Shortcuts

A paranormal superhero story with a supernatural twist

First day on the job

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Shortcuts
by Terry Volkirch

Chapter 17

Lester made it through the night with more than enough sleep and no extra abilities. He felt nudges all night but they seemed to just lead him in circles. He finally got fed up and went off in a random direction to pick up techniques for working with horses and dogs. He instantly became a dog and horse whisperer.

"That's interesting," he said as he woke up.

He got dressed and as he sat in the kitchen, having a quick bowl of cold cereal, thoughts of Brian intruded. He didn't look forward to his bus ride to school. He would've considered walking to school if it didn't take him so long. There wasn't enough time.

"Unless I turn invisible and fly," he said quietly. But no, that felt like an abuse of power. He would never abuse his power, though it did disturb him that he even thought of the idea.

"I must be desperate to avoid Brian," he muttered. "Best get this over with."

He finished up, grabbed a coat and headed out to the bus stop, waiting in the rain and getting absolutely soaked since he wasn't prepared for it. He didn't even wear a hat so his wet hair clung to his head and sent rivulets of water running down his forehead into his eyes. He could've used telekinesis to help deflect the rain or at least keep the water out of his eyes but he didn't. He wanted the coolness of the water to remind himself to keep a cool head when he confronted his friend.

An all too short ride later, Brian stepped onto the bus looking distracted. He came over and sat next to Lester but he didn't look at him. The boy just kept looking straight ahead with barely two quiet words out of his mouth. "Mornin', Lester."

"Mornin', Brian. You're looking awfully uptight this morning."

"Dude!" He seemed more angry than anything else, at first. Then his hand flew to his mouth as if he said a dirty word in a convent. "Dude?" he tried.

Lester smiled at him. "Dude," he confirmed.

Brian visibly relaxed and the words finally started leaking out. "Sorry about last night. I guess I really do have it bad."

"No worries. I can relate. I have it bad for Erin and still haven't kissed her so we're even."

Brian gave him a nervous laugh. "You must think I'm an idiot."

"No comment."

"Dude!"

Lester laughed. "I think it's okay to like Crystal."

"Who?"

"Golden Girl!"

"Oh. Right. Sorry. Yeah. Crystal is…."

"You can say it, Brian. I agree. She's hot. It's perfectly normal to be attracted to her."

"This is really awkward, dude."

"Yeah, it is. But we need to talk it through."

"I don't know what else to say. I can't help how I feel."

"Yeah. Sorry. But you know she can't return your feelings. Right?"

"Yeah." He bowed his head and sighed.

* * *

Mister Guile ignored Lester that morning. The substitute teacher rambled on with a lecture that he obviously had no interest in whatsoever. Every time Lester sneaked a peak at Erin, he saw her yawning. The class finished and the students couldn't escape the room fast enough.

Once in the hall, Lester and Erin walked slowly to their favorite class together. The boy thought about taking her hand like he had once before but he hesitated, especially since she was so quiet that morning.

"Erin?"

"Yes, Lester?"

"Please let me know if you'd ever like a repeat of Saturday night."

"What?"

"You know. The flight? I'd be happy to take you again. It'll probably have to be on a weekend though."

"Oh. Yes. That'd be nice," she said without much emotion.

"Is something on your mind?"

"Yes."

"Well?" he prompted.

"We can talk more at lunch. Let's just get through our next few classes first."

He sighed and said no more. Instead, his thoughts moved ahead to his upcoming Advanced Literature class. They were starting to study Romeo and Juliet that week and he couldn't wait. Lester suddenly found himself wanting to embrace romance and he loved the feeling. He knew that the occasional high doses of feminine hormones soaking his male brain had something to do with his new attitude but he didn't care, not if it could help him better understand the fairer sex. He only wished he could embrace and understand everything about femininity. The romance made sense. Boys could appreciate the many benefits of a romantic setting. It was just too bad that so many other feminine things didn't seem nearly as pleasant.

Erin didn't normally have too much trouble staying in a good mood, but on that particular Monday, she wanted nothing more than to hide away from school. She wasn't looking forward to reading scenes from Romeo and Juliet. She didn't want to encourage the feelings that she felt starting to bubble up from her heart. Feelings like hers could only end in disaster. She couldn't predict the future but her intuition held a dark view of the coming weeks, perhaps months. For the first time since she became a human, she started to regret her wager.

'But I meant well,' she thought.

* * *

By lunch time, Erin's mood improved. She still had some unwanted feelings to eventually deal with, but she also had good news that she wanted to share. She joined Lester and the two of them headed for their usual lunch table, sitting side by side and immediately launching into a conversation.

"I guess you could tell I've been distracted today," Erin told him.

"Well, yeah. So what's up? Are you okay?"

"I have a couple things going on but I do have some good news. I got a job."

"What? That was sudden."

"Not really, Lester. I told you before I wanted a job and I got one."

The boy sighed. "Oh. Don't tell me. You're working at the same place Sarah is, and you work the same hours on the same days."

The redhead nodded with a big smile on her face.

"Well, at least we can drive together. My mom is letting me, uh, Sarah, borrow her car."

Erin squealed, surprising neither of them that time. They both began to feel very comfortable expressing their emotions. "That's great!" she said. "Thank you thank you thank you!"

Lester smiled. "We can also take the bus together after school. It'll save time getting ready at my house."

"Right!"

"I still have some of your things in my drawer at home. You might consider bringing more of your things so you have everything you need to get ready."

"Or I can borrow some of Sarah's things."

"As long as it's not makeup. You're not supposed to share that."

"Oh. No, I was thinking more about those accessories that she talked about with your mother. I like accessories."

Lester laughed. The girl's enthusiasm was infectious. "Yeah. That would work."

They continued talking about their new jobs and about how much money they'd be making for shopping. Lester liked that. He had to admit that shopping was growing on him. He couldn't be dishonest with himself any more than he could be with someone else.

The conversation steered clear of Erin's unmentioned problems and the boy forgot to ask about them. They both just looked ahead to their new job. They were both anxious about it, just in different ways. Lester was still uncomfortable about it, but at least he felt ready, and Erin was more than ready.

"Do you know what Sarah will be wearing for work?" the redhead asked.

"I think so. I think it'll be that same outfit that she wore out of the store after her makeover."

"No! She can't wear that. Ms. Godwin just put that together as a lesson for her."

"What?"

"She should wear what she wore for her graduation party."

"Are you sure?"

"Definitely. I'm sure it'll impress Ms. Godwin and show her that you're ready for the job."

"Okay. Yeah. I can see that. Thanks."

"You're welcome." The redhead beamed at him, and she couldn't help staring into his eyes, the window to his soul. She couldn't get enough of his soul.

* * *

Sarah stood just behind her mother's car in the garage, dressed very nicely for work and having no problem walking in her three inch heels. It was the outfit that Erin had suggested, the same green and black peplum dress that she wore for her graduation to womanhood, and she had mixed feelings about it. She kind of liked how nice she looked. It was the idea of the graduation that she had a problem with.

Erin looked equally nice in her navy blue blazer and matching skirt. The clicking of her heels on concrete echoed in the two car garage as she walked to the passenger side of Susan's car and opened the door.

"You know how to get in a car wearing a dress, don't you, Sarah?" Erin asked her friend before getting in, showing how it was done.

Sarah had never seen her friend wear such dramatic makeup and she had no trouble keeping her eyes on her friend to see the technique of getting in the car. She copied it perfectly, but her mother had her make one adjustment before leaving so she rolled down the window for a last lesson.

"Please take your heels off for driving to the mall. Driving in heels can take some getting used to and you don't have a lot of time to practice now. You can practice in the mall parking lot after work tonight. Okay?"

"Sure, Mom. Thanks for the advice."

"Oh, sweetie. I wish I could come with you."

"We both know that's a bad idea, Mother. I'll have Ms. Godwin to help me."

"And me!" Erin added as she bounced a little on the seat.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry."

Susan pouted and Sarah had to laugh.

The automatic garage door opened behind the car and the tall part-time girl drove off with her enthusiastic friend, ready, or nearly so, for the retail world of women's fashion.

* * *

Sarah had to fight herself to keep from rolling her eyes as she drove to the mall. Her verbally hyperactive friend came far too close to driving her crazy.

"Please, Erin. Have a little mercy. I'm trying to relax before we have to work."

The redhead looked confused. "But this job is like a dream come true."

"How can you know that? We haven't even started our first day yet?"

"Is that a trick question? We're going to be fully immersed in a world of femininity. How can it not be great?"

"I don't get it," Sarah said. "You haven't even been a human girl for two months and you're already addicted to this stuff?"

"Calling it an addiction is a little strong. I prefer to think of it as a strong appreciation."

"Whatever, Erin. How did you learn to appreciate it so much in such a short time?"

"I don't know. It just… happened."

"Have you always been so flexible and adaptable then?"

The redhead paused to think. "Actually, no. This is truly a first. Why do you suppose that is?"

Sarah laughed. "That's what I've been asking you!"

"And I'm telling you I don't know. What does it matter? I've learned to like it and I accept that I like it. I'm enjoying myself, enjoying life. It's something I've never had before."

"Ah, that might explain things. You don't have any male baggage…." She paused when Erin snickered at the unintentional pun. "You haven't been male before. You don't have any experience to compare to."

"Actually, I identified more as a male before now. I went by male pronouns and I used a male spelling of my first name."

"Really?"

Erin nodded.

"I don't have an answer then. I give up. At least for now." Sarah pulled into a parking space and slipped her shoes back on. "Anyway, we're here and it's time to work. Let's do this. After our talk, I think I can handle just about anything."

They were brave words but the part-time girl still had a problem. She had to focus on the sights and sounds around the parking lot and in the mall, car horns, background music, the staccato clicking of her heels, anything to distract her from the growing dread she felt as she got ever closer to Fashion Divinity. Having a job shouldn't have made her so nervous. It had to be the type of job along with her current appearance.

The tall, nervous girl had to stop and take some deep breaths.

"Are you okay?" Erin asked her.

She vigorously shook her head no as she continued taking deep breaths.

"You'll do fine. Come on. Please? We don't want to be late on our first day."

Sarah started walking again and tried a little conversation. "How do you know so much about makeup and fashion?" she asked her friend.

Erin smiled. "Observation and practice. What else? I've been watching you and your mother, the other girls at school, all women and teenage girls everywhere I go. It's been a good learning experience." She leaned a little closer as she added, "I've also watched a few makeup tutorials on the Internet. They're awesome."

The nervous girl sighed. "I guess that makes sense. Now if we can just bottle your enthusiasm for it, I'd be very grateful."

"Aw. I'm sorry, Sarah. Maybe you'll grow to like it more while we work." Her look quickly changed from concerned to excited. "I still can't believe we're working together. It'll be great!"

Erin bounced a little on her toes and Sarah couldn't help smiling at her.

"Come on, you. We've got a job to start."

Sarah marched quickly forward and the happy redhead followed along behind, giggling as she went.

* * *

Stella, their new boss, stood looking them over in the back room. She circled them twice and soon nodded her approval while praising both of them for their good fashion sense. After a quick tour to show the location of the break room and toilet, she launched into a description of their job duties.

"Your first two tasks are to memorize the store layout and the merchandise that can be found in each section. Once you somewhat familiarize yourselves with everything, I'll have you both shadow a different employee. Before we get started, do either of you have any preferences for which department you'd like to work in?"

Erin blurted out, "Makeup please, Ms. Godwin!"

Sarah just shrugged.

Stella smiled. "I wish I could have you both work in makeup. Both of your faces are flawless."

The redhead beamed at the compliment and again, the slightly taller girl shrugged again.

The woman gave Sarah a look of concern as she handed them each a small rectangle of plastic in the store colors of scarlet red with white lettering. "Here are your name tags. Wear them proudly because it's time to start work. Congratulations, girls."

"Thank you, Ms. Godwin," they said in unison. They each pinned their name tag over their left breast and left the quiet back room to enter the busy store.

* * *

Three hours into the job found Erin comfortably selling things on her own in the cosmetics department. The girl was a natural. She used voice and body language to full advantage, becoming instant friends with nearly every customer, and as such, she sold a lot of makeup.

Sarah, on the other hand, became quiet and withdrawn in the leather goods department. She continued to shadow her temporary mentor and so far, had only sold a purse and two belts. The cash register didn't take long to master but the art of selling things eluded her, even with her natural good looks drawing plenty of attention. Women flocked to her, hoping for some beauty by association yet mostly leaving with a bitter taste of ennui instead.

Stella quietly made her way over to Erin for a private conversation as they both observed the reluctant girl. "She's not getting into it like we'd hoped," she told Erin.

The redhead sighed. "I know. I had such high hopes."

"There's still more time."

"But it doesn't look good. I know."

The woman gave the redhead a thoughtful look. "I wish I knew how you took to it so well."

"I've been giving it some thought. It might have something to do with giving myself the brain structure of an average human girl. Sarah's got the hormones but she still has the brain of a boy. Apparently, it takes more than just hormones to become comfortable with one's gender."

"Apparently," the woman agreed.

They watched Sarah a bit longer, seeing her listlessly handling some of the merchandise and shaking her head. It was heartbreaking and Stella couldn't stand it.

"I think I'll go try giving her a little pep talk," said the woman.

"I don't think it'll work."

"Still. I have to try."

The concerned store manager wove her way through the jungle of accessories and over to Sarah with practiced ease. The woman had only started the store two weeks ago but she had some experience with the world of women's fashion, having been a human woman in a recent past life. She approached the reluctant girl with a broad smile, hoping that it didn't look fake.

"Sarah, my dear. How are you doing?"

"I'm okay, Ms. Godwin. I think."

"Maybe you need a dinner break. A little food might be just what you need to perk you right up."

"Maybe. I suppose a little chocolate would be nice. It always puts me in a good mood."

"That's the spirit, dear. I do wish you the best, though I couldn't help noticing that you haven't sold very much so far."

"Yeah. I'm not nearly as good as Erin."

They both turned to see the redhead happily selling makeup to yet another customer.

"Well, dear. You're not as bubbly as she is, but you've got a quiet confidence about you that I find promising. I'm not giving up on you."

"Thanks, Ms. Godwin. I'm not giving up on me either." The girl gave the woman a faint smile that didn't quite feel genuine.

"Okay. Enough talk. Wait for Erin to finish her current sale and then go take her out with you for a little bite to eat."

"Thanks. I'll do that." Sarah started walking over to Erin.

"Don't forget to have something chocolaty for dessert!" Stella called out to her, getting a genuine smile out of the girl that time.

* * *

The girls had a fairly pleasant Tex-Mex dinner together in the food court, making sure to remove their lipstick before eating. They didn't have to fend off any obnoxious boys. They only had to suffer a bit of staring from a mostly harmless assortment of passing males. Sarah scored a chocolate eclair from another restaurant in the food court and the infusion of chocolate seemed to invigorate her. She enthusiastically reapplied her lipstick and went back to work, selling half a dozen purses and several other leather accessories before the store closed for the night.

"You've both done a splendid job tonight, girls," the woman gushed, not mentioning how much more money Erin had made for the store. "Keep it up and you'll go far wherever life takes you."

"Thank you, Ms. Godwin," they said in unison, causing the woman to blink in surprise.

"However do you do that?" Stella wondered aloud.

They both shrugged and giggled together as they removed their name tags and slipped them into their purses. They walked out of the store entrance and helped pull down the protective sliding door, waiting for Ms. Godwin to lock it and then said their goodbyes, again in unison, and turned to leave.

"See you on Wednesday!" the woman called out to them.

Both girls turned to give her a finger wave before continuing on to the parking lot.

"You did a lot better after dinner," Erin told her friend. "Did you enjoy any of it?"

"I'm not sure. I think it was more just a grim determination. I don't like to fail."

The redhead sighed.

Sarah took pity on her and added, "I'm sure the chocolate helped. I should have some before we start work next time."

Erin gave her a faint smile. "Yes, I think you should."

They walked together in silence, with Sarah having to suppress an urge to hold her friend's hand as they went. She found that she seemed to crave and appreciate physical contact more as a girl. 'Weird,' she thought.

* * *

The rest of the week nearly exhausted Lester. He worked hard in his two aikido classes in spite of knowing the moves so well. He helped Erin a lot and still practiced moving through his solo katas at a very fast pace. His job continued to improve in slow increments, with Lester, as Sarah, selling a little more each night, but the part-time girl found it to be mentally exhausting. The work still didn't feel right to her. On top of all that, Golden Girl insisted on making time to patrol, stopping several minor crimes and righting a few social wrongs that she detected with her clairvoyance and clairaudience. The poor boy could never quite get enough sleep. He couldn't wait for the weekend so he could sleep in and catch up on his beauty rest.

'Where did that come from?' he wondered, shaking his head whenever a stray feminine thought entered his head.

His classes and homework didn't really tire him out, physically or mentally, but they took a lot of hours out of the day. He almost wished the year would hurry along so he could graduate, as a high school senior boy instead of a girl, and hopefully have a lot more free time in the summer before entering college.

He didn't even want to think about college. He pretty much decided to attend the closest public university in the state. With his high grades, he'd most likely be accepted. Starting classes was just a formality. But what about Erin?

He didn't want to think about the redhead leaving his life. He had many months to go before that happened and he set his jaw, determined to make the most of the time that he had left with her.

* * *

© 2015 by Terry Volkirch. This work may not be replicated in whole or in part by any means electronic or otherwise without the express consent of the Author (copyright holder). All Rights Reserved. This is a work of Fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional and any resemblance to real people or incidents past, present or future is purely coincidental.