The Reluctant Sister

by Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2004

Part 5

 

We all just stood there, staring at each other for several moments.  Diane, with that definite deer-in-the-headlights look in her eyes, and her mouth stupidly hanging open, moved to sit on the end of the bed.  Looking at me, Diane stuttered, "Wha... what did you say, Chris?"

I decided to sit down as well, so I moved to the end of the other bed and sat before answering.  "I said I'm a cheerleader."

"But our school has never had any boy cheerleaders.", Diane said flatly.

"You're right, they don't." I said as I gave my head a little shake, sending my hair dancing in a satin cascade about my shoulders.

"Surely you don't mean...", Diane's voice trailed away.

"Well..." I started to say, then I reached for Mom's purse and opened it.  After a quick search, I found a picture of Mandy and me posing in our uniforms.  I handed the picture to Diane and said, "That's me on the right."

"Yeah, right.  This is a picture of me.", scoffed Diane.

"That's not you, dear.", said Mom.  "The girl's hair in the picture is darker than yours."  Mom gave Diane a nervous smile.

Pointing at Mandy in the photograph, I added, "And, that girl was never in your squad."

Looking somewhat numb, Diane just stared at the picture for a few moments.  Finally, while turning to look at me she said, "  I just don't believe this.  Chris, just what kind of crap are you trying to pull?"  Turning to Mom and Dad, she said, "You guys approve of this?  You're letting him get away with this shit?  Sorry Mom."

Mom frowned, "He took it too far to back out without causing a really gigantic mess."

I jumped in with, "Diane, I was just going to help for one day because they were short one cheerleader."

"Why you?" Diane interrupted.  "I mean, honestly, why you?  Why not a girl, for chrissake!"

I sighed and leaned forward.  "Well, Diane it's like this..."  For the next fifteen minutes or so, I briefly filled Diane in on how I became a cheerleader and a girl.  Needless to say, I left a lot out -- mostly stuff about Jeff.

When I was done, Diane blurted out, "Why didn't you guys tell me?!  I had no idea!"

Dad, looking peeved just quietly said, "Well, I wanted to make sure you concentrated on your school work.  I didn't want you to be distracted by being told your brother is a twinkie."

Diane and I both started to say something, but Mom quickly said, "Hey, how about that dinner, huh?  I'm really starved."

*   *   *

 

We went to a very nice restaurant and the food was quite good, but I don't think anyone was enjoying it.  The tension was thick and hung in the air around us.  Almost nothing was said throughout most of the meal.  Diane picked at her food and stared into her plate.  Mom and Dad just ate in silence. 

The meal finally ended and we all walked silently back to our car.  Diane broke the silence announcing, "There's that end of school party I want to go to Dad.  Can you drop me off at my apartment?"  Our motel was between the restaurant and Diane's apartment.

Dad nudged me in the ribs and said, "Hey Sport.  Would you mind taking Diane home after your mother and I stop at the motel?  We have to get up early tomorrow and I'm beat."

Shrugging, I said, "Sure, I guess so."

Without another word between us, we all piled into the car.

*   *   *

 

Even after dropping off Mom and Dad at the motel, we continued to Diane's apartment in silence.  Diane mainly stared at the floorboard.

After a minute or so, Diane lifted her head and looked sideways at me for a moment and frowned.  Finally she leaned back in her seat and seemed to relax some.  She said, "Okay Chris.  Tell me.  Why you?  Why wouldn't they pick a girl for a replacement cheerleader? And why are you continuing to be a girl?"

I swallowed and cleared my throat.  "Well...like I said before, they thought I was best qualified in the short notice they had for their little exposition to attract local business sponsers.  Remember how you got me to practice your cheers with you because you felt funny doing your yells all by youself?  Anyway, the main sponser wanted me to become permanent as a cheerleader."  We arrived at Diane's apartment just as I finished telling her about all the deals and arrangements that had to be made to accomodate me becoming a girl student.

Before getting out of the car, Diane said, "One thing that bothers me...hell, a lot of things about this bothers me, is how did you know how to put on make-up and behave like a girl in such a short notice?  You said Mom didn't know until after your first outing as cheerleader."

I didn't answer right away, then sheepishly said, "Well, a few years ago, my former best friend Ed wanted me to pretend to be his date at a party." Diane started to say something, but I brushed her off saying, " It's a long story."

"Anyway," I continued, "Ed talked Gwen into transforming me into his date.  She just didn't dress me up, she made me put on my own make-up and made me do it until I got it right."

"Gwen was a party to this?!" Diane almost screamed it.  "That bitch!  She never said anything to me!  I don't believe this!  She turned my little brother into a girl!"

I decided not to tell her about the little dates Ed and I had for short period after that first date.

"My friends aren't here yet.  Come inside with me.  You'll get to see my apartment before I move out next weekend and I want to talk to you more about all this crap.", Diane made it clear she wasn't going to take "No" for an answer.

After we entered her apartment, we plopped down on her couch.  I let my hair out of the ponytail.

Shaking her head, Diane said, "You actually went on a date with that slimeball Ed?  Even a real girl wouldn't go out with him!"

"He promised me fifty bucks.  He still hasn't paid me." I said with a sigh.

"Prostitution too!  Man, this just gets worse by the minute!", laughed Diane.  "I don't know if I can handle this or not.  And now you're dating a football player?"

"It's an arrangement", I said.  "It was to provide a cover for me." 

"Is he cute?"

"What would I know?  He's just a guy", I lied.

"I'm not sure that I buy that." Diane started to say.  There was a sudden knock on the door.  Her friends had arrived to take her to the party.  She invited them inside.  Four college girls filed into her apartment.

I had been sitting with my legs crossed, but I got up as the girls came in so I could leave. The new arrivals all looked at me as if they'd seen a ghost.  Then comically they looked over to Diane and then back to me.

"We didn't know you had a sister, Diane.", said the tall brunette.

Laughing, Diane said, "That...that is my brother Chris."

The short redhead said, "But he's so pretty.   He looks just like you, Diane!"

Feeling my face turn red, I said to Diane, "Well, I probably should be getting back to the motel.  We have to get up early tomorrow."

Looking annoyed, Diane said, "Let me introduce my friends first.  Don't be in such a hurry."  Pointing to the brunette she said, "This is Cindy.  Next to her is Rachel, then Cathy, and then Susan."

"Pleased to meet you, but I probably should be going.  I don't want to interrupt anything." I didn't like the way Cindy was looking at me.

Turning to Diane, Cindy said, "I just thought of something funny.  You know, if he had some make-up on, I bet he'd look just like you.  His hair is already just as long...if not longer than yours!"

Looking embarressed, Diane said, "Don't be stupid, Cindy.  He doesn't look anything like me.  Have a safe trip, Chris."  Diane started walking towards the door.

Cathy piped up with, "I think that'd be fun!  We have plenty of time to get to the party."

"Guys, come on.  My brother doesn't want to look like a girl."

Susan asked, "Really?  Then why does he shape is eyebrows and style his hair?"

I just laughed and said, "Hey, all my girlfriends complained about my out-of-control eyebrows.  I guess I just got a little carried away when I tried to trim them back.  I need to go.  See ya, Diane!"

Cindy said, "I think Diane is just afraid her brother is prettier than she is!"

Hmmm.  Side by side, I wondered which one of us would be the prettiest? 

However, I said, "Sorry, but I'm not really interested in being dressed up like a girl."

Cathy looked over at her friends and said, "I didn't think about clothes too!  What a great idea!"

"Guys!  Guys.  Have you all lost your minds?", exclaimed Diane. 

Susan said, "Diane, come on!  Let's do something crazy.  This is our last night together.  Besides, aren't you the least curious how your brother looks as a girl?"

Frowning, Diane said, "Actually, I think I have a pretty good idea..."

Cathy turned back to me and pleaded, "Come on, Chris!  It won't take long and it'll be fun.  Don't be such a wuss...wearing a little make-up won't hurt you."

"Well, I'm not so sure...", my voice trailed away.  To be honest, I was feeling kinda naked all evening being out in public without make-up on.  I was amazed at how much of a crutch it had become.

Cathy grinned and said, "He says he's not sure!  Come on...sit down.  Let's have some fun.  Diane, bring some of your make-up out here.  Please?"

Diane hesitated.  I could tell she was torn between real curiosity about how I looked as a girl, and really not wanting to see it.  When I sat down, a look of resignation flashed on her face and she said without enthusiasm, "Okay, just a minute.  Let me do the make-up though.  It's practically my face anyway."

*   *   *

 

"Holy shit!", breathed Cathy as Diane stood back and gave everyone room to view the new me.  "I can't believe it!  It's like you two are twins!"

Diane laughed as she said, "I can't believe it myself.  Chris, you are gorgeous."

Rachel said, "Diane, let him try on one of your dresses."

I looked up at the laughing girls and said, "Sure, why the hell not?  After all, it's your party you're missing,  not mine."

Diane turned to the other girls and said, "Look, you guys stay here while we go to my bedroom.  I've seen my brother in his underwear before."

Disappointed, Susan said, "But I was hoping we'd help with that.  I think that'd be fun."

Diane frowned at Susan as she said, "Man, what's with you guys?  I think someone who not only wants to  force a guy crossdress, but also watch him put on the clothes must be some kind of sick pervert!"

Susan shrugged, "Hey, I make my boyfriend wear my clothes all the time."

Rachel exclaimed, "You mean George puts on your clothes?"  She was starting to giggle.

Susan nodded and said, "And a dog collar and leash."  All the girls except Diane burst into laughter.

Cindy shook her head and said, "My boyfriend wants to wear diapers all the time and wants me to be his 'mommy'.  How weird is that?"

As we entered her bedroom, I turned to Diane and said, "Did you know this about your buds?"

Shutting the door, she said, "No.  And personally, I wish I hadn't."  Pointing, she continued, "There's the closet.  Help yourself.  I assume you already know how to wear everything."

As I stripped down to my underwear, Diane said, "You're still wearing my panties!"

"It's the only underwear I brought!"  I rummaged through her dresser and pulled out a pair of black, lacy, french cut panties.  "Hey, cool!  Can I wear these?"

Diane snatched them from me and bluntly said, "No!  You may not.  Just wear what you have on.  Will you pick a dress please so we can get this foolishness over with?  I really would like to get to that party some time tonight."

"Okay, okay!" I said as I opened her closet door.  She had a lot of nice stuff.  A lot nicer than what she had left at home. 

I pulled out a very cute black dress with a very short skirt.  "Do you have any shoes and pantyhose  to match this?", I asked.

Nodding, she said, "The pumps are in the closet somewhere."

I laid the dress on her bed and returned to her dresser.  I pulled out a lacy black bra.  "I am going to need this."  Diane gave me a "yeah, whatever" wave.  I pulled out a pair of black pantyhose to wear and a couple of other pairs to use to stuff the bra with.

While hooking the bra together I said, "It's funny...my first experience as a girl was wearing an outfit very similar to this one."  I picked up the dress and started to wriggle into it.

"Tell me about that.", Diane said as I started searching through her earrings.  "Why on earth would you even think of such a thing?"

While putting on an earring I said, "It's a long story, Diane."  She frowned at that so I added, "The really short version is that Ed wanted a date to make a girl he liked jealous. No girl would go with him, so he offered to give me fifty dollars and got Gwen to dress me up.  That's how it started."

Shaking her head, Diane said, "I'm going to have to kick Gwen's ass when I get home.  She never said anything about this.  How could she not tell me!?"  She paused as she watched me step in the pair of high heels.  "You like being a girl, don't you?"

I stopped posing in front of her mirror and turned to look her directly in the eye.  "Yes, Diane.  Honest to God, I love being a girl!"

"And Mom and Dad are okay with this?"

"Dad had therapy after my first experience of being a girl.  He really doesn't like it now, but he's handling it better.  Mom didn't like it at first, but I think she's kinda happy to have a daughter around the house again.", I said.

"She'll have me back.  For a while anyway.  Are you going to revert to being Chris when I get home?"

I shook my head as I said, "I'm kinda committed to do this through the end of school.  If I get a cheerleader scholarship, I'll have to be a girl in college too."

Diane scowled as she rather angryly, "I'm really pissed at Gwen now.  She's fucked up your life, but good."

"Gwen had nothing to do with me being a cheerleader!", I almost shouted.  "That was my decision!"

Diane stood as she said, "You never would have thought of being a cheerleader if Gwen had never made you into a girl in the first place!"

I was about to answer when Cathy opened the bedroom door and looked in.  "Are you guys done in here yet?  Diane that guy Phil who's been hounding you all semester is at the door.  He wants to come in and talk to you about something."

"Crap!  I don't want to talk to him!  I don't want to see him.  I just don't want to have to deal with him right now.", Diane said sounding exasperated as we all walked back into the living room.

The other girls in the room turned to look in disbelief as we entered.  Cindy said, "Holy crap!  Which one of you is Diane?"

Cathy said, "Chris is the cute, sexy, feminine one."

Through the apartment door came a frustrated sounding voice, "Diane!  Please.  I know you're in there.  Please let me talk to you for a minute."

Diane said, "I can't see him.  I just can't."

Susan said, "He's leaving tonight.  You know how he still feels about you.  You just can't tell him to get lost, can you?"

Diane gave Susan a dirty look and said, "Why the hell not?"

Rachel said, "Why don't you let your brother talk to him?  I'm sure he just wants to say good-bye and maybe apologize.  You can't tell you two apart."

Diane turned to me and asked, "Would you?  Please Chris?  If I see  him again, I...I'll..."

I hestitated for a moment.  I really didn't want get involved.  Finally I shrugged and said, "Okay, okay.  I'll send him away for you." I started towards the door.

Cathy whispered to me as I passed, "She's afraid she'll fall back in love with him."

I partially closed the door behind me so Phil wouldn't accidently see Diane inside.  When I looked up at Phil, I stopped dead in my tracks.  I have long since stopped chastising myself for noticing cute guys.  I'm dating one, after all.  But my reaction on seeing Phil took me totally by surprise.  He was gorgeous!  Obviously athletic and those big puppy-dog eyes just made me melt.  What the hell was Diane thinking?!

"Hi Diane.", said Phil.  "Thanks for letting me talk to you."  He paused as he looked me up and down.  "Wow.  You really look wonderful tonight."

I looked down at my feet as I said, "Thank you."  It was getting chilly outside, but that's not why I was suddenly getting goosebumps.

"You dyed your hair darker.  It looks good." he said.  "I wouldn't have thought it was possible, but it makes you even prettier.  You look younger too."  He smiled.  This guy should be in Hollywood.

I was blushing pretty good.  "Thanks!  That's nice of you to say."  Forcing myself to remember why I was out there, I said, "So, Phil.  What did you want to say to me that was so important?"

He looked down at the ground for a moment, then looked up and took a step towards me. "I just wanted to say good-bye.  I'm leaving tonight and I just wanted to see you one more time.  I can't believe I'll never get to see you again.  Diane, I wanted this moment to be  so different than this."

"Phil, I..."

"You don't have to say it.  Look.  I'm sorry.  I'm very very sorry.  I know you really don't want to see me again.  I can't say I blame you.  I wish I could take it all back."  He took a deep breath and his eyes focused on something far away. 

He stepped closer to me and put his large hands on my shoulders.  I looked up into his eyes.  He said, "We're never going to see each other again.  But I don't want to just walk away.  Please Diane.  Just one last kiss to remember you by."

Knowing Diane, at this point she would have punched him in the gut or kicked him in the groin and would start shouting about how she never wanted to see him again and how badly he'd hurt her, etc.  It was her standard routine when she was ready to move on to the next boyfriend.  But I'm not Diane.  I don't know what this guy did to make her angry, but at the moment I thought she was completely nuts.

As I looked into his eyes, I could feel myself growing weaker.  I whispered, "Sure, Phil.  Just one last kiss."

He bent down and gently pressed his lips against mine as I closed my eyes.  He pulled me closer to him.  It was such a deep, passionate kiss.  I wrapped my arms around his neck to pull him closer.  Our tongues met as he kissed me more deeply.  A warm tingle gushed through me as the kiss grew more passionate.  Oh my god!  Jeff should take lessons from this guy!

Phil pressed himself against my skirt and I could tell he wanted more than just a kiss at that moment.  I was getting pretty hot and felt some stirings of my own.  Part of me wanted to continue with Phil's embrace, but I started to come to my senses and remembered I was supposed to be sending this guy away.  I pulled away from his lips and disengaged my arms from his neck. 

I had trouble getting my breath back, but I managed to say, "Phil, no.  Please. It's over."

Phil nodded as he let go of my waist and stepped back.  "Good-bye Diane.  I'll always love you and I'll remember this last moment forever."  He turned and started walking quietly away.  I wanted so bad to chase after him.  But I didn't.  I just stood there, emotionally drained, and watched him disappear around the corner of the apartment building.

I walked back inside and saw Diane and her friends standing there with their mouths hanging open.  Cathy said, "That was some kiss."

Cindy started laughing, saying, "Phil kissed a guy!  It'll be the kiss he'll remember forever.  If he only knew!"

Diane, with a shocked expression, walked up to me and said, "Chris!  What's wrong with you?  How could you kiss him like that?  How could you kiss him at all?"  Then, in a whisper so only I could hear, she asked, "That wasn't the first time you kissed a guy, was it?"

I shook my head.  Diane turned and sat down on the couch.

Rachel said, "Well, I think now we know why Chris seems so comfortable as a girl."

Protesting, I said, "Hey, now.  Don't go jumping to conclusions.  I'd take a bullet for my sister, right?  Why not a kiss?"

Sarcastically, Susan said, "Yeah, why not.  Sure."

There was a long sudden pause.  Everyone just stood there looking at the floor or the walls.

Finally Cathy sighed, "Well, I want to go to a party.  Come on guys, let's go."

Cindy turned to me and said, "Hey Chris.  Why don't you come with us?  It's at a bar a few blocks away.  It'll be a girls' night out."

Susan said, "Yeah, Chris come with us.  There'll be a ton of cute guys there!"

"Now cut that out!", I protested.  Frowning, I continued, "Besides, I can't go to a bar.  I'm only 17."

"Don't pretend that doesn't interest you!", Diane said.  "Dad was right, you are a twinkie." She hestitated a moment, then added, "Look, there's nothing wrong with that.  I'm just shocked to find out my own brother likes men."

Knitting my brow and through clenched teeth I said, "Your brother doesn't!"

"I only have a brother!"

"Can we get to the party, please?", Cathy nearly shouted.  Turning to me, she said, "If you want to come, Chris, we'll figure out a way to get you inside."

*   *   *

 

They had all gone inside and left me cooling my heels just around the corner.  Cathy had brought us all in her car.  I was uncomfortable.  And not just from the cold. It wasn't the nicest neighborhood and guys driving by in their cars were gawking and calling out to me.  I was actually starting to get scared.  A couple of guys driving by stopped and propositioned me.  Can't a girl just  stand on a street corner?

After nervously waiting for almost ten minutes, Rachel came around the coner.  "Hey, sorry for the wait.  Take this. Put it in your purse."  She handed me Diane's driver's license.  "Give me a minute to get back, then come on in.  They really don't look at these all that hard."  Then she disappeared around the corner.

The next minute or so seemed forever.  Despite having a jacket, the mini-dress I was wearing wasn't blocking the cold breeze.  Just as I was about to follow Rachel around the corner, a rather rough looking woman dressed like a hooker started walking up to me.

"Hey girlie!  This is my turf!", she said in a threatening tone.

"You're welcome to it!", I shouted as I hurried around the corner.

I entered the bar and started to head on inside when a voice called from a booth next to the doorway, "Miss!  I need to see some ID."  I turned to see a tired, unpleasant looking, but nicely dressed man holding out his hand to me.

I fumbled around a moment in my purse before pulling out Diane's license.  I just knew I was going to jail.  Which would mean Ms. Thornapple would go to jail.  Coach Renwick would go to jail.  Jeff would be humiliated and his life would be over and Mom and Dad would have to move to another town.  Once again I was doing something totally stupid.

The man took the proffered license and glanced over it.  He said, "You're blonde in this photo...Diane."

Shrugging I replied, "So?  Last month I was a redhead."

He sighed with resignation, nodded with understanding and handed the license back to me.  I was in!

I'd never been in a bar before. I almost gagged when I walked through the inner door and was accosted by the wall of smoke.  My eyes started stinging.  I was going to need a shower before going to bed.  The music was too loud and it was kinda dark.  It took a moment before my abused eyes adjusted to the light.  Finally I saw Diane wave from across the room.

Part of the bar had been sectioned off to reserve it for their party.  The area took up half the bar (it was a big bar) and there were a lot of people there.  I couldn't help but notice that Susan had been right.  There were a ton of cute guys there.

As I handed Diane her license back, she said, "Thanks.  Looks like you got in okay.  What would you like to drink?  All the drinks are paid for by the party until ten o'clock."

I shook my head and said, "I'd better not.  I don't want to get in trouble.  Besides, I've tasted alcohol before, and I didn't care for it that much."

Diane just laughed and said, "It's a little late to be worrying about getting into trouble!  Let me get you a strawberry daiquiri.  You can't even taste the alcohol in it."  Before I could say anything, she was gone, heading up to the bar tender.

A moment later, someone slapped my butt.  I turned and faced a grinning guy with frazzled hair.  Loudly, he said, "Yo Diane!  It's about time you got here!  Hey, when did you dye your hair?"  He stood so close he was almost touching me.

Taking a step back I said, "I'm not Diane.  I'm...I'm her...her sister, Christine."

Looking puzzled, he said, "Sister?  Diane never mentioned a sister before."

I shrugged and said, "I'm not surprised.  We haven't been on very good terms in the past few years.  She thinks I steal her boyfriends."

He laughed and said as he started to walk away, "I can see why!"

Diane was gone for more than a few minutes.  Several people came up to me thinking I was her.  Finally she came back with my daiquiri.  She poked me in the arm and asked, "What have you been telling people?  A couple of guys just told me they'd met my sister Christine.  What's up with that?"

 

"Well, Gwen dubbed me 'Chrissy' when she was dressing me up the first time.  It just kinda stuck." I took a small sip of the daiquiri.

 

"Yeah, but Christine?", Diane asked.

 

"I always tend to use a more formal name when introducing myself to strangers."  Actually, I'd never thought of it before, but I guess that's what I usually do.

 

"Wow.  It's like she's some kind of fuckin' clone!"

 

"Yeah, except she's prettier."

 

"Just because she's younger."

Diane and I looked up and saw a group of guys that had just gathered to stare at us.  Diane smiled at them and said, "Hi guys.  Meet Christine.  But you can call her 'Chrissy'."

There must have been five or six guys in the group and they all swarmed around me and introduced themselves.  One of them suggested they take me around and introduce me to everyone.  One of them took my hand and started leading me away.

"Have fun, Chrissy!", Diane called, laughing.

"Gee thanks..."

The attention was brutal.  You'd have thought I was the only girl at the party, the way all the guys were fawning over me.  It was hell...pure hell I tell you!  Seriously, though, I was beginning to feel overwhelmed.  I don't know how many times I had to repeat that I had a boyfriend.  And it didn't seem to matter to them.  More than once I was just flat out asked to have sex.  All this attention wasn't lost on the other girls and I was getting some rather hateful looks.

As fun as it was getting all that attention from so many guys, I was starting to get a headache and I was feeling really crowded in.  I finally excused myself to go to the restroom.

I walked into the women's restroom and just leaned against one wall and closed my eyes for a moment and sighed.

A girl who was preening in front of the mirror looked up at me and sneered, "Oh, is there something wrong, Little Miss Popular?"

Through my headache and still irritated eyes, I looked over at her with a puzzled expression and said, "I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed right now."

She snapped up her purse and started to leave.  As she passed me, she cattily said, "You know what they say...if you can't stand the heat..." and she disappeared through the door.

I stayed by the wall for a few minutes, then decided I probably should relieve myself while I was there.  I checked my make-up, then finally left the restroom.

I stood there by the restroom door for a few moments, not really sure if I wanted to join the melee' again. A deep, resonant voice came from one side, "Good evening, miss.  Chrissy, right?"  I nodded and he continued, "I'm proffessor Pierce.  But please, call me Robert."

"Hello, Robert.  Nice to meet you."  He wasn't what I always pictured proffessors looking like.  He was young, very nice looking and was quite the gentleman.  I immediately liked him.

"I noticed youwere looking a little uncomfortable in that mob.  I have a semi-private table over there..." He pointed.  "Would you care to join me in a drink?  Just so you can sit, relax and chat a little."

He seemed pretty nice and I did want to sit down.  The pumps were killing my feet. Thedrink part really didn't interest me, especially since I was going to have to be driving myself back to the motel before too much longer. I still had most of my  daiquiri.  I said, "Sure, I'd love to!"

Isat down and watched the craziness going on around me.  Diane parties with a pretty rowdy bunch.  I wondered if moving back home was going to be too tame for her.

"So," said Robert as he leaned across the table towards me so he could be heard above the racket.  "You're Diane's sister?  I've...known Diane for a couple of years now and she's never mentioned a sister before."

I dismissed his comment with a quick wave of my hand and said, "Until recently, we haven't been on the best of terms."  I laughed as I said, "I think she believed that if she ignored me completely I'd somehow just disappear."

Robert smiled as he said, "I for one am glad you didn't disappear.  You are just as charming, if not more so, as Diane.  Are you attending this college?"

I almost said that I was still in highschool, then suddenly remembered that I was too youn to be in a bar. Instead I said, "No, not yet.  I thought I'd try to experience some life before I go to college."  I chuckled as a sudden impulse caused me to say, "I might marry my boyfriend and wind up not going to college at all."

Robert studied me closely as he asked, "You have a boyfriend?  That's very nice.  What does he do?  Is he in college?"

"No, he's a shoe salesman.", I said honestly.

"A man with ambition, eh?  Still, a girl like you should give her future very serious thought.  You have plenty of time.  No point in rushing off to marriage."  He made a sudden gesture, pointing in the direction of the band.  He said, "Oh, did you see that?"

I turned to look, but through the dark haze and bouncing bodies, I couldn't see anything.  I turned back towards Robert and shrugged, "I don't see anything."

Robert shrugged as well and took a sip of his drink as he said, "I guess I was mistaken.  Hey, don't let me keep you from your drink."

I'd forgotten about mydaiquiriand picked it up.  As I was bringing it up, a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.  "What the hell?", I said as I looked up.  Diane had a firm grip on my wrist.

"Don't drink that, sis!" she said, not taking her eyes from Robert.  As I set the drink back down, she said to him, "What was that powder I saw you sprinkle into my sister's drink?"

Robert looked shocked and said, "What are you talking about, Diane?  We're just having a friendly chat."

Diane suddenly reached for Robert's jacket pocket and rammed her fingers inside it.  Before Robert could react, she pulled out a small packet of some powder.

"What the hell is this, Bob?", Diane said angrily.  She studied the package intently for a moment.  "I think this is ketamine."

"Keta-who?", I asked, confused.

"Ketamine.  It's a date rape drug.  They talked about this at our campus women's group meetings.", Diane said.  "Our proffessor friend had some plans for you, Chrissy."

Still trying to look smug, Robert said, "You got this all wrong, Diane.  Your sister is a little stressed out.  I was just trying to help her relax."

"Bullshit!", cried Diane.  "You were going to rape my sister!"  She waved to someone across the room.  Susan waved back.  Diane motioned for her to come to us.

Robert's face took on a stern look as he stepped towards Diane.  "Rape is a pretty harsh accussation.  If your sister here decided to have sex with me, why should it be rape?  Are you now claiming all those times that I fucked you were rape too?"

"Don't change the subject, you bastard."  Diane held up the little package and continued.  "You didn't drug me."

Robert smirked, "I didn't have to."

Her face turning bright red and clenching her teeth, Diane said, "Susan has a cell phone.  I'm calling the cops.  My sister is only 17.  Ever hear of statutory rape?"

Briefly letting surprise show on his face, Robert leaned back in his chair and said, "Well, no rape has occurred.  Even if that package contains anything...funny...you've handled it so much you've obliterated any trace of fingerprints.  And of course, when the police get here, they're going to be asking a lot of questions.  Questions like, how did a 17 year old girl get into a bar and who gave her alcohol?  I'll also mention how I think this  accussation was motivated by revenge for me rejecting your sexual advances."

Diane was about to explode.  Susan arrived next to Diane and asked, "Hey girl.  What's up?"  Susan glanced around the the three of us with a puzzled expression.  "Oh, hi Proffessor Pierce."

Breathing heavy, Diane said, "I need to borrow your cell phone."

Robert sat down, stone-faced.  He was probably a good poker player.  His eyes bored into Diane.

Susan unclipped the phone from her belt and said, "Sure.  No problem.  What's going on?"

"Nothing.", Diane said, seething.  "Nothing at all.  I need to call a cab to take Chrissy and me back to my apartment.  I think we're through with the party."

Susan frowned, "So soon?  We've only been here two hours."  She looked at the way Diane and Robert were staring at each other.  She leaned very close to Diane's ear.  I couldn't hear her, but I saw that she said, "Did he turn you down again?"

Diane snapped, "Just give me the goddamn phone! ... Please."

Susna took a step back and handed Diane the phone.  "Jeesh.  I guess so, huh?"

Proffessor Pierce called to us as we walked away, "It was nice seeing you again, Diane!"

*   *   *

 

We rode back to Diane's apartment in silence.  We both just stared out the windows of the cab.  I replayed the evening's events over and over.  It didn't escape my notice that Diane had referred to me as 'sis'.  But mostly I was just beginning to feel sick.  Thankfully, the ride wasn't for very long.  Diane paid the driver and in stony silence we walked to her apartment.

As soon as we entered, I sat down on the couch and as tears began welling up I said, "I am so, so sorry Diane!  Looks like I messed up your party."  I started shaking as the evening began to catch up with me.

Diane spun around and said, "Sorry?!  Chris, you came this close to being raped!  That asshole!"

I grunted something that sounded like a laugh as I started to cry and said, "Thanks for coming to my rescue.  I guess I'm just stupid.  But, he wouldn't have done anything after he say I wasn't really a girl, right?"

"Don't be so sure.  I have a feeling he'd done it anyway.  Don't forget.  He might have been so pissed that you fooled him, he might have killed you."  Diane suddenly waved her arms in frustration and practically shouted, "Goddammit Chris!  So many things could have gone wrong tonight!  If Robert had managed to get you out of the bar and to his home, either way, the truth about you would be out.  God only knows what a jerk like that would do with that information.  If we'd called the cops, it would have come out who you really are."

Diane paced back and forth as she shouted and all I could do was cry as I watched her.

Diane snapped, "Did you ever bother to consider the cost of your fucking little scam?  I was coming less to your rescue and more to our family's rescue.  Not only has it possibly messed up your life, but look what you've done to Mom and Dad!   Is this why Dad had to go to therapy a few years ago?"  She plopped down on the couch, trying not to sit too close to me.

"Will you please stop it?", I cried.  "Please?  I said I was sorry.  Getting dressed up and going to the party wasn't my idea, remember?  I was going back to the motel."  I was crying so hard my whole body shook.

I paused to catch my breath, then I continued, "For some reason, I thought you'd want a sister."  I paused a moment, then said between tears, "You know, Diane, I didn't exactly set out this semester with the goal of becoming a girl.  I didn't set out tonight to ruin your party or...or...get raped by some horny old teacher you used to boink. I...I..." my voice trailed off as I cried.  The weight of the events of the evening as well as the weight of things that could have happened was taking its toll.

Diane seemed to soften as she moved close to me and put her arm around me in a warm hug.  She started to tear up as she said, "I'm sorry to have yelled at you.  I should have been more forceful when I told my friends no at wanting to dress you up.  I have to admit though, I wanted to see what you looked like myself!"  She let out a very brief laugh, then hugged me as we both cried together for a few minutes.

Diane finally gained some composure and stood up.  "Chris...Chrissy.  You need to get back to the motel.  Go ahead and take a quick shower before you leave and change back to your guy clothes."

It was after eleven when I finally arrived at the motel.  Mom and Dad were already asleep.  I crept around the room as quetly as possible to get ready for bed.  After crawling into bed, I shuddered.  Why does everything always have to go so disasterously wrong?  How can being a girl be both the best and worst thing to ever happen to me?

Next weekend, when Diane moves back home, things were going to be decidedly different.

 

End of Part 5

 

since 07/07/04