Gaby - The Anime Years -1-10- :: BigCloset Classic :: BigCloset TG Stories <br /> June 2001 to November 2004

Drew is an ordinary 13-year old. But everyone from his mother and girlfriend to his teachers, wants to dress him up – as Gaby! Not only that but he keeps getting mistaken for a girl even when he’s being Drew! Here is the tale of Drew/Gaby’s adventures and tribulations, from innocent fancy dress to more serious deceit!

Gaby Title.jpg

by Maddy Bell

Part 1

Gaby's Entrance

"Come on, if you don't hurry up we won't get there in time"

My mom was chomping at the bit and I was dragging my heels. I had ridden this charity Christmas event the last two years; both in my normal race kit but this year Mum insisted I ride on the tandem with her and in fancy dress! Well I'm not exactly a big dress up fan but Mum was emphatic and said she knew just the outfits we would wear.

"I look plain stupid in this"

"No you don't, come here let me fix your lipstick"

I submitted to her ministrations and caught a glance of myself in the mirror. Cringe. At least, I thought, I wasn't too obviously myself, and once we got going no one would really be able to tell who was in the costume. Oh the costume, well Mum had come up with a corker, she was decked out as Xena and I got the role of blonde sidekick, Gabrielle!

I decided that I had to bite the bullet so I followed Mom out of the camper and we mounted up and headed for the start area. It felt really weird with 'my' skirt flapping around, 'my' boobs bobbing around and the blonde tresses of 'my' hair swirling behind my head. Although underneath I wore my regular lycra(r) shorts under the skirt I still felt exposed.

We passed assorted Batmen, doctors, nurses, cowboys, policemen etc, everyone had made an effort to look good. The more serious, un-costumed, competitors would start after us on two laps of a ten mile circuit so that we would just start the second lap as the first serious rider started. We were number seven and we got to the line just in time due to my tardiness. So far no one had got a good look at me.

"Ok miss?" the starter asked

"Er yes thanks"

"Ready Gaby?"

"Yes mum"

I didn't really listen to what either had said and until we were on our way I didn't realise that they both referred to me in a female form. I guessed the starter wouldn't know different as we were entered as Xena and Gaby, but mum!

Well I started to concentrate on my riding a bit more and soon we were dashing around the Cheshire countryside at a slick twenty-five mph, mum's no slouch and despite my slight build I was quite accomplished myself. We caught the couple who started a minute before us, Mickey and Minnie, then just before we finished lap one we passed the Keystone Cops!

By now I had forgotten about what I was wearing, we were getting cheered by spectators and I was too engrossed in what I was doing to listen to what they called out. We were about a mile into our second lap when the first of the serious teams passed us, I couldn't help but hear the 'keep it up ladies' from their pilot as they slowly drew past.

Although not really a race, the fancy dress competitors still had that urge to go as quick as possible. Some were encumbered by their costumes, Tower Bridge was one example, but our closer fitting costumes allowed us to race along almost unhindered. So it was that by the time we reached the finish, we had caught another three teams and we finished to a great cheer from the gallery of cyclists and locals that lined the finish area.

Mum steered us back to the village hall and our camper but before we reached it one of the officials flagged us down.

"Great ride ladies, I know you will want to shower and change but could you stay in costume until after the presentations?"

Mum answered straight away

"Sure, that's no problem"

"Thanks a lot, great costumes by the way"
We pedalled off to the van.

"Muuum that means I will have to walk round like this for an hour" I whined.

"There are lots of people in costume"

"Yeah but I'm dressed as a girl"

"So, lots of people do that for charity events, look how many guys dress in girls stuff for fun runs and marathons"

"Yeah but..."

"No buts, and anyway you don't look like a boy in girls clothes, you actually look quite cute"

"Mum!"

"You do, everyone round the course thought so, they probably think you're my daughter"

I helped mum stow the tandem and got inside to warm up a bit. Despite the time of year the weather was really mild but an hour racing about the countryside still left your extremities cold. Mum insisted I had a quick wash as we had to delay our showers, we did pong a bit from our efforts! Mum put a pair of high sandals on and donned her track top, then presented me with another lower heeled pair and a fleece, I didn't realise it at first but it was moms own pink one.

"Lets touch your face up before we go in"

"Muuum"

"Well you don't want anyone to recognise you do you?"

"Guess not"

"Well give over complaining then"

She fussed with my eyes, redid my lippy then before I could argue spritzed me with her atomiser.

"At least you don't smell quite so sweaty now"

I knew arguing would do no good so I donned the sandals and followed mum into the hall. If we had been at home I would have died of embarrassment but fortunately we were only here for the holidays so I didn't really know anyone here although I had ridden in this area a couple of times in the summer.

Keeping close to mum we exchanged our race number for welcome cups of tea and a slice of stollen each. We went over to the result board and to both of our surprise we had been quickest in the costume category, our fifty eight minute ride was close to most of the 'serious' teams that had by now finished. My hopes of anonymity quickly disappeared as other riders came to congratulate us on our ride. Mum, well mum was just herself quickly getting into conversation with several other women competitors; I stood at her shoulder trying to be invisible.

Problem was that dressed as Gaby I was hard to miss, particularly next to mum in her Xena garb. Mum had found our costumes during one of her and dads fair trips, mum had the full Xena with imitation metal bra, the lot, she had donned a nude body stocking for a bit of warmth under the fairly brief dress. I also got a body stocking with a suede look minidress and a curly blonde wig clipped to my fairly short dark blonde hair. With the sandals, makeup and a sock stuffed bra; I felt more than a bit self-conscious!

Gaby's first appearance

"Thank you ladies and gentlemen for coming and supporting us again this year. We've raised almost £600 for this years charity which is The Children's Society"

The crowd of which I was one clapped and whooped a bit.

"As you know we don't run to a prize list as such, that all goes in the charity pot but our sponsors have put up a restricted prize list just to encourage you back"

More chuckles and applause.

"Well we are doubly honoured today, Chris Jones from the CS will present the prizes and the Argos (the local rag) will take pictures and will be doing a spread in their Christmas issue."

Another round of applause.

Then they started the presentation, fastest three, fastest over forty, fastest under sixteen, lady and fastest three teams on tandem. Each winners name and time was announced and each received a round of cheering, most of the crowd knew each other after all.

"Now we come to the fun bit, our fancy dress competitors. I have to say that without your efforts this event would be the sadder and donations around the course today have boosted the total considerably due to your great costumes. The costume prizes have been voted on by our spectators both within the sport and general public, so you should all feel proud of yourselves."
Loud cheering. I was getting a bit antsy now.

"As we were looking for costumes rather than speed the prizes reflect that so in reverse order..."

He worked his way through the solo riders, best three costumes, best in each category and just one prize for the quickest. It was obvious that mum and I would have to go up on the platform as quickest but when we were both surprised when,

"Best tandem costume and fastest costume pair goes to Xena and her sidekick Gaby. Come on up ladies"

Well you could have knocked me over with a feather.

Mum had to almost drag me to the stage, we took off our jackets and then we were there in front of the crowd, press and fellow competitors. We accepted our prizes, I was now so embarrassed I didn't even attempt to correct the mc's assumption of my gender. We had the photos done then the photographer wanted a few group pictures outside and then finally we were free to get changed.

Mum decided that we would shower at grandma's so we bade our farewells and left to meet the rest of the family who had gone to Chester for the day it being the last Sunday before Christmas.

Maddy Bell 15.01.03 (revised 13.02.03)
Copyright 2003

Part 2

Gaby's Surprise

We had just over a fortnight Christmas break, the first week including Christmas day would be at grandmas near Nantwich, hence me and mums ride earlier today. Then we would go back home to Church Warsop near Mansfield for New Year, that was always a big family do that we all looked forward to.

I still had mums pink fleece and low sandals on when we got to grandma's house, dads Renault was parked in the drive so we parked the Volkswagen Camper on the road. I have to admit that I had almost forgotten how I was dressed until I got out and found myself on the receiving end of a wolf whistle and crude comment from a passing local kid who I had in the past played footie with on other visits to grandma.

By the time I had gathered my wits and kit bag, mum was nearly at the door, I rushed to catch up and just made it as my sister Juliette opened the front door for us. Up till now only mum had seen me in costume and I had hoped to keep it that way but too late now!

"Hi mum, did you win? oh wow" she turned her attention to me, "you look just brill Drew or is it Gabs now?"

I just turned pink.

"Leave your brother alone Julie, and yes we did win, fastest and best costume!"

Mum almost visually grew as she told my sister the result.

"Erm, can I get in please, I need the toilet and shower and get out of this stuff."

"Juliette, help drew get his makeup and wig off before he showers"

"Yes mum"

I followed my sister up to the bathroom.

"You know Drew, you really do look like a girl" "Too much like, everyone at the race thought I really was a girl, and mum didn't help either, she kept calling me Gaby!"

"You should be happy, think about it for a minute. No one will know it's you and by New Year they will have all forgotten about it."

"No they wont"

"Why not?"

"The paper was there, they are doing a spread on the event and they took loads of pictures. We won so who do you think will definitely be in that article, me and mum, Xena and Gaby! Someone is bound to make the connection"

"I doubt it, we don't live local and you really looked like a girl, especially with those sandals and tights on, no boy is going to walk round like that"

"I did"

"Yes but no one's seen you"

"Wrong, Paul saw me outside just now, he might make the connection"

"Well don't fret it"

Juliette left me to undress and shower and half an hour later I was back to Drew.

"At least I won't have to do that again" I commented to everyone when I returned to the lounge.

Dad chuckled, Juliette snorted and both mum and grandma just smiled.

"What?"

"Nothing" mum replied then resumed telling the rest of the family about the race before they told us about the Christmas market at Chester.

The surprise came on Monday when mums mobile went off.

"Hello Jenny Bond...yes...presentation tomorrow...yes...in costume...no problem...what time? Two...ok we'll see you there."

She turned to me with a guilty look on her face.

"Er Drew, I think I've just dropped a clanger"

"Why?"

"I just agreed that we would present the cheque to the Children's Society at the newspaper offices tomorrow."

"Ok"

"In our costumes"

Well you could hear a pin drop then all hell let loose.

"Great"

"I get to see Gaby again"

"Aargh!"

"We can all go"

"I won't do it"

"Oh yes you will"

Well you get the drift, everyone but me was thrilled. Finally peace was restored and my dad laid it down for me.

"Drew you will do this, and ok you don't like it but it's quite an honour and a good thing to do, even if"

"When"

"If anyone realises you're a boy, no one will think bad of you as they will all know it's just a costume and your doing it for charity" "But dad" I was whining again

"No buts, you're doing it"

Well that was that, my fate was sealed.

Juliette drew me to one side.

"You know we could make you safer, you know less likely to be found out"

"How?" I wasn't sure I trusted big sis.

"We make you more like a girl."

I wasn't sure I liked where this was going.

"Go on, I'm listening"

"Well you can't very well wear your shorts or that body stocking, no girl would, they would get people asking why. You don't have hairy legs so some ten deniers will look great and you can borrow one of my bodies. You'll have those sandals on so that should look great. We can do a more thorough makeup job on you, perhaps paint your nails and borrow one of my padded bras, you'll look just pukka!"

"Ok, you get my vote"

"Mum"

"Yes Juliette"

"I'll sort Gaby out, but we need to go into town to get some bits"

"Ok guys, take care and don't be late back"

On the way out mum stopped me.

"I know you hate this, but thanks for doing it, here" she pressed a couple of notes into my hand, "get yourself something and get lunch out of this"

"Ok mum, see you later"

Once outside I looked at the wad of paper in my hand and counted fifty pounds. Wow that was five weeks pocket money!

"What's that?"

"Mum gave me some spending money"

"How much?"

"Twenty" I lied as was sure Juliette would want a cut and mum had given it me!

"Excellent, I've got about thirty, do you have any other?"

"Only a couple of pounds, I didn't expect to need any"

We waited for the bus and after twenty minutes it picked us up.

"Ok we need a plan of what we need"

"Like what?"

"Well we need to get you some tights and some bits of makeup"

"Can't we use yours?"

"I've only brought one decent pair of tights and I need those myself and my makeup is not right for your tanned complexion."

"Ok. Fair enough, I see the need"

Boots, the chemists was our first stop and shopping with Juliette allowed me to feel a bit happier looking through the cosmetics department. We left lighter in pocket by over ten pounds but with foundation, lipstick and a nail kit. I've never been happy shopping with mum or Juliette but today was a bit different. We found a lingerie store where my sister selected a new bra, pink and padded, that I felt sure would give me quite a bust when I wore it tomorrow. At the same time she selected a pair of tights, ten denier, sandal toe in a sort of dark nude colour.

Then we hit BK and the last of my twenty went on lunch. We trawled the shops for a bit longer before catching the bus back to grandmas.

To be fair, the rest of the family didn't bring the subject of my dressing up tomorrow at all that evening.

That night in bed, I thought of little else! I worried about discovery; I worried that I might like it! To say Sunday was my first time in a frock would be wrong of course. Having an older sister meant that I had been used as a doll when I was younger and when I was about ten I did go to a fancy dress party in drag. But I'm thirteen in the New Year and I was still mortified by the whole thing, especially my being acceptable as a girl.

Part 3

Gaby's Presentation

Straight after breakfast Juliette dragged me up to grandmas room so we could use her dressing table. I was presented with my undergarments, bikini pants, tights, a peach body and the pink bra! I used the bathroom to put the bikini's on then Juliette rolled the hose up my legs, they were slightly glossy which I hadn't noticed before, my legs really did look girlie. The body was a light control job and when combined with the other bits of lycra(r) my manhood was almost completely hidden.

My sister then put the bra on me and this time used some thick tights to fill the cups out, before pulling the body the rest of the way up. I admired my feminine body for a minute before getting freaked by how I looked. Mum came up to put the wig on for us, Juliette didn't know how, why would a fourteen-year-old girl know that? What she did know was make up!

Well half an hour later and I didn't recognise myself. I got a bit upset when she tweezed a few eyebrow hairs out but I had to admit I looked much like Juliette herself now, if a little darker complexioned. Then, we decamped to the kitchen, as mum needed grandma's vanity herself.

The other thing Juliette did know was nails! I sat impatiently as she carefully applied the false nails, trimmed them and painted them a muted pink. Then I saw a light go on in her head and I was soon stripped of my hose and my toenails were being painted, I didn't dare comment, I was after all in her hands. Soon however I was re dressed and my Gaby costume was in place.

We went into the lounge where everyone else was now waiting.

"Ta da! Xena here's Gabrielle!"

"I've just got to have a picture of this"

My father went for his camera, grandma already had hers ready. I went through a humiliating session of posing with mum, before it was time for everyone to get in their coats to go to the presentation. Gaby at the presentation

It was only as I was sat there between grandma and Juliette that I wondered why no one had thought of getting Juliette to 'stand in' for this. At this stage I realised it wasn't even worth bringing the idea up.

On the way my sister gave me some pointers in girl manners which only made me more nervous. My barely concealed panic eroded when we arrived at the newspaper when I realised that this was not really much more than a photo opportunity but I still felt happier in my improved disguise.

Well the presentation of the huge cheque and ensuing photo session took about half an hour in all then we were ready to leave.

"I know," said dad, "lets go eat"

This had to be pre planned, no where has space on Christmas Eve at three o'clock. And mum had another outfit with her! But not for me!

So here I was, a passable girl in a fancy dress costume on my way to a restaurant with my family, this really was getting me nervous, as I would be well and truly out in public this time.

We drove into town then had to walk to the eatery, I had on mums pink fleece again and never felt as nervous as this in my life before. We made the ten-minute walk and were soon seated in a booth armed with menus. I really wanted to pee but didn't know what to do.

"Gaby" for this girl I was masquerading as seemed to be her, "is something wrong"

"I need to, you know, go to the gents"

"Juliette, I think you had better go with your 'sister' to the toilets, you need to wash up anyway"

I followed my sister to the ladies, and with barely any hesitation I strode into a ladies toilet for what I hoped would be a first and last time. It was thankfully empty and I was ushered into a cubicle. I found out why women take so long, it took me ten minutes to strip down, pee then redress, Juliette was waiting when I got out.

"We need to touch you up a bit" which she promptly did then we were back out in the restaurant.

"Ok now girls?"

"Yes thanks mom"

"Gaby?"

"Yes mum"

"Right! Time to order"

Well to cut an extremely boring and humiliating story short we had a really nice meal. The waitress was keen to make sure that both of us 'girls' were looked after and a couple of times I saw my parents smiling at her ministrations. Needless to say I was not discovered and only suffered embarrassment.

As we were in public my family referred to me in my female persona exclusively. As we were eating our dessert dad threw me another curve ball.

"We've decided that for New Year we are going to have fancy dress, your mum and you Gaby already have costumes, I can wear my trekkie stuff and I'm sure Julie can find something easily. We'll tell the rest of the family when we talk tomorrow."

"But I don't want to do this again, I can do something else, can't I?"

"You could but you do this pretty good you know. Once more and that's it ok"

I drew a deep breath

"I guess, but that really will be the last time"

"Ok Gaby, keep your hair on"

Well I have to admit that even broke me up; all five of us were almost in hysterics.

The rest of Christmas went a bit more normally, I got some new bike parts and clothing, Julie got her usual skirts, dresses, makeup and stuff and for now I was back to being drew and a return to Gaby was still a week away. We left grandmas on Sunday, but Saturday's paper had the spread on the charity race and the cheque presentation. The Argus had devoted a full page to it (I guess they were short of news, I know Chad back home often used the same idea), mum and me were in several pictures beside the presentation. Mum was listed as Mrs Jenny Bond and I was down as her daughter Gaby Bond. Well mum just had to take a couple of copies home with us to show her friends, I just hoped she would be discreet. (I needn't have worried, she told everyone that it was Juliette and the paper got the name wrong.)

Well things didn't go quite as planned for New Year. But I was saved from the embarrassment of greeting all my aunts, uncles and cousins as Gaby. It wasn't my fault, honest. I went out on my bike into Clumber Park on the Monday and I slipped on some black ice. I ended up in Bassetlaw hospital with a broken collarbone and a few nasty bruises, it hurt like hell but I was saved.

I was pretty sure then that I would never be dressing as a girl again, I never liked it and had no desire to do it again. I caught mum looking at the pictures of Gaby a few times but nothing was ever said and I was sure not gonna bring it up.

As winter waned, my birthday was approaching and I would soon be a teen! My whole life was gonna be turned upside down and I was wishing it to happen, I think.

Maddy Bell 15.01.03 (revised 18.02.03)
Copyright 2003

Part 4

Gaby Reappears

My birthday at the end of February came and went, I had a 'party' with a few friends and family but all in all my ascent into a teenager was an anti climax. My injury from the Christmas accident healed nicely and I was soon back to riding my bike. Now lets get this into perspective, in a land where the kicking of a ball round a field reigns supreme, I rode a bike! I was passionate about bike riding, the whole family rode but I was fanatical.

This dedication to a minority pastime did little for my popularity, I was always the last to be picked for teams, the only thing I could do with any conviction was run. As a student I pottered along as part of the intelligency, my grades were always in the top five in the class. As at this stage of my school career we were kept together as a group, you can see how we would develop as a separate social group to the rest of our peers.

I had never had many friends, I guess most people don't really but I generally could be found with Clive and Paul, although we had known each other all through school it was only this last year that we formed a clique. I, unlike some lads my age, was quite happy to mix with the girls. In fact I was sort of in another clique which included me Ally, Bernie, Mad and Rhod. I don't think any of us had anything in common except a willingness to hang together.

Like most secondary schools, we had a limited social calendar, Christmas party and disco, Easter disco and end of year party. And living in a fairly rural area there was very little else going on without travelling to either Worksop or Mansfield or even Sheffield about twenty miles away. At thirteen parents don't tend to like their kids going off on their own so these trips were rare. So we made our own entertainment, I know that sounds a bit old fashioned but we did. Bike rides and walks into Clumber Park and Sherwood Forest, the girls would practice little dance routines, us guys would play with our RC cars and well even we fell back to abuse of games consoles.

Easter was late this year, nearly the end of April so the school dance was still six weeks away but of course the girls were already plotting what they would wear. Clive and Paul never attended these functions, I avoided most of them but Rhod generally went along. The three girls, as a result, usually bolstered the sea of girls and the vastly outnumbered guys were never short of attention. Perhaps that's why Rhod went.

My fancy dress escapade at Christmas had never reached my friends much to my relief and I had pretty well expunged the episode from my memory. So back to the present and half term break.

"Drew"

"Yeah"

"The guys have got an idea that requires you and Rhod"

"So"

"Come over to Maddies after lunch and we'll explain"

"Sure, see you later"

"Later"

Maddie lives out on the new estate in a detached mansion, well that's what we call it, so I set out on my bike for short ride or otherwise half-hour walk. I arrived at the same time as Rhod and we locked our bikes up and knocked.

"Hi Mrs Peters"

"Hello boys, the girls are in the dining room, go on through"

"Great your both here"

"Hi guys"

"Anyone want a drink" Mrs Peters poked her head round the door. A chorus of "yes please" had us all in hysterics. We're thirteen! The tray of drinks and hot cross buns distracted us for a few minutes then Rhod asked the question I was ready to ask.

"What's the secret?" "Well we've got an idea, shut the door Ally"

"And?"

"And you probably won't like it, but we think it would be a real buzz"

"Spill it"

"Ok, you know the Easter disco"

"Yeah"

"Well we want you two to go with us"

"That's no big deal, I was going anyway" opined Rhod

"And I guess I can fit it into my social calendar too"

"There's a catch" Maddie was showing a bit of nervousness.

Bernie took up the reins,"We want to go in costume, there's prizes and stuff"

"Still with you so far" I sarcastically put in

"Well the point is we want to go as Manga girls, you know like Sailor Blue and that"

"What will us guys go as?

"Erm that's just it, you'll be Manga girls too"

"What, no way!"

"Come on guys, your kidding right"

"No we're deadly serious, we've even sort of sorted some costumes"

"You are serious aren't you"

"Of course we are"

Memories of Christmas came back and I blushed a little.

"Look guys, it will be fun, once your dressed up no one will know"

"Like you can make us disappear! Everyone will know who we are straight off"

"No they wont!"

"I'm not saying I'm in" Rhod started, "but what's in it for us?"

The girls looked at each other.

"Fun, and our gratitude"

Well the innuendo was there but passed straight over our heads. Personally I was in no rush to repeat my time as Gaby but I could tell Rhod was intrigued.

"One condition" I started

"You'll do it?"

"Hang on, I didn't say yes yet"

"What condition?"

"If you can't make us pass as girls by next weekend were out"

"Agreed!"

Rhod looked a bit unsure but nodded his ascent.

"Ok, we'll go to Meadowhall on Saturday, if anyone guesses you are boys we'll call it off for the dance"

"What now?"

"Us girls will get everything together and we'll start tomorrow"

"We need to choose costumes now though, I've brought my Manga"

Well we started to look through the Japanese comics and after a couple of hours the girls had picked out everyone's costumes. If anyone saw through these costumes we were in trouble! Bernie was to be Sailor Blue, Maddie Prince, Rhod got Yellow, Ally would be Pink and I drew Sakur! What had we let ourselves in for!

We all stayed for tea then a session of PS2 before we headed home agreeing to meet at Ally's at ten next morning.

I have to admit that I wasn't really up for this, but the girls were set on it and Rhod was willing to give it throw so I had gotten myself into a corner. I spent some time that night in front of the mirror trying to convince myself that the girls would fail but after Christmas I knew that it was possible that I would lose my bluff.

After my morning ride I showered and walked over to ally's house with a heavy heart. I really, really didn't want to do this but I had agreed and I kept my promises. Ally's mum let me in and I was escorted up to her room, I guess with five of us there she trusted us to not get up to mischief! Bernie was last to arrive toting a couple of plastic carriers.

"I'm going out in a few minutes, so behave. If there's any trouble I'm holding you responsible Alison. You have been warned. I'll bring lunch back, Maccy D's ok?"

"Great"

"Brill"

"No gherkins for me"

"Remember Rhod's a veggie"

"Ok guys, see you about one o'clock"

"Bye mum"

"Bye Mrs Lacey"

"Right fellas time to get started"

Bernie emptied her bags on the bed, and whilst both Rhod and I had sisters we both blushed deeply at the stuff the girls pulled out.

"Ok guys, strip!"

Well I was mortified even though I was expecting it.

"Come on we've seen you in your Speedo's so don't be bashful"

"I guess"

We both stripped down to our pants and stood squirming while the girls giggled and checked us out. Although all the girls were just starting to develop a bit us lads had yet to start on the testosterone roller coaster that is teenage life.

"Bernie you take Rhod and we'll do Drew, you can use my parents room"

"Ok"

Bernie grabbed an armful of stuff and half dragged my fellow conscript next door.

"Right Drew, let's get you dressed"

Ally and Maddie worked like a well-oiled machine as they selected and dressed me in female attire. Lacy vest, white knee socks, slip then one of Ally's pink summer uniforms, I always thought the girls looked cute in them, I was sure I didn't!

"Hmm, well you're the same size as me and Maddie, but we need to do some work on your face and hair"

"Hey, no plucking or stuff"

"Course not just some makeup"

"I brought the wig"

Maddie produced the hairpiece, looked like I was gonna be a blonde again.

"I got this after that episode with the chewing gum"

I looked blank

"You remember, it was just before we changed schools"

I must be dim or I had missed something major.

"Remember I used to have really long hair"

"Yeah, I thought you just got it cut that summer"

"Well I did but not through choice"

"What do you mean?"

"Perhaps you just didn't get it, you remember Perry, short kid who got expelled?"

"Yeah"

"Well do you know why?"

"No, I just thought he'd done something bad to some girl, hit her or something"

"Well I was the girl but he didn't hit me"

"Something with the chewing gum?" it was starting to connect upstairs

"Yeah something with chewing gum. We were in the playground as usual and he was showing off blowing bubbly. Bernie and I were sat talking then I heard a pop and someone mussing with my hair, Perry in fact. He popped his bubbly on my hair and then when he mussed it up, it really got stuck. It was so bad the only way to get it out was to cut it out, by the time mum had done I looked like the chainsaw massacre. That's when mum went and got dads clippers, gave me a number one and took me still sobbing to get this" she indicated the wig.

"I guess most of the girls knew but it probably didn't make it to the boys. Perry got binned and I got a wig. I'm still trying to grow it long but I guess I'm used to shorter hair now" I have to admit that I was shocked, partly at the assault and partly that I had never heard about the details until almost two years later. The girls were hugging and I didn't know what to do.

"Come on Drew, let's get on"

I sat on the stool in front of the vanity unit and watched Maddies expert fitting. The wig was nearly shoulder length and styled into the pageboy I always associated (I know knew why) with Maddie.

"Okay Ally, your turn"

My other tormentor turned me round and spent twenty minutes doing 'my' makeup.

"Stand up and let's get a look at you"

"Sheesh, he looks cute Maddie"

"Hang, something missing. Shoes!"

"You take fives right?"

"Yeah"

"Same as me" Ally gave me her school shoes, "put these on"

They were a pair of chunky soled Kickers with a sling back and two inch heel, right on the edge of school reg's.

"Excellent, where's Rhod?"

"Hey are you guys ready yet?"

"Just coming"

Bernie came in followed by I guess Rhod. My fellow conscript being a bit bigger than me needed Bernie's best attention but a bit of slap works wonders. He had a girls cropped t-shirt and a knee length denim skirt on with a pair of trainers. As he wore his hair a bit longer than me, Bernie had managed to put his nearly black hair into small bunches like I'd seen some of the seniors wearing. I guess we both were looking at each other in shock.

"Well I reckon we're going to win this one girls"

"Yeah, come on lets get some pictures"

"Noo" we both cried

"Yes, you don't think we did this to let the moment just go do you"

"I guess"

So we spent time having our pictures taken, group and solo shots, then Ally set the self-timer and we all posed together.

"I still think there's something wrong" Maddie stated

"Panties!" Bernie opined

"You're right, their y fronts really show under those clothes" Ally dived into a draw and reappeared with a couple of pairs of ultimate humiliation, pink, nylon, lacy panties.

"Put these on, you can slip yours off without anyone seeing"

"Do we have to?"

"Yes, otherwise we can't see how you look" Well we both blushed through our makeup as we changed underwear and rearranged ourselves.

"Excellent, you two look really cute, I think this might work"

"We can't call them Drew and Rhod dressed like this"

"Well girls what shall we call you?"

Not liking it one bit I thought for a minute

"How about Gaby, like from Xena? She's blonde and I think pretty cute"

"I cant be Xena can I, I mean that would be too obvious"

"Well I reckon Drew's right, he even looks a bit like Gaby so that's settled, but it should really be Gabrielle"

"How about Phillipa, my middle names Phillip"

"Yay! Girls meet Pippa and Gaby"

"Oh heck, mums due back at one"

All eyes went to the clock

"Quick lets get you two changed, Pippa go get dressed while we clean up Gaby then we can swap"

The next ten minutes were a flurry of activity as Rhod and Drew once more replaced Pippa and Gaby.

"Hi kids, hope you didn't get into mischief"

"No Mrs Lacey"

"No mum"

"Ok, come and get your lunch"

We descended to the kitchen for our Ronald specials, all through the food Maddie kept calling me Gaby, which was winding me up.

"What's with calling Drew Gaby?"

"Oh nothing Mrs Lacey, we were talking about Xena and Drew said that he'd prefer to be Gabrielle than Xena"

"I see, what are you all doing this afternoon"

"Going for a walk mum"

"Ok, make sure one of you has a phone and take care"

"We will" we all echoed

We were out in the woods before our forthcoming humiliation was brought up again.

"Gaby, Pippa we need to do some practice before Saturday"

"Drop the names huh?"

"No if we are in the mall and someone speaks to you it will look odd if you don't reply, so whenever we're alone we will call you by your girlie names"

"Yes Herr Fuhrer!" Rhod snapped off a salute

"That's just what we don't want. If you act like boys, even if you look like girls people will look twice and you could be found out"

"I never thought of that"

"Well do. So between now and Saturday you are both taking girl lessons."

So each day we met and mostly went for walks, Gaby and Pippa receiving the perceived wisdom of girlhood from the real thing in buckets. By Friday they were satisfied that we would pass and everything was set for the five of us to go to Sheffield on Saturday morning. We were meeting at Bernie's house to get ready then catch the bus first to Worksop then on to Meadowhall. Time would be short, Bernie's parents were taking her brother to Nottingham and were leaving just after eight, our bus left at five past nine. To speed things along the girls presented each of us with our undergarments and informed us that we would shower, hair wash at home and be wearing our frillies when we got to Bernie's.

I had to put Juliette off joining us, by saying we might go to Doncaster instead so she headed off for the earlier bus as I headed for my reluctant rendezvous with girlhood. I had been surprised to find a different set of undergarments to our initial dressing up. I had a pair of trainer socks with a pink frill and little pom poms, a pair of white panties with lace edges and a matching cami top. I put them on and decided I would wear a set of Baggies to avoid any chance of discovery.

The girls were all ready when I got there and Rhod/Pippa was getting changed. Ally and Mad quickly had me stripped and I was soon wearing Ally's floor length denim skirt, a lace edged t-shirt and Maddies pink Reeboks.

Wig fixed, make up on, Ally's denim jacket and Maddies old rucksack and I was ushered with a demure looking Pippa (knee length pink t shirt dress, sandals and Bernie's pink denim jacket), along to the bus stop just in time for the bus.

On the first bus my finger nails had the first coat of pink and were finished on the ride to Sheffield, I didn't get any say in the matter. We left the bus and started the walk across the river to the Mall itself. I'm sure Rhod felt the same, I certainly felt that everyone was looking at me as I tried to put into practice the weeks 'training'. In retrospect I guess we looked just like a rabble of teen girls, noisy, taking up all the walkways, in short like every other group of girls they saw.

I was never one for doing the shopping thing and I don't think Rhod was either but the girls even at thirteen were experts. We trolled first one direction then upstairs, along to the other end, stopping in various 'girl' shops for checking out the latest fashions and spontaneous tryouts, which Pippa and I managed to keep clear of. We were dragged into lingerie shops, shoe emporiums and frock chains until we were fit to drop.

We decided to hit the food hall and while three of us grabbed a table, Bernie and Pippa fetched us pizza and drinks. I was idly playing with my cup when Maddie gave a surprised squeal.

"Look guys, it's us"

"Cool"

I looked where Ally pointed to see our little group up on the huge TV screen; we were on the in mall TV station that slowly scanned the seating area. The girls and both guys all gave a wave before the camera panned away.

"Let's see a film"

"Ok, what's on"

"Don't know, let's look"

We went upstairs to check the options and bought tickets for Lord of the Rings. We had a bit of time to kill so we headed down to the arcade of little shops adjacent to the food hall.

"I thought it was you guys"

I nearly jumped out of my skin it was Paul and right there with him was Clive and my sister!

"Clive reckoned I was wrong and Juliette thought Drew and Rhod would have been with you"

Maddie was thinking on her feet,

"No they came on the bus with us but decided to go on the tram into the centre to look at some book shop"

"Oh yeah, we thought of doing that but the lure of the big screen caught us, we just met Juliette when I saw you"

"Oh right you don' know my cousin Gaby and her friend Pippa, they live in Worksop. Gaby, Pippa these are Clive and Paul, Drew's friends and his sister Juliette."

"Hi" was all I could manage in I hoped a voice unlike my own. Juliette gave me a funny look but addressed the group in general.

"You guys all going to the same film?"

"LOTR for us"

"Snap"

"Mind if I join you, we can all go back home together afterwards"

"Sure, Julie"

"Ok I'll go get a ticket, meet you in the foyer in ten"

"We'll come too" Paul stated. I knew he had a thing for Juliette, he could dream!

"Shit" I whispered when they were out of earshot, "me and Rhod are done now"

"Don't worry, if these guys haven't rumbled you yet, no one else will unless you give yourselves away. Look I know come with me a minute." Maddie dragged me into the ladies and a vacant cubicle.

"Sit down and hold still." I was not going to disobey sat in the ladies toilet of the countries biggest mall. She dug something from her bag then fussed around my ear.

"This might sting"

"Ow! what are you doing?"

"Sit still!"

"Ow! What have you done?"

"Flush and I'll show you"

I had a sinking feeling that I knew but I followed her to the mirrors. "Da-da! Two pretty studs, Drew would never get pierced ears so therefore you can't be Drew!"

Staring me in the mirror was a girl I recognised as Gaby/Drew now with a pair of sparkly blue crystal studs in her ears.

"Look, we'll take them out later, they heal pretty quick if you don't keep them open"

"Shit"

"Come on we need to meet the others"

You've all seen the film right, so I don't need to take you through it. We all had sore bums and I had sore ears by the time we left screen 1. All eight of us headed for the bus station and made it with barely a minute before our bus left. We commandeered the rear seats and even Pippa and myself participated in the discussion of Tolkien's epic. We were nearly back to Worksop when it occurred to me that our cover was that Pippa and I lived in Worksop and would have to leave everyone there and catch a later bus. That meant just the two of us alone, in drag for an hour. I was scared at the prospect I can tell you. "You guys still coming back home with me Gaby?"

"Sure" I replied adlibbing, "mum said she'd pick us up about nine if that's ok?" I looked imploringly at Maddie for confirmation.

"Great"

I breathed a sigh of relief and by the look on Pippa's face so did Rhod.

We made it back to the village just before six, Paul and Clive said they would walk Juliette home and the rest of us headed towards maddie's, before doubling back to get to Bernie's and our boy clothes. Bernie's olds were still out thankfully, so we were able to do a quick change including shower.

"Whoops Drew, unless you want to keep them, we better take those studs out"

I had forgotten them but as soon as Ally mentioned them they started to itch.

"Yeah, I still don't know why you did that Maddie?"

"It worked didn't it?"

"Yeah, but still" I let it hang as Maddie moved in to retrieve her studs and Bernie cleaned each lobe with an antiseptic wipe. What I didn't realise was that Maddie had unintentionally (I think) left the plastic keeper sleeves in my slightly swollen lobes.

"Ok guys - you win, no one not even my own sister spotted us so we'll do the dance thing with you"

"Ok with you too Rhod?"

"Yeah we agreed"

"What now?"

"We'll meet Monday after school to start on our costumes. We have most of the stuff already but we need to make the actual dresses."

I winced, I really didn't want to do this, I hated the idea of dressing as a girl but I had promised and at least Rhod was with me too.

I walked into flak from mum when I got home at seven thirty, but she accepted the story that I had been at Rhod's house since we got back earlier than the girls and my sister.

Maddy Bell 18.01.03 (revised with images 12.02.03)
Copyright 2003

Part 5

Gaby Revelation

Sunday was much as usual this time of year, Mum and I set off about nine o'clock bundled against the weather and headed for, this week, Bakewell across in the Peak District. Dad and Juliette would take the camper a bit later and meet us there for lunch. Afterwards mum and I would either ride back or hitch a lift with the others depending on the weather and what we felt like.

I really enjoyed this time of year, there was no pressure from competing, and the roads were a little less busy than in summer. I won't bore you with a blow by blow account but we used the lanes to get across to Bolsover, then followed the main road to Chesterfield. I'd seen it before but mum insisted we have a look at the parish church with its crooked spire. (One of the guys at school reckoned he knew why it was like that and here's his explanation.

"Back when, the spirit of the church lived in the spire. Everyday it watched the citizens going about their business, going to market etc. one day however it noticed that everyone below was watching a young woman on her way to the church to be married. Nothing strange you might think, but she was wearing white, a white wedding was unheard of in the town (virgins were rare!) and so everyone looked at the girl.

The spirit was so taken with the idea of a virgin that it watched her all the way to the door. Alas it had twisted so far that it couldn't turn back and remained as you see it today. Legend has it that the only way it could return to normal was if it saw another virgin bride leaving the church. That is very unlikely to happen as virgin brides are even rarer in Chesterfield now than back in the middle ages! (Well I didn't tell that to mum but I thought you'd like it.)

We then took to the lanes again as we climbed into the Peak District. By the time we got to the top we were both huffing a bit, but it was worth it as we then sped down to Chatsworth and through the park. It was nearly eleven thirty as we climbed out of the park for the last leg to Bakewell.

The ride had been exhilarating; mum kept up an almost incessant chatter about school, what we would do later in the year and so on. Mostly I just grunted, I was using all my energy just getting there. It did at least keep my mind off of yesterday and the forthcoming Easter fancy dress party.

We met the others and enjoyed a good meal, then we all had a walk around the newly redeveloped shopping area. Mom decided to ride home while I elected to return with Dad and Juliette.

We were home by three and as mum would be at least another hour, Juliette and I were volunteered by dad to prepare the tea. My sister waited until I had showered and changed then we both went into the kitchen. Dad was in the garage working on one of his projects so we were left alone in the house.

"Ok then, what did you really do yesterday?" Juliette was quickly to the point.

"We all went to Meadowhall" I tried desperately to remember the exact story the girls had spun.

"We met Maddies Cousin and her friend at Worksop then went to Sheffield. Me and Rhod were bored so we went into the city centre to go in the Anime shop."

"That's what the girls told us, did you buy anything?"

"No, they were waiting for new stock so we caught the bus back home, we figured the girls would hit the multiplex"

"Yeah they did, that's where we all met"

By now I thought I had convinced my sister of my tale.

"Did you enjoy LOTR?"

"How did you know that's what we saw?"

Damn!

"The girls said that that was what they were planning on seeing if they went"

I could see by the look on her face that she thought she knew something.

"Maddies cousin was pretty"

I desperately tried not to blush or stammer

"Er yeah, I guess"

"She was like so cute"

"If you say so" I couldn't see where this was going

"Chop that onion up"

I concentrated on the job in hand

"Did it hurt?"

"What?" I had been thrown a curve ball and wasn't quite sure what to do.

"Did it hurt when Maddie put the studs in?"

I obviously misunderstood the question.

"What studs?" I tried to not think about what was coming next.

"The blue crystal studs you 'acquired' between the food court and the cinema"

Not much gets past Julie, and it looked like I was rumbled. I was determined to try the bluff though.

"I didn't go to the cinema!"

"I know Drew didn't, but Gaby did"

"So?"

"I really am going to have to drag it out of you aren't I?"

"Drag what?"

"Ooh! Look Drew, I guessed it was you and Rhod nearly straight away"

"Shit, how?"

She knew and I was dead meat!

"Well neither of you were acting quite like teenage girls"

"Clive and Paul, they must know too"

"No they don't, I pumped them about what they thought of Maddies cousin and her friend when they walked me home. If anything they're both a bit smitten."

"Noo"

"So, are you going to tell me what it's all about?"

"It's a long story"

"The best ones usually are"

By the time we had finished preparing tea, my sister had the bare bones of what I had gotten myself into.

"... so all five of you are going as girl anime characters?"

"Yeah"

"That is just like so precious!"

"Humph"

"Oh and put some antiseptic on your ears, you don't want those holes going manky"

"Maddie said they might be a bit scabby as they close back up"

"Close up? They won't close up with those sleepers in"

"What sleepers?"

Juliette obviously made a decision.

"Oh nothing, it's just that if you want to keep them open you need to keep something in them"

"But I don't"

"Well that's alright then"

I didn't see her smirk as she carried the plates through to the table.

We didn't get a chance to talk more that evening as we both had homework to finish, and I didn't want to talk about it anyway although Juliette obviously did.

"I can't do it"

"You promised"

"Yeah but that was before anyone knew"

"But nobody does know"

"Juliette does"

"Does not!"

"Does, she told me yesterday"

"Hey Maddie when's your cousin coming again?" Clive interrupted

"Er not sure Clive. Why?"

"She was just such a fox! Purrrr"

My best mate now thought I made a good-looking girl, it was getting worse.

"I'll be sure to let her know you said hi"

"Thanks Mad, you coming Drew?"

"In a minute, catch you up"

"Well its obvious the guys didn't catch on, or anyone else all day yesterday. Is she going to say anything?"

"I dunno, she didn't say she was"

"In that case, unless she does it's still on"

"But Mad" I whined

"No buts, we'll meet tonight as planned, gotta go there's Bernie and Ally"

With that she was gone.

Maddy Bell 23.01.03
Copyright 2003

Part 6

Gaby's Cosplay

I have to admit that I was a bit withdrawn most of the day and my mind kept wandering. A couple of times I found myself reliving the events of Saturday and by the time we kicked out for the day I was pretty wound up. I didn't see much of Rhod but I could guess that he was going through similar turmoil.

Back home and I was seriously contemplating how I could get out of going through with this evening. If Julie had not been in doors I wouldn't have gone, when Bernie knocked on the door, it was sort of the lesser of two evils to go with her.

"Come on Drew, cheer up"

"About what?"

"What's the prob?"

"Maddy tell you about Julie?"

"Course"

"Well I'm just a bit worried whether she'll say anything to anyone, especially mum and dad"

"She won't do that"

"Why not?"

"Well, she sort of told us she wouldn't"

"What! She's talked to you about it?"

"Er yeah, she wanted to chat at lunchtime and she told us about yesterday and what she knew"

"I'm dead"

"Don't be so melodramatic!"

"She's being too nice"

"I thought you guys got on?"

"We do but like this is way off court"

"Anyway, she's coming over later"

"Nooo! I thought this was just going to be us five?"

"Well it is but she said she wants to help"

"It's a plot"

"No it's not"

We were now at maddy's door and Bernie rang the bell. The others, Ally and Rhod were already there playing on Maddies PS2.

"Hi guys"

"Hi"

"Cheer up Drew I might never happen"

"It already has"

"Come on guys, get with it. Mum says it's ok to go online for a bit and I want to show you some neat stuff"

"I thought we were doing costume stuff?"

"We are" Maddy was really up for this.

Perhaps I should explain a bit here. All five of us like Manga and anime but Maddie is, how can I put it, a fanatic! While the rest of us read the books, watched the videos and horsed about re-enacting our favourite episodes, Maddie really was as deep into it as I was with my bike. Her parents had even taken her to one of those convention things last year, you know where all the weirdo's dress up and stuff. She was obviously at the root of this whole thing, Ally and Bernie were always game for a laugh and so the plot was hatched!

Maddie's PC was in the dining room, so we all went through and while she booted up we dragged chairs round so we could all see the screen. The machine was soon dialling up and as soon as the connection was made Maddie went into favourites and clicked a link.

"This is one of my favourite sites"

"What is it?"

"It's a site devoted to cosplay"

(In case you don't know, cosplay is what the Americans call dressing up, usually for conventions)

The site opened up and greeted us with some Manga illustrations.

"Ok guys, there's links to all kinds of stuff but they've got some great picture galleries from the various conventions"

She clicked on a link and another page came up, a directory of the galleries.

"I thought we could look through the galleries and get some ideas how to do our costumes"

"Cool"

"Could we change costumes do you think?"

"Well I guess if anyone see's one they really like. As long as it still meets our requirements"

"How about we vote on any changes?"

"Ok, but let's start looking, mum said we could have until seven"

Maddie clicked a link and the first gallery popped up. We worked our way through pages of convention pictures; some of the costumes were really excellent. On the other hand some of the wearers perhaps should have thought a bit more about how they looked! If a costume excited anyone of us, Maddie saved the picture so we could look at them later.

Sheesh! There were a lot of pictures.

We were disturbed just before seven by the doorbell

"I'll get it mum"

"That'll be your sister Drew"

"I guess"

"What's the problem Drew?" Rhod asked

"She knows about Saturday"

"Oh"

It was Rhod's turn to go pale

"Come on guys its not that bad"

Just then Juliette came in with Maddie.

"Hi girls"

"Hi Julie"

"Hi Jules"

"What you doing?"

"Maddie's been showing us some costumes on the web"

"I thought you guys said you'd picked costumes already?"

"We did but there's some well cool ones we've seen"

"I know," Ally opined, "Jules can look at the pictures and pick say ten out, then we can make a final choice"

"That's a good idea"

"I know, to stop arguments from these two, we can then draw lots for the costumes"

"Sounds fair I 'spose" Rhod offered

"Ok," I agreed, "but only if big sis agrees to dress up too"

"Yeah"

"Great"

"Say yes Jules"

I knew Juliette wasn't the greatest fan of Manga in the world but I thought that I had got her now.

"I was going with Charlie and Anna as Charlie's Angels"

"Oh come on Julie, I'm sure they can find someone else"

"Hang on, I'll ring Anna for you"

Maddie rushed off to the phone and we could hear a muffled conversation then "yes". She came back into the dining room.

"Anna said you hadn't decided yet" she accused Juliette

I thought to myself "yes, got her this time". Juliette's face was a picture; she had backed herself into a corner.

"Ok I'll do it, but we all have equal choice"

"Fair enough, lets show you the pictures"

It was clear after about two minutes that this was never going to, even Rhod and myself reluctantly had favourites and we were each trying to influence my sister in her choice.

"Look guys, I can't do this with you all here. Why don't you go and watch TV or something so I can concentrate. Maddy have you got a pen and paper please?"

"Sure Jules, papers on the sides there, pen by the keyboard. You lot next door"

We left big sis to make her selections and Maddy left the rest of us in the lounge while she procured drinks and biscuits. The girls spent the time waiting discussing their favourites while Rhod and I discussed our least favourite options from what for us was a complete set of bad options. Juliette, to be fair, didn't really take long to make her selections and called us back to the computer after about twenty minutes.

"Ok people quiet down," we did as bid, "I'm not going to show you my choices, we all pick blind. Can you get a dish please Maddy?"

We waited while Maddy fetched a mixing bowl.

"Right, I've got ten bits of paper," she indicated a handful of paper balls, "they all go in the bowl and then we each pick one. There's a number on each one which refers to a picture, I know which numbers refer to which but if Drew picks for me I can't cheat at all"

"Sheesh you thought of everything there"

"Sounds good"

"You guys ok with this?"

"I guess so sis"

"Rhod?"

"Suppose so Julie"

"Ok then, everyone reach in and take a ball"

We each in turn put a hand in and retrieved a paper ball until only Jules was left.

"Ok Drew pick me one out and give it to me"

I reached in again and took one of the remaining options and passed it to my sister.

"Right then, every one gets a chance to swap their choice now but this is your last chance. After this you are stuck with what you've drawn. Maddy stick or swap?"

"Stick"

"Bernie?"

"Stick"

"Rhod?"

"Er swap I think"

"Ok then pick another ball then drop the other one in the bowl."

Rhod selected another bit of paper, then Juliette continued.

"Drew?

"Stick I guess"

"Ally?"

"I'll stick too"

"Well I'm going to swap but I want Rhod to pick for me"

"Ok"

Finally our selections were made

"Lets see what everyone's got, open your papers"

Juliette went back to the PC and got ready to open the pictures

"What are your numbers?"

I replied first

"Six"

"Four" that was Ally

"Three" was Bernie's draw

"I got nine" Rhod told us

"Number one for me, what's yours Jules?"

"Eight"

She clicked the mouse on each picture and our choices sprang up on the screen.

Maddy Bell 26.01.03
Copyright 2003

Part 7

What?

The images that greeted us represented quite a cross section of anime characters, but Jules had also selected costumes that she thought we would actually be able to make.

"Ok, Drew you've got Chi Light"

"Nooo" I groaned, it was a very girlie costume with all sorts of flounces and lace.

"Bernie you've got cat girl Merle"

"Great, that's dead easy!"

"Nina for you Ally"

"Should be a cinch"

"Rhod you will be the lovely Nuriko"

"At least it's not as bad as Drew's"

"Oh good, Maddy you've got Chi Dark, you're costume is nearly the same as Drew's but in black"

"I really like Chi, this is great Drew!"

	"No it's not, I don't know how you fixed it Julie but I'm sure you did" "Did not, how could I?" "Well I dunno but..." "She didn't fix it Drew, anyway Jules what's yours?" "I've got Yubi in her wedding dress" "Cool" "I think yours and mine will be the most difficult Drew"
Drew and Maddy would be Chi light and dark respectively

"You're not kidding, how did I get talked into this? I'll never get away with it"

"Well even if someone spots that it's you, it is a costume party!"

"Yeah and I'll be dressed in lace and stuff!

"Quite griping Drew, Rhod's costume is really feminine too"

"But not as revealing"


Bernie would be Merle	Ally would be Nina	Rhod had landed Nuriko

"Well at least mines easy, I've got an old beach dress that's the right colour"

"I know the one, that'll be great, mines not difficult either and I don't think yours will be too bad Rhod, we might even be able to borrow a costume for you"

	"How come?" "Well it's pretty much like what they wore in the Gilbert & Sullivan just before Christmas" "I guess"
Juliette had Yubi	"And I can adapt that bridesmaid dress from Auntie Junes wedding, it's pink but it'll do"

"Time for you lot to go home"

Maddy's mum broke the discussion up just before eight.

"Whatever your plotting will wait till tomorrow"

"Yes mum"

"I'm sure you fixed it"

"Come on Drew, how could I fix it? I even tried to even the odds a bit for you"

"How?"

"Well there were two male characters in the pick list, but no one picked them"

"Well.."

"Look, there could be fall out for me too so I guess we'd all better make sure we do a good job"

"I suppose, what about mum and dad?"

"What about them?"

"Well do we tell them or what"

"Nah, lets keep it between us and your mates unless we really have to tell"

"Ok then. I guess I'll manage"

We didn't get a chance to meet up again until Friday when the girls decided to go shopping in Mansfield for costume material and stuff next day. Rhod had to go visit rel's for the weekend and Saturday I went out with mum for our regular, (well most weeks anyway) training ride. So it was Monday when we met up again as a group, this time at Ally's house.

I was amazed by what they had already accomplished. Both Bernie and Ally's costumes were nearly finished and Jules' was a good way along. Ally had asked Mr Benson if we could borrow a costume for Rhod and he'd agreed that they could see if there was something suitable on Wednesday lunch break.

Maddy and my costumes were going to take the most work and so far there was just a bag of bits of lace and taffeta. The girls had got the material on the market and had even found a pattern for a skating costume that they could use as a guide. My input was so far was £10 towards materials and frankly I doubted whether I could do much more.

"Look Drew, we've done everything so far, you and Rhod are going to do something towards this"

"Like what? I can't sew" I stated

"Neither can I"

"We know that but we are putting you in charge of accessories"

"Eh?"

"You know, shoes, hats, gloves and stuff"

"We've even made you a list, here Rhod..." Bernie gave him a slip of paper "you do Ally's staff, my tail and everyone's hair stuff, basically every thing above the waist"

"You Drew get the rest, shoes, tights and stuff" my list was thrust in my hand "everyone's sizes are on there. You should be able borrow a lot of it but you will have to buy some of it, here's £20, you should be able to get most of it for that"

I looked at the list; it was split by costume and detailed what I had to obtain

Bernie		flat sandals 4
		thick tan tights
Ally		blue sandals 6
		thick black tights
Rhod		flattish shoes or sandals 5
		white socks or tights
Juliette		white knee boots 6
		tan tights
Drew		white sandals or shoes 5
		white stockings or hold-ups
Maddy		black sandals or shoes 41/2
		black stockings or hold-ups'

All the info was there and whilst I thought I knew where I could get some of the footwear, I was going to have to buy most of the hosiery. The look on Julie's face told me not to expect any help from that quarter. It was going to be embarrassing but not too difficult.

"We need the shoes next week but the other stuff isn't essential yet"

"Why do we need the shoes so quick?"

"We need to make sure at least your sister and Rhod's dresses are the right length so you might as well get the rest but I guess they're not so essential as long as we have the boots and flats."

"Now we've got that sorted we need your measurements Drew, so strip"

"Oh no!"

Jules came to my rescue.

"Come on guys, let me take him in the bathroom to do the measuring"

"Ok"

It looked like the next week was going to be interesting.

Maddy Bell 02.01.03
Copyright 2003

Part 8

Boots and Shoes

After the humiliation of my sister watching while I stripped to my undies then measuring me, I was ready to call it a day but everyone else thought that Gaby and Pippa could do with some girl lessons.

Well have you ever heard of such tummy rot! Well the girls thought we needed schooling in sitting, standing even eating and drinking so we had our first crash course. (Well strictly speaking second, but our Meadowhall efforts were apparently only just passable in a crowd. We were going to a school dance, which would mean closer scrutiny by our peers.)

So we spent another hour learning how to do it properly.

"Well I think you need to practice"

"A lot!"

"Cheers, thanks for the vote of confidence"

"Well you want us to be honest"

"And you don't want the rest of the school clocking you!"

"I guess"

"Well both of you need to practice as much as possible"

We both chorused "yes miss" which got us each a whack with a cushion.

"Ow that hurt!"

"Sorry"

I grabbed my left ear

"That really hurt," I felt something hard in the lobe, "what's this?"

Maddy leant in to take a look.

"Erm, hang on"

"Ouch!"

"Let's look at your other ear"

"Why?"

"Just do it"

Maddy squeezed the right lobe and it felt like a spot bursting.

"What is it?"

Jules and Maddy shared a smug grin.

"Well?"

"You remember I put those studs in at Meadowhall?"

"Yes" I could feel bad news coming.

"Well I must have left the plastic keepers in when I took them out"

"My ears are pierced!"

"Er sorry Drew"

"Mum will go ballistic"

"Did she notice up to know?"

"No"

"Well she probably won't now then"

"But they will heal over wont they?"

"Not now, they've healed"

"You'll look so cute"

"I don't want to look cute!"

What was even worse was that Mum wouldn't let Juliette have her ears pierced yet and of the others only Maddy had hers done.

In a way I thought it was cool to have pierced ears, a lot of the older guys wore earrings, and if anyone noticed at school I might gain a bit of sadly lacking street cred. Mum was the real problem but Ally was probably right, if she hadn't noticed yet she likely wouldn't soon.

We left for home soon after and I mooched along beside my sister.

"You knew didn't you?"

"What?"

"The sleepers"

"Did not"

"Come on, fess up, you cleaned them up the other Sunday, you must have known"

"Ok I knew"

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Why didn't you take them out?"

"I don't know, I thought you'd work it out yourself and then I just forgot"

"I bet"

"I did, honest"

I sulked the rest of the way home.

I'm sure someone had said something at school next day, I kept getting funny looks from some of the other girls in our year. Whatever.

I decided to get a head start on the shoe thing after school.

I pulled out the list

'Bernie		flat sandals 4
		thick tan tights
Ally		blue sandals 6
		thick black tights
Rhod		flattish shoes or sandals 5
		white socks or tights
Juliette		white knee boots 6
		tan tights
Drew		white sandals or shoes 5
		white stockings or hold-ups
Maddy		black sandals or shoes 41/2
		black stockings or hold-ups'

I was sure that the girls already had some of this stuff but it was going to be up to me to pull it all together. A test I suppose.

I mentally went through what I had seen people wearing, I had some sandals that Bernie could wear and I was certain that either Rhod or myself could borrow something from Jules. The hosiery was another matter. Jules I knew did have some tan tights but as I had only seen the girls wearing socks, I thought that I would need to buy the rest. I decided to ring round to see if anyone had anything on my list and my list soon didn't look so daunting.

'Bernie		~~flat sandals 4~~ my sandals
		thick tan tights
Ally		blue sandals 6
		~~thick black tights~~ Ally's
Rhod		~~flattish shoes or sandals 5~~ Jules
		white socks or tights
Juliette		white knee boots 6
		~~tan tights~~ Jules
Drew		white sandals or shoes 5
		white stockings or hold-ups
Maddy		~~black sandals or shoes 41/2~~ Bernies mum
		black stockings or hold-ups'

So I had cut the list to three pairs of shoes and four pairs of hosiery - and so far I hadn't had to go to a shop. There was a Baker day (Staff training, after the politician who introduced them) at our School on Friday so I planned to go to Mansfield and get it over and done with.

Each night, my sister chided me to practice 'my moves', which I ungraciously did when the olds weren't about. Friday was not going to be quite as planned, the others all wanted to meet up so instead of all day I would just have a couple of hours in the morning before we met at BK. I got the eight fifty bus armed with the girls twenty pounds and another thirty of my own (you never know what you might see) and sat in a daydream until we pulled into the bus station.

(For those not up on their UK geography, Mansfield is a small town on the edge of what remains of Sherwood Forest, like home to Robin Hood! Where I live is on the edge of the forest too. Mansfield is famous, at least locally, for beer and more widely leather, the Oak Forest providing essential tanning ingredients. So it's not surprising that there are more than a couple of shoe shops in town including a couple of discount stores.)

I decided on a strategy, I would only buy one pair of shoes per shop, it would be easier to say they were a present, particularly if I needed to change any. The hosiery I would try to get in one of the bigger stores where I would be less conspicuous.

There was a flaw in my plan, I hadn't allowed for shop assistants. I went into the first shop and rather self-consciously went to the girls department.

"Can I help you"

"Wh..!"

"Are you looking in the right place?"

"Oh right, yes I'm looking for a pair of shoes for my sister. For a present" my nervousness was clear to anyone watching the exchange.

"That's a nice idea young man, do you know what style and size you are looking for?"

She'd bought my story. I decided to go for Ally's blue sandals first.

"Well she takes a six, I checked this morning and I know she really wants some blue sandals"

"Hmm, we might have something up in the ladies department, follow me"

I followed, what else with a command like that.

"Here we go, size six"

She shuffled along the shelf and returned brandishing a couple of shoes.

"You're in luck, these are both in the sale"

She showed me the footwear; the first pair was going to be a no-no, a high heel and sky blue. I quite liked them but the reality was they'd look good on mum but Ally was thirteen and I just knew they would be wrong. The others, by default would have to do; I didn't intend going back and forth like a girl to get just the right pair. The second pair was a pair of slip ons with a chunky sole and were a darker blue, much closer to Ally's costume. Even better they were really cheap, just four pounds.

"Mum won't let her wear heels so it will have to be these"

"Ok luv, let's pay for them"

She escorted me to the cash point and I was soon relieved of the cash but up one pair of shoes.

"Hope she likes them luv"

"Yeah so do I"

Once outside I drew a sigh of relief. I figured I would try the big discount store next, they had fewer staff and I could browse easier. I made my way to the store, on the edge of the main shopping area and entered 'The World of Shoes'.

I had to get my shoes and Juliette's boots, both white and looking round not this season's colour! But my luck was holding I found some off white knee boots with a chunky sole and I guess about a two-inch heel. After a bit of a scrabble through the stock I found a pair in the required size six and I would only have to pay nine ninety-nine as they were an end of line. I should have just got the boots but I decided to see if they had any shoes, after all I could get them on another visit.

The only white shoes well strictly cream, were wedding shoes, well that's what the header board said. I was probably lingering a little too long because in a store devoid of sales assistants, one was suddenly at my shoulder uttering that great starter.

"Can I help?"

If I ran I would have to abandon the boots, I was sure I could bluff my way out.

"Er I'm not sure"

"Are you looking for anything in particular"

I'm sure that they all go on the same course or something. Before I realised what I was saying it was out,

"I need to get some shoes for a dance"

"What colour is your dress"

What?

"Eh?"

"What colour dress are you going to wear miss?"

Then it clicked, despite my combats sweatshirt and short haircut she thought I was a girl. Mixed emotions roiled around my head

"I'm not" she cut me off

"Not sure yet?"

I decided to roll with it.

"No, I mean yes, it's sort of off white"

"Heels?"

Not getting her meaning I just nodded.

"I'm Sarah,"

"Gaby" I mumbled

"Just sit over there, I'll bring some over for you to try."

Stunned at this turn of events I just followed her instruction. She was kneeling in front of me just a minute later.

"Shoes off please," seeing my socks she hardly broke stride, "hang on I'll get some footsies so you can try them properly"

She disappeared for a minute and I was left sat bare foot in the ladies shoe department, help! What if anyone from school sees me? Well she reappeared and slipped a pair of thin sockettes on my feet.

"Now then Gaby, how about these?"

Well to cut a long story short, for nearly three quarters of an hour I tried on shoe after shoe, Sarah seemed to take me as just another awkward (as in clumsy) teen girl and she was some sales woman. I think I managed quite well, putting my girl lessons to use and I left the store thirty pounds lighter, but that did include Jules boots and a pair of very fine pearl coloured stockings, besides my shoes. I settled on a closed toe sandal, they have a pointy toe, open vamp and thin ankle straps perching on a three-inch heel. Sarah insisted I would be ok on them and they were essential if it was a formal dance. (Well that's what she told me and who am I to argue?)

"Bye Gaby, have a nice time"

"Thanks Sarah, bye"

Had I really spent best part of an hour as a convincing girl, well tomboy anyway? If this kept up I'd be thinking I could pull this escapade off!


Jules boots	My 'dancing' shoes

Well I can tell you, I was glad to get out of there alive. I hurried back into the centre and had to grab a coke at Maccy D's to settle my nerves. Surely I didn't look that much like a girl? But Sarah seemed to think so; perhaps it was just the setting? After all I was holding a pair of ladies boots, stood looking at ladies shoes. I was well shaken up.

With resources dwindling, I hit an ATM and withdrew another twenty before starting to look for the remainder of my list, thick tan tights for Bernie, white for Rhod and black stockings for Maddy. Walking along I was drawn to a costume shops window, all gaudy wigs and false noses. I decided to take a look inside and to my delight discovered they had a bargain bin that I delved into with gusto. I left the store with the two pairs of tights I needed, a false nose and on impulse, a pair of long pink hair braids.

That only left the black stockings and I reckoned I could get those in Woolworth's before meeting the others. I was right, and they were cheap, emboldened by my time in the shoe store I got a bag of pick'n'mix and waited to pay. I was slightly annoyed when the bored cashier didn't even glance up as she rang my purchases through the till.

"There he is"

"Drew, over here"

The others had already got a table and food before I got to BK; I dumped my bags and went to fetch a bacon double cheese and coke.

"What you got Drew?"

"The last things on my list"

"You've got everything?" Bernie asked

"Let's see then"

So to my embarrassment I had to do a show and tell sat in Burger King.

"Ally's sandals, Jules boots, my shoes"

"Cute shoes Drew"

"Let him be"

"What else?"

I flourished the hosiery, braids and false nose.

"You got stockings?"

"Yeah?"

"I think he's getting to like the idea of being a girl"

"What?"

"Well those braids and the stockings, they're sooo sexy"

"Did you get suspender belts?"

"Eh"

"Well like duh, you need something to hold the stockings up, garters or suspenders"

"I thought they had elastic or something"

"That's hold ups silly"

"I don't think he knew the difference"

"I guess we'll have to get some suspenders then"

I had mucked up big style. The girls almost had to drag Rhod and I to the lingerie shop, but they failed to get us inside! However they managed to keep the embarrassment level up by bringing various bits of female underwear to the door to show us. I don't know why I stayed there, why I was doing this whole thing, I suppose I was sort of enjoying it all and I guess Rhod was too. After all how many of our peers got to hang out with some of the nicest girls and do stuff with them?

Eventually the three girls (Jules was hanging with her own mate's back in the village) made their selections and joined us outside. Rhod suggested we went bowling and everyone agreed, so we hit the Superbowl for a couple of hours. Boy's v girls, I have to admit I was glad when Paul turned up as Rhod and I were losing badly. We just about pulled it even for a draw by the end of the session, then gladly accepted a lift in Paul's mum's Toyota Previa. I managed to get Maddy to claim my shopping when we got back to Church Warsop and Paul, Rhod and I went round to Clive's bungalow to play on his X-Box.

Saturday followed it's usual pattern, a ride up to Tickhill with mum, tea and hot buttered teacakes at Oldcotes and then back home. An afternoon catching up with my homework then off to Worksop for dinner at the Beefeater restaurant. Sunday had me out with Mum again, meeting the others at Lincoln for lunch. We had a walk round before we all piled into the camper to go home, there was a really strong wind and neither mum nor I relished crossing the flat Trent plain into the gale. I might be fanatical but I'm not stupid!

Maddy Bell 02.02.03
Copyright 2003

Part 9

First Fitting

I was not looking forward to Monday night at all. Friday's shopping trip hadn't been so bad although I was still a little piqued that the girl in the shoe shop thought that I was a girl! My male ego was still taking a bashing over that and my tormentors when I told them thought it was a hoot! School was a drag, not that I'm exactly Einstein, but I do usually get good grades, maybe it was my distraction with the dress (ing).

Of course all of our parents knew that we were going to the dance in costumes, they just didn't know what Rhod and I were dressing as. Just as well I guess. As mum was going to a meeting in Clowne, she volunteered to chauffeur Jules and myself to Bernie's house in Meden Vale and she would pick us up on the way back.

"So what are you two going to the disco as?"

"It's not a disco mum"

"Well dance then"

"We're all going as characters from different Manga stories" Jules explained.

"What's that?"

"Well it's like Japanese comics and cartoons"

"Like those videos Drew and his friends are always watching"

"Yes, but we're not always watching them!"

"So you're helping with the costumes, Juliette?"

"Well I said I would, as I can use a sewing machine quite well, it would take forever if this lot were doing it" she pointed a thumb at me over her shoulder.

"Here we are, tell Mrs Rose that I'll pick you up about nine as long as the meeting doesn't run over. Have fun"

We got out of the camper with our bags of material etc and waited while mum turned it round at the end of the cul-de-sac before we went to knock on Bernie's door. Mum waited until the door was open before she pipped the horn and drove off.

"Hi Bernie"

"Hi Drew, ah great Jules you brought the material. Rhod's just trying his costume on and Ally's helping mum with the drinks."

"I need to speak to your mum" Jules put in.

"They're in the kitchen" which she indicated to my sis.

"Where's Mad?"

"Oh she rang to say she'd be a bit late. Come on we've got the conservatory to ourselves, when is your mum collecting you?"

"About nine she said"

"Great we should get most of it done then"

"I thought there was loads to do?"

"Well Rhod's got his costume, mine just needs a couple of bits adding, and Ally only needs to make her cape."

"That still leaves three costumes"

"True but your sister's dress only needs a little bit of work, it's you and Maddy that we need to work on tonight"

Just then Ally and Juliette came in with the refreshments.

"Hi Ally"

"Hi Drew, Bernie you're mum want's you"

Bernie went to find her mum and Jules took control.

"Rhod will be out in a minute," (he was getting changed in the downstairs bathroom) "we'll check out what needs doing to his costume then we'll start on you and Maddy Drew"

We heard the doorbell go and we could hear Maddy and Bernie exchanging greetings before coming into the conservatory.

"Hi guys"

"Hi Mad"

"Hi Maddy"

"Where's Rhod?"

"Here"

We all looked to the doorway where the sight of Rhod sort of wearing his costume greeted us.

"Get in here and shut the door" Bernie motioned him in.

"I think you need some help Rhod"

"No kidding"

He had the kimono on but the sash and overjacket were in a mess and the Adidas trainers didn't really go either. The girls fussed around him and soon had the clothing in order; I located the shoes in one of many carrier bags and in short order the costume was looking pretty good.

Juliette, as senior seamstress, took control and quickly pinned the hem and a couple of other bits to make it fit better then sent Rhod to change again admonishing him to not dislodge any pins.

"Ally can you do Rhod's alterations when he gets back?"

"Ok"

"Maddy did you cut out the patterns for you and Drew?"

"Yeah, mum helped me"

"In that case can you and Bernie do the cutting and pinning on yours and Drew can help me with his"

"Ok"

"Come on then"

The next half an hour or so saw frenetic activity from everyone. Rhod returned and whilst Ally made the alterations he set about sorting out everyone's 'accessories' into separate piles, shoes, hosiery, hairpieces where appropriate as well as Ally's staff and Bernie's tail.

"When you guys have finished tacking that I'll machine it up here then you can do the fitting during the week. I'll do Drew's first it won't take long, as it's quite simple really."

"What about this Jules, I've nearly finished" Ally proffered Rhod's costume.

"Rhod you need to try it on again to make sure it's ok then Ally, you could finish your cape off"

"Ok"

"Come on Drew, I need your help with this"

Rhod returned in costume again and Jules gave it the ok so he quickly departed to change back again. So we all set too again and as good as her word, Jules soon had my costume machined up just in time to start on Maddy's now ready more complicated affair.

"Right Drew, go and put it on, I'll send Rhod in to help you zip up in about five minutes ok?"

With heavy heart I replied "ok"

I took the proffered garment and went out to the Rose's downstairs loo to change. I wasn't happy about this but I was stuck with it I guess. I stripped to my y-fronts and socks and then tried to work out how to put this alien garment on. I had just got it up to my waist when there was a knock followed by.

"Drew, its me"

Rhod. I unlocked the door and made sure it was locked again after he was in.

"Nice colour Drew"

"Whatever"

I was not happy about the colour, it was if anything a pinky cream and seemed even more girlie than white would. I managed to get my arms into the frilly sleeves and Rhod zipped me up.

"Whoa dude, that dress is short!"

No kidding. I knew it would be shortish but this was ridiculous. If I so much as moved from the vertical my underwear would be on display!

"I can't wear this, it's far too short!"

"Maddy's will be the same"

"I know but she's a girl"

"So?"

"Well, she doesn't have my bits. Everyone will see me. This is ridiculous."

"Ok but we have to show the others"

"I guess"

"I'll make sure Bernie's parents aren't about then you make a dash for the back room"

Rhod undid the door and checked that the coast was clear, the last thing I wanted was to be caught in a dress, especially this one, by Bernie's parents.

"Come on, it's clear"

I launched myself across the corridor to the conservatory leaving Rhod to bring my boys clothing and turn off the lights. I arrived just in time to see Maddy finishing putting on her own costume.

"Wow Drew, that is just so excellent!"

"I can't wear it Jules, it's too short"

"No shorter than mine" Maddy interjected.

It was true. Although the skirt of Maddy's costume was less full than mine it was the same length and her outfit threatened to show even more than mine did.

"Yeah but you're a girl"

"What's that s'posed to mean?"

"Well," I had to admit I was floundering on this a bit, "you're used to it". I knew as I said it that that was rubbish. I had never seen any of the girls in anything shorter than above the knee except shorts and both our costumes were well above that level.

"Look Drew, it's a costume. It's a sort of parody of what the characters would wear if they were real. It's sort of an idealised version."

"Come on Drew be a sport"

I was starting; well that's not strictly true, I was getting an even more uncomfortable feeling about this whole thing. Dressing up with mum at Christmas was one thing; this was taking me to places I'd rather not visit.

"Look Drew, no ones going to see anything, I've got some frilly tennis panties you can wear and no one will know that you've got more than the average girl" Bernie ended her statement in her Yogi bear voice!

Well that had even me laughing.

"Drew you promised you'd do it"

"That was before I got the costume"

"But it's only a costume, we all see more of you when we have swimming"

She had me there but I had to try anyway.

"But that's different"

"How so?" asked Ally.

"Well.."

"Drew, the dress covers far more of you than your trunks and with Bernie's tennis briefs no one will ever see your bits"

"I guess"

"Anyway you look really cute"

"I do not look cute!"

"If you say so brother mine, but with the wig and everything no ones going to think you look anything but like a cute girl."

"If you look cute Drew, no one will guess it's you"

I guess there was some twisted logic there.

"Damn, mum'll be here in a few minutes. Drew go and change, I can do the alterations at home. Are you alright doing yours Maddy?"

"Yeah fine, mum will help if I need it"

"Our place next week ok?"

"Fine, same time?"

"Yeah, the olds are going out so we won't be disturbed. Everyone bring your costumes so we can do any final changes in good time. Rhod can you give everyone their bag of stuff?"

Rhod sorted through the bags and gave everyone their stuff.

"I'll bring the other bits on Monday, it's not all finished yet"

Did I mention that Rhod is a perfectionist? Or that he got the wig job because his mum runs a hair salon in the village.

Timing is everything. I had literally just finished doing up my shoes when mum pipped her horn outside.

"Anyone want a lift back?" Jules was asking as I got back to the conservatory. I should explain, Meden Vale is next door to Church Warsop but it's quite a walk from my house, well over a mile. All the others lived somewhere between the Bond and Rose household's so it wasn't usually a problem as we most often met at Maddy or Ally's home.

"Please" Maddy replied

"Dad will be here for me in a few minutes and he'll give Rhod a lift" Ally stated.

"Ok, see you tomorrow"

Mrs Rose came out to see us out and used it as an excuse for five minutes gossip with mum.

We dropped Maddy and her bags off and drove on home.

"When do I get to see your costumes?"

I started to panic.

"They're not ready yet mum" Juliette replied

"Yeah and we want to surprise everyone at the dance so we don't want anyone to see them before then." I didn't want anyone to see mine anyway!

"Ok, ok, I'm sure they will be really good, are you entering the competition?"

"What competition?"

"The fancy dress silly"

Oh no, not more chance of embarrassment.

"We thought we'd enter as a group mum" my sister was full of surprises.

"That's a good idea"

"Well I know a few others that are going to do the same, I think Paul and Clive, Drew's mates, are entering as Batman and Robin"

It was news to me and it would no doubt be news to them, they weren't exactly party people!

The conversation moved onto other things and once home I headed straight off to my room and bed.

I couldn't sleep. All I could think of was the brevity of my costume and the fact that I would have to wear it out in public in less than three weeks. It was all right for Rhod, his costume covered nearly all of him and although it was obviously a girls costume it was at least more 'normal'. Mine on the other hand would stand out if one of the girls were wearing it let alone a conscript girl like me!

You might think I skip a lot of the week in my narratives, but do you really want to hear about double geography, religious education and maths? For five days! Thought not, I certainly don't want to relive them! And I suppose you want to know why we don't do much the rest of the week after school? Homework! We all get tons and Monday is the only night we don't get at least two hours worth. It's not just me and my mates, but most of the kids in school do the same.

Anyway, for a change, the rest of the week seemed to go quickly and the weekend was upon us once more. Saturday would be my racing debut for this year and I guess the excitement of that helped speed the week along. A new season for any sportsman usually means at least some new kit and I was not to be denied! As I often rode the tandem with mum it meant that mum had to have new too, so we both had new skinsuits in our club's white, red and yellow strip and I had also wangled a new pair of yellow track mitts.

As we were racing in the afternoon, there was no Saturday morning ride, instead I was instructed to do that most hateful of jobs - cleaning my bike. Mum and dad for that matter always maintained that there was no excuse for a dirty race bike. It was they claimed physcological too, if your bike was all shiny and bright, it lifted you and got to those who were less well prepared. I don't know whether it worked on that level but it did mean I found the glass in my back tyre in time for dad to change it for me.

I was really proud of my new skinsuit but my helmet is looking a bit sorry for itself

Although dad wasn't a hard case cyclist like me and mum, he maintains all the family bikes and I reckon he could get a job doing it if he wanted to. Even Juliette took an interest in watching the races, although I'm sure it was partly to ogle all the Lycra clad bodies taking part rather than the sport itself! Today I was doing a schoolboy circuit race near Lincoln, mum was going to ride the senior event. I better explain that at Christmas, it was actually a time trial against the clock rather than your Tour de France, whereas today it man, or rather boy against boy in earnest combat!

You don't want a blow by blow account do you? The highlights were that it was a nice afternoon but as the race was on an exposed airfield perimeter road, the wind was a problem. But the good news for me was that I won my age group and finished 5^th overall, which meant a prize of enough record tokens to buy the new 'Avril Levigne' CD.

Mum did even better. Much to the men's chagrin, she managed to win the sprint for second place after the favourite had made his escape a couple of laps before. Did I mention that mum has ridden for Britain? I guess she intends to again if today was anything to go by!

Maddy Bell 08.02.03
Copyright (c) 2003

Part 10

Dress Rehearsal

After yesterdays exertions mum decided that we would have a 'family' day. In parent speak that means we were going on a family outing whether we liked it or not, usually to somewhere we weren't keen to go. But surprise, this time it wasn't so bad. Dad drove us up to York but only after mum and I had done an hour's training ride around some of the north Nottinghamshire lanes.

I like York. It only took a little over an hour from home and the olds had decided we would 'do' the Jorvik experience so we headed straight there. For anyone who doesn't know, Jorvik is history brought to life with animatronics and you ride round in little carts. Everywhere seems to have one these days, Robin Hood in Nottingham is much the same. The other thing is that you usually queue for ages but we timed it just right getting there just before the coach load of scouts and the WI outing!

I won't describe it in any detail - if you want that look it up on the web or visit yourself! We all really enjoyed it, even historyphobic Juliette. Afterwards we visited Clifford's tower, I was getting vertigo just climbing up to the gate but it was worth the effort. A late lunch was next on the agenda; we found a café near The Shambles, which supplied a reasonable meal without breaking the bank. (At least I presume the latter, mum and dad didn't argue over what we could eat anyway.)

After eating, dad suggested we walk round part of the city walls, which was fun although by the time we climbed back down to ground level it was getting to be a chore stopping to let parties of obnoxious French students past. Mum then insisted that we go to the Minster to see the famous stained glass windows. Our family although nominally Church of England is not religious, I guess most of my visits to ecclesiastic buildings are like this one. That's to say short.

Anyway afterwards we had a walk through the shops and back to the car to head home.

All the activity over the weekend hadn't given me much opportunity to fret over costumes and stuff; it was Juliette later that evening who brought the subject up.

"Drew we need to finish your costume tonight"

"I guess"

"Bring your stuff to my room and you can change so I can see what needs doing"

I was resigned to it but an excellent weekend meant it couldn't dampen my spirits too much. I fetched the bag that Rhod had given me and crossed the landing to Juliette's room.

"Good. Bernie gave me the tennis panties on Friday so you can put them on and you'll see how much you show"

"Are you gonna stand there watching me?"

"Sorry, I'll just go get us a sandwich, corned beef ok?"

"With pickle?"

"Ok, won't be long."

I waited until she had shut the door then shucked my jeans and t-shirt. I found Bernie's tennis pants and pulled them up over my own underwear. This was just so gross! I took my Chii costume off the hanger that my sister had it on and shrugged it into place. I tried the zip but couldn't get it more than an inch up. Jules chose that moment to return, making me jump when she pushed the door open.

"Jeez Jules, you could have warned me, I thought it was mum"

"Sorry but my hands are full"

She proffered a plate of sandwiches to me that I took and put on her dresser.

"Grab these drinks and I'll lock the door"

The drinks followed the food to the dresser.

"Ok, let's zip you up, turn around"

I did and she did.

"This is really pretty good for fit" she tugged and pulled a bit, "I don't think we really need to do much"

"Can I take it off yet?" I hadn't had it on for ten minutes yet and I was feeling exposed and uncomfortable, that is uncomfortable to be wearing it, it was actually a nice fit.

"Not yet, I want you to put your shoes on and have a practice walking in it."

"Must I?"

"Yes, last time you were worried about people seeing your bits so lets have a look."

Embarrassed doesn't come into it. I lifted the skirt so she could see my underwear.

"Let go then spin round"

I followed my sister's direction.

"Those knickers do a good job but you won't be able to wear your y-fronts underneath at the dance"

"Why not"

"Well I can see them, that means other people will and secondly girls don't wear y-fronts!"

"I can't just wear these" I indicated the frilly pants.

"I agree. I know, those panties we got you at Christmas are still in the cupboard you can wear them underneath"

"I suppose so"

"No suppose, you will"

She sounded just like mum when she said that.

"Ok put your shoes on and walk up and down a bit, you'll need these"

She gave me a pair of sheer knee-highs. I recalled my experience at the shoe shop, pulling the thin hose on I felt a strange sort of excitement. The shoes slipped on easily and I did the delicate buckle up on each ankle strap. When I looked up Juliette had put her costume on and was just fastening the zip.

"Can you finish the zip for me?"

"Ok"

The last time I had seen her in the dress was at Auntie Madge's wedding last year when she was a bridesmaid. It was subtly different now, the cowl neck was gone and the front was sort of ruched up so you could see her legs. She fetched the boots I had bought for her and suddenly there was Yubi.

"Now walk"

It felt a lot different walking around in this outfit to the costume at Christmas. That at least came nearly to my knees, now I had flounces tickling the top of my thighs as I walked back and forth. The heels made me walk differently too, smaller steps and slower too. Jules was walking about too, she wasn't used to the clumpy soles on the boots and mum didn't let her wear heels very often either.

"That's enough for now, I'll just finish putting the bows on then your costumes done"

"Hooray" I muttered under my breath. My feelings regarding this whole thing were still pretty negative; at least it would be over in a couple of weeks.

Monday was as bad as usual. I asked Clive if he and Paul were going to the dance and was surprised at the answer.

"Yeah we most certainly are"

"S'not like you two"

"Yeah well, Maddy said that her cousin was coming"

Mad hadn't said anything about anyone else joining us. Seeing my questioning look Clive went on.

"You know, that one I told you about the other week at Meadowhall, Gaby and I think her mate Pippa's coming too"

My heart sank. Here was Clive one of my best mates just about telling me that he had a crush on Gaby! I tried to change the subject.

"What are you two going as then?"

"Dana, nana nana nana Batman! And Paul's gonna be Robin"

So it was true and apparently Rhod and I were being set up by the girls. Just then the bell for assembly went halting any further enquiry. Our school has a full assembly on Monday's but the rest of the week it alternated between upper and lower school. So Monday's were always a crush as 1200 students tried to each claim their own patch of floor.

As usual the deputy head, Mrs Johnson, read the notices before the choir entertained us for five minutes. Then, as usual, Mr Wood our Headmaster took over to give us his wisdom on this weeks pressing issue litter. Finally came the traditional sports results, the success or otherwise of the various football, hockey and netball teams. After the main teams were covered, the 'minority' sports got a mention, the chess tournament and the schools new basketball team. Then much to my surprise I heard my name mentioned. Apparently someone had leaked my Saturday success to the Head. Of course everyone turned to look at me and I found myself turning a nice bright crimson.

This Monday was going to be different to usual. During the day I even had one or two kids congratulate me on my riding, weird. Clive's revelation kept coming up as I stumbled through the days itinerary. I was going to have to cancel now, there was no way I was going to be Gaby ever again!

The others got our house together just after six, mum had ordered us pizza and that was obviously the first order of business.

"I'm not doing it and I don't think Rhod should either"

"What?"

"Why"

"Well I was talking to Clive this morning and I think he fancies me. And from what he said Paul seems to like Rhod too."

"Whoa, you mean they're both Homo's?"

"You'd never know"

I realised I had missed a bit out here.

"No not me and Rhod, Gaby and Pippa"

"Well that's ok then"

"No it's not Ally. I do not want my mates fancying me"

"Hey it's a real compliment, I mean they must have both liked what they saw week"

"That's regardless. And Maddy, you told them to go to the dance to see us" I accused.

"Well I did sort of let slip that Pippa and Gaby would be there. And I thought that it would help with your cover"

"How so?" Rhod asked

"Well you suddenly appear and people ask about you, a lot. You appear and people already know you and suddenly you have camouflage, no one asks the wrong questions."

"She's right you know" Juliette put in.

Thinking about it I could see some logic, but I was still not happy.

"Well I'll still do it" Rhod opined.

"We knew you would Rhod, its scaredy pants Drew"

"Look I never wanted to do this, you all hounded me into it" I knew I had really talked myself into the situation.

"Did not!"

"Well, I don't like doing it but I suppose I'll go along with it"

"Now we've got that sorted, " Juliette took control, "lets get these costumes on. Drew, you and Rhod use your room and we'll use my room. Meet down here in half an hour."

We trooped off to get changed.

As it was a full dress rehearsal so to speak, that meant we had to put everything on, in my case that meant the stockings and suspender belt as well as girls panties. I managed to get it all on but I couldn't work out how the suspenders worked.

When I got to the lounge, Ally was already there, so I got my stockings sorted out after re routing the suspenders under my panties. Boy did I feel stupid! However when the rest of the girls arrived they all commented on how good I looked.

"Drew, you forgot to put your wig on"

I still looked like me, but me in a very short dress! And I had to admit that I did look a little cute. Yeagh!

"I'll do it for you" Mad volunteered, "come on into the kitchen and sit down."

Using her own experience with the hairpiece, she soon had it in place covering my dirty blonde hair with the lighter long hair. Then she added the hairband and earpieces.

"God, with some makeup you'll look really hot!"

"Thanks, I really need to look hot, I've already got Clive drooling over me!"

We reassembled in the front room and my sister took over again.

"Let's check that everyone has everything"

We all looked our friends over to discover any obvious omissions from our costumes.

"Bernie, you need some stripes"

"I know, Ally's going to paint some on next week, I didn't think it worth it for tonight"

"You need a money pouch Rhod"

"I've got one he can use" Ally offered

"I guess we're all set then"

"Do you know how much like twins you and Maddy look Drew?"

That's all I needed to hear!

"Cool"

"Perhaps they really are, separated at birth!"

"Give over" I was blushing for the second time today.

"The guys need to practice dancing, especially Drew in those shoes"

"Yeah great idea, remember last time"

That brought chuckles from the girls and embarrassed looks from Rhod and i.

I was doomed. Jules selected a few Cd's while the rest of us moved furniture for a makeshift dance floor. We spent until eight o'clock practising our dance moves, including to my chagrin that peculiar girls thing of group moves, you know, sort of like line dancing but really just short set pieces. Aargh!

We got changed back into civvies before my olds got back and the guys left for home. What a day, I was whacked.

Maddy Bell 09.02.03
Copyright (c) 2003

Note: TG young (13-onwards), stuck, cheerleader, schoolgirl, cross-dressed Rated-M
Read 1-10. 11-20.