Part 48 By Anistasia Allread “Gross, it's be like changing with a guy, leering at you.” Ashlee agreed. “Wait until you see her at lunch, prancing around as if she owned the school.” |
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P&P 48
“I keep hearing about this guy, 'the plague', who is he?” Tricia asked, acting dumb. “You've heard about him too haven't you, Erika?”
“I have heard people talk about him. Does he go to this school?” Erika asked.
“He did last year.” Taylor nodded. “He was pretty much a loser. Stayed to himself, quiet, clumsy, kind of like a quiet more emo version of Stephanie. He was a great artist though. His style is very similar to yours.” Taylor remarked. “Yours seems more happy though.”
“Well, I'm glad to hear that. . . I think.” Erika bit her lip.
“Oh well. It was just an observation.” Taylor seemed to get her mind back on track. “The posters are looking really good Erika.” She turned to Tricia. “Thank you for helping out.”
“Not a problem.” Tricia smiled.
Taylor smiled, flipped her hair over her shoulder as she spun and went back to dance practice.
“That was close.” Erika sighed heavily.
“We need to figure out a way to deflect these 'plague' questions.” Tricia's brow furrowed in thought.
“My mother and I were spotted by a neighbor at the store the other day.” Erika told her friend.
“What happened? Did she recognize you?”
“My mother told her that I was Eric's cousin.” Erika grinned.
“And she bought it?” Tricia asked.
“She remarked upon how much the two of us look alike, but didn't question it.”
Tricia looked at Erika in deep thought.
“Of course she is Stephanie Harold's mother.” Erika added.
“You mean 'creepy Stephanie'?” Tricia asked.
“That's not very nice.” Erika looked stern. Her hard face then lightened up to a smile. “But yes, that is who.”
“Is her mother just as creepy?”
“Creepier.”
Tricia smiled and looked off into space for a moment. “It could work.”
“What?” Erika asked.
“When pushed to answer for you being Eric,” Tricia clarified, “You just tell them that the two of you are cousins.”
“It sounds a bit week doesn't it?” Erika asked.
Tricia shrugged. “Who's going to counter it?”
Erika shrugged. “I don't know.”
“What are they going to do? Ask you to drop your panties and prove it?”
Erika looked at her friend in shock. The two then burst into giggles.
--o0o--
“How about this?” Erika asked walking from her room to her mother's.
Her mother looked her up and down. “That's very nice too.” She smiled. “So have the last four outfits you have shown me.”
“Well, I want to look nice for our family pictures.” Erika stated. “Which one do you think looks the best?”
“I think that the royal blue sweater with the denim skirt looked nice.”
“What about the leopard print skirt and black top?” Erika asked.
“Well, most pictures are taken of our faces and black doesn't bring out your eyes,and it shows off a little too much cleavage, besides the skirt screams sexy which isn't exactly what you'd want in a family picture.”
“I guess you are right.” Erika pad back into her room and laid out the outfit for tomorrow's pictures.
“I can't get you to see Sasha tomorrow, but I did get you in to see a stylist, then we are getting our makeup done before posing for the pictures.” her mother called down the hall at her.
“Should I wear this to school tomorrow then? Or change when we get there?”
“I think it would be alright to wear to school as long as you're careful.”
Erika finished her homework and got on line. She couldn't believe how backed up her email had become.
Hey Erika,
Matt here. We're coming in to your town to play your high school in football. I was just wondering if we can get together or something. I'd love to show you what I have written on my story.
Toss me a text or something,
Matt.
Erika, Long time no hear from. How is life treating you as a girl? Things here suck right now. Derek and I had a big fight. I don't know what came over me. I said some pretty rotten things. God, I hope he'll come back so that I can apologize. Crap, now I'm rambling on.
So how are you and Tricia doing? How about you and your parents? Why do boys have to be so stupid? It was just . . . . oh forget it.
Should I call his mom and talk to her? She might understand won't she? Erika, what do I do?
Dani
Dude, are you not speaking to us now that you are a cheerleader and all? I hope you haven't blown your cover and all. Just dropping you a line to let you know that I'm not dead or anything.
Rachel
Eric Martin,
Did you know that you can get Viagra through the mail? You can, and it is as easy as clicking on the link below to take you to this wonderful uplifting site. We promise you anonymity in mailing your order to you
Hello Miss Erika.
How is school going? Everything here is going well....... well, better than well. I finally met a guy and guess what? He's taller than me. It's amazing isn't it? He plays basketball for out school. He says, get this. “He likes not having to hurt his back, bending over to kiss his girlfriend”. Isn't that so sweet?
I haven't seen much of Dani lately. She seems busy with her boyfriend. I think I'll ask her is she wants to go out on a double date.
How are things with your love life?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Katie.
Erika,
Sorry I went off on you like that. Derek and I had a sit down and talked through things. I didn't have to talk to his mom. I have the most wonderful guy ever! . . . . . all thanks to you. We both miss you and hope to see you next summer.
Sorry to have bothered you.
Dani
Erika wrote out a few brief replies to her friends and deleted the adds from her mailbox before going to bed.
--o0o--
Erika smoothed down her skirt, and turned in front of the mirror. She had never worn dressy heels like this to school before. She admired her strong shapely legs encased comfortably in nylons. She didn't feel right not wearing any makeup with this outfit so she put on just a touch of foundation and then did some extra bit of eyeshadow to make her eyes pop even more. A light coat of lip gloss and she carefully made her way down stairs.
“Don't you look pretty.” her father greeted.
Erika beamed with his appraise. “Will it be okay for our family pictures?” she asked.
“I'd say so.” Mr. Martin nodded.
“Mom spoke to me how important it is for us to show me as a normal girl so that questions won't get you fired.”
“She said what?”
Erika gave him a brief run down of the conversation she had with her mother the other day.
“It is a possibility.” her father nodded, “But that is not something your mother should be speaking to you about.”
“But daddy, if I'm to be a real girl, then I need to be thinking about how I act reflects upon you. Don't I?”
“Not in that manner.” her father sighed. “You going to eat?”
“Just a bit of juice and a piece of toast, I've got to watch my figure.”
Mr. Martin rolled his eyes. He shook his head and went back to his paper.
“Good morning.” Mrs. Martin greeted entering the kitchen in her bathrobe.
“Morning.” Erika greeted.
“Honey when is your crazy Aunt Carrie coming in?”
“She isn't crazy.” her father corrected. “She comes in tomorrow night. I'll be picking her up at the airport.”
“Can I go?” Erika asked.
“I don't see why not.”
The sound of a horn out front alerted Erika to Samantha's presence.
“Gotta go.”
“I'll be picking you up form school this afternoon.” Erika's mother instructed.
“Yes mom.”
Erika zipped her jacket up and grabbed her duffel bag.
“We need to look into getting you a popper coat while we are out today.”
“What is wrong with this?” Erika stopped at the door.
“It's a jacket. You need something to wear when dressed up.” her mother explained.
“What ever.” Erika waved to her father and left the house.
“Wow, you look nice.” Samantha noticed.
“We are getting family pictures done today.” Erika explained.
“Did you bring a pair of flats or tennis shoes?” Samantha pulled out of the drive.
“No.”
Samantha sighed.
“What?” Erika asked.
“You'll find out soon enough.”
“Find out what?”
“How long it takes before your feet start to hurt.”
The two girls stopped by Tricia's house and picked her up before going to school.
“Whoa, what is the occasion?” Tricia asked as they got out of the car.
“Family pictures this afternoon.”
“You look fantastic.” Tricia smiled.
Tricia took Erika's free hand in hers as they walked through the parking lot towards the school. Erika squeezed Tricia's hand three times. Tricia responded likewise.
“Nice top.” Ashlee commented.
“Thanks.” Erika beamed.
Whistles and cat calls followed them as they walked hand in hand down the hall.
“Damn, Erika!” Stan looked her up and down. “You're looking fine today.”
“And She's all mine.” Tricia gave him a toothy grin.
“Can I watch?” Greg snickered in passing.
“Ignore the Neanderthal, Erika.” Tricia spoke louder than needed. “His knuckles dragging on the ground interrupts his thought process.”
Tricia waited for Erika to put her stuff into her locker, then pulled her close for an intimate kiss. “Damn, you look good.” She said releasing her girlfriend. “See you at lunch.”
Erika found herself without a friend in the crowded hallway. She took her books from her locker and started to make her way down the hall. Walking in the shoes and tight skirt wasn't the most comfortable idea that she had had lately.
Erika made her way to class to more whistles. She set down her books and made her way to the bathroom. Sure she looked good but getting through all of these layers just to go pee was an issue that boys never had to deal with.
Erika had just sat upon the toilet when a few girls entered the room.
“Did you see Erika Summers, and her dyke Tricia this morning?” Ashlee giggled.
“Not yet, why?” another girl asked.
“Well, Erika's dressed like some kind of ho and Tricia was all over her like a rutting dog.”
“Seriously?” the girl asked.
“Erika is wearing stiletto heels and a short skirt. Her top is is so low cut that I'd be embarrassed walking down the hall next to her.” Ashlee stated.
Erika stifled a gasp and looked down at her chest. Her top wasn't that low. Her mother would not have allowed her to consider it for the picture if it had been.
“I'm surprised they allow her on the cheer squad.” the second girl put in. “Would you want to change in the same dressing room with her let alone dance with her? You've seen the moves that they do with one another.”
“Gross, it's be like changing with a guy, leering at you.” Ashlee agreed. “Wait until you see her at lunch, prancing around as if she owned the school.”
The two girls grabbed their books and left the bathroom. Erika sat on the toilet, shocked at what she had just witnessed. She didn't look like a whore. She simply dressed nice for the day. She looked no different from any other girl she had seen dress up. Why would Ashlee be so mean? Ashlee was the one who complimented her on her top this morning.
Erika quickly finished her business in the bathroom as the bell rang. She washed her hands and looked at herself in the mirror. The only difference she had made today was that she wore her shadow a bit heavier and wore a more tailored skirt and of course the heels. It wasn't like she was wearing a mini skirt and tube top.
Erika wet a paper towel and put it up to her face. Should she take the makeup off at least? She turned her face one way and then another. No. there was nothing wrong with her makeup. She tossed the towel in the trash and walked to her classroom. The only sound was the light clicking of her heels echoing up and down the hall.
“You're late.” her teacher stated the obvious as she entered the class.
“Sorry. I had to use the ladies room.” Erika explained taking her seat.
The teacher went on with the instruction. Erika wrote a quick note and passed it to Krystal.
Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing?
Krystal wrote on it and passed back.
No, you look very nice today, why?
Erika: Ashlee and another girl said I looked like a ho.
Krystal: Ashlee is the ho. She is probably jealous of the attention that you are getting. Why are you dressed up anyway?
Erika: family pics today. I didn't want to change in the studio
Krystal: well you look great.
“Ms. Summers.” her instructor caught her attention.
“Yes?” Erika asked, blushing.
“See me after class.”
Erika nodded.
“If I see another note passed, I'll have you read it to the class.” the teacher warned.
Krystal and Erika both blushed as the rest of the class giggled and made comments.
After class, Erika went up to see her teacher. “You wanted to see me?” she asked.
“You have been a distraction today.”
“Sorry.” Erika apologized.
“First you are late then you make an entrance, then I catch you and Krysta passing notes.”
“I'm sorry,” Erika apologized again. “What was so important that you had to interrupt my class?”
“I over heard someone say that I looked like a whore today.” Erika winced.
“Well, they are probably just jealous, you look very nice today.” her teacher stated. “I had a hard time competing with you for the attention of the male half of the class. Try and tone it down just a bit please.”
Erika nodded.
“Alright, off with you.” Her teacher shooed her towards the door. “And no more passing notes.”
Erika nodded a promise and escaped into the busy hall with her books.
Comments
Ahhhh, backroom stabbing
... female style. Very 'mean girls'. Erika is experiencing some of the down side to female socializing in HS which can be pretty mean.
But like I've said before, bad and good experiences will help her decide whether being a girl, being a woman is right for her.
I've missed my Fix !
Thank you Anistasia!
Kim
Just High School?
Besides the fact you need to learn how to spell things out like High School instead of using HS I'm transgender but before I even learnt that I was this way. My best friend a born Female use to come to me about her problems This socialising as you put it starts way before High School it starts at the very earliest 4th grade as you young girls start to develop Breasts.
I am not suggesting
that it does not start any earlier, but unless Erika can go back in time, she cannot possibly experience it, can she ?
I was born in the sixties and though I am not privy to my fellow female classmates travails, I do not think the socialization pressure for clothing and such was as bad back then. Most of my public school classmates were not as well-to-do and in general, it was not such a big deal. Even among the boys, the only social pressure was to wear the right sneakers, everything else was pretty lassez faire.
I understand that nowadays, especially in suburban schools, that being able to wield some wealth to keep up with the social Jonesesses has become De Rigeur, sadly. God forbid, that you are even a millimeter outside the current fashion mainstream. I am hopeful the current economic downturn would put a bit of a damper on that nonsense; bit of a silver lining I guess.
Kim
The Princess and the Plague: 48
Erika needs to listen to her friends, NOT some fair weather friend who will put her down behind her back.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Yay!
Another excellent chapter.
It seems that although Erika's mom is trying to be more understanding she still has some ways to go with those comments about 'crazy' Aunt Carrie. I really hope Aunt Carrie's visit will ease some of Erika's mothers concerns particularly given that the visit means so much to Erika's father. That being said, I'm an incurable optimist still hoping for a happy ending for Erika, so I'll be reading that chapter with my fingers firmly crossed!!
As for Ashlee, well Erika's getting a valuable lesson as to the differences between boys and girls when they play dirty. The good news is that Erika, unlike Eric, has friends to turn to who can help her cope with these problems. Most of us had to deal with an Ashlee at school and it will be interesting to see how Erika deals with hers.
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Ah yes, the one girl who
Ah yes, the one girl who brings others down to bring herself up. I don't understand why people pay attention to girls like that honestly... I find physical danger more harmful than emotional danger. Yes words hurt. but they are nothing that can give you a broken leg if you don't worry about them.
Though I admit, I worry alot how I look too, wishing my clothes were alittle more snug than they are. Though I'm usually in the shadows so that usually stops the worry.
I used to be broken, I used to be lost. Unsure of what I was, until he found me...
Never be afraid to push yourself to new limits. While you might not see the path, you will be amazed at what you can achieve.
I mostly agree, but...
I can think of at least of two historical cases, where words and gossip got one into burning on stake. And I don't think at all the witchhunt through the centuries.
Words can be harmuful. Sometime they just hurt others, othertimes if you are not careful, you can lose your friends, work, or even got into the prison. And fortunately at little times, a gossip and tossed words can get you beating and broken bones at better cases, in worse you find yourself at the stack.
Its really sad truth about human kind, that way too many people don't like anyone who's little more different than themselfs.
Mrs. Martin
Good to see Mom's medication has kicked in, or maybe after some reflection she's taking the central message of her faith to heart.
I loved hearing from Erika's old Camp Komoni friends again; those girls sure made an impression on me! In fact I could go for
another whole series about it next summer, if Anistasia felt up to it. Or at least a nice stand-alone story :)
~~hugs, Laika
"Government will only recognize 2 genders, male + female,
as assigned at birth-" (In his own words:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1lugbpMKDU
Oh that Sounds good
The idea of another summer camp with them sounds good it would be cool though if they ended up helping another person that is just like Erika to.
Arina Asagiri
I don't know...
Is another "summer" at Camp K "needed"? Yes, the girls of Columbine were interesting to get to meet, but they were there to provide a vehicle for Erica to grow and blossom. Given time and inclination, I'm sure our intrepid author could "invent" stuff to happen, but how much would be a "rehash" of the previous summer, and how much providing Erica room to grow.
To be honest, if she decided to write another "volume" about Camp K, I'd almost prefer it to be the SAME summer as last time, but from the POVs of the some or all of the OTHER girls.
A story where the girls discover another person needing to grow and become his/herself might be interesting, but, if it's not told from that person's POV, it'll lose some of what Camp K had as far as emotional impact and turn into another "encouraged/forced makeover" story... There are enough of those stories, I think, though others may well disagree.
Just my two cents worth (and with inflation, that's not a whole lot these days).
Annette
Agreed it would not be breaking any new ground
... however, it would be suitable as an epilogue to the entire Camp/Princess and ? cycle. If it all comes full circle. Plus I am kinda sentimental to see maybe Columbine cabin reunite at least one last time to show the other campers how it is done !
Kim
Picture...
A LARGE wedding - with the columbine girls as bridesmaids... Who knows which one would get married first. LOL
Yay, new P&P!
Thanks A.A. great to have a new chapter of P&P. Hope things are improving for you personally.
Chapter is really good. Would have liked to have been a fly on the wall on the conversation between Mom and Dad after Erika left. Dad was not happy about the conversation that Mom had and the guilt trip she put on Erika.
Ashlee was being a bitch... no doubt, and I am fairly sure that Samantha, Krystal, and Tricia will have some things to say about that. I remember how they handled things before the dance in Camp K. They protect their own.
And it was nice to hear from the Camp K gang.
All and all a nice surprise to come home to tonight, so thanks A.A.
Hugs,
Kristy
*sighs*
Thank you for the fix. Nice. Of course, I wanted it to keep on going... I want to meet the "Crazy Aunt" (who's no crazier than I am!) :-)
Sad to hear the back-stabbing, but it does happen - everywhere. Not just in the ladies room in high schools.
Thanks,
Annette
I liked seeing Erica
express displeasure at the term, "creepy Stephanie"
“You mean 'creepy Stephanie'?†Tricia asked.
“That's not very nice.†Erika looked stern. Her hard face then lightened up to a smile. “But yes, that is who.â€
But I'd have liked seeing her go even farther in defending someone from name calling. After many years of being "the plague" accepting others calling someone else a name should generate a pretty strong response. I guess Erica is again showing that she will succumb to peer pressure.
Glad Mom is calmed down
The Viagra email had me laughing.
As always, I'm so glad to see another chapter of this story!
Go, Erika!
Hugs,
Kaleigh
That was a nice touch!
I'm so happy to see another episode, A.A. !!
In so many ways, this story is really reflective of the way kids really are. No sooner than one problem resolves itself, three more pop up.
I've said before, this story has had so many twists and turns it's impossible to see where Ms Ani is going to take us next. The Pollyanna in me wants to see everything tied up into a neat bow with happy endings everywhere, but I suspect Ms Ani will take us through some harrowing twists and turns before we arrive. Sure is a fun ride!
Hugs
Carla Ann
You know...
now that you mention it, I can't remember that last "viagra" like e-mail I received - in any of my e-mail addresses. Even in the spam folders. Hmmm. I guess the SPAM walls are getting higher, at least for me.
My Mother Gets The Same Spam
My mother gets the same spam in her email box. Her name is Andrea and all her relatives call her Andie. That is what she has on the first part of her email address so these spammers think she is a guy LOL!
As Danni says "Long time no hear"
It was worth the wait, the story line is getting more convoluted by the chapter. Glad to see that Erica is upset by the "Name calling". Something that can only be appreciated by somebody who has been on the receiving end. I was a loner at school.
Mother seems to be comming round too, just hope she doesn't have a relapse.
All in all another good chapter, just not long enough, But then who am I to talk, I couldn't have even started to write anything like it (no imagination).
Just wish I'd had the courage to cross the line when I was a teenager, but that opportunity is long gone and would have posed many problems in the mid 50's Still there were compensations, I have two children, and two marvelous teenage grand children. Just can not help wondering what might have been.
Keep up the good work.
Poppykin
Another P & P - fantastic
RAMI
Thank you Anastasia for another chapter. It has been too long a wait for this.
Mom seems to be taking Erika seriously. If I remember the time line correctly, it is very likely that this "family picture" is likely to be the one on the cover or inside the yearly Christmas card. If mom is consenting to allow the entire family to discover Erika, her attitude has changed completely.
Eric was the recipient of a lot of physical abuse. Erika is now beginning to be on the receiving end of verbal abuse. With her friends in school that verbal abuse, is not likely to get too bad, but if it does, how will she weigh the two types of abuse against each other.
RAMI
RAMI
Please Don't....
Please don't stop writing. I'm so enjoying this story.
I liked seeing the emails. That was a nice touch.
Dressing up for school led to some interesting developments. I look forward to seeing everything play out.
I'm still hoping to see Erika truly on her way to whichever gender she finally chooses. I still say it's obvious but I'll hold my tongue. Ewwwwwww.
Thanks for another chapter!
- Terry
Time bomb
I’m wondering when the shit will hit the fan.
hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna
girls can be just as nasty as boys
they're usually less physical about it, but that's all.