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Pete Mitchell couldn't believe he was actually doing this for a story. He was actually going to dress up and pretend to be a girl for the next few weeks, because his English teacher didn't submit his story for the Sun times internship contest. It lacked feeling, depth, and sensitivity, according to her. She probably wouldn't be saying that if he was a girl. Which is why he decided to submit his article as a girl at another school. His best friends Nick and Carole were the only ones who knew he was doing this; they were a little skeptical, but agreed to help him anyway, because once Pete Mitchell decides to do something he does it even if it is slightly excessive.
It was his first day at what would be his school for the next few weeks. Nick told him this entire idea was kind of over the top, but go big or go home right? Besides he was short and skinny so he could pass for a girl with a wig, make up and the right clothes. Since it was just him and his aunt he could easily get away with this without her even knowing. She worked a lot she'd never even know.
Carole had styled Pete as a typical 80s popular chick much like herself. He had to take on the most feminine persona to get away with this. He couldn't be a Tom boy, he had to look as girly as possible. Which was fine, the make up wasn't a big deal to him. It was the heels he had a slight issue with. They actually had to go out and buy some clothes and shoes for him, because he could only wear some of Carole’s clothes, and none of her shoes. He practiced walking in the heels last night, but still wasn't one hundred percent comfortable in them.
As he walked up the steps to San Diego High school, he prayed this would work. It would be extremely embarrassing if it didn't. He adjusted his skirt and the toilet paper stuffed in his bra to make sure everything was in place. He went to his first class, English after he was introduced to the class. He found a seat next to a pretty blonde.
“Hey, I'm Anya, bitchin’ skirt by the way.” Anya said
“Oh, thanks.” Pete replied “It's nice to meet you.”
“So, like since you're new and you don't know anyone, find me at lunch and you can sit with me and my friends if you want.”
“That’d be great.”
“I know being the new kid sucks. I'm actually part of the welcoming committee so if you need anything let me know.”
They talked all through class. She was actually really cool for being captain of the cheerleading squad. The cheer captain at his school was a typical mean girl. His next class went smoothly as well, aside from the fact that he hated math. When Lunch finally rolled around Pete found Anya and her friends at one of the tables.
“Hey, guys this is Phoebe, she's new.” Anya introduced him. “This is Terri and Becky.”
“Nice to meet you guys.” Pete said
“Anya, your brother looks totally hot today.” Becky sighed dreamily.
“Gag me with a spoon, don't call my brother hot.” Anya replied
Pete looked up following her gaze to a tall, blonde, athletic guy in a letterman jacket. That was her brother? Ok, Becky had a point he was really pretty for a guy. He came over to the table sitting on the other side of Anya along with a couple of his friends.
“Tom, this is the new girl, Phoebe.” Anya replied
“Nice to meet you.” Tom said, shooting Pete a smile, that for some reason made him feel things he didn't normally feel towards guys. He felt butterflies in his stomach, what was up with that? “So, where'd you transfer from?”
“Saint Augustine High School.” Pete answered
“Why did you transfer?” One of Tom’s friends asked. “I'm Ron by the way.”
“We… Uh, moved you know how it is.” Pete lied, pushing the food around on his tray.
“At least you can still see your friends, and you didn't like move to another state or something.” Anya responded
“True, So, I saw some posters for a winter formal in a few weeks. You guys are going I'm sure.” Pete changed the subject.
“Yeah, and obviously I already have a date.” Anya said, reaching across the table to grab Ron's hand. “Ron’s my boyfriend, we've been together since sophomore year.”
“We can totally help you get one too.” Terri added “Unless you have a boyfriend or something.”
“No, definitely no boyfriend.” Pete replied, he didn't have a girlfriend either otherwise he would not be doing this.
“I don't have a date either so if you don't find a date by next week we could go together.” Tom suggested, Pete smiled, Why was he so mesmerized by this guy? He liked girls.
“Yeah, sure, we could always do that.” Pete answered, trying to sound nonchalant even though he was strangely excited at the prospect.
School was over for the day, Pete had successfully made it through the day without incident. The thing was though he took his article to the English teacher here and she didn't want to submit it either, so it had nothing to do with him being a guy, he had to come up with and this is a direct quote ‘something a little more interesting, something that'll get people's attention.’ He had two weeks to write something else, to be able to submit to the contest and he realized exactly what it should be. He was going to write about this experience, that would certainly be different than anything anyone else submitted. Anya and Tom caught him just as he was about to get on his motorcycle and leave.
“Hey, Phoebe, we're having some friends over tonight if you want to come.” Anya told him, scribbling something down on paper, and ripping it out of her notebook, handing it to him. “Here's the address, no pressure if you're busy, but I thought you might want to come.”
“I'll try to make it.” Pete said, trying unsuccessfully not to stare at Tom who for whatever reason didn't have a shirt on. What was it about this guy that had him feeling some type of way. He swallowed hard, trying to focus on something else, anything else.
“My sister's head of the welcoming committee if you couldn't tell.” Tom added, flashing him a smile that made him feel weak in the knees.
“Yeah, she mentioned that. I'll see you guys later, maybe.” Pete replied, He got on his motorcycle, driving off.
“A chick with a motorcycle that's so hot.” Tom commented
“Does this mean you're over Claudia?” Anya questioned
“It's been long enough.”
“You should totally ask her out then.”
“Maybe I will.”
Pete went straight to Carole's house, and came in through the back door like he usually did. Nick and Carole were making out on her bed when he went up to her room. He peeled off his clothes as soon as he crossed the threshold to her room.
“Guys, it worked. I totally passed as a girl.” Pete told them.
“You have the worst timing I swear.” Nick sighed, sitting up.
“Whatever, you love me.” Pete responded, taking off his wig. He put on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt.
“So, what happened give us all the details.” Carole said, pulling him onto the bed with them.
“Well, I made friends already.”
“Hot girls, they don't stay friendless for long.” Nick teased.
“Ha, ha, I was invited to a party and I'm like the most popular girl in school's new friend. She's actually really nice, not like Trish at our school.” Pete replied
“What about your article? Are they going to submit it.” Carole questioned
“No, I guess it's not interesting enough, but I already decided to write about this experiment instead and submit that. It should definitely be interesting enough, don't you think?” Pete answered
“You're committing to this? Full on?” Nick asked “Are you sure about this, man? Talk about going all in for a story.”
“Completely.” Pete said “An article like this is bound to get attention, right?”
“I guess” Nick muttered “What else happened today?”
“Not that much really, but uhm… Anya, my new girl friend has a brother, he's like a total jock, but I think I'm attracted to him.” Pete admitted. He didn't know what to think of this himself, and he didn't have a clue how they would react to this, but he had to tell his best friends.
“Are you sure?” Carole questioned
“I'm not sure about anything at this point. I'm not gay? At least I never thought I was, maybe I’m just confusing myself pretending to be a girl? I don't know. ugh, he just made me feel hot.” Pete replied
“Ok, we’re here whatever you need. It's ok if you like guys, I love you and so does Nick, no matter what.” Carole told him
“I've never felt like this about a guy, it's weird, but he's so hot.” Pete sighed
“I guess, I'm the only one that likes girls here now.” Nick joked “I'll try not to be offended that you're not gay for me.”
“We can always test that.” Pete retorted, winking at Nick.
“Sorry, he's mine. I want to see this guy, what if we go to this party together? You, me and Nick.” Carole suggested
“Sounds good to me.”
A couple of hours later the three of them went to the party, they took Nick’s bronco. Carole did Pete's make up a little more, sultry, for the evening, making his green eyes pop. They went with a dress that was slightly shorter than the skirt he had on earlier, but not too short, because they couldn't risk a wardrobe mishap that would ruin everything.
“If you were actually a girl I'd absolutely date you.” Nick said as they walked up to the house.
“What about me?” Carole mock pouted
“I love you, baby. That was hypothetical obviously I'd never leave you.” Nick replied
“Yeah, you better keep this one.” Pete added. They went inside and Anya came over to them.
“Hey, I'm glad you could make it.” Anya greeted them “Who are your friends?”
“This is Nick and Carole, my bestest friends.” Pete responded “Guys this is Anya.”
“Cool, house.” Nick said “It's nice to meet you.”
“I'll be around if you need anything let me know.” Anya told them before heading back over to her boyfriend Ron.
“That's him.” Pete whispered to Carole as Tom came down the stairs.
“Oh, you weren't kidding, he is hot.” Carole responded
“Excuse me, I'm right here.” Nick muttered
“I'm just agreeing with our best friend. You're the hottest guy to me.” Carole replied, giving Nick a quick kiss. “Go talk to that total babe.” Carole pushed Pete in Tom's direction.
He nearly fell over with the heels he was wearing. He felt nervous, he didn't know what to do in this situation, especially, because he wasn't just exploring these new feelings. He was trying to figure out how he felt while pretending to be a girl. This was totally not complicated at all.
“Phoebe!” Tom called, coming up to him. “Hey, I was hoping you'd make it.”
“Oh, really?” Pete questioned, smiling.
“Let's get you a drink.”
Tom took his hand and led him to the kitchen, getting him a plastic cup and filling it with beer. Then he brought him outside to sit on the patio furniture by the pool. A couple of people were in the pool swimming.
“So, where are your parents?” Pete asked, taking a sip of his beer.
“Couples retreat.”
“And they just left you guys alone for the weekend?”
“We're senior's we hardly need a babysitter.”
“Good point.”
“So, your motorcycle is pretty cool. What is it?”
“Kawasaki GPz900R. It's the fastest motorcycle out right now actually, it can go up to 150 mph.”
“You know more about motorcycles than I'd expect from a valley girl.” Tom said, scooting closer to Pete on the patio love seat.
“I am not a valley girl.” Pete replied, finishing his drink. “I have layers, just like I'm sure you're not just a jock.”
“Yeah, ok. I shouldn't jump to conclusions like that.” Tom replied. “I didn't mean any offense, I just meant like you're pretty and most girls aren't into that stuff.”
“Well, I am definitely not like most girls.” Pete said, he bit his lip, if he only knew. He hadn't expected this to get so complicated. He also didn't expect to want a guy to kiss him ever, let alone, this much. His head was spinning and he wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or if Tom just had this effect on him. Maybe this wasn't a good idea, maybe he shouldn't be doing this? What did he expect to happen anyway? He was pretending to be a girl, it's not like they could legitimately date. If he knew the truth he would probably beat him up and he wouldn't want anything to do with him. Would he?