Spring Break Gender Break! Part 2 - Bait and Switch By Drew Miller Copyright© 2015 By Drew Miller All Rights Reserved. Andy thought he was going to be able to go back into boy mode after assuming the identity of his fraternal twin sister, but when he and Alana's friend Christina arrive in Miami, Spring Break truly turns into a gender break for him because of circumstances beyond his control... very attractive circumstances that is!

 

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Part 2: Bait and Switch
 
Christina and I arrived at the airport and we checked our bags. And by we, I mean I checked my bag full of boy clothes. I felt a twinge of sadness when it disappeared behind the clear flaps into the chaos which is the maze of conveyers in the back. I missed it like a young child misses their security blanket.

“Have a wonderful trip ladies and thank you for flying with us!” said the ticket agent.
“Thanks,” said Christina. “Earth to Alana. Come on girl. Let’s head to our gate before they give our seats away.”

“Hmm?” I replied. “Yeah, right,” I said in deflated tone. “Hey. What are you grinning about?”

“About how the ticket agent didn’t even do a double take when she saw ‘your’ ID,” she said.

“Lucky for me,” I said.

Just then, Christina stopped and shot me a withering glare.

“Are you going to be like this the whole time?” she said.

“Not after I unpack my checked bag at the hotel I’m not,” I said.

Arms akimbo, she said, “Look, I went through six months of chemo…and radiation and surgery on top of that. For a while there, I wasn’t sure I’d even make it this far. But I did. And now I’m here and I’d like to have a good time. Right now would be a good time to start. All I’m asking is that you be pleasant. Can you please do that for me?”

I couldn’t say no to those teary eyed doe-eyes of Christina, so I gave her a nod.

“Thank you!” she said.

We clicked our way across the tile in our cute wedges. Her stride was easy and confident, never
once losing her balance. Me? Not so much. She held her head up high, taking in the hustle and bustle of people and the numerous shops along the way. I kept my head down mostly, and not just because I was a little on the shy side. I’m thinking it had a little to do with the wandering eyes of male passersby, eyes which were no doubt mentally undressing Christina and me, the hottie that I was. For years I had heard women complain of this ad nauseam. Now I understood why. I also understood that ignorance can sometimes be bliss and I longed for my ignorance back!

As we neared the security checkpoint, I felt like when you’re on a rollercoaster right before the first big drop! However, like back at the ticket counter, I flashed my ID without any overly-scrutinizing looks cast my way. That part was easy, almost as easy as deciding between a passive x-ray screening or a pat-down. But after braving the gantlet of wandering eyes of horny young guys…and older guys, I opted for the opposite gender to discreetly feel me up.

I’d definitely rather have another woman screen me! Wait a minute. Did I just say ‘another woman?’ What I meant was ‘a woman.’

I really needed to change back into my boy clothes!

The security screener went about her job. I was so nervous, that if the “birth defect” between my legs could have crawled up inside me and joined his two “friends,” it would have done so faster than the 747 we were about to board! However, as nervous as I was right then, it was nothing compared to when I heard a voice to my right coming from in front of the x-ray baggage scanner.

“Excuse me Miss,” said the other security screener.

I prayed he was talking to Christina. It was only when he said the same thing a second time at a slightly higher decibel level that I acknowledged him with a sheepish smile.

“Yes?” I asked, walking over to him.

He was standing over my, I mean Alana’s, unzipped carryon bag. He discreetly held up a small tube so only I could see.

“I’m afraid you can’t take this on the plane,” he said. “It exceeds the number of ounces allowed.”

“What is it?” I wondered, peeking in.

My cheeks felt like they were on fire when I peered closer. And I’ll tell you why. It was a tube of lubricant, and I’m not talking about the kind used on rusty machinery!

Oh my God! What, was my sister planning on inviting the entire football team from her school back to her hotel room?

“Just throw it away,” I said in a whisper. “Must have gotten in there by mistake.”

But the screener gave me one of those, “oh sure, I believe you” incredulous looks.

I let out a nervous laugh, grabbed my carryon, and sashayed my cute little butt toward the seating area as quickly as my wedges would allow.

Christina rushed up beside me with a befuddled look on her face.

“What was all that about?” she inquired.

“Nothing,” I said. “I just want to sit down. My feet hurt.”

“Welcome to hell: population ladies,” she declared. “But you get used to it…BTW, you’ve really got that walk down. I honestly thought you were Alana for a second…which makes me wonder.”

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” she said. “I lost my train of thought.”

Oh my God! Does she suspect that I feel like a girl on the inside? Stop it. You’re just being paranoid. There’s no way she could know. There’s just no way.

We took our seats. She distracted herself with her laptop, while I opted for my iPod. I was as generous with the volume as guys had been with their special brand of attention as of late.

It took me about ten songs into my play list before I thoroughly recovered from the shock and embarrassment back at the security checkpoint. No sooner had I gone into chill mode that Christina tapped me on my shoulder.

“What’s up?” I said.

She pointed to the terminal’s departure screen.

“An hour?” I whined. “Seriously? We have to wait another hour. It doesn’t make any sense. I mean, look outside. Do you see any clouds? I don’t.” I crossed my arms.

“Stop pouting,” she said with a smile.

“I’m not pouting,” I retorted. “I’m just...” I sighed. “Airports really aren’t on my top ten list of places I like to be.”

“Wait a minute?” said Christina. “Are you afraid of flying? Is that what this is?”

“No,” I said firmly. “It’s the crashing that worries me.”

Leaning in, she said, “I’ve got a Xanax if you need something to chill you out a little.”

“I don’t need any drugs!” I insisted. I must have insisted a little too vehemently, because I was drawing a few stares. “I’m sorry Christina. Thanks, but I’ll be okay.”

But I was far from okay. My palms were sweaty and I broke out in a cold sweat. Flying was nerve-wracking enough on its own, but feeling like all eyes were upon me, the beautiful fraud that I was, was becoming too much too bear. I felt sick to my stomach. I had to get away, and fast! I got up as daintily as possible and made a b-line for the restrooms. They were the closest refuge.

I was beside myself, so beside myself that I went on autopilot. I walked in, but not very far. I froze in my tracks because now it didn’t feel like all eyes were upon me. All eyes were upon me! The way the men were staring at me, I swear, if I could have died of embarrassment, I would have.

With head down, I rushed out and headed into the “right” bathroom. I sought refuge in the nearest unoccupied stall. I fought back tears. I didn’t even have a chance to get myself under control before I heard a familiar voice.

“Andy?” said Christina. “Are you okay?”

I remained silent. Okay, maybe not completely silent. I think my whimpering gave me away.
There was a gentle knocking on the stall door.

“Andy? Is that you?” wondered Christine in the softest tone.

“I’m fine,” I asserted. “You should go back and watch our bags. They’re pretty strict about that.”

“I know,” replied Christina. “That’s why I’ve rolled them in here with me….Can I come in?”

I opened the door so it was ajar and addressed her in an equally soft tone.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” I said.

“Yes you can,” she asserted. “With a little help.” She dug around in her purse. “Here. Take one of these.” I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could protest, she cut me off. “Trust me. Take one of these, and I guarantee, in fifteen minutes you’ll feel as good as if you’re relaxing on a beach in Miami.”

She placed the pill in my outstretched hand and I downed it like a shot. Then, she smiled.

“I’m going to head back to our gate,” she said. “Just come out when you’re ready. It’s not like our flight is going to be taking off anytime soon.”

I nodded. “Okay,” I whispered.

After about ten minutes, the tension drained away. I exited the stall and glided out of the bathroom. I held my head up high like Christina. Apparently, the anxiety wasn’t the only thing I had left in the bathroom. I also checked that “out of place, impostor” feeling at the entrance.

I joined Christina in the seating area. Riding high on my wave of calm, I felt as if I could have waited another hour. Lucky for us though, our actual departure time was about the same as the estimated.

We boarded the plane, and I found out I was as much of a lightweight when it came to little pink pills as I was with alcohol. No sooner had we taken off and retreated to the safety of the tranquil skies than I dozed off.

“Andy? Hey Andy,” whispered Christina.

My head was resting on Christina’s shoulder. I nuzzled closer before answering her.

“Tell them I don’t want any peanuts or soda,” I said.

She chuckled. “I did,” she said. “Before we landed.”

I glanced to my right. The shuffling of passengers down the aisle confirmed it.

“We’re here already?” I inquired.

Christina nodded.

“Wow!” I declared. “Xanax, where have you been all my life?”

“Come on sleeping beauty,” said Christina. “Let’s grab our bags before you drift off again.”

We were treated to one last smile by the flight attendants as we disembarked.

“Enjoy your visit ladies,” said one twenty-something woman.

I didn’t even take offense at being called a lady. Can you believe that? In fact, it made my heart soar. I figured it was just a side-effect of the Xanax. And my soaring heart just kept on, well, soaring.

Now, walking to the baggage carousel, I was enjoying all of the attention from the wandering eyes of the male passersby. I was enjoying myself until we got to the baggage carousel.

At first, I was patient and calm. However, that all changed when all of the other passengers came and went with their bags and it was just Christine and I waiting in front of an empty carousel.

“Oh, no,” I uttered. “This can’t be happening. Of all the times for them to lose my luggage, it had to be this time.” I threw up my arms in disbelief. “Now what I’m supposed to do?”

“Well,” began Christina. “It’s not like you don’t have anything to wear.” She glanced at my carryon.

“Lucky me,” I said. I sat down on my carryon and held my head in my hands. “It was just supposed to be for one day. This carryon was just supposed to be a ruse. It wasn’t supposed to be my wardrobe. It’s Murphy’s Law I tell you. I hate Murphy’s Law!”

Tears stung my eyes and began to trickle their way down my face.

“We can still buy you some boy clothes,” she said. “I can put it on my credit card.”

Her words gave me little reassurance at that moment. I opened my purse and pulled out a tissue.

Just then, Christina’s face lit up. I turned around and mine did the same thing at a most welcome sight.

“Thank God!” I exclaimed. I picked it up and shrugged my shoulders in Christina’s direction.

“You see?” she said. “You were worrying for nothing.”

I wiped away another tear and managed a smile.

“C’mon…Alana,” she said. “Let’s go grab a taxi.” She gave me a wink.

~o~O~o~

At last we arrived in our room at the hotel. I plopped down on the bed and grinned.

“We made it!” I declared. “I can’t believe it. Whew! I don’t know about you, but I’m whipped. I’m just going to relax and watch some TV.”

Christina said, “I’m going to head down to the lobby and grab some snacks. You want anything?”

“Come to think of it,” I said, “maybe I’ll have that soda I never drank on the plane. Coke zero would be great if they have it.”

I thought Christina would be there and back in something like less than ten minutes. But when over fifteen minutes passed, I reached for my phone. No sooner had I sent my text message than I heard a knocking on the door.

“Yeah, yeah,” I said. “I’m coming.” I opened the door.”

“Where are the snacks?” I asked.

“Sorry,” she said. “I kinda lost my appetite.”

“What’s going on,” I said. “You look as nervous as I did back at the airport before I took that xanax.”

Christina sat down on the edge of the bed closest to the air conditioning unit. She took a deep calming breath before speaking.

“Okay,” she began. “How do I put this? I was downstairs getting the drinks when I heard someone call my name from behind. At first, I thought they were talking to another Christina. I was like, there’s no way it could be him, you know at the same hotel. I mean what are the chances?” She laughed nervously.

“Was there another girl named Christina down there? Please tell me there was.” I said.

She shook her head before replying with averted gaze.

“Well who was it then?” I asked. “An old boyfriend?”

“Not exactly,” she said. “It’s actually kind of funny. It was my cousin.”

I crossed my arms before interrogating her further.

“And what exactly did you tell this cousin of yours?” I said.

“Oh, this and that,” she said. “Just the usual we haven’t seen each other in a while catching up type stuff…I asked who he was staying with and uh, he asked me the same.”

My eyes went wide. I was afraid to but I had to ask a certain question.

“And what was your answer?”

“Umm,” she began. “Well…”

“For the love of God, please tell me you told him you were by yourself,” I implored.

Her silence confirmed worst case scenario.

“Why didn’t you just lie?” I demanded.

“I had to tell him I was with Alana,” she asserted. “There’s just no way he’d believe that my parents would let me go by myself.”

“Why Alana?” I exclaimed. “Why not Andy?” I pointed to my checked bag. “Why couldn’t you just tell him you were here with me?”

“That would look even more suspicious!” she snapped.

“Not if you made something up,” I said. “I mean, you could have told him that I’m you’re gay BFF or something.”

“Well maybe he surprised me by showing up out of the blue like that,” she whined. “And maybe I was so nervous that I couldn’t think up a really clever lie on the spot. Did you ever think about that?”

“Okay,” I said. “Okay. I’m sorry. I guess you did the best you could under the circumstances.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“All is not lost I guess,” I said with a wry smile. I forced a cough. “Too bad I’m not going to meet him because it looks like Alana just came down with a cold.”

“I’m not so sure that’s going to work,” said Christina.

“Why not?” I insisted. “It’s so simple it’s brilliant!”

Knock! Knock!

“That better be room service,” I said.

Christina pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow.

“Tell him to go away!” I hissed. “Tell him I have Ebola or something.”

“Shush!” she said, motioning with her hand. “He’ll hear you,” she whispered.

Apparently he did hear us, I mean me. I heard a deep muffled voice.

“Christina? Alana? Are you decent?”

It felt like all the blood drained from my heart.

Christina got up. Glancing over her shoulder, she whispered at me.

“I have to let him in,” she said. “He saw us come in together. He knows you’re not sick. I need you to be Alana right now.”

“As long as it’s brief,” I said.

“I’ll do my best to get him to leave,” she promised. “Just follow my lead. And remember…”

“Short sentences,” I interjected. “I know.”

I reached into my purse and dug around for the other half of that Xanax. I needed it more now than ever! I threw it back right as she opened the door.

Just relax girl. It’ll be over soon enough.

When the door clicked open, I broke out in a cold sweat. But I didn’t start shaking because I was captivated by what I saw.

Her cousin entered the room, all 6’1’’ and 190 pounds of him. And did I mention that most of that one-hundred ninety pounds was chiseled muscle? In fact, if he told me he was Chris Hemsworth’s cousin, I could easily suspend my disbelief.

He flashed me a warm smile before looking me up and down much like Christina’s mother had done earlier that day.

“Alana?” he said. “Wow! You look…great.”

I felt myself blush. I brushed some strands of hair away from my cheek.

“Thanks,” I said. “So do you.”

Whoops! Did I just say that out loud?

He sat down on the edge of the bed next to Christina.

“I can’t believe it’s been three years since I’ve seen you guys,” he said. “We totally need to hang out and catch up.” Before I could even open my mouth to utter an objection, he continued on. “What are you doing for dinner?”

“Well, we uh,” said Christina.

“Since you don’t have plans,” he said, “why don’t you come have dinner with us?”

“Who exactly is us?” I asked.

“Me and a buddy of mine and his girlfriend,” he said.

“Will your girlfriend be joining you?” I wondered.

He smiled the sweetest smile before enlightening me.

“It depends,” he said. “It depends on if I find someone between now and dinner.”

“Oh,” I said breathlessly.

I let out a nervous little laugh. The way his beautiful eyes were fixated on me made my heart flutter, and strangely enough, made my fingertips tingle. The more he smiled at me, the more I smiled back. I tried hard not to, but I just couldn’t help myself. It was like I had a spell cast on me or something.

“Hey Ben?” said Christina. “Is that your phone going off?”

“Hmm?” he replied. “Oh yeah.”

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who had been captivated!

“I better call them back,” he said, rising to his feet. “So how does this sound? I know this great Mexican restaurant that has the best margaritas. How about you and Alana meet me in the lobby around six so we can walk down there together?”

“Sure,” said Christina. “Sounds fun.”

“Cool,” he replied. “Oh, and they also have live music. So, don’t forget to wear your dancing shoes…Just kidding Alana. See you girls later!”

“Bye!” said Christina.

I just sat there with my mouth open. I was completely at a loss for words. But after Ben left, Christina most certainly was not.

“Are you okay Alana…Sorry, I mean Andy?”

“I might be okay if you would have consulted me first before saying yes,” I said.

“Sorry, but it seemed like you were up for it,” she replied.

“Why would you think that?” I wondered.

“Please girl,” she said. “I saw the way you were looking at him. Your eyes were saying yes, yes, yes.”

“What? That’s ridiculous. I was just being friendly.”

Christina suppressed a laugh. “There’s a difference between being friendly and flirting. And you were most certainly flirting, whether you want to hear it or not.”

“I guess I just liked the attention,” I conceded. “That’s all.”

“Can I ask you something?” said Christina. “Do you like guys?”

“What?” I quietly protested.

“It’s totally okay if you do,” she said. “You don’t know this about me, but I really don’t care about stuff like that.”

“If you really don’t care, then why are you asking?” I said.

“Because you shouldn’t deny yourself what you need…and deserve simply because of what others might think,” she said. She sat down next to me. “When I was being treated for cancer, I learned a lot about regrets. Did you know that the number one regret of terminally ill people was that they didn’t live a life true to themselves and instead chose to do what others expected of them? A non-genuine life is no life at all. And a life without love isn’t really worth living.”

I felt the tears stinging my eyes.

“Wonderful,” I quietly declared. “So basically my life thus far has been a non genuine piece of garbage.”

She grasped my hand tighter. When she did, the love and compassion I felt radiating from her did something to me. It shattered all of my defenses, including my stubborn pride. I placed my hand over my eyes and started sobbing.

“It’s okay,” she said. “Just let it out.”

“You think I’m gay, but…but I’m…I’m not,” I asserted. “I’m actually straight. Can you believe that? And you want to know why?” Her non-judgmental silence told me it was safe to confess my most terrible of secrets which had burdened me for as long as I can remember. “I’m trans…I’m transgender.” Pointing to my head, I said, “I feel like a woman…in here. I thought the feelings would go away but this damn trip has made them come back with a vengeance.”

I started sobbing again. All of the pent up pain and suffering from twenty plus years in the closet flowed to the surface like my tears.

“This may come as a surprise to you,” she said, “but I’m not really that surprised…And I don’t think your sister would be either.”

I forced a laugh. “I bet Ben would be surprised.”

Christina nodded. “Which is why it’s probably best not to tell him. Guys typically have a little harder time dealing with this uh, issue.”

“Yeah,” I said softly. “Christina? Would you pass me the tissues please?” I blew my nose. Forcing a smile, I said, “God, I’m such a wreck right now. My makeup must look terrible.”

“Do you still want to go?” she asked. “To dinner I mean.”

I nodded. “Surprisingly, yes. I feel a lot better now.”

“Never underestimate the benefits of a good cry,” she said. “C’mon. Let’s get you into the bathroom and I’ll help you fix your makeup. How does that sound?”

I answered her with a warm smile.

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