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Previously:
 
“It’s true, Jess.” Sam never went on a date before. The old Sam was too much of a loner. We did hang out a lot together until last year, but we always were like sisters.” Steph said.

“Ohhhhh!! That will be so much fun. What do you think of a dinner and movie?” Jess asked.

“It sounds good to me.”

“That’s settled then.” She said.

“Oh, I have a problem though.” I said.

“What is that?” Steph asked.

“I don’t have anything to wear.”
 

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Chapter 24
 
Jess and Steph looked at me funnily for a few seconds after I said that and started to laugh.

“Why are you two laughing? Did I say something funny?” I said pouting.

Jess came to me, gave me a big hug and said. “I’m sorry we laughed, Sam. It’s just that…” she stopped uncertain of what to say.

“Just that…?” I said.

“I’ll answer that, Jess.” Steph said. “Sam, how long have you been living as a girl?”

“You know how long, Steph.”

“I know, but I want you to say it anyway.”

“I guess since Friday night, when the both of you and Liz made me your personal Barbie doll.”

“So, that’s how many days?” Jess asked me.

“Can’t either of you do math?”

“We can, but I think I know where Steph is getting at.” Jess said.

“Let me see…. Today is Tuesday so it makes 4 days.” I said. “Just 4 days? I can’t believe it.”

“Yes, Sam. It has been only 4 days. Of course you made the decision a few days before.” Jess told me.

“And you took being a girl as a fish to the water.” Steph added.

“But I am just being myself.” I said.

“We know that, but you kinda surprised us when you said that.” Jess said.

“Said what?” I asked confused.

“Did you forget already?” Steph asked me.

“The ‘I have nothing to wear for my date’ thing?” I asked.

“Yes, we just went to the mall this weekend and your mom bought you several new outfits, you didn’t use almost anything yet.” Steph said.

“I know, but I don’t have anything that neither of you didn’t see me wearing already. I had to model them all to you and I wanted to wear something that Jess didn’t see me in.” I said in tears.

“Oh sweetie, don’t cry.” Jess said holding me tightly. “I can understand that.”

“Sam, what made what you said earlier so funny is that it reminded us of our own reactions right after getting asked on a date before.” Steph said.

“Really?”

“Yes, Sam. We might have everything we need but for a date we always want to look extra special and have doubts to what to wear and the ‘I have nothing to wear’ bit comes to our minds, sometimes we even say it out loud too.” Jess said. “I do see your point now. It’s true that I saw everything you have already. Actually we helped you to buy everything you have now.”

I look at Steph and see her eyes practically scintillating now.

“Huh, Steph?”

“Yes?”

“Why are your eyes scintillating?”

“I just got a little idea, that’s why.”

“Do I dare to ask what it is?”

“Oh, I see.” Jess said.

“See what?” I was utterly and completely clueless now.

“I know that look.” Jess said.

“What kind of look is that?”

“It’s the let’s go shopping look.”

“Oh, I thought it was the ‘Are you ready to be a Barbie doll again?’ look.”

“Well… actually Sam isn’t technically wrong, because she will feel a little like a Barbie doll again.” Steph said and giggled.

“But if we go shopping Jess will see the outfit before our date.”

“Just the both of us, silly. Jess won’t come this time.” Steph said.

“Oh.”

“Also I want to get me something new, just in case.” Steph added.

“In case of what?” I asked.

“In case I get a date Friday too.” She added.

“Do you think he will ask you out?” Jess asked.

“I hope so.” Steph said with a dreaming look in her eyes.

“I noticed how you two have been exchanging looks today. I think he might. Maybe if we have a little word with his sister she might help to make it happen.”

“You think it will help?” Steph asked.

“I think Sam is right, she can help. I know she noticed the way you two look at each other too.” Jess said.

“I think everyone saw it at lunch today.” I added.

Steph blushed and said. “Was it that obvious?”

“Only a guy wouldn’t have noticed.” Jess said and giggled.

“I’m glad I’m not one then.” I said.

“No you are not. You are becoming a very girly girl.” Steph said and giggled.

“I guess it’s because I am making up for the lost time.”

“I don’t mind you being a girly girl, as long you are my girly girl.” Jess said and gave me a light kiss on my lips.

“I don’t mind it either.” I said and smiled.
 

 
As soon I got home I opened the front door and yelled “MOOOOM I’M HOME!!”

’I’m starting to act just like Jess.’ I thought to myself and giggled.

Mom came downstairs and said.

“Hi sweetie. Did you take some lessons from Jess? How did your first day at school go?”

“Hi, mom. Sorry about that, it’s just that I’m a little excited right now. Things went pretty well at school I think but a little strange too.”

“Let’s hear why you are excited first and then you tell me about your first day back at school. How does that sound?”

“I have a date Friday night and I need to get a new outfit.” I said.

“A date?”

“Yes, Jess asked me out on a date.” I said.

“That’s great sweetheart, but why do you need a new outfit? I thought we bought quite a few just a few days ago.”

“But Jess saw me wearing them all. I want to wear something she didn’t see me wearing yet.”

“Okay sweetie, do you want me to take you to the mall?”

“There is no need mom, Steph and I will go there tomorrow after school, right after we walk Jess home.”

“Do you need a lift?”

“Maybe to get back home. I don’t want to impose, mom.”

“You are not imposing, sweetie.”

“Okay.”

“I just got an idea.” Mom said.

“What?”

“Call me when you are almost done and we can grab a bite to eat at the mall. That way I don’t need to cook tomorrow.”

“I’d like that. I think Steph will too.”

“I’m glad you two are friends again. She has been very good to you.”

“I know. I can’t believe how stupid I was to think she would do anything to hurt me. I still feel bad about it.”

“You were feeling hurt and betrayed, when something like this happens it can be devastating, especially when its someone you trust and love.”

“That’s true. I was a mess after that, wasn’t I?”
“I won’t lie to you, Sam. Yes, you got me worried for a while. You were always so sad and refused to talk about it.”

“I’m sorry mom. I promise I’ll never bottle up things inside again.”

“You know you can always talk to me, right?”

“I do, and I promise I’ll always talk to you when something is bothering me, or when something makes me happy or I’ll just talk to you because I love to talk to you.”

“Thanks, sweetie.”

“Oh, I just remembered something.”

“What is that?”

“Don’t you have a date Saturday?”

“You know I do.”

“I’ll have to talk to Steph than and you HAVE to come to the mall with us. You need something new too. I want my mom to look the best for her date.”

“How did you know I was thinking of buying something new for my date?”

“Mom, you didn’t buy new clothes since dad died. I think it’s time for you to start renewing your wardrobe and I want to help.”
“Okay, sweetie. If Steph agrees I will go to the mall tomorrow with you to get a new dress for my date. We can start building up my wardrobe a little later when we have a little more time.”

“Okay mom.”

“Now tell me about your day.”
 

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