After a moments silence, Cheryl said, “I’m going out later with a couple of old friends.”
“Where to?” I asked.
“For a meal and onto a club possibly… not too sure.”
“Who are you going with?”
“Susan and Marie, I’m don’t think you know them.”
“Oh.” I said bringing the conversation to a halt.
Cheryl began fiddling with my fringe again. “If you like I’ll show you how to do your make up when I’m getting ready?” She looked me in the eye as she spoke. She was being serious.
I didn’t know what to say. “Make up?” I blurted hesitantly.
“Yeah!”
“But… er….”
“I’ll be fun!”
“er…..”
“Oh come on, what else are you going to do? Go out with your friends??” She said in a sarcastic tone. “Trust me. I am on your side, remember?”
I nodded, “OK Sis.” I said quietly, “Thanks.”
We both went back down stairs to the kitchen.
“Does your bra fit OK?” Asked Mother.
“Erm… yes.” I shyly replied. “Er… Cheryl helped.”
Mother gave me a cold stare and paused, as if waiting for me to say something else, “Well?” She said. “Aren’t you going to say thank you?”
“Oh, er…. sorry.” I stammered, “Thank you.”
“I think he looks lots better with a bit of shape.” Said Cheryl. “Don’t you Mother?”
“Yes I suppose so.” Mother Replied.
“And I’m going to give him some make up tips later on too!” Cheryl revealed, giving me a wink.
“Do you want to wear make up Peter?” Mother asked.
“I er… I dunno….” My head dropped and I found myself looking at my chest, “I suppose I should give it a try.” I said, looking back at them both. “Cheryl says I might enjoy it.”
“Very well then.” Said Mother, “So long as you don’t let Mrs Barnes see you looking like a tart!”
“I promise.” I replied obediently, before realising Mother was joking.
We all had supper and watched some TV for a few hours. Mother glanced up at the clock. “What time are you going out Cheryl?” She asked.
“Half seven.” She replied. “I’d better have a shower and get ready soon.” She added as she sat up and checked her phone for messages. “We may as well do it in your room Pete.”
“What?” I asked rhetorically, tearing myself from the TV
“Our make up!” She replied matter of factly. “It’ll be easier seeing as you’re the one with the dressing table.”
“Oh, er… OK.”
“Pete mentioned getting his ears pierced before Mother.” Stated Cheryl.
“I did not!”
“Did you?” Mother said over her glasses.
“Yes you did!”
“No!” I relied to Mother, “I didn’t” I pleaded to Cheryl. “Well not like that anyway. I didn’t say ‘I wanted’ my ears pierced!” I explained.
“I only said you mentioned it.” Cheryl glared at me. “And I was only going to say I thought it was a good idea. That’s all.”
I knew I was being bullied and I knew Mother would come down on me if I retaliated rather than on Cheryl. I gave in. “Sorry.” I said, thinking about what it would be like to wear earrings. Would they look good? Would I like them? Would it hurt? “I guess they’d heal up if didn’t like them.” I said cautiously, “I suppose.”
“Well only if you want to.” Sighed Mother, as if she was the one who’d given in to me!
It was like I’d won some moral victory by talking myself into doing something I never wanted to do!
“I could do them tonight!” Said Cheryl.
“Don’t I need to go to a salon or something?”
“Not at all!” Insisted Cheryl, “I pierced my own ears.” She added. “Plus, you are grounded.”
I knew I’d cornered myself in to getting this done. “Will it hurt?” I asked.
“Not much.” Cheryl replied. “But you’ll have to pay special attention to them whilst the holes heal.”
Cheryl went on to explain about turning them regularly, and how to clean them and when I can take them out and blah blah blah. All I was thinking is ‘will it hurt?’. I nodded or grunted occasionally so she’d think I was listening.
After a few moments Cheryl glanced at the time before saying. “I’m gonna have a shower. I’ll see you by the dresser in ten OK?”
I nodded. Mother glanced over at me. “Are you looking forward to it Dear?” She asked.
I sighed. “Kind of.” I admitted. I looked down at my feminine chest. “Cheryl said I should try to enjoy wearing dresses instead of hating it.”
“And what do you think?” Asked Mother. She was actually asking my opinion for once!
“I suppose she’s right.”
