Their Mother watched them both as they walked up the lane towards the house. She smiled to herself as she thought how pretty Jon looked in his skirt and blouse. They both waved when they noticed her watching them. As they entered the house she said, “I’m going to miss seeing you in a skirt after tomorrow.”

“Me too.” Said Mary.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow.” Was Jon’s response. “The sooner I’m out of this skirt the better.”

“Well not until your homework is finished.” His mother reminded.

They both sat at the kitchen table and began their homework. A few minutes later their mother entered and began preparing supper. “Was it too hot for your tights today?” She asked.

Jon nodded.

“I don’t know how you can wear tights when it’s this warm.” Said Mary.

“Well, at least they cover me up a bit,” Jon replied.

“Yeah, but you looked like you were going to faint on the way home…” Mary added. “…and with your blazer on too!”

“Well, it’s going to be just as warm tomorrow.” Their mother added. “Maybe socks will be better?” She suggested as she stroked his shoulder through his blouse.

“Yeah but if I only wear knee socks then they might see my knickers,” Jon replied. “Then I’d have to kill myself.” He over-exaggerated.

“My knickers!” Mary reminded, teasingly. “But you can keep them I guess.” She smiled.

“Oh, thanks!” Jon replied sarcastically.

“You’re welcome.” She smiled.

After a while, Jon began to pack his books away. “Can I change now please Mum?” He asked.

“You can’t have finished already!”

“Yes.” He replied proudly.

His Mother checked his work and discovered that he had in fact finished. “Are you sure you want to change into your jeans though? It is very warm still.”

All the windows were open and a cool breeze blew through the house. Jon welcomed the breeze as it caressed his legs. However, he was desperate to get out of his school uniform. “Anything is better than this.” He replied, before going to change.

A few moments later he returned with his jeans and a t-shirt on. He instantly missed the cool breeze that swept over his legs, but at least he was back in boys’ clothes.

Shortly afterward, Mary finished her homework and went to change out of her school clothes. Their mother served supper and as usual, Jon and Mary did the dishes afterward. They were putting the last few pots away when their mother entered and placed some clothes on the table. “Where’s your school bag at Jon?” She asked.

“It’s in the hallway, why?” He replied.

“Because you need to pack your PE kit for tomorrow.”

His attention was drawn towards the clothes on the table. He could see the pleated burgundy gym slip was present, as was a pair of big black gym knickers, a skinny fit polo shirt in the school livery, and the long burgundy socks. His mother showed him how to fasten the gym slip because it was different to his school skirt. It was a lot shorter too, he noticed. “I’m not looking forward to wearing this!” He said as he packed it neatly in his bag.

Mary and her Mother shared a smile as he packed his kit. They were obviously enjoying seeing the only male of the house spending a few days wearing female clothes.

The following morning, Jon was once again woken by his mother. She flooded the room with daylight before removing some clean underwear from his drawer. “It’s going to be a scorcher today.” She said, removing a pair of socks for him.

“But everybody will see I’ve shaved my legs.” He said as he sat on the edge of his bed, wearing the t-shirt and knickers he’d slept in.

“Well everybody will see them in PE so I don’t think it really matters.” She replied.

He remembered how clammy his legs were the day before so decided Mum was right. He pulled on the clean knickers, followed by the vest she’d selected for him. It was different to the other vests he’d worn as it had much thinner straps, which were adjustable and were cut straight across the back instead of being the more traditional vest shape. He pulled on his blouse, followed by his skirt, and finally, he slipped his hairless legs into the white knee socks.

“Very sweet.” Said his Mum as he entered the kitchen. “Is the camisole OK?” She asked. “Did the straps need adjusting?”

Jon looked puzzled when his mum said ‘camisole’ as he was unaware of the term. It was only when she mentioned the straps that he realized she meant his vest. “Er,  it’s OK thanks.” He shyly replied.

Mary said he looked nice. Jon didn’t believe her. He knew he must have looked all the more girlie wearing white knee socks with his little black shoes, instead of the opaque tights he’d worn the previous day. They both picked up their bags and headed out of the door.

“Have a good day.” Their mother said as they left. She smiled as she watched them walk down the lane together. She liked seeing them wearing matching school uniforms, but knowing today was the last day of her son’s punishment, she resigned herself to the fact that this would be the last time she’d watch ‘her girls’ leave for school.

“I bet you feel loads better with socks on today.” Said Mary as they walked towards their school.

“They are cooler than tights.” He admitted. “I just feel weird, that’s all… you know, after shaving them.”

“They look better though.” She replied. “You look quite cute actually!” She grinned.

Jon didn’t like being called cute, or sweet, or pretty for that matter. But these are terms both his mother and sister have used to describe either him or his clothes in recent days. He knew they meant well, but he still didn’t like being called ‘cute’.

Not surprisingly, Jon got teased for his socks and hairless legs as he and Mary entered the gates. The same happened when he entered his form room, however, the teacher promptly reminded them of Lorraine’s punishment the previous day, so they all quietened down. Lorraine was back in her usual uniform, and Jon wondered why she’d only got one day and he got almost a full week!