Rock Star Makeover, Part 11:

(Author's note: I hope that if you are enjoying this series, you will take the time to leave a comment. Kudos are good too...)
 

My brother Adam came from the kitchen, and Lisa flinched.

“Its okay. Adam was just here in case something wasn’t on the up and up.” Gabbi said.

“I... I heard you introduce yourself, Lisa. I promise, you are safe in this house, okay?”

“Th....thank you.”

She came in, and we had a pretty good day together. Watching her uncoil like a wound-up spring was amazing. Despite not having a single piece of female clothing on, within an hour around Gabbi they were like a pair of girlfriends chatting.

At one point, Gabbi said to her, “You would look okay as a girl, you know. A little tall, maybe, but there are lots of tall girls”

She lit up like a Christmas tree at that comment.

She also talked about her dad, saying, “He has this dream of me being a pro one day. But I have talked to college scouts, and they tell me I need to ‘bulk up’ if I want a real shot. And more than one has hinted I should take some ‘supplements’ to help me do just that. And you can guess what that means.”

“Sorry, Lisa.” Adam said at that point.. “Just be strong, Next year, you’ll be finished school, and can make your own decisions.”
He got a hug for that.

After she left, I said so to Gabbi, and she said, “I saw that too, Noah.” She looked at Adam and said, “I saw something else too. You found a reason to hang around, didn’t you Adam?”

Adam actually blushed, and said, “I just figured since I was filling in for mom, I should help make her feel comfortable, Gabbi.”

“If you say so. But it might interest you to know I caught her looking at you, too.”

Adam turned even redder, and said, “I better go clean up.” He went toward the kitchen, and then turned back and said to her, “You’re sure, Gabbi?”

“Trust a girl’s intuition, Adam. At the very least, I don’t think she’d mind coming by again.”

“Thanks, Gabbi.” He said, and then went into the kitchen to clean up.

That night, Gabbi shared with me a message she sent to Lisa online; “”Lisa, thank you so much for coming, and being brave enough to share your real name with us. If you ever have the need to have a safe place to talk in person (as opposed to online), you can come over anytime.” Gabbi also left her home number, her cell, and my home number in the message.

The next day after we came home from church, Gabbi shared with me a message Lisa had sent back. “Thank you, Gabbi, and thank Noah and Adam for me as well. I hope you forgive me if I don’t make a lot of contact at school, I’m still pretty scared about being outed. But if its okay, I’ll try and figure out a way to come over on any night I don’t have b ball practice. Thanks again, Lisa.”

We went to school Monday, and were shocked to meet Luke waiting for us. Loud enough to be heard by those around us, he said, ‘I hear you’re pretty smart. I’ve been told I gotta get my grades up, so would you help me study?” He gave Gabbi a wink.

Gabbi smiled, and said, “I’d be glad to help. Least I can do for the school’s best basketball player.”

Leaning in close, Luke whispered, “Thanks, Gabbi. Should’ve thought of this before.”

“Not a worry - Lisa.” she whispered back.

She grinned, and walked away.

That night, she came over, and the first thing she said was “I’m sorry, I’m such a coward. I’m afraid of even being your friend in public.”

Gabbi said, “Lisa, I’m not offended. Noah and I were already social outcasts, so we had less to lose. And I’ve hung around enough jocks to know they aren’t the most enlightened group.”

She sat down on a chair in the kitchen, and said with tears in her eyes, “Thank you for understanding. I’m so scared all the time, I...”

Adam was home, and he put a hand on her shoulder, and said, “It’ll be okay, Lisa. A couple of months and you graduate, and nobody can touch you then.”

She placed her hand over his, looked up at him and said, “Thank you, Adam.”

Even I could see the electricity between them.

After she left, Gabbi said to Adam, “So, when are you going to ask her out?”

He shook his head, and said, “She’s got a lot on her plate as it is. I dont have the right to add to it.”

“Adam, having a boyfriend wont add to her stress as much as what would happen if she feels rejected will. Take it from me, sometimes a girl like me feels like a fake, and needs all the reassurance she can get.”

“You struggle with feeling like a fake, Gabbi?” I asked.

“Sometimes, Noah. But having you helps me fight that feeling.”

“Glad I help.” I said, and kissed her.

The rest of the week passed without too much trouble. On Saturday, Lisa came over again, and we hung out together, and both Adam and my mom made a point of making her feel welcome..

“Lisa,” Gabbi asked, “Do you have any feminine things? You don’t have to, but you are welcome to wear them here if that helps you feel comfortable.”

“Thanks, but I don’t. I … I’ve been too scared to shop. I don’t even know my sizes.”

My mom said, “Just a minute. Lisa. I have a tape measure. I’ll can find out your size, if you want me to.”

“Thank you.” Lisa said.

She took some measurements, and wrote them down for Lisa.

While she was being measured, Adam said, “I’m sure we can find some stuff for you, Lisa. I mean … If you don’t mind us looking.”

She smiled at him, and said, “That’s ….kind of you, Adam. Thank you.”

“Welcome.” He said, and left the room.

“Adam is a … kind man, Mrs. Alexander.” Lisa said, after he was out of sight.

“You’re a little sweet on him, aren’t you?” My mom asked.

She blushed, and said, “He …. he’s nice. I’m glad he doesn’t mind me coming over.”

“I think its a bit more than that. “ Gabbi said.

“You might like to know, he doesn’t usually hang around on Saturday, Lisa. But he’s found a reason to stick around today, and I’m sure its not for us.” I added.

I didn’t know a person could turn as red as she did.

Later, after she left, my mom talked with Adam. “Adam, I’m not blind. You like her, don’t you?”

“I guess I do, Mom.” he said.

“So what are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know. Mom. What kind of relationship could we have, even if she wants one? She’s so scared she can’t even wear a skirt around here, much less go on a date. Its …. hopeless.”

“She’s just starting out, Adam. But knowing you’re in her corner will help her confidence.” Gabi said.

“So what do you suggest?” He asked.

“Find a way to tell her your feelings, Adam.” my Mom said.

“I could help.” I said. “You know how my drawing helped explain to Gabbi about Francine.”

He smiled at me, and said, Thanks, little bro. I’ll call on you when I’m ready.”

“You’ll do fine.” my Mom said.

“No question.” Gabbi added.

“Thanks, all.” he said, and went to his room.

“If you two are done matchmaking, Gabbi, you owe me a rematch on our game.” I said, and we went back to the living room to play.

The next week, Gabbi and my mom started having little ‘conferences’ and Adam spent time in his room. That left me on my own, but I just used to time to draw, and a few were given to Adam as part of what he was making. Saturday, when Lisa came over, it was pretty clear that she and Adam were flirting gently, but neither seemed ready to go further than that.

But then Gabbi and my mother sprung their surprise. They sent Adam out for some snacks, and then they came into the living room with a couple of bags.

“Lisa, these are for you.” Gabbi said.

She opened the bags, and there was a dress, a wig, a pair of shoes, and a set of underthings I tried not to look too closely at.

“For me?” She asked.

Gabbi nodded, and she hugged both my mom and Gabbi. “Thank you!” she said.

“Go try them on.”

She did, and when she came out, Gabbi gave a whistle.

“Looking good, girl!” She said.

“Not bad at all!” I added.

Just then, Adam came back, and did a double take.

“Oh wow, Lisa, you look fantastic!”

“You like it? Your mom and Gabbi got this outfit for me.”

“I do like it. A lot.”

My mom gave him a nudge, and he added, “Actually since we’re giving you gifts, I have one for you. Just one moment.” He went to his room, and came out with a disk. He took Lisa to the couch, and put the disk into the DVD player, and then he hit “play.”

It was a video of Adam, sitting playing a guitar. Behind him, were some of the drawings I had made for him. He sang of his love of Lisa, who started crying watching the video. At the end of the song, the video showed Adam asking Lisa to go out with him.

She turned to the real Adam and said one word.

“Yes”