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Author's Note:Here we are once again, Christmas time and with another Christmas contest no less. I sadly missed the cutoff for the Halloween contest but this time I thought I'd get things in early. This story went through a few changes and the first write through was getting a little too much away from the main plot. It made think of wanting to continue it beyond that. It also made me shift it from first person to third. I would really like to continue with character, I think there's more stories to tell.
 

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"Hey Callie, you up for a game tonight?" Mark's voice crackled through the headset, the familiar greeting bringing a smile to Callum's face. He glanced at the clock, noticing it was already past midnight.

Callum stretched out on his bed, his fingers poised over the keyboard. "Always," he responded, the light from the computer screen casting an eerie glow across the room.

The door to Callum's bedroom creaked open and his sister, Rachel, peeked in. "What are you still doing up?" she whispered, her voice a gentle reminder of the late hour. Rachel was the complete opposite of Callum in terms of appearance - her hair was a fiery red and she took meticulous care of her complexion, which was as flawless as porcelain. She looked a lot like their late father, even got some of his short stature.

The only thing Callum got from their Dad was his sense of humor and carefree attitude.

Callum looked at Rachel's reflection in the darkened computer screen, his expression a mix of annoyance and amusement. "Just finishing up some homework," he lied. Rachel raised an eyebrow but didn't argue, closing the door quietly behind her. Callum chuckled to himself and turned back to the game, his eyes flicking to the chat box where Mark was already setting up their next battle royale.

He hoped when Rachel graduated in June, she'd stop trying to mother him. Their mother was pretty hands off in terms of letting him and his sister do what they want. Rachel on the other hand, tried too hard to make sure her little brother was on the straight and narrow.

"Alright, Callie," Mark said with a smirk in his voice, "you're on. Get ready to be destroyed."

Callum rolled his eyes and cracked his knuckles. "Bring it on," he quipped, his voice filled with confidence. Despite the banter, a warmth spread through him. Mark had always been the one constant in his life, the friend who understood him without judgment.

As they dived into the virtual battleground, the chaos of the game washed over them. The sound of gunfire and explosions filled the quiet room, punctuated by their laughter and shouts. Callum felt a sense of belonging that he didn't find in the real world. Mark had been his confidant through thick and thin, from sharing secrets about their first crushes to helping him navigate the tumultuous waters of high school.

Mark had moved away when they were eight, a time when the world had seemed so much simpler. Their families had once been inseparable, strengthening their bond over summer vacations at Lake Willowbrook Resort, a picturesque camping spot nestled among the pines. The smell of campfires and the sound of their fathers' laughter echoed through the nights as they shared stories and roasted marshmallows. But when Callum's dad passed away two years ago, the annual tradition crumbled along with their family's spirit. His mom, buried under the weight of grief and a demanding job, had no time or energy to plan such outings anymore. The lake had become a painful reminder of what they had lost, so they stopped going.

Now, the only connection Callum had to those carefree days was Mark's daily check-ins and their nightly gaming sessions. They had grown closer than ever, their friendship a lifeline through the fog of change. Without the physical presence of his best friend, Callum often found himself lost in the vastness of his own thoughts. Mark, however, remained as vibrant and present as ever through the screen, a beacon of familiarity in an ever-evolving world.

As the years ticked by, their bond grew stronger despite the distance. They had a silent understanding that their friendship was unshakeable, transcending the miles that separated them. Callum knew that Mark had his own life in a different town with a new set of friends, but their shared history was a thread that tied them inextricably together.

Callum didn't really have any friends outside of Mark. Not for lack of trying though. Most of the boys in his school were always very awkward around him after all. Whereas they all knew he was a guy, it was hard to relate to a boy that was "prettier" than a lot of the girls. While Callum had gotten his snark from his Dad, he got everything else from his Mom. Her Nordic heritage had passed over Rachel and went straight to him. Many would describe him as "tall, blonde and angelic".

Mark never cared about that though. Funny enough, they joked about it all the time. Its actually when Mark started calling him "Callie". It was an inside joke because everyone thought Callum looked like a girl.

"So tell me about the dude" said Mark, into their fourth of fifth match.

Callum sighed. "He wouldn't take no for an answer. He was also convinced I was lying to him about being a guy"

Mark burst into laughter, his avatar in the game pausing mid-stride. "What'd you say to him?"

Callum shrugged, his gaze never leaving the screen. "When he got insisted and wouldn't take No for an answer, I told him I had a boyfriend."

Mark snickered. "I think I'm jealous of this imaginary Mr. Right"

The two laughed about it a bit before Callum changed the subject back to the game at hand. They played well into the night. Thankfully it was Saturday.

Sunday morning, Callum went through his daily routine with the same casual indifference he reserved for all things mundane. He woke up to the smell of his mother's pancakes, a weekly tradition she held onto since his dad passed. Rachel was already dressed and ready for her shift at the local bookstore. She fake kissed Callum on the forehead before leaving, her hair smelling faintly of vanilla and mint, a scent that lingered in the air long after she left.

Callum trudged through his homework, the pages of his textbook as dry as the toast he made himself for breakfast. The sun streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow on the worn wooden table. He could feel the weight of each minute drag by, the tick of the wall clock echoing the rhythm of his pencil against paper.

The chores his mother had listed weren't much better. He started with the dishes, the clinking and clanking a familiar melody that seemed to accompany every weekend. The kitchen, a place of warmth and comfort, was now a battlefield of greasy plates and sticky countertops. Rachel had left a trail of laundry behind her, so he begrudgingly tackled that next. The scent of fabric softener filled the air as he sorted and folded, his mind wandering to the afternoon's reprieve: his call with Mark.

He set his laptop up in the living room, pulled his hair back in a ponytail and sat with his legs crossed like usual. Then he video called Mark.

"Hey," Mark answered, his smile wide, his whole face appearing on the screen.

"You do actually live in your house, right?" Callum joked.

Mark was out on his usual Sunday basketball match with his buds.

"Who's that?" A voice boomed from behind Mark, as someone playfully slapped Mark's back, peering over his shoulder at the screen.

Callum knew most of Mark's basketball teammates by name only. Seeing this tall, sandy blonde step up behind Mark meant next to nothing to him.

Before Mark could answer, the guy decided to do all the talking: "Hey babe, I'm Ben. You Mark's girl, the one he always talks about?"

Wait, Mark had a girl?

Callum couldn't understand how Mark had a girlfriend and hadn't said anything to him?

"Yeah," Mark said without missing a beat, "this is Callie"

Callum's eyes widened. What the hell?

"Oh, you're the infamous Callie," Ben said, grinning widely. "Mark's talked about you so much, I feel like I already know you."

Callum felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. He stared at Mark, willing his best friend to correct the mistake, but Mark just winked back at him, his eyes gleaming with mischief. In most cases, Callum would have been all onboard with this but he didn't like the look in Ben's eyes.

Callum knew when to mess with people and when to back off. Ben was a No Go for him.

"Mark, who's that?" he said, trying to keep the panic out of his voice.

Mark mouthed "sorry" at him before answering. "This is my teammate, Ben"

Ben was relentless. "So, Callie, what do you think of Mark's skills on the court?"

Callum's cheeks grew hot. "I think he's pretty good," he replied, hoping to keep the conversation light.

But Ben wasn't easily deterred. He leaned closer to the screen, his eyes scanning Callum up and down. "You guys must be really close, huh?"

Callum inwardly sighed. He shot Mark a look but Mark was now averting his eyes.

"Callie," Ben continued, "you've got to tell me, does Mark ever take a break from being a basketball god?"

"Only when we're gaming"

Callum said with a forced smile, his eyes flicking towards Mark, willing him to change the topic. But Mark was enjoying this too much, his grin growing wider with every awkward exchange.

"Oh, you guys are gamers? That's so cute," Ben said, his voice dripping with condescension.

Callum felt his jaw clench. Mark's hand flew over his face, trying to muffle his laughter. "Yeah, we go way back," he managed to say, trying to keep the conversation light. "Childhood buds"

"No shit, that's cool".

"Ben, Mark!" someone shouted from the court. "Less chatting, more playing!"

Mark quickly said his goodbyes, shutting off his phone.

Callum was flabbergasted and really confused.

Later that night, Callum's phone buzzed with a text from Mark. "Hey Callie, you got a sec to chat?" It was their usual check-in, a ritual they had maintained since the move.

Callum took a deep breath and swiped to answer the call. Mark's face popped up on the screen, a sheepish expression painted across his features. "So, about today..." he began, his voice trailing off.

"Let me guess, they heard you call me Callie and thought I was a girl?"

Mark sighed. "Sorry dude".

Callum laughed. Its not like this wasn't the first time. Though most of the time, he liked to be in on the joke. He definitely didn't like to be blindsided by it like what happened with Ben earlier. Callum was all for fooling people when it was for a few laughs, hell he'd done it a few times before. There was a time when they were twelve at the lake and for the whole time there, Callum was mistaken for a girl like usual and with the help of Rachel and Mark's sister, Becky, they fooled everyone into thinking he was Callie. It was a lot of fun but it only needed a few small details.

He still liked being in on the joke.

"Sorry, when they heard me talking about Callie, they just assumed. I wanted to correct them but the more I talked about you, the more it..."

This time Callum sighed. "The more it sounded like you and I were a thing..." He laughed, it was all pretty funny actually. "You put your foot in it this time"

"I know, I know," Mark said, his cheeks reddening slightly even through the screen. "But here's the kicker, they actually believe it now. They think you're my girlfriend."

Mark then went on to explain how they thought Callie was some imaginary girl that he'd made up. Now that Ben had seen "her" though, they were praising him. Apparently "Callie" was an absolute 10, one of the hottest girls they'd seen. Callum wasn't sure how to react to that one, though he did hid his blush.

For the next couple of days, life went on as usual. Callum went to school, dodging the occasional awkward glance from some guys as usual. His classes were a blur of textbooks and boredom, punctuated by the anticipation of Mark's texts and calls. They'd laugh about the whole "Callie" situation, making up ridiculous stories about their "relationship" and the epic tales of their "dates". It was like they were back at the lake again, crafting wild adventures together, except this was a bit more... complicated.

They played all night, laughing and having the usual good time. Right before they were about to call it a night, Mark dropped a bombshell:

"So, the Christmas dance is in a week," he began, his tone casual as ever, but the tension was palpable even through the phone screen. "And the guys... they want to meet Callie."

Callum froze mid-laugh. "Meet Callie?" he repeated, his voice a tad too high.

"Yeah, they want to meet her," Mark said, his voice a mix of dread and excitement. "They think she's the coolest girlfriend ever, because she plays games and doesn't get mad at me for playing with them."

Mark started to list some other things his teammates like about Callie but Callum wasn't listening.

"She doesn't exist, Mark" he interrupted.

Mark leaned closer to the camera, his eyes earnest. "But she kind of does"

Callum rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, you're not actually planning on taking 'Callie' to the dance, are you?"

"Well..."

"Dude, I'm Callie. Did you forget that part?"

Callum's voice was thick with sarcasm, but Mark's expression remained unchanged, his eyes locked onto Callum's through the screen.

"Yeah about that..."

"Go fuck yourself" said Callum, ending the call.

He threw his phone across the room and it smacked against the wall with a loud thud, leaving a crack in the paint. This was ridiculous. He was not going to dress up as a girl for Mark's high school dance.

But as the night wore on and the house grew quiet, Callum found himself unable to shake the idea. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that Mark was in a tough spot. His friend had painted himself into a corner and Callum didn't want to leave him hanging. Plus, it was kind of a compliment that they believed Mark was dating someone as cool as "Callie".

The next morning, Mark called again, his voice tentative. "I'm sorry, man. I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that."

Callum took a deep breath, his anger from the night before dissipating slightly. He knew Mark didn't have the best track record with social situations, and this was definitely a doozy. "It's fine," he said, his voice softer than he'd intended. "I just... I don't know, it's a weird situation."

Mark's sigh of relief was audible through the phone. "Yeah, I get it," he said. "But, Callie, I really need your help. I don't know what to do. They're all expecting me to bring you."

Callum rubbed his eyes, the sleep not quite gone yet. "So what are you suggesting?" he asked warily.

"You're serious?" asked Mark, excited.

"I'm not saying yes but I'm not saying no either. I need to know what exactly you want me to do?" Callum took a deep breath after, waiting for Mark's answer.

Mark's voice was a mix of excitement and disbelief. "Oh my god, you're actually considering it?"

Callum sighed and leaned back against his bed. "I'm just saying, I don't want you to get into trouble with your friends. But I'm not going to lie, it's weird."

Mark's face fell. "I know, I'm sorry. It's just... I didn't think it would go this far."

"Mark, you let your friends think I was a girl and your girlfriend and yet you didn't think it would go this far?"

Mark looked genuinely apologetic. "Callie, I know, I'm sorry. I really didn't think it'd come to this."

Callum studied his friend's expression, the seriousness in Mark's tone tugging at his heartstrings. He knew Mark wasn't the best at navigating social waters, and he didn't want to leave him drowning. Plus, the idea of pulling off such an elaborate ruse had a certain allure to it. It was the kind of thing they'd done together when they were kids, only with a lot more at stake. "Okay," he said with a sigh, "I'll help you out, but this better be worth it."

"What do you want?" Mark asked, his voice hopeful.

Callum paused, his mind racing. "I want..." He thought for a moment, a mischievous smile curling his lips. "I want your entire collection of limited edition comic books. The ones you've been hoarding since we were kids."

Mark's eyes widened. "But Callie, those are my babies!"

"Well, you put me in this mess, so you've got to make it worth my while," Callum replied, his smirk unwavering.

Mark groaned dramatically. "Fine, fine. You can have the comics, but only if you promise to take really good care of them....and you've gotten be convincing. No boy in a dress, I want the hottest girlfriend in the whole place"

Callum smirked. "You want hot, I'll give you hot"

He ended the call there and began to scheme.

Callum knew Rachel was going to be his only way out of this. Rachel had always had a flair for drama, and she loved any opportunity to play dress-up with him. He took a deep breath and pondered how to approach this without sounding too desperate. He couldn't just ask her outright without giving her the full story. That would be a disaster.

He waited for Rachel to come home from work, and when he heard the jingle of her keys in the lock, he knew it was showtime. He waited until she had settled down in the kitchen, her nose buried in a book, to casually stroll in and plop down on the chair opposite her.

"So" he said, testing the waters. "It turns out Mark told everyone at school I'm his girlfriend."

She looked up from her book, raising an eyebrow. "Well you definitely have the looks for it"

Callum smirked. "So that mean you're in?"

Rachel set down her book. "We talking Just One of The Girls, Ladybugs or Mrs. Doubtfire?"

Callum cringed at the idea of slapping on a wig, stuffing a bra with socks and prancing around in a dress. They could do much better than that, especially with Rachel's theater background.

"I think we need to go all in" he said, confident in his sister's skills.

Rachel looked at him with a glint in her eye. "Okay, you got yourself a deal," she said with a mischievous smile. "But this isn't just for the comics, is it?"

Rachel had always had this secret inking about Callum. He was far too pretty to be a boy and she always wondered if perhaps he thought differently. She knew he used her moisturizer and shampoo on a regular basis. She also remembered how just about every summer, he and Mark would fool all the boys at the lake with his "girl mode" pranks. Puberty had not been kind to her brother either. Sure he was tall but he had no real facial hair to speak of and he still had a fairly soft voice. It was like the universe was trying to tell himself but he was too ignorant to listen. She smiled at the thought of maybe helping him see the light?

"Okay, let's talk strategy," Rachel said, her mind racing with ideas. "We're going to need clothes, makeup, definitely some padding and some boobs, and lots of practice."

Callum groaned. "You're enjoying this way too much."

Rachel winked. "Oh, you know I am. Now, let's get started."

They raided Rachel's closet, her extensive collection of clothes providing a smorgasbord of options. She pulled out a cute pink dress that she hadn't worn in years, a little tight but it'd have to do. Callum looked at it with skepticism. Rachel also grabbed some makeup from her vanity, a few pairs of her shoes, and a couple of necklaces that she thought would suit "Callie" perfectly. Then she remembered the theater department at her school had some props that might come in handy.

They did a quick dress up session to see if it was even possible for him to pass as a girl. She made him strip to his boxers---they'd worry about appropriate underwear later---and had him put on the dress. Then she covered the mirror while she worked on his hair and makeup. She didn't want him to see the final product until she was done.

When she finally finished though, she was flabbergasted.

Callum was a knockout.

She knew he would be pretty but the girl in front of her was downright gorgeous. No one wonder all the boys mistook her brother for a girl. It was worse with makeup and proper hair styling.

"So what's the verdict?" he asked, nervous.

Rachel didn't say anything and instead uncovered the mirror for her brother to make his own opinion.

Callum stared for quite a long time, the only word out of his mouth was:

"Shit".

There was a gorgeous girl staring back at him. If he didn't know it was him, he would have asked her out. A strange feeling surged through him. Something foreign and unexpected. Sure, he used to play "girl" at the lake but that was for laughs. He usually just wore one of his sister's shirts and a pair of her shorts. It was easy enough to mess with. Sitting here now though, in front of Rachel's vanity, it was hard not to see the hottie he had become.

"Here, walk in these" she said, handing him a pair of white sandals with a one inch heel.

"I'll break my neck!"

"You'll be fine, I'm sure of it" she reassured him, knowing damn well her brother had this inborn grace that made her jealous at times.

Callum took the sandals with a sigh. Rachel had always been the dramatic one, but she had a point. He'd have to convince Mark's friends that he was a girl, and not just any girl, but the coolest, hottest girlfriend they'd ever seen. He slipped them on, standing awkwardly as Rachel laughed at his attempts to balance.

"Remember, heels are about confidence," Rachel instructed, holding onto his shoulders. "Walk like you own the place."

Callum took a tentative step and wobbled slightly, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. Rachel's laughter didn't help, but it did make him feel a little more at ease. They practiced for hours, Rachel guiding him through the art of walking, talking, and even sitting like a girl. He had to admit, it was weirdly liberating.

"Remember to sway your hips," Rachel instructed, mimicking the motion. "It's all about the sass."

Callum rolled his eyes but did as he was told, taking exaggerated steps back and forth in Rachel's room. His long blonde hair cascading down his back in loose waves, thanks to Rachel's styling efforts. They'd spent hours watching YouTube tutorials on contouring and walking in heels, and to his surprise, he wasn't half bad at it. The dress swished around his legs as he practiced, the fabric soft against his skin. There was barely any hair on his legs and what little was there, Rachel promised to show him how to get rid of it later.

After a few more attempts, Rachel nodded in approval. "You're a natural," she said, smothering a giggle.

Callum's cheeks flushed as he stepped out of the sandals and sank into the carpet with relief. Rachel took notes on her phone, listing all the supplies she would need for his transformation: the perfect shade of lipstick to complement his naturally flushed cheeks, fake eyelashes that would make his eyes pop, and a push-up bra that would give him the right curves without being too obvious. She had a knack for detail and wasn't going to let this opportunity to shine slide.

The next day, Rachel returned from her shopping spree with a bag full of goodies. They spent hours trying on different outfits, applying and reapplying makeup, and watching YouTube tutorials. Rachel's expert hand painted his face into something that was both familiar and foreign, a blend of the Callum he knew and the Callie he was about to become. She had a surprisingly steady hand for someone who had only ever painted scenery before, and she took her role as fairy godmother very seriously.

The moment of truth came when Rachel pulled out the fake breasts. Callum had seen them online, the kind that stick on and look surprisingly real if done right. He was nervous but Rachel's confidence was contagious. She showed him how to apply them, smoothing the adhesive on his chest and carefully placing the pads. He watched in amazement as his flat chest transformed into something with actual curves. Rachel stepped back and nodded with satisfaction. "Perfect," she said, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Now, let's see how well you can tango."

"These come off right?" he asked, looking at his new naked "breasts" in her mirror.

He was even covering them like a real girl, she noticed.

"I have the remover right here" she said, waving the little bottle in front of his face.

Callum took a deep breath and tried to ignore the weird feeling of the padding against his chest. Rachel had done a pretty good job, he had to admit. He'd never felt so... feminine before.

For the next couple of days, Rachel had him practice everything: how to apply makeup that looked like he wasn't wearing any, how to sit without his posture giving him away, and even how to laugh delicately without it sounding forced. They practiced different scenarios, like ordering food at a restaurant and even flirting with a cashier. Rachel was a harsh critic, but her feedback was helpful. Callum felt like he was learning a new language, one filled with subtle gestures and demure glances.

He was surprised at how comfortable he was in his new role. It was like slipping into a well-worn pair of shoes. He enjoyed the way the dresses swished around him, the way the makeup highlighted his features. Rachel had convinced him to shave his legs and underarms, which was weird but surprisingly not as bad as he thought it would be. He had to admit, he liked the way it felt, the smoothness of his skin under the fabric of his sister's old dresses.

Rachel was thrilled with his progress. "You're going to break hearts," she said with a grin. Callum rolled his eyes but couldn't help feeling a bit smug.

Like she thought, he was a natural. It made her wonder if she had a brother at all and if he was ever coming back.

When the weekend arrived, Rachel decided it was time to really test her new "sister". She tossed some clothes at Callum while he was sitting in his room, playing another one of his games.

"Get dressed, sis, we're going to the mall" she said and left before he could protest.

Callum was flabbergasted. When he looked at the outfit she had thrown at him, he was nervous. Rachel had gone all out, giving himself overly girly on purpose. There was even a bra and underwear. When they told their mother what they were planning a couple of days ago, she wasn't over the moon but she often let her kids do their own thing. She did make him wear the breast forms around the house though so he could get used to them.

"If you're gonna be serious" she had told him "do it right"

He put on a pair of tight, skinny jeans and a crop top, which Rachel had assured him would "highlight his waistline" and his "womanly curves". He looked at himself in the mirror, feeling both ridiculous and surprisingly good. Rachel had picked out a pair of ballet flats, which were surprisingly comfortable, and a light sweater to keep him warm in the brisk December air.

They drove to the mall in silence, he was too nervous to speak. That nervously instantly evaporated as soon as they got there though. It was like a switch was flipped and someone new was born out of Callum. Rachel watched in stunned amusement as "Callie" took over, becoming the confident, sexy heartbreaker she created.

"Walk with confidence," she whispered at him, "but don't overdo it. You're a cool girl, not a pageant queen."

Callum kept telling himself over and over again that he was a girl named Callie.

Callie was a head turner.

At the mall, Callum felt the eyes of every guy follow him as Rachel paraded him around, a proud coach with her star pupil. He felt a mix of fear and excitement, his heart racing every time someone looked his way. Rachel had taught him well; he had the sway of his hips down pat and his makeup was flawless, a light touch that made his cheekbones pop and his eyes look mysterious. Rachel had even picked out some light blush that made his cheeks look like they were glowing from within.

As they strolled through the crowded mall, Rachel pointed out boys she thought were checking him out. Callum couldn't help but feel a thrill run down his spine every time. It was like he was invisible to them as Callum but as Callie, they couldn't get enough. It was a strange power trip and he was riding it.

They stopped by the food court and Rachel pointed at a group of guys sitting at a table. "Those are the ones," she whispered. "Pretend to trip and fall by their table. It's classic damsel in distress shit."

Callum rolled his eyes but did as he was told, stumbling slightly and letting out a dramatic gasp as he "fell" towards the group. One of the guys jumped up to catch him, his eyes wide with shock and...was that interest?

Thankfully Callum didn't know him, so he didn't go to his school. He wasn't sure what he'd do if he was caught by someone he knew. Rachel had thought of that though and they had gone to the mall two towns over just in case.

The guy helped Callie to her feet, his hands lingering just a bit longer than necessary. Rachel smirked as she saw the blush creeping up Callie's neck. "Thanks," Callie murmured sweetly, flashing a smile that could melt ice. Rachel had taught him well.

They got their food and sat down at a nearby table, Rachel watching the scene unfold with glee. She had always loved a good performance, and this was Oscar-worthy. Callie sat with poise, her legs crossed just so, sipping on a strawberry smoothie like it was the nectar of the gods. Rachel had picked out the drink to match her new persona, a sweet and slightly tart concoction that seemed to fit her brother's new identity perfectly.

She marveled at the Frankenstein Monster she had created. Mark was in deep trouble because there was no way in hell that he'd be able to handle her new "sister" for long.

After lunch in the food court, it was time for their true purpose---dress shopping. Rachel had a specific place in mind it, a boutique that specialized in prom and pageant gowns. It was a place she had always dreamed of going, but had never had the occasion to. Now, it was Callum's turn to play dress up.

They sifted through racks of dresses, Rachel holding up one after another, critiquing each with a sharp eye. "Too flashy," she said of one, "too plain" of another. Callum felt like a doll being dressed up for a playdate.

The blue dress caught Callie's eye almost immediately, but Rachel made him try on a dozen others first. Each one felt wrong, either too tight or too loose, too bright or too dark. But when he finally slipped into the blue one, something clicked. The soft fabric hugged his body in all the right places, accentuating his newfound curves without being overly revealing. The color brought out the blue in his eyes, making them sparkle like the stars in the winter night sky. Rachel's eyes lit up like Christmas lights.

"This is it," Rachel declared, her hands clasped together in excitement. "You look amazing!"

Callie looked at himself in the mirror, the blue dress wrapping around his figure like a second skin. The color brought out the cool tones in his eyes and made his skin glow. It had a sweetheart neckline that showed just enough of his newly discovered cleavage, and the skirt fell to just above his knees, flirty and playful. The material was soft, like a warm embrace, and the way it hugged his waist made him feel...feminine. It was strange, but not entirely unpleasant.

Rachel took charge of the situation, spinning Callie around so he could see the dress from every angle. "Walk for me," she instructed, her voice firm but encouraging. Callie took a step, his legs unsteady in the heels Rachel had convinced him to wear. With each step, the dress swayed gently, the fabric whispering against his legs. Rachel nodded approvingly. "You're a natural."

They bought the dress, along with a pair of matching heels that Rachel swore were "absolutely necessary for the full effect". Callum couldn't argue with the results; the shoes made him feel taller and somehow more... Callie. Rachel had picked out a pair of earrings that dangled just right, catching the light with every movement of his head.

"You're going to make Mark wish you were a girl for real" she said, giving Callum a gentle hug.

Callum chuckled nervously. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

But Rachel's words echoed in his mind as they left the store, the bag with the dress swinging from her hand. Was it possible that Mark could actually be attracted to him... as Callie? The thought made his stomach flip-flop. He pushed it aside. This was just a prank, a way to help his best friend out of a bind.

The days leading up to the dance were a whirlwind of practice and preparation. Rachel was relentless, pushing Callum to become Callie in every way possible. They spent hours watching rom-coms, studying the way female characters interacted with their love interests. Callum found himself mimicking their gestures, their laughs, even the way they held their hands. Rachel had him practice flirting in the mirror, batting his eyelashes and pouting his lips. He had to admit, it was weirdly fun.

Callum's transformation was more than just physical; Rachel made sure he was mentally ready for the role. They discussed what kind of girl Callie was: bubbly, shy, or sassy? They settled on a mix of all three, a girl who could hold her own but also knew when to play coy. Rachel had him practice his voice, adding a slight lilt to make it sound more feminine. He was surprised at how easily it came to him.

By the time of the dance, it was hard to tell he was a boy at all.

They left for Mark's town a day early to avoid any last-minute mishaps. The eight-hour drive was tense but Rachel made it more bearable with her playlist of cheesy pop songs and her unflagging energy. Callum sat in the passenger seat, fidgeting with the hem of his skirt. Rachel had insisted on dressing him in full Callie gear for the trip, saying it was all part of the experience.

The roadside motel they stopped at was a dive, but it had a neon "Vacancy" sign and it was too late to find anything better. The clerk at the front desk looked them up and down, his eyes lingering on Callie's cleavage before he handed them the key. Rachel shot Callum a look that said, "See, you're totally convincing." Callum felt a mix of fear and exhilaration at the thought of being seen as a girl by a complete stranger.

The room was small and musty, with a single queen-sized bed that Rachel immediately claimed. Callum laid out his sleeping bag on the floor, feeling both relieved and slightly disappointed that Rachel hadn't made him share the bed as part of the "experience." They ordered takeout from a nearby diner, Rachel made sure he used his "Callie" voice on the phone so the clerk wouldn't catch on to their secret. The food was greasy and salty, but it tasted like a five-star meal after their long day of driving.

As they sat on their beds that night, they gossiped like sisters.

"So, how do you think Mark is going to react?" asked Rachel, hopeful that his reaction was one she was secretly expecting.

Callum had purposedly kept Mark in the dark about everything. Sure they still gamed but there was no more face timing. Mark clearly suspected something but didn't say a thing.

Callum shrugged off his sister's question, too nervous to respond.

They arrived in Deer Creek the next morning, the sleepy town still wrapped in the last tendrils of dawn. Rachel navigated the narrow streets with ease, having visited Mark numerous times before. The town looked like something out of a Hallmark movie, with its quaint little shops and decorated street lamps. Callum couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia; it had been years since he last set foot here, but the memories came flooding back.

They parked outside the teen hangout, a small coffee shop that had been a favorite of Mark's. Callum took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, Rachel's hand on his arm giving him a squeeze of reassurance. The bell above the door jingled as they entered, and the familiar scent of roasted beans filled the air. The place was almost empty, a few teenagers huddled in a corner, engrossed in their phones.

Mark was in one of the back booths with his friends, laughing at some joke, a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. Callum felt his heart skip a beat as Rachel nudged him forward. In full Callie mode now, he sashayed over, his hips moving in a way that was both strange and surprisingly comfortable. He slid into the booth next to Mark, his skirt whispering against the vinyl seat. Before Mark could even look up, Callum wrapped his arms around him, giving a tight hug.

"Hey, baby," Callum cooed, dropping a kiss on Mark's cheek. Rachel had taught him to lean in, to make it look like a natural, loving gesture. Mark's eyes went wide with shock, his cheeks flushing as he realized it was Callum. But before he could say anything, Callum leaned back with a laugh.

"What the..." asked a dumbfounded Mark.

Callum was still laughing. "The look on your face, babe" he said in perfect girl voice. "Priceless"

He took on phone and snapped a pic, giggling.

Mark was visibly shocked but played along.

"Hi, Callie," Mark managed to say, his voice thick with astonishment. His friends' eyes widened in disbelief, some of them barely able to contain their laughter. Callum felt a rush of excitement at the successful deception, his heart racing as he maintained the charade. Rachel sat across from them, sipping her coffee and watching the scene with the proud smile of a puppet master.

One by one, Mark introduced Callie to his friends, the basketball team members who had been eagerly awaiting her arrival. Each greeting was met with a coy smile and a flutter of eyelashes, just as Rachel had taught him. The guys couldn't believe their eyes, and Callum felt a strange thrill at the way they ogled him, their expressions a mix of surprise and something else he couldn't quite put his finger on. Rachel had been right; he had them eating out of the palm of his hand.

When Mark got to introducing Ben, Callum fought back the urge to punch the jerk.

"So the infamous Callie, so nice to meet you in person finally" he said, trying to sound suave.

Callie beamed back with a smile that could charm the birds from the trees. Rachel had taught him that the key to a good first impression was confidence and a touch of mystery. Ben took Callie's hand, his grip firm and a little too long. Callum felt his stomach twist in annoyance but kept the smile plastered on his face.

As they sat around sipping their drinks, the conversation flowed like a river in spring, fast and full of life. Callie listened intently, throwing in a giggle here and a playful elbow nudge there. Rachel sat back, watching with a smirk as the guys stumbled over their words, trying to impress the new "girl" in their midst.

Mark couldn't keep his eyes off Callie. He had seen him in a hundred different lights, but never like this. It was like looking at a painting that had suddenly come to life, a masterpiece of Rachel's making. He felt a strange tightening in his chest every time Callie leaned in to whisper something in his ear, his heart racing at the scent of Rachel's old perfume that now clung to his neck.

The rest of the basketball team couldn't help but stare, either. They were a bunch of high school jocks, used to ogling the popular girls in the hallways and at parties, but Callie was something different. Something...exciting. They weren't sure if it was the mystery of the situation or just the sheer audacity of the whole thing. Either way, they were hooked.

The group shifted from the coffee shop to the park.

At the park, Mark's friends tried to play it cool, but their eyes kept darting over to Callie, who was now sitting on the sidelines, watching them play with a bored expression that Rachel had practiced with him for hours. Rachel had taught him that playing hard to get was an art form, and he had to admit, it was working. Mark kept throwing glances at him, a mix of confusion and admiration playing on his face. It was like watching someone try to solve a Rubik's cube while riding a unicycle; you couldn't help but be impressed.

The guys played basketball, their usual routine, but the energy was different. They were showboating more than usual, trying to get Callie's attention. Rachel had packed a picnic lunch for them, something she said every proper girlfriend would do. Callie laid it out on a blanket, watching as the boys played their game. Rachel had even taught him how to watch sports without actually watching them, the art of appearing engaged without really caring.

Callie wasn't really keen on being "this" kind of girlfriend but according to his sister it was the best way to keep the other boys away from "her".

A break in the game saw Mark come wandering over, finally getting Callum alone.

"What the hell, dude?" he hissed.

"You like?" asked Callie, still in his girl voice. "Rach is a miracle worker, isn't she?"

Mark's mouth was still agape. "I had no idea," he finally managed to say, his voice still in shock. "This is... insane."

Callie just smirked. "You wanted a date to the dance, and now you've got one. Just remember to treat me right, or I might just leave you hanging," he said, batting his eyelashes and pouting.

Mark tried his best to keep his eyes on Callie's face but they diverted to his chest once or twice. "Where did you get the...its not..."

Callie rolled his eyes. "They're fake, doofus"

"But how..." Mark's voice trailed off as he tried to comprehend the reality before him.

Callie leaned in, whispering, "Rachel's got skills, remember?"

Mark nodded, still in disbelief. "I can't believe it. You really had me going there for a second."

"I can't believe you packed snacks" said Ben as he sauntered over, grabbing a sandwich. "Its freezing out here. Who the hell would want a picnic?"

Callie glared at him with all the spite of a thousand suns. Rachel had warned him about Ben. "Its called being considerate," he replied with a sweetness that could give someone diabetes. "Maybe try it some time?"

Ben burst into laughter. "She's something", he said before wandering back to the court.

Callum felt a strange thrill at the challenge. He was going to make Mark's friends eat their words. The rest of the afternoon was a whirlwind of playing the doting girlfriend. He cheered Mark on during the game, clapped when he scored, and even fetched water for the team. Rachel had taught him that the key to a successful ruse was to commit to the role, and Callum was giving it his all.

When Mark's team won, Callie threw his arms around him in a congratulatory hug, his chest pressing against Mark's in a way that made him feel...odd. Rachel's fake breasts felt heavy and unnatural, but also oddly satisfying. Mark's friends slapped Callie's back, welcoming him into their bro-circle. Mark's face was a mix of confusion and amusement.

As the afternoon sun began to dip, Callie announced that it was time to leave. Rachel had scheduled a full day of pampering and preparation for the dance. "Girls have to look their best," Rachel had told him with a knowing wink.

Mark and his friends watched as Rachel whisked Callie away, their jaws practically dragging on the ground. "See ya, babe," Callie called over his shoulder, blowing a kiss. The guys couldn't help but laugh, still in disbelief at the idea of Mark having such a "cool" girlfriend. Mark's mind was racing with questions, but he knew he'd have to wait until the dance to get answers.

The rest of the day was a blur of hair styling, makeup tutorials, and Rachel's relentless instructions. Callie sat patiently as Rachel painted on eyeliner and mascara, turning his lashes into dark fans that framed his eyes. Rachel had picked out a soft pink lipstick that matched Callie's cheeks perfectly, making him look like he'd just stepped out of a magazine. His hair was styled in loose waves that fell just past his shoulders, framing his face and giving him an air of innocence. Rachel had insisted on a manicure, too, the soft scent of strawberry nail polish filling the room.

Callie felt like he was being prepped for a royal ball, Rachel fussing over every detail. She had picked out a blue dress that matched Callie's eyes, the fabric shimmering with every movement. Rachel had even found a pair of earrings that looked like tiny snowflakes, which she claimed would "make his outfit pop." The shoes were the most daunting part, a pair of stiletto heels that Rachel swore would make him look like a million bucks. Callie had his doubts but trusted Rachel's fashion sense.

When the limo pulled up, Rachel gave him one final look over. "You're going to break hearts tonight," she whispered, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Callie took a deep breath and stepped out into the crisp air, the skirt of his dress fluttering around his legs. He felt like a fraud, dressed in a costume he wasn't sure he wanted to wear. But Rachel's belief in him was like a shield, pushing him forward.

Mark came to the hotel room door and knocked gently. The look of surprise and wonder on his face when he saw Callie was enough to say it all.

"Wow" he said, flabbergasted.

Rachel smirked. "Now have her back home before midnight or else Cinderella turns back into a pumpkin"

Callie shot his laughing sister a look. She thought she was a comedian.

"Shall we?" asked Mark as Callie hooked "her" arm in his.

The limo ride to the dance was filled with awkward silence and nerves. Callie's heart raced in his chest, the heels clicking against the floor of the car with every little movement. Mark seemed lost in thought, his eyes never leaving Callie's for too long. The town of Deer Creek was decked out in lights, the Christmas spirit in full swing. The dance was being held in the high school gym, which had been transformed into a winter wonderland.

Mark led Callie in on his arm, all smiles.

Callie was all nerves.

He took a deep breath as the two of them stopped at the threshold.

"What's wrong?" asked Mark, confused.

Callie took a deep breath. "It just dawned on me. I guess I'm actually your Christmas date, huh?"

Mark laughed. "We can blow it off if you want, head back to my place, play some games?"

A small part of Callum wanted to say yes to Mark's plan but the rest of him---the Callie part---was totally against that.

"Nah" he said.

Then the two of them walked arm and arm into the dance.

The End For Now

Author’s note: As I’m sure all of you know, comments are life blood to an author. I’m not begging or demanding, but I certainly would appreciate anything you have to say (or ask). It doesn’t have to be long and involved, just give me your reaction to the story. Thanks in advance...EOF