Planning Ahead

by Lisa Skye

  

I was in my room and feeling kind of bored, so I thought I'd go see what my sister was doing. It was just me and her there - Mom was at work until noon. And we lived out in the country a little so there weren't any other kids around.

Her door was open but I knocked on it anyway. "What are you doing, Peggie?"

"Oh, nothing really. Come on in."

I could see when I went in that she was straightening up her closet. At least that's what it looked like. We lived in an old house and it had big walk-in closets that held lots of stuff. She had stuff from the closet spread all around and was going through it. "Nice mess," I said.

"Just going through stuff," she said. "You know, I don't know why, but I was just thinking about Halloween. I'm going to plan ahead and have a really good costume."

Halloween could have been so great - if I had just had a little more guts. What I would really have loved to have been for Halloween was something like a bride or a fairy princess! But I was afraid that since I was a boy that people would call me a sissy or something.

"I'm still in the ideas stage right now. How about you? Any thoughts?"

Yes, I want to be a bride in a gorgeous silk and lace gown! "No, not really." Or how about a princess?

"Why don't you go in a girl costume? I've seen some of your friends do it, Scott."

"I don't want to get teased, and have everyone calling me a queer or something. Besides, I'd probably look real stupid anyway." Actually I thought I made not just a passable girl, I thought I could be a cute girl, but I sure wasn't going to say so.

"Why don't you try dressing up as a girl? You don't know how you'll look if we don't try .It's just you and me here and I promise I won't tell anyone. Why not give it a shot?"

"You really promise, Peggie?"

"I promise. I don't think it's such a big deal anyway. Girls wear boys' clothes all the time."

"I know - but if a boy wears girls' clothes then everyone calls him a sissy or worse things."

"It's just you and me and I promise I won't tell anyone. Of course, if you end up going in a girl costume they'll see anyway."

"Ha ha. Okay, but you better not laugh either. You go downstairs and get us something to drink and I'll change. Don't come up until I say to."

"Okay," she said and she went out of her room.

Wow! I just had to give it a shot. I went to my room for some socks - to fill my bra. Then right to her lingerie drawer I went.

Panties and bra, and good pantyhose. Usually when I was secretly dressing up I used ones that had runs and were thrown out, but this time I could wear good ones. The panties and bra didn't match, but they were both nice and silky. The panties were maroon, with lace by the leg holes, the bra was white and had lace covered cups. Next came her laciest slip, white but nice and silky. Nude pantyhose was carefully pulled on. Then came some wedgie sandals, about two inches high, maybe a little more. Finally, the dress.

I had already decided on a cute red silky one. It came down to just above the knees, with short sleeves. I knew from experience it fit me pretty good. This would be the first time anyone saw me in it though! Any girl clothes, for that matter. I looked at myself in the mirror and shrugged. Finally I called my sister back

She didn't laugh at all. "Not bad," she said. "Let me try something with your hair first. Then, make-up?"

"Well, yeah. Try to make me look like a real girl so I'll know if I'll look okay." I wasn't as scared as I thought I'd be. After all, she started it, and she wasn't teasing me or calling me a sissy.

She combed my hair around for a few minutes until she was satisfied. Then she started on my make-up. I had never really tried because I didn't want to mess up and look dumb, or get caught wearing it. A little lipstick was about as far as I had gone before. Now I would get a whole makeover!

She didn't let me see until she was finished. When I saw me I couldn't believe it.

"Wow - I'm a girl! A cute girl!"

We looked at each other for a minute and both started laughing.

"You are a cute girl, Scott. Hmmm, guess we need a new name. Your middle name is Michael, so instead of Scott Michael, how about Michelle Scott?"

"I do look more like a Michelle than a Scott!" I said with a laugh.

"Shame you hair isn't longer. It's long enough to look like a girl with a short haircut, but a little longer would be even better." Mom had been talking about taking me for a haircut, which I didn't want. "Let's try some other outfits on you, okay?"

"Okay." I sure wasn't ready to put my boy clothes back on! We put me in different outfits to see how they'd look. I was getting braver as we went. Finally I said, "Maybe if we ask Mom she'll let me grow my hair a little longer for Halloween. I'll wear the silky red dress to ask her. What do you think?"

"Who knows," she said with a shrug. "Change back to that dress, and I'll do the best make-up job on you I can for when she gets home."

We had some time so we decided to do my nails too. Peggie plucked a few hairs from my eyebrows and found me some jewelry. Mom didn't have pierced ears so we got me some of her clip ons. By the time we were done I looked completely like a girl - not a single trace of boy showing.

"This is kind of fun," Peggie said. "Please tell me you'll be Michelle for me sometimes."

"I have to admit this is kind of fun," I said quietly, blushing. "If you really, really promise you'll never tell anyone, I'd like to be Michelle again."

When Mom got home Peggie went down first and I listened at the top of the stairs. A few minutes later I heard, "Did you two do anything interesting today?"

"We got talking about Halloween and were trying some stuff. Mainly with Scott. Want to see what we did?" I guess my Mom nodded yes because next I heard, "Come on down - Michelle."

I carefully sauntered down the steps in the wedgie sandals, and stopped in front of my mom with a twirl. "Well, what do you think?" Peggie asked.

"Oh my god - you're adorable! And you're even wearing pantyhose!" She looked a little closer. "Panties too?"

I just nodded, blushing.

"I was going to take you for a haircut soon, but it does look nice and cute right now."

"If you let me grow it a little longer I'll make a better girl at Halloween," I said quickly.

"It's only the end of June right now. Your hair would be getting pretty long. Too long, I think, for a boy. I'll tell you what - I'll just think about it until tomorrow. But, you have to stay dressed as a girl until then. That means you'll sleep in a nightie tonight. Well?"

"Okay," I said, trying not show that I was secretly thrilled beyond belief.

I noticed a few times during the evening that Mom would look at me and smile. When it was time for my bath I went to Peggie's room and picked her pink silky nightie and some pink panties. It was wonderful to sleep in it.

The next day was Saturday and I went down to breakfast in my pink nightie. After we had some cereal Mom said for us to go get dressed. "We're going to the mall. Michelle, if you don't want a haircut then you better put on a dress or skirt."

"Go to the mall dressed a girl? Are you serious?"

"Either we get you a haircut or some lingerie of your own. The choice is yours. As long as you stay a girl we won't get your hair cut."

I ran over and gave her a big hug. "Thanks, Mom!" I couldn't believe this! But I did have a problem - what should I wear?

We settled on silky peasant blouses and skirts for both Peggie and me. My hair was styled as much as possible to look like a girl's hairdo, and I got a thorough make-up job. Even my toenails and fingernails were done up with pink polish, the same color as Peggie's.

Mom drove to a mall a little bit away so there wasn't much chance we'd see anyone we knew. It took about forty-five minutes to get there, and by the time we got there I was feeling more relaxed.

One of the first stores we passed was a nice dress shop. Mom stopped us to look at the display. "Do you want to take a quick look in here? Tomorrow is Sunday. You'll need something nice for church." She looked down and smiled at me.

"Okay," I said, thrilled but nervous too. The mall today, then church tomorrow, both dressed up as a girl. And getting my own fancy dress too!

I had hardly started looking when my mom pulled out a dress and said, "How about this one? This is real pretty." It was white and silky, and very lacy - it was perfect! Maybe she thought it would be too girly, but to me the more feminine it was, the better it was. I tried it on and it was the perfect dress for me. As we left the store Mom said, "We'll have to get you some real pretty white satin panties, bra and slip to go with this dress. And some sheer white stockings, too, I think."

I got to pick out a couple pairs of matching panties and bras(silky and lacy, of course!), some stockings, two slips, and three cute nighties. Then we found some really pretty white lingerie to go with my new dress, and Mom got me another set in pink - just because she was having so much fun too. I got a couple skirts and blouses, and two cute dresses. And my own wedgie sandals, plus white high heels to go with the fancy dress. And two purses - a small white one and a regular sized black one..

On the ride home Mom said, "Well, with what we just bought you're going to be a girl for the next week or two at least. So you don't have to make any decisions yet."

Of course, I already had. I wanted to stay a girl as long as I could. And if Mom was buying me girl clothes, maybe that would be a while!

During the ride home, Mom said "I had a nice idea while we were shopping. We're going to take a little overnight trip. Not too far that it takes a long time to get there, but far enough that our Michelle can feel safe out in public, where no one will know her. You both take a pretty outfit for church - your new one, of course, Michelle. We'll do a little sightseeing tomorrow so bring something to walk around in. And something nice for dinner before we come back in the evening. How does that sound?"

We were both excited, of course!

I laid out my clothes to take. My gorgeous white silky dress, and the lingerie and sheer white stockings that went with it came first. And the matching white heels and small white purse.

For dinner, one of other two dresses - a silky sky blue dress. I had matching panties and bra but decided to take the fancy pink set of panties, bra and slip to go with it, and nude stockings.

And for walking around I picked a cute pink skirt and top. With pink panties and bra, and a white slip. And a cute nightie to sleep in. My lavender one with lots of lace.

Soon Mom and Peggie were ready, and Mom helped me pack up my nice clothes. A final trip to the bathroom for everyone and away we went.

 

"How does the Shortrock Gardens sound? There's some lovely gardens we can go through, and a small mall to go to afterwards."

"That sounds good," Peggie said.

I agreed. I liked seeing pretty gardens, and I could probably enjoy them more openly without getting funny looks if people thought I was a girl. And shopping as a girl was lots of fun!

I started to wonder if Mom and Peggie had a little talk of their own. They always called me Michelle and never once acted like I was just a boy dressing up. They acted just as if I really was a girl named Michelle.

Which was just fine by me!

We talked like we normally did on the drive, about all kinds of things. We talked about where we were going, and they acted like it was perfectly normal for me to go on about how much I liked the pretty flowers and gardens.

"What outfit did you bring for walking around tomorrow, Michelle?" Mom asked.

"The pink skirt and top," I said. It was a dark pink pleated skirt, nice and silky, and the blouse was light pink with long puffy sleeves and lace at the wrists and neck.

"Oh, that'll be perfect, honey," Mom said. "Maybe at the mall we can find you a pink purse."

"Cool, Mom, that'd be great!" I gushed. Peggie giggled. "What?" I said defensively.

"Oh nothing, silly" she said, hugging me as much as she could in our safety belts. "You're just a fun sister," she said.

I really couldn't think of anything to say and just hugged her back.

"I just had a thought," Peggie whispered in my ear. "When we're at the mall tomorrow, how would you like to get your ears pierced, Michelle?"

I squeezed her hand and whispered back, "I'd really like that!"

We smiled at each other and she whispered back, "Don't say anything yet, but be ready whenever I do bring it up. Okay?"

"Got it." I squeezed her hand again and we both smiled.

Before too much longer we got near Shortrock Gardens and found a motel. We got a room and took our stuff inside.

"It's almost five-thirty now," Mom said. "Let's unpack first and hang up our clothes. Then why don't we take a look at the mall and have a late dinner. How does that sound, girls?"

We agreed and soon everything was neatly put away. Then a trip to the bathroom, and we all checked our make-up before we left. Off to the mall, a young girl's favorite place!

When we got there we went in through one of the big stores. As we were walking by the cosmetics department a lady there said there were showing off a new line, and asked if one of us would like a makeover to demonstrate it. Mom and Peggie pushed me ahead and I gladly volunteered.

"This is really for older ladies," the cosmetics lady said.

"I know," Mom said, "but we're out on a little holiday so it's okay."

"Well, if you say it's alright, then let's have some fun. Honey, I'm going to make you look like a beauty queen."

"I wish," I said with a smile.

"Well now, you just wait and see when I get done."

They didn't let me see until she was done. First she cleaned off all the make-up I had on, then she started new. She explained what she was doing and using as she went along, but most of it was lost on me. Finally she was done and I was allowed to see myself.

"Oh my god!" A beautiful young lady was looking back at me from the mirror! I turned to the cosmetics lady and gave her a hug. "Oh, thank you!"

"You're quite welcome, sweetie," she said, and then whispered in my ear, "No one would ever guess you're a boy," while returning my hug.

"And now,"she said, giving me a wink, "I have some free samples of the new line for you three ladies."

There was a quick chorus of "oooh, thank you" from us as we each received a small bag of samples.

"I made sure there's some of the lipstick you're wearing now in there, hon, so you can freshen up if you need to."

"Thank you," I said. "Maybe I should put that in my purse now," I said, digging in the bag.

"Good idea," Mom said. "And thank you again," she said turning to the cosmetics lady. "You did an amazing job on my daughter. She looks a few years older really, but still nice and sweet. And very pretty!" I blushed.

Next came the jewelry department, and of course we had to look there. I quickly found a bracelet I thought would look cute with my fancy Sunday dress. Peggie held up some earrings.

"I bet these would look nice with your outfit tomorrow, Michelle," she said. "Oh wait, these are for pierced ears."

"Most of the good ones are," I said sadly.

The lady behind the counter played right into our hands. "There's free piercing with any ten dollar purchase."

And I guess Mom didn't realize just how much I loved being a girl either. "Those would look really nice with your outfit tomorrow, Michelle."

"I was her age when I got mine done, Mom."

"Would you like to get your ears pierced, Michelle?" Mom asked smiling.

"I'd love to!"

Mom actually raised her eyebrows. She whispered in my ear. "Are you really sure? This will show no matter what kind of clothes you're wearing."

"I know," I said. "But I'd still love to."

She hugged me. "That's fine by me, sweetie. And I'll tell you what. Those pearl studs are just five dollars - get these crystal ones, too. You can wear the crystal ones now and save the pearl ones for tomorrow."

"Thanks, Mom!" Just a tiny sting and I was now wearing real earrings! I didn't even really pay attention as we walked to the front of the store. I still couldn't believe Mom gave in right away.

"Let's get some dinner. girls" Mom said. There was a food court nearby and we quickly got something to eat. We sat down and started eating, chatting about this and that. Finally Mom smiled at me and said, "Michelle, I get the feeling you'd like to stay with us all summer long."

I couldn't help giggling. "I think I'd really like that," I said truthfully.

"I don't think there's any problems with that," she said happily. We both smiled and Peggie added a "Yea!"

"Did you too ever even decide on Halloween costumes?"

Peggie and I just looked at each other. We got so involved in dressing me up we forgot all about Halloween. We both giggled. "We got carried away and forgot about it" Peggie said. Of course, I could almost picture the costume I'd love.

I wanted to be a cute little pixie in a gorgeous white, silky, lacy dress. And cute little wings. Mom interrupted my thoughts.

"I said, it looks like Michelle has an idea."

I blushed. "You won't laugh? I think a pixie would be cute - in a white, silky, lacy dress and little wings."

"That sounds nice. I bet you would look really cute," Mom said with a smile - not a laughing at me smile, but a happy with me smile.

Being a daughter was nice.

At church the next morning everybody complimented mom on her two lovely daughters that were dressed up so pretty! I wore my new white silky dress and white satin lingerie. It felt so wonderful. I almost didn't want to change into my pink outfit when we got back to the room. Almost. The pink outfit was cute too!

The Shortrock Gardens was a really pretty place to go, and it was extra nice since it was "just us girls"! I was in a silky pink skirt and blouse, Peggie was in yellow, and Mom was wearing a pretty kelly green outfit. We took lots of pictures - if anything, more than usual, including plenty of Michelle.

That was the best part. Both Mom and Peggie were treating me like I had always been Michelle, and that everything was perfectly normal. Like it was completely okay for me to like silky dresses and pretty things - it was okay for me to like being a girl! I found a cute flower wind chime and bought it. They both thought it was pretty too.

"Hmm, are we going to see some changes in your room, Michelle?" Mom asked with a smile.

"Maybe it'll be a little neater now, "Peggie said. Of course, I stuck my tongue out at her.

I made sure no one was near enough to overhear and said, "I guess it depends on how long I get to stay Michelle."

We got in the car and headed to do some shopping. "For now I'd say that's up to you, honey. I don't mind having another daughter. In fact it seems kind of fun. And with the clothes you have now I would hope you'll stay as my daughter at least for another week or two."

"It's neat having a sister," Peggie said.

"You really don't mind?"

"Not at all. It's nice being an all girl family."

"Well, if that's true, then I don't even want to think about being a boy for now," I said with a big smile.

"Think about shopping," Mom said as we pulled into a parking lot. "Because here we are!"

In the first store they were having a sale in the girls' department. Peggie and I were looking around while Mom went to the lingerie department. I found a cute skirt for seventy percent off and two pretty silky blouses that were in a buy-one-get-one-free section!

"Those look nice, Michelle. Isn't it fun being a girl?" She didn't say it that loud but she was still overheard by the girl we didn't see coming around behind her. The newcomer wondered if she had heard right and was looking between us - pausing, still unseen - as she heard, "I'm glad you're my sister now, at least for a while."

It was suddenly clear to the new girl and she bumped into a rack. Peggie and I both turned to look at her and I almost gasped - I knew her! Angela Dunkin.

"Hi," Angela said.

Peggie and I both said hi, me almost having a heart attack. I just knew she knew who I was.

"I'm in Michelle's class," she said, and I didn't know what to think. Even Peggie was stuck. Angela looked and around, and so did we. It was just the three of us. "Don't worry," she said. "I won't tell anyone. I think it's really neat." She stepped closer and whispered, "Will I get to see you again, Michelle?"

"You mean, you'd want to?"

"Sure - why wouldn't I? We've always been friends, right? Maybe not best friends, but always friends."

"True. And I can't say I know you real well but you've always been nice to me," I said smiling.

She smiled back. "You're a nice person, Michelle." She gave a quick glance around, making sure it was still clear. "And I honestly don't know why, but this seems really cool. And I really have to add this," she said leaning a little closer, "you're really cute!"

All I could do was blush.

"I have to get back to my mom," Angela said. "Will you give me a call, Michelle?"

I was so thrilled I could barely speak. "Of course." I reached into my purse and got out my new little pink phone book, with its own little pink pen. I handed them to Angela. "Here, you can be the first person in it."

"Oh, cool!" She quickly wrote down her name and number. "And don't worry," she said as she wrote, "even if you never do call me - I hope you do! - I won't ever tell a soul." She handed the book and pen back.

I was smiling as I reached out to take them. "Believe me, Angela, I'll call. Bye bye for now."

"Bye bye," she said, and leaned over to give me a quick kiss. "It's okay for girls to do that," she whispered and giggled.

Have I mentioned that I just loved being a girl?

I got the clothes I found, and Mom had picked out some undies and nighties. On the way out I saw some earrings that would be really cute with my dress for dinner and managed to talk Mom into getting them.

Why would I ever want to be a boy again?

  

  

  

*********************************************
© 2003 by Lisa Skye. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, and compilation design) may be printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without the express written consent of StorySite and the copyright holder.