It Is All So Dramatic
Author's Note: Back to school. This story occurred to me and I like the
school stories. Enjoy!
"This is your Principal, Edna Green, warning you hooligans that you need
to stop running in the halls, stay out of your cars in the parking lot
except when you are coming or going, and behave yourselves like the
little ladies and gentlemen you are supposed to be!"
Mr. Billings, the Drama teacher, heard the announcement followed by
riotous laughter emanating from his classroom as he approached.
"Alright, let's all settle down," he entered the classroom and proceeded
to his desk. "So, who do we have to thank for that little announcement
from the Principal? It was a very good impression. Come on, speak up?
Suzy? Lisa?"
"It was me, sir."
Mr. Billings was stunned, "Alex?"
"Yes, sir," Alex blushed and looked down at his desk.
"Well, I was serious, that was a very good impression. I didn't think any
of the boys in here would be able to do her voice. You may regret sharing
that little talent of yours because I have been trying to decide on the
next play we will be doing and I was having trouble figuring out how I
could make it work with the students we have. It seems we have one too
many boys and one too few girls. It looks like maybe you may make it
work."
"What?" Alex looked up. "You can't mean what I think you mean."
"Ah, but I do," Mr. Billings continued. The rest of the class started
laughing. "Quiet, all of you. I happen to admire Alex's acting ability.
He has taken on some challenging roles and has improved his talent every
time. It is because I believe in him that I want to do this. Alex, this
will be a real challenge for you to pull this off but I believe if you
are serious about your acting, and I know you are planning on doing Drama
in college, that this could be an excellent way to hone your craft. Take
tonight to consider it. Let me know tomorrow if you will or won't do it.
If you say yes, I will start working out the rest of the arrangements."
The lesson for the day continued but Alex was lost in thought and didn't
hear anything more. He was supposed to play a girl's part in this play?
He'd be a laughing stock. His mind wandered to things he had seen: Mrs.
Doubtfire, Tootsie, Some Like it Hot. All movies that had men pretending
to be women, but they were men pretending to be women not men playing a
woman. And they weren't in High School.
He suddenly became aware of everyone getting up from their seats. The
class was ending and he hadn't heard a word.
"Alex," Mr. Billings called to him, "I know that was a bit of a shock but
I truly feel you can pull this off. Remember, back before women were
allowed to appear on the stage, boys always played the parts of the
women. You need to decide how things will be. I know there are some jerks
in the school that will give you a hard time about it. Please, think hard
on this. I want to do this play, but I don't want to cause you any real
hardships either. Here is a copy of the play I want to do, you would play
the part of Jenny, give it a read and make your decision. Can you let me
know by tomorrow or do you need more time to read it?"
Alex flipped the pages looking at the density of the text. "I think I can
tell you by tomorrow."
"Oh, that would be great," Mr. Billings gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"I appreciate you not shooting it down immediately."
Alex nodded and wandered out the classroom door.
Unfortunately, Drama was early in the day, just before lunch. Alex opted
to eat alone and start reading the script. Lunch ended and he was
enthralled. It was a murder mystery among High School students. He
disposed of his lunch tray and hurried on to his next class, Algebra, so
he could continue reading. Through the rest of the day he was consumed
with the story.
He finished reading it before dinner at home. He wanted the play to be
done but he still wasn't sure about playing the part of Jenny. It was a
good part, but how much torture would he have to endure? He wasn't sure
if he could deal with it all.
He left his room and went down to join his parents and younger brother at
the dinner table.
They sat around the rectangular table in the dining room. His parents had
rules about dinner time: no phones, no television, conversation but no
arguing. The unspoken rule was that Mom and Dad got to direct the
conversation. Alex and Brett sat quietly and ate their dinners while
their parents talked about their day.
"So, Alex, anything interesting at school today?" his Dad asked.
"Um, well, maybe," Alex pushed some peas around his plate trying to
decide how to broach the subject. He knew if he said he would do the play
his parents would find out. Of course they would be there to see it, they
always made time for anything he and Brett were involved in. If he said
no, then there wasn't any reason to bring it up.
"Maybe?" his Dad pressed. "Why don't you tell us about it then and we can
decide if it is interesting or not. You aren't in trouble are you?"
"Trouble? No," Alex laid the fork down on the plate. "It is Drama class.
Mr. Billings said he has a new play he wants us to do but he was having a
problem with the casting. Then he felt that maybe I could help him out by
playing, um, a difficult part."
"It sounds like he has a lot of faith in your abilities," his Mom beamed.
"Well, yeah, he said that he felt I was getting very good and it would be
a chance to really 'hone my craft' as he put it."
"What's the part?" his father asked.
"Well, it's a murder mystery about high school kids," Alex answered.
"That's what it is about, not the part," his father pointed out.
"Oh, yeah, I guess so," Alex chuckled nervously.
"So?" his Mother was now watching him.
"So he wants me to play Jenny," Alex blurted.
"You have to play a girl!" Brett started laughing.
"Brett, behave!" his Father admonished him. "Alex, what would make Mr.
Billings think about putting you in the part of a girl?"
"Well," he looked back and forth at his parents now focused on him,
"before he came into the class today he heard me doing an impression of
Mrs. Green doing an announcement. He thought it was one of the girls and
when I admitted it was me he thought I could play the part."
His parents looked at each other for several seconds. Brett continued to
snicker. Alex waited nervously half hoping they would tell him he could
in no way play that part, half hoping they would tell him it would be an
excellent opportunity to take on such a challenging role.
"It would seem," his Mother began, "that you have been given quite a
choice. Have you decided what you are going to do?"
"Well, I thought maybe you would tell me what to do," Alex sighed.
"Alex," his Father took over, "you are becoming an adult. It is time you
realized that you need to start making your own choices and live with the
consequences of those choices. This one isn't clear cut good or bad
either way. Matter of fact, I think it sounds like there will be good and
bad whichever way you choose to go. When do you have to tell Mr.
Billings?"
"I told him I would tell him tomorrow," Alex groaned seeing he would get
no easy way out.
"And? What do you think you will tell him?" Mom asked.
"I don't know yet."
"Good," his Father went back to eating. "Tough decisions like this should
not be taken lightly. And also remember: you need to stand behind the
decisions you make. If you say you'll do it, you can't back out if things
get tough, others will be counting on the play if it goes forward. And if
you decide not to, well that might be the easy way out but you may regret
not taking the chance to do something that pushes you."
"Thanks," Alex went back to eating as well, though he barely tasted
anything.
After dinner Alex went back to his room. He did the rest of his homework,
listened to some music; eventually he crawled into bed and tried to go to
sleep. Sleep didn't come easily that night.
* 2 *
Alex sat in his seat, no imitations today.
"Good morning everyone," Mr. Billings announced as he entered the
classroom. "I have prepared two lessons for today. One is the usual type
of lesson; the other is prep for putting on a new play. Alex will decide
which one we are going to do."
Everyone pivoted in their seats to look at Alex. Alex felt his stomach
sour and a fine sweat break out across his body. Why did it seem like the
whole world was coming down on his shoulders?
"Alex, we are waiting," Mr. Billings leaned against his desk. "Did you
read the play and have you reached a decision?"
"Um, yes I read it," Alex's voice broke as he started addressing the
class. "I really thought it was a great play. And, well, I think it would
be a real challenge to take on that part, so I guess I'll do it."
There weren't any cheers or clapping. A couple of the guys actually
stared mouths open unable to believe he had accepted the challenge.
"Alright then," Mr. Billings clapped his hands, "seems we have a play to
prepare for."
He grabbed a stack of papers, along with copies of the play, and started
passing them out. "Here is the play we will be doing. As everyone knows
Alex will be playing the part of Jenny. Tomorrow I will assign the rest
of the parts, if you can read this before then and wish to request a
particular part, I will take that into consideration.
"Now we also need to discuss props and costumes. Costumes will be easy
for most of the parts because this is about high school students so your
regular clothes will work. Alex, you are going to need some help. You
don't have a sister, do you?"
"Just a little brother."
"Right, and to strike the right feel I don't think I can rely on what
your mother would advise. I'd guess that most of you girls in here
probably have different opinions of what is okay to wear than your
mother's."
Many of them nodded and a few "Oh Yeah" and "Uhuh" could be heard.
"So, I think I will assign you a tutor," he scanned the classroom.
"Nichole, I think you would be a great tutor for Alex."
"Yes, sir," she answered and glanced over at Alex.
"Alright, let's get to work," Mr. Billings turned and started discussing
various aspects they would be addressing and timelines for when things
would need to be completed.
Class ended and they filed out of the room.
"Why did you decide to do it?" came a voice from behind Alex.
"I thought I might regret not trying it," he explained to Nichole. "And,
if I am able to pull it off, then I shouldn't have too much trouble doing
any kind of role."
"Probably true," Nichole conceded. "Just know that I am not lending you
any of my things to wear. You'll have to get your own clothes. I wonder
why Mr. Billings chose me as your tutor?"
"Maybe when you read the play you'll see," Alex explained. "You might not
be the most popular girl in school but you hang around with a lot of
them. This play is about the separation between the popular and
unpopular. I think he feels you can help me understand both sides. And
somewhere along the way teach me about how to act like a girl."
"Any of the girls could do that," Nichole stated.
"Really?" Alex chuckled. "Think about the girls in the class. A couple
are about as girly as the other boys, they probably wouldn't see anything
wrong with however I was acting. Read the play, if you want to eat lunch
together tomorrow we can talk about it."
"I think I'd rather we meet after school to talk. I prefer eating with my
friends," Nichole stated. "How about we talk at the park down the block?"
"Sure, I can do that," Alex agreed. "Talk to you then."
Alex watched Nichole as she turned away and then continued down the hall.
"Well, I've done it now. Guess we'll see if I made a mistake or not."
* 3 *
Alex sat on a swing in the park waiting. He was working on some Algebra
as time crawled by. About ten minutes later Nichole showed up.
"Sorry I'm late," she spoke as she walked up, "got caught up talking with
some folks."
"No problem, weather is nice enough to be just hanging out," he shrugged.
"So, have you got any idea on how we are supposed to do this?"
"Not really, I was hoping you might," Nichole sighed and sat on another
of the swings. She was wearing a short, maroon skirt that buttoned down
the front.
"Well, that is something I see," Alex noted. "The way you sit is a lot
different than the way I do."
"Of course," Nichole answered. "I am in a skirt. I can't go flopping all
over and showing my business." She stopped and thought for a moment. "I
read the play and it is really good. It doesn't really say much about how
Jenny is dressed in the first two acts but I think you definitely need to
be in a skirt or a dress. It'll help remind you to move a certain way.
And reinforce you being a girl to the audience."
"I was thinking about that too," Alex answered. "I knew I would
eventually be in a dress in the third act anyway so there really isn't
any way around it."
"Do you have some time to do a little shopping?" Nichole started to get
up. "I think we could go over to Salvation Army. I bet we can find
something cheap for you and it would really fit the character."
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea," Alex got up and retrieved his book
from where he had dropped it. They began walking toward where they had
parked.
"Wait," Nichole stopped and turned to Alex. "We might as well start the
lessons now. The way you are carrying your books, girls don't carry them
that way, we hold them against our forearm and put the bottoms against
our ribs or on our hip like this." She moved the books around in Alex's
arm to demonstrate.
"OK, that works," Alex nodded. "Thanks."
They continued on to their cars and then drove over to the store.
"How do I know what size I am supposed to get?" Alex asked.
"Well, don't take this personal," Nichole put her hands around Alex's
waist. "You are bigger than me, that's obvious, I was trying to get a
feel for how much bigger. I think we could look at a size 12, probably
ought fit you. Let's start there."
They both dug through stuff looking. Alex asked about a couple things but
Nichole told him they weren't right for Jenny.
"Aha!" Nichole crowed. "I think this would be perfect." She held up a
gray plaid pleated miniskirt and a white blouse. They looked okay but had
seen some wear.
"That skirt looks awful short," Alex complained.
"Yes, but it is just the sort of thing I think Jenny would wear," Nichole
pointed out. "She isn't popular, but she tries hard to fit in. She
doesn't have a lot of money so she buys things second hand. This will be
perfect. And it has the benefit of being cheap, only $7 for both pieces."
"Well, I like that," Alex answered. "And see? I think this is why Mr.
Billings asked you to help me. It sounds like you already know Jenny."
"I've seen girls like her around a lot. Sad really, and a bit unfair the
way they get treated," her eyes took on a sad far-away look as she spoke.
"This play may make some people change a bit if they pay attention. I
think that is why Mr. Billings wanted to do it bad enough to have you
play Jenny."
"Maybe," Alex took the skirt and blouse from Nichole and looked it over.
He was having trouble believing he was actually going to be wearing it.
"Come on, let's see if we can find some shoes to go with it," Nichole
turned and headed for another part of the store.
They found shoes, a pair of flats that fit Alex, and stood in line to
pay.
"I think from here we ought to go to Wal-Mart," Nichole stated.
"For what?"
"We need to get you some cute socks, panties and a padded bra. I wouldn't
want to buy anything like that here," Nichole answered.
"Oh," Alex shuddered. "Have I made a mistake? I didn't think about any of
this stuff when I said I would do it."
"Changing your mind?"
"No, I can't," Alex sighed and put his new clothes on the counter. "I
can't back out after telling Mr. Billings I would do it."
"Good! Let's go to the next store. Give any thought as to what type of
panties you would like to wear?"
"Um, no." Alex took his change from the cashier. He could feel his face
turning several shades of red. It was bad enough talking to Nichole about
this because she knew what was going on. He was certain the cashier was
snickering overhearing them.
"There are all sorts of materials and cuts," Nichole turned and started
out the door. "Boy shorts, bikini, high waist, low rider, thongs. Cotton,
lace, satin."
"Good grief," Alex sighed, "how am I supposed to decide?"
"Well, Jenny is going to have cotton panties, she doesn't have money for
expensive stuff, and she isn't brave enough to be wearing a thong under
that skirt so that'll narrow it down. We'll take a look and see what you
think." Nichole got into her car. "See you there."
A short time later Alex was getting back into his car with a package of
different color cotton bikini panties, socks and a padded bra. He
couldn't believe how expensive the bra was. But he was set for the first
act of the play and, according to Nichole, ready to really begin his
lessons. He was to show up at her house at ten Saturday morning.
* 4 *
Alex nervously knocked on the door of Nichole's home. It looked pretty
nice from the outside, a bit more upscale than his own family's, but not
too fancy. He was dancing a little foot to foot but wasn't sure if he was
more nervous about spending the day with Nichole or the prospect of
wearing the clothes in the bag he held.
The door opened and Alex was taken back. The woman who answered the door
was stunning. Obviously Nichole's mother.
"Oh, hi, you must be here for Nikki," she offered a bright smile.
"Yes, I am. I'm Alex," he uttered.
"Mother! Please, I told you I don't like being called Nikki, especially
around the people from school," Nichole called as she hurried to the
door.
"Oh, sorry Nichole, I keep forgetting," she winked at Alex and turned
from the door.
"Sorry," Nichole offered. "C'mon in. We'll go to my room."
"Oh, ok," Alex pushed himself into the house on wobbly legs. He then
followed her through the home to a small bedroom. He looked around when
they entered. He wondered if she always kept it so neat and clean or if
it was in preparation for his arrival. It wasn't what he thought of as
being too girly, though it was definitely a girl's room. A few stuffed
animals were scattered about, more pillows than any guy would have. It
looked like makeup on a desk in front of a mirror. Also a queen size bed
in one corner and a chair by the window. Lots of pictures.
"Well," Nichole turned and sat on the edge of her bed. She was wearing a
short, red skirt and a sweater. "I've been thinking about how to go about
doing this, I mean I never really thought about teaching someone how to
act like a girl, so I thought it would be best if you looked more the
part. Why don't you go across the hall and change into the clothes you
brought?"
"Uh, now?" Alex fretted. "I thought maybe we could go over some things
first, y'know?"
"You are going to have to do this sooner or later," Nichole explained.
"Are you planning on waiting for the first dress rehearsal? Do you think
it will be any easier doing it the first time in front of everyone from
drama? Best get used to being in front of me first I think. Besides, I
think you'll learn better if you feel the part."
Alex stood there for a moment twisting the top of the bag in his hands.
At last he nodded and hurried from the room.
He closed the bathroom door behind him and put the bag down on the lid of
the toilet. He stood for several moments looking at himself in the mirror
trying to come to grips with the situation he had placed himself. He
started repeating quietly, "the biggest challenge I have faced so far. If
I can pull this off, there won't be any part I can't take on." A moment
more and he stood up and started stripping off his clothes.
He pulled the items from the bag and laid the skirt and blouse over the
edge of the tub. He laid the bra and package of panties on the sink along
with the socks. He dropped the shoes on the floor. He thought for a
moment and decided to fold the clothes he just removed and place them in
the bag. He didn't want to leave them lying about while he worked with
Nichole.
Just as he tore the plastic open and selected the yellow panties, a knock
came on the door. Alex jumped. "What?"
"I just thought I would see if you were alright," Nichole called from the
other side of the door. "You don't need any help with anything, do you?"
"Um, no, not so far," Alex answered as he quickly pulled the panties up
his legs.
"OK, I'll be waiting in my room," she called back.
Alex ran his hands over the thin cotton panty with the delicate lace
trim. It was a lot different than the boxers he normally wore. He picked
up the bra and tried to figure out the best way to get it on. He
examined the hooks that would be in back and felt at how stretchy the
sides were. He checked the straps and figured out how to loosen them
some, figuring it would be easier to tighten once he had it on.
With a deep breath he slipped it on his arms and attempted to get it
connected. Try as hard as he might he couldn't get the ends close enough
to connect. He began to imagine going to Nichole and asking for her help
but couldn't bring himself to do it. At last he pulled it off and
smoothed it out around his waist with the hooks in front. He latched them
together and reversed it, so far so good. He shimmied it up his torso
until it was where it would be if he had breasts then wormed his arms
through the straps and got them positioned on his shoulders. They were a
little loose and the adjustment clips were out of reach. He considered
pulling it back down and adjusting them but thought he could end up doing
the process several times trying to get it right and for this time it was
likely close enough. He picked up the blouse and slipped it on buttoning
it up.
Once again he ran he hands over himself. The blouse felt a little rough
from wear but fit him well. Below his new breasts it was tight, but cut
to allow a girl's body above. He pulled the skirt up his legs and debated
with himself on exactly where it should sit. Unlike pants that made you
stop, the skirt could go just about anywhere. He let it sit on his hips.
He slipped on a pair of socks with a little lace trim and pushed his feet
into the shoes. He looked at himself in the mirror and shuddered a bit.
It wasn't too bad, but it was him dressed as a girl.
He picked up the bag of his clothes and opened the door. Alex peeked
around the corner and satisfied nobody else, especially Nichole's mother,
was around he quickly crossed the hall back to Nichole's room.
"I was beginning to think you weren't coming back," Nichole told him.
"You actually look fairly cute. I was afraid you'd have real hairy legs
or something, or did you shave them?"
"No," Alex objected, "I'm just not very hairy. Frankly, I was kinda glad
for that before, now I'm really happy about it."
"OK, let's see what we got," Nichole move toward Alex eying him. "One,
your skirt needs to be higher," she reached out and pulled the waist up a
little more, "about here."
"Hey," Alex grabbed at the hem of the skirt. "That's awful short, I
already feel like am exposed."
"It's as short as mine now, and you'll get used to it," she giggled. "I
love to wear miniskirts for that very reason, feel a little naughty
sometimes. Now, it also looks like your bra straps need to be adjusted.
They are already falling off your shoulders. Open you blouse and I'll
help you."
Alex hesitated looking at her.
"Don't worry, girls do this all the time," she pushed his shoulder to
turn him around. It'll drive you nuts with them flopping around all the
time."
Alex unbuttoned his blouse and pulled it off his shoulders giving Nichole
access. He felt her fingers sliding up his back under the straps as they
became tight on his shoulders, one then the other.
"There you go," Nichole patted his back. "Get your blouse back on. I got
something for you the other day. I thought I would stop by the Goodwill
store and see if there were any other ideas I could come up with and I
found two wigs in the same color." She pulled a bag from her closet.
"This one is Jenny in the first act. No real style to it but decent
shape, the other is nicer, it can be the later Jenny."
Alex turned back around once his blouse was done up and took a long
auburn hair wig from Nichole. He examined it and figured on the best way
to put it on and placed on his head. It took a few moments of moving hair
around until it finally settled and the straight hair hung down over his
shoulders.
"Wow, that really makes a difference," Nichole told him. "Come here." She
pulled open her closet door exposing a full length mirror.
Alex moved to look at himself and was surprised to see a girl that could
have been a student at the school he attended.
"It isn't perfect, a little make-up, which we will have to do anyway, but
not today," Nichole looked at him in the mirror from over his shoulder.
"Today we see if we can get you to act a little bit like a girl. Let's
get started." She turned and went back to sit on the bed. "So, first,
walk over here to me."
Alex turned and walked across the room.
"Oh, my God, we have work to do," Nichole laughed. "It's funny, I never
really looked at the way guys walk but in that skirt it is really obvious
the difference. OK, go back to the closet door again, but this time, try
and keep your toes pointed straight in front instead of out toward the
side. And you want to have your knees close together when they pass, you
are walking like you are stepping around something."
Alex turned around and walked back across the room.
"OK, that was a better," Nichole critiqued. "Maybe try a smaller step and
when you turn around pivot on both your feet rather than just one foot."
Alex made another trek across the bedroom.
"A little more roll in your hips", "don't swing your arms so much",
"straighten your back", the tips kept coming from Nichole.
"OK, you are doing a lot better," Nichole offered some praise. "You will
need to practice a lot because it really isn't natural for you to walk
that way, I'd say to be sure and wear the skirt if you can when you do.
It'll help reinforce it when you are on stage. Go take a seat on that
chair."
Alex practiced his walk over and gracefully turned and dropped into the
chair.
"Yellow panties?" she snickered.
Alex immediately pulled the skirt down between his legs.
"You did so well until you actually sat down," Nichole tried to get
serious again, "but there is a lot to sitting in a skirt, especially
skirts as short as we are wearing. Get up."
Alex held his skirt down as he extracted himself from the chair.
"Now come over here and then watch me," Nichole instructed.
Alex watched as Nichole crossed the room, turned and gracefully took a
seat. He saw her do everything and yet didn't really see her do anything.
Nichole stood back up. "Fine, I can see you don't see the problem, she
sighed. "This is how you did it." She sat back down waited a second and
stood back up.
"Pink and white stripe," Alex whispered.
"Yes," it was Nichole's turn to be a little embarrassed. "Now, this
time." She moved slowly, swept the back of her skirt against her legs,
knees together, turned slightly to the side she lowered herself. One hand
moved to the front of her skirt and stayed covering the opening that had
afforded him a glimpse of her panties a moment before. "See?"
"Um, no?" Alex answered. "That time I didn't see anything."
"Very funny," Nichole sighed. "But that was the point, wasn't it. OK,
your turn again."
They swapped places and this time Alex did much better.
"Very good," Nichole praised him. "You could practice with a mirror if
you want. Try and look up you own skirt for a change."
A knock came on the door and it opened, Nichole's mother stuck her head
in. "Will Alex be staying for dinner?" she looked back. "Oh, my! Um, what
is going on in here?"
"Mother, this is for drama class. We are going to be doing a play and
Alex is going to be playing Jenny. Mr. Billings assigned me to teach him
how to play a girl. We had more girl parts than boy parts."
"You're very brave Alex," she shook her head. "You could make her a
little prettier and have gotten some nicer clothes. Those look pretty
worn."
"Oh, he will be later in the play, but this is perfect for how Jenny
looks in the first act."
"Well, you are still invited to stay for dinner," she went on. "Will it
be Alex or Jenny we should be expecting at the table?"
"Oh, thank you," Alex glanced at Nichole, "Alex will be there."
"That's a shame," she laughed. "I'd love to see the look on your father's
face if he met Jenny."
"Thanks, Mother," Nichole answered. "We'll be out after he changes."
"I wasn't sure if you wanted me to stay, but it was nice of her to ask
and I didn't want to say no," Alex explained.
"It's fine," Nichole sighed. "You better get changed. Do you need help
getting your bra off?"
"Um, I don't know," Alex pulled the wig off. "If I do I'll come back
after I get my pants back on."
Alex went back into the bathroom and reversed the process he used to
dress. He worked much faster and was dressed and back in Nichole's room
in less than half the time it took him previously.
"I really appreciate you helping me out with this," Alex told her. "Maybe
I won't look like a complete fool."
"You've come a long way in just a day," she had changed clothes while he
was gone, instead of the skirt she now had jeans on. "Keep practicing,
dress rehearsal is in less than three weeks."
They went to the kitchen and much of the conversation revolved around
Alex and how he came to be doing the part of Jenny.
* 5 *
A week later Alex showed up at Nichole's house again. He was less nervous
this time as he waited for the door to be answered. It opened after just
a minute.
"Hi Alex!" Nichole's mother greeted him. "Another practice session with
Nikki?"
"Yes, and you know she doesn't like being called that," he answered.
"Yes, I know," she snickered, "but sometimes you just have to remind your
kids that they are still your kids."
Alex laughed. He liked her and was comfortable in their house. Even her
father seemed to understand the situation he now found himself in.
Rather than go into her room, Alex turned and went straight into the
bathroom to change clothes. He had spent every evening at home practicing
in his room. He set up a mirror as Nichole suggested and felt he was
doing a lot better. All week long at school he watched the girls. It was
strange the way his perspective had changed watching them these days. Oh,
he liked watching them before, and admired the way they moved. Now he
tried to study them without anyone thinking he was being weird. He
watched how that acted together, walked, sat, talked, especially what
they did while they talked.
"Hey Nichole," Alex called as he came in the room. He put the bag with
his clothes on the floor by the door by bending both knees and then
walked over to the chair. He turned, sat, crossed his legs and after a
quick skirt check offered her a smile.
"Wow," Nichole nodded approvingly, "that was very good. You've been
practicing."
"Yeah, every night," he told her. "I think I am getting used to the skirt
and all. I don't feel as weird about it now, just different clothes."
"OK, then I guess it is time for phase two," Nichole slid off the bed.
Today she was wearing shorts and a tank top. He could clearly see the
outline of her bra. "Come over here and sit down."
Once again Alex moved gracefully to the new chair she offered. He took a
seat and accepted the wig and put it on.
"I should probably do this before you have the wig on but I want to see
the picture as it develops," Nichole picked up a small container. "Today
we need to start working on your make-up."
She went to work and Alex sat there patiently waiting for her to finish.
He ached to see what she had done but couldn't move without disrupting
her. So he sat and waited with his hands clasped in his lap.
"Oh, my," Nichole gaped.
"What? What's wrong?" Alex began to panic.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing," she answered. "I want you do to me a
favor. I've been working on the second wig this week and I did your make-
up as the later Jenny when I saw how well it was working. I'd like you to
change wigs before you look and see what I have done."
Alex nodded his promise and pulled the wig he had on off and waited for
Nichole to hand him the new wig. When she handed it to him he could see
that it was a bit shorter than the first one. It had shape, curl, and
body. He worked it onto his head and looked at Nichole for approval to
look in the mirror.
"Oh, yes, you must," she said in a whisper. "It really isn't fair."
"What isn't..." he stopped as saw himself in the mirror. "Oh, my."
"Yes, oh my indeed," Nichole leaned down and looked in the mirror with
him. "I can't call you Alex like this. I think we've both just met
Jenny."
Alex reached up and stroked a tress of hair that reached just below the
top of his shoulder.
"I'm going to need to teach you how to do your make-up," Nichole told
him. "I started to do first Jenny, but the more I did the more I wanted
to see just how good you could look. When the play is going on, you are
going to have to be able to change the make-up between acts when you
change. We'll need to practice that as well."
"I hope I can do it," Alex turned his head back and forth while looking
himself over. "You did an amazing job."
"One thing, those clothes are all wrong for you now," Nichole told him.
"We need to get the clothes for the later acts. Do you have money to do a
little shopping?"
"Yeah, I have some," he answered. He reached up and started to pull the
wig off.
"What are you doing?" Nichole slapped at his hand. "We are going shopping
now."
"Like this!" Alex shrieked.
"Well, it will be a lot easier for you to try on dresses and shoes if you
look like this. Believe me, there isn't anyone that will guess. And if we
run into anyone I'll say you are a cousin of mine visiting for the
weekend."
"I don't know," Alex slumped down. He pushed his feet apart but kept his
knees together.
"Look at you," Nichole scolded him. "You are really pretty, and you are
acting perfectly like you look. Let me call Mom in and see what she
thinks. She likes you, she won't let me do anything that would get you in
trouble. Mom!"
"What's the matt.... Oh my!" a smile lit up her face when she saw Jenny.
"Jenny I presume. You look precious! Nikki you did an amazing job.
Please, give me a good look. Take a walk around the room."
Jenny stood up and walked across the room and back, then he seated
himself in the chair by the window.
"If I met you for the first time like this and Nikki asked me if you
could spend the night, I wouldn't have had a second thought about saying
yes. You look like a beautiful young lady."
"I don't know if I would say beautiful," Jenny turned as a small smile
started to appear. "But, Nichole wants me to go shopping with her, like
this, now!"
"Jenny needs better clothes for that back half of the play. A party
dress, and a nicer set of clothes for school," Nichole explained.
"I see and you are nervous about going out like this," her mom
commiserated.
Jenny nodded.
"Nikki, uh, ok, Nichole," she began in response to the stare she got from
her daughter, "do you have a game plan? You aren't planning on parading
Jenny from store to store just hoping to have her seen by people are
you?"
"Of course not!" she objected. "I know he doesn't have a lot of money but
we need good clothes so the mall is out. There are some outlet stores we
can go to, four, maybe fives stops at most."
"That sounds reasonable," her mom turned back to Jenny. "It is still up
to you. But, would you rather look for a dress looking like you do now or
change back to Alex and go dress shopping?"
Jenny started to reply, then thought for a moment. He glanced across the
room at a mirror and saw his refection. He nodded. "Jenny."
"OK, let me loan you one of my purses and we'll go," Nichole jumped up.
"Oh, would you mind waiting in the other room for a few minutes? I need
to change. I can't be seen looking like a shlump with you looking like
that."
"Oh, ok," Jenny stood up.
"You can come talk with me while she gets ready," her mom offered.
Jenny accepted the purse, grabbed the bag of clothes so he could move
some things to the purse and followed her mom to the living room.
She asked lots of questions, always called him Jenny, insisted that he
call her Lily. After the initial conversation about how he felt about his
transformation the conversation rolled toward regular things: school
work, plans for college, what type of dress he thought he might like to
look for. It was all a bit surreal for him but was finding himself
falling further into the role of Jenny than he even thought he could go.
"Ready?"
Nichole came into the room in a short dress and had fixed her hair and
make-up. Looking at her Jenny felt a lump grow in his stomach. As good as
Nichole looked, they were definitely going to attract attention. But
maybe more people would be interested in looking at her so that could be
a good thing.
They proceeded to the door and Jenny paused.
"What's wrong?" Nichole asked.
"I've never been outside?" Jenny answered. "I never thought I would be.
Here. Home. The theater. Those were the only places I expected to have to
do this."
"Mom and I have both told you," Nichole patiently explained, "nobody will
have any idea if you just act like you look. And you have done an
incredible job so far. I wouldn't try and embarrass you. I've grown to
like you a bit actually. Just be my girlfriend today and let's do some
shopping, ok?"
Jenny took a deep breath, nodded and took a big step into a new world.
Nichole was true to her word. They kept the stops to a small number.
Jenny found a dress for the third act, it was short and a solid color to
just below his breasts, the remainder was a red plaid. Nichole insisted
Jenny wear that for the remainder of the shopping trip instead of the
obviously used skirt and blouse he started in.
The third stop took the longest trying to find just the right party
dress. Jenny tried on a dozen different dresses and Nichole did as well.
They spent a lot of time giggling and trying on some things they knew
weren't right.
The next store they found the dress, a sleeveless black dress, short with
a full skirt and just enough lace to give it a sophisticated, elegant
look. Both of them thought it was perfect.
Last stop was a shoe store. Jenny needed a pair of heels for the party
and flats for the school outfit he now wore. He became a bit unnerved
when he caught one of the salesmen trying to look up his dress while
helping another customer. Jenny shifted positions to be sure he wouldn't
expose anything.
Having found everything they needed Nichole drove them back to her house.
They laughed and giggled the whole way discussing their outing.
When they went in the house Lily asked how things went and they again
went over the trip and the fun.
"Well, it sounds like you girls had a wonderful, and uneventful time. It
is time for dinner, Jenny, may I assume you'll be eating with us? It will
be ready in just a moment, you don't have time to change."
"Sure, I'd love to," Jenny answered without hesitation.
Nichole's dad was surprised to learn that the young lady at his table was
indeed the same person as the young man who had eaten with them the week
before. He accepted it knowing this was all in preparation for the play
and praised Alex saying he believed he would be able to do the part
proud.
After dinner Jenny and Nichole went to clean off all Jenny's make-up.
Jenny carefully removed the wig and once scrubbed clean, went and changed
clothes.
"I can't keep these things in that paper bag," Alex explained. "These are
too nice to keep folding up. I am going to have to hang them."
"Here," Nichole handed him three hangers. "Clip the skirt to this one,
put the blouse over the top and the dresses can go on these two. I think
you keep the wigs in the bag with your shoes and underwear."
"Thank you," Alex picked up his things. "For all the help you've given
me. I know Mr. Billings put you on the spot volunteering you like he did,
but you've really done a great job. I won't look like too much of a fool
I hope."
"I don't think you'll look like any kind of a fool at all," she answered.
"Thanks, and also, thanks for today," he started looking more at his
shoes than her. "I had a really good time. I mean, well, I think it
sounds weird but I mean it. I had a good time spending the day with you
shopping and all. I, um, guess I liked being your girlfriend for the
day."
The last statement came out so quietly that Nichole almost couldn't hear
it. But she did and she was stunned for a moment. She was the one who
asked him to be her girlfriend for the day, she just didn't expect him to
actually enjoy it. He was supposed to just act like it. She also knew
that she had a really great time that day too but she wasn't ready to
admit it yet. She wasn't sure this was the type of relationship she
wanted to be a part of. After all, things would change after this play
was over in less than a month.
"Yeah, I had fun too," she told him. "We need to do a lot more work on
getting you comfortable doing your make-up. Can you come by tomorrow and
we'll try a few things?"
"Oh, yeah," Alex answered disappointed by the tepid response he got.
"What time?"
"How about around 1:00," she answered. "Just a couple hours, be done by
3:00 or 3:30."
"OK," Alex turned and headed for the door.
* 6 *
Alex showed up the next day and Nichole worked with him all afternoon on
the make-up. They worked up what Jenny would look like in the early part
of the play having already seen what the final Jenny would look like.
Alex's face felt raw from putting on make-up and scrubbing it off to try
again. At last they decided to end the experimentation. Alex declined a
dinner invitation and went home.
"Hi, home for dinner this time?" his mother called to him when he came
in.
"Yeah, I just felt like maybe I was there too much between yesterday and
today," he explained. "And I think maybe Nichole is getting tired of
helping me all the time."
"Oh?"
"It's just the way things were going, she seemed more stand-offish. Ever
since the shopping trip to get the rest of my costumes for the play," he
explained. "Today, the make-up, I just wasn't getting good enough fast
enough. I think we just need a little break but I'm worried because we
start dress rehearsals middle of next week." He turned and went to his
room.
They all came together at the table and ate dinner. After telling his
mother all that, he wasn't in the mood to talk about it any more so he
mostly sat quiet through dinner. After everyone finished eating he
cleared his plate to the sink and said good night.
He came back home after school the next day still thinking about how to
finish his preparation for the play. He started to drop his books on his
desk but it was already occupied with things. He tossed them onto the bed
and started examining what lay before him.
Make-up. Lots of different types of make-up.
"I thought perhaps it would help you if you could try doing more here at
home," his mother spoke from his doorway. "I hope that is all you need.
If there was something more let me know and we'll see about getting it."
Alex got up and went over and hugged his mother. "Thanks. This will help
me a lot."
"If you need any help, or suggestions, just let me know," she winked at
him. "I've been playing the make-up game a long time."
"OK, I will," he turned and went back to the desk. "Mom?"
"Yes, dear," she had walked away but returned.
"Um, do you think it would be ok if Jenny were to eat dinner tonight? I'd
like to try things out and maybe want to do more after we eat so ..."
"I understand," she shook her head. "Your brother will pitch a fit. Try
not to let him get to you too much."
Alex nodded.
He took inventory of what was in front of him and felt that he had
everything that Nichole had used in trying to teach him. Now it was time
to start putting his new knowledge to the test.
He stopped and decided to close the door. Next he went and changed
clothes putting on the white blouse with the plaid skirt and all the
other things. He also put on the long straight wig. He took his seat in
front of the mirror to finish the illusion of Jenny.
He worked through the steps Nichole had shown him and was fairly happy
with the base he got laid down and the powder. Now came the tough parts.
He worked on his eyes, camouflaged his eyebrows, and accented his
cheekbones. Those took several attempts, then the lipsticks. He was about
to try a different lipstick when his mother called the family to dinner.
He hesitated just outside the kitchen door, took a deep breath and
entered. He went to his seat at the table as though coming to dinner in a
skirt and make-up was as normal as any other day.
His brother started laughing so hard he fell from his chair, though he
suspected it might be a bit of over acting. His father just looked at him
for a long moment.
"I take it this is for the play you have been getting ready for?" he
finally asked.
"Yes," Jenny answered.
"I think maybe you ought to talk to your mother about the make-up," he
stated. Then he turned to Brett, "Get back in your seat and stop acting
so silly."
"Let me see," his mother came back to the table with the last of the
dishes. "Oh, my, dear, I think you may have overdone the eye shadow a
bit, and the lipstick is a bit much."
"I know," Jenny stated. "Nichole and I agree that Jenny is trying too
hard to fit in and this is the result because she doesn't have anyone to
help her. Tomorrow night, if you don't mind, I'd like you to see how she
changes later in the play. I'll wear a nicer dress and see if I can get
the make-up right."
"You're a brave boy, though it is hard to call you that right now," his
father pointed out. "But I admire you for keeping with it. Now, let's get
to dinner."
The next evening Jenny entered the kitchen without hesitation. She wore
the black party dress and had spent a couple hours getting the make-up
just right. A lighter shade of lipstick, subtle shades of color on the
eyes.
"My word," his father stared. "If I didn't know better I'd swear I had a
daughter. That is quite a transformation."
"Thank you," Jenny answered and carefully laid a napkin in her lap. "I am
still getting used to the heel on these shoes, but I'm getting better."
"So," his mother examined his face, "you really have learned quite a bit.
After dinner I'd like to show you a thing or two if you don't mind. Just
a couple minor touches."
"I'd like that a lot, thank you," he proceeded to eat his dinner being
very careful to not get anything on his dress.
* 7 *
Alex's confusion continued over the next week. Nichole seemed to be
avoiding him and when he did managed to get to her she would brush him
off saying she had taught him all he needed.
There were a few comments thrown his way as he walked the halls, but
nothing too bad. He surmised it was because so far Nichole and his family
were the only ones who had seen Jenny. That was all going to end soon.
The first dress rehearsal was coming up in a couple days. He was starting
to feel sick thinking about it. It wasn't becoming Jenny that bothered
him, he was beginning to really embrace her spirit within him, it was how
much worse school life was about to become. And with Nichole deserting
him, he felt like he was stranded on his own little island.
A couple days later Alex returned to the school after hours. He carried a
garment bag and a small case his mother gave him. In those two items
Jenny waited to be born into public for the first time since the shopping
trip. The biggest difference was that on the shopping trip nobody knew
him except Nichole. Mr. Billings at least found a place that Alex could
use to prepare. He had explained there wasn't any way he could use the
boy's dressing room and certainly not the girl's. Mr. Billings quickly
agreed.
"I am looking forward to seeing what you and Nichole managed to
accomplish," Mr. Billings told him before closing the door.
Alex walked into the small room and snapped on the lights. There was a
table with a mirror set up for him plus a place to hang his clothes. He
began setting up figuring out the best way to arrange his things. Then
once satisfied he stripped off his shirt and went to work creating Jenny
for the first act.
At last he looked in the mirror. He felt sorry for the visage that stared
back. She needed so much help and he knew what she was capable of being,
he also knew she would become that person, that better Jenny before long.
This first rehearsal would take a long time between figuring out the
marks, remembering the lines, adjusting things to make it better for
them.
A knock on the door, "five minutes," the person muttered.
"OK," Jenny answered. Ready or not, Jenny was about to be seen by about
two dozen other people.
Jenny checked her skirt once more and her blouse. She turned and went to
the wings to wait for her cue.
"Oh, surely we can come up with a better idea than that," Chris, played
by Julie, spoke to two other girls standing with her. "These ideas for
Prom themes are just so lame."
"Well, you keep shooting down the ideas we come up with," Monica, played
by Nichole, announced. "What have you got?"
"I don't know," Chris answered. "Why do I always have to think of
everything?
Jenny emerged onto the stage toward the back carrying a couple books. She
looked at the three girls standing toward the front of the stage in the
center. She hesitated, then started to move straight across the back,
hesitated again, nodded, and turned and went to the small group.
"I heard you talking and I think maybe I could help with some ideas," she
spoke when she stepped up to the group.
"Oh, hi Jenny," Chris answered.
"Wait!" Mr. Billings called. "Julie, you need to really show your
distaste for this girl when she butts in. You don't think you should even
be talking to you because you are the most popular girl in school. You
choose who is in your circle and the rest are just fodder. Nichole, Alex,
great job creating Jenny. Alex, Jenny needs to be a bit more exuberant
once you decide to approach the girls. She wants to be popular so she is
trying to show she fits in. Let's take it again from Jenny's entrance."
"I heard you talking and I think maybe I could help with some ideas," she
announced with great enthusiasm when she joined the group again.
"Excellent, keep going," Mr. Billings called.
"Oh, hi Jenny," Chris sneered and rolled her eyes looking at the other
two girls.
"Perfect, Julie, continue."
"Tell you what, Jenny, we'll get back with you later," Monica told her
and turned to walk away with Chris.
"Yeah, we need to get to class," the third girl Hope, played by Maria,
added as she also turned away.
"Oh, ok," Jenny called. "I'll catch up with you later." She stood there
watching as the three girls exited from the stage where she had entered.
After a moment the smile she had faded, she turned and slowly walked off
the opposite side.
"OK, ok," Mr. Billings called.
Everyone came back to the stage for more notes about whatever adjustments
he decided to make. Jenny hung out on the side of the stage away from
most of them. Two of the boys, Charlie and Stu, were standing toward the
back glancing at him, nudging each other and snickering.
"OK, let's run act one again," Mr. Billings called. "From the top, places
everyone."
Jenny headed back to the wings to watch the whole first act this time.
"My, aren't you quite a little cutie," Charlie whispered to him. "You
went way out on this one. Are you wearing panties too?" He started to
lift the edge of Jenny's skirt.
"Stop!" Jenny slapped Charlie's hand away.
"Oooh," he laughed. "I bet you are!"
"What is going on back there?" Mr. Billings hollered. "I know this is a
rehearsal but let's keep some form of decorum."
"Sorry," Charlie hollered back. Whispering to Jenny, "can't wait to tell
everyone else you've gone all girly on us."
Jenny was so distracted by the exchange that she nearly missed her cue.
She got through that and they went on to the second act. More failed
attempts at integrating herself into the popular crowd, more ridicule
from them pushing her away. Until the last scene when Monica came back to
her at left front stage after Chris had just shot her down again.
"Look," she stage whispered, "I'll help you out but nobody can know, ok?"
Jenny lifted her head and nodded emphatically, "oh, that would be so
great. Thank you, but why?"
"I've heard you say a couple things that I think could work, and you
don't seem as vile as Chris keeps saying." Monica looked around being
sure they weren't being seen together.
While they were talking lights went down on the rest of the stage except
on them. When they finished talking the light dimmed and a moment later
another spot came on the other side of the stage, a small table with a
mirror. Jenny sat at the table, Monica stepped behind her.
"Let's start with trying to do something with your hair, then we'll talk
about your make-up," Monica told Jenny.
"And lights fade. OK, act three in twenty minutes," Mr. Billings called
out. "Good work everyone."
Jenny hurried back to her dressing room before anyone could say anything
to her. She knew it would take a while to change and redo her make-up so
she didn't fret long at the mirror before getting to work. She was just
finishing her lipstick when the knock at the door announcing her cue was
coming up. She quickly pulled on her second school dress and went to the
wings.
She entered the stage walking with more purpose. She approached the group
of girls and acted as though she belonged with them. Indeed, Hope and
Monica acted as though she was accepted but Chris was still cold to her.
After a short conversation Jenny left.
"I don't understand why just because she has cleaned up a little bit you
think she can just join right in with us," Chris huffed.
"Give her a chance," Hope urged. "She is nice. And however she figured
out how to fix her look it is working."
"Yeah," Monica added, "don't be such a prude. Now that it looks like she
fits in, I think she might actually be good to hang out with."
"Well, I don't care how good she looks," Chris sneered, "she is still
cheap trash." She turned and walked off.
"Oh, well," Hope shrugged. "I'm sure Jenny will find her own friends. Too
bad, she seemed decent."
Jenny came back onstage and saw Monica standing alone having just watched
her friends leave.
"Hey," she called.
Monica spun, "what are you doing back here. Someone could see us
talking."
"Things are going so well," Jenny answered. "I wanted to thank you for
all your help. I've never been happier."
"Well, don't be," Monica answered. "You said you would never tell anyone
I helped you. You better keep to that. And I don't think it is going to
work. Some people just don't want you around."
Monica turned abruptly and walked off leaving Jenny standing there mouth
open in a stunned silence.
"Oh, Jenny," Chris entered from the other side of the stage. "Listen, I
think you are nice and all, but our little group has been together for a
long time and we don't need another girl pushing her way in."
"But everyone has been so nice since I started hanging with you," Jenny
pleaded.
"Yes, but I still know who you are down deep," Chris turned. "You just
don't belong with us. Go find your own friends. I don't want you around."
She turned to leave and in a rage Jenny dropped her books and swung her
purse striking Chris knocking her down. She dropped to her knees and
slung the long purse strap over a stunned Chris' head and pulled it tight
against her throat.
"And lights!" Mr. Billings called.
"Are you ok?" Jenny asked as she removed the purse strap.
"Yeah, that was surprising even though I knew it was coming," Julie
answered. "Please just be sure you don't hit me in the head or I might go
down for real."
"No problem," Jenny accepted Maria's help getting up as she had just come
back on stage.
"OK," Mr. Billings continued, "let's see if we can get through act four.
It is getting really late so we'll run through it once. We'll work on
adjustments tomorrow night."
Everyone rushed to change for the final act.
Jenny returned to the wings and watched for a few minutes until her
entrance then marched onto the stage in her black dress and high heels.
One at a time each of the party goers went to her and talked. Each person
vying for their time trying to be seen with her.
"Jenny, how are you doing?" Monica asked.
"I'm doing very well," they hugged briefly. "In the couple weeks since
the funeral I've managed to find my way to the top of the social ladder.
And don't worry, I haven't forgotten what a help you were to me and I'm
still not telling anyone."
"Oh, I helped a little," Monica waved, "but whoever killed Chris did you
the biggest favor. I, well I really do miss her but she did make things
difficult for some people, especially you."
"Yes, she told me she didn't want me around any of you any more," Jenny
looked around. Then she leaned in, "and that's why she had to go."
"What?" Monica looked in shock.
"Well, she just made me so angry that I hit her, and while she was laying
there I suddenly saw how perfect things would be if she would just go
away. And they are!"
"You killed her?" Monica gasped.
"It's not like I planned on it," Jenny tittered. "But sometimes you just
have to take advantage of opportunity when it comes. You won't tell
anyone, will you? Another little secret just between us."
"Excuse us," a voice came from behind Jenny.
Jenny turned to see two cops standing there.
"You need to come with us, miss," one stated. "You're under arrest for
murder."
Jenny spun to look at Monica.
"I'm sorry," Monica spoke. "But when they came to me to tell me they
thought you were the one, I agreed to wear this," she pulled a thick wire
from the top of the dress she wore. "I really hoped they were wrong."
The other cop put handcuffs on Jenny and they began leading her out.
"It's ok," Jenny stopped. "For a while I was the most popular girl in
school. Everyone liked me. Everyone wanted to be my friend." The cops
ushered her off stage.
"Excellent! Great work everyone," Mr. Billings called. "Everyone back
tomorrow same time. I don't think we'll be as late as you've all done
really well."
Jenny went back to her dressing room and began the transformation back
into Alex. A knock came on the door.
"Just a second," he called. He quickly grabbed his shirt and pulled it
on. "Come on in."
Nichole entered.
"Oh, hi," Alex told her, "I thought you'd already left. You did great
today."
"Thanks," Nichole answered. "You were amazing. I can't believe you and
Jenny are the same person. I helped you create her and I still don't
believe it."
"Thanks," Alex looked to make sure all his things were packed up. "I
haven't seen much of you these last few days, what's up?"
Before she could answer two more girls appeared at the door.
"Hey, you two," one of the girls gushed, "what an amazing job! We feel
like we'd like to have Jenny hang out with us!"
"Well, as long as she doesn't try and kill one of us," the other girl
interjected.
They both laughed and disappeared.
"Well, you're a hit. Sorry about disappearing so much," Nichole
hesitated, "that's what I wanted to talk to you about. See, my friends
were giving me a lot of grief about spending so much time with you. And
after our shopping trip I thought it would be best to get you going with
the make-up and maybe leave you alone for a while."
"Talk about life imitating art," Alex huffed. "But I don't think I'll try
and knock anyone off. I'd look suspicious if I started carrying a purse
around school."
"Oh, of course not!" she laughed nervously. "But after seeing the play
all the way through I started thinking about how I just abandoned you
without saying anything. I feel bad."
"Don't worry about it," Alex started picking things up to leave. "My mom
helped me with the last bit of make-up and we had pretty much covered the
rest."
"No, I am worried," Nichole pleaded. "Please, let me take your dresses
and carry them out. I'd like to talk while we go."
Alex thought for a second and handed over the garment bag. "Let's go."
Nichole went on to explain that her friends were teasing her for wanting
to spend time with Alex instead of them especially since she was using
that time to feminize him. She finally decided to stop the lessons just
to prove she was just fulfilling her assignment.
"Anyway, I just wanted to apologize," she told him as they got to his
car. "And let you know, earlier today I explained to my friends they
can't tell me who I can be friends with."
"Thanks. I appreciate that," Alex placed the case in the back seat and
took the garment bag from Nichole and hung it on a hook.
"Great," she turned and started walking away. "I'll see you around
school."
"OK, bye" he called.
* 8 *
Monday morning rolled around and Alex spun the combination lock with a
practiced ease, lifted the handle and the door sprang open. Tubes of
lipstick, compact cases, panties and bras cascaded from the locker to the
floor causing a racket and creating a mess.
Alex stood in shock staring at all the things around his feet plus a bra
that dangled from the locker. In the back of the locker a picture of
Jenny had been blown up and taped there. It was obviously from one of the
rehearsals.
All the students standing nearby started laughing. A voice from somewhere
hollered, "Looks like you have plenty of things you'll need, Jenny!" And
everyone laughed harder.
Alex sighed, could feel himself turning several shades of red, and then
began trying to figure out how to clean up the mess.
A teacher stepped out of a nearby classroom and disappeared again. A
moment later reappeared with a folded shopping bag.
"Here, you can put everything in this," she handed him the bag. "Mr.
Billings told us what was going on and asked us to keep a special eye out
just in case there was trouble. Has this been going on a lot?"
"A few comments, just this is the worst so far," Alex pulled the bra off
the locker and pushed it into the bag, then knelt and began scooping
things in.
"Don't be afraid to tell someone if things get bad," she urged. "And the
rest of you, get to your classrooms!"
Students scattered while Alex continued to pick things up. At last he
pushed the bag into his locker and closed the door. "Thank you," he told
the teacher still watching over him. He turned and walked up the hall.
Alex walked into his class a little late.
"Problems, Alex?" she asked. "Trouble finding the room today?"
"Maybe the machine was empty in the girl's room?" a girl on the other
side of the classroom called out, everyone laughed.
"That'll be enough of that," the teacher admonished them.
"Sorry," Alex sat, "I had to clean up a mess at my locker."
"Very well," she answered. "I hope these childish displays end quickly.
Let's get on to the lesson."
More torment waited for Alex in his next class, a box of Tampons was
sitting on his desk. He picked it up and dropped in in a trashcan. What a
waste of money.
"Don't you think Jenny will need those," one of the boys called out.
"Maybe we ought to check and see if Jenny is here today. See if you're
wearing a bra or panties."
"That'll be enough of that," the teacher walked into the room. "George,
perhaps I should have a little conversation with the coach. I could
explain you are behind on your work and shouldn't be playing as much
football."
"You can't do that," George protested, "I'm all caught up on my work."
"You won't be once I assign you more work," he smiled. "I won't abide
bullying in my classroom. All of you take note, I can make life very
difficult for anyone I catch bullying another