Toby found himself in denial. Maybe his mother was winding him up. Maybe she liked the idea of sending him to school in short girlie shorts when a longer, more boyish style is permitted. His mum was always complimenting his legs and saying how nice it is to see them for once. It was her who pestered him into wearing a skirt in the first place, and it was she who suggested he remove his leg hair. She even bought him some girl’s knee socks because they looked better with his skirt than boy’s socks did and Toby just let himself get pestered into wearing them. Maybe it’s just his mother’s ploy to buy him some short girlie shorts?
He checked the school website himself and his heart quickly sank. It states quite clearly that the black tailored shorts must have an inside leg between one and three inches, and that either white ankle or knee socks, or plain black tights must be worn. “Mum… what’s denier mean?” he asked as he sulked at the laptop.
“It’s the thickness of nylon.” she replied as she approached. “Checking the new uniform rules?” she asked, noticing the school’s webpage on the screen.
“Yeah.” he sighed. “We have to wear white socks too.”
“White socks are nice.” she replied.
“I’m gonna feel like such a ninny wearing black shorts and white knee socks.”
“Well you can still wear a skirt if you prefer… you’ve been wearing that with knee socks for weeks.”
“Only because it was a protest.” he whined. “I’m not gonna wear this again if I can help it!” he sneered, grabbing at its pleats and letting them drop.