Chapter five
" WHEN YOU WERE WHAT!!" Cathy exclaimed. Sheepishly I hung my head as I explained what had happened. After telling Cathy the events of that day, and apologizing for intruding into her private thoughts, I paused with a lump in my throat. She took my head in her hands, lifting it up, so she could look into my eyes and said,
"Joh—Jan I know it wasn’t intentional, and there’s nothing to apologize for, in some ways I’m glad, you know how I feel." Looking at me she continued, "in fact I think it’s brought us closer together than even sisters, and it may help you with your dilemma with boys."
"Oh how," I said wondering what she meant.
"Well --you know how I feel about boys, and one in particular, so if you recall that feeling and then look at boys in general, how do you feel?" Thinking back to the day with Brad, and then when, I got kissed by Sam, made me think that, yes, just maybe I could accept it, I mean I never really had any close girl friends. Well none that I got to kiss anyway.
"Well I must admit, the idea isn’t as repugnant as I’d thought it would be, maybe in time I might even consider a boy friend." I said, giving her a hug. "Let’s sleep on it for now okay?"
Jumping into bed, tucking my long nightie round my legs. She giggled, and tried to pull the blankets off me, but I started to tickle her, which ended with her doing the same, ‘boy,’ are girls bodies ever so ticklish. Waking up, I found myself spooned with my sister’s body, so gently easing myself free, I went into the bathroom to get ready. As I was finishing, Cathy walked in buck-naked. I glanced at her, and then turned back to what I was doing. If she wasn’t embarrassed, then I wouldn’t be either. She looked at me fussing with my hair, and asked if I needed any help,
"No" I replied, "I think I have it sussed," as I finished pinning my hair up.
"Yes you have," she said, grinning "must be my expert advice."
"Yeah right" I said, flicking some cold water onto her bare body. Squealing, she dashed into the shower sticking her tongue out me as she closed the door. I smiled as I finished, and left to get dressed.
By the time Cathy came down stairs, I had got breakfast together and was waiting on her; mom had already left for some club, or so Julie informed me, so it was just the two of us for breakfast. After Cathy was finished, we drove off to pick her friends up. Neri was our first passenger, and then Kim. Deb was last, squeezing in between Neri and Kim in the back seat. Driving towards school we got a few whistles from a car full of boys as they sped past. Neri called out jerks, and something to do with their combined intelligence being lower than today’s temperature, we all laughed. Arriving at school again was a little different from the previous day, as I wasn’t hassled by my old friends, although I did see them in a huddle, looking towards me. Shrugging off thoughts of them planning on doing anything, I went into class
Entering, we found out that they were giving everyone pop quiz’s starting today, in preparation of the midterm exams next week. Looking at the papers I saw that, although I hadn’t had time to get up to speed on the current lessons, these questions were not going to give me much trouble, having been though all this only a couple of years ago. As we where doing the tests Cathy was checking to see if I was having any problems, but I thought I did pretty well, considering, maybe not an A, but above C average anyway. The day went the same way, more tests, and more reasonable marks, I thought. At lunch, Cathy asked how I was doing.
"Okay" I said, "don’t forget I was an above average student."
" Yes, but ‘Jan’ wasn’t, I wonder what they’ll think about your marks, Jan wasn’t exactly the studious type," she laughed.
"Well I’m not going to worry about that, I’m going to need good marks to get any sort of reasonable job, okay, "I have to make up for Jan’s lack in that department."
After lunch, it was back to the grind, but there was one amusing incident in the science class. There was a discussion about types of clouds, and who could name them, most of the students had their hands up, and the teacher was asking different people for their answers. As the clouds got named, the hands went down, until all the cloud combinations had been named, (alto stratus and nimbo cumulus) then as the last hand fell, I put my hand up, the teacher looked at me with a tired expression.
"I take it Miss Carmichael, you need the bathroom." I heard some of the class sniggering.
"No sir," I said, "I believe I have another type of cloud that wasn’t mentioned."
"Oh," he said looking down at an open book, "I think we covered them all Miss Carmichael," then looking at my still raised hand he sighed, and said "okay lets hear this cloud, you think you have," at which most of the class laughed.
"Noctilucent sir," he looked up at me with surprise, then as he thumbed though his book. I said "they are the highest clouds there are, and are composed mostly of ice crystals." At this he stopped looking and said,
"You are quite correct, I’m quite surprised you found out about those," at this the sniggers stopped, and looks of amazement greeted me as I looked around the room. Cathy had given me the thumbs up, and wasn’t doing a very good job of hiding her grin. That’s was one step in the right direction, I thought, showing them I do have a brain, and it might get me accepted as being someone who wants to learn, not just past the hours away idly.
After school, Cathy came up and asked if I wanted to come home for dinner with her. I said okay, but I’ll have to ask ‘mom’ first at which she laughed,
"Doesn’t it get confusing having two moms and two dads?"
" Yes" I said, "but hopefully things will get a little easier when I get to know ‘my’ parents," I replied. Getting the other girls, we set off, I used the car phone to ring ‘mom’ to tell her we I was going, she said
"Okay," but don’t be too late, it is a school day tomorrow." The other girls wanted to go to Cathy’s, as well, as they said they had something to tell us both. So arriving at home, we all went in, mom giving us a big hug before we all ran to Cathy’s room.
"Okay, what’s this big news?" We asked the others.
"Well," said Deb, "we heard on the grapevine that there’s going to be a couple of vacancies on the cheerleading team, as two of the girls are moving away." OH boy, I thought, why couldn’t I get used to just being a girl, without throwing me into the cheerleaders as well? Looking at Cathy, I could see the pleading look on her eyes, I knew being a cheerleader was one of her greatest wishes.
"Okay" I said, "but I don’t know anything, about being a cheerleader,"
"Oh don’t worry about that, we’ll show you the moves, and the cheers," they said. "We have two weeks yet anyway, but we need to get you fitted out for the uniform," getting a tape out and asking us to stand, while they measured us.
"Wow," they said "you are exactly the same size, 36c bust, 23 waist, 35 hips, and both 5’7" high."
"We have some spare uniforms that will fit you, so that’s no problem," said Kim. So while, Deb showed us some of the moves, Cathy and I limbered up.
I started doing some squats and arm stretches, while I watched Cathy going into the splits, thinking how limber this body was from my old one, I wondered, if I could do the splits as well, with this new body. Sinking down, I found that I could do it, and without pain, it gave me a weird sense of achievement. Here I was, doing something extremely feminine in nature, (excluding male ballet dancers and martial artists) and yet, I didn’t feel it was demeaning, rather it was a quiet appreciation of how a supple woman’s body is. After an hour or so we went downstairs to get some snacks, before taking everyone home.
Returning to Cathy’s, we went into the kitchen, to help mom with dinner. Mom gave us each a pink apron to wear, then smiled, as we looked at each other and grinned,
"This is the one thing, I’d never thought, I’d be wearing" I said, toying with the aprons frilly bits.
"Well you both look adorable" mom said, with a smile. "Now come on stop daydreaming and help me," ‘Daughters,’ she muttered, but I saw she was smiling. After dinner we sat in the lounge and talked about my situation, dad was there and suggested that for the moment, there was little to be gained by telling Jan’s parents anything. It could only hurt them, and I was beginning to know them enough, not to want that to happen. After leaving mom and dad that night and driving ‘home,’ I was thinking just where I was heading in this new life, for the moment school was my next hurdle, and I needed to get good grades, if I was going to get any sort of decent job. I hadn’t talked to my new parents about this, and didn’t know if they had any plans for me. ‘Mom’ was waiting for me, as I entered and asked if I had a good time.
"Yes ‘mum" I said, and told her about my possibly becoming a cheerleader, I could see she was happy for me, that finally, I was starting to do the things normal girls do.
"Jan, can we talk?"
"Of course mum," I said, looking at her and wondering what was coming.
"Well I know we interfered with your life years ago, that lead to you rebelling against us, with your attitude and the clothes and choice of company you ran with, and we regret having done that."
"That’s ok mum, I was very immature then, and I never guessed how far things would get out of hand." I replied, thinking, I hope she buys this.
"Well," ‘mom’ continued, "we still find it hard to believe the changes in your attitude, and the way your meeting new friends, also your appearance has improved so much, its as if we have a whole new daughter."
"You do mum" I replied truthfully, "I mean when I nearly fell off that bridge, my life flashed before me, and I thought is this it. This is where all my rebellion has taken me, away from my parents, and away from life as well. So that’s when I threw away all my old ways, and decided to do something with myself." At that I started to cry partly for the waste of Jan’s life, and partly because I had the love from two sets of parents. ‘Mom’ took me in a hug, and started to cry softly as well.
"I’m so glad we have our daughter back, "’mom’ said, drying both our eyes with her hanky, "now go upstairs and get ready for bed."
"Okay, mum" I said," can you come up and say goodnight to me?"
"I’ll be up in 10 minutes, okay darling." Getting into bed in record time, (for a girl that is) I waited for ‘mom,’ thinking that things about Jan’s life were starting to make sense.
Next morning, was a repeat of yesterday, until class started and the teachers started to handout our exam results. An ‘F,’ I couldn’t believe it, no-way did I get an F. I asked the teacher about it and her reply was that, because I cheated I got an F.
"But I didn’t cheat" I cried.
"Well, getting such high marks this time when you usually get a ‘D’ shows us that you must have cheated," she continued. "You’ll find similar marks from your other teachers, as we found when we discussed this, that these high marks are so uncharacteristic of your normal work, that all agreed that you must have cheated. Also we have rung your parents, and they are on the way now, so you may as well go, and wait in the principal’s office, till they get there." Walking there, I was trying to think of a way to get them to believe me. Oh no, what will ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ think when they hear this. Waiting out side the principal’s office, was something new to me, as I never got into trouble, as John. Sitting there, feeling the secretary’s eyes on me made me uncomfortable and I played with my skirt checking to see if it was straight, and teased my hair with my fingers, not realizing that I looked, just like any other normal nervous schoolgirl. Suddenly I heard the knock that preceded my ‘mom’ as she entered the room. Looking at me, I feared the worst, as the look was full of reproach at my supposed behavior. Asking to see the principal, we were admitted and we sat down. The principal told ‘mom’ the results of the tests, were (A’s and B’s, my real marks) and then said, that they concluded I had cheated in all of them, as my previous marks where only D’s and E’s. ‘Mom’ asked me,
"Why?" in a voice that was filled with resignation.
"Mum, I didn’t cheat," I said. "I did earn those marks, and I can prove it.
"Oh how?’ They both said together.
"Well if you give me any test, here and now, I can do it right in front of you, and you’ll see I didn’t cheat." The principal looked at me and said.
"I’m afraid we can’t take the time to waste, just to prove something we know is a lie." Looking pleadingly at ‘mom’ I said,
"Trust me this once, please." ‘Mom’ looked at me, seeing my begging look, then said to the principle,
"She deserves a chance to prove herself, and seeing as it can affect her grades, I demand a retest." Going to ‘mom’ and hugging her, I whispered,
"Thanks you won’t regret this."
"Okay young lady," the principal said, "you will do a test outside in the secretary’s room, and if the marks are the same as these last tests, I will give you the benefit of the doubt, and reinstate your good marks." Going to a drawer, he pulled out an examination form, and handed to me, I looked it over it was a chemistry exam. I sighed, I loved chemistry, looking at ‘mom’ I saw she had taken my sigh as an indication of worry, giving her a wink, I sat down and started the questions. ‘Mom’ stayed though out my test, which fortunately didn’t take too long, as I was well past this stuff. When I handed the paper in, ‘mom’ looked at me and said you’re sure you don’t need more time, you seemed to do that very quickly.
" No it’s fine mum," I said, "lets wait and see what the results are." Waiting for the principal to mark my questions, was just as hard to take as my wait for ‘mom.’ The principal entered the room again with a look of amazement on his face,
"Miss Carmichael, I don’t believe these results, but it looks as if you were telling the truth, and your results will be reinstated immediately."
"What did she get ‘mom" asked, wondering what had amazed the man.
"She got an A+" he replied, "this is the biggest turnaround I’ve ever seen," he added.
After leaving the office and getting back into class, Cathy asked me what happened, and quietly without the teacher noticing, I filled her in on everything. She gave the thumbs up and said,
"Way to go Jan." After school, and after dropping everyone off, I drove home wondering what my ‘parents’ were going to say about my test results. ‘Mom’ greeted me with a big smile and hugged me, saying I never really expected you to do so well, (she obviously had got hold of my scores) B’s and A’s.
"Well mum" I answered, "I had the prove to myself, and to you, that I could do it."
"Whatever" said ‘mom’ "I’m going to take you shopping for something nice, anything you want."
"How about some CD’s" I replied, thinking of the music system in my room, I hadn’t even tried yet.
"CD’s? "Mom asked looking puzzled, "no, I meant clothes dear, what every girl likes shopping for."
"Oh right," I said trying not to show my reluctance, thinking of when I went shopping, as Cathy. Well I suppose I have to learn how to shop sometime, and this was a perfect time as any, having a sudden thought, "mum can Cathy come too?"
"Of course dear, we can pick her up on the way, why not ring her now." Going to the phone, I rang Cathy to hear her squeal in delight,
"Oh brother dear, are we ever going to have fun."
"Yeah right" I muttered, fun for you maybe, sighing I said, "we’ll pick you up in a short while ok?" Ten minutes later we were on our way Cathy and I in the back of ‘mom’s car. We went into several stores, and I tried to get in the mood, by letting my mind sink back into a ‘Cathy’ mode, which did seem to make things better. I did learn a lot about choosing clothes, some that caught my male eye as being nice, Cathy pooh poohed as being too blatant or not suitable, unless I was on the prowl for boys. Thinking about attracting the attentions of boys, gave me pause, did I want to? Was I ever going to be ready to date boys, attracting them, having sexual relations with boys? Looking at one of the other girls in the fitting room clad only in a bra and panties. I tried seeing if she turned me on, or was I just seeing her as just another girl, with no sexual attractions to her. As I looked I realized that, while she was attractive, and would have had John panting, she didn’t excite this body. That meant that although, the thought of dating boys was not something I wanted, my body might have something else to say about that.
Getting my mind back to the present and trying to decide which of the lovely dresses I wanted, I spied what looked the identical dress I had worn while when I, as Cathy, had tried on at the boutique on that day of the picnic.
"That one" I said, pointing to it.
"Oh yes," said Cathy, "I love it" laughing, she went and got it and handed it to me. I said,
"No need to try it on, I just know it will fit," winking at Cathy. So buying it, and several pairs of stockings, along with two pairs of heels we decide to go and get something to eat. Finding a small coffee shop, we went in and ordered.
"Did you have fun?" Cathy asked as ‘mom’ went up and got a cake from the counter.
"Well" I answered warily, "fun isn’t what I’d call it yet, but I’m learning about clothes, and that’s something I do need to know now," giving her a smile of thanks. "Just to show you my appreciation, do you want to go to the movies tomorrow night? My treat," I added.
"Only if I get to pick which one" she said grinning at me "oh and we have to wear the same dress," she added, looking pointedly at my new purchases. After leaving the shop and walking back to the car I noticed several boys looking at us, catching their eye, I saw them smile, thinking of my thoughts earlier I looked at their bodies, and imagined having them kiss me. My nipples went hard and my body? Well, I could feel a slight arousal, which meant that I was destined to find out, just what sex feels from the feminine perspective, if I wasn’t to become a nun. Dropping Cathy off we came home to meet ‘dad’ and tell him my news; he was duly impressed, and said,
"If this keeps up, I will have a surprise for you." Putting my new clothes away, I went down for dinner. Getting ready for bed was starting to feel, (taking off of makeup, and using all the different lotions on my body and doing my hair) almost normal. And the feel of wearing filmy nighties had stopped giving me feelings of embarrassment; in fact it was just another piece of clothing, that felt nice.
The next day, I went though the, (by now) almost routine job of getting ready for school. I noticed that having breasts shifting round when I bent over or was just walking wasn’t as noticeable, I mean I felt them, yes, but it was part of my body now, and wasn’t constantly making me feel self conscious of them. The extra weight on my chest wasn’t so bad while I was wearing a bra, as it supported them, and prevented most of the wobble I felt when I was naked. School was still a bit unnerving, as the mass of boys there was a constant reminder that I wasn’t one of them anymore, and my interaction with them took on new meaning. I was one of the girls that boys like to try their chat-up lines on. And I found fending off their constant attempts annoying, although, Cathy did her best to run interference, while she brought me up to speed on the techniques girls use to counter this.
Strangely I saw no evidence of my (Jan’s) old group of girls doing anything sinister in fact they were pointedly ignoring me which suited me just fine. After school we, (that’s is Cathy, Kim, Deb and Neri) practiced more on our cheerleading skills, I found that Jan’s more limber body, helped me do the more complicated moves. It also gave me a feeling of connection with the body, as if this wasn’t someone else’s body, this was MY body. Exercising it fully gave me a sense of it fitting me, and I was starting to enjoy it as it moved to my thoughts, it felt like I belonged in it.
After dinner that evening, I went to get ready, looking at my gown I thought it’s a bit much just for the movies, but if it makes Cathy happy to be seen in identical clothes, then I wasn’t about to spoil her fun. Julie came and did my hair, and helped me with my makeup, saying I needed to look beautiful. ‘Mom’ was impressed, and told me to have a great time out.
Driving to my old home, I found mom waiting with a camera. She took my photo with Cathy, as my mom wanted to see us together, and she said we looked like twins almost, except for our hair. Driving to the movies, we stopped for a drink at the local coffee shop, and I asked her what movie we were going to.
"It’s a surprise," she said,
"Okay" I said, "then lets go." Walking to the car, we were suddenly surrounded by five guys wearing dark leather jackets. They grabbed our arms and dragged us around to the alley, keeping our mouths covered with their big hands.
"We brought them both Nick." They said, as we were hauled up in front of him, "we weren’t sure who was who, as they look the same."
"DUMMIES! I said the one with the black hair," Nick replied caustically, "oh well, now we have them both she may as well stay and see what happens to girls that cross me." Struggling uselessly against the brute that held me, I found I couldn’t move, as Nick came up to me and kissed me brutally on the lips. I could see the terror in Cathy’s eyes as she too, struggled against her captor. Nick looked at us both, and said,
"Well don’t we look elegant, tonight, you needn’t have dressed up just to meet me" he sneered, as he took out a knife. My worse fears were beginning to come to life, as he ran the knife up against my breasts. "Ok, now are you going to co-operate and come back to be with me, ----or do I need to give you some incentive, whirling round and springing at Cathy, the knife held out.
"NO!!" Finding an almost hysterical strength, born of adrenaline and sheer panic at the thought of Nick stabbing Cathy, I broke free, arching my heel up back into the brute’s groin. Pushing Nick aside, I ran to Cathy shielding her with my body.
"Oh its going to be like that, is it." Nick said, as he watched the guy I’d kicked, groaning and holding his privates. "I think I’m going to make sure no-one will ever want to date either of you, ever again," so saying, he came at us and as he brought the knife down towards us, I grabbed Cathy tightly, and screamed.
To be continued……….
Any comments would be welcomed at prue_gg@yahoo.com
© 2000
The above work is copyrighted material. Anyone wishing to copy, archive, or re-post this
story must contact the author for permission.