The Reluctant Sister (Reluctant Series Book 3)

by Melanie Brown

  As she started to leave the stage after being handed her degree, she looked up at us, smiling, then for the first time, she actually noticed me, and a strange look crossed her face. She looked down the steps of the stage as she descended, then looked back up at me with a look that definitely said, “What the hell!?”

  The ceremonies finally ended and everyone started roaming around, looking for their special graduate. We caught up with Diane where she was talking animatedly with a group of other girls. When she saw us approach, she disengaged herself from that group and ran to meet us.

  Diane almost knocked Dad down as she leaped toward him and gave him a huge hug, “Daddy! I’m so glad you’re here! I’m so happy to see you!” She pulled away and looked toward Mom and said, “I’m happy to see all of you! I can’t believe I’m finally done!” She gave Mom a huge hug as well and they kissed and cried.

  Then, Diane turned towards me, wearing an expression usually reserved for seeing space aliens. Looking me up and down, she said, “Chris! My God! What’s up with you? What’s with the hair?” She leaned in and looked at me closer and exclaimed, “You’ve shaped your eyebrows and your ears are pierced! What is this?”

  Dad quickly said, “It’s a long story, Diane. We’ll explain later. Let’s go check into our motel before they give the room to someone else.”

  All the way over to the motel, Diane talked non-stop about all her big adventures at the university, her friends, her classes and her endless parade of ex-boyfriends.

  We finally got checked in and settled into our room. Diane wasn’t going to stay the night with us. After we all had dinner together, she was planning to go back to visit some friends who were leaving the next morning for one last party together.

  I decided to take quick shower to refresh myself, while Mom caught Diane up on all the latest town gossip. After toweling off, I just put on clean underwear and started brushing my hair out. There was a knock on the door.

  “Hey Chris,” called Diane through the door. “I need to pee. Are you done in there?”

  “Yeah, sure. Just a sec,” I said. Without thinking, I stepped through the door, dressed only in my underwear.

  “Ack! Put some clothes on!” Diane said as she moved past me to enter the bathroom. She stopped suddenly and turned around, studying my underwear. “Chris, you’re wearing panties! Hey, those are my panties!” She chased me out of the restroom area yelling, “Get your butt out of my underwear!!”

  Mom and Dad stopped watching television and turned to see what the ruckus was. Diane stopped chasing me and said to them, “Mom! Dad! Chris is wearing my panties!”

  They just looked at her and Dad said, “Yeah? So?”

  Panic washing over her face as if she was trapped in a grade B thriller Diane blurted, “Mommm!! He’s – wearing – my – underwear! His hair is as long as mine. He... he plucks his eyebrows and shaves his legs for chrissakes!” We all just stared at her for a moment and then she said, “Someone tell me just what the Hell is going on here!”

  In unison, Mom and Dad looked over at me. Dad said, “Well, son? Are you going to give your sister an explanation?”

  I fidgeted nervously for a moment, studying my feet. I looked up and stared Diane directly in her eyes and said, “Diane... I’m a cheerleader.”

  * * *

  Chapter 5

  We all just stood there, staring at each other for several moments. Diane, with that definite deer-in-the-headlights look in her eyes, and her mouth stupidly hanging open, moved to sit on the end of the bed. Looking at me, Diane stuttered, “Wha... what did you say, Chris?”

  I decided to sit down as well, so I moved to the end of the other bed and sat before answering. “I said I’m a cheerleader.”

  “But our school has never had any boy cheerleaders,” Diane said flatly.

  “You’re right. They don’t,” I said as I gave my head a little shake, sending my hair dancing in a satin cascade about my shoulders.

  “Surely you don’t mean...” Diane’s voice trailed away.

  “Well,” I started to say. And then I reached for Mom’s purse and opened it. After a quick search, I found a picture of Mandy and me posing in our uniforms. I handed the picture to Diane and said, “That’s me on the right.”

  “Yeah, right. This is a picture of me,” scoffed Diane.

  “That’s not you, dear,” said Mom. “The girl’s hair in the picture is darker than yours.” Mom gave Diane a nervous smile.

  Pointing at Mandy in the photograph, I added, “And that girl was never in your squad.”

  Looking somewhat numb, Diane just stared at the picture for a few moments. Finally, while turning to look at me she said, “I just don’t believe this. Chris. Just what kind of crap are you trying to pull?” Turning to Mom and Dad, she said, “You guys approve of this? You’re letting him get away with this shit? Sorry Mom.”

  Mom frowned, “He took it too far to back out without causing a really gigantic mess.”

  I jumped in with, “Diane, I was just going to help for one day because they were short one cheerleader.”

  “Why you?” Diane interrupted. “I mean, honestly, why you? Why not a girl, for chrissake!”

  I sighed and leaned forward, “Well Diane, it’s like this...” For the next fifteen minutes or so, I briefly filled Diane in on how I became a cheerleader and a girl. Needless to say, I left a lot out – mostly stuff about Jeff.

  When I was done, Diane blurted out, “Why didn’t you guys tell me?! I had no idea!”

  Dad, looking peeved just quietly said, “Well, I wanted to make sure you concentrated on your school work. I didn’t want you to be distracted by being told your brother is a twinkie.”

  Diane and I both started to say something, but Mom quickly said, “Hey, how about that dinner, huh? I’m really starved.”

  * * *

  We went to a very nice restaurant and the food was quite good, but I don’t think anyone was enjoying it. The tension was thick and hung in the air around us. Almost nothing was said throughout most of the meal. Diane picked at her food and stared into her plate. Mom and Dad just ate in silence.

  The meal finally ended and we all walked silently back to our car. Diane broke the silence announcing, “There’s that end of school party I want to go to Dad. Can you drop me off at my apartment?” Our motel was between the restaurant and Diane’s apartment.

  Dad nudged me in the ribs and said, “Hey Sport. Would you mind taking Diane home after your mother and I stop at the motel? We have to get up early tomorrow and I’m beat.”

  Shrugging, I said, “Sure, I guess so.”

  Without another word between us we all piled into the car.

  * * *

  Even after dropping off Mom and Dad at the motel, we continued to Diane’s apartment in silence. Diane mainly stared at the floorboard.

  After a minute or so, Diane lifted her head and looked sideways at me for a moment and frowned. Finally, she leaned back in her seat and seemed to relax some. She said, “Okay Chris. Tell me. Why you? Why wouldn’t they pick a girl for a replacement cheerleader? And why are you continuing to be a girl?”

  I swallowed and cleared my throat. “Well – like I said before. They thought I was best qualified in the short notice they had for their little exposition to attract local business sponsors. Remember how you got me to practice your cheers with you because you felt funny doing your yells all by yourself? Anyway, the main sponsor wanted me to become permanent as a cheerleader.” We arrived at Diane’s apartment just as I finished telling her about all the deals and arrangements that had to be made to accommodate me becoming a girl student.

  Before getting out of the car, Diane said, “One thing that bothers me. Hell, a lot of things about this bothers me… is how did you know how to put on make-up and behave like a girl in such a short notice? You said Mom didn’t know until after your first outing as cheerleader.”

  I didn’t answer right away, then sheepishly said, “Well, a few years ago, my former bes
t friend Ed wanted me to pretend to be his date at a party.” Diane started to say something, but I brushed her off saying, “It’s a long story.”

  “Anyway,” I continued, “Ed talked Gwen into transforming me into his date. She didn’t just dress me up, she made me put on my own make-up and made me do it until I got it right.”

  “Gwen was a party to this?!” Diane almost screamed it. “That bitch! She never said anything to me! I don’t believe this! She turned my little brother into a girl!”

  I decided not to tell her about the little dates Ed and I had for short period after that first date.

  “My friends aren’t here yet. Come inside with me. You’ll get to see my apartment before I move out next weekend, and I want to talk to you more about all this crap,” Diane said, still angry. Diane made it clear she wasn’t going to take “No” for an answer.

  After we entered her apartment, we plopped down on her couch. I let my hair out of the ponytail.

  Shaking her head, Diane said, “You actually went on a date with that slimeball Ed? Even a real girl wouldn’t go out with him!”

  “He promised me fifty bucks. He still hasn’t paid me.” I said with a sigh.

  “Prostitution too! Man, this just gets worse by the minute!” laughed Diane. “I don’t know if I can handle this or not. And now you’re dating a football player?”

  “It’s an arrangement,” I said. “It was to provide a cover for me.”

  “Is he cute?”

  “What would I know? He’s just a guy,” I lied.

  “I’m not sure that I buy that,” Diane started to say. There was a sudden knock on the door. Her friends had arrived to take her to the party. She invited them inside. Four college girls filed into her apartment.

  I had been sitting with my legs crossed, but I got up as the girls came in so I could leave. The new arrivals all looked at me as if they’d seen a ghost. Then comically, they looked over to Diane and then back to me.

  “We didn’t know you had a sister, Diane,” said the tall brunette.

  Laughing, Diane said, “That... that is my brother, Chris.”

  The short redhead said, “But he’s so pretty. He looks just like you, Diane!”

  Feeling my face turn red, I said to Diane, “Well, I probably should be getting back to the motel. We have to get up early tomorrow.”

  Looking annoyed, Diane said, “Let me introduce my friends first. Don’t be in such a hurry.” Pointing to the brunette she said, “This is Cindy. Next to her is Rachel, then Cathy and then Susan.”

  “Pleased to meet you, but I probably should be going. I don’t want to interrupt anything.” I didn’t like the way Cindy was looking at me.

  Turning to Diane, Cindy said, “I just thought of something funny. You know, if he had some make-up on, I bet he’d look just like you. His hair is already just as long – if not longer than yours!”

  Looking embarrassed, Diane said, “Don’t be stupid, Cindy. He doesn’t look anything like me. Have a safe trip, Chris.” Diane started walking towards the door.

  Cathy piped up with, “I think that’d be fun! We have plenty of time to get to the party.”

  “Guys, come on. My brother doesn’t want to look like a girl.”

  Susan asked, “Really? Then why does he shape his eyebrows and style his hair?”

  I just laughed and said, “Hey, all my girlfriends complained about my out-of-control eyebrows. I guess I just got a little carried away when I tried to trim them back. I need to go. See ya, Diane!”

  Cindy said, “I think Diane is just afraid her brother is prettier than she is!”

  Hmmm. Side by side, I wondered which one of us would be the prettiest?

  However, I said, “Sorry, but I’m not really interested in being dressed up like a girl.”

  Cathy looked over at her friends and said, “I didn’t think about clothes, too! What a great idea!”

  “Guys! Guys. Have you all lost your minds?” exclaimed Diane.

  Susan said, “Diane, come on! Let’s do something crazy. This is our last night together. Besides, aren’t you the least curious how your brother looks as a girl?”

  Frowning, Diane said, “Actually, I think I have a pretty good idea...”

  Cathy turned back to me and pleaded, “Come on, Chris! It won’t take long and it’ll be fun. Don’t be such a wuss... wearing a little make-up won’t hurt you.”

  “Well, I’m not so sure,” my voice trailed away. To be honest, I was feeling kinda naked all evening being out in public without make-up on. I was amazed at how much of a crutch it had become.

  Cathy grinned and said, “He says he’s not sure! Come on... sit down. Let’s have some fun. Diane, bring some of your make-up out here. Please?”

  Diane hesitated. I could tell she was torn between real curiosity about how I looked as a girl, and really not wanting to see it. When I sat down, a look of resignation flashed on her face, and she said without enthusiasm, “Okay, just a minute. Let me do the make-up though. It’s practically my face anyway.”

  * * *

  “Holy shit!” breathed Cathy as Diane stood back and gave everyone room to view the new me. “I can’t believe it! It’s like you two are twins!”

  Diane laughed as she said, “I can’t believe it myself. Chris, you are gorgeous.”

  Rachel said, “Diane, let him try on one of your dresses.”

  I looked up at the laughing girls and said, “Sure, why the hell not? After all, it’s your party you’re missing, not mine.”

  Diane turned to the other girls and said, “Look, you guys stay here while we go to my bedroom. I’ve seen my brother in his underwear before.”

  Disappointed, Susan said, “But I was hoping we’d help with that. I think that’d be fun.”

  Diane frowned at Susan as she said, “Man, what’s with you guys? I think someone who not only wants to force a guy to cross-dress but also watch him put on the clothes must be some kind of sick pervert!”

  Susan shrugged, “Hey, I make my boyfriend wear my clothes all the time.”

  Rachel exclaimed, “You mean George puts on your clothes?” She was starting to giggle.

  Susan nodded and said, “And a dog collar and leash.” All the girls except Diane burst into laughter.

  Cindy shook her head and said, “My boyfriend wants to wear diapers all the time and wants me to be his ‘mommy’. How weird is that?”

  As we entered her bedroom, I turned to Diane and said, “Did you know this about your buds?”

  Shutting the door, she said, “No. And personally, I wish I hadn’t.” Pointing, she continued, “There’s the closet. Help yourself. I assume you already know how to wear everything.”

  As I stripped down to my underwear, Diane said, “You’re still wearing my panties!”

  “It’s the only underwear I brought!” I rummaged through her dresser and pulled out a pair of black, lacy, French cut panties. “Hey, cool! Can I wear these?”

  Diane snatched them from me and bluntly said, “No! You may not. Just wear what you have on. Will you pick a dress please so we can get this foolishness over with? I really would like to get to that party some time tonight.”

  “Okay, okay!” I said as I opened her closet door. She had a lot of nice stuff. A lot nicer than what she had left at home.

  I pulled out a very cute black dress with a very short skirt. “Do you have any shoes and pantyhose to match this?” I asked.

  Nodding, she said, “The pumps are in the closet somewhere.”

  I laid the dress on her bed and returned to her dresser. I pulled out a lacy black bra. “I am going to need this.” Diane gave me a “yeah, whatever” wave. I pulled out a pair of black pantyhose to wear and a couple of other pairs to use to stuff the bra.

  While hooking the bra together I said, “It’s funny... my first experience as a girl was wearing an outfit very similar to this one.” I picked up the dress and started to wriggle into it.

  “Tell me about that,” Diane said as I started s
earching through her earrings. “Why on earth would you even think of such a thing?”

  While putting on an earring I said, “It’s a long story, Diane.” She frowned at that so I added, “The really short version is that Ed wanted a date to make a girl he liked jealous. No girl would go with him, so he offered to give me fifty dollars and got Gwen to dress me up. That’s how it started.”

  Shaking her head, Diane said, “I’m going to have to kick Gwen’s ass when I get home. She never said anything about this. How could she not tell me!?” She paused as she watched me step in the pair of high heels. “You like being a girl, don’t you?”

  I stopped posing in front of her mirror and turned to look her directly in the eye. “Yes, Diane. Honest to God. I love being a girl!”

  “And Mom and Dad are okay with this?”

  “Dad had therapy after my first experience of being a girl. He really doesn’t like it now, but he’s handling it better. Mom didn’t like it at first, but I think she’s kinda happy to have a daughter around the house again,” I said.

  “She’ll have me back... for a while anyway. Are you going to revert to being Chris when I get home?” asked Diane.

  I shook my head as I said, “I’m kinda committed to do this through the end of school. If I get a cheerleader scholarship, I’ll have to be a girl in college, too.”