20 TV FICTION CLASSICS "SANDY THOMAS

"Oh, that's wonderful. I fully believe in that technique of learning acting," my mother enthusiastically had to add.

Chapter 5, Unpacking

We returned to my room where I was instructed to unpack my suitcases and to neatly put everything away. Mike, my new roommate, would help me get dressed for the opening exercises scheduled for early this evening. I didn't feel that I needed any help to dress, but ignored the comment. Ms. Cavell and my mother went off to the reception area where other parents were meeting faculty and partaking of some refreshments.

Back in my room, I found Mike also starting to unpack his suitcases. "Hi Ken. So have you become somewhat used to our special little 'tress' world? Believe me, it's mighty strange at first, but it grows on you."

"Yeah, it's strange all right. I saw two more students just now, Jeff and Allan."

Mike chuckled. "Good old Jeff. He does get carried away sometimes, but he's a great actor, and everybody loves him. He's the kind of guy that would give you the shirt or blouse, off his own back if you needed it. I'll introduce you to him later. Allan, is much more down to earth. Did you know that he worked this whole summer managing his mother's beauty salon? Not only is he a good actress, but a very smart fellow."

As Mike was speaking I watched him unpacking. I saw dresses, slips, skirts, blouses and girls shoes galore, but very few boy's clothes go into his closet. My jaw nearly dropped when he carefully hung up three very feminine nightgowns on the silk padded coat hangers he had brought as well. Another smaller suitcase was unpacked with things for the vanity including makeup of all kinds, perfumes, hair care gear like combs, brushes, curlers, hairspray, and bobby pins. Finally, the last suitcase was opened. . .silky, lacy panties, brassieres, nylons, garter belts, and pantihose.

"My god, Mike. I thought that the wardrobe department supplies all of our costumes.

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He looked at me a little surprised, then smiled, "I guess your mother didn't read you the letters she received after the first acceptance letter?"

"No, but I thought that she only had one other letter, and that she said it was just about some supplies." I countered.

"Did you pack your suitcases at home?" Mike asked, still grinning.

"Only this one," I said as I opened my old suitcase and pulled out some jeans and T-shirts that I had packed.

ACTING LIKE A GIRL -21

"Ok, why don't you open those other ones, the new ones over there," he asked pointing at the new suitcases that mother had brought out this morning. Sure, I thought, let's open them. I put the first one on the bed and flipped open the latches. As I opened the lid my eyes were confronted with masses of white, pink, yellow, and other pastel-colored frothy lace.

"Oh no..." I moaned, but Mike took the liberty of pulling some stuff out for a better look.

"Oh, these are fabulous!" he said as he lifted a neatly folded white slip, panty and brassiere set. "Your mother didn't pinch pennies when she did her shopping, that's for sure."

I could see that my frillies were as spectacular as Mike's. I couldn't believe how many bras there were! Real girls with real tits couldn't have possessed more bras.

The other suitcases were filled with equally embarrassing things. One was full of skirts, dresses, blouses, sweaters and girl's shoes. The other was full of new makeup kits including all the colors of the rainbow in lipsticks, eye shadows, nail polishes, mascara, blush. There were hair rollers, barrettes, bobby pins, setting lotions, and even a hairdo book.

Mike flipped through the book and muttered that some of the styles were a cinch, and he could do them for me, "no problem". If I hadn't packed my own small suitcase, I wouldn't have a shred of boy's clothing except for the school uniform trousers! Even so, I only had the one old pair of boys underwear that I was wearing at this very moment. "When do they think I'm going to wear all this stuff?!?"

"Let me explain," Mike offered, seeing my distressed look and probably fearing another fainting spell, "we tresses have a lot of 'advantages' over the other boys. We take two days a week of classes at the girl's school. For that we wear the girl's uniform. We also get to do many school assignments and projects with the girls. We have permission to work at the girls study hall. The only rule is that we have to dress nicely, no boy's clothes allowed over there. Most of us even go over there just to do our regular homework. I don't know why, but the girls are crazy about us, and the prettier we look, the more attention we get. Believe me, it's a small price to pay. Rosemount has the best looking girls you've ever seen!" "But don't the other boys make fun of you?"

"Never!! First of all, they know the consequences of that from Ms. Cavell. Second...hey, we're nice guys. Actually, all the other guys treat us great because we're their best way to get letters and messages to the girls. We even help them set-up dates for the monthly dance."

"Well, I don't know if I'll handle it as well as you."

"Listen, give it a try. I'll think you'll find it very enjoyable. Now, we better get dressed for the opening exercises. You need your grey trouser uniform for that."