“You said what?!” demanded Nova over the phone.

I sighed. “I said, I told him I’d think about it.”

“Are you crazy?” exclaimed Nova. “The most gorgeous boy at school asks you to the homecoming dance and you say ‘I’ll think about it?’ You don’t want him to think you’re not interested!”

I actually started to cry in trying to explain myself. “Nova! There are several serious issues to consider here. This just isn’t a dance. It’s a huge romantic event! I’ve been letting myself get carried away.”

Nova grunted a laugh. “Ya think? You two were trying to suck each other’s tonsils out last night.”

I nodded uselessly at the phone. “Like I said, I’m letting myself get carried away. Don’t you remember me telling you I’d have to turn Jeff down if he invited me to the dance? Last night only made it more evident why I should turn him down.”

I could see Nova scowl over the phone, “Girlfriend, you need to learn to control yourself around boys. You can go to a dance and still keep your panties on.”

My turn to scowl at the phone. “Nova! It’s not like I’m suddenly boy-crazy. I would feel like a lie going to the dance with Jeff.”

There was silence for a moment and then Nova said, “Did you feel like a lie last night when you were sucking his tongue and he was feeling you up?” I didn’t say anything and Nova asked, “Well? Did you?”

I was silent for a few more moments. “No. No I didn’t. I admit I loved being in his arms. That was wrong. I need to keep it from escalating.”

Nova asked, “How is it wrong? You both like each other. Don’t try to deny liking him, girl. I see your face every time he’s near you. Ronnie, Jeff could have any girl he wants at school. But he’s chosen you.”

“That’s just it, Nova,” I said in a low tone. “I don’t have girl parts.”

Nova sighed. “You have a girl’s heart and if you’re not planning on stripping, what difference does it make what parts you have?”

“I don’t want to hurt him,” I said in a small voice.

Nova was quiet for a few moments. “You love him, don’t you? Hey, I have to run. We’ll talk more tomorrow.” She hung up.

I just sat there a few moments staring at the wall. I thought, is Nova right? Do I love Jeff?

“Well look at you!” said Mom with a grin. “So. What’s up?”

I came out of my room wearing the sweater dress she’d bought me Saturday afternoon and make-up. I was also wearing black hose and a pair of boots from Janet’s closet. I had done my nails the night before.

I shrugged. “Why fight it, Mom? By going all in on this girl thing I’ll find out what people really think. I mean, I’m really nervous about dressing this way. Even without the dress, I don’t like bringing attention to myself. I’m expecting that sanity will prevail and I’ll be sent home to change and then my maleness will be re-affirmed.”

Mom smiled at me. “If you ask me, I think you’re just more comfortable as a girl. You look absolutely adorable in that dress. You don’t have to wear a dress every day, but you probably should express your femininity more. You wear it well.”

I smoothed the front of my dress. “So you don’t think boys are going to point at me and laugh?”

Mom chuckled. “If that’s what you want to happen, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. I can almost guarantee that when boys look at you, laughing won’t be on their minds.”

I felt my face redden. “Right. This is stupid. I should go change.”

Mom touched my arm. “Ronnie. You’re very beautiful. I know I’ve been flippant about all this and I do worry about where this might go. But honey, I have to say I’ve never seen you happier than the last week. I’ve seen positive changes in you.”

I smiled weakly and looked down at my feet. “Thank you, Mom.” I sniffled a few times.

Mom smiled and kissed my cheek. “Now sweetie, don’t start crying. You need to get to school now.” I smiled and nodded. There’s been a definite improvement in Mom as well.

I sat in my car and stared out the windshield after I had parked at school. This is nuts. Sure. Everyone saw and accepted me Friday as a girl when dressed as a cheerleader. And kissing Jeff.

I stepped out of my car and smoothed my dress, though I don’t think it needed it. This was really nuts. I started walking towards the school entrance.

“Ronnie! Oh my God! Ronnie!” called a familiar voice. I turned to see Nova hurrying towards me. “Girl! Just look at you!”

“Hey, Nova,” I greeted. “What do you think? This is stupid, isn’t it?”

Nova shook her head and almost shouted, “No! You look great. I love your dress. Did you do your own make-up?”

I nodded. “Yes. Does it look okay?”

Nova laughed. “You look gorgeous. Instead of asking you to the dance Jeff just might propose to you.”

Feeling suddenly horrified, I asked, “You don’t think he really will, do you? This was stupid to dress like this, wasn’t it?”

Nova frowned at me. “Relax girl. You look great. You’re naturally feminine so I have to say I think it’s wonderful that you have finally embraced it.”

As we started to walk inside the school, boys walking past us would turn to look. A cluster of boys hanging around at the school’s entrance all stopped talking to turn to look at me and smile. This was such a huge mistake.

Nova said, “Well, catch ya later, girl. I have to hurry to my first class. You look great.” She grinned and said, “No more boys rooms for you!”

All eyes were on me when I entered my first class. Girls, if they said anything other than ‘hi’ complimented my dress. The boys just stared. Even the teacher smiled at me. I felt very uncomfortable. I’m not doing this again!

Going to my second period class, several girls stopped me in the hall to ask where I got my dress. A few girls said they liked my boots. Nobody laughed. Boys would smile and say hi. I finally started to relax. I didn’t feel quite so out-of-place. I still regretted my choice in clothes.

On my way to third period, I stopped at a girls room to check my make-up. There were no laughs or screams as I re-applied my lipstick. Just more compliments. My confidence was starting to return as I stepped back out into the hallway. And ran into Olivia.

Olivia always looks great. Her make-up is always perfect. She always wears a dress and heels. Boys always drool over her. But her personality is very toxic.

She walked up to me in the somewhat crowded hall and jabbed a beautifully manicured finger into my flat chest. “I’ve been looking for you, little girl.” Oh great.

Trying to look annoyed, I said, “Well make it quick. I have a class to get to. And don’t touch me!”

Scowling at me, Olivia said, “You need to knock it off with Jeff. He’s going to take me to the dance.”

I glared at Olivia. What the hell is with this girl? “He doesn’t like you. I heard him myself say he hated you.”

Olivia laughed. “He always says that after we have a fight. Little girl, do you really think he loves you? That’s funny.”

“Hey Ronnie. You look upset. Is everything okay?” asked Trace as he walked up to us.

Olivia said, “She thought she had a boyfriend. She’ll get over it.”

Looking curious, Bat walked over to the growing mob of curious on-lookers.

Trace stood a little straighter as he asked, “You’re not dating Jeff anymore?”

I frowned. “Of course I’m still dating Jeff! I think.”

A couple of girls from my Home Economics class, that I was about to be late for, joined the group. One said, “Look. It’s Ronnie. She’s definitely not a tomboy now.”

Another girl walking up said to the guy next to her, “I don’t know who she is, but I heard she just broke up with her boyfriend.”

Tank and a boy from my science class walked up. Tank turned to Trace and asked, “Dude. What’s up? Hey, is Ronnie in trouble?”

Trace shrugged. “I dunno. All I know is that she just broke up with Jeff. I’m trying to ask her to the dance.”

Some girl who I didn’t know and have no idea why it would matter to her exclaimed, “She broke up with Jeff? Is she insane?”

Tank laughed. “Hey back off, dude. I got first dibs on her.”

Some guy in the back ground shouted, “You’re looking for someone to go to the dance with? I’m right here!”

Olivia glared at me as she stood in the middle of the mob with her arms folded. “I don’t get it girl. You attract boys like flies, but you’re short, scrawny and got no tits!”

Bat yelled, “Because she puts out!”

The boy from my science class exclaimed, “Man, she’s hot for sure.”

Bat then said, “I heard she gives great head.”

“Bat!” I screamed. “You fucking liar! Tell them you’re lying!”

Bat laughed. “Sorry babe. You can’t keep something like that a secret forever. It’s all over school.” What the hell is this piece of shit doing? Everyone is going to believe his lies! This is terrible!

Tank said, “Wow. I thought you were a nice girl, Ronnie.”

I saw Gary leaning against a wall across the hall, watching.

I exclaimed, “I am a nice girl!”

From behind me, Nova shouted, “Are you trying to steal my Tank? After everything I’ve done for you!”

“I’m not!” I started to cry. “I’m a victim of circumstances!”

A sizable crowd had formed, choking the intersection. The principal came storming up. She shouted, “What is going on here!”

Someone I didn’t know said, “That Ronnie girl is trying to get a date.”

The principal scowled at me. There’s a lot of scowling going on. She said, “Ronnie! I’m shocked. I expected so much more from you!”

Clutching Tank’s arm, Nova shouted, “Boyfriend thief!”

I exclaimed, “Nova! I didn’t!” I then turned to shout some obscenity at Olivia since she started everything to see Jeff with his arm around her waist and him frowning at me.

Jeff shook his head. “I wish I’d known you were such a loose girl.”

I was crying hard now. “Jeff! Please!”

The principal blew a whistle. “Everyone at this intersection has detention! Now break it up!”

Everyone quickly dispersed leaving me crying alone in the middle of the intersection. The bell rang signaling that I was officially late for my next class.

Well shit.

To be continued…