56 -ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID

eye-catching mounds on his chest. "I don't wear padding here anymore. I look like a girl in boy's clothes now."

I was angry. "You have to do it! Just tell your mother that you won't wear dresses anymore. Be a man and stand up to her!"

The next day, Baily came to school wearing his boy clothes. His mother had said, "If that's what you want.

وو

I was glad when he called but when he came to school, I saw what he meant! He did look improper! His unshackled breasts showed clearly with large pert nipples pressing outward from his shirt. They jiggled when he moved. The pants were no better. His small waist and girlish bottom were so obvious. He still looked like a girl.

I finally said, "Baily, I don't think you can come to school like that again. You better go back to girl's clothes for awhile."

He started crying and ran home.

At the end of the school day, I went to his house. He needed my friendship now more then ever.

I found him sitting in his room. He had on a soft, t-shirt dress. His hair was done and he had on make-up. . .and a bra. The bodice was very tight across his bosom.

"Baily, what can I do to help?" I asked.

"I don't know," he said staring at his reflection in the mirror. "I didn't realize that when I woke up today, I'd have to say good-bye to my days as a boy."

Tears were starting to flow. He was crying like a girl. I put my arm around him and tried to console him. But what could I say?

He had become a girl now and everyone could see it--even me now. He was still my best friend...no matter what he wore or looked like. I stroked his head gently, aware of his sweet perfume. "You smell

SANDY THOMAS PUBLICATIONS -57

nice," I said, caressing his shoulder and feeling his bra straps.

He dried his eyes and looked at me. I took his hand and stroked his long hair. "You have to do something," I said as I felt his soft hands and neatly manicured, light pink nails.

"What can I do?"

"Well," I said looking at him. "Maybe it's time for you to replace that desire to be a boy, with an understanding that you are now a girl."

"Mother wants me to go to that girl's college." "Maybe you should. Once you spend a few years where they don't know you were ever a guy...

"What?" he glared, "You think I'll suddenly want to have a baby or something?"

"No, but you might realize how most everyone loves you this way. Maybe even admit to yourself that you like yourself THIS WAY!"

He melted in my arms. We found ourselves in a caress and I kissed him on the lips.

"You kissed me!" he sputtered.

"I like kissing girls," I smiled and kissed him again fully on his pink lips.

For the rest of the school year Baily remained a girl. It was like everyone had forgotten he was ever a boy. Even I forgot.

I guess you could say we started dating. At the end of the evening I was usually reminded that he was not my girlfriend. He was so girlish, I just wanted to treat him like a girl.

"It's taking me time to get used to all this," he said at first, adding, "Especially when guys expect me to respond like a girl to their masculinity."

guess I understood. It had to be weird having guys trying to "get" you.

He wanted to play the field. By graduation, he had learned how to dance like a girl and had gone out with almost every guy in school.