20TV FICTION CLASSICS

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"I can't wait to see Evan dressed as a girl, and I'm really looking forward to helping him look as chic and stylish as possible," Andrea sighed.

"Wouldn't it be funny if they went through with this contest, and one of them won?" squealed another. "I'll bet old Carlson would freak out if his precious Freshie Queen turned out to be a guy!"

To the boy's surprise, they were the object of much less teasing from girls on Friday. Sam and Paul noticed Andrea and her friends deep in conversation with various groups of girls, and they were surprised when girls they didn't even know smiled and spoke as they passed in the hallways. This was a pleasant change from the hazing, but it didn't make the thought of going to school next week in a dress any more palatal.

Adding to the trepidation of Sam and Paul, they received word from their teachers that they were to report to the principal's office before going home that day. As they made their way down the hall, a question flooded their minds. "What's that old goat up to now?"

Upon entering they office, they were met by Evan and the three girl contestants who continued to give them the cold shoulder routine.

Finally, Mr. Carlson stepped out of his private office looking somewhat displeased. "Have all of you read the Freshie Queen rules I gave you?" he asked while glaring at the three boys.

"Yes sir," Evan answered politely. "Do you understand them fully?"

"Perfectly," Evan replied, again without hesitation.

This response appeared to irritate the principal even more, but he kept his cool. "Very well, starting Monday at the beginning of school, you will all be judged on your femininity, personal grooming, and fashion perception. Oh. ..and don't forget that you have free beauty parlor services and clothing discounts at our sponsor business establishments. You may want to take advantage of them this weekend to enhance your image." He finished focusing his stare at the three boys only. In fact, he had summoned the three girls only so there could be no claim that he was treating the boys differently.

BLONDE & BLONDER -21

Evan saw through the principal's game, and he couldn't resist having the last word. "Thank you for the reminder Mr. Carlson, but I already have an appointment at the salon for Saturday morning."

The comment had its desired effect, and a barely controlled Mr. Carlson waved them off with a curt, "Very well, just don't forget...the judging begins Monday and lasts for three weeks.

Outside the school, the boys walked home together. "Are you really going to the beauty parlor?" Sam asked.

"Of course, the price is right isn't it?" Evan said. "Anyway, I think it will be a trip to be pampered in the hands of a woman for a couple of hours. Aren't you guys going?"

"Gee, I hope not!" Paul injected as he gave his long ponytail a toss. "The truth is, Mom will probably make me. She already said she knew what she wanted to do with my hair.

"My mother didn't mention anything except that she and Maureen would take care of all the details for next week,' Sam sighed in resignation. "Your guess is as good as mine as to what that means."

"Cheer up guys!" Evan encouraged. "This will be a lot of fun. We'll get to know more girls because of this than we ever would have by just being three average guys out of hundreds. I'm learning that you don't have to be a football star to have girls fall for you. Just follow my lead, and you'll see what I mean. That said, he slapped the other two on the back in a gesture of encouragement. "Come on guys! Bring your sisters over to Andrea's house Sunday afternoon. This will be a lot easier if we do it together."

Sam and Paul both had the same thought. In spite of Evan's role in getting them into this...he was really a very likeable fellow. Looking at each other and back at Evan, they slowly nodded their heads in agreement.

Chapter Five

Emma was waiting for Paul when he arrived home on Friday afternoon, and she was pleased to learn that the boys were to meet at Andrea's house to work on modernizing their feminine image. However, she planned that by Sunday afternoon, Paul's feminine image would be quite far along!