For those of you who think it would be cruel and unusual punishment to wait for part 2 of this story (Yes I’m looking at both of you!) I’ve decided to post part 2 already today. For those of you unfamiliar with this story a part 2 usually signifies that there is a part 1. Not always but this time it does. You will be less confused if you read part 1 first.

The flight “home” had been pure purgatory for Chrysanthemum Daisy. Why had his parents bought “unaccompanied minor” status for him? For Cripes’ sake he was a high school student. Well, almost anyway. And to add insult to injury he had grown out of his middle school graduation suit (it had been on the small side already before) that he had arrived to camp in so he had had to wear his dress instead. Ok ONE of them. The first one, not the more daring one. So it was Miss Daisy here and Miss Daisy there. They were driving Miss Daisy out of her, sorry, his mind.

“Oh Chris, how you have grown! And your hair is lovely” Eight weeks without cutting had left its traces. “And I love your dress”
“Mo-om stop that!. Let’s get the …. out of here. I want to get home, whatever and wherever that is and get out of this and into some decent clothes,” Chris did make a pause at …
“This is your bag son? Did you bring everything from camp?”
“Yeah, they made me bring EVERYTHING including all the girly stuff. I wasn’t allowed to get rid of anything and they followed me all the way to check-in and to the gate so it’s all in there. Another reason to get home so I can get rid of it before anyone here sees it.”
“I guess you’re hungry so we will have something to eat first.”

They had lunch close to the airport and then set off.

“Dad, why did you turn towards East Ridge? Isn’t it West Ridge that we moved to?”
“We do live in West Ridge but there is something we have to do in East Ridge first. Or rather something you have to do first.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.”

Chris DID see. What he did see was the sign when they pulled up outside a building in East Ridge. Fatimah School of Oriental Dancing it said.

“Mo-om, Da-ad! Why are you doing this to me?!”
“We have been talking with the camp manager and she told us ALL about your time there. How fun you were and how many friends you had. We also talked with Madame Muna and we agreed that it’d be a shame to drop something you love so much.”
“But I’m a BOY. And I have to LIVE here!”
“Not here in East Ridge, in West Ridge. No one from West Ridge would ever be seen in East Ridge and vice versa”
“Except me of course?”
“Well, yes. But nobody will know. You see the mall over there. That’s where the bus to West Ridge departs from. I’m afraid you have to wait for almost two hours after your class but you’ll manage.”
“So NOW I’ll manage to get “back” to a place I’ve never been to by myself but not on the flight?”
“CACO!”
“CACO?”
“Chrysanthemum Always Chickens Out.” We were afraid that you’d dump things and get into boy clothes. Not good at all. You have your phone. Call us when you’re on the bus and we’ll pick you up.”
“But I AM a boy!
“From what we heard is that girly Chris is so much more fun. Most boys would turn inwards when challenged like you were. You blossomed instead so we decided to let you be a girly boy. A fun girly boy.”

Oh, Oh, that didn’t sound good at all. However, Chris was not given any time to protest. He was ushered into the school to meet Fatimah at which point his parents left. And Chris was left standing there with his bag. Since Chris was there in good time for the class he had time to change before the girls arrived, warm up and give Fatimah a brief show of what he could do. She was impressed. Even if Madame Muna was a friend of hers Fatimah had thought she had exaggerated. No boy could progress that much in only six weeks. Fatimah’s opinion about Madame Muna rose significantly. Soon there was time to start the class.

“Welcome girls to a new semester. I’m happy to see new faces here. One new face is Chrysanthemum here. HE prefers to be called Chris. He has danced before and is both talented and very serious. I don’t expect that anyone here will have any problems with him and I take for granted that he will not have any problem with ANYONE here. Understood?”

At that point Fatimah looked severely at the male relatives that had accompanied some of the girls. Was Chris embarrassed standing there in his skimpy belly dance outfit? You bet! Full body blush, unfortunately mostly visible as well.

At first some girls were awkward and the angry and suspicious looks from the male (and female) relatives there unsettled Chris. However, he soon was so absorbed by the dancing that he forgot everything. He did not bother the girls in any way. He really was focused on his own dancing. And he danced better than ever. Yup, Chris had internalized the camp motto “Rising to challenge”. When the other students saw that they started to relax (and relaxing is important in belly dancing). By the end of the session they had accepted that Chris was there. I’m less sure about some of the relatives though, judging from the looks they gave Chris. Of course he didn’t change with the girls. He never had at Camp Las Vagas. Despite his costume Chris actually was a prude, apart from being a moral example. Fatimah let him use her personal shower.

Chris was surprised when some of his fellow students waited for him after the conversation he had had with Fatimah about future classes. By now Chris had yielded to his desires and signed up for classes both on Saturdays and Sundays. Anyway, the girls bore down on him. They were all older than Chris. Practically all his fellow oriental dance students were. The Spanish inquisition started. Stop it couldn’t be the Spanish inquisition since most of them were Muslims, could it? Anyway, questions galore. Was he transgendered? Why was he taking belly dancing then and why was he wearing a dress? Remember, Chris had no other clothes, except the camp lavender t-shirt and short shorts and out of two bad things … Besides the dress was comfortable and it WAS cute. Good thing that all the disapproving relatives had left already. They would have frowned on the hilarity ensuing Chris’ explanation. They also spotted the obvious thing to do with the waiting time for the bus. Chris was in a screaming need of more clothes. He hadn’t even one skirt! So they went off to see the Wizard of Oz, which was the name of the local mall.

Chris’ bag was significantly more stuffed when he got on the bus. He had fought well but he had been vastly outnumbered. However, his capitulation had been honorable. Only two skirts, three tops and one pair of sandals. And those with only a one-inch heel. NO lingerie. No extra dress. He had also changed into a more everyday set of denim skirt and an only moderately girly top. His parents approved when they picked him up. And they were happy that he had made new friends. Chris had some dark thoughts about that that he didn’t share with his parents. Chris was an honorable boy but not stupid. So he had girl friends in East Ridge? Great that’d really help him get friends among the boys in West Ridge. Especially if it got out that he was a belly dancer. Still Monday was another day. An all-boy day. Oh my. Sometimes Chris can be so naïve. Hadn’t he listened to what his parents had said?

Despite his objections Chris spent the rest of the Saturday and Sunday in the outfit he had left East Ridge in. Fine, he only once left the house anyway. Too much to get in order. He didn’t even get the hint when he saw his bedroom. It was not exactly girly but it was definitely not macho either. In is defense Chris was rather busy with helping getting the house in order. However, he DID wonder where the boxes with his old clothes had disappeared but he trusted his parents when they told him not to worry. He most definitely should have worried. Sorry, I forgot that he went to East Ridge for another belly dancing class on Sunday. Fun, but he didn’t like the disapproving stares from those relatives.

Monday morning Chris was greeted with breakfast in bed.

“I laid out one of the skirts and tops that you bought for yourselves in East Ridge. They are nicer than the skirt and top I got for you.”

Yup, there they were, laid out on the desk. Not the denim skirt, the black pleated skirt. The short, pleated skirt and the girlier top. True, technically he’d bought them for himself but he had never meant to wear them, Gratefully the panties were plain white ones and there was NO bra.

So Chris came to the conclusion that his parents had lost their minds. Thankfully high schools and especially high school principals are sane, sensible and firmly grounded in the real world. So Chris skipped away to school early. Well, perhaps not skipped but he didn’t dilly-dally either. Not when wearing a short skirt and a girly top. The shoes were fine though and the socks not too bad. Since it was the first day of the semester the school was busy even if it still was a long before classes started. Fortunately the principal had time to see Chris.

“Sir, have a look at me. I’m wearing a skirt. You should send me home to change.”
“Ah, Chrysanthemum, good you came to see me I had intended call you here anyway. About the skirt … I commend you that you wanted the check with me. Yes, it’s on the short side but I think I can let it slide. With legs like that I understand that you want to show them off. No there was another thing …
“I’m a BOY I shouldn’t wear a skirt! Send me home!”
“Oh, it’s fine. Boys can wear skirts. No problem at all. A bit unusual but as I said I understand that you want to show off your quite amazing legs. I expect that some boys will try to bully you about your very nice skirt. Please remind them that we have a zero tolerance policy here and if necessary talk to one of the teachers.”
Yeah, and what imaginary world was the principal living in?
“No what I wanted to talk about was your PE class. By the way, if you are transgendered I need some paperwork.” Raised eyebrow.
“No, I’m a BOY. Be Oh, Why. Why oh why is this happening to me?”
“Don’t ask me. But now that we have established that you’re boy we have some things we have to talk about. Your parents have contacted me and told me that you don’t like ball games.”
That was true. Chris was not good at playing with balls and had more than once had very painful head-ball encounters. He most definitely didn’t like those lethal weapons.
“At the time I believed that Chrysanthemum Daisy was a girl so I put you in the aerobics class. In hindsight I was a bit surprised your parents didn’t react on the clothing requirements we sent them, shiny brown tights and yellow tank thong high-cut leotard and appropriate shoes.”
No, by now Chris wasn’t surprised, not at all.
“When I learnt that you’re a boy I thought I’d have to change your PE class. While technically not exclusively a girls’ class only girls do take it. The problem is that Coach Weaver is let’s say rather enthusiastic when it comes to team sports. For him team sports means basketball and football. I’m also afraid that he is a bit prejudiced towards boys who are less than enthusiastic about ball games. I’ve had several talks with him about that but I’m not sure that I’ve got through to him. So yes, I was concerned but now things may turn out just fine after all. You stay in the aerobics class. That’s fine with you?”
Rather shocked Chris nodded. Cholera must be better than the plague. Right?
“Good, good. Then that’s settled. Things have a tendency to work out, don’t they? You have your aerobics outfit with you?”
Since his mother had packed Chris had no doubts he had the correct outfit with him. He later found he was right. His mother even had been thoughtful enough to add one of the dance belts from camp. Yes, Chris’ mother was a caring and loving mother. Admittedly she had some unique traits but so do we all.

“Your parents also told me that you’re a keen gymnast. As you understand already Coach Weaver doesn’t do that and as for the gymnastics team …”
At that point Coach Fuller, the girls’ PE teacher burst into the principal’s office.

“Principal Spinner, I heard that you have the student named Chrysanthemum Daisy here. I have to talk to HIM. I just found out that he is a BOY!”
Chris, who was sitting with his back towards the door turned around.
“Ah, Coach Fuller. Please meet Chrysanthemum Daisy, or as he prefers to be called, Chris. A most interesting boy.”
“So have you told him about the changed PE?”
“I haven’t since I decided to let him take the class.”
“Is he transgendered?”
By now Chris was feed-up to be talked about when he was present and, incidentally, by that assumption as well.
“NO, I’m NOT transgendered. I’m a BOY. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Coach Fuller obviously was unsettled. Equally obviously she was not used to that feeling.
“But I can’t let you on to the gymnastics team. I’m so sorry but there is no boy gymnastics team in this school.”

Suddenly the office was hit by a hurricane. A hurricane named Taylor, it was rather late in the Hurricane season.

“O O O CHRIIIIISIE it IS you I was so happy when I heard that you had moved here. “
Chris only barely had time to stand up and brace himself for the physical attack. Good thing he was much stronger after eight weeks at camp Las Vagas.
“Mom, this is Chris the boy I told out about. My BFF! You must have known and you didn’t tell me, You’re a meany!”
“No, I didn’t know. You always referred to him as Chris and your Aunt Mary NEVER uses names when discussing campers with me, No matter how …. eh unusual.”
Turning towards Chris.
“Both Taylor and my sister have told me so much about you. She is the camp manager at Camp Las Vagas. We had no idea that’d you’d turn up here. How, …. Interesting, I think Principal Spinner expressed it. Yes, most definitely interesting. I can’t put you on the gymnastics team no matter how much you’d have liked to but if it’s any consolation I am going to let you train with the girls. Even do some boy coaching. A poor substitute but it’s all I can do. Are you fine with the that?”
“Shure, It’s fine. Just fine. Thank you.”
Chris didn’t really think it was fine, just fine but on the other hand he had no idea WHAT he thought and apparently it was the only answer possible. He had really no idea what he agreed to.
“Good, then I’ll see you in …. twenty-two minutes. Oh that’s right. I’ll show you where boys change for PE. Let’s not bother the guides for new students at the entrance.”
“O O O See you then Chris. Don’t worry, I’ll sign you up for cheerleading. You’re sure to selected. I hope I will as well. “

Taylor left and Coach Fuller looked at Chris.
“Eh, isn’t that skirt a bit short?”
“Ah don’t worry, I think it’s just fine considering those legs. I’ll write a note about that for Chris. Don’t you agree that he has amazing legs?”

Coach Fuller led Chris to the door of the boys’ locker room. Chris expected to be ruthlessly bullied. Well, at least that would kill off the skirt thing when his parent were told. Chris was right, for three minutes. The bikini tan lines and the shiny tights, not to mention the high cut thong leotard didn’t exactly help. Then Taylor stopped it. What? Was Taylor in the boys’ locker room? No, Taylor wasn’t allowed into the boys’ locker room. Not that Taylor, I ‘m talking about a completely different Taylor. Anyway, this other Taylor was the Varsity Nose guard and had just finished the morning training. Don’t ask why the varsity team got the less popular morning slot. Anyway, Taylor was impressed by Chris.

“Hey guys, don’t you realize that this boy is braver than all of us. You aren’t transgender, are you?”
“NOOO!” Chris was more than a bit tired of that question.
“Amazing! Guys, you have just experienced something unique. A boy that is brave enough just to be the one he wants to be. He’s prepared to face all of us even if you are narrow-minded and nasty. To be whoever HE wants to be. To wear whatever HE wants to wear. To do whatever HE wants to do. To disregard the little boxes that we live in and we expect him to live in. I’m surprised and honored to meet a boy like him.”

Taylor went on a bit further and amazingly he managed to get the rest of the varsity football team to see his point and agree. Chris was not bothered further when changing. He felt awkward moving from the boys’ locker room to the girls’ dance studio where aerobic classes were held. Aerobics was yet another experience. Chris came to the conclusion that Coach Fuller was aptly named. Oh, you didn’t know that the name Fuller is derived from the verb to full; To make cloth denser and firmer by soaking, beating and pressing; to wauld or walk (according to Wiktionary). Fortunately Chris was made of tough cloth. He wasn’t the best in class but he was well above average. The boys changing with him before and after class warned the next group of boys not to bother Chris when changing. Pissing off the varsity football team is detrimental to your health. It said so, right there on the wall. The other boys saw the writing on the wall.

In French class he was surprised to find himself the only one wearing a skirt. He was also surprised to find himself the only boy in class. Does that make skirts a typically male garment?

In History class he had to show the teacher the note from the principal. So far so good. Of course he got strange looks everywhere but nothing more.

The trouble came when he was heading for lunch. Three obvious bullies cornered him. Apparently they had studied the Bully Code carefully and had quite rightly identified the boy wearing a skirt as a “must do” bullying. They were rudely interrupted in their rightful process of locating Chris in a locker, without his skirt,

“Hello boys, what are you up to? Don’t tell me that you are so insecure in your masculinity that you have to pick on those braver than you?”

Exit left three bullies at the sight of Taylor and some other football players. Chris re-donned his skirt.

“Come, sit with us for lunch. I’m dying to hear more about you. You fascinate me. I’ve never met anyone as brave as you.”
Who was Chris to contradict him?

Lunch was very animated and Chris had to field numerous questions. All true answers, though he avoided mentioning that he had been tricked at times. At the end of lunch the football players had made him sort of an unofficial mascot for the team. When he mentioned that he was trying out for the JV cheerleading team they were sorry it wasn’t for the varsity team so he could cheer for them. They all had come to share Taylor’s view that he was a very brave boy.

Chris made the JV cheerleading team. So did Taylor but some people suspected some nepotism was involved. Oh, do I confuse you? Right, I’ll refer to the girl Taylor as Taylor since she appeared first and the football player Taylor as Taylor-b (for boy).

With the football team having Chris’ back things settled down. Chris made sure that he never wore a short skirt to school again. He did wear other skirts. His parents absolutely refused to get him any pants. They pointed out that wearing a skirt had made him one of the popular girls eh boys. Of course Chris was aware that he had been very, very lucky but on the other hand he had to admit his parents were right, sort of. He was popular. He was a cheerleader and in the good graces of the football team. Thus he didn’t only have girl friends but also boy friends and once the “weirdness” faded he even got to know some boys in his own class as well.

Saturday and Sunday he had more belly dance classes. Fun, disapproving glances and hitting the mall with the (older) girls. He still was expected to take the bus home.

Monday Taylor-b caught him and brought him to a private corner. To be honest Chris was a bit worried about that.

“Eh Chris, I have a favor to ask of you. Your courage has really inspired me. I have always wanted to dance ballet but been too afraid of what other people would think.. But with your example … Still, I need moral support. Could take classes with me?”
Since Taylor-b had been so nice to Chris he considered it seriously. It would be extra work and he was quite busy already but on the other hand he had liked ballet at camp even if belly dancing was more exciting.
“Sure, I’ll do it. When is the class.”
“I’ve wasted so much time that I want to take more classes. Saturday and Sunday afternoons at four.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I can’t: I don’t get back to West Ridge until half past four.”
“Back to West Ridge? From where and what are doing there?

How was Chris to explain that not only did he go to East Ridge but danced belly dance as well? But this was Taylor-b. Blushing, looking down on the floor and scraping his foot he admitted

“Eh hm I go to East Ridge to take belly dance classes. The bus back doesn’t go until later so I will not be back in time.”
“Wow! You keep impressing me. Not only don’t care about people with think about your hobby but you are above the petty prejudices we have in West Ridge. So if I pick you up after belly dancing you will be in time for ballet with me?”
“Yes, I’d love that.”

That evening Taylor-b and Chris went to the dance shop. West Ridge had good dance shop.

“Hello, we are about to start ballet classes. We need tights, leotards, slippers and dance belts.”
“Right, boys usually buy these tights. Black, rather thick. Boys like that.”
“Eh, is it really necessary with tights?”
“Taylor, it’s you that want to take ballet. Do it properly! The teacher will need to see how your muscles work. As a matter of fact I think these aren’t really that good.” Chris turning to the shop assistant again “Do you have any thinner or grey?”
“No, don’t do that. I’ve changed my mind. Perhaps taking ballet wasn’t such a good idea after all” (Taylor-b).
“Be brave Taylor. You will regret it if you back out now. And you will survive the first classes and then it will be a non-issue. Trust me! Been there, done that. Hey those thin but opaque grey tights looks like just the thing. And Taylor don’t give me any back-talk about a leotard. It’s much better. It stays in place. Go on. Be brave fulfill your dreams and do it properly Taylor.”
Taylor had not expected this reversal of roles by the way he was swept away. He was not comfortable when he tried on the ballet clothing but he was reassured by the shop assistant and Chris. Especially Chris. Taylor had come to respect Chris so much. Neither Chris nor the shop assistant told Taylor he had really nice buns even if they did notice.

Saturday Chris was subjected to those disapproving looks again. That is until Taylor turned up and was there for the last part of the class. He sat with other relatives.

“Who are you and why are you here”
“Oh, I’m here to pick up Chris.” Then Taylor-b realized that it sounded strange so he mendaciously added “I’m his cousin.”
“Ah, you’re his cousin. We have been so concerned about Chris. It was not suitable that he hadn’t a male relative to pick him up. We were worried that he spent too much time with those girls in the mall. Not good company at all. We hope that you will continues to take proper care of Chris.”

Yes, somehow Chris had gone from being a bad boy amongst the girls to a bad girl, sort of. But now proprieties were satisfied. Chris was under the supervision of an older male relative. They could rest easily.

By Monday morning Taylor-b had found out that ballet uses other muscles than football. He also asked Chris to keep quiet about the ballet classes. He had some insights. He liked ballet. He really liked ballet. He also had come to the conclusion that he wasn’t as brave as Chris. The obvious solution was to keep taking classes and ask Chris to keep quiet about them. Chris did. Others didn’t. Taylor-b had gone for an adult beginners’ class to avoid anyone from school. He was right about that. But some of the girls in class had younger sisters/brothers in their school. Ooops!

Chris made sure that Taylor-b made sure that x made sure, no that was one step to many. Anyway Taylor made sure to put a brave face on the whole thing. He liked ballet so what? And besides many football players take ballet. End of matter.

You may think that I’ve forgotten cheerleading and gymnastics. Not at all. It’s only that at gymnastics Chris was just one of the girls, sort of. He still didn’t do the uneven bars but he progressed satisfactorily. As mentioned before Chris wasn’t really a star gymnast. Good but perhaps not great. On the other hand Chris had just had eight weeks of intensive cheerleading training. That showed. Coach Fuller kicked him out of the JV team.

Taylor was sad but Taylor was happy. Oh zut, I forgot. Taylor was sad but Taylor-b was happy. So was the entire varsity football team that had come to know and like Chris. Oh, did I forget that Chris was kicked out of the JV team in order for him to join the varsity cheerleading team? The first freshman ever in the school’s history.

Yup, Chris was a busy boy. And then in October it got worse. Fatimah’s school of oriental dancing got a very prestigious visitor. A retired famous oriental dancer from Egypt that recently had moved to West Ridge. She was impressed and intrigued by Chris. She decided to give him extra classes even if she had had no intention of becoming a teacher. She was retired. But as I said Chris intrigued her. The basement of the Daisy home was transformed into a dance studio and (just call me) Hamda came twice a week to fine tune Chris. She had never taught a boy belly dancer so she thought that’d be interesting. Taylor did use the Daisy studio as well. Which Taylor? Actually, both of them. Taylor for cheerleading and ballet exercises. She and Chris were still BFF even if Chris had changed cheerleading squads. Taylor-b for some extra ballet exercises. His parents were less than understanding of his fascination with ballet even if they didn’t actually stop him. Unfortunately Taylor-b didn’t have that much time because having a girlfriend is high-maintenance. Fortunately Suzy was supportive of his interest in ballet. She danced as well but at a higher level. Coach Weaver was also supportive. He thought Taylor’s improvement on the field had something to do with that and not only Chris’ cheering.

Yes, things got into a rut with a few minor things happening during Spring.

Chris was noticed in West Ridge when he had some fleeting fame from a local East Ridge TV-feature of him that was taken up nationally. How could Chris associate with EAST Ridge? That was the reaction in West Ridge. Fortunately that was as fleeting as Chris’ national fame. Hamda was happy though but not pleased.
“You should have done that and that and that movement more expressively like this and this and this … Now do it properly. Not bad. But you can do better. I know you, you can do better than that. And smile!”
More than the fake coins on Chris’ hips were rattled.

Chris appeared in a girl gymnastics meet. For an exhibition. Just for fun the judges scored him. Had he been a participant the team would have come third instead of fourth.

The Daisy basement became the favorite alpha-male hangout. Coach Weaver believed that the football teams could benefit from ballet just like Taylor-b had. Since Taylor used the Daisy basement to practice other football players gravitated there as well to practice. At first Grant and Joy Daisy were a bit surprised to see all those boys lounging around in their tights. The place became more of a social club. The tights were comfortable, according to the boys. Most black, some gray, a few white and Bill in his bright fuchsia ones that he had dyed himself. His girlfriend just loved them. Some basketball players could be found there as well. Nice legs.

Chris started dating Taylor and Taylor starting Chirs. Zut, now I forgot the -b again. Let’s start from the beginning BFF Taylor and Chris fell in love with each other and started dating. Judging from all the O O Os from Taylor something she liked very much. Dating was something that was recommended but not necessary in freshman social society. At senior level ALL social school-kid contacts were as couples and that was it! (not true as we have seen about the Daisy basement). Taylor-b’s girlfriend was going away for a month.

“Taylor, I don’t want you to hang around with some other girl. I’m your one and only girlfriend.”
“Aw Suzy, I can’t hang out with the guys without a girl. That’d be strange. I’d be frozen out. Can’t I just have fake girlfriend?”
“No, NO girl!”
“So could I have Chris as my fake girlyfriend?”
“What, that skinny boy in the grey tights? He looks good in those. But do you really want to date a BOY”
“Fake date! Just not to be left out and you said no other GIRL!”

And that is how Taylor-b started to date Chris. Well, fake date for a month. Suzy had to extend her absence so Taylor kept dating Chris and then Suzy sent a brief message that she wasn’t coming back at all.

“So, Taylor this is the end of our fake-dating. Now you can get yourself a new girlfriend.”
“Nah, It’s too late. We’re already in April and I will go away to college. Could you please go on as we have? It’s for only just over a month.”

So by inertia they kept fake-dating. That is until there was a big reconciliation party arranged by West Ridge High and East Ridge High. Even if Taylor was there Chris was there as Taylor-b’s date. (mandatory versus recommended, remember?). Across the table sat an East Ridge senior couple. The boy was ruggedly handsome in a typical jock way and the girl amazingly beautiful. The boy was a bit drunk (even though alcohol was strictly forbidden).

“You know that’s a boy? You date a boy! How do you fuck him?”
There was a reason East Ridge had such a bad reputation in West Ridge.
“I don’t fuck him. Chris is a very good friend that I respect and admire. I very much like dating him.”
“He can’t be better than my girlfriend. To begin with she’s a great fuck.”
“Absolutely no competition there.”
“AND she’s a cheerleader.”
“So is Chris.”
“AND she’s an amazing ballet dancer.”
“So is Chris. And I.”
The East Ridge boy looked at Taylor with a strange look.
“What kind of pansy are you?”
“I’m the varsity nose tackle kind of pansy. We have met or rather bumped into each other earlier.”
“Well, my girlfriend is a great gymnast. Very flexible.” Blink, blink,
“Chris is also a great gymnast. And he has been on national TV with his belly dancing.”
“Oh, that’s him?! He was so sexy I just wanted bang him on the spot.” SMACK!

One incensed (ex)girlfriend leaving.

“You have so much to learn. First of all my relationship with Chris is built on mutual respect and admiration. Something that relationships benefit from. At least I hope it’s mutual. Even if it wasn’t Chris is too young to have a sexual relationship. Something that neither him nor I would dream of trespassing. And third don’t ever tell someone that you want to fuck someone who is also present and most certainly isn’t an object. And finally don’t do it in front of your girlfriend. That’s how you make ex-girlfriends. I think you just have left walk-over in your little “penis measuring” competition.”

At that point Taylor-b leaned over and kissed Chris. And it was at that slightly later moment Taylor-b became Chris’ boyfriend. Chris came out of the kiss confused and very ashamed. How could he do this to Taylor? How could he tell her? Unfortunately for him Taylor was standing right behind him.

“I’ve been expecting this for a long time. Stand up! Stand right there!” Then Taylor kissed him passionately. The result was most confusing for Chris.
“O O O Right Chris, I’m still your girlfriend. Your ONLY GIRLfriend. However, I have seen how you and Taylor have grown ever closer. Somehow you have done that without loving me any less. I felt that in the kiss. So go ahead boys. Have fun! You don’t have much time before Taylor goes to college and I will be here next semester as well. Your one and only then.”

There was nothing fake about the prom date. Taylor had made sure Chris looked amazing, especially his, by now, longish golden hair, and before he left she told Chris.
“Have fun, remember your age and take lots of notes!”
“Take notes?”
“Yes stupid! Eventually you will take ME to the prom and Taylor is a great role model.”
Chris took lots of notes. Taylor really WAS a role model to follow.

Chris was there for Taylor-b’s graduation in a stunning dress and that was it.

Chris had managed to talk himself into the same camp as last summer. Coach Fuller laid a good word for him with her sister and Taylor made sad puppy-dog eyes at her aunt and thus was Chrysanthemum Daisy a repeat camper. There were some other aspects as well. Such as that Hamda had made it a condition to be the new camp belly dance, oh scrap that, oriental dance instructor when Muna got an engagement elsewhere for the summer.

So there Chris and Taylor were at camp the first day. Not daisies any longer. They had blossomed into roses and wore fuchsia clothes. (You should have seen Chris in the fuchsia high cut gymnastics leotard)

“Chrysanthemum, as last year you will bunk in Dandelion cabin. This year we have made sure that you don’t stay there alone but have a resident counsellor staying there as well to keep you in line.” (As if that was needed) “He’s the new lifeguard and beach front counsellor. He’s standing behind you.”

Chris and Taylor turned around. Taylor was delighted. Taylor not so much. Zut, I forgot the -b again! Taylor wasn’t exactly thrilled to learn that Chris was going to share a cabin with Taylor-b and nobody else. Taylor-b was. Oh, hadn’t I told you that Taylor-b was also a new staff member?

Chris was conflicted. Alone in the cabin with Taylor-b could be nice but also “complicated”.

“Mrs Dyer, I must tell you that while Taylor is my girlfriend which you already know the other Taylor is my boyfriend. Staying alone in the cabin with him could lead to temptation and I’m not yet 16 years old.”

The camp manager smiled a smile mixed with revenge. She had not liked to be strongarmed into accepting Chris to the camp again. No matter how much she personally liked Chris.

“Oh, no doubt. Consider it as character forming. I know by personal experience that Chrysanthemum Daisy is a morally upright and most honorable boy. Numerous people have confirmed that this is still true. As have the same numerous people confirmed the same about Taylor. The boy Taylor I mean. I’m less certain about girl Taylor.”

At that Chris looked up at the camp motto and sighed when he read

“Rising to the challenge”

As you can see Chris was just an ordinary boy. Well, an ordinary high school boy by now. He was unique in some ways but aren’t all boys and girls?