24 -SCHOOLING IN SKIRTS

of being naked in a group. Best I can do, but at least it'll keep you from being found out."

"Wait," I said, "I can't do this. Some one will find out and the guys will kill me.”

"Well, the only other way is to commit her and put you in a home. Do you know anyone at Kennedy?"

"No, not really."

"I suggest you go along and I'll try to keep her out of the wacky bin."

We passed the mall on the way home, and Kathy turned into the parking lot. I was still dazed from what had been happening. I was wearing a denim miniskirt, a girl's hairstyle, and makeup... and tomorrow I was going to start. school as a girl. It was certainly NOT your average Sunday! I followed my sister almost mechanically into the mall to the jewelry shop, feeling as if I was an unwilling participant in a bizarre dream. I felt as if any minute, I was going to wake up, wearing my boy's pajamas, with everything back to normal.

Looking in the mirror at the jewelry store jolted me back to reality. I was wearing a pair of dainty diamond studs, just big enough to set off my long, blonde hair. My ears had been pierced! "Danielle, would you like me to get you a pair of gold hoops to wear when you're all dressed up?" Kathy asked me. I nodded without saying a word, as I inspected my earlobes in shock. Was I never to be a boy again? Or was my sister really going to turn me into a girl and keep me that way?

On the way back to the parking lot, we passed a junior fashions shop. Kathy suddenly changed directions and dragged me in. "It won't hurt you to get a few new things... after all, a senior in high school has to stay on top of fashion," she said as she selected several skirts and tops from the store's clearance rack.

"But, Kathy, we can't afford new clothes," I protested. "Couldn't I just wear my old clothes, and ...'

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CONTEMPORARY TV FICTION 25

"We've been over this before. Your old clothes make you look like a tomboy, Danielle," my sister replied, cutting me off. "You look much better in a dress." She handed me several hangers. "These should fit you fine, but I think you should try them on anyway." She gave me a little shove toward the shop's dressing room. I went in and changed clothes, modeling several new outfits for my appreciative older sister. After several trips back and forth, Kathy seemed to be satisfied, and she had the salesclerk ring up my new wardrobe.

That night, I changed my name in all of my notebooks and on the label on my backpack. I also dug out my twin sister's old purse, including the velcro wallet that she used to carry around when she was in high school, and a little see-through pouch with mascara, blusher, lipstick and a mirror inside. It seemed inevitable now that, like it or not, I was going to become my dead twin sister.

CHAPTER FIVE

The next morning, I somehow succeeded in getting dressed, fixing my hair, and putting on my makeup. When I came into the kitchen for breakfast wearing a black miniskirt, a pink and white pullover sweater, and black pumps, my sister greeted me warmly with, "Good morning, little sister. You look very nice today."

"Thanks loads," I said unhappily.

"Danielle, you know you're really a girl. Why do you think you've had so few friends? It's that tomboy image of yours. You'll do much better at Kennedy High than you did at MacArthur. And besides, this way you can ride to school with me in the morning, which is quite an improvement over when you had to walk." She poured my juice. "You know, you're really a very pretty girl ... I wouldn't be surprised if you drive the boys at Kennedy crazy!"

"Great, Kathy. That's all I need. Don't you realize it's difficult enough for me to have to go to school looking like this? Now you want me dating, too?" I was so upset, my