Richard the III                      by: Janet L. Stickney                       JanetLynn17@Hotmail.com

 

Richard left on the Crusades, leaving his maiden alone, longing for his return. She cried out went he left, telling of her love for him, hoping, pleading, that he would not go. Richard, with but a single glance back at her, rode off on his quest. The maiden, her eyes filled with tears sank to the floor in despair, her gown draped around her as her impending loneliness descended on her. The curtain fell to the resounding applause of the audience, and the cast made a bow with two encore appearances. As the audience filed out of the auditorium, the cast made their way to the dressing rooms. Steven, who played Richard, had his arm around the waist of the maiden, holding her tightly as they walked down the hallway.

As Steven and I walked off the stage his arm went around my waist as he held me close. I wondered why. He knew that I was not a girl. The only reason I played the part at all was because the girl that was going to do it fell ill and wasn't able. I could fit into the costumes, or at least come close. When I asked the drama coach why he didn't just get another girl to do it, he told me that if the girl wasn't in the drama department, he wasn't interested in asking them because they weren't interested enough to try out. That left about eight girls, and they had already been assigned roles, they had all been studying their lines, and he had no inclination to change them now.

My name is Garret Grant, I'm 17, a Senior and about ready to graduate. When our drama coach first approached me about doing this part I was unwilling to even try on the costume let alone actually do it. The rest of the cast never really pushed me into it, but some of them mentioned that it was only a play after all, and didn't a lot of famous male actors dress as women in different films? Of course, one of the girls wanted the role, but there is no way she would come close to fitting the costumes and she knew it. Sandy is quite short, a little on the heavy side, and on top of that she has one of those whiny voices that sound like bad chalk on a blackboard. She already had a part, but was just a bit angry that me, a boy, was going to play the starring female lead. I wasn't looking forward to it either, but it's only a role, right? I told my parents what was being suggested, expecting them to tell me not to do it, but both of them said about the same thing the other kids did. The next day I reluctantly told the coach I would do it. He wanted the girls in the sewing class to make any alterations I needed, but I could just imagine what would happen there, and said no. I would have my mother do it. That afternoon went home with several bags of clothes. I expected to just slip the dresses on and do the part, but as soon as Mom saw the dresses, she said absolutely not.

"These are period costumes, and will require you to have a narrow waist and show at least some bosom. Let's have you try them on and I will see what we need to do to make you look like a maiden."

In no time I had one of the dresses on, and as mom zipped it up, all the way, it was obvious that my waist was just a little big and made the dress pretty snug on me. It was also dragging on the floor. Mom took the dress off, and I tried the other two. They fit about the same way. Then mom took my measurements, wrote them down, and told me to get dressed. I figured I would be wearing a waist nipper, but that's not so bad, and thought nothing of it when mom told me she would be gone for a while. That night after dinner mom told me to come to her bedroom, so I followed her, and saw the bags of stuff on her bed.

"If you want to be at all convincing as the maiden, then I think you should do it right Steven, so I bought this hair remover for you to use."

She showed me to jar and told me that on Saturday morning she and I would begin to change me into a girl, the maiden in the play. She did not give me a choice, and I knew by the look on her face that she intended to make me as believable a girl as she could. The next day I told the drama coach what mom said, and all he did was smile! He thought it was a wonderful idea, then told me he hoped I would do my best to play the maiden. I told him I would try.

On Saturday morning after breakfast, mom took me to her room again and told me to strip. As mom slathered on the cream my skin started to tingle, then after half hour or so I went in the shower and watched as my body hair, what there was of it, washed down the drain! I shaved close, and with a towel wrapped around me I rejoined mom. In her hand were a pair of panties!

"Panties?"

"I think it will help you get into the role a bit better if you wear the right undergarments, now put these on."

I did as she told me, then saw that the thin material did nothing but accentuate my weapon, so I hurriedly tucked things away before I turned to see her pointing at the vanity. I sat down, and as mom watched, I used the foundation to make my face all one color, then she handed me her powder puff. I used it, then waited until the foundation had absorbed it before I brushed away the excess. I was used to using heavy eye makeup, but mom said not this time and coached me, as I did my eyes in pale green and gray with black eyeliner over and under each eye. I brushed on a coral blush, then mom had me stand in the middle of the room. I expected a waist nipper, but she held up a corselet, which looked pretty small to me! In no time I had wrapped it around myself, fastened the hooks and zipped it up, then mom drew the Velcro fastener as tight as she could. My waist went from a comfortable 26 inches to 23 in no time at all. All of the flesh on my chest had been pushed up, almost filling the cups of the built in bra, but mom reached into each cup and pulled my skin up some more, then shoved a small foam pad under my skin. All at once I filled out the bra, and it looked as if I had boobs of my own!

As I looked in the mirror it was obvious even to me that I now had an almost perfect female shape. I sat on the bed and pulled on the pantyhose mom had handed me, shivering as the nylon slid up my now silky smooth legs. That made mom smile at me, but she said nothing, then gave me a pantybrief. It was padded, and once I had it on, I saw that it gave me a completely feminine shape. I was aghast at how easily mom had changed the way I looked, which took less than an hour. Then she slipped the dress over my head and zipped it up. This time it fit me perfectly. Snug but not tight, loose enough that I could move, and worse, it looked as if I had the swelling mounds of my female classmates! The shoes she had me step into were ordinary heels, but when I stood up straight the dress no longer dragged on the floor.

I sat at her vanity as she put rollers in my hair, and I had to endure her dryer for another half an hour before she started brushing out my hair. I watched as she pinned on what she called a bun, then, when she was done, my hair looked natural for the dress. Ringlets cascaded down the sides, the back swept up to the bun and I had bangs. I drew on the red lipstick and stood in front of the huge mirror, in awe at what she had done. I certainly didn't look like myself, I wasn't ugly or clownish or even plain looking. I looked almost as good as most of the girls I admired most! I was standing there admiring the way I looked when mom started taking pictures. I think she took a whole roll!

"It would be a shame to waste all of this effort, so I bought you a few other things. Let's get that dress off first."

Once I had it off, mom gave me a navy and green skirt, which I held in my hand a moment before she told me to put it on. Then came a simple white blouse and a thin navy sweater. She helped me get it over my hair, then, when I looked in the mirror I went into shock. I had legs that seemed to go on forever before the hem, which was at mid thigh on me hid the rest. Mom took off the bun, and brushed my hair out into a pageboy she said, then clipped on some earrings. When I looked this time, I went into overload. I looked just like any other girl in my school, the pretty ones that is. Mom took some more pictures, then told me it was time to have a bite to eat. I followed her into the kitchen without even thinking about it, and sent dad to choking on his sandwich.

"Dear, this is Gwendolyn."

"I thought this was a period piece."

"Oh, it is, but she looked so cute that I wanted to see how she would look normally dressed."

"You call this normal?"

"For a girl, of course. Doesn't she look simply wonderful?" Dad said nothing as he stared at me.

"I thought that it would be nice to see how the daughter we never had would look, and here she is!"

"Can I go change mom?"

"No. Since this play will last three weeks, and it will certainly be easier for you to get ready at home, I thought it might be easier for you to simply wear a dress or skirt and blouse back and forth. That way we can leave the costumes there. You'll look awfully silly wearing full makeup and your own clothes back and forth."

"Why can't I just change at school mom?"

"Can you see yourself putting all of these clothes on at school? In front of everyone else?"

She did have a point, but why stay dressed up now?

"Audrey, just what to you have in mind for… Gwen, since you won't let her change?"

"I think it will be much easier for Gwen if she actually become a girl for the next three weeks and the run of the play. It will help her get used to how women move, walk and so on. Since she would be dressing as a girl every day, it will be easier for her to get ready here and just go to the school."

"But mom!" She ignored me of course. I think she likes the idea of having a daughter, at least once.

"She and I need to buy her a few more outfits of course!" Mom looked at dad and I like we were from another planet, then went back to her bedroom, returning with a navy purse. "I put your wallet inside with your lipstick. Ready?"

"Do I have a choice here mom?"

"No."

In no time we were at the mall, and there I was walking beside her, my skirt flaring with every step, my heels clicking on the hard floor, and my eyes roaming all over the place to see if anyone saw me as a boy in a skirt. Fortunately I guess, nobody did, and I soon found myself holding two bras, a package of panties! Then, in the dress department, mom told me to pick out three skirts and two dresses. It seemed like a lot to me, but what do I know. I selected skirts in black, pink and gray, then one in tan. The dresses were blue and green, both in a popular but short style. Mom picked out the blouses, and I tried on shoes, leaving with two pair of flats and heels in taupe. On the way out of the store we walked right into my girl in my math class and her mother. She gave me the eye, then I saw her eyes open wide as I realized I had just been caught. I expected her to say something right then, but she didn't, and mom and I went into the jewelry shop just outside the department store. There I was, four pair of earrings in my hand when she walked up.

"You're Garret!"

"Not today Shelly. Today I'm Gwen."

"Damn!"

"What?"

"I said damn! You look wonderful! Is this for the play? I heard that you had one of the female leads."

"Mom said it would be easier to get ready at home, and I should have something to wear back and forth for the three weeks the play is supposed to run, which is why I'm here like this. It's not my idea, believe me."

"I met my mom here, so I have my car, do you have to go home with your mother?"

"I suppose not, why?"

"We can do some shopping together silly!"

As long as I was with mom I knew I was pretty safe, but Shelly is a good friend, and I didn't think she would put me in any kind of spot on purpose, and it could be fun. The only problem is that there isn't anything I need to shop for, and of course, what if we saw some other kids? Would they believe me if mom wasn't there? I knew I looked okay, yet I felt just a tiny bit of fear rise up in my throat. Mom must have overheard Shelly, because she came over and smiled at me, her credit card in her hand.

"I think that's a wonderful idea Gwen. You need to buy some more pantyhose, a wallet, and of course, makeup of your own. Shelly will be able to help you, and I'm sure you girls will have a fun afternoon." Then mom did her best to protect me. "Shelly, Gwen is doing this because of the situation she is in. I don't want to hear that you put her in a position to be made fun of, or teased about it."

Shelly swore that was the farthest thing from her mind, so mom gave me her card and told me to pay for the jewelry.

I stood there and watched as mom walked away as if it was the most normal thing in the world for me to be here, dressed this way, shopping with a friend that happens to be a girl! I paid for the jewelry, then Shelly and I walked around to find her mother. Shelly introduced me as Gwen, and told her we would be shopping. All her mother did was smile and say okay. As we walked away…

"Are you going to be dressing this way in class?"

"God I hope not!"

"Ya, I can see where it might make a few of the other girls crazy."

"Them, what about me?"

"Looking this way? You'll have the eye of every guy in the school honey, which is why the girls will go crazy!"

We walked along until we came to a makeup shop, then we went in, where I expected to just tell them what I wanted, but no. The woman insisted that she do my makeup to make sure she gave me the right stuff, so I washed off all of my makeup, and sat there while she redid everything. When she was done, I saw Shelly staring at me, then I looked in the mirror. This was even better than when I did it just a few hours ago! There wasn't one sign that I was anything but a girl, just like Shelly! The woman made up a kit, I paid for it, and we left the shop.

"You are one hot babe Gwen, hot hot hot!"

She asked if I wanted something to drink, and a bit embarrassed by what she said, I said nothing as we stopped at the mall café. I was sitting there, minding my own business, sipping on a soda, my knees locked together, when up walked Greg with his girlfriend Kelly, Melissa, and her brother Ken. Shelly wasted no time introducing me as Gwen, and they joined us. Even as naïve as I am about boys, it was obvious that Ken was watching me like a hawk looking at a tender meal. He sat on the other side of the table, which gave him a clear view of me. The up side is that he's on the other side of the table. Shelly was really cool, and let them think what they wanted to, then she said we had a lot of shopping to do and stood up. I joined her, and for the first time Ken saw the rest of me and smiled. As we said our goodbyes, Ken asked if he could tag along, and of course Shelly said yes. Inside I was tasting just a hint of fear as he slipped in between us. Not wanting to create a scene, I waited until we came to a lingerie shop and went in, with Shelly right behind me. Ken, as I hoped, was shy about going into a shop that sold nothing but lingerie, stayed outside. When we reached the rear of the store, I yanked Shelly aside.

"Ken has been staring at me!"

"Of course! He's in love I think."

"But that's impossible Shelly, I'm a…"

"Girl. You are a girl named Gwen, and they all think so. Just go out there just ask Ken if you're a girl."

"This is just great Shelly. What happens when I show up and the play starts. Everyone will know, and we'll look like fools!"

"Just play it by ear Gwen. I'm taking you home, not Ken, so relax!"

I bought a package of pantyhose, and we left. Ken didn't like it, but Shelly and I said goodbye, then left in her car for my house.

Once we were at my house I went in and Shelly went home, but she promised to call later. Mom looked at my new makeup, told me I looked fantastic, then told me we were going out for dinner. I started for my room but she said no, I could go like I was. Dad looked like he was once again in shock, but he didn't say anything, and drove us to the restaurant. Over dinner mom told me that she had talked to my drama coach, and told him what we had done, then told us he was coming to the house later. Knowing mom, and based on the hints she gave me earlier, I was sure that between them, they would decide that in the interest of making my character more feminine, I would be attending school as a girl. The bad thing about that is that in my heart, I believed I was beginning to like this dressing as a girl. In my entire life I never even thought about dressing as a girl, yet I never got as much attention as I did today. Looking in the mirror it's hard to say that I didn't like the way I look. After the days events, having Ken staring at me and so on, with not one problem, it only reinforced the way I was beginning to feel. The real problem is that everyone will know the minute I set one foot in the school. By the time we got home mom told me I just had time to touch up my lipstick, which dad thought was funny.

The doorbell rang, and I opened the door to let him in. He asked for mom and dad, looked at me and said nothing as I led him into the familyroom.

"Where is Garret? I thought he would be here?" Mom looked at me, and the coach's mouth dropped open.

"I know what you told me, but I expected, well, I didn't expect this!"

"I told you she looks wonderful." Mom looked at me and told me to stand up. His eyes roamed over me from head to toe and back before he asked me if I would consider coming to school like this every day, at least until the play is over. There it was, just like I figured.

"Gee, I don't know. The other kids might not take it well. Shelly told me, and this is her idea, that I'll make some of the girls crazy."

"And some of the boys too I'll bet."

"What happens to me if that happens? This could turn out very ugly very quickly."

"I'll clear it with the school, and of course you can say no, but it might enhance your performance if you do this."

"I'll think about it." That was the best I could do right then, because I really would have to think about it.

After he left I went to my room, then slowly began to take off the clothes. I was down to the corselet when mom walked in and shut the door. She said nothing as I went in the bath and removed the rest of the clothes, slipped on a robe and washed off the makeup. I still had my hair in the pageboy when I walked back into my room. When she asked me if I was going to go to school dressed as a girl, I wondered how I could tell her yes without sounding like I was beginning to actually enjoyed it.

"You turned out much prettier than I imagined."

"Thanks."

"You like dressing as a girl don't you?"

"What makes you say that mother? I never did anything like this before, ever!"

"I say that because I watched you most of the day, and the longer it went on, the more feminine your gestures became. The way you walked, sat, used your hands and so on. Then, when I saw that you had your makeup redone, and came home with another package of sexy panties plus the pantyhose I told you to get, I was sure."

"But I bought those while I was in the shop to get away from Ken!"

"We'll talk about this in the morning, but keep in mind that we bought you those clothes so you would look like a normal girl and fit in, and obviously, you do."

I slept deeply that night, with only a fleeting dream about the way I looked. In the morning I appeared in the kitchen in my robe, made coffee, then waited. I wanted to ask mom how dad was taking this. I mean, he's laughing it off right now, but after a few days, then what? What if she's right and I start acting like the girl I'll appear to be? Will he go ballistic on me? Also, just how am I going to manage this at school? I'm sure the coach will notify the school, but some of the guys won't understand, and worse, they're not going to try. They can make my life miserable unless we can find a way to make them choke back their natural tendencies to be assholes. Mom and dad showed up by the time the coffee was done, and while they were together, I asked them all of the questions I had wondered about. Dad was a little hurt when I asked him if he was going to get angry with me if I did go to school as a girl, but he said no.

"What if your drama coach introduced all of you to the student body, all at the same time? You could all be in costume, then he could explain why you will be there as a girl. Would that help?"

"Maybe."

"I'll call him later and find out, but lets assume that he will do it, and prepare for it. I have a few alterations to make on all three dresses anyway, so you'll need to get ready after breakfast."

I went to my room and got dressed again, but without the makeup, and spent three hours as a dress dummy. Mom would mark, then sew in the alteration, then I tried the dress on again. By the time she was done every dress fit me perfectly. She did make one change that made me nervous, and that was on the dress for the final act. She lowered the bustline, which revealed more of my swollen chest, and only made it look as if I really did have breasts. Mom told me to get dressed, and left my room. As I looked in the mirror I knew what I was going to do. I did my makeup, brushed my hair into a ponytail, and slipped on a skirt and blouse, then some flats, drew on my lipstick, and went to join mom. Just then the phone rang. It was Shelly. She wanted to come over, and since I wanted to tell her what I decided, I said yes.

She showed up about thirty minutes later, dressed about the same as I was. She took one look at me and knew before I told her that I was going to school as Gwen, but I told her anyway. She and I spent the day talking about what might happen, and what mom had suggested. By then I had decided to do it, and could only hope the drama coach could help. That night I checked myself for stray hairs, shaved off a few, and went to bed early. If I was going to do this, I was damn well going to do the best I could.

In the morning I showered, then began to get ready. Mom put my hair in rollers again, then left me to do my makeup. I used the barest minimum I could get away with, did my eyes in the same soft green and gray, used black eyeliner and pencil, then a coral blusher. In order to have any kind of a shape, I had to wear the corselet again, and as I fastened it, the magic was created and I once again had breasts and a narrow waist. I slipped on the pantyhose, then the tan skirt with a white short sleeved blouse. The taupe flats, then the small pink button earrings I had bought the other day. Around my neck went the matching necklace. I had just drawn on the pale red lipstick when mom came in and handed me her perfume. She told me I might as well, so I dabbed some on my neck, elbows and wrists. Then she took out the rollers and brushed my hair out, using barrettes this time to hold it back on the sides. I was as ready as I would ever get, so I gathered up my books, left the house, and drove to school. I asked Shelly to be there, and I saw her as I parked the car. She took one look, smiled at me and told me I looked great. Then we went in.

There was a notice on every locker saying that assembly had been called, and we were to report there rather than class. Shelly and I walked into the auditorium and sat down. So far nobody had said anything to me. Our drama coach and the Principal stood on stage together, then he made a motion to be quiet.

"Many of you know that we have asked one of our students to take the female lead in our upcoming play. He resisted, but I managed to talk him into it. I also asked him to attend school as a girl in order to get familiar with the role we have asked him to star in. The characters name is Gwendolyn, so I have also asked him to adopt that name while he is attending as a girl. We know that this is strange, but all of you know that many actors have done the same thing, and we ask your indulgence. In order for you to see him, as he looks as a girl, I'll ask Gwendolyn to step up here."

I was stuck in my chair until Shelly poked me and I stood up. As I walked to the stage I could hear some of the kids saying that I was really a girl, and this was all a joke. That made me feel pretty good, until I heard someone say an ugly name as I passed them. I stepped onto the stage and stood next to the drama coach, my knees together and my hands folded in front of me just like Shelly told me to do.

"This is Garret Grant, who has accepted the challenge of playing the female lead. As you can see, he has been able to create a lovely character, and we ask that you treat Gwen the same as you have always treated the other ladies that attend here. By the way, he will be using the name Gwen from now until the end of the play. Any questions?"

Nobody spoke up at first, then someone called me the same ugly name. The Principal jumped on that instantly.

"Anyone that mistreats Gwen will be summarily dismissed from the school, and all functions, including graduation, the prom and so on. If any of you think I don't mean it, I really suggest that you rethink that position. Class will start in five minutes. You may go."

This was going to be an interesting day. I stepped off the stage and joined the crowd as we all made our way to our first class. Shelly walked with me for a bit, then I went in my room, sat in my usual chair, and waited. I expected something to be said by the teacher, but she ignored me and started the lesson. At the end of the class, the girl sitting next to me, Janet, told me that she wished she looked as good as I did. Janet would be a real knock out if she took the time to try, and everyone knew it but her. I needed as many friends as I could get right now, so I told her that if she wanted some help, I would try. We walked to our next class together, talking about what I thought she might need to do. In her case, a little makeup would do wonders. By the time the third class rolled around everyone had seen me up close, then the issue of what restroom to use came up, and rather than create a scene, I simply went to the nurses station.

In mid afternoon I ran through my lines for the first time dressed as Gwendolyn. Our leading man, Steven, didn't flinch at all when he had to hold me. In fact, he whispered in my ear that I looked pretty good to him! On the whole, it was an almost average day, and I went home hoping everything would be fine. Shelly called me after dinner, and told me that a lot of girls had mentioned to her that they were very surprised that a boy could look even remotely nice as a girl. She told me that most of the kids didn't really care how I dressed.

The next day I wore a skirt with my gym shoes, my hair in a ponytail. Everything was fine until just after third class when I was confronted by two guys. They were blocking my way, making fools of themselves, sneering and staring at me. Even as a boy I couldn't take either one of them, and I certainly wasn't going to try dressed this way. I wasn't exactly scared of them as much as I was concerned about what they might do. One of them shoved me against the locker, his hand firmly on my right breast. I almost had the chance to ask him if he liked it when Steve and Ken walked up, each of them grabbed one of the guys harassing me, and shoved them away. The message was very clear. Don't mess with me. I was ready to collapse from the adrenaline rush when Ken took my arm and walked me to my next class.

"I wondered why you were so skittish in the mall the other day, and now I know. You didn't want me to find out."

"That's not true Ken. I didn't want you to let any of the ideas that were written all over your face make us both sorry."

"You assume a lot Gwen. I'm not sorry to be with you now, in fact I like it."

We reached my room and I went in, saving myself from asking the next question. Janet asked me to come over to her house after school, and I said I would. I drove the two of us to her house, with her mother saying nothing as we went up to her bedroom. Janet shut the door, smiled at me, then told me that she heard that Ken had a serious crush on me!

"Shelly's boyfriend Fred told her, and she told me."

I had just an inkling that what she said was true, I just refused to believe it. Janet gave me one of those smiles of hers, but I told her to sit down so I could do her makeup for her. She watched as I used the makeup she already had, and created a stone fox, using any definition you like. Then I made her wash it off and do it herself. After the last time, she gave me a hug, then our lips touched. I don't have a sister, but it felt like that's who I was kissing. My sister. We stared at one another, then started to giggle.

"Maybe Ken will light your fire Gwen. I sure don't!"

"But he's a boy and I…"

"He sees you as a girl Gwen. Most of us do. You are one of maybe three guys in the entire school that could do this and get away with it, and you know it. Besides, I think you like dressing as a girl. In fact, a lot of the girls think so."

"But I'm doing this for the play! Everyone knows that!"

"Then why is it that you have so many mannerisms down pat? Hell, even the way you talk is like a girl now! I can't say your voice is higher, just a little less masculine sounding. The way you use your hands is perfect. The only thing that would complete the way you look is to have longer nails, like most of us do." I saw her eyes light up.

"You did my makeup, let me do your nails! I promise you'll like them."

I had noticed the nails most of the other girls had, and wondered if I could get away with having them, and after what Janet told me, I agreed. An hour later I had longer nails filed to a rounded point, painted a soft red in two coats, and clear polish over that. It was nearing dinner time, so I had to leave. Just grabbing my purse was different now that I had longer nails, but as I drove home, the flashes of red I saw gave me a chill. Janet was right. I did like dressing as a girl. How come I never knew this before? I went in the house just in time to help mom set the table. I know she saw my nails, but she said nothing. Dad however, asked why I needed to paint my nails. He doesn't realize that I like dressing as a girl yet.

"Most girls her age wear polish and there is no reason she shouldn't be able to wear it too."

"But this is our son!"

"A male yes. A son? No. Gwen is our daughter now, so you might as well get used to it."

Dad gave up, then after dinner I was helping mom do the dishes when the doorbell rang. Dad answered the door, and after a pause, he called for me. When I went in the front hall I saw Ken standing there with a grin on his face.

"Hi Gwen. I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop by."

Ken lived all the way across town, but dad didn't know that, so… "Hi Ken."

"Can I talk to you Gwen?"

Dad got the message and retreated to the den while I led the way to the patio, stopping to get some soda on the way. Mom also left the kitchen, so we were all alone. I started to sit down, when Ken took my arm.

"Gwen." He said it, I turned, and he pulled me to him and kissed me, right on the lips! Unlike when I kissed Janet, I felt a shiver go down my back, more as he held me tightly and pushed his tongue against my lips. Without a thought my arms went around his neck as I opened my mouth. I felt his hands as they went around my waist, then rising until his hand reached my breast and I broke away. "I've wanted to do that since the first time I saw you."

"Ken! You know me! You can't feel this way about me! I'm not a…"

His lips against mine brought another shiver, which he felt this time. "Not a girl? You're as much a girl as I need Gwen."

"You better go Ken."

He nodded his head yes, then brushed his lips against mine one more time before I walked him to his car. When I went in dad wanted to know what that was all about, and all at once I started to cry, then ran up to my room. Mom was right behind me, leaving dad wondering what happened. Mom knew. Mom's always know, and she didn't ask me anything at all. She just held me, then stayed while I changed into a nightgown and went to bed. "We'll talk about this later Gwen."

I avoided Ken for two days. I only told Janet and Shelly what had happened. Neither of them saw any problem with it beyond the obvious, but as Janet pointed out, none of her friends were "putting out", so it didn't matter if I could or not. As long as Ken was interested, they felt I should let it go where it may. The problem I had with that was the shiver he gave me. With Janet, it had been a solid zero. With Ken, a solid ten. That worried me a lot. I wondered about myself. Was I turning into a girl? In the morning, rather than wear a skirt or a dress, I wore jeans and a simple top, my hair in a ponytail. Janet and Shelly were waiting for me to arrive, both of them smiling.

"Girl, Ken has it big time for you!"

"He can't! I won't let him!"

"Ya. Right. Listen dummy, you don't have any say. The guys do. You can say no, but what then? Stay at home all the time? You're way to pretty for that to happen and you know it. Fred is having a party at his house this Saturday, and I'll bet Ken asks you to go. We both expect to see you there."

"But what about everyone else? What will they say if we walk in together."

"The guys will wonder how Ken got so lucky, and the girls will wonder what you're doing that they're not."

I wasn't so sure abut all this and tried to put it out of my mind and went to class. After school that night we had our next run through for the play, learning positions and so on. Steven played the male lead, was very popular and a very good singer. We listened as he sang his two numbers flawlessly. In the final act he is supposed to kiss me, and he did just that, without a pause. No tingle, just a warm feeling. As we broke apart he told me that Ken was a very lucky guy, then he left! The next rehearsal would be in full costume, and that would be tomorrow after school. Nobody said anything about Steven and I kissing. As I walked out of the auditorium, I saw Ken standing there, that silly grin on his face. Everyone else saw him too, and there was no doubt who he was waiting for.

"Hi Gwen, can we talk a minute?"

"Sure."

He took my hand as we walked down the hallway and around the corner.

"There's a party on Saturday at Fred's, and I want you to come with me."

I knew it was coming, anticipated it, and was ready to say no when Heather, the girl that wanted my part originally walked up.

"As much as I hate to say it, you're the right person for the role Gwen, good luck." Then she winked at me!

I looked at Ken, who was waiting for my answer, and simply nodded my head yes.

The next morning I took my costumes with me to school, which didn't make any sense at all. In the beginning I started this so that I could change at home, and here I am, changing at school! Dad was still giving me odd looks now and then, so I didn't mention that I had a date for Saturday. I simply took the costumes and went to school. The drama coach was smart enough to make sure I had a room the change in that was private, so right after school I picked up the costumes and retreated to my private changing room. I slipped off the skirt and blouse, pulled the dress over my head and had it almost zipped up when I heard a knock on the door. I cracked it open and saw Heather standing there.

"Can I help?"

"Zip me up and I'm all set."

She zipped me up, I stepped into the heels and looked in the mirror. My dress revealed a lot of cleavage, just like mom planned. Heather almost choked when she saw how I looked, but held it in and we went to the stage. When I heard someone say Holy Cow! I knew it was all worth it. As we ran through our lines I saw the other kids watching me closely. In the final act. When Steven kissed me, I saw his eyes drift south, straight at my cleavage.

"Impressive Gwen, very impressive!"

I suppressed a giggle, then went to change into my own clothes. Heather unzipped me, then sat down!

"We need to talk Gwen."

"About what?"

"About you."

Since I still wasn't sure abut Heather, I kept my voice neutral, and let her direct the conversation.

"What about me?"

"A lot of us are beginning to wonder if Gwen is here to stay. I mean, look at yourself! Hell, you look better than a bunch of the girls do, and they have all the right stuff, and your just…"

"Foam rubber and tape Heather. That's all it is."

"Right. What about Kenny? He gets that look when he sees you, and you seem to go all soft and mushy when he's around, and that's not foam rubber and tape. I'm sure it's lust for him, but maybe you too."

"You and Ken don't have something going do you Heather?"

"He's not my type Gwen, and besides, with you around it doesn't matter, does it?"

I didn't answer that of course, I'm not quite that stupid. But she was right. He did look at me sort of funny, and he did make me seem a lot less male and a whole lot more feminine when he's around.

"Did Ken ask you to go to the party?"

I nodded my head yes and she smiled at me, then stood up and left, leaving me with even more unanswered questions.

We rehearsed every afternoon, and twice at night, then on Saturday morning right after breakfast, I told mom I had a date. I expected shock or something, but all she did was ask if I had everything I needed, because she would be gone all day! I asked her to rub on the hair removing cream before she left. I had spent several nights wondering why this was happening to me, I mean, I had never dressed as a girl before now, so why is that all at once I felt like one? I knew what I was going to do, I just had to find the nerve. I found it in the shower as I washed away the thin stubble that had grown back. Once I made that decision, it was easy. I was going to be as feminine as I could be. Then I filled the tub, using bubblebath. Once I stepped into it and sat down I felt great. The soft oils in the water coated my skin making it feel a lot softer, and the sweet smell made me feel very feminine. I used a razor to touch up a few places, shaved as close as possible and waited until the water cooled off before I stepped out. So far I had simply tucked things back and wore a pantybrief, which is all that stood between me and disaster when Ken kissed me. This time I wanted to make sure there would be no accidents, so I decided to try something I had thought about the other day. I wasn't even sure it would work, but I got the stuff I needed, then sat on the floor in front of the mirror. I had shaved my groin just for this reason.

Using one hand I pushed my testicles back into my body, held them there, then pushed my penis in. As my finger pushed inward I used my other hand to hold everything in place. Then I used the sticky, flesh colored tape to make everything stay in place. The hardest part was making sure that the small opening I made lined up right so I could use the restroom. After a minute or so I let go, then stood up. It didn't hurt a bit, which surprised me a bit, but as I looked at myself I saw that I had managed to create a very smooth front! I let my finger trace the new smoothness that defined my groin and smiled to myself. When I slipped on the panties I saw just how much better they fit me, and reached for my shorts. I slipped them on, then a bra which I padded out, a simple top, then my gym shoes. My skill with hair isn't that good, and as I put my makeup on I decided to take another huge step. If I was going to drown, then I was going down with a smile. Looking in mom's index file, I found the number of her stylist and called her. I told her my name was Gwen, and who my mother is, then asked her if she had time to do my hair. She said if I got there in twenty minutes she could do me.

Jeri had not seen me as a girl, but I know that mom told her, so I held great joy in the fact that she gasped when she saw me for the first time. She washed my hair, then asked me what I wanted done. Since I don't identify with the big hair, blonde gee whiz kind of girls, I wanted something easy to take care of, but long enough for the play. She started cutting, a lot it seemed like, then my hair started to fill with pink rollers. I watched as she deftly used all sizes of rollers, then I was under the dryer. The manicurist came over and filed my nails to a rounded point and brushed on a color I chose myself, a deep cherry red that had metalflake in it. As my hair and nails dried I watched as other women and girls came in. Not one of them looked at me funny. Shortly, Jeri took out the rollers and brushed out my hair, trimming my bangs, then ratting my hair as she went. When she was done I had a very feminine style. In the back my hair flipped up in a mass of curls which went around to my ears. On top my hair was low but fluffy, and without a part. I loved it, and told Jeri that. I paid her, then went home to eat some lunch.

I had a sandwich and a can of soda, then went to my room to get dressed. I had about an hour and a half before Ken would be by. The only way I could have realistic breasts was to wear the corselet, so I stripped down, washed off my makeup, then did it all over, only using different colors. Then I wrapped the corselet around myself and fastened the hooks before I pulled the strap as tight as possible, making my waist a trim 23 inches again, and had pushed up my chest until I once again filled the cups of the bra. Like mom, I used my hand to drag up all excess skin, then filled out the bra with two small foam pads. I slipped the pantyhose on, pulled on the short tan skirt, the one with the pleats all around it, and a short sleeved pink blouse. For shoes I wore the taupe heels. Gold earrings and necklace, then mom's gold watch and two of her rings. Finally I used some of her perfume, just a bit, on my neck, ears and wrists. My lipstick is red to match the nail polish. I was ready, about fifteen minutes before Ken was to come by, and was waiting in the familyroom when dad came home. He said hi, went to get a beer, then the doorbell rang. I opened the door to let Ken in, and dad returned. He looked at me, then Ken and back to me.

"Ken is taking me to a party tonight dad. I'll be home by one."

Then I took Ken's hand and we left dad standing there, the beer in his hand, a stunned look on his face. I had taken Ken's hand to send a message to dad, and I'm sure he got it. When we arrived at Fred's house Ken and I, hand in hand walked in. Shelly was there with Dave, Janet, looking radiant was with Steve, our leading man, and Heather was with Jim. Fred and Kim were out on the patio setting out soft drinks between the kissing. It felt as if every eye was on me, then it turned into a wonderful party, and nobody said anything about Ken and I being together. We danced close, our lips just touching a few times. Nobody could miss that. Janet pulled me aside, thanked me for the help doing her makeup, then told me the girls were going to have a little meeting, and as a girl, they wanted me to be there. I followed her to Fred's sister's room, then the door shut behind me.

"Gwendolyn Elizabeth. As you have reached the attainment of beauty and a boyfriend of course, we hereby induct you into the organization of hot babes, and present you with this award."

Heather smiled as she handed me a small box. I opened it, saw what it was, and started to laugh.

"We figured that with Ken hanging around, you'll need them sooner or later."

I picked one out of the box and held it up. The condom package said large on the side.

"Is that because he's large, or is it me? I can't tell."

They all laughed, then to drive home the point I was trying to make all evening, I added, "let me check."

I slipped raised my skirt, then slipped my hand into my skirt and ran my finger down to my groin.

"Nope, it must mean Ken!"

I put the skirt back down, watching as they all stared at me, because they did not see what they thought they would. No lump.

"We bought this for you as a gag Gwen, but now I'm not so sure anymore! We figured Ken would try to get you to do it, but we never figured you could!"

"Well, method actors are a strange bunch Shelly. We like to get into our parts so we can feel as if we're doing it right."

"Men also use a method Gwen, and what they want to get into is our pants, only we have to tell them if they are doing it right."

"I hope Ken is smarter than that!"

I put the condoms in my purse as we all went back to the party. I had been accepted by all of the girls, including Heather, which gave me the warm fuzzy's. I was smiling when I found Ken. The music started again, and as he held me close I simply relaxed and let him take charge. His hand on my back slid south, and I felt him squeeze me, then, as I looked up, he kissed me. It went on and on it seemed like, then the music stopped and we sat at a table. Fred and Kim sat down, then Shelly and Dave. The word must have gone out that I now had what appeared to be feminine attributes, because Dave, one of the loudest about my dressing as a girl was actually pleasant to me. They asked about the play and so on, then about 12 Ken and I left. Since I had told dad I would be home at one, we had plenty of time to do whatever Ken had in mind, and I was sure I knew what it was. He drove to the lake and parked on the point, then pulled me to him. All night long I could feel him, hard against my leg, and I knew he was just as excited as I was. I hoped the tape would hold the minute he put his hand on my breast and rubbed me. In my entire life I never had a picture of me doing this, but here I am, and I'm on fire inside. I felt his hand on my leg and stopped him as he moved to touch me. I moved my legs to deny him up my skirt.

I felt his hand as he cupped my breast, then I saw his eyes open wide when he realized that most of what he held was me. As his hand moved back and forth I had an uncontrollable urge to touch him back, but held myself in check. He and I were both panting hard, yet I knew that if I do what he wants, I will have stepped over that unseen line in a very big way. I had already kissed him, which was more than I ever thought I would do. I spent a lot of time to fix myself this way, in case I decided to go further, and now, I couldn't. I bent over and touched my lips to his, then said no. As I sat back, he and I stared at each other, then he kissed me and put his tongue deep in my mouth. He took me home and I walked in at the stroke of one, just like I told dad. Just kissing Ken like I had was out of line, but I didn't feel bad about it at all. In fact, I slept soundly.

The play is scheduled to start with a matinee, but I slept in, getting up at ten. I wrapped a robe around myself, went to the kitchen and found the coffee. Nobody said anything, but my hair and nails stuck out like a beacon, and I know for sure that mom noticed. As the time drew closer, I went to my room to get ready. Mom came in a few minutes later, just as I was ready to step into the bath, naked of course, and what I had done was very evident. We stood staring at each other, then she wagged a finger at me and I stood in front of her. Without a word she put her hand on me, her finger tracing what I had done.

"Well! That tells me a lot!"

"It makes the clothes fit better mom."

"Tell that to your father Gwen, not me. I know better."

Mom sat on the bed and told me to tell her exactly what is going on.

"I know you went on a date last night. Your father was very shook up when that young man showed up to get you."

"That was Ken. He sort of likes me, and we went to a party at Fred's house. All the kids were there!"

My purse, which I had sat on the dresser had spilled out, the package of condoms right in plain sight, and mom saw them.

"And these?"

I told her how the girls had inducted me into their group, and gave them to me. The look on her face told me she wasn't so sure.

"You take your shower. We'll talk more later. When I was out of the shower mom watched as I dressed in panties and the corselet, pantyhose, did my makeup, then saw that my hair almost fell into place on its own.

"You went out and got a perm!"

"No I didn't! I told her what I wanted, and Jeri cut and styled my hair, just like I told her!"

"Did you mention that it had to be easy to take care of?"

"I…I guess, why?"

"Gwen, she gave you a perm! Your hair will always stay that way unless you cut it off!"

With a sigh she helped me get the first gown on, fixed the bun in place and brushed my hair a bit differently. I did my lipstick, then the three of us drove to the school together. The play went off to a packed house, and we received two encores! Mom had helped me change instead of Heather, then after the last act, mom motioned for me to come into the small room.

" I brought you this dress dear. It's very pretty, and I know that you'll like it."

"Thanks Mom"

"Look in the mirror dear."

I did as she told me, and saw…a girl. Long nylon wrapped legs, breasts that strained against the corselet, a narrow waist, and a well made up oval face surrounded by ringlets of soft auburn hair. I reached for the dress and slipped it on, then mom zipped it up and handed me the heels. They slid on my feet easily and as I looked at myself again I saw a girl that looked as good as any other in the school.

"Put these on and touch up your lipstick, your father is waiting outside."

Mom left, and as I touched up my lips, I wondered why she was doing this. I'll admit that I liked the way I looked, maybe more than I should have, and then there was Ken. From the first day I wore the dresses he has been like a shadow around me, always watching me, always smiling. I clipped the earrings on, saw the purse on the chair and picked it up. I opened the door and went out. My parents stood there in the hallway waiting, and Ken with them.

"You were wonderful Gwen, simply wonderful!"

"Thanks dad."

"Sir, would you mind if I take her to a celebration dinner? I'll bring her home before dawn, I promise!"

Dad gave a small laugh at Ken's little joke, then he said I could go. Dad looked at me and then simply told Ken to be careful driving! After a few more well wishes and congratulations from other parents, Ken took my free hand in his. My first instinct was to yank it away because of all of the parents milling around, but that would have caused a scene, which I wanted to avoid, so I let him lead the way, and we left the school for his small car.

"Ken, we have to talk about what's going on here? You know that I'm not a girl and yet you treat me like one, and have from the first day!"

"That's easy. Compared to the other girls around here you're one of the best looking, I like you, and you turn me on."

"But I'm not a girl!"

He stopped the car on the far side of the parking lot and all at once pulled me to him and quickly pressed his lips on mine. Shock waves rippled through me like a bolt of lightning, and as he pulled me closer I tasted his tongue against my lips. I didn't mean to do it, really, but once again my lips parted and I accepted him into me. Finally I broke away, gasping as he sat back and smiled at me.

"Gwen, you are simply the prettiest girl in the school, and probably one of the best kissers too."

He left me speechless when he said that.

Dinner was at a quiet place, Ken was very attentive to me, and I admit it, I liked the attention. But I was having second thoughts about what he and I had done. I had kissed another male, and found myself wanting more, and that really shook me, my confidence evaporating in a flash the minute he kissed me. As we sat there he took my hand in his, then put his class ring in my hand! It was like a red hot ember when I saw what it was. If I took it there would be no doubt about us. So far it was all guessing on the part of everyone that knew we were together a lot. Guessing if we, or rather I, was doing something for him that only girls do. That fact that I had done…something, was between Ken and I. If I took that ring it would signal a huge change in our relationship.

"I can't take that Ken, and you know why."

"Take it anyway Gwen. You don't have to wear it."

"I can't!"

"Say what you really mean Gwen. If you take the ring everyone will know that you like being a girl so much that you can't give it up. On top of that, you think everyone will look down on you."

I looked into his eyes to see where he got his wisdom from, yet all I saw were those eyes of his. The ones that turned me on. My hand closed around that ring, and Ken smiled at me. Then I put it in my purse. How hard was it going to be for my friends to jump to the conclusion that Ken and I were…well, doing things only couples do together? And what about my parents? Dinner was served and we made jokes at some of the funny things that had happened during the play then he took me home. My parents were waiting for me when I stepped into the house.

"I told your father what you have done to yourself Gwen, and after discussing it, we feel certain that after the play is over you have no intention of dressing a boy again. Are we right?"

They were right. I realized it when Ken gave me his class ring. None of us planned on this happening, but it has, and now I have to face the truth. Dad looked normal I guess, but I'm sure he is hurt by how this has turned out. Now they want me to stick the knife in and turn it. But who would the knife hit? Dad? He and I shared a lot of things, and now it seems as if I'm turning my back on all of that. Mom always wanted a daughter, a role I had filled for the past few weeks. Does she want me to stay this way? Or is it myself? In my heart I knew there could be no answer except yes. I wanted to keep dressing as a girl, so I nodded my head yes. Then opened my purse and took out Ken's ring and showed it to them. Dad's eyes widened a bit, but he said nothing. Mom told me to go get ready for bed. The next day at school I took a huge risk and wore that ring on a chain around my neck.

At lunch one of the guys that gave me a hard time, and used those ugly names that first day, cornered me in the hallway, and unable to get away from him, I almost screamed. Then, as I watched, he drew back his fist to hit me. It was like slow motion as he drew back, and my knee rose. I caught him squarely, driving the breath out of him as he fell to the floor. We were instantly surrounded by kids. Only one person asked about the guy on the floor. The rest wanted to know how I was and what happened. A teacher ran up and I was taken immediately to the office, then to see the Principal. I sat across from him as demurely as I could, my knees together, my hands in my lap as we stared at each other. As a long time teacher and administrator, he certainly knew the significance of the ring I had on the chain around my neck.

"We have a problem Gwen. I warned you this might happen, and it did. If you looked a little less…feminine, maybe everyone would have let it go, but we both know that you look as good as any other girl in the school, and that is not an accident. You made sure you would look good, and seeing that ring on the chain, there is a boy out there that thinks so too. Now the only question left is will you continue at school as a girl? Or will you return to being Garrett?"

"It's only a few more months until graduation, so I thought I might as well continue on as Gwen. After all, everyone has accepted me this way, so why not?"

"I suppose you're right. Okay, you can continue as Gwen, but I want you to start taking the Health Sciences classes with the rest of the girls. It's required of them, and if you are going to continue as a girl, then you'll have to take it as well. You may go Gwen, but remember the dress code applies, and I'll have you in the Health class next semester."

"Thank You so much!"

That night at dinner I told my parents. Dad looked dismayed, mom merely nodded her head.

"Dad, I…"

"Never mind Gwen. Your mother explained it to me. I have a daughter now, and will probably never see my son again will I?"

"No sir. I can't just…I like…Ken…"

"We understand Gwen, really, we do. It's just that when we hear of these things happening it's always someplace else! Now it's right here in our house! I always wanted a daughter, I just never expected my son wanting to be that daughter. I guess we all have a lot to change around here don't we?"

I hugged my father as tightly as I could, my tears staining his shirt with streaks of black mascara. Then dad told me we were going to celebrate my birth so to speak, and he wanted mom and I to get all dressed up for dinner tomorrow night! In the morning mom and I went to the salon to get our hair styled and nails done. While we were out we did some shopping, and I found the perfect dress for me. I bought it and shoes to match, then we went home to spend the day getting ready. I started with a bubblebath, using a razor to clean my skin of every unwanted hair I could find, then I sat at the vanity to do my makeup. I selected the colors carefully, and when I was done I was very excited, because I had done better than ever before. As I looked in the mirror I saw that the girl looking back at me is stunning. I can't take my eyes off her. My large green eyes with their long lashes now a deep black look deeply back at me. I have wide, full lips highlighted by sensual burgundy lipstick. It seems as if every detail makes me exquisitely beautiful. I have never looked this good before! Maybe it's because I have my fathers acceptance. My hair falls a little above my shoulders, styled with bangs, gently layered in waves, without a single hair out of place.

I went to my dresser and pulled out the black nylon panties and slipped them on, then the pantyhose and padded pantybrief. My corselet is also black with a built in bra that has special pads in it to lift my breasts. As I pulled my skin up into the cups I saw that I did not need the foam pads, because I was filling the cups of the bra all on my own. I pulled the dress over my head, zipped it up and stepped into the new shoes. Then I looked in the mirror as I attached the earrings and necklace. Elegant gold teardrop earrings and a thin gold necklace finished the perfect picture. The dress is a simple black dress with a modest v-neckline with short sleeves. Its simplicity highlights the beauty I was trying to achieve and draws a persons eyes to my face. I am hoping I can become a woman any man would desire. A bit of perfume and I was ready. I picked up the black clutch bag and walked out of my room and into the familyroom.

Dad was there, and when he saw me he opened his arms wide as I hugged him again.

"Thank you daddy."

"How could I deny what I saw with my own eyes honey. You have become a beautiful woman, and I am proud to say you are my daughter."

Dinner was wonderful as dad and I danced together for the first time. What started as a role in a play, has become my role for life, and I love every minute of it. I did not expect to feel this way, but the eyes of fate smiled on me, and gave me this gift. Later on that evening, as we sat at the table talking, I was startled to see a Knight walk into the club and right up to our table! He bowed deeply, then took off his helmet to reveal Ken!

"I am not Richard the III Gwendolyn. He was lost in a battle to the evil forces of the witch Janet. I am here to save you from a live of solitude and loneliness. Come! Let me show you the way to the outer world of delight and love!"

My mouth was open, yet I was very pleased by what he had done. My mother was smiling at me while Dad was staring at Ken.

"Come along Maiden! My steed awaits us!"

"You better go with your Knight Gwen. I think he's in love."

"Thanks Dad.

I got up, took my purse in one hand, Ken's hand in the other, and we left the club to explore our future.

 

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