Steven has discovered that it takes more than putting on a skirt to become a girl, and more than becoming a girl to become accepted. He thought he'd found a way to make his life better but it just got a lot worse. The question is does he have any friends left

Steven’s parents have agreed to him trialling living full time as a girl. Knowing the response he’s had from the other lads at school to him just being a weedy guy, this could prove to be a tough decision, unless his new friends can come through for him.

Steven just spent Friday evening out on the town with the four hottest girls in school, only he was wearing a frilly, pink dress at the time. Going back to school on Monday is going to be interesting.

“This week has been like heaven to me, right up until ten minutes ago. If you're going to chew me up and spit me out then please stop chewing and spit. I don't think I can stand another round with you.”

Oh God no. He let go of my suddenly numb fingers and walked back up the hill. A chill spread through me rooting me to the spot, fixing a horrified mask on my face. No God, no, please no.

The tears wouldn't come, they were frozen somewhere inside.

Tarquin! Who calls their child Tarquin these days? Filled with trepidation I thanked the driver who was holding my door, scooped up my immense skirts and slid inside.

Trying my hardest to mask my mixed feelings I turned to my companion and smiled in greeting.

We'd arrived. I climbed out and retrieved my new wardrobe from the back of the car. I was just about to wave Karen off when she wound down the window and leaned over
“Oh, you'll be expected to have an escort for next week. If you can't find one, let me know by Wednesday and I'll arrange something.”

“Ok, we'll have that drink, but not the movie. I have something else in mind. It'll involve a bit of walking, how are you're shoes?”

Sharon glanced down.

“They should be alright for a few miles. What do you have in mind?”

“You'll see. Text Phil, we'll need to have him along.”

The place seemed deserted and long abandoned, and I wondered if I had the address wrong. I checked the card. Nope; right road, right building. Perhaps this was some kind of a joke? Behind me there was movement on the street and I glanced over my shoulder to see a few emaciated figures emerging from dark alleys. One or two of them seemed to be taking an interest in me and I seriously did not want to hang around outside any longer. I walked up to the front door and pressed the bell, then rapped on the glass door just in case it was in a similar state of disrepair as the rest of the building.

As we stepped through the door one of a group of people handed me a sheet of and offered me a cheerful, welcoming smile. This was all so odd I was beginning to feel intimidated again. Then I looked down at the sheet.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

WARNING: This chapter has scenes involving a suicide. I have no personal experience of this, even though I remember once standing on a balcony at the top of a tall building wishing I had the courage to jump. I am glad now that I didn’t. I hope I have dealt with the matter sensitively and I beg your forgiveness if I haven’t.

The whole room was a swirling, gyrating mass of humanity and I looked around in the confusion for a familiar face. When I found it, the blood ran cold in my veins.

Sharon sensed my sudden stillness and leaned over to shout in my ear.

“Did you find her?”

I leaned back. This wasn’t going to be easy. I raised a finger to point.

“Yeah. Er, I er… She’s over there. Talking to Phil.”

I hadn’t been walking long when a car slowly drew alongside me. Silver grey, a mid-range BMW and quite new; I guess no sense in wondering what this guy wanted. I closed my eyes and squeezed out a tear. And why not? I had to eat, to buy warmer, smarter clothes. If this guy was prepared to pay me enough to do that, what was the harm of letting him poke about for a few minutes?

Somewhere deep inside I felt a part of me die.

“Hello sweet-cheeks. How about a little bit of action?”

Ken is having a hard time finding a girlfriend and his friends are tired of trying to help him only to see their best efforts end in disaster. They’ve decided it’s time for him to solve his own problems so, at their urging and against his better judgement, he goes to a new singles club where he meets a mysterious and astonishingly beautiful woman.

Perhaps there’s a reason why a beautiful girl is sitting alone in a singles bar. Perhaps he should have paid more attention to her warning…

Michael’s new apartment is too good to be true. Immense, beautifully furnished and cheaper than his last place.

Sometimes when fortune smiles you smile back and accept what it offers you. Other times, with Halloween just round the corner and a killer on the loose, it might have been as well to ask a few questions first…