I stood there gob smacked and thumbed the hem of my dress, not knowing what to say.

“He did all his own make up you know!” Cheryl informed Mother.

“Did you?” Mother asked.

“Er… yes…” I replied shyly, “Cheryl told me what to do though.”

“Well you should be proud of yourself.” Complimented Mother. “You’ve done a very good job considering it’s your first time… and that dress looks very nice on you.”

“Oh… er… thank you.” I smiled. “Cheryl chose it for me.” I added.

A moments silence ensued before Cheryl said she needed to to get herself dressed and she darted back up stairs in her dressing gown, leaving Mother and myself alone.

“Well you can sit down if you want dear.” Mother suggested as I stood rooted to the spot.

I trotted to my usual chair and sat down, smoothing the short dress under me as I sat. I rubbed my thumb against the sheer fabric of my hold up’s. They felt quite strange, nice but strange.

“How do the tights feel?” Mother asked, “This will be the first time you’ve worn them is it?”

“Oh.. er… yes.” I nervously replied. “OK I guess.” I added as I straightened one of my legs so I could have a proper look at them. “They’re Cheryl’s hold up’s.” I pointed out. “She said they’d look nicer than the opaque ones.” I nervously added. All this terminology was new to me.

“Well make sure you don’t ladder them.” Mother advised.

Cheryl returned wearing a skirt and a blouse and looking like she was ready for a night on the town.
“You look nice.” I said as she sat on the sofa and slipped on her shoes.

“Thanks.” She said, smiling at me. “Not half as nice as you though!” She winked.

I blushed and said nothing. Nervously stroking a bit of my fringe behind my ear.

“Oh I’d forgotten Cheryl was going to pierce your ears.” Said Mother as she noticed the gold stud in my ear. “Did it hurt?”

“No not at the time.” I replied confidently. “But they are beginning to throb a bit now.” I added, cautiously feeling my ear.

Mother smiled at me. As did Cheryl. “Only a week or so and you’ll be able to try out different styles.” Said Cheryl.

“Uh?” I grunted.

“Different styles of earrings silly!” She grinned, “You know, hoops, dangley ones, different studs…”

“Oh… er… yeah.”

“I feel we can hardly keep calling you Peter.” Said Mother, “I mean, not whilst you look so….”

I looked at Mother as if to ask ‘what the Hell!’.

“Sorry love….” Said Mother, “but surely you know what I mean?”

Cheryl grinned. “I know what you mean Mother.”

I knew what she meant too, but there was no way I’d admit it. Both Cheryl and Mother were obviously awaiting a reply from me, but I didn’t know how to reply. Or how to best reply more the case!

“How does it feel Pete?” Cheryl asked. “You look so much better that you did this afternoon.”

“OK I guess.” I replied, shuffling in my seat. I noticed the lace top of my stocking appear from the hem of my dress. “I guess I don’t feel as silly as I did either.” I said quietly, “I mean… I do, but I don’t.”

“How so?” Asked Mother.

“I don’t know…” I paused whilst I mentally constructed an answer. “I guess wearing girls clothes made me feel silly and er…. humiliated. And now I kind of….. look like one…. a girl…. it feels…. different?”

“Nicer!” Suggested Cheryl. “More feminine?”

I nodded. Not wanting to verbally admit to them. Again I felt I had to say something in response. I looked down at my little black dress with the red flowers on it, and the hold ups I wore. I saw in my minds eye the black lacy bra and matching knickers I was wearing and remembered how my make up looked. I ran my fingers through my shabby hair. “I guess when my hair’s a bit longer…” I said.

“Definitely!” Said Cheryl as she perched herself on my chair arm, placing her arm around my shoulder. “Can I get a photo?” She asked quietly, giving my a hopeful look.

I rolled my eyes, “So long as you don’t show anyone!” I insisted.

“I wont.” She replied, “And if anyone sees it I’ll just say it’s my sister!” She suggested. “Deal?”

“OK.” I sighed.

Cheryl took her phone from her hand bag and I posed whilst she took a couple of shots. “Thanks gorgeous!” She said as she passed Mother the phone so she could have a look.

“Very nice.” Said Mother as she passed Cheryl the phone back.

“Can I see?” I asked. I smiled as I looked at the photo’s of what could only be described as ‘a girl’.
“I see what you mean now.” I said.

“Told you!” Said Cheryl. I passed her the phone back. “Thanks” She said, before glancing at the clock. “I’d better get going.” With that, she gave me a quick hug and a kiss before grabbing her bag and setting off to meet her friends. “See you later Mother.” She said as she left.

“Bye love.” Said Mother before turning to me. “Shame… it would have been nice to get a photo of you both together.”

“Maybe tomorrow eh?” I suggested before sitting back down.

Mother smiled and returned her attention to the magazine she’d been reading.