The Princess and the Plague By Anistasia Allread Edited by Edeyn "I... um... I kissed Julian." "Mmmm?" Dr. Barts sounded interested. "Did you enjoy it?" "It was... different," Erika admitted, "But I was drunk when I did it."

---

Eric slung his duffel over his shoulder and opened the door to greet Samantha and a gray, overcast day.

"Morning, sleepy head."

Eric closed the door behind him and scampered down the steps, "She won't talk to me."

"Tricia?"

"Who else."

"She's pretty pissed. You know she got grounded, didn't you."

"Yes, so did I," Eric grumbled, "I've still got to figure out how I'm going to get my parents to allow me to go to the game Friday."

"You have to go, it's your first game on the squad, not to mention a home game," Samantha stated.

"My parent's don't know I'm on the squad. I'm lucky I was able to get their permission to stay after school for my 'Political Cartoon' club," Eric made the quote marks in the air.

"How bad is it?" Samantha asked.

"Not nearly as bad as it could have been," Eric shrugged, "I think Dad is relieved that I'm making friends and doing things other than locking myself in my room. He is mainly upset that I didn't call to be picked up from the party."

"Duh. You broke their trust, as well as Tricia's Family's trust," Samantha agreed.

"Thanks for your support," Erika scoffed.

"One thing with parents, is you can't break their trust. Even if you do stupid things, you've got to give them the ability to trust you."

"Like telling them that I've been attending school as a girl?"

"Well..."

Samantha let it drop. They walked in silence for a few moments. "That reminds me, You can't change at Tricia's for a little while."

"What?"

"She's grounded from seeing you before and after school for a while, so we have to have you change somewhere else."

"Where?"

"I'm guessing school. My home is the other direction."

"Oh Shit!" Eric cursed, "How am I going to haul all of this to and from school without my mother noticing. Especially my Rally uniform?"

"I don't know. I'm sure we'll come up with something."

Eric shook his head and mumbled profanities to himself.

"I'm sorry this happened, but you brought this on yourself," Samantha stated, "If you hadn't gone wandering off in a drunken stupor Saturday night, none of this would have happened."

"I know, I know," Eric stomped on, "It's the whole plague thing all over again. I can't do anything right and everything I do or touch gets hurt or damaged."

"It's not about 'The Plague,'" Samantha insisted, "It's about thinking about what you are doing. How what you do effects others."

"God, I'm tired of hearing that! I'm tired of hearing how everything I do effects others." Eric stopped in his tracks, "You know what? Go on with out me. I'm not going to school today."

"Don't be so sensitive."

Eric responded by turning up a different street.

"Erika." Samantha called after him.

Eric put his head down and walked on, stiff backed.

"Come on Erika, we need to go to school," Samantha pleaded, "If you miss Rally, you'll be off the squad and there's nothing I can do about it."

Eric kept walking. He heard footsteps quickly approaching behind him.

"Erika, Please." Samantha pleaded.

"I'm sorry," Eric said plaintively. "I'm sorry that I got drunk. I'm sorry that I wandered away from the party and I'm sorry that Tricia got into trouble. I just need to be alone."

"I'll go with you," Samantha fell in step beside him.

"I'd rather you didn't."

"You are my friend, Erika. I will stay with you."

"If you were my friend, you'd let me be."

"I... can't," Samantha managed to get out.

"Why?"

"Cuz I don't want to leave the people I love alone when they are in pain," Samantha sniffled, "I did it to my sister and she killed herself."

"That wasn't your fault," Eric said flatly.

"If I hadn't left her alone, she might still be here," Samantha choked slightly.

"You can't blame yourself for Summer's death," Eric didn't slow his steps.

"No, but I can try and help others."

Eric stopped suddenly and looked at Samantha who almost stumbled over herself to stop.

"I am not going to kill myself. I just need to be alone to think."

Samantha just stared at him.

"The key word in that is 'alone.'"

"Come to school today," Samantha pleaded.

Eric shook his head and looked at the ground.

"Please."

He took a deep breath, "I'll make it to Rally practice, but I won't be going to school today."

"How do I know you won't go and do something stupid?" Samantha asked.

"Text me."

"Huh?"

"Text me throughout the day to make sure I'm still alive," Eric instructed.

"Promise me you won't do anything stupid." Samantha insisted.

"I promise," Eric avowed.

"Okay, I'll be texting you. If you don't answer a text within a few minutes of my sending it, I'll call the police."

"Make it two texts. Sometimes they get lost in transit or delayed."

"Fine," Samantha agreed as she wrapped her arms around her friend.

"I care about you so much," she told him.

"I care about you, too," Eric replied.

"See you at practice," Samantha said as she broke the embrace.

"Okay, I'll be there."

Samantha gave him one of her most beautiful smiles before heading back towards school.

Eric stood on the sidewalk, staring at a weed growing out of a crack.

"Weeds don't grow just in flower beds, but in concrete, too. Or is the concrete considered the weed?"

He took a deep breath and then let it out before walking on. Didn't Erika think about weeds the other night? Eric shook his head, No, it was something Dad's Uncle Will had said.

His dad had a lot of Uncle Will sayings and stories. Uncle Will had apparently passed away before Eric was born. It was something how stories about people you had never met can stick with you. His dad had some strange relatives, too. He'd never met Crazy Aunt Carrie, but his family received fudge from her for every Christmas.

Eric paid little attention to where he was heading, he just needed to walk -- and think. His thoughts drifted back to yesterday morning...

When he finished showering, he dressed in his boy clothes and exited the bathroom. The shower helped him feel a bit better, but his head still pounded from the previous nights antics. He stuffed a few of the odds and ends into his duffel and exited Tricia's bedroom. The pink-obsessed girl wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"Tricia?" he called.

No answer. He made his way down stairs where Tricia's mother had a choice of oatmeal or pancakes for breakfast. Samantha was finishing up her plate of pancakes.

Eric accepted a plate of the hotcakes and ate as much as his queasy stomach would allow.

"Here," Tricia's mother handed him two asprin, "Make sure you drink lots of water."

"Thanks," Eric nodded.

When he was done with breakfast, Tricia's mother made him call his mom and have her come pick him up.

When she arrived, Tricia's mother told her briefly what had transpired over night. Mrs. Martin was embarrassed and furious with her son.

"Go straight to your room, young man," she scolded, "I'm going to have a talk with your father, and we will decide what to do about this behavior of yours."

Eric's mind screamed out, What behavior, the drinking or the being a girl?! but he didn't voice his worry.

He dropped his duffel on his bed and began unpacking it. While he was eating breakfast, Tricia had apparently packed his bag. He found his forms, gaffe, makeup and jewelry stowed under the top layer of clothing. Was she kicking him out of her life?

He'd have to talk to her. Apologize to her and try to explain to her.

He could hear the muffled voices of his parents in a heated debate down stairs. Occasionally, he could make out his name being uttered, but beyond that... nothing.

Eric pulled out his mobile and called Tricia's phone. It went to voicemail. He called it again with the same result. He switched to texting and asked her to give him a call.

Having hidden the contraband, Eric flopped down on his bed and closed his eyes to the still pounding of his head.

Half an hour later, his dad knocked on his door, "Come down to the kitchen please."

Crap. Only serious conversations were reserved for the kitchen table. Eric scrambled out of bed and followed his dad downstairs.

The lecture went on for almost an hour. It was the responsibility lecture again. His mother added a few minutes about how many people died when drinking whether by alcohol poisoning or drunk driving. Dad cut that tangent down from the long version or else he would have been there another hour.

"Look, Eric, you are in High school. You will be going to parties with drinking and drugs. I would hope that we raised you with enough common sense to call a responsible adult to come pick you up if you partake in any of those kinds of things."

"You better not be doing drugs!" His mother snapped, "It's bad enough that you're drinking."

"Of course, I'd hope that you wouldn't experiment at all with that kind of stuff -- but I can't be there to hold your hand twenty-four seven. Just use your common sense. Your choices affect those around you."

"If in doubt, just pretend that your parents are standing behind you watching you," his mother added.

"Anyway, your mother and I have decided that you will grounded for two weeks. No X-box, no T.V., no girlfriends."

Eric couldn't believe his ears. That was all? That was it? That was just a slap on the hand.

"And you are to come straight home after school," his mother added.

"But mom..." Eric protested, "My club."

"That's too bad," Mrs. Martin crossed her arms over her chest, "And I'm going to be speaking to Dr. Barts about this as well."

"I can't be missing my club meetings," Eric was in a state of panic.

"You heard your mother," His dad ended it.

"I'll be kicked off... off the project," Eric whined.

"Maybe you'll think twice before drinking," his mother's voice was ice, "You need to consider how your actions affect others."

Eric went up to his room and flopped down on his bed and cried into his pillow. A little bit later, there was another knock on his door.

"Yeah?"

His dad poked his head through the door, "I spoke to your mother. You can still go to your club meetings after school, but you have to come straight home afterwards."

Eric raised his head from his pillow, "Really?"

His dad nodded.

"Thanks, Dad."

His dad smiled, "I remember what it is like being your age. You know my Uncle Will had to get me out of a few similar situations."

"He did?"

His dad's smile grew. He gave a wink and ducked out of the door and closed it behind him.

Eric could hardly believe what just happened. He was only grounded for two weeks. He could grin and bear that. He pulled out his phone and called Tricia again. Again with the voicemail.

Maybe she's busy. She probably didn't get my text either. Eric texted her again and lay back on his bed, the crying made his head ache along with the pounding.

Before long he found himself at a park. He didn't come to this part of town very often, everything seemed a bit alien to him. The trees swayed back and forth as the wind gusted through their tops. Eric dropped his duffel at the edge of the play area and sat on a swing and began to slowly swing back and forth. The creaking of the rusty joint of the swing above his head kept a steady tempo as the wind picked up and died around him blowing strands of hair across his face. Absently, he tucked the loose tresses behind his ear and pulled on his seemingly naked earlobe.

Everyone was after him to start seeing how he affected others. His mother, his dad, Dr. Barts -- even Samantha. Tricia was grounded because of his actions. His mother was keeping information from his father because of his actions. Dr. Barts said that she was was ethically on a razor's edge because of his actions. Why did he have to cause so many people pain?

Eric was restless. He felt undone, incomplete. He wanted comfort, to feel whole again. He grabbed his duffel and started to storm out of the park but first he'd have to use the bathroom.

Without thinking, he walked into the woman's bathroom and was using a stall before he realized what he was doing. Luckily due to the gray weather and it being a weekday morning, no one else was using the park.

Eric's phone vibrated as he set his duffel down. He pulled it out and sighed.

Samantha: Where R U? What R U doing?

Erika: At park thinking

Samantha: about what?

Erika: about everything

Samantha: K. bug U L8r

Eric tucked the phone back and entered a stall.

He finished what he was doing and washed his hands. He looked into the polished stainless steel sheet that passed as a mirror and felt naked. He rummaged around in his duffel and began pulling stuff out.

Fifteen minutes later, Erika emerged from the park's bathroom. She was still wearing her boy clothes but with her breast forms in place, makeup, earrings and roughly styled hair, no one would give her a second glance.

She breathed a sigh of relief, not realizing how 'normal' it felt to be Erika. She slung her duffel straps over her shoulder as if it was a large purse and began walking again. Her mind mulling over the events of the weekend and how she was going to get Tricia to talk to her and hopefully forgive her. She could bring her some flowers, perhaps stand below her window with a tape player blasting love songs.

Erika, not paying attention where she was going, looked up at the sound of sweeping. She looked around and found herself just outside the Skate Park. Everyone called it the Skate Park, Heather's Heavenly Heathen Hideaway Snack bar and Skating Emporium was just a bit of a mouthful.

Summer had friends that would bring their decks to the park to use it's half pipes, rails, jumps and pools. Erika didn't have the coordination or balance to walk without tripping, let alone balance on a plank perched on wheels. She was still getting the hang of walking in heels, despite spending the summer walking around in the strappy wedge sandals that Samantha had her wear.

"What a mess," Erika heard herself say out loud.

"It was worse yesterday," a youngish woman in her mid-twenties said looking up from her broom.

"What happened?" Erika asked as she recognized her as Heather, the owner.

"There was a big skate-off on Saturday; boys versus girls."

"Who won?" Erika asked.

"It was a tie, but the girls won due to the guys being bad sportsmen."

"Sounds about par for course," Erika shrugged, "What did they do? The boys I mean."

"Wexler, the leader of the boys, saw that the girls might win and deliberately caused Annie to fall," the woman shook her head, "It's a good thing I enforce that rule about helmets."

"Was she hurt?"

"Concussion. Her brother and friend cross-checked the guy and sent him to the hospital. It looked pretty bad."

"Sounds like you had quite a weekend, "Erika shook her head in disbelief.

"Shouldn't you be in school?" Heather asked.

"On my way now," Erika backed off.

"Be careful."

Erika waved a thanks and headed down the road, retreating back into deep thought.

How would being Erika affect those around me? She asked herself. What difference does it make whether I'm a boy or a girl? The change of a pronoun? An 'F' instead of an 'M' on paperwork? Oh, I know, she smiled, whether I sit or stand when I pee.

How would it affect Mom if I told her who I really was? She would gain a daughter. Someone to shop with, gossip with, cook with. It was nice having ice cream with her last week. She seemed to enjoy it... I think. Erika cast her thoughts back to last weekend. She smiled, but she did seem a bit stiff. Once she gets used to the idea, I'm sure she would relax.

That leaves Dad, or should I call him Daddy? One thing at a time. Let's get him to accept me as me, Erika, first. Maybe he'd like me to call him Daddy... It's like Dr. Barts said though, If I became a girl, I mean all the way, I would be a girl, but I wouldn't be able to have children. Dad wouldn't be able to pass on the family name. I could always adopt kids, but is that the same? Dad doesn't even know about Erika, yet. He'd probably flip his lid and start calling me names like the rest of his family does about anyone who is different.

Erika sighed.

He'll never accept me... I've got to figure out a way. I've got to figure out a way that he will accept me as Erika... I've just got to. Maybe Samantha will have an idea? I wonder if Dr. Barts knows a way that would keep him from blowing up right away and possibly think about it first?

She dug her vibrating phone out again.

Samantha: What R U doing?

Erika: I'm taking a walk n thinking

Samantha: Just checking in

Erika: Haven't done anything drastic

Samantha: Keep it that way. C ya

Erika put the phone away, looked up and found herself a couple of blocks from the batting cages. She wasn't angry or frustrated -- well maybe a little frustrated. She decided to use the card that her dad had given her and swing at some balls.

The guy inside the office of the batting cages looked at her weird as she selected a helmet. He shrugged and turned back to watching his little T.V. leaving her alone.

Erika picked out a bat and went into the slow pitch cage and swiped her card. She settled into a batting stance and tensed as the light on the machine lit up, informing her of the eminent pitch.

She thought of her life before going to Camp Kumoni. Eric had a few friends growing up, but he did tend to stay to himself. He wasn't good at sports, he was a bit clumsy and always one of the last to be picked for team sports. Before he had received the computer for Christmas a few years ago, he'd spent a lot of time with his nose in a book or with pads of paper, and what ever he had at hand to draw with, whether it was pencil, ink pen, charcoal or even crayon. Eric was always allowed to let his mind escape as he drew, he would become the super hero using super powers, or a critter in the forest of a landscape that he painted.

Life after the computer seemed even more secluded. He spent a lot of time listening to music and playing in photoshop.

She swung the bat and connected with a ball. She rejoiced in the feel of the vibrations of the bat as well as the metallic clink sound as the ball was sent the opposite direction.

Should I talk to Leeza? Or maybe Dr. Barts? she wondered.

“I need to talk with someone,” she muttered to herself as she swung and chopped a ball.

Should I sit Mom and Dad down and just blurt it out? Or should I do it while we're out to dinner so that they'd have a hard time reacting? Mom's going to be pissed about school, but Dad is going to shit a brick.

Erika batted a few more balls then turned in the helm and bat. She fixed her hair in the bathroom mirror and walked a few blocks to catch a bus to get across town.

Samantha: What's up?

Erika: At the bus stop.

Samantha: Where R U going?

Erika: 2 C Dr Barts

Samantha: R U ok?

Erika: Yes. I just want to talk to her.

Samantha: Good. Text me as soon as U R done. Talk 2 U L8r

Erika stood at the bus stop and wondered if she should call Dr. Barts' office first.

I really need to see her, she thought, I need to start getting things in order to talk to Dad; well, Mom too, but she already knows about me. Sort of. Should I tell him dressed as myself or as Eric? I wonder if I should have Tricia there with me? First I have to figure out how to get her to speak to me.

Erika's heart ached. She hadn't felt this chest pain since Summer... since Summer... since Summer left.

Erika got on the bus, well, what passed for a bus in Constitution. The town had small shuttle-type buses that passed as the transit system, but at least they had them.

Erika lay her head against the window and stared off seeing nothing.

-20-

Erika stood outside Dr. Bart's office, staring up at the building, her duffel hanging from her hands. She took a deep breath to clear her head, and walked in.

"Hello, do you have an appointment today?" The receptionist asked.

"No, but I need to speak to Dr. Barts," Erika nervously rubbed her hands together.

"Does she know that you are here?"

"No," Erika admitted, "I thought about calling when I was on the bus, but I spaced it."

"She's in an appointment right now," The receptionist explained.

"I figured. I can wait," Erika said hopefully.

"She's pretty booked up today, but I'll ask her if she can see you."

"That would be wonderful," Erika smiled weakly.

"Take a seat and I'll talk to her as soon as she comes out of her current session."

Erika nodded and picked up a magazine and eased into a chair. She was finishing her fourth magazine when Dr. Barts opened the door.

"Erika?"

Erika almost jumped to her feet. She set the magazine down and looked up at Dr. Barts.

"I, um, I needed to talk to you," she stammered.

"Are you all right?" Dr. Barts asked.

Erika nodded hesitantly. She eased to the edge of her chair in anticipation.

"Give me a few minutes," Dr. Barts smiled at her. She went to the receptionists and talked to her at some length before turning back to Erika. "Come on in, Erika."

Erika followed her therapist down the hall and into her office. Dr. Barts received a file from her receptionist and closed the door as Erika perched at the edge of the chair. Dr. Barts lowered her glasses from the top of her head down to her nose and took a seat across from her.

Crossing her legs, Dr. Barts finally looked up at Erika and asked, "Is there something wrong?"

"There's always something wrong," she rolled her eyes, and paused, "but that isn't why I'm here," Erika managed to find her voice. She continued after taking a deep breath, "I've been doing a lot of thinking, actually, about what you've said and all... about figuring out who I am and how it will affect those around me."

"Oh?"

"Well, I really feel like I need to be a girl; that I am a girl," Erika gulped. "I mean, I want to tell my parents, but I don't really know how to, you know, tell my dad with out him overreacting."

"What do you think your dad will do?" Dr. Barts asked.

"I, I'm not sure. It's like I said before, his family are homophobes or anti-gay or something. They are always calling them names or telling jokes."

"Do you think your father might get violent?"

"Like beat me up, or kill me or something?" Erika blinked. "I don't think so. He might be extremely mad, and make my life a living hell or something, but I don't think he'll get violent."

"When did you want to tell them?" Dr. Barts asked.

"I was thinking maybe this Saturday. I want to plan out exactly what I should say. Should I have friends around? Should I do it at home? Or should I do it in public like a restaurant?"

"I think having a friend or two around would be all right. You could do it here in my office, so that I can, perhaps, help your dad understand."

"That might work." Erika conceded.

"Are you sure you want to make this change?" Dr. Barts inquired.

"I already have," Erika nodded. "I didn't realize how much I am this," she gestured down at her body, "until recently. Today, really."

"How so?" Dr. Barts arched an eyebrow over the top of her glasses.

"I feel like I'm playing dressing up, or should I say dress down, when I'm wearing my Eric clothes. I feel like I'm acting when I'm with my parents, being Eric. It just... doesn't seem real anymore."

"So you believe you are a girl," there wasn't a question in her voice.

Erika nodded.

"Have you had any relationships with boys?"

"What?" Erika was surprised.

"Have you gone out with any boys?"

"Well, I kind of went on a date at camp, but the guy was a jerk."

Dr. Barts wrote in the file.

"And I - I went to a party on Friday night."

"Mmmmm?"

"I... um... I kissed Julian."

"Mmmm?" Dr. Barts sounded interested. "Did you enjoy it?"

"It was... different," Erika admitted, "But I was drunk when I did it."

"Are you attracted to this boy?"

"He's cute, I guess, if that's what you mean," Erika shrugged, "But I'm in love with Tricia."

"She's one of the girls you were at camp with, right?"

Erika nodded.

"Have you had any other relationships with boys?"

"I made a friend at camp. Matt. He and I email. He's planning on meeting up after a football game next month."

"Erika, have you seen the medical Doctor yet?"

"Yes. They took a bunch of blood and made me pee in a cup."

Dr. Barts nodded, "You haven't gotten the results back yet?"

"No, why?"

"I just want to see if your blood chemical levels are in check. See what your hormone levels are. If you really want to be a girl, then you need to start thinking about what it entails. You haven't gone through much in the way of puberty. And, well, if we start now, we can likely block it from happening at all so that you don't start growing more facial hair, your voice doesn't deepen any more and you don't get too muscular."

"You can do that?" Erika asked.

"In a few years we can even encourage more feminine traits by giving you hormone treatments. You can grow your own breasts, your skin will become softer and smoother, you'll even get the mood swings that women go through."

"I can do without those," Erika grinned, "My mom says I'm moody enough as it is."

Dr. Barts smiled. "So what we will be doing, or I should say, what you will be beginning is called RLT, or Real Life Test. Where you will live as a girl in every way, twenty-four/seven. The law says that all transgender persons must complete the RLT and have several doctors' give an 'OK' before having SRS -- which is Sexual Reassignment Surgery."

"You mean they could cut off my penis?"

"They actually invert the penis and create a vagina, but it's the same effect as having been cut off, in a basic sense."

Erika thought about that for a few moments. Dr. Barts let it sink in.

"I think it's a bit premature to be thinking about cutting off body parts," Erika stated.

Dr. Barts smiled before responding, "I'm glad you aren't trying to rush things, Erika. It shows that you are being methodical about this situation and giving it real thought."

Erika nodded.

"So, I want you to talk to your mother, then have her call me as soon as you can, so that we can schedule this meeting with your father."

"Should I confront him as Eric or myself?" Erika's heart sped up a bit.

"I think I should talk it over with your mother first," was the answer from Dr. Barts, but her eyes sparkled as she made some notations in the file and placed it on her desk.

Erika rose and almost shyly gave Dr. Barts a hug, whispering a muffled, "Thank you,” into the woman's shoulder.

"You're welcome, Erika," Dr. Barts replied, giving her a brief squeeze in return.

--o0o--

Erika walked out of the building and took a deep breath of fresh autumn air. Her heart sped up and then slowed down. She was going to have to face her parents -- especially her father -- sometime in the next few days. She walked down the street to a bus stop.

Erika pulled her cell phone out as she sat on the bench.

Erika: Ive talked 2 Dr. Barts about telling my parents

Samantha: When R U telling them?

Erika: Sat.

Samantha: Shall I spread the word?

Erika: No keep it secret 4 now

Samantha: k. C U at practice

Erika rode the bus to the mall and entered the food court. She ended up eating a taco salad before walking down one of the mall's large shop-lined corridors. An eerie chill raced down her spine as she realized that the last time she was here was when Eric had been pushed into the fountain.

That made the decision for her.

She was going to confront her father. She was going to tell him that he no longer had a son but a daughter instead. The thought both frightened and thrilled her.

Erika dug into her pants pockets and counted out what money she had managed to save. 48 dollars. She smiled at the small cache of bills and entered Forever 21. A new top would be way better than this polo shirt.

She started thinking about what she might wear when she met her father for the first time as herself. Should she wear a dress? Or should would it be better to wear a slightly more feminine version of attire she wore today? What if her father became one of those 'Not under my roof!' dads? What if he made her change back into Eric and go to school as Eric? The thought horrified her. If that happened, maybe 'Eric' could switch to going to Adams High School. Would he be able to avoid being 'The Plague' there?

Think positive, she told herself.

She bought a new blue top that brought out her eyes and wore it out of the store, having stuffed the polo shirt into her duffel.

Erika looked at the clock and realized that she needed to get to school so that she didn't miss practice.

---o0o---

"How are you feeling?" Samantha greeted.

"Better than this morning. How's Tricia?"

"She didn't join us for lunch. I think she's still pretty upset."

"Where have you been all day?" Victoria asked joining them.

"Went to see my shrink."

"Cute top. Where did you find that?" Samantha looked over the cut and style.

Erika beamed, "I just got it over at Forever 21 on my way here. Like it?"

"I think I might want to borrow it."

Victoria giggled shaking her head.

"Come on, let's get to practice," Krystal told them as she passed by.

Erika changed in one of the bathrooms and joined the rally squad in the gym, stretching and getting limber before working on their routines.

"Where have you been?" Jordon asked, "I didn't see you at school today."

"I had a Doctor's appointment." Erika explained to the Rally Leader.

"Taylor was going to get all pissy if you hadn't shown up for practice," Jordon warned, "Just watch yourself."

"Thanks."

Taylor didn't say anything to her through out the practice about her missing school. She did grill her on some missed steps in one of the routines, though.

"We have to get this together for Friday's game," the squad leader berated. "You're going to look pretty funny on the field messing up!" But the comments were directed at the whole group, and Erika knew she wasn't the only one to mess up. "Practice at home, practice at lunch, practice in your sleep," Taylor instructed.

Hot and sweaty, Erika was thankful for the end of practice. She packed up her duffel and waited for Samantha and Krystal to finish.

"You going to shower?" Taylor asked.

"I'll shower at home." Erika responded.

"Okay," The dark girl's braids swung and bobbed as she turned and walked towards the locker room.

Samantha and Krystal soon finished and the three walked down the street towards home.

"You need to get rid of that make up before you get home," Samantha reminded her.

"Oh, shit, you're right," Erika swore, "I've just become so comfortable as Erika, I forget that I have to pretend to be Eric."

"Just a while longer," Samantha smiled.

Erika nodded back with a smile of her own. "Let's stop at Mickey D's, I can wash up there."

The three girls crossed the street to the McDonald's. While Erika made her reverse transformation, Samantha and Krystal ordered some fries and drinks.

"I can only have a few fries..." Krystal informed Samantha, "I've got to keep on my diet."

"You're doing great. Jorge says that you are really nailing the lifts and catches too."

Krystal blushed slightly.

Erika, back in her boy clothes and makeup scrubbed off joined them outside and said good bye to Krystal as she headed to her home.

"We missed you at school today," Samantha told Erika.

"I doubt Tricia is missing me much right now."

"Have you tried calling her?"

"Last night, she still wouldn't answer her phone."

"She just needs to chill for a while," Samantha assured Erika.

"Oh, shit, both of my parents are home," Erika swore.

"That's bad?"

"Dad usually doesn't get home until late, especially on a Monday."

"Good thing you washed up," Samantha pointed out.

"Yeah."

"Well, I hope everything is okay. See you tomorrow?"

"Sure," Erika held her arms out for a hug from Samantha.

"Thanks," she said.

"What for?" Samantha asked.

"Texting me and caring about me today."

"That's what friends are for. I just wish I could have done the same for Summer."

"Me too."

Erika took a deep breath on the front door stoop to realign her thinking to that of Eric and stepped through the door.

"I'm home," Eric called out, "I really need a shower though."

"Eric," His mother's voice was firm, "Come here."

Eric's heart skipped a beat.

Oh, shit, what is it? he thought.

Eric took two deep breaths and tried to calm his heart before rounding the corner to the kitchen.

His mother and father both sat at the kitchen table looking up at him with concerned faces.

"Where have you been?" his mother asked.

"I told you... I had that political cartoon club," Eric was trying to think fast on his feet.

"I mean where were you today?" his mother asked.

Eric's heart felt like a dead lead weight in his chest.

"I dropped by your school today and they informed me that you weren't there," his mother's voice had an icy edge to it.