The Princess and the Plague (Life after Camp Kumoni) By Anistasia Allread Edited by Nick B Pete Shaw knows my secret.” “What?” Samantha was incredulous

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Erika wrapped a towel around herself. She was wearing panties and her bra under it but didn’t want to come close to freaking her friends out.

“Samantha?” she called exiting the bathroom.

“Yeah?”

“Could you help explain this stuff to me?” she asked, tossing the duffle with her uniform on the bed. “Tell me what is what and how it is supposed to go on?”

“Sure.” Samantha dug into the duffle and started pulling out the uniform bits and laying them on the bed. “The top is called the shell. When it is cold out at a game, you put this turtleneck on under the shell to keep your arms and neck warm. This of course is your skirt, and these are called spankies.” She held up red underwear looking things. “They go on under your skirt. You’ll have to get some nylons and white tennis shoes. This should get you started. When your kit comes, you’ll also have warm-up pants and a jacket.”

“Go on,” Krystal urged. “Try it on and let’s see how it looks.”

Samantha nodded in agreement.

Erika took the offered garments into the bathroom and slipped into them. She studied herself in the mirror turning one way and then another. She enjoyed the swish of the skirt as she twisted, treasuring how it flowed around her thighs. She tugged a little at the bottom seam, hoping to cover a little more of her bared leg. She opened the door and showed off for friends.

“Now, on Friday’s we put your hair in pigtails or in braids with red and white ribbon, go a touch heavier on your eye makeup and you will have every boy in school drooling,” Samantha chuckled. “I’ll take you shopping for shoes and accessories Wednesday after practice.”

“I’ll try and get some money from my dad,” Erika nodded. She looked over at Krystal, “When are you getting your uniform?”

Krystal looked at Samantha.

“She’ll have warm-ups for this Friday’s away game. She should have her uniform by next Tuesday or Wednesday.”

---o0o---

“Are you hungry?” Mrs. Martin asked as Eric entered the house.

“Famished,” Eric practically groaned.

“There is a plate on the stove, you can nuke it. How was school?”

“Fine,” he replied and dropped his backpack near the kitchen table. He put the plate in the microwave and began warming the food.

“You have a Doctor’s appointment tomorrow morning,” his mother told him, “After the appointment, I’ll drop you off at school.”

Eric’s heart jumped. “Dr. Barts wants to see me tomorrow morning?” He wondered if the doctor had changed her mind on spilling the beans on the charade that he and his friends were playing.

“No, a medical doctor,” His mother clarified, “Dr. Barts suggested that you see a medical doctor and get some blood work done.”

“Why?” Eric asked.

“She’s concerned that you haven’t seemed to have gone through puberty. She just wants to make sure that your hormone levels are okay.”

“I’m fine,” Eric protested.

“Eric, you’re fifteen and you are tiny for your age, you haven’t got much more than peach fuzz on your face and your voice hasn’t changed. There might be something going on.”

“But I feel fine.”

“And you may be, but we need to check it out to make sure,” Mrs. Martin stated.

The microwave ‘dinged’. Eric took the plate to the table and devoured his dinner. “What time is my appointment?”

“Nine-thirty.”

“What time will I be able to go to school?”

“Eleven, maybe. Why?”

“Just want to know what classes I’ll miss.” How was he going to change into Erika? All her clothes were at Tricia’s.

“You are doing better this year at school, aren’t you? You’ve never been eager to go to school before.”

“It helps having friends,” Eric admitted.

He finished eating and took care of his dishes before heading up stairs to his room, pulling out his phone and calling Tricia.

“Hey, how was practice?” she asked.

“I’m tired.”

“I’ll bet you are.”

“Tricia, we have a slight problem.”

“What?”

“My mom is dropping me off at school tomorrow after a doctor’s appointment.”

“Crap. What should we do?”

“Can you bring me some clothes tomorrow?”

“Sure, but how will I get them to you?”

“Leave them in my locker.”

“I’ll need your combo.”

That was easy enough, Eric quickly gave her the locker combination.

“Something simple; jeans and a nice top, I guess,” Eric suggested.

“Not a problem.”

“Thanks Tricia.”

“You’re welcome. I missed you this afternoon.”

“I missed you too. I was so tired and sore after practice that I went to Samantha’s to soak in the hot tub.”

“What did you end up wearing home?”

“My practice sweats. I’ll have my forms and gaffe in my back pack tomorrow, but will need you to bring me some basic makeup and something to tie my hair back with.”

“Okay.”

“Thanks, Tricia.”

The two made small talk as Eric got ready for bed. He was so tired from all of the dancing, and he had muscles that he didn’t even know he had.

---o0o---

Eric sat in the plastic chair; his arm propped uncomfortably on the small table as the nurse wrapped the rubber tourniquet around his bicep.

“Just a small poke,” she cautioned.

Eric tried not to flinch as she inserted the needle into his arm then pushed tubes into the back end to catch the blood.

“How much do they need?” he asked.

“Not much. You’ll be fine.”

The prick in his arm began to itch as soon as she pulled the needle out.

“I think I’m beginning to understand why people don’t like hospitals or doctors,” Eric muttered to himself.

The exam that the doctor performed was embarrassing. Not only did the doctor poke him in the belly and throat, but also did a hernia exam and then to add to the embarrassment, did a rectal exam.

Eric’s mother was asked to leave the room for the more intimate exam, but that didn’t make it any more comfortable. Neither did the doctor ‘umming’ and ‘aahing’.

Eric held the cotton ball to his skin as the nurse placed a band aid over it then joined his mother in the waiting room.

“Done?” she smiled.

“I sure hope so,” he muttered just loud enough for her to hear.

The two walked quietly out to the car.

“Would you like some lunch before going to school?” his mom asked.

“Nah, I’m fine,” he sighed.

“Shall I pick you up after school tonight?” his mother asked.

“Nah. I was going to study with Tricia and Krystal tonight.”

“What time are you planning on being home?” She asked.

“Sooner than last night,” Eric promised.

His mother pulled up to the front of the building and turned the car off.

“What are you doing?” Eric asked.

“I’ve got to sign you in,” She stated.

“It’s alright,” Eric’s heart fluttered. “All I need is to show the office this doctor’s note,” he held the note up.

“Is that a new policy?” his mother asked.

“Yes. They say it helps to minimize non-essential people in the school.” Eric tried not to blink as he told his mom.

“Oh, Okay, honey,” She sighed. “have a good day. Will you be home in time for dinner, or do I need to save you a plate?”

“I should be home in time.” He opened the car door.

“Have a good day.” His mother turned the car back on and pulled out of the drive.

Eric breathed a deep sigh of relief as he waited for a few moments before turning towards the school.

He entered the building and quickly made his way past the office. He needed to get to his locker and change into Erika before signing in. Eric turned down the hall where his locker was located and saw Greg and Tyler talking as they came down the hall towards him.

“Shit!” Eric’s brain screamed. He turned around and ducked back around the corner.

“. . . the plague?” he heard Tyler ask Greg.

Eric looked around. He needed to either out run the two or hide until he could get to his locker and change. His heart beat a bit faster as he heard two sets of feet pick up their pace.

He quickly looked around and saw that the small A.V. storage room’s door was slightly ajar. Eric sprinted to the door and slipped inside. He quickly closed the door behind him and peaked out of the corner of the small window in the door.

“Who are you hiding from?” a voice asked from behind him.

Eric whirled around to find Pete looking up from a worktable. “Greg and Tyler,” he said, and immediately regretted it. Erika wouldn’t be hiding from the jocks; only one who had suffered from them before would hide from them.

“Quick, get into that closet,” Pete pointed.

Eric didn’t even think, he threw himself into the closet and closed the door just seconds before the door to the room opened.

“Did the plague come in here?” Tyler asked.

“I haven’t seen the plague since last year. I thought he moved or something.” Pete looked from Tyler back down to a computer he was working on.

“He’s still in town. Greg and I thought we just saw him in the hall.”

“He’s not in this room.” Pete stated without looking up.

“If you see him, let us know.” With that, Tyler closed the door and muttered something to Greg.

“Stay there.” Pete muttered.

Eric waited twenty more seconds before opening the closet door. “Thanks.”

“Those two are assholes.” Pete looked up from the open computer case. “You know you look like shit when you’re not dressed like a girl.”

“Huh?” Eric felt blood drain from his face, “What are you talking about?”

“Look Eric, or do you prefer Erika now? You and Samantha may have fooled everyone in this school, but I know who you are. I figured it out your first day.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to go tell anyone, especially not those two goons.” Pete glanced towards the door.

“Why not?” Eric asked.

“I don’t like most of the people at this school either.” Pete shrugged. “What they don’t know won’t hurt them.

“Uh… Thanks?” Eric went towards the door.

“Give it another few seconds, to make sure they’re out of the hall.” He went back to working on the hard drive. “Besides, you look hot as Erika.”

Eric turned to look at Pete, who was again intent on his work. He slowly opened the door and peered out into an empty hall.

“Thanks again, Pete,” he called over his shoulder as he slipped out of the room and down the hall to his locker. He sighed with relief as he pulled a duffle out of it and raced down to the girl’s bathroom.

By the time the bell rang signaling the break between classes, Erika was wearing a pair of white Capri pants and a white tank-top under an open-weave pink sweater with a plunging neck line. She stood in front of a mirror applying her makeup when girls began filtering into the bathroom to pee before going to their next class.

“Hi Erika, I didn’t see you in second period,” a girl greeted.

“Yeah, I just got here from a doctor’s appointment,” she replied. She finished putting lip gloss on her lips.

“You going to Julian’s party?”

“Yes, are you?”

“Of course,” the girl smiled. “It’s supposed to be one of the biggest of the season.”

Erika made sure that Eric’s clothes were stuffed safely in the duffle put it in her locker in exchange for her books for her next class.

“There you are.” Krystal greeted, “Where have you been?”

“I had a doctor’s appointment,”

“Everything okay?”

“I think so. I had to have blood drawn.”

“I took notes for you.” Krystal smiled. “I just hope you can read them.”

“Thank you,” Erika smiled. Eric had never had anyone think of him if he skipped a class or was sick. Even Summer didn’t take notes for him. Of course, then again, she was never in any of his classes, except art class.

“I've got to go sign in. I'll see you in a few moments.” Erika promised. She walked down the crowded hall. Students seemed to part for her as she went. Erika was becoming nervous. Feelings of 'the plague' were creeping in on her consciousness. There was a difference in their presence, a difference with their bearing. Erika forced her lips into a smile and began to receive smiles in return. Not evil smiles, not snide smiles that hid alternate intentions. She lifted her chin a bit more as she made her way for the office to sign in.

“Where is your parent?” the receptionist asked.

“She had to get to work, why?” Erika asked innocently.

“In the future, your parent needs to sign you in if you are coming in from a doctor’s appointment,” the receptionist explained.

“Oh, I didn’t know,” Erika lied. “At my last school all I needed was a doctor’s note.”

“Sign here,” the receptionist pointed.

Erika signed herself in and thanked the receptionist and waved as she left the office.

“You alright?” Samantha asked at lunch.

“Yes, just had to give some blood.”

“What do you want?” Tricia asked as Jake approached the table with Tyler.

“Greg and I saw 'the plague' at school earlier.” Tyler announced. “Can you believe that disease coming back to this school?”

“He has a right to an education too,” Tricia stated.

“You haven't met him, you wouldn't know.” Jake made sure to keep his distance from the blonde.

“Where did you see him?” Victoria asked, trying not to make eye contact with Erika.

“In the science hall,” Tyler told them. “He took off when he saw Greg and me.”

“Why would he take off?” Tricia pressed.

“Well… we have a, ah… history,” Tyler tried not to laugh.

“One of these days, your 'history' will come back and haunt you,” Tricia promised.

“Yeah, right,” Tyler snickered. “You should have seen what happened to him last year.”

Erika looked down at the food in front of her, avoiding eye contact with the two jocks. Shame and embarrassment washed over her.

“I heard about that despicable act,” Tricia's voice took on an edge.

Jake involuntarily took a slight step back.

“You all should have gone to jail,” she snarled.

“Come, Jake, we aren't welcome amongst these snobs,” Tyler turned.

“Neanderthals,” Krystal muttered.

“Stupid jocks,” Victoria agreed.

“I'm sorry guys,” Erika looked up from her food, her cheeks flushed and moisture filling her eyes.

“You have nothing to be sorry about, Erika,” Samantha stated, “They're the dumb asses.”

Erika smiled weakly and looked away. She saw Pete across the commons, sitting at a table to himself. She turned back to her friends, “I have to tell you girls something.”

“What?” Tricia asked. The others looked at Erika with some concern.

Erika looked around to see if there was anyone within ear shot, then looked at her friends, one by one, “Pete knows.”

“Pete? Who's Pete?” Krystal asked.

“Pete knows what?” Victoria asked at the same time.

“Pete Shaw knows my secret.”

“What?” Samantha was incredulous.

“When I went to get my stuff out of my locker, I saw Greg and Tyler. I turned and fled to escape. I hid in the A.V. Room and Pete was in there. He helped me hide, until those two jerks were gone. Then he told me that he preferred me as Erika,” she explained. “It's almost creepy in a way.”

“Would he be one to tell?” Tricia asked the other girls at the table.

“I don't think so,” Victoria shook her head. “If he wanted to tell, he would have 'outed' Erika to Tyler and Greg to help himself out. I think she's safe for now.” She looked at Erika, “If he threatens to blackmail you, you let us know immediately, okay?”

Erika nodded.

---o0o---

Erika exited Tricia’s bathroom and presented herself to Tricia and Samantha, “Do I have this on right?” She asked.

“Give us a twirl,” Samantha instructed.

“Damn girl! You look fine,” Tricia beamed as she watched Erika's skirt flare.

“You are going to break a lot of guy's concentration in class today,” Samantha admitted. “Have a seat so I can put your hair in pigtails.”

Erika sat down on the bed and suffered Samantha pulling a brush through her dark locks, pulling them tight and securing them with an elastic, then tying a red and white ribbon around each.

She may be breaking a lot of guy’s concentration in class today, but the feeling of the nylons, wrapping her legs in a seductive embrace was going to be breaking her own concentration. She sighed lightly to herself as she thought about pulling the stockings up over her legs.

Samantha backed away after tying the last ribbon. Tricia stepped forward, pushed Erika backwards on the bed, then fell on top of her, their lips embracing. Erika flinched as she felt Tricia's hand slide over her nylon encased leg from her knee up her inner thigh.