Shelley spends the last few of the holidays playing with neighbours and catching up on homework with a couple of new study-buddies. Then they invite her to hang out with a few friends at the mall. She agrees to go, because soon she'll have to do the same thing at school. What she doesn't realise is that most of the school rugby team will be meeting them for the event...

Following Michael's embarrassing dream, Aunt Miranda has ideas on a few things that need to be done. The first involves a visit to a doctor and third a meeting with Michael's mum, for which (secondly) he rather urgently needs something special to wear.

For those of you who opened they third chapter early, please go back to it. I moved some text from the beginning of this chapter to the end of the last, so you may miss some relevant information if you just read on from here.

Having awoken something in the half hour alone with his cousin's bridesmaid's dress, Michael wonders what might be possible, especially with his father around. Fortunately for him, his aunt is also present and gifted with a little insight.

Michael Thorne has always known he was different, but his parents have left him with no illusions that what he feels is wrong. He struggles with it for much of his short life, then in the space of a few weeks, and a few dresses, he discovers… something new.

Georgy Girl

The picture may be a little misleading but should make sense towards the end. If you click on it, you'll link to the artist.
If you're not familiar with the song, you can listen to it here.
This story has nothing to do with either the 1965 novel by Margaret Forster or the 1966 film that was based on it.
This is my second entry in the competition. Since it's not being voted on (but rather judged) I'm happy that posting more than one entry isn't going to split the vote. I know any author can only place for one prize, which I think is a great idea, I'm just offering up a bit more choice. This is shorter than 'A Change of Heart', but it probably has a little more of the current me in it. The other was more the me from thirty years ago.

c

They did exchange one more kiss — down by the boathouse, away from prying eyes and unwanted interruptions.

"That was nice," Anneka said as they parted.

"Yeah, I suppose," Lori agreed.

“Didn’t you like it?” Anneka’s brow creased with concern.

“It’s not that. I don’t know, I suppose I expected something more.”

“Maybe I didn’t do it right.”

“No, I’m pretty sure you did. I guess, maybe… I don’t know. Maybe I’m not ready for this… Yet.”

Anneka dropped her gaze. Lori reached out for her friend’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Maybe I’m just too caught up in what I’m going through right now. I mean I like you — you know, like really like you. It’s just…”

Anneka lifted her head and offered a fragile smile. “It’s okay, I mean we have loads of time, don’t we? This doesn’t have to be a now thing. It doesn’t change things between us, does it?”

Loris squeezed again. “Of course not. I mean friends first and forever, right?"

Anneka forced her smile a little wider. "Friends first and forever."

High up in the castle, Minerva's office gave her a clear view. She didn't like spying on pupils, but she’d been concerned. She let out a relieved sigh.

"Well," she murmured to herself, "there’s at least one problem can be put off for another day.”

It took me a while to rewrite the conversation between Lori and Lysander. I’m still not sure I’m totally happy with it, but here goes.

I won’t give a preamble here as the previous chapter is somewhere around here for you to read if you haven’t got to it yet. Without further ado, here’s chapter two.

With apologies for applying a considerable amount of artistic license to these (and other) characters, let the adventure begin.