(Life after Camp Kumoni) By Anistasia Allread Edited by Nick B “What?” Erika asked self-conscious. Julian’s eyes sparkled. “You’ve got some cheese on your cheek.” |
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“I am so proud of you, Krystal,” Erika told her friend as they left the gym. “Cheer leader, Rachel is going to be disgusted and proud at the same time.”
“I'm just worried about looking okay in those short skirts.” Krystal bit her lip.
“You'll look great.”
“There you are.” Tricia rushed up to them, “Quick, we need your help.”
“Help with what?”
“Getting into your school records, come on.” She grabbed Erika's hand and pulled her down the hall with Krystal hurrying to keep up.
This time of the afternoon, the school was quiet. Most all of the students had gone home as well as the teachers. The Janitors bopped to their headphones as they swept, mopped and emptied trash cans. The halls were so empty that it seemed eerie, yet serene.
Tricia stopped just before the office door and peered into the corner of the window, “Good she's left.”
“Who?” Erika asked.
“The receptionist. I thought she would never leave.” Tricia opened the door.
“She left Victoria in there alone?”
“Yeah, this is our one shot.”
“What are you doing?” Krystal demanded.
“Looking for Erika's… Eric's transcripts,” Victoria snarled. “Help me.”
Erika and Tricia dashed over to the massive filing cabinet.
“Keep watch, Krystal,” Victoria suggested.
“Martin, right?” Victoria confirmed.
“Yes.”
“I looked under the 'M's but didn't find it. Is there any other place it could be filed under?”
“Not that I would know of.”
“I'll check the 'E's for Eric,” Tricia volunteered.
“I'll look round,” Erika shrugged. “They left you alone here in the office after hours?”
“Not exactly,” Victoria muttered.
Erika spotted some files that were stacked on a side desk and began thumbing through them.
“I used the old tissue in the door trick.” Victoria smiled.
“Huh?”
“I stuffed some tissue into the bolt hole of the door catch.” Victoria explained, “It didn't quite work, Tricia used her ASB card to get it the rest of the way open.”
“What do we say if someone finds us in here?” Krystal asked.
“Lie,” Victoria stated. “We tell them that we misplaced a homework assignment and were looking for it.”
“Why would our homework assignment be in the office?” Krystal asked.
“Fine, you come up with something,” Victoria snapped.
“I'm not finding anything in here,” Tricia commented.
“Nor out here,” Erika added. She walked back to the offices and checked the one of the closed doors. It opened easily. The desk was neat and tidy, with nothing on it but a computer. The next one she tried opened just as easily. The desk was piled with folders. “I've hit the mother lode,” she called to them.
Victoria joined her in the office. “Wow, why would all of these be in here?”
Erika walked around to the other side of the desk. A note pad and pen were laying there. Names of what looked to be students were listed in one column, another had words scratched in next to the names: Moved, Home, Sick, Unknown.
Victoria started looking through the files.
“I think this is a list of students who haven't been at school,” Erika told Victoria, “Have you seen Betty Smith?”
“No.” Victoria shook her head. “It says 'moved' next to her name.
“Are you on the list?” Victoria asked.
Erika's heart skipped a beat. She scanned the list quickly. “Not so far.”
“Bingo!” Victoria called. “Here is your transcript. No wonder I couldn't find it.”
Erika joined her out in the main part of the office with the file.
“Now, all I have to do is change your name and gender.” Victoria spoke mainly to herself, as she looked over its contents.
“Then I bring it in to school with me tomorrow?” Erika asked.
“No, it's going to be a little trickier than that.”
“Why?” Tricia asked.
“It lists her teachers in here. I mean, Eric’s teachers, I'll have to change some of the names to make it so they aren't recognizable. I'll have to take this home and scan it into my computer.”
“How long will this take?” Erika asked.
“A couple of days. Don't worry, it will be fine,” Victoria promised.
“Can we leave now?” Krystal asked.
“Yes,” Victoria and Erika said together.
---o0o---
Erika walked in the door behind Tricia.
“We need to get you out of those grubby try-out clothes and back into your skirt and boots,” Tricia instructed.
“Why?”
“Because we're going to the game.”
“So?”
“So, you have to be presentable when you go to a game. You'll be on the field wearing a short skirt carrying pom-poms next game.”
“Oh, yeah.” Erika gulped.
“So how are you going to explain to your parents you're staying after school for practice? Are you going to tell them that you made Rally Squad?”
“Hell no!” Erika blanched at the idea, “I'll tell them that I joined the gaming club.”
“What is the gaming club?”
“A group of nerds that get together and play RPGs after school.”
“Were you a part of their club last year?”
“No.” Erika shook her head, “Even they avoided 'The Plague'.”
“I'm so sorry.” Tricia wrapped her arms around Erika and held her in a tight embrace, “It must have been horrible.”
“What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?”
Tricia tightened her hold on Erika and held her for a long moment. Erika pulled back and blew her breath straight up, which caused her bangs to flutter about her eyes.
“I really need to get a bang trim,” she sighed.
“I'll do it,” Tricia offered.
“I don't know. Sasha cut them a certain way.”
“I'll just tale a little bit off until you can see a stylist.” Tricia avowed.
Erika relented. “Just a little bit.”
“I'll go fetch some scissors while you change.”
Erika pulled her school clothes out of her duffle and went into the bathroom and changed back into the skirt outfit with nylons and boots.
“Ready?” Tricia asked.
“Yeah.”
Tricia entered and sat Erika down on the toilet. “That outfit is hot.”
“Thanks?”
Tricia combed through Erika's bangs then raised the scissors.
“Only a little bit, they are supposed to be in my eyes,” Erika warned.
“I've got it,” Tricia assured with a smile. “Close your eyes.”
Erika resisted a chill as she heard the ‘schnick’ of scissors being closed on the hair in front of her face.
Tricia worked at it, trimming here and there, then combing through the hair then snipping a little more.
“Okay, open your eyes,” Tricia instructed.
Erika opened her eyes to see Tricia smiling nervously back at her. She turned and looked in the mirror. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“It isn't a Sasha job, but it will tide me over until I can somehow go and see him.”
“We all should make appointments and drive up and see him.” Tricia suggested.
“We need to get a driver's license first,” Erika reminded.
“Samantha is getting hers soon.” Tricia began freshening her makeup, “What should we do about dinner?”
“I don't know.”
“We can rummage around here for something, or we can get some nachos and hot dogs at the game.”
“I'm not hungry at the moment.” Erika confided.
“Let’s get something there.”
--o0o--
The sky was the color of molten gold, turning to silver and dark blue as the girls walked towards the school’s football field. The nights were still warm this early in the season, but it would only hold for another week or two before the crisper air of autumn would urge them to shift and snuggle deeper into their jackets. The leaves on the maple trees had mottled to yellow and gold. Although there were still plenty of leaves on the tree, the walkways beneath them were starting to become speckled in a loose carpet of dead foliage.
The two girls showed their ASB cards to get through the gates and joined the crowd of spectators and fans as they mingled and meandered towards their seats.
“Let’s check out the student seating first,” Tricia suggested, “We can walk around later.”
The two followed another group of students as they made their way up onto a section of stands on the opposite side of the field. The marching band, dressed in their red and white uniforms was already in their reserved place, playing sixties rock songs. Samantha: dressed in her white with red cheer outfit smiled and waved at them as they started up into the stands. Melinda followed her look and waved to Erika. Unsure of what else to do, Erika waved back.
“Should we sit closer to the top or the bottom of the stands?” Tricia asked.
“I have no idea. What difference will it make?”
“Towards the top allows you to see more of the game and gives the guys something to watch as we strut up or down the steps. If we sit closer to the bottom, we'd be able to hear more of the school's gossip and be able to study the cheerleaders and Rally Squad. You're going to be doing what they are, next week.”
“Is there a positive to either one?” Erika asked.
“You'll be with me.” Tricia winked.
“You pick.”
Tricia led the way up the steps. She stopped about ten rows up and started scooting past students who were talking passionately about politics.
“Aren't you Samantha's friend?” a guy asked.
Erika looked around and found the good-looking senior smiling at her. “Yes,” she nodded.
“Come sit in front of us,” he invited, “We'll keep others from bothering you.”
“Thank you.” Tricia grinned as she made her way to the bench seat in front of the guy.
“I'm Julian,” he introduced. “This is my friend, Stan.”
“Hi,” Stan greeted.
Julian's name and face finally connected in Erika's brain. Julian Rock was a Senior Senator of the student counsel and Captain as well as star of the swim team. His broad shoulders and ropy body under his sweatshirt was recognizable now. Julian was one of the more popular guys at school, who happened not to be on the football team.
“I'm Tricia and this is my friend, Erika,” Tricia introduced, “We both just started this year at Washington High.”
“Juniors?” Julian asked.
Erika found her voice. “Sophomores.”
“How do you know Samantha?” Julian inquired.
“We went to summer camp with her,” Erika spoke up.
“Cheer camp?”
“No, just a summer camp.”
“Erika tried out and got on the rally squad today,” Tricia bragged.
“You did?” Julian raised an eyebrow.
Erika felt her face heat up with a blush. She nodded.
“So I'll see you out there next week?” Julian's eyes darted down to the cheerleaders then back at Erika.
“I don't know yet, I'm not a very good dancer,” Erika admitted.
“As cute as you are? All you'd need to do is stay vertical.” Julian's eyes sparkled with mirth.
“You in sports?” Tricia asked.
Julian nodded, “I'm on the swim team.”
“More like he's the Captain of the swim team,” Stan bragged joining the conversation.
“Stan here is a diver,” Julian told them.
“Tricia is a diver,” Erika exclaimed.
“Really?” Stan took a second look at the blonde clad in pink.
Tricia nodded. The two girls sat sideways on the bench in front of the two guys and talked until the announcing of the National Anthem.
“These benches can be uncomfortable,” Julian looked from one to the other, “If you would feel more comfortable, you can lean back against my legs.”
“Thanks,” Tricia said before Erika could refuse. “We might take you up on that.”
The snare drums began a roll as the teams lined up for the kickoff. The roll progressed and grew louder until the kicker's foot hit the ball. With that impact, everyone in the stands stomped a foot on the floor of the grandstands and began cheering.
Erika's attention during the first quarter was divided by the game, Julian's friendly chatter and watching the cheerleaders and Rally Squad going through their routines and cheers, getting the crowd involved in cheering, chanting, and even singing.
“You’ll be doing that starting next week,” Tricia teased.
Erika rolled her eyes.
“Getting hungry?” Tricia inquired.
“Yes, I am. Those nachos look very good.”
“I’ll split one with you,” Tricia offered.
Erika nodded.
“You two going to get some food?” Julian looked from one to the other.
“Yes, do you want something?” Tricia asked.
“I’ll go with you,” Julian looked to Stan, “Save our places?”
Stan nodded.
“You want anything?” Julian asked his friend.
“A Coke would be good.”
Julian turned to the people sitting along the bench between him and the aisle. “Coming through,” he called.
The students looked to see who was speaking, then stood up or twisted out of the way as Tricia and Erika fell in behind Julian.
“So how are the Warthogs doing compared to the football teams at your old schools?” Julian asked as they walked towards the concessions stand.
“Any team is better than my old school’s team.” Tricia shook her head. “They had the record for having the most yards lost due to penalties in a single game. They were so bad, that they would start fights on the field and then get their butts kicked.”
Julian chuckled, “How about yours, Erika?”
“I… Well, I’ve never been to a football game before,” she admitted. “I didn’t really pay much attention to it before.”
“Getting on the rally squad, you’ll have to learn real quick.” Julian smiled. The swimmer ordered two hotdogs, a bratwurst, a bag of popcorn, an order of nachos and two large Cokes.
In the distance they heard the whistle to start the second quarter ring out.
Erika handed some of her money over to Tricia, who ordered an order of nachos a large diet Coke and a hotdog.
“You should talk to the cheerleaders, uh, Rally Squad and see if they could come to a swim meet,” Julian stated as they started climbing the grandstand steps. “I think it might be a bit noisy for the divers though, they need to concentrate before their dives.”
The students all parted for the three as they scooted by with their food.
“Thanks, J.R.” Stan smiled taking the Coke.
Julian handed him a hotdog. “We miss anything?”
“Nah, they have possession, but Tyler is about to blitz the ‘QB’. I can feel it.”
Erika munched on her nachos while Tricia worked on the hot dog, becoming unnerved as everyone in the stands jumped to their feet, cheering.
“Told you!” Stan cried. “Told you he’d blitz!”
Erika looked up at the two guys behind her.
Julian looked down and chuckled. Tricia looked from the cheering crowd to Erika and smiled.
“What?” Erika asked self-conscious.
Julian’s eyes sparkled. “You’ve got some cheese on your cheek.”
“Here, I’ll get it.” Tricia took Erika’s chin in her hand and leaned forward. Everything around Erika became distant and inconsequential as Tricia’s tongue flicked the cheese off of her cheek followed by lips that closed over hers in a loving caress.
–o0o–
To be continued…
Comments
I NEEDED a pick me up
I know, don't faint, I posted two episodes with in days of one another. I wanted, no, I needed a pick me up. I also have, what I think is some really good stuff coming up in the next few chapters and am like a kid at xmas wanting to open his presents. I want you all to see some different asspects of the story. I hope you enjoy
A.A.
Oooh, can't wait...
Sounds like fun. :)
oh you can't do that to us
we will have total over load ...
OK just joking. ;)
Its great that you most more frequent at times since this is such a great story. I'm sorry that you feel down for some reason and that this is one of the main reason for posting more frequent.
I hope it helps to picking you up as well as it does for me. Hughs.
It is always a high light for me to see you posted a new chapter.
Thank you so much for the story
hugs
Holly
Friendship is like glass,
once broken it can be mented,
but there will always be a crack.
You don't see me complaining...
about more fun reading. :-)
I wonder if anyone notices that "the plague's" records are missing...
Hopefully, for the story's sake, it being missing just postpones judgement day, and once Dr. Bart meets Erika, things quickly move toward "regularizing" Erika's presence.
It's too bad Eric couldn't experience a few weeks of the acceptance of Erika. But, that doesn't seem to be in the cards. Well, too much going on to try to talk about it all. I am looking forward to a bunch of events.
Thanks,
Annette
Ooooh, the "infamous" tongue
Ooooh, the "infamous" tongue flick on the cheek bit, followed by the lips touching. Bet that will make eyes open wide behind them (the boys I mean) J-Lynn
Thanks A.A.
For using my name in the story. Hope to see what you have 4 us soon.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Nice mew ^-^
I like this story mew because it's a nice sweet story, and because it's a well written fantasy as well mew ^-^
I know who I am, I am me, and I like me ^^
Transgender, Gamer, Little, Princess, Therian and proud :D
Warthog football? Hmm sounds very animalistic.
Hi Ani,
I hope the school won't be sending out the Pinkertons to find Eric before Erica's records are 'found'. Mr. and Mrs. Martin would be VERY displeased.
And the hole being dug by Erica and her friends is getting DEEPER and DEEPER and Deeper and deeper...
Thank you for sharing.
with love,
Hope
with love,
Hope
Once in a while I bare my soul, more often my soles bear me.
I Guess That's One Way To Keep The Guys At Bay
I was on pins and needles as they pulled off the transcript heist. I thought it was really funny how Trisha made it clear that Erika was taken. The guys were probably even more turned on though. Most of them have a real fetish for watching lesbians do anything. I am glad to see another episode AA . I am really enjoying each new one you post.
Hugs,
Jen
The question is...
with everyone standing and excited by the play on the field, was Trisha's action noticed.
Double Date?
I happen to have a sneaky suspicion that Julian and Stan are a couple :) I could be wrong of course.
Great story AA, and thanks for the 2nd posting this week.
-HuGgLeS-
=P/KAF
ooooh ......
that would be really mint !
Kim
The Lesbian And The Plague
It's a pretty funny scene, the two senior athletes trying to get cozy with the two sophomore girls. "Those seats are so uncomfortable. You can lean against our legs if you want." Innocent? Well... not really. Not sinister, either, but pretty transparent!
And then...
Then, they kissed!
I can feel the boys' hearts falling into their stomachs. Heck, I can HEAR them, all the way from here! Sort of a leaden "plop" noise.
Lesbians usually get a pretty tough time in high school. A very tough time in some schools. I imagine there are regional and local variations, so it's hard to predict exactly how much grief they would face, but this doesn't sound like a particularly progressive environment.
Has Erika escaped Plague-dom just to become another kind of abused outcast along with Tricia? Well, at least she has friends. And, who knows, maybe the mindless abuse that the Plague experienced doesn't extend to gay-straight student relations.
Thank You
Dear Anastasia,
I just wanted to thank you for your writing. Your stories have really put a smile on my face, and have cheered me up. I haven't read any pf the Princess and Plaque yet. However, I am looking forward to starting it. Nursing school, work, and family all take more time than I have.
Melody
Not necessarily a bad thing.
Being lesbian is at least a known thing and is not the free floating 'plague' thing. Doing this now prevents a heap load of trouble for Erika in a way with the boys in school as she IS cute and she has a very short time to learn of turning them down without hurting the poor dear's egos. Better to lance that boil now.
It also provides a basis for people to either get to know her and give her an 'identity' ... FAST in the minds of the student population. If she finally gets outed for being the plague ( but also known as the Popular Erika at that point ) ( now THAT is a strange closet ) it would result in fewer hurt feelings among the testosterone crowd ... and then there are the boys! *rim shot please!*. Just kidding.
As I said, fewer hurt feelings as she will not have to go on dates to 'protect' her lesbian inclinations and then having to possibly kiss those homophobic clowns. *Ewwww* kissed by the 'plague ! *sigh*.
In a real way, Tricia is kinda taking on more and more the dom thing in this relationship, and she is in a way announcing that she is protecting her 'woman'. I am getting more and more impressed with her and as they say you can't judge a book by its Pink Cover. As the dom I suspect she will get more crap for it as they are usually the 'butch' but since she is not people will get kinda confused about the whole thing. Personally I think she is just a Goth ... a Pink Goth ( yes it is very hard to be one ) and people just don't know it yet ! :).
Kim
TING!!!!
Darn it, I only had enough undies to last me till laundry day !
Kim
Tricia Stakes Her Claim
Or is it files her claim?
Anistasia, thanks for the unexpected pleasure of a new chapter today.
Wow, an unexpected surprise, Thanks AA!
Thanks for the early chapter, it sure made my night.
Lots going on in this chapter, more intrigue, opportunities for disaster.
And ending on a very public lesbian kiss....
Tricia is certainly not worried about what anyone thinks of her. I wonder if that is because she does not get to stay in any one place very long. As I remember she moves constantly and is only supposed to be here for a year.
Hmmm.
Thanks again, AA.
Looking forward to the next section.
Hugs,
Kristy
Sorry
I'm sorry but I few your just delaying the major issue of how is Erika Mom going to allow her to go to school if she is picking her up and is suppose to be a girl when he sees Dr. Barts. Especially when he is suppose to go to school as a guy. I would love to see how well that plays out let alone how he explains attending the school as a girl now.
Weekend Farts
I thought Erica went to Dr. Barts on the Weekend (Saturday)?
-P/KAF
Farts Weekend
The looooonnnngggg anticipated Erika going to Dr. Farts (Barts) IS on Sat. That scene IS coming. just a little more to get through before it does. ;)
A.A.
Could Be Wrong
I could easily be wrong but I thought she had to go to school this weekend for something can't remember if it was that she got in trouble or do to some sort of club or even now sport related subject.
Princess at the Game
So the transcript naughtiness continues. Good! It's only a story. I can't bear the thought of Eric trying to fight to reclaim his humanity. It's so much easier to be Erika and it really looks like she prefers it that way. *sigh*
I like the game. It reminded me of a few of my high school football games, except for the bratwurst. I love bratworst but I'm sure they didn't have it. Maybe in Minnesota or something. I know they have it there because my cousins showed me bratwurst stands in parks and all over the place. They go mad for it! :)
Thanks for another chapter. It doesn't matter if you posted a second time this week. Go ahead and post more if you like. We'll read 'em.
- Terry
Who does Tricia Love, Eric, Erika or Eric/a? Why?
RAMI
Again, another great chapter. It seems my hypothesis concerning, Tricia is being supported. However, at this point we only know, that she has deep feelings, (love?) for her friend. Who is Tricia in love with? Is is Eric, a boy in a dress (forced femme implications)? Erika, a girl (a lesbian relationship)? Or is it Eric/a and some other fantasy relationship?
How much do her feelings for Eric/a have to do with the fact that her former brother is now her sister? What did she truly feel about that situation? She is apparently happy with it now, and happy for her sister. What were her feelings back when it occurred? What was her relationship with her brother? May be a plot twist?
Nothing in this chapter to add to my view that Eric is not being given a chance to be a "Plague free Eric". So no new arguments there.
We can now add breaking and entering, theft of government property, and falsifying or tampering with government records to the charges that can be brought up against the girls.
Once Victoria brings the records home, she may get her family involved.
Lots of concern and love among our gang, but zero common sense.
But before any of you who like to complain do so, yes this is A.A.'s story. It's a great story!!! She can take it where she wants to and I will still enjoy it. I would not be writing or spending my time reading this if I did not like it.
A.A. thanks for 2 postings this week, it was a delightful gift.
RAMI
She Loves Any & All of the Permutations
Here is her statement from the end of the bus ride home from camp:
“You are so wonderful, Eric,†Tricia said. “I hope you figure out what you need to figure out. I’ll be waiting for you.â€
Football games and the games people play
We just hope the game that Stan and Julian play is not reflective of the football team. Swimmers and divers are a different breed. There is team play for the school points at meets, but a lot of it is based on the individual like the diver to do their best.
Hello Anistasia!!! ^___^ ;-D
Perhaps, Tricia can do a teaser question on who the Plague is. Since they are new to the school. Then Tricia can give a snappy come back answer. Apparently Erika's disguise is working so far. They students have not really looked closely and put two and two together yet. Perhaps there are some students who have not met Eric by face and only know by name.
Yes, the transcript conflict is building to a nice crescendo. Hopefully it will not come crashing down.
Either way, great writing Miss Allread. We will wait patiently for the next chapter. The nails are growing back now. Now no more sudden cliff hangers. But...considering your style, you will do it to us anyway. Have a wonderful week and weekend.
Rachel
And the plot twists
Anistasia, Thanks for the newest chapter. And please keep up your good work with the twisting plot. I like the good Guys. And double date...sounds good to me. Hugs, Wendy Marie
Wendy Marie
Still cooking
Anistasia, it's still going strong. Great chapter.
Hugs,
Kaleigh
“You’ve got some cheese on your cheek.”
Isn't it nice to have a friend that will take care of some of the little things for you. Snerk.
nice kiss
but a little risky