday night. The bell rang and everyone got up to leave. Josh Tyler, who sat next to Tina, turned to her and asked, "You going to the homecoming dance?" "Probably." "Going with someone?" he asked. She smiled. "Why, do you want to take me?" "Fuck, no!" he gasped and rushed out. Deanna turned back to face her. "Don't push your luck," she said with a scowl. # Everywhere she went, there were whispers and there was finger-pointing. There were sniggers and snorts. Occasionally, there were stage-whispered comments. "If someone tells him to go fuck himself, will he take it literally?" "How can you stay so calm?" Meredith asked her at lunch. It was Day Three and she was having a hard time containing herself. "Because they hate that. More than anything else, they want to get a rise out of me. The less I react, the sooner it will stop." "Yeah, but in class, the teachers don't want to call on you because they don't know what to call you. Yesterday, Cannizaro in Social Studies twice slipped and called you 'Mr. Yates'." Tina giggled, which annoyed her friend all the more. "It's not funny, Tina." "Yes, it is. And it will settle down." She only saw Ken once, as she was going to class right after lunch. "You look great," he said. "How's it going?" "About what I expected. Not bad. This afternoon?" She meant a tutoring session. "Gotta be tonight. Like last week?" She nodded and smiled. He smiled back. It warmed her. When he arrived, she was wearing black leggings and a teal tunic. Barbara had smirked as she had redone her makeup, but she explained that she felt she had to look as feminine as possible for him to be comfortable with her. "Just watch those signals," Barbara said, kissing her head. By the time they had been working for an hour, she was ruefully recalling her sister's advice. Ken couldn't seem to stop gazing at her. She checked to make sure Marjorie had gone upstairs. "Are you okay?" she asked at last. "I guess I'm having a little trouble concentrating." He stopped, as if considering something, then decided to press forward. "I was wondering if you would be my date for the Homecoming..." "Yes." "...Dance." She blushed, but was relieved when she saw that he was smiling, not laughing at her. The rest of the session was a blur. "How'd you manage the signals?" Barbara asked after he'd gone. "He asked me to the Homecoming Dance this Saturday. I said yes." "Holy shit!"