Summary: This is the story of a year in my life. Well, maybe a little more than a year. It takes in from the middle of my junior year in high school, until the end of my senior year. It's the story of my meeting the love of my life, Katie. And, what kind of trouble my brother got me into at the spring dance. Katie's the love of my life, and we've learned a lot of things together. But, she had some ideas about Halloween that I wasn't sure about. Then, Gwen go to the mall? Ah, I don't know.

 

A Year In My Life

by Teddie S.

Part I-1

Tuesday, February 14

 

"Bob. I'm your brother. There's no way."

"It's only for one night."

"No way."

"But, bro. I need your help."

"I wouldn't be able to show my face at school afterwards."

"No one will know."

"Bet me."

"Lets ask mom?"

"No. She always sides with you."

"No, she doesn't."

"Tell me one time when she sided with me?"

"Ah . . . the last time we stopped for fast food."

"Big deal. She doesn't like Mexican food. Got another one?"

"Mmmm . . . "

"Didn't think so."

"Gary. Please."

"No. Leave me alone. I've got studying to do."

 

Bob turned, and walked out of my room. And, I thought, 'Big brothers. What a pain.'

That night, at dinner, as we were having dessert, mom said, "Bob told me that he doesn't's have a date for the school dance."

I thought, 'You rat. You talked to mom, and if you brought up your stupid idea. I'll kill you.'

So, I said, "What about Mary?" That's his girlfriend.

"Her family's going out of town that weekend. And, she said I should find someone to go with.", Bob replied. I already knew this.

"So, ask someone."

"No one else will go with me."

"You're not that ugly.", I said with a wicked grin.

"Shut up runt. All the girls know that Mary and I are a couple, and they won't go with me. Besides all the girls that I'd go with have dates."

"So, go by yourself."

"Not an option."

"Anyway, won't Mary be jealous if you go with someone else?"

"No. She trusts me."

"I sure wouldn't trust you, if I was her." Again, I was being a smart alec.

Bob just glared at me. Then I said, "So, just don't go."

"But, I want to. All my friends will be there."

"You can't always do what you want to do."

"Boys.", mom said, "Enough."

Nothing more was said, at the table. But, as mom and I were doing the dishes, she said, "Bob told me about his idea."

"Idea?", I said feigning ignorance.

"About the dance, and you."

 

"Mom. I've all ready told him no way."

"Why?"

"Mom!"

"I'm sorry. But, he wants to go. Can't you help him?"

"Find a girl, yes. Be a girl, no way."

"But, he's asked all the girls he knows."

"Yea. And, his stupid idea is for me to dress up like a girl. I look as much like a girl as the man in the moon."

"Honey."

I thought, 'Here it comes. When mom starts out with 'honey', I'm in trouble.'

"Honey.", she said again, "It's only for one night."

"Mom! I can't look like a girl, let alone act like one."

"Honey."

"Mom. No!"

I just walked out of the kitchen, up to my room, and flopped on my bed. I thought, 'It's Valentines, and I don't have a girl right now. And, he wants me to go to the school dance, with him, looking like a girl. I'd rather find a girl to go to the dance with. And, besides I look nothing like a girl. Even if I did, I wouldn't go with him.'

A while later, Bob was in his room, and I heard his cell phone ring. The ring tone told me it was Mary. I just went back to my thoughts.

But, I couldn't help hear part of Bob's conversation. Our rooms are next to each other. And, if I'm quiet, and he talks loud, which he does, I can hear what he's saying. So, I listened carefully. Like I had figured, it was his girlfriend Mary, and I heard, "Hi babe." . . . "Yea. It doesn't look like I'm going to the dance." . . . "I asked him about it. And, he said no way."

Wait. Was he talking about me, and his stupid idea? I listened even closer. And, heard, "Yea. Mom even talked to him." . . . "She thought it might work. So, I figured that she could talk him into it. But, he told her no." . . . "Yea." . . . "Yea." . . . "She does." . . . "She's crazy." . . . "You think she'd do that?" . . . "Might be worth asking her."

His conversation got quieter, and I could only catch a few words. But, from what I heard, I was mad at him for telling Mary about his stupid idea, and a little relieved that Mary may have come up with an idea for a date for him.

 

Thursday, February 16

 

It was one of those typical days at school, until lunch. It was actually a warm, sunny, day, unusual for February. So instead of going to the cafeteria, I went out to the outdoor commons. There were a number of other students there, but I found a nice bench to sit on. I sat, closed my eyes, and started to soak up some sun.

A few minutes later, I sensed someone sitting down next to me. Then I got a whiff of perfume. I opened my eyes, and slowly turned my head to the right. Sitting there, smiling at me, was Kate Branson, and she said, "Hi Gary."

"Hi.", was all I could get out.

Kate and I are in the same grade, even have a class together, but she had never given me the time of day before. Now she was sitting next to me, and talking to me. She's a pretty girl, maybe five-six, short brown hair, green eyes, and a nice figure. She's one of Mary's friends

She said, "Nice day for February."

"Yea. It is."

"I figured that I'd come out and enjoy it."

"Me too."

"You don't mind if I join you. Do you?"

"No." If you haven't guessed, I'm not a big conversationalist, especially when it comes to talking to girls.

We sat there in silence for a little while, then Kate said, "Gary?"

"Yes.", I said without looking at her.

"Can I tell you something?"

"Sure."

"I've . . . No. Never mind."

I finally turned, looked at her, and said, "Kate. What?"

"No. It's not important."

I just looked at her. And, as luck would have it, the bell for class change rang. She got up, started to walk away, stopped, turned around, looked at me, and said, "Gary. Walk me to class."

I just looked at her, and her at me. Then, I got up, and walked her to class.

At the end of the day I was walking toward the parking lot to ride home with Bob and Mary. And, as I got close to the car, I saw Bob, Mary, and Kate standing by the car and talking. When I got to the car, Kate smiled, and said, "Hi Gary."

"Hi guys.", I said, "You riding with us Kate?"

"No. I'd like to, but my mom's picking me up.", she said. Then looking at the school driveway, she added, "In fact there she is now. See you guys tomorrow." And, with a sweet smile she added, "Bye Gary."

"Bye Kate."

As we were getting into the car, Mary said, "Something you want to tell us Gary?"

"Like what?", I asked.

"Something going on between you and Kate?"

"Don't think so."

"That's not what I saw bro.", Bob said.

"Me either.", Mary said, "That smile she had for you wasn't nothing."

I sat in the back of the car just thinking. A girl that hadn't paid any attention to me before, had sat with me in the commons, and talked to me. On top of that, my brother and his girlfriend had picked up on something.

 

Friday, February 17

 

The last day of school for the week, and my first class of the day was geometry. The second was English, and this is the class that Kate and I had together. As I walked in, she saw me, smiled, and said "Hi Gary."

"Hi Kate."

"Going out to the commons at lunch?"

"Thought I might. If it's warm enough."

"See you there?"

"Sure."

After my fourth class of the day, I headed for the outdoor commons, it was another one of those unusually warm February days. And, I found Kate already sitting on the same bench we had shared yesterday. I walked up, she smiled, and said "Hi."

"Hi."

I couldn't help but smile, and I sat down next to her. We just chatted for a little bit, her doing most of the talking, then she asked me, "Do you like basketball?"

"Yea. It's all right."

"There's a game tomorrow night."

"Here?"

"Yea. It's a big game."

"Want to go?" Where did that come from, I just asked Kate out?

Her smile broadened, and she said, "Sure."

"I won't have a car. Bob and Mary are going to a movie, and my patents are going out."

"I can drive."

"You sure?"

"Yes. No problem."

"What times the game?"

"At seven. I'll pick you up at six-thirty."

"Fine. Know where I live."

"Sure. Right behind Mary."

I walked her to her next class, and said, "See you tomorrow."

"You sure will.", she said with a big smile.

Again, after school, I walked to the parking lot to ride home with Bob and Mary. As I walked up, Bob asked, "So, what you doing this weekend bro? Just staying home, and playing on the computer."

"No.", I said.

"You're really going out."

"Yea."

"So, where you going?"

"To the basketball game."

"You. A basketball game?"

"Why not."

Mary asked, "Going with Kate?"

"Yea."

"On your bicycle?", Bob asked with a smirk.

"No!"

"You won't have a car. Mary and I are going out, and so are mom and dad. And, dad won't let you drive his baby."

"I know. And, he won't let you drive it either."

 

Saturday, February 18

 

I've dated, but had never ever taken anyone like Kate out, or was she taking me out. And, I was a little nervous. She was right on time, six-thirty. I walked out to the car, and got in on the passenger side. She looked at me, smiled, and said, "Hi Gary."

I smiled back, and just said "Hi."

It was only a short drive to school, and the parking lot was packed. The school had a chance at going to the district championships. If they won the game tonight, they would be going. We drove around the lot looking for a parking place, and finally found one. As we were walking toward the school, Kate said, "Maybe we should have walked."

"Maybe. It's a nice night.", I said.

I felt her touch my hand, then take it in hers, and we finished the walk to the school hand in hand.

Right after we had decided to go to the game, I had purchased the tickets, and it was a good thing that I had. There was a big sign in front of the gym doors, which said 'Sold Out'. And, when Kate saw the sign, she stopped, and said, "Oh no. We're too late."

"No, we're not.", I said.

"But, it's sold out."

"I figured it might be. So, I got the tickets on Friday."

She squeezed my hand, and said, "That was quick thinking."

We sat through the game, and it was crowded. We won in the last seconds, and the crowd went wild. Kate and I joined in the celebration. Yelling, clapping, and jumping around. She was so excited, that she threw he arms around my neck, and kissed me. She pulled back, and said, "I'm sorry."

"Why?", I asked.

"I shouldn't have done that."

"Why?"

"I'm never that forward. And, it's only our first date."

I thought, 'Only our first date? Did this girl really like me?'

"You were excited. We won, and are going to districts.", I said.

"Still . . . "

"Kate. Don't worry about it."

By that time we were about the only ones left in the stands, as everyone else was on the gym floor celebrating with the team. We stood there for a while, and just watched the celebration. We knew it was going to take a long time to get out of the parking lot, so we started slowly walking toward her car. It didn't take long for her to take my hand again. I looked at her, and smiled. She smiled back.

We got to her car, and we were right, the cars were moving very slowly out of the lot. So, we got in the car, and sat there for a few minutes. She finally said, "Gary."

I looked at her, and said, "Yea Kate?"

"Kiss me."

This shocked me a little, and I just looked at her.

She reached over, and pulled me toward her. And, once we were nose to nose, she said, "If you don't kiss me . . . "

I didn't let her finish. I kissed her. I also tried to hold her close, but that's hard to do in a car with bucket seats.

We broke the kiss. Sat back a little, and looked at each other. Then I asked, "Where did that come from?"

She smiled, and said, "I don't know. I just wanted to do it."

"On a first date?"

"So? Are you complaining?"

"No. You just surprised me."

"You like surprises?"

"Surprises like that. Yes."

We had sat, and talked long enough for most of the cars to clear out of the parking lot. We were finally able to leave. We hadn't talked about doing anything after the game, but I said, "Want to stop some place for something to drink."

"Sure. Where?"

"I figure most of the regular hang outs will be packed. How about we go to Packies?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yea. Why?"

"A little expensive."

"Not for a first date, with a pretty girl."

 

Friday, February 24

 

The past week at school had turned into a regular routine for Kate and me. We met before school, for lunch, and after school. I actually walked her home, weather permitting, rather than riding with Bob and Mary. And, had met her mother.

By today, all of our friends, who had been giving us a friendly hard time, had figured out that Kate and I were becoming a couple. And, the ribbing stopped. I was able to get one of the two family cars, and I took Kate to a movie. After the movie, as I was opening the car door for her, she kissed me. A long, deep, kiss. The longest kiss of our short relationship. When we broke the kiss, we just looked at each other for a few seconds, then I kissed her. It was a longer kiss than the first one, and we held each other very tightly.

As we were driving to a favorite place for a bite to eat, I asked, "Are you going to the Spring formal?"

Kate responded with, "Ah . . . "

"What?"

"You'll be mad."

"No, I won't."

"Yes you will."

We had just pulled into the parking lot of Greg's Drive In. I parked the car, turned, looked at her, and said, "Tell me."

"I promised a long time ago, before we started dating, that I'd go with Terry Wilson."

"Oh."

"I told you that you'd be mad."

"I'm not mad, just a little hurt."

"I'll break the date."

"No. You promised him."

"I'd rather go with you."

 

"But, a promise is a promise."

"You don't mind?"

"I mind. But, I'll live with it."

 

Saturday, February 25

 

Mary had come over to the house, to help Bob with some kind of project for school. And, I was just moping around the house. Mary asked, "What's wrong Gary?"

"Nothing.", I replied.

"It's about Kate and Terry, isn't it?"

"How did you know?"

"Remember. Kate and I are good friends. And we talk."

"Yea."

"She's as upset as you are. She wants to go with you more than you'll ever know. That girl really likes you. She was really surprised that you told her to keep the date with Terry."

"I know. I was too. But, a promise is promise."

"Dates have been broken before."

"I know. But, it's not right."

"She said that you'd say that. Why don't you just go to the dance? You could at least dance with her."

"No. I'm like Bob. I don't want to go without a date, and be the odd man. And, it would look like I was spying on Kate and Terry. If I go, I only want to go with Kate."

Mary smiled, and said, "Really like her, don't you?"

I just nodded yes.

Bob and Mary worked on his school project for a couple of hours. Kate and I were going to the first district basketball playoff game at school later that evening, but I spent a good hour talking with her on the phone. I really felt strange about her going to the dance with Terry.

After Bob and Mary were finished, they found me on the patio just staring out into the yard. And, Bob said, "Hey bro. What's wrong, girl trouble?"

I just looked at them, and then back out in the yard.

Mary said, "Gary, don't worry. Kate really does like you, and does feel bad about not going to the dance with you. She had a really good cry about it."

"She cried about it?", I asked.

"She's really upset about it. She wants to break the date with Terry, and go with you."

"That wouldn't be fair to Terry."

"I know. He just asked her on a whim, and she didn't have a date. So, she said yes. Then she found you. I don't think she means anything to him. And, I know he doesn't mean anything to her. It's just a date."

"But, it feels so weird telling Kate to go out with someone else."

"Bro.", Bob said, "There's a way you can go, and keep an eye on her."

"Don't start. And, I don't need to keep an eye on her."

"It's a thought.", Mary added.

"You either.", I said, looking at Mary.

Bob said, "Look bro. It's for one night. And, no one would know."

"You and Mary would know. And, there's no way that I can look like a girl."

Mary looked at me for a couple of seconds, and said, "I wouldn't say that."

"Yea right."

"Your hair is long, and you'd be surprised what some makeup can do."

"No way."

"It's just a way for both of you to go to the dance. I wouldn't have to worry about someone stealing Bob, and you could keep an eye on Kate."

"If she ever found out, she would think I was weird, and didn't trust her."

"Who's going to tell her? There's no way Bob is. He could never live down going to the dance with his brother dressed as a girl. And, I'm not going to tell."

"Yea. And, if anyone found out, I'd have to change schools."

Things had moved very quickly between Kate and I, or at least I thought so. And, I had to make a stop on the way to pick up Kate, so I left early. I picked her up, and we headed for the basketball game. It was a very quiet drive, neither of us saying much. But, just before we got to the school, Kate said, "Lets not go to the game."

"Why?"

"I . . . I want to talk."

"Talk?" And, I thought, 'She wants to break up.'

"Yea. I need to talk, and I want to be alone with you."

"Where can we go?"

"Back to my house."

"Your house. Your parents are home. We can't be alone there."

"There's the pool house. I go there a lot to be alone."

"Pool house?"

"Yea. My parents built it for parties."

"Oh."

We drove back to Kate's house. It's a large house, but I didn't know they had a pool. We went into the house, and found her mom in the great room reading. Kate said to her, "Mom. Gary and I are going out to the pool house for a little while."

"Okay honey. But, I though you were going to the game?"

"We were. But, it was too crowded. So we decided to come back here for a while."

"All right. Just behave."

"We will mom."

Kate took my hand, led me through the house, and out through the kitchen door. I was surprised, the pool was covered for the winter, but it was huge. And, the pool house was a large building with sliding glass doors on two sides. She led me over to one of the doors, slid it open, led me through, closed it, threw her arms around me, and kissed me.

When we broke the kiss, she smiled at me, and said, "I needed that."

She then walked over to one wall, and turned on a few lights, but kept them low. I was able to see the room, there was some nice furniture, a couple of couches, a few arm chairs, tables, and a number of pool side lounge chairs stacked up for storage. There was a wet bar along one wall, and a large stone fireplace on the other. She told me that there was also a changing room with a shower.

My comment was, "Nice place."

"I like to come here to just sit and think.", Kate said, "It's peaceful, and my parents know that I need my space from time to time. And, they leave me alone."

"Even with a guy?"

"They trust me. I've never given them a reason not to, and don't plan to. It's a little cool in here. Want me to start a fire?"

"Won't that be a lot of trouble?"

As she said, "No.", she picked up a remote control of some kind, pushed a button on it, and there was a nice fire in the fireplace. Then she said, "My dad, and his toys."

"I guess."

"This will take the chill off in no time. Like something to drink?"

"A Coke would be nice."

"Two Cokes coming up."

She went to the bar, and retrieved two Cokes from the refrigerator. I was standing by the fireplace. She walked over to the couch that faced the fireplace, looked at me, sat, and said, "Come sit with me."

I walked over, and sat next to her, and she handed me a Coke. I took the Coke, and just looked at the fire. Even though it was gas fired, it had a calming effect. I sat back, and looked over at Kate, and she was just looking at me. I finally said, "I thought you wanted to talk."

"I do. In my own time."

"Sure. I've got all night."

 

She cuddled up next to me, and I held her. We sat there looking at the fire. Finally she said, "Gary. Honey."

That's the first time she's used that word. I turned, so that I could look at her, and said, "Yes."

"I've dated a number of guys, and have never had more than a few dates with any one guy. I just never found anyone that I really cared about, . . . until now. I feel something for you, something that I've never felt for anyone else. You're very special to me.

"Having to go to the dance with Terry, makes me very sad. I want to go with you. But, I know what you said about keeping a promise. I'll go with him, but my thoughts will be with you."

We sat there in silence for a few minutes. Then I said, "Katie. I don't know what's drawn us together so quickly, but I feel the same as you do. I'd rather be at the dance with you then anywhere else."

She moved closer to me, and we kissed. When we broke the kiss, I reached into my jacket pocket, and took something out. I looked at her, and said, "We've only really known each other for a few weeks, but I have something special for you. If you'll accept it."

I handed her a small box, she opened it, looked at it, looked at me, and the tears started. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and we just held each other. Finally she sat back a little, and I realized that she was really crying. I went to hold her, she pushed me away, and said, "I can't . . . I can't do this."

"Can't do what?"

She stood up, walked to the fireplace, turned, looked at me, the tears were really flowing, and she said, "I . . . I can't lie to you anymore."

"Lie to me?"

"Yes. Lie to you."

"About what?"

"What . . . What I've done to you."

"What've you done?"

"Your brother and Mary . . . "

"What about my brother and Mary?"

"They . . . They talked me into helping them."

 

"Helping them do what?"

"Getting you to go to the dance as Bob's date."

"What!"

"They wanted me to pretend that I liked you, and then work on you to go to the dance."

"So, what you just said about feeling something special was a lie."

"No! Gary. No. That's not a lie. I really do feel something very special for you. I really do like you. I like you very much."

I was so mad that I didn't hear what she said. I was seeing red, and I wanted a piece of my brother. I got up, and ran out of the pool house. I knew Kate was right behind me, because I could hear her, yelling, "Gary. Gary. Don't go. Please don't go. I'm sorry. Stop! Please stop! Stop. Gary. Please stop."

I didn't stop, I ran to my car, and took off. As I backed out of the driveway, I saw Kate standing there crying her eyes out. I went looking for my brother, and it took a while, but I found him and Mary at her house. I pounded on the door, and I'm glad her parents weren't home. Bob and Mary finally answered the door, and I pushed my way in. Bob tried to stop me, but wasn't fast enough.

I started yelling at him, and calling him every bad name I could think of. I finally took a swing at him, and missed. He's bigger then I am, so maybe I'm glad I missed. He was able to wrestle me down on the floor, and sit on me.

I finally heard him ask, "What's with you bro?"

"You know. You son of a bitch. You played me for a fool. You had Kate play me for a fool. I hate you. I hate Mary. I hate Kate. Get the hell off of me."

"Bro. Calm down. What are you talking about?"

"You know. You set me up. Kate told me, that you had talked her into telling me that she liked me, and she was going to try to talk me into going to the dance with you. Now, get off!"

"Bro. Relax. Yea. It started out that way. But, . . . "

"But, she really does like you.", Mary broke in, "She told me that you are really special to her, and she couldn't do what we wanted her to. Maybe that's why she told you. She couldn't lie to you."

I stopped struggling, and said, "Bull! This whole damn thing was nothing but lies. A set up. And, the three of you were in it together."

"No. She really does care about you. She even told me that she thought she loved you."

"Oh bull."

"No bull bro.", Bob said, "Mary told me that Kate said that."

There was a knock at the door, and Mary went to answer it. I heard girls' voices. One was Mary's, and the other Kate's.

"Is he here. Is . . . Is Gary here?", I heard Kate ask. I could tell that she was upset.

"He's here.", Mary said, "Honey, are you all right?"

"Yea, I'm okay. I'm just afraid for him. Is he all right?"

"Yes. Bob's kind of talking to him now."

"Where is he?"

I looked toward the voices, and saw Kate and Mary walk into the livingroom, where Bob was still sitting on me.

Kate looked upset, very upset. She said, "Gary. Are you all right?"

"I will be, as soon as this big ox gets off of me. Why are you here? To laugh at me too!", I yelled.

"I'll get off bro, as soon as you promise not to take another swing at me. And, promise to listen to Kate."

"All right. All right. I won't swing at you again."

"And, you'll listen to Kate?"

"Yea. I'll listen to her. Why I don't know. But, I will."

I felt my brother get off of me, I slowly sat up, and looked at Kate. She ran over to where I was, knelt down, and looked at me. I was really mad at her. And, I could tell that she had really been crying. She whispered, "I was so worried that you were going to do something, and get hurt. I'm so sorry that I even thought of doing this to you. Please forgive me?"

I just looked at her for a few seconds, then said, "Kate how could you do this?"

"I . . . I don't know. I've always kind of liked you, but you never paid much attention to me. And, when Mary talked to me about doing this, I just went along with it. I guess, as a way to get you to notice me. But, the more we saw of each other, the more I liked you, and the more I hated doing this. That's why I told you."

"But, why would you think that I'd do it."

"I don't know, and I'm so sorry."

I finally held her, and she held me very tightly. I was glaring at my brother and Mary. And, said, "Katie, I can forgive you. These two used you, and I'll never forgive them for that."

"Bro!", Bob said.

"Don't bro me! You can go to hell! Do you see what you've done? You've hurt me, and you've hurt Kate. I can forgive you for hurting me, but not for hurting her."

I got up off the floor, helped Kate up, and we went to the downstairs bathroom. I was finally able to get a good look at her, and she was a mess from crying. She tried to smile, and she said, "I'm so very sorry that I did this to you. I had no idea."

"Stop. Those two set you up."

"Gary. I love you. I never want to hurt you again."

I looked at her, and said, "Do you know what you just said?"

"Yes. That I love you."

"Are you sure of what you're saying? We haven't known each other that long."

"Gary. I know we haven't known each other that long. But, I know what I'm feeling. And, I know that when you ran out of the pool house, and I thought that I'd lost you, it broke my heart."

"Katie. I don't know what's happened between us so fast. But, hearing those words just made my year. Katie, I love you too."

We just hugged each other for a long time. Then we spent some time cleaning ourselves up.

We finally went back into the livingroom, where Bob and Mary were waiting. Mary looked at Kate, and said, "Katie. I'm sorry we did this. But, we had no idea that the two of you would hit it off."

Kate didn't say anything, but took something out of her pants pocket, and handed it to me, saying, "Put this on my finger."

"Are you sure?", I asked.

"Only if you are."

She had handed me the ring, a friendship style ring, that I had given her earlier, and I slipped it on her left ring finger.

I could tell my brother was about to say something stupid. But, Mary stopped him with, "How come you've never done something sweet like that for me?"

"I . . . I . . . I . . . ", was all my brother could get out, before Mary said, "I know, it's because you're not as sweet and thoughtful as your brother."

Kate hugged me, and whispered, "My parents are going to kill me. They don't want me going steady. But, I'm ready. I've found someone that I want to be with."

I was glaring at my brother and Mary, and I whispered back, "Katie. I'm sorry I flew off the handle. But, I can't believe Bob is pushing so hard for this. And, when they included you in this stupid plan, it just set me off."

"I need to be alone with you."

"Where?"

"The pool house?"

"Sure."

We broke the hug, I looked at my brother, and said, "I don't want to hear any more about this. Understand? Bro!"

"Yea. I understand.", Bob said.

We left Mary's house, and drove separately back to Kate's house. Her mom met us as we were getting out of our cars, and asked, "Catharine, is everything all right?"

"Yes mom.", Kate answered, "Everything's fine now."

"I'm glad. I was worried. I thought something had happened the way you two went out of here."

"No. Everything's fine. Gary got a call that his brother had an accident. But, when he got there, everything was fine. It wasn't his brother. But, we need to talk to you."

"Oh . . . Okay. Let's go in the kitchen."

I whispered to Kate, "We need to talk to her?"

"Yea.", Kate whispered back, "About going steady."

"You sure?"

"Yes. You'll hear why."

I followed her, as she followed her mom, in the backdoor, and into the kitchen. Kate's mother asked, "Do we need to sit down?"

"I don't think so mom. But, I know you and dad haven't wanted me to date one boy on a steady basis. And, I've listened to you since I started dating."

"Yes, you have."

"But, I'm almost eighteen, and I've found someone, in Gary, that I'd like to see on a steady basis. And, I hope you understand."

"Honey, I think I do. But, your father might not."

"Please talk to him?"

"I'll try. And, young man."

"Yes ma'am?", I said.

"Kate is my only daughter. Take care of her."

"I will."

Kate then said, "We're going back out to the pool house for a little while."

"Not too long young lady.", her mom said, "And, behave."

"Yes mother."

We walked hand in hand back out to the pool house. The fire was still burning in the fireplace, and the warmth felt good. We walked over to the couch in front of the fireplace, and I said, "I could use a Coke."

As she pushed me down on the couch, she said, "I've got something sweeter for you." She then sat on my lap, wrapped her arms around my neck, looked at me, and said, "Gary. I'll never lie to you again. This almost caused us to break up, and that would have broken my heart." We then shared the slowest, longest, deepest, kiss that we've ever shared.

After she broke the kiss, she said, "Still want the Coke?"

"Yea. But, later.", I said, as I just held her.

Finally I let her get up, and she got us something to drink. When she came back, she cuddled up really close, and we just sat there watching the fire. Nothing was said about what had happened.

 

Sunday, February 26

 

We had decided to go to a movie early this afternoon, and I was going to pick her up at one. When I went to the door, she opened it, and smiled. I said, "Hi. Ready to go."

She replied, "Hi. Come on in for a minute."

"We'll be late."

"I know. But, my parents want to talk."

I felt a knot in my stomach, and I guess it showed on my face. Kate, with a smile, said, "Don't worry. They just want to set some ground rules."

"Oh."

I followed her into the kitchen, and her parents were sitting at the table. I said, "Hello Mrs. Branson. Mr. Branson."

"Hello Gary.", Mrs. Branson said, "Sit down for a minute."

"Sure.", I said, as I pulled out a chair for Kate, and help her sit. Then sat myself.

Mrs. Branson continued with, "What you and Kate told me last night, about going steady, is something that we had asked her not to do. We wanted her to date a number of boys. And, actually she has done that. We were hoping that she would continue to date various boys until at least college, but it appears that she's found someone that she likes to be with on a regular basis."

"Yes ma'am."

"And, since you are both underage, and she's our only daughter. We want to set some ground rules."

"Yes ma'am."

She went on to tell us what the ground rules were. And, they weren't bad. Home by midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, nothing late on school nights, and stuff like that.

After we left her house, I said, "That wasn't too bad."

"No.", Kate said, "But, I got the sex talk again."

"Really?"

"Yea. They don't want to have grand kids yet."

"You're dad sure didn't have much to say."

"Yea. He's not happy. I'm his little girl, and you're the big bad boyfriend. But, he and mom had a long talk, and he'll live with it."

Because of the talk, we missed the start of the movie. So, we decided to go to the park, and take a walk. I'd worked for the parks the past couple of summers, and knew all nice places. We walked hand in hand along one of my favorite trails. It takes you to a very pretty waterfall. It was a little cold, but we sat and watched the water come over the falls, and I asked Kate, "How did Bob and Mary talk you into all of this?"

She turned, looked at me, and said, "They told me that the seniors wanted to pull a prank at the dance, and get some guys to dress up as girls, and go as dates with some of them. And, Bob wanted you to do it. Why they thought you'd do it in the first place, is beyond me. I didn't know you that well, but I've always thought you were kind of cute. I thought it might be fun to see if you'd go along with it. And, it would give me a chance to get to know you. It was stupid.

"They knew I didn't have a regular boyfriend, and also knew that if I approached you the right way, that you might go out with me. And, then after a few dates, that I might be able to persuade you to do it.

"But, then once I got to know you. I felt there was something special between us, and I couldn't lie to you."

"The only thing that might have been stupid,", I said, "was listening to my stupid brother. I just can't understand why my brother would want me to do it. I could never look like a girl."

"Mary actually thinks you could."

"Yea. Right."

She cuddled up really close, and I held her. We watched the waterfall a little longer, and the clouds build in the west. Then I asked, "Are you cold?"

"A little.", Kate replied.

"Lets go. We'll stop at Greg's Drive In, and get something hot to drink."

"Okay. I like this spot, it's a very pretty."

"Yea. I like to come here. It's relaxing, and a good place to think."

We walked back to the car, and drove to Greg's. As we pulled in, I saw Bob's car in the lot, and said, "Great. It looks like my brother and Mary are here."

"We can go some place else, if you want.", Kate said.

"No. It's all right. I'm still mad at him, but I promise I won't make a scene. We'll just sit by ourselves."

We walked in. There were a few people there, and plenty of open booths. We saw Bob and Mary sitting in a booth at the back of the restaurant, and went to sit in another booth. But, Bob saw us, and waved for us to come over. I whispered to Kate, "I think they want us to join them."

"Do you want to?"

"I don't know. Do you? I'm still pissed off at them."

"I know you are. But, he is your brother. I guess we can sit with them."

"All right. I'll try to be civil."

We walked over to the booth where Bob and Mary were sitting. And, Bob said, "Hi Kate. Hi bro. I thought you guys were going to a movie."

"We were, but got side tracked.", Kate said.

"Come on, and join us."

I said, "I guess." Mary got up, to sit next to Bob, and I scooted in across from them. Before Kate could sit, Mary said, "I need to use the lady's room. Come on Kate."

Kate and Mary headed off to use the lady's room, and Bob said, "I'll never understand girls going to the restroom together."

"I know. It's just a girl thing."

"You still mad?"

"You bet. More so over what you did to Kate, then anything else."

"I'm sorry bro. I never figured that you and Kate would hit it off like you did."

"Maybe you'll learn."

"I did."

The waitress showed up, and I ordered Kate and me each a large hot chocolate, and a piece of pie to share. The girls were back, Kate was grinning, and seemed a little excited. We sat, had a nice chat, and worked on our drinks, and pie. Finally, Kate said, "I need to get home for supper."

As we started to get up from the booth, I reached for our check, but Bob grabbed it, and said, "My treat."

"You sure?", I asked.

"Sure bro. A peace offering."

"I guess."

As Kate and I got into the car, she said, "I really don't have to be home yet. In fact, call your mom, and tell her you're having dinner at my house. But, I need to tell you something before I burst."

"For dinner?"

"Mom and dad want to get to know you."

"Oh great."

"Relax. It'll be fine."

"I hope."

"Don't you want to know what I've got to tell you?"

"You just did. About dinner."

"No. Something else."

"What?"

"Mary told me why your brother was trying so hard to get you to go to the dance as a girl."

"Why?"

"A bet."

"A bet?"

"Yea. He and nine of his senior buddies, as a prank, made a bet that they couldn't get some guys to dress as girls, and go to the dance as their dates. And, the one with the best looking date wins the bet."

"And, he picked on me?"

"Yea. Mary told him that she thought that you'd look good as a girl if it was done right. And, he thought you'd be easy. But, you weren't."

"She thought I could look like a girl. No way. What was their bet? Some lame, stupid, thing."

"Not really. They each put up a hundred dollars."

"You are kidding?"

"No. And, Mary said, that he's really upset about losing a hundred dollars."

"Serves him right. But, he would have gotten a thousand dollars, if I had done it and been the best looking one?"

"Yep."

On the way to Kate's, I called my mom, told her that I was going to have dinner at Kate's, and would be home early.

Dinner went better then I though it would, Kate's mom and dad were very nice. Her dad asked about my plans after high school. We actually just talked about many things. After dinner, I sat at the table while Kate and her mom cleaned up. I'd offered to help, but was told I was a guest. Her dad had some work to complete for his business, so he excused himself, and retired to the den.

After Kate and her mom had finished cleaning up, she and I ran out to the pool house. It was raining hard, a cold rain, and we got soaked. So she lit the fireplace, and we stood in front of it until we were dry, and warm. While we were standing there, I was just staring into the fire thinking. Kate finally said, "What are you thing about?"

"Oh. . . . Ah, nothing."

"Gary. What are you thinking about?"

"My stupid brother."

"What about him?"

"The bet."

 

"What about it?"

"He was going to have me dress up as a girl, go to the dance, and probably get read as a guy. And, he had a chance of walking away with a thousand dollars."

"So?"

"What would I have gotten out of it, other than being laughed at?"

"Stop worrying about it, it's over. Kiss me."

Now, who could resist that offer. We shared a long, deep, kiss.

 

Monday, February 27

 

As Kate and I were walking to her house after school, she said, "Gary! Are you listening to me?"

"Ah . . . Sorry. You were saying something about Kim's party next weekend."

"No. It's not Kim's party. It's Robbie's party."

"Oh yea . . . Robbie's party."

"What's with you? It's like you're somewhere else."

"I'm sorry. But, I just can't get my stupid brother, and that bet, out of my mind."

"You're not feeling sorry for him. Are you?"

"Kind of."

"Love. You're not thinking of . . . "

"I don't know. I keep thinking about it. Kind of wondering if I could look like a girl. Wondering if I could get away with it."

"You worry me."

As we walked into Kate's house, she turned, grabbed me, and kissed me. Then led me into the kitchen, and got us both something to drink. We sat at the table, and she said, "Tell me what you're thinking."

"How pretty you are. How much I love being with you. How . . . "

"Not that. What you're thinking about your brother and the dance?"

"The dance. How much I'm going to miss not taking you."

"I can still break the date with Terry. He'd understand."

"No. We've talked about that."

"Your brother?"

"How dumb he was for making the bet with that bunch of losers he hangs with."

"And?"

"And, what if we could pull it off."

"Gary! You were so mad at him, and the idea of doing it, that I though you were going to explode."

"I know. But, he's my brother. But, if I do it, it would cost him."

"Cost him?"

"If he wins the bet, I'd want half."

"If he didn't win?"

"I'd think of something. But, I figure that there's no way that I could look like a girl. Especially good enough too win this stupid thing."

Kate sat there, looking at me, shaking her head. Finally she said, "I'm beginning to wonder about you. And, you're crazy to even think about doing this. Your brother tried to trick you into it, and now you're actually thinking about doing it. It almost broke us up. And, I'll bet the faculty at school is going to go nuts when they find out."

"I figure the faculty won't be happy. But, the seniors always do something stupid just before graduation."

"And, you want to be part of it?"

"I don't know."

"And, you have another year to go."

"Yea. It could be interesting."

 

 

Tuesday, February 28

 

As we usually did Kate and I met before school. We usually had a half an hour to ourselves before our first class. And, this morning wasn't any different. We didn't dare show any affection around school, as it would be frowned on. But, we did sit close, and hold hands.

Kate asked, "You still thinking about the bet?"

"Yea. I know it's a stupid idea."

"You're right. But, why do I get a feeling that you're going to do it."

"I am?"

"I just get a feeling that you are."

"What if I do?"

"What do you mean?"

"How would you feel about it?"

"I'd think that you were crazy."

"That's all?"

"Yea."

"You wouldn't feel any differently about me?"

"Should I?"

"No. I guess not. But, your boyfriend dressed as a girl, and being seen in public?"

"It's weird. But, what the heck. You're the one that'll have to live it down. Me, I just love you. Maybe I'm crazy too."

I smiled at her, and wanted to kiss her so bad. But, didn't dare. Just then the first bell rang, we said goodbye, and headed to our separate classes. Again at lunch, it was warm enough to sit in the commons, and I walked out there to sit with Kate. But, when I got there, Mary was sitting with her.

As I walked up, I said, "Hi Kate. Mary."

Mary looked at me smiled, and said, "Hi Gary."

Kate looked at Mary, and said, "You really think so?"

Mary still looking at me, said, "I really think there's real possibilities."

"What are you two talking about?", I asked.

"You looking like a girl.", Kate said.

"You told Mary?"

"Sure. She was in on it from the start. Wasn't she? She's the one that actually told Bob that you might make a good looking girl."

"Sorry.", Mary said, "But, I think you could. So, I hear that you're rethinking the date thing with your brother."

"Kind of."

"I really think you could pull it off, at least the look. Your hair is long, and could be put in a feminine style. Practice dancing, and you might even pull that off. Just don't talk."

"If I could be sure that I looked half way good, I just might do it."

"One way to find out."

"How's that?"

"Give you a make over."

"A make over?"

"Spend time trying various looks on you until we find something that works."

"The dance is in less than two weeks. Isn't that a lot of work in a short time?"

"Not if we get started right away."

I looked at Kate, and said, "This is beginning to make me nervous."

"It should.", Kate replied, "You're crazy for even thinking about it."

"We could start today after school.", Mary added.

"So soon?", I said.

"The sooner the better."

"Where?"

"My house."

I looked at Kate for support. She looked at me, smiled, and said, "It's up to you love."

"You going to be there?", I asked her.

"I wouldn't miss it."

After school, Kate and I met Bob and Mary at Bob's car, for a ride to Mary's house. After we left the school parking lot, Bob said, "Hey bro. Did I hear right?"

"It depends.", I said, "What did you hear?"

"That I have a date for the dance."

"It depends."

"On what?"

"If these two can make me look good. And, if you're willing to pay the price."

"The price?"

"Yea. If you think I'd go through all this for nothing, you're crazier than I am."

"What's it going to cost me?"

"If we win your stupid bet, I get half."

"What!"

"You heard me. I'm the one that's going to look like a guy in a dress, and be laughed at. I'm the one who put up with your crap to start with, not to mention what you did to Kate. So, if you want a chance to get your hundred back, we do this my way."

"What if we don't win?"

"You still owe me a hundred."

"A hundred dollars."

"Yep. And, I want it in writing."

"I don't know."

"Okay. It's your hundred down the drain on the bet."

"All right. But, I get the final say on if we go through with this or not. If you turn out ugly, then it's all off. If you look good, you go."

"Fine by me. And, I've got two witnesses. Right girls?"

Mary said, "Right."

Kate said, "You can count on me, girlfriend."

I looked at Kate, and said, "Girlfriend?"

"Well. You will be, at least for a while."

I just frowned at her.

When we got to Mary's, Bob was going to get out, and join us. But, Mary said, "No you don't. You don't get to see her until she's ready."

Bob said, "Ah. I wanted to watch."

"Just run along home."

The girls and I went into Mary's house, and up to her room. It felt funny walking into such a feminine room. Mary pointed to a door, and said, "Go into the bathroom. You'll find a wash cloth, and towel. Wash your face with the white soap that you'll find on the wash basin."

I did as she said. And, when I came back into the bedroom, Mary had me sit at her dressing table. She carefully looked at my face, and said, "You don't have much of a beard yet. Do you?"

"No.", I said, "My dad and brother don't have much of a beard either. I only shave every two days."

"Good. The day of the dance, be sure you shave very close. Now, the eyebrows need some work. But, we won't have too much to do. Being blond will make it easy."

"Wait. What are you going to do to my eyebrows?"

"Just cleaning them up a little."

I looked at Kate, and she said, "Lots of guys keep their eyebrows neat. Just let Mary work."

I sighed, shook my head, and said, "All right. But, not too much."

"I promise.", Mary said, "Not too much."

I sat there and endured Mary plucking my eyebrows. I thought she worked on them longer than she should have, but when she was done, Kate said, "See that wasn't bad. Mary made them look very nice."

"Can I see?", I asked.

"No. Not yet.", Mary said, "Why not wait until we find a look, and see it all at once."

"Okay."

Mary then went to work. I'm not sure what all she did. But, she and Kate were talking the whole time. They mentioned stuff like the right shade of foundation, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, and stuff like that.

I knew there were times that Mary wasn't happy with what she did, as she would remove what she had done, and do it over. She spent a long time on my eyes, and she redid things a number of times before she was happy.

One of the last things she did, was lipstick. Here again, she tried a couple different ones, until she was happy. She also took a pencil of some kind, and did something to my lips with it.

Finally Mary stood back, and took a long look. Kate just stared. Then Mary said, "Lets see what we can do with his hair."

She walked back over to me, and undid the rubber band that I used to keep my hair in a pony tail. I hated to get my hair cut, and just let it grow, and I knew it was down to my shoulders. It made my dad angry.

Mary took a brush to my hair, and wasn't gentle. Then, she said, "If you're going to keep it this long, you need to take better care of it."

She fussed with it a bit, sprayed it with something, worked it into my hair, and said, "It's a good conditioner. You really should use one."

She then spent some time brushing it in various ways, until she found something she liked. Again, she stepped back, and studied my face for a while. Kate had been very quiet while Mary worked on my hair. And, when Mary asked, "Well, Kate, what do you think?"

Kate didn't say anything right away, but just looked at me. Finally she said, "You . . . You were right. He does make a good looking girl."

"No way.", I said, as I turned around, and looked in the mirror. And, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was me. Me looking like a girl. I turned back around, and looked at the girls. Mary had a very broad smile. Kate was just staring, and this bothered me.

"Katie.", I said, "What?"

"I don't know.", she said.

"What?"

"From the neck up, you're a girl, from the neck down, you're my Gary. And, I don't know what I'm feeling."

"Do you two want to be alone?", Mary asked.

"Yea. For a minute.", Kate said.

Mary walked out of her bedroom, and closed the door behind her. Kate just looked at me, and I at her. Finally she said, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Why?"

"I'm confused. I know you're the guy I love, but right now he looks like a girl. A pretty girl. And, I don't know what to think."

"Katie. If you don't want me to do this, just say so. And, I won't."

"I don't know. I need to think about this."

Kate walked over to the door, opened it, and called Mary. Mary walked back in the room, and asked, "Katie. Is everything all right?"

"Yea. I just don't know what to think right now."

"Don't worry about it. It's only for one night."

"I know."

Mary helped me remove the makeup, and again told me that I needed to take better care of my hair. And, she hadn't really gone overboard on my eyebrows. As I walked Kate home, she was quiet, and I asked, "Katie. You're having a problem with this. Aren't you?"

"A little. And, I don't know why."

We had a place at her house, which was out of sight of any window, and we always stopped there to say goodbye before I walked her to the door. Today I just held her for a long time, then I kissed her, and the kiss seemed more intense then before.

As I walked home, I thought about today, and Kate's reaction to it.

 

Wednesday, March 1

This morning when I picked Kate up at her house, I said, "I've decided not to do it."

"Why?"

"It bothers you too much. Besides it's stupid."

"It bothered me yesterday, seeing you look that good. It was just a shock knowing that my boyfriend could look so much like a girl. But, I thought long and hard about it, and I'm fine with it. It's a one time thing. And, I think it could be fun."

"Fun?"

"Yea. Trying to fool everyone."

"You really think this is going to work?"

"I think it could. At least for a while."

"As long as you're fine with it."

"I am."

When we got to school, we had fifteen minuets before class, and we usually hung out outside, just to be alone. But, Kate said, "Lets go in."

"Why? We have fifteen minutes yet."

"I want to kiss you so bad right now, that if we don't go inside with a lot of people, I will."

After school, we were back at Mary's. Not working on makeup, but figuring out what I was going to wear. Mary took some measurements, then said, "He'll need a thirty-eight bra, and I'm a thirty-six."

"So am I.", Kate said.

"Why do I need a bra?", I asked.

Both girls looked at me in a strange way, and Kate said, "Have you ever seen a flat chested girl. Except maybe Beth Ann Johnson?"

"No. I guess not. But, do I really need one?"

"Yes.", both girls said together.

"Besides,", Mary added, "your dress wouldn't look right without breasts."

"My dress?", I asked a little dumbfounded.

"You thought you were going to wear a suit or something?"

"No. I guess not."

"I'll get him a bra.", Kate said, "What size cup do you think?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe a C or D.", Mary replied.

I decided to keep my mouth shut.

Then Mary said, "Do you think just panties and pantyhose, or a shaper of some kind?"

Kate got a little smile, and said, "I think a shaper would be good."

"Okay. We'll need to buy that too."

"I'll find something when I get the bra. What about a dress?"

"With all the formal dresses I have, we may be able to find something."

"But, he's bigger across the chest then you are?"

"I have a couple that had to be taken in a couple inches, and we can always undo the alterations. Remember that beaded teal dress from last summer's dance at the country club? And, the maroon one from my sisters wedding?"

"Yes. Either of those would look great."

"Lets hope they'll fit him."

"With the long sleeves and high neckline, we won't have to worry about body hair or cleavage. What about shoes?"

"My mother has a closet full of shoes. She wears them once or twice, puts them in the closet, and forgets them. My dad has asked her a number of times to clean them out, along with some of her dresses, and she won't."

"What about size? Won't they be too small?"

"Maybe too large. She wears an eleven. When she was growing up the other kids called her boat feet."

"So, we get the underwear, then find a dress and shoes."

"That's what we've got to do."

"Aren't your parents going to wonder what's going on?", I asked.

"Probably not. They don't get home till after seven, and we'll be done by then. And, they're never home on the weekends."

As I walked Kate home, I asked, "You're getting into this aren't you?"

"Sort of."

"Sort of? I saw that look in your eyes when you two were talking about the shaper."

She looked at me, grinned, and said, "It's beginning to be fun. Mary and I talked some more about it, and I feel better. And, we're going to try to really fool people. By the way, did anyone comment on your eyebrows?"

"Surprisingly. No."

"Not really. People really don't notice things like that. And, Mary really didn't do that much."

 

Thursday, March 2

At lunch, Kate asked, "Want to go shopping with me after school?"

"Sure.", I said, "We're we going?"

"To Ann's."

"Ann's?"

 

"Ann's Lingerie Shoppe"

"Ah. For what?"

"Your under things."

"I . . . I think I'll pass."

"You don't want to help pick out your own underwear?"

"Ah. No."

"Chicken."

"Sort of. I'm having enough of a problem thinking about wearing it."

"Just think. I'm going to be wearing just about the same thing. In fact, I just may try to find matching things for us."

"Now, you're starting to scare me."

"Why?"

"You're having too much fun doing this."

"You know it love."

I walked her home after school, and she asked, "Sure you don't want to go?"

"I'm sure.", I replied.

"It'd be fun looking at all those pretty things."

"For you."

"Not for you?"

"Only if you were modeling them for me."

"Maybe someday."

 

Friday, March 3

After school Kate and I went to our favorite hangout, Greg's Drive In. We met a number of our friends there, and the conversation among the girls turned to the upcoming dance. And, what everyone was wearing. The guys talked about anything but. I wasn't paying much attention to the girls conversation, until I heard one of them say, "I heard a rumor that some of the senior boys, got some guys to dress up as girls, and go as their dates."

I got a cold sweat when Kate said, "I'll bet they'll really look funny."

Then one of her friends asked her, "Are you still going with Terry?"

The whole group got quiet. Until Kate said, "Gary said that it was only fair to Terry, since he asked, and I said yes, before Gary and I started dating. Terry even offered to break the date. But, Gary told me to go with him."

Jan looked at me, and said sarcastically, "Aren't you sweet."

"You bet he is.", Kate, with a smile, replied for me, "And, I wouldn't have him any other way."

We all went to a movie that night, and again stopped at Greg's Drive In for a snack after the movie. And, as I was taking Kate home, I asked her, "So, I'm going to look funny?"

"Huh?"

"You told the girls that you thought that the guys that showed up dressed as girls would look really funny."

"All but you love. And, I couldn't say that."

"I guess."

"You're going to look good."

 

Saturday, March 4

The dance was next Saturday, and today, the girls were going to try and find a dress for me. I picked Kate up a one, and we headed to Mary's. Kate had a couple of bags with her, and I asked, "Is that what I think it is?"

"Sure is.", Kate replied with a smile.

I just shook my head.

Again we were back in Mary's bedroom, and there were two dresses laid out on her bed. A blue, or what Kate called teal, one, and a maroon one. Both dresses were floor length with slits up the right side of the skirt, and long sleeved.

Kate took everything out of the bags, and also laid those on the bed. There were two white bras, a pair of white panties, the shaper, a couple packages of panty hose, and a slip. Then she looked at me, and said, "All right girlfriend, time to get dressed."

"In what?", I asked.

"Panty, panty hose, shaper, and bra."

"How?"

"How?"

"Remember. I've never put this stuff on before."

"Yea. And, I can't show you without seeing too much of you. Mary?"

"No problem guys.", Mary said, "I knew he'd have a problem. And, I found some thing on YouTube that'll help. I can't believe what some people put on there. The best site I found was a crossdresser putting on pantyhose. But, I couldn't find anything on putting the shaper on. We'll have to help him with that. Come on over to my computer."

We sat there and watched, a couple of times, as this guy put on pantyhose, and describe what he was doing as he did. And, I got the idea that I had to be careful putting them on.

Kate said, "Undress. Then put on the panties, and then the pantyhose. And, like the guy said, be careful, or you can ruin them. Then we'll help you with the rest."

"I guess."

The girls walked out of the room, and closed the door. I walked over to the bed, looked at everything on the bed., shook my head, and thought, 'What have I gotten myself into?'

I slipped out of my shoes, took off my pants, shirt, socks, and underpants. I picked up the panties, and was surprised as to how light and soft they were. I stepped into them, and pulled them up. They actually felt good.

I took a pair of the pantyhose, carefully, out of their package, and looked at them. I'd touched them on a girl's knee before, but I didn't realize how soft they were. I sat down at Mary's dressing table, and carefully put on the pantyhose as the guy had described on the video. When I stood up, I carefully smoothed them, and pulled them up to my waist. The feeling on my legs, was really different.

I stood there for a few seconds taking in the new feelings. I was finally startled by a knock on the door, and Kate saying, "Aren't you done yet?"

"Yea.", I answered back, "Just got done."

The girls walked back into the bedroom, Kate smiled, and said, "That took you long enough."

"Sorry."

Kate then walked over to the bed, and picked up one of the bras. She had me slip my arms through the straps, and she fastened it for me. I looked down, and the cups were flat. Mary smiled, and said, "We'll fill those up in just a second."

I just looked at her.

Mary walked over to a dresser, and took out some boxes. And, she said to Kate, "These are enhancers I use them to cheat a little."

Kate said, "Three sets?"

"Sometimes I need to cheat more than others. I don't know if putting three sets of these together will fill the cups or not. If they don't, we'll find something else. Which bra does he have on?"

"The C cup."

Mary opened the boxes, took the enhancers out, and carefully placed them into each of the cups of the bra I was wearing. When she was done, the cups were full. Actually over filled a little in my opinion. But, it appeared that Mary was happy, as she said, "That's perfect with the C cup."

Kate, with a wicked little grin, added, "I think this is going to work for him. We don't want him standing out too much."

Mary looked at Kate, and said, "Oh. That was bad."

"Sorry."

What did I miss?

As Kate picked up the shaper, and handed it me, she said , "Now, we need to get you a waist, and that's where this comes in."

I looked at it, it was another one of those strange things worn by girls, and I had no idea what to do with it. Kate must have figured that, she took it back from me, unzipped a zipper, then undid some other sort of fasteners, handed it back to me, and said, "Step into it, and pull it up as far as you can."

I did as she said, and it was tight. I had to struggle to get it pulled up to where she wanted it. But, somehow I did. And, it was somewhat uncomfortable. Kate said, "Raise your arms over your head, take a deep breath, and hold it."

I did as she asked. And I felt her work on the closure on the side of the shaper, then pull the zipper up. It was tight. Then she said, "All right you can put your arms down, and breathe."

It felt like I was held by a vise. I had to take little breaths. I looked at her, and said, "Does it have to be this tight?"

"If we're going to get you into one of Mary's dresses, yes."

"You'll get use to it.", Mary said, "And, something else, dressed like that, don't plan on going to the bathroom."

"What am I supposed to do?", I asked.

"Like we girls do, don't drink much, and hold it."

Next they had me put on the slip. That was easy. It was a short one, and only came down to my butt.

Both of these dresses were floor length formals, and Kate had taken a liking to the maroon one, and we tried that one first. I stepped into it, and Mary tried to zip it up. She got it part of the way up, but it got a little too tight when she got to my chest. But, Kate and Mary agreed that the dress looked really good on me.

Next they tried the teal dress. Mary was able to zip this one up. It was tight too, but not as tight as the maroon one. The girls stepped back, and took a long look. Kate shook her head, and said, "No. This doesn't look good on him."

"Yea.", Mary said, "The maroon one does look good."

"Do you think you can undo the alterations?"

"I think. I'll see what I can do, and we'll try it again tomorrow."

"Sounds good."

"Don't I get a say in this?", I asked.

With a grin, Kate said, "No."

Later as Kate and I were heading to Greg's Drive In, before going to a movie, I asked, "Do guys really dress up as girls?"

"I guess.", Kate replied, "That guy in the pantyhose video really looked good."

 

Sunday, March 5

The three of us met at Mary's house about one in the afternoon. Mary told us that she was able to modify the dress, and it may fit. So, I changed into the panty and pantyhose again, and Kate helped me with the shaper, bra, and enhancers. I don't think Ill ever get use to the shaper.

I put the slip on, and then Mary helped me into the dress. The zipper went up without any problems. Mary stepped back next to Kate, and both girls gave me a good look. Mary finally said, "Not bad. Could use more in the hips. But, not bad."

My right leg was out through the slit in the skirt, and Kate said, "There's only one thing."

"What's that?"

"His legs."

Mary looked at my legs, and said, "You're right."

"What?", I asked.

"Your legs aren't too hairy, but the hose makes it more noticeable.", Kate said.

"So?"

"So. We need to do something about it."

"Like what?"

"Get rid of it."

"No."

"Why?"

"I'll look silly."

"It'll grow back."

"But, what if someone sees it?"

"Like with your eyebrows, no one will really care. Besides, you wear pants all the time."

"You two work it out.", Mary said, "I want to do his makeup and hair, to see the full effect."

"Do we have time?", Kate asked.

"Sure. My parents are away, and won't be back until late. So, we have more than enough time. And, it won't take long. I know exactly what we need to do."

Mary had me take the dress off, and sit at her dressing table. She looked at Kate, and said, "You'd better watch and learn."

"Why?", Kate asked.

"Remember I won't be here next weekend."

"Oh. That's right."

Mary went to work on my makeup, with Kate closely watching. And, Mary explained everything in detail to Kate as she went along. When she was done, Mary asked Kate, "Think you can do it?"

Kate replied, "It should be easy. But, I'll want to try it a couple of times before next Saturday."

Mary then did my hair, and asked Kate, "How about doing the hair style?"

"Yea. But, I think we need to clean up his split ends first. And, I know just the person."

I looked at Kate, and said, "I don't want anyone else knowing about this."

"Don't worry love. You're just going for a hair cut, and I won't let her cut off too much."

"This is getting to be too much."

With a grin, Mary said, "It takes work to be beautiful."

I just shook my head.

Then Kate said, "Shoes!"

"Shoes. Right. I'll be right back. Put the dress back on her."

Mary walked out of her bedroom, and I said to Kate, "Katie. This is really getting to be too much. First my eyebrows, now it's my legs, and hair. And, this shaper. I don't know if I can wear it for very long."

"What's wrong with the shaper?"

"It very uncomfortable."

 

"You'll get use to it being tight."

"It's not that. It's between my legs."

"Oh."

"Yea. More like ouch."

Kate looked at me for a second or two, the said, "I have an idea, and we'll try it next time."

Kate helped me put the dress back on, and Mary was back with a couple pairs of shoes, saying, "My mom will never miss these."

Both pairs were identical except one had heels higher then the other. And, Kate said, "I think the shorter heels will work better, he won't have too much trouble getting use to them."

"Lets see if they fit."

Mary handed me the one pair of shoes, saying, "Here put these on."

I sat at her dressing table, and tried to bend over. I looked at Kate, and said, "I can't bend over with all this stuff on."

Kate knelt in front of me, and put the shoes on me. When she got back up, she said to Mary, "Those are all most too big for him."

With a grin, Mary said, "I told you my mom had big feet."

I looked at my feet, and I hate to admit it, but they looked good in these shoes. The shoes were black, open toed, with five thin straps across my foot, and an ankle strap.

Kate said, "Stand up and see how they feel."

I stood up, took a few steps, and felt a little off balance at first. But, it didn't take long to get use to the short heels on the shoes. Kate said, "Be happy the heels aren't any higher."

"I can imagine.", I said.

Kate and Mary looked at me standing there, and both started getting smiles. Finally Kate said, "Girlfriend. You're looking good. But . . . "

"Now what?"

"Toes. We need to get you a pedicure, and some color on those nails."

"Color. No way."

"Easy. Just for the night."

I frowned at her a little. Then Mary said, "I thought you'd look good. Just one more test to pass."

"A test?", I asked.

"Yea. I'll be right back."

Mary walked out of the room, and Kate said, "Go look at yourself in the mirror."

I walked over to a full length mirror on Mary's closet door, and couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was me, but I looked more like my older sister Anne then I did me. Maybe a little taller, but it was Anne.

A couple of minutes later Mary walked back in the room, and closed the door. Then she said, "Come over, and stand right here."

I walked over to where she was standing, which was in front of the door to her room. She then walked back to the door to the room, opened it, and there stood Bob. I've always heard of peoples mouths dropping open in shock over something, but I'd never seen it until now. Bob stood there with his mouth wide open until Mary said, "Bob. Are you all right?"

"Yea.", Bob said, "I think. Is that really Gary?"

Kate said, "It' Gary."

"God. He looks just like Anne."

"Good enough to go to the dance?"

"More than good enough."

"We thought you'd like her."

"Her?"

"Doesn't look like a guy right now does she?"

"No. I guess not. I don't believe he's doing this."

"I know. I'm not sure why he is either. Maybe because you're his brother."

"Yea. Maybe. But, Gary, you're willing to go to the dance looking like this?"

I looked at him, and said, "Yea. I don't know exactly why. But, I'll do it."

"All right.", Mary said, "You've met her. Now get out, so she can get undressed."

Bob continued to look at me until Mary grabbed his arm, ushered him out of the door, and closed it behind them.

I looked at Kate, and said, "Why am I doing this?"

She smiled, and said, "Love. I don't know. Unless it's your brother, and the bet."

"Yea. That stupid bet. God, can I do this?"

"Love. It's up to you. And, I'll support you in what ever you decide."

"I love you."

"And, I love you."

Kate started helping me take the clothes off. First the shoes, then the dress, and slip. I was standing there in my bra, shaper, pantyhose, and panty, when Kate walked up to me to help me take the shaper off, but instead kissed me. For a second I forgot that I looked more like a girl then a guy. And, returned the kiss as Gary would.

When we broke the kiss, Kate with a big grin, said, "You've got to learn that girls don't kiss that way."

"Huh. What way?"

"Like a boy. Girls kiss softly. Gently. Sweetly."

"I'm not kissing anyone but you, so what difference does it make?"

"Oh, I don't know."

"Hey. I may look like a girl, but it's still me."

"I know love, just teasing. But, you need to think girl when you're dressed like this."

"Oh God. That's right. I've got to try and act like a girl too. And, I've only got a week!"

"You can do it, and I'll help you." Then as she took my face in her hands, she said, "First lesson, soft, gentle, kisses." And, she kissed me. I tried to keep it as soft and gentle as I could.

We hadn't heard the door to the bedroom open, but when Mary said, "All right you two lesbians. Take it to the bedroom."

We both jumped, and Kate recovered quicker than I did, and said, "We are in your bedroom."

"I don't know about you two. Kissing Gary like that when he looks that feminine? That's scarey."

"I love Gary when he's Gary. And, I love Gary when he's . . . he's . . . Hey. We need a name for our new girl!"

"You're right. Can't call him Gary next Friday?"

"Hmm. Probably should start with a 'G'."

"Yea. How about Gwen."

"That's got possibilities. Or, maybe, Grear, or Gillian?"

"Geri?"

I finally jumped in, and said, "I like Gwen."

"Well then, Gwen it is.", Kate said, "So. I love Gary when he's Gary. And, I love Gary when he's Gwen." And, she kissed me again.

 

- End-

Part I-1

  

  

  

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