Singing to the Moon Chapter 11 by Maggie Finson

This stuff was driving me crazy!

Okay, maybe crazier than I already seem to be.

“Problems, hon?” My cousin Mary Jane asked as she knocked on my bedroom door.

“Oh yeah.” I twitched the little skirt I was wearing and kind of glared at the heels of the sandals on my pretty little feet then let out a sigh. “I haven't had the fifteen years or more to grow into things like this you, Clarissa and Carly did, you know. It's hard.”

“I imagine it is.” She nodded and sat me down on the bed, putting an arm around my shoulder. “I couldn't really begin to understand what you're going through just now, but mom will be thrilled that you're starting to adjust. It's a really cute outfit on you, by the way.”

Yes, it was, actually. Nice scooped neck T with puffy little sleeves in a pristine white that reminded you of new fallen snow that didn't have glitter or some girly slogan on it, neat little butter yellow a-line skirt that actually wasn't that short since it ended just above my knees, panty hose and white strappy sandals with a two inch heel.

Why was I wearing something — to school yet — that was so girly? As a sop to Aunt Cecily for supporting me in other things to be honest.

“I guess.” letting out a little sigh I noticed that my legs were nice and properly together even though I'd kind of flopped on the bed instead of sat like a 'lady'. “I'm a girl now, so I do need to get used to dressing like this at least off and on, but it's still a shock to the system at times. I mean I look in a mirror expecting to see Craig off and on yet and instead I see this.”

“Well, look at this way.” Mary Jane shrugged and gave me a hug with a grin. “At least you turned into a pretty girl. It could have been worse. You could be fat, or have a face that would embarrass a horse.

“Not to mention that you've already snagged a boyfriend that has half the girls in school, and probably some co-eds at the college jealous of you.” She chuckled.

“Maybe.” I shook my head. “I'm at that stage where the brain is going 'Huh?' while my body is screaming 'Yes!' as loud as it can.”

“That's pretty normal, really.” Mary Jane told me. “You'd be surprised at just how many girls feel that way at the start of a relationship.”

“Confusing.”

“Yup.” She gave me another hug then kissed my cheek. “You're doing great so far, cousin or little sister now, I guess. I don't think I'd have things as together as you do if I'd suddenly changed into a guy.”

“Thanks, I think.” I returned her hug and kissed her cheek. “This cousin/sister thing is kind of a mind fuck just now too.”

Aunt Cecily and Uncle Patrick, or I guess I should get used to calling them Mom and Dad now, had rammed the paperwork through channels and officially adopted me. Sheesh. Now my twin brother was my cousin and my cousins were my sisters.

Thinking too much about that at one time gave me a headache.

“You look nice today, dear.” Aunt Cec — Mom, told me as I sat at the table for breakfast. I'd even smoothed my skirt under me when I sat down that time. After flopping on the bed in my room I'd had to check the back of it for wrinkles. Just about broke my neck trying that. Note to self here, get another mirror for my room. Sigh.

“Thanks, — Mom.” I said even if there was some hesitation there.

“I know it will take some getting used to, honey.” She gave me a halfway sad look.

“I will, it's just new, Mom.” I answered then offered her a smile and reached over the table to touch her hand. “You always were the only Mom I've ever known after all. That part I can deal with.”

“We should have done this long ago.” She patted my hand and smiled. “We're adopting Christopher, too, but thought getting your paperwork through was more urgent is all.”

That was good to know. At least I could call him brother without causing problems once that was done.

“That's good.” I nodded, then smirked. “This way if I call him big brother no one will think it's all that strange.”

“You're still twins.” Mary Jane pointed out.

“Well, yeah.” I smirked. “But he sure is bigger then me now.”

That had everyone laughing and eased the tension that had been building.

“Promise me.” Carly grabbed me before I get into my Miata. “Promise me you aren't going to do something stupid with those people.”

“What people?” I innocently asked. That one earned me a slap to the arm.

“You know who I'm talking about and don't try to play it all innocent here.” She glared at me. “I know you too well and it always means you're up to something.”

“What?” I rubbed my arm and still tried the innocent thing. “You think I'm going to swipe a girl scout uniform and try to sell them cookies or something?”

“I wouldn't put it past you.” She glared then grinned. “You'd look kind of old for it, but you would make one sexy little girl scout.”

“Lady Moon, save me.” I muttered as I got into my car. That really hadn't sounded like such a bad idea to me.

Oh, I was going to get myself in sooo much trouble.

Even if it wasn't me disguised as a girl scout. Their cookies are wonderful, but I'd always hated trying to sell things to complete strangers. So that plan was right out.

I was sure I'd figure out something, though.

“Hi.” I smiled at the girl, a cheerleader who was sitting at a table in the commons area working for donations to get them to some camp or other. “What's this all about?”

She launched into a very long, enthusiastic explanation while trying to proselytize me into trying out for a spot on the squad. Like that was going to happen within the next century.

“Kewl!” I gushed and gave her an equally enthusiastic smile. “Can I help, like you know, getting pledges and stuff?”

Oh, gag me and hang me now. Sometimes the plans I come up with are just — too off the wall even for me.

“Sure!” The girl, whose name was Britney — Biiig surprise there — gushed right back and handed me a sheet of paper and manila envelope. “Just go around and ask people, write down who gave what on the envelope and bring it back when the paper is full!

“Oh, be sure to zero in on the guys.” She winked at me. “A pretty girl can get them to do just about anything.”

“Okay.” I nodded with a grin of my own since I'd been seeing that every waking moment in public since my change. “I'll see what I can do.”

“And don't forget the tryouts!” Brit, okay she insisted I call her that, reminded me. “We're filling some slots for this year and someone with your enthusiasm would be great to have on the squad.”

“I'll think about it.” I told her. Right, me, a cheerleader in those short skirts, jumping all over the place so horny guys could get off from seeing my panties. I didn't think so, but had what I was after.

“Great! I'll let the other girls know that you're thinking of trying out, Cindy.” She gushed.

I almost detoured to a restroom to throw up.

“Hi.” I smiled at the guys sitting in the park and approached with the paper very artfully hidden behind my back. “I'm trying to raise money for the school cheerleaders to go to camp. Do you guys think you could help out?

“Are you on the squad?” One of them, a not bad looking college age guy looked me over and — looked me over.

“No, I'm just helping them out right now.” I ignored the undressing thing all three of them were giving me as best I could and gave them a cheerful smile. “But they're having tryouts next week.”

“You'll be a shoo in.” Another one nodded.

I got twenty bucks out of those idiots. Each. It was so easy, and kind of fun.

“We'll be watching for you out on the field!” One of them called out as I walked away.

Right. Like that was ever going to happen. Me? A cheerleader? As the valley girls used to say, "Gag me with a spoon!"

“You are so adorable.” A middle aged matron smiled as she handed me five dollars. “And gorgeous. You'll make a wonderful cheerleader, dear.”

I'd started using the other side of the sheet, the one without the lines to write down everything. In two hours I'd made just short of four hundred dollars. An no. I still had no plans of becoming a cheerleader.

But whoa! I had definite potential as a con man, or I guess that would be woman now. And to think I'd never liked selling things to people before.

I was so easy it was almost scary.

I'd been doing some door to door stuff after leaving the downtown area, getting closer to my actual goal with each house.

I kind of shivered, okay I did shiver, as I went up the walk to that oh so normal house with oh so normal people living in it.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door and put on my very best, vapidly enthusiastic smile.

The woman who opened the door looked at me, then past me, and waved me inside.

After looking at me for a second or two she sighed and told me. “It's about time you got here.”

What the F...?