44-SCHOOLING IN SKIRTS

I pulled my skirt down to cover as much of my thighs as possible. For the first time I clearly saw how girlish I had become. The time spent as a girl had relentlessly shaped my mind and outlook into a feminine profile.

We walked back to the mall, our manicured hands brushing against each other occasionally.

While we waited for Susan to show up, Chris and I talked about our new relationship. She seemed to think it was great having a boyfriend who she could trade clothes with. I hadn't noticed how physically well-matched we were, but I could see her point. Actually, it was kind of funny, especially when we started wandering around the mall. I saw a really cute blue ruffled minidress in a store window, and when I suggested that we go inside so I could try it on, Chris said, "You don't need to ... I have a dress just like that. Maybe you can wear it on a date with me!" She giggled then asked seriously, "Do you feel like a girl now?”

"I don't know, I've submerged myself in the daily feminine routines and feel comfortable being a girl, yet I know it will soon end and I be back to being a boy."

"I like you this way...a girlfriend and boyfriend all in one." We giggled.

us.

"What's so funny?" Susan asked as she came up behind

"Hi, Susan," Chris said, turning away from the window. "I was just telling Danni that she should have worn a sexier dress on her date last night so maybe J.J. would have been more interested."

I realized that my new girlfriend was covering for me. And, while the fact that she was keeping my maleness a secret from her best friend made me love her even more, I couldn't let her especially since Susan already knew. "You don't have to make stuff up, Chris," I told her. "Susan's known about me from the beginning."

000

"You HAVE?" Chris exploded. "And you didn't tell ME?"

CONTEMPORARY TV FICTION –– 45

"I promised Danni," Susan told her. "Besides, you wouldn't have believed me if I HAD told you."

"You're right. I didn't believe it when SHE told me. I mean, you have to admit, she doesn't look anything like a boy!"

"What?" I teased her. “You mean miniskirts aren't in for guys this year?"

"No, silly," Chris teased back. “And your lipstick needs freshening."

"You probably messed it up when you kissed me," I replied, not realizing what I'd just said. Susan got a weird look on her face, which turned to a frown when she saw Chris reach over and start holding my hand.

"You guys better be careful at school or everyone's going to start talking about you," she said. "Remember, they all think Danni's a real girl!"

"I don't care," Chris told her. "I think Danni's the neatest boyfriend a girl could have. I mean, how many guys do you know who could be comfortable wearing a miniskirt? It shows how sensitive he is ... not a macho jerk like your boyfriend!"

"You leave Jim out of this. I'm just trying to be a friend to both of you and save you some embarrassment." Susan turned and walked away, then called back over her shoulder, "Not that either of you appreciate it."

Chris turned to me. "I guess she's right ... but I do love you, Danni. I'm just going to have to try hard not to let it show so much in public."

When I stopped by Robin's office a few afternoons later, I told her about my feelings toward Chris, hoping that this might make it possible for me to go back to being Danny. But she said that as long as my new love interest was aware of the situation, there wasn't any reason for me to give up the masquerade. "Besides, your sister is starting to show signs of coming closer to reality. Last session, she talked