The Reluctant Prom Date (The Reluctant Series Book 4)

by Melanie Brown

  "What?" I asked. "Is there something wrong?"

  "Could be," she said cryptically. "It's déjá -vu all over again." She handed me the paper and pointed at one sentence. "Take a look at that."

  I took the paper from her and read the line. "Ah crap, man! It's not fair!" I read the small print and it said, 'All contestants must submit to a complete physical exam.'

  "I can't bullshit my way through that!" I exclaimed. "What am I going to do now? They'll find out I'm not a girl and Sandy will have my head on a platter."

  * * *

  Chapter 7

  “What am I going to do, Diane?” I cried. “I can’t pass a physical exam!”

  Diane thought a moment, and then a sly smile spread across her face. “Hey, sis. Don’t worry about it. I think I know what we can do.”

  What are you thinking?” I asked, unsure.

  “We can use one of those temporary dyes to darken my hair and I can do the exam for you,” she said.

  “How? How can we arrange that? Do you know where they’ll do the exam at the contest?” I asked, skeptical of her idea.

  Diane shook her head, “Unless something has changed, Coach Renwick usually took us to a local gynecologist for the exam and they just sent a report saying each girl was cleared for the contest. They’re looking for stuff like pregnancies, broken bones and general health. They’re not really trying to filter out boys, although that’s still a result.”

  “I don’t know. How could we switch? Do they do that after school? During school?” I asked.

  Shrugging, Diane said, “Well, last time, the coach drove us over there right after school in the school van. We’ll have time to plan the switch. And, Coach Renwick will have to be in on it. I think your problem will be solved.”

  I thought a moment, then with a wry smile, I said, “You know, this really complicates the paper trail should I decide to go back to being Chris after graduation.”

  Diane looked puzzled and said, “I thought you wanted to stay a girl. I thought you’d decided.”

  “I thought so too. Who knows how I’ll feel after graduation and I don’t have an obligation to stay a girl?” I studied the floor for a moment.

  Diane stood up from my bed and said, “Well, you’d better decide, girl. You’d better figure out just who you are.”

  “Does any teenager know who they are?” I asked.

  Diane walked to the door and started to open it. “You’ll be eighteen in a week. I think you would know if you’re a boy or a girl. My transsexual friend in college…” Diane paused a moment as she thought of her friend’s tragedy, “… she’d known she was a girl for as long as she could remember. I know your situation is different, but you have to ask yourself, deep down, who are you more comfortable as… Chris, or Chrissy.”

  I nodded, “Yeah, I think I know. How can you be sure though?”

  “No one can answer that for you. I know who I’d prefer you become.” She opened the door and left.

  * * *

  My being grounded was over; I had plans for a movie date with Jeff. The doorbell rang and I rushed to the door shouting, "I'll get it!" I threw open the door and there stood Jeff, smiling. I still melted at the sight of that smile.

  I threw my arms around his neck and we kissed as if we hadn't seen each other in weeks. I lay my head on his chest as he put his arms around me. I closed my eyes. I felt so warm and secure in his arms. I just stood there a minute and hugged him while he played with my hair.

  Jeff broke the silence by asking, "Hey, want to get a taco or something before the movie?"

  "Sure!"

  We walked quickly to Jeff's car. It was cold and had been raining.

  As I climbed into the car, he asked, "So, Chrissy, is there anything you want for your birthday?"

  I knew exactly what I wanted. I said, "You know those earrings I was showing you last week at Goldfarb’s?" How strange my life had become, I thought. Last year I wanted several computer games, or DVD's or a motorcycle. This year I was asking my boyfriend for a pair of diamond earrings.

  Jeff frowned slightly, "Yeah, I remember those earrings. Is there anything else that's on your list?"

  I pouted, "Well, John Gray's Band has a new CD out. Oh, and remember that cute sweater at Penny's?"

  Jeff drove the car away from the curb and said, "Hmmm... okay. I'll think of something for your birthday."

  During the movie, I clutched Jeff's arm and leaned as close to him as I could get. All I wanted was Jeff. I couldn't get enough of him. I feel complete when we're together.

  My hand slipped down to Jeff's lap. I was surprised by what I felt through his pants. I massaged him through his pants and he responded with a light groan. I looked around quickly and was very thankful for the almost empty theater as I slowly unzipped Jeff's pants.

  * * *

  Mandy was waiting for me on the front steps of school, "Hey girl! Happy Birthday!" she squealed. "How does it feel to finally be eighteen?"

  "Thanks!" I said as I gave Mandy a hug. "Feels great to finally be here!"

  As we entered the school, the other girls from the squad were standing in the hall and they all yelled out, "Happy birthday!"

  "Thanks, guys! I'm surprised anyone knew!"

  They all gathered around me as Mandy said, "Here. We all got you something." She opened her purse and started to pull something out.

  "Guys, you didn't have to get me anything!" I said.

  Mandy handed me a little box, "It's a small thing, but it's from all of us."

  I opened the box and inside was a bracelet with six bangles of various shapes. On each bangle was engraved the first name of each cheerleader.

  Stephanie grinned, "This way you'll never forget us."

  "Oh, I'll never forget you guys! I love it! Thanks!" I said as I slipped the bracelet on. We all did a group hug and then we each went on our way to class.

  Standing outside my first period class was Jeff. He was leaning against the wall and smiled as I approached.

  “Hey, babe!” he said as I stopped in front of him. Before I could say anything, he pulled a single rose from behind his back and said, “Happy birthday, Chrissy.”

  I took the rose and sniffed it. “Thank you, Jeff. It’s very pretty.”

  He smiled and said, “I thought I’d give you something up here and save your present for tonight.”

  I raised an eyebrow and quite frankly, I’m not ashamed of the thoughts that ran through my mind.

  Jeff continued, apparently not reading the expression on my face, “You know. Tonight at your house. Your mom invited me over for dinner tonight to celebrate your birthday.”

  “Oh, yeah, that’s right!” I laughed. “It’s already been an exciting morning. Look what the squad got me.” I held up my bracelet so Jeff could see it.

  “That’s very nice,” said Jeff, as he handled a couple of the bangles, smudging them with his fingerprints.

  He glanced at his watch and said, “Oh, I gotta get to my class.” He made a quick survey up and down the hall and seeing no teachers around; he quickly bent down and kissed me. His scent lingered in my nose as I watched him hurry down the hall.

  * * *

  On the way to my third period class, I saw Joey standing by his locker. He actually seemed to be waiting for me today instead of just loading his book bag.

  “Happy birthday, Chris,” said Joey. He had an odd look about him. And he seemed nervous about something.

  "Thanks, Joey!" I said with a smile.

  He pulled an envelope out of his hip pocket. He hesitated, and then said, "Here. This is for you." He handed me the envelope.

  "You got me a card! That's sweet! Thanks again, Joey." I said as I took the envelope.

  He looked real nervous and said, "It's not a card. It's your present. If you want it."

  Looking curiously at Joey, I opened the envelope.

  There was a card inside. It looked kinda sorta like a gift card. I opened it and started to read it. I read it again. Then a t
hird time. "Joey, what is this? Am I reading this right?"

  Joey smiled uncomfortably and said, "You read it correctly. It's like a gift certificate, although my dad doesn't really do gift cards. Especially for that. But... but yeah, it's for a free boob job. That is, uh, if that's something you want to do."

  I just stood there, dumbfounded with my mouth hanging open. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. I said to Joey, "I don't know what to say. I... I don't know what to do."

  Looking really embarrassed, Joey said, "Well, I know how much you hate the breast forms and with warmer weather coming up, there's a lot of clothes you won't be able to wear. And most prom dresses require a real bust line; I just thought... I thought... oh the hell with it. I've insulted you. Give me back the card."

  "No Joey. You didn't insult me. I ... I... if I did this, it changes everything. It'd take me a big step towards being a girl. But, I ... jeesh, I don't know."

  Joey was quick to say, "Now, this isn't a sex change or anything. This is reversible. And... and Dad uses saline, not silicone and he goes in through the armpits, so there's less scaring. Boob jobs are kinda his specialty."

  I stared at the card, "This is some gift, Joey. Just on the cost alone, I can't accept it. I can't let you spend that kind of money on me."

  Joey looked sheepish and said, "Well, I'm getting a substantial discount. Naturally, he won't do it for free, but I didn't pay full price." He hesitated a moment, then added, "You're so happy as a girl compared to the way you used to be, I just wanted to help."

  I gave Joey a hug and without thinking, a kiss on the cheek. He didn't flinch or pull away.

  "I had thought about giving you that for Christmas," said Joey. "But there's no way Dad would do it unless you're eighteen. You still have to get your parents to sign it though."

  "I don't know if I could really go through with it, but thank you. I'll have to talk to my parents about this."

  Joey picked up his book bag and started to move away. "Happy birthday again, Chris. And if you choose not to do that, you won't hurt my feelings, okay? Only do it if you truly want to. Dad's had to reverse some boob jobs on women after they decided it really wasn't what they wanted."

  He waved and walked away towards his next class. I walked slowly through the halls to my next class, reading and re-reading the card. Oh my God. This was both a dream and a nightmare. What if I made the wrong decision? What if not getting it was the wrong decision? I was exhilarated and horrified at the same time.

  * * *

  "There's the birthday girl!"

  "Jeff!" I cried as I flung my arms around him after opening the door. I planted a big wet kiss on his lips and then moved aside so he could come in. It was cold and raining again.

  As he entered the house, Jeff called to Mom and Dad, "Hey, Mr. D. Mrs. D. Diane." Mom took the gift bag from him and set it near the dining table.

  Diane gave Jeff a hug and said, "Hey, if you ever decide to dump Chrissy, you know where I live!"

  Jeff glanced at me and let out a nervous laugh. I said, "She's just joking."

  "No, I'm not," Diane said as she smiled broadly at Jeff.

  I whispered in Diane's ear, "Back off, he's mine!"

  "Do you have any papers?" Diane whispered back.

  Before I could think of something witty to say, Dad slapped Jeff on the back and said, "Hey, did you catch the game Sunday? That was some game, I'll tell ya!" Dad and Jeff sat together on the couch and began chatting about football.

  Diane looked over at me and shrugged, "Looks like Dad got him instead."

  Mom called out, "Girls! You want to help me set the table?"

  "Mom. I don't get it," I pouted. "Even on my birthday, the guys lounge around talking football while we women have to stand here and feed them."

  As she laid out the silverware, Mom said, "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it. Besides, I don't think guys are ever going to change."

  Mom had already done most of the cooking. Diane made the mashed potatoes while I prepared the salad. The sizzling fillet mignon steaks sure smelled good.

  While we ate, the conversation was mostly small talk about school or current TV shows or football.

  During an extended lull, Mom turned to Jeff and asked, "So, Jeff. What are your plans after graduation?"

  Giving me a quick hug, Jeff said, “Well, thanks to Chrissy, I have a scholarship at State.”

  Dad asked, “What are you going to study, son?”

  “Well, Mr. D, right now I’m thinking about electrical engineering. But I haven’t really decided on anything yet.”

  Mom said, “Chrissy’s going to go to County College, aren’t you?”

  I poked around in my plate as I said, “I don’t know, Mom. If I get that cheerleader scholarship, I can go to County for two years, and then I can go to State with Jeff. But I think that Mandy is a shoe-in for that scholarship.”

  Mom smiled and said, “Well, I think it’s time for some birthday cake!”

  Diane stood up and said, “I’ll help you, Mom.”

  A minute later, Diane was handing out smaller plates and Mom brought out the cake with eighteen glowing candles. Mom set the cake down in front of me and then they all started singing ‘Happy Birthday’.

  When the song was over, Mom said as she had for as long as I could remember, “Make a wish and blow out the candles!”

  I closed my eyes and made a wish. It was a silly, school girl wish, but I meant it. I wished that one day soon, Jeff would make me Mrs. Jeff Kowalski. I took a deep breath and blew. One pesky candle only flickered and a quick second breath blew it out.

  Diane handed me a knife. “Birthday girl gets to make the first cut. Don’t forget to make a wish as you cut!”

  As I cut the cake, my second wish that evening was that I could be the girl Jeff wanted me to be...

  Diane took the cake away from me to finish cutting it. As she was handing out the slices, Mom handed me a bright pink bag that said "Happy Birthday" on the side.

  "Happy Birthday, Honey," said Mom as I took the bag.

  Inside the bag were panties, a skirt, two tops, and an eye make-up kit.

  "Thanks Mom!" I said as Dad handed me a plastic bag.

  I opened the bag and inside was a computer game. It was a fairly recent shooter game.

  Dad said, "I bought that a few months ago for your birthday. I didn't know I was going to have a daughter instead back then."

  "Thanks Dad! I still like computer games!" I said as I glanced over the screen shots on the back of the box.

  From Diane I got a music CD, several shades of nail polish, a bunch of clips and stuff for my hair and a new purse.

  Jeff picked his bag off the floor and said, "I got you something too, babe." He handed me the bag.

  Out of the bag came a very nice sweater, a bracelet, a music CD, and a coupon good for a free Happy Meal. The earrings I'd asked for were nowhere in sight. Oh well.

  "Thanks, Jeff!" I squealed. I gave him a big hug and a kiss. When I pulled away from Jeff, I could see Dad's eye twitching.

  After the presents and the cake, Diane and Mom cleared the table and Dad brought out his Trivial Pursuit game. Dad won. He always wins at Trivial Pursuit. The game's so old that Dad's the only one that knows the answers.

  It was time for Jeff to leave. I stood on the front porch to say good night to him. The cold wind whipped around us, but I barely noticed. Jeff opened his coat wide and pulled me close to him.

  "You look like you're freezing," said Jeff as he closed his arms around me.

  I just held him close and said, "I'm fine." I closed my eyes and held him tight. This was all I really needed until the end of time.

  "Did you have a good birthday?" asked Jeff.

  "It was the greatest!" I smiled, looking right into Jeff's eyes. He slowly bent his head down towards me and our lips touched once more. I held him tighter as our tongues entwined, our hot breath swirling in the wind around us. His every kiss was as if I'd never been kissed
before and I held on to them as if every kiss would be our last.

  Finally, Jeff pulled away and said, "I really need to go now. I don't want to, but I need to." He studied my face a moment, and then ran his fingers down my cheek, "I still can't get over just how beautiful you are."

  He kissed me one last time, said good night and headed for his car. A minute later he was gone.

  When I entered the house, Mom and Dad were sitting at the table, talking. They'd long since quit looking out the window at Jeff and me on the porch.

  I walked over to my purse and pulled out Joey's present. I really needed to talk to them, but I didn't want to start a screaming match. I hesitated a moment, then bit my lower lip in determination. I turned around and sat down at the table.

  As I sat down, they stopped talking. I guess my face told them I had a problem to discuss. I looked at both their faces, then back at the card from Joey, "Mom. Dad. I have a problem to discuss with you guys."

  Dad re-adjusted his sitting position and Mom said, "What is it, dear?"

  I sighed, "I don't know any good way to bring this up, so here, take a look at this and let me know what you think."

  Mom took the card and read it for a moment. Her eyes grew wide and all she said was, "Oh my!" She handed the card to Dad.

  As Dad read the card, his whole head started to turn red and his eye twitched uncontrollably. After a moment, he shouted, "Just what the hell is this, Chris?"

  I swallowed audibly, "It's my birthday present from Joey. His dad is a plastic surgeon. Mom, I could have my own breasts! Wouldn't that be cool?"

  "This is nuts!" bellowed Dad. "No son of mine is going to get a... a... a boob job!"

  I could feel tears start to well up. These things never went right. I said as calmly as I could, "Dad. I'm not your son any more. I'm your daughter. You've said so yourself. I don't want to be a boy again."

  Harshly, Dad said, "Chris, I don't care what you think you are, physically; you're still very much a boy! In fact, you're eighteen, for God's sake! You're a man now."

  I looked Dad straight in the eyes, "Dad. Look at me. Do you see a man anywhere? Please let me do this! Do you have any idea what this would mean to me? To actually have breasts?"