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Just an Ordinary Boy Part 1

Author: 

  • Bru

Audience Rating: 

  • General Audience (pg)

Publication: 

  • 17,500 < Novella < 40,000 words

Genre: 

  • Crossdressing
  • Romance

Character Age: 

  • Teenage or High School

TG Themes: 

  • Reluctant
  • Sweet / Sentimental
  • Tricked / Outsmarted

TG Elements: 

  • Gym Class / Cheerleaders

Permission: 

  • Posted by author(s)

Chris was just an ordinary middle school boy. Just above medium height for boys. A bit on the skinny side but with well-toned gymnast muscles. Yes, Chris was a gymnast. A fairly good one that made the school team but didn’t excel. Still, he loved gymnastics His hair was a golden blond that he usually kept shortish. He was rather bright and worked hard so he had good grades but wasn’t ranked as one of the real top students. No, there was really nothing special about Chris, except he had no friends. Chris and his parents couldn’t understand why. He was not a recluse by nature. He wasn’t mean. He didn’t look or smell strange. He wanted to have friends. Too bad nobody wanted him as a friend. Since he didn’t have any friends he was fair game for the bullies. But even that had faded by his last year in middle school. It’s not any fun to bully someone that just looks at you when you do that. Unfair! So the bullying Chris suffered was more pro forma. You know, to meet the minimum requirements of the Bully Code. After four years even making fun of a weird name becomes stale. Still, that didn’t explain why he had no friends

Oh, didn’t I mention Chris’ real name? It was Chrysanthemum. Family name? What family does Chrysanthemum belong to? The Daisy family of course. Yup, Chris’ full legal name was Chrysanthemum Daisy. It really was. He had managed to get copies of both his birth certificate and his parents’ marriage certificate. There he saw that his parents, Grant and Joy Daisy, used to be named Fragrant Daisy and Joyful Daisy. They had changed their names some time after they had left the hippie commune that Chrysanthemum’s great-grandfather, the first Daisy, had co-founded. They were lapsed hippies. However, they occasionally had relapses which somewhat unsettled their colleagues and clients. Grant had a position fairly high in a big bank and Joy had a business of her own as a forensic accountant. She was very much in demand.

When confronted by Chris about their name changes they just declared that that had been their choice. If Chris wanted to change his name that was fine. However, it had to be HIS choice. They were not going to do it for him. Which of course meant he was stuck with his name until he was 18. In school Chris usually insisted that “Chrysanthemum” was a male word. It came from Latin and ended with -um not – a. Thus not female but male. QED. In his defense Chris didn’t knew that he was lying, no not lying since it wasn’t on purpose; incorrect. It’s true that Chrysanthemum isn’t female but neither is it male. It’s neuter. But since no one knew better everyone accepted it. Besides, Chris never lied.

Looking at the certificates Chris also noted that his parents really were legally married. Not something to be taken for granted at that stage in their lives. Grandma Daisy was licensed to marry people. Even more surprising was that she had completed and filed every little piece of paperwork. Usually Grandma Daisy was more stoned than an early Christian martyr.

When Chris was in middle school the Daisys lived in a big city. Then Grant was sent to a biggish town (or smallish city, the discussion was ongoing) far away to manage the bank’s rapidly expanding business in the area. West Ridge was really not that big in itself but it was a center for a rapidly expanding area. Joy’s business she mostly did from home and West Ridge had an airport with surprisingly many daily flights. Thus on the day Chris graduated from middle school they left the big city. Grant was only to start his new position after summer but Joy had to go to Germany to clear up some really messy business and Grant was also sent there to meet some important people.

To be honest Chris would only have been in the way so they decided to send him to a gymnastics camp for eight weeks. Everything was packed and their house sold. They spent the last night before Chris’ middle school graduation at a hotel and they were poised to leave for their respective destinations immediately after. To their great surprise a boy that Chris spent some time with, the closest to a friend he had, came up and gave Chris a goodbye present.

“I’m really, really sorry that you won’t be here for high school.”
Joy was surprised.
“I hadn’t realized that you were a friend of Chris’”
“Oh, I’m not. But now I will be the most boring boy in the entire high school!”.

Chris’ parents looked at each other but there was no time. They had to go to the airport and Uncle Blossoming was waiting to drive Chris to the camp. That would take some hours. Uncle Blossoming was one of many relatives. The Daisys believed in the motto “Make Love not War”. But he was the only Daisy on speaking terms with Chris’ lapsed parents. He was also a more typical Daisy. Even if Chris was of average size he was the runt of the litter. The Daisys tended to be big and genetically predisposed to be well-muscled. For some reason 6’10” massively muscled marine sergeant Blossoming Daisy was never taunted for his name, more than once.

Due to the circumstances Chris had been allowed to arrive at the camp the day before the bulk of the other campers. Blossoming left him there but had no time to stay because he had to get back to the base to prepare for a deployment overseas so Chris was left to one young camp counselor.

“Chrysanthemum Daisy? You’re placed in” smiling “Daisy cabin. It’s over there.”
“Could you please call me Chris?”

And Chris Daisy set off in direction of Daisy cabin. His bag was not heavy. One of the more unusual features of the camp was that the camp provided all necessary clothing, except underwear. This was because they had a philosophy of equality. Many of the kids were there on scholarships and came from families of modest means. This was one of things that (Fra)grant and Joy(ful) found appealing with this specific camp.

So Chris arrived at Daisy cabin. He swung the door open and was about to enter when he saw a stark naked girl in the cabin. He blushed and turned around in embarrassment.

“Sorry, I must have come to the wrong cabin.”
“O O O You must be Chrysanthemum. They said another girl would come today as well. I know, I know. People are so hung up on the nudity taboo. But don’t be shy. It’s just us girls here. I’m Taylor. Pleased to meet you”
As Taylor was speaking she had come up to Chris and turned him around. Chris made another 180-degree turn.
“I’m not a girl. I’m a boy!”
“O O O You’re transgendered! A boy trapped in the body of a girl! How exciting. I’ve never met one before We’ll be great friends!”
Chris was later to learn that the three Os came out whenever Taylor was excited which happened quite a lot.
“You’ve got it all wrong. I’m a BOY. An XY BOY!”
“But this camp is a girls only camp! So you’re a girl trapped in the body of a boy!”

After another ten confusing minutes they understood each other. Taylor finally accepted that Chrysanthemum wasn’t transgender or a committed tomboy. Chris finally understood that he wasn’t supposed to be there. As a result they headed down to the camp administration. Big confusion overall. When they finally got hold of Chris’ parents they were somewhere over the Atlantic. The present situation was due to many misunderstandings. Chris’ parents had been so happy to find a gymnastics camp for eight weeks and looking so good in all other aspects that they had missed a few small details like it was a girls only camp. Another thing was that it was a gymnastics/cheerleader camp. The camp administration had quite naturally assumed that Chrysanthemum Daisy was a girl. They had no reason to believe anything else.

After a long confused, irritated and exasperated telephone conversation it was decided that Chris would stay at the camp. Any alternative would have been too difficult to arrange. The clincher was when the deputy manager reminded the manager about the camp motto: “Rising to the challenge”. Well, having Chrysanthemum in camp sure would be a challenge.
Of course he couldn’t stay in Daisy cabin with the girls. He remained a daisy for group activities but he was moved to Dandelion cabin. Dandelion cabin was normally not used and to be honest it was not in a good shape.

In all other aspects Chris would be just another camper. Gymnastic session in the morning. Cheerleading in the afternoon and then an extra session (duly paid in advance by Chris parents) chosen from several alternatives. Taylor signed him up for ballet since she was going to do that as well and since she and Chrysanthemum were BFF (a surprise for Chris) it was obvious that that Chris would take it as well.

The next morning the buses with the other campers arrived. Chris was still asleep. The emotional stress the night before had taken its toll. He was rather abruptly woken when the rest of the daisies ascended on Dandelion cabin (placed higher than the other cabins at the edge of the forest). Taylor had told them all about him and they had decided to help him get the cabin in shape. By lunch they had. The other girls thought the situation was hilarious but they were well-disposed toward Chris. For once he was suddenly one of a group. With all the positive feedback he got he was open and surprisingly he found that given the right stimulus he had a dry sense of humor. Dressed in the rather short camp shorts and the lavender camp t-shirt (different colors for different age groups). He had a very pleasant lunch chatting with Taylor and the other daisies. He even survived the embarrassment when his situation was announced. He could have done without them using his full name.

Then he got a shock when he realized that he was expected to participate in the cheerleading session after lunch. He had already got the practice clothes. A lavender crop top and short skirt. Or should it be called a skort? Well at least his underwear wouldn’t be visible. On the other hand his boxer shorts didn’t fit under. Somehow he had managed to mash his boxers into the short and tight shorts. As it turned out the camp had a supply of extra underwear, i.e. panties. Not lavender though, pink! Chris had a very nice midriff though. At least that was what Taylor and the other daisies told him.

At first Chris thought he’d just goof off but then he realized that cheering was a group thing and he couldn’t let down his fellow daisies. He gave it his all. To his surprise it was fun. Not as fun as gymnastics but still fun. He ignored the obvious disapproval of the cheerleading coach. She had been told to treat Chris like anyone else but she did NOT like to have a boy there.

Practice over they went down to the beach. Chris, like the rest of the daisies, had been given a lavender bikini. A rather demure one. He didn’t bother to put on the top part.
Whistle blowing.
“Put on your top. No topless swimming.”
“But I don’t have any boobs to cover,”
“Doesn’t matter All girls have to have their tops on. And don’t use the word boobs!”
“But I’m not a girl. I’m boy!”
The beach counselor looked down and noticed the bulge.
“Right, you’re a boy. So what the hell are you doing here and dressed like a girl? A slutty girl at that!” Apparently not all counsellors had been informed about Chris.

Chris refrained from commenting that the bikini bottoms he wore were not that different from speedos, if you disregard the color, and thus he was dressed like a boy, and not a slutty one.

After a new visit to admin, Chris was beginning to be a regular there, Chris went back to the beach, wearing his top. He had also been given a lesson in “tucking”. What surprised the camp manager was that Chris had not so far given any visible reaction to being surrounded by girls. Had she asked Chris she would have understood better. 1. Chris had not really started to be interested in girls, at least not that way. 2. He was just too confused, unsettled and intimidated by the situation to bother with them from that point of view.

Ballet was another new experience for Chris. By now he was just going with the flow. He donned his less than opaque white tights, another first, and spaghetti strap lavender leotard (yet another first). Not together with the girls though. He always changed in Dandelion where they also had set up a kind of shower where he could shower in mutual privacy. The camp admin had made a trip to nearest larger town and got him a dance belt as well. Well, actually two of them. Chris decided to not bother with trying to cover up going over to the dance studio. He had come to stage where he had decided to own it. Sure, he was a boy in a girls only camp. The only boy. He was not going to be daunted. His parents would have been delighted.

The ballet teacher, Ms Dupont, took a completely different approach to Chris than the cheerleader coach. She told him that she would teach him just as she always taught boys at beginner levels. That is exactly like the girls. Buoyed by this attitude Chris gave it his all. Taylor took after Chris. After class Ms Dupont told him and Taylor how well they had done.

It was not a very refreshing night. Chris was not really comfortable to be all alone in the cabin. It was a dark and stormy night (with apologies to Snoopy). In the morning Chris was once more welcome into the fraternity (sorority?) of daises at breakfast.

At gymnastics Chris learnt a lot. Not least that female and male gymnastics really, really are different. After seeing a girl doing some advanced exercises on the uneven bars he agreed with Coach Jones that he’d skip those. (A boy walks into a bar, sorry swings into a bar … ouch!).

As for the rest Chris was fascinated by the female moves. Not in THAT way. In a serious way. He had come to accept that this summer wouldn’t help him with his boy gymnastics but that was OK. He wasn’t that good a gymnast anyway and this looked like fun. Coach Jones was that most unusual of coaches as well. Apart from her technical skills, she inspired in way that Chris never had been before. And then there was Taylor and the rest of the daisies! Yes, Chris wasn’t despondent about the summer any longer. After lunch he was rearing to go at the cheerleading.

And thus the first two weeks slipped past. Intensive training. Basking in the sun at the camp beach. Some fooling around with the girls. Just the ordinary camp playing. The second Saturday there was a dance as a goodbye to the girls leaving after the first two-week session. This meant another type of lessons for Chirs. Lesson 1 was shopping à la girl. The one thing not provided by the camp was a dress for the dance. Lesson 2 was make-up. Fortunately the daisies all agreed that Chrysanthemum was such a delicate flower that didn’t need much and his style was the “girl next door”. The dress was cute though. So was the boy from the camp at the other side of the lake attending him at the dance. Even if Phil had been told that Chris was a boy the boy had misunderstood why Chris was at the camp. Phil believed that Chris was transgendered. Being the boy he was Phil considered it his duty to give Chris a thorough grounding in the noble art of kissing. Chris was a good learner. He showed Taylor how much he had learnt when she cornered him after the dance to ask him how it had been. Taylor O O Oed.

Chris was sorry to see Taylor leave. A few new daises took the place of the dearly departed. Apart from that things went on very much like before. Even if Taylor with her enthusiasm wasn’t there any longer Chris was most definitely a daisy. He liked all the other daisies (well, almost of them) but no one became a special friend like Taylor had been.

The gymnastics coach was delighted to see Chris become less rigid and more flowing. Chirs had been rather stiff in the beginning. The cheerleading coach grudgingly came to the same conclusion. She even started to be positive about Chris.

The ballet teacher couldn’t say the same thing. Chris had actually liked the firm structure of ballet. The fixed rules that ballet has, at least at the beginners’ level. Chris realized two things. He normally was quite rigid and square in many ways. And at this camp he could try to climb out of the box. He didn’t know anyone here. He never would meet any of them again. He could “go crazy” for a while before settling into his old comfortable self again in his new school.

What happens in Las Vagas stays in Las Vagas. Yup, the camp was named Las Vagas. Ironically that translates as “the lazy girls”. Not very appropriate given the intense physical aspect of the camp.

So Chris went crazy. After ballet classes together with Taylor they’d usually had stopped by the class in oriental dancing, or as it’s more commonly known – belly dancing, to look. Chris just couldn’t get it out of his head. So for the second two-week period he signed up. He dropped his ballet slippers for bare feet. He looked quite cute in the outfit. It’s safe to say that his hip movements rattled people. The teacher had never taught a boy before and was really excited. Chris became her special project. If Chris had been honest with himself, which he wasn’t (lying to oneself doesn’t count as being dishonest), he’d have to admit that he liked belly dancing even more than gymnastics. Fortunately he didn’t have to choose.

So in short, and in short shorts, Chris lived up to the camp motto “Rising to the challenge”. And no one was challenged like Chris. Rather amazing since Chris usually was very good at avoiding challenges. The positive feedback from the other daisies may have had something to do with it.

The second period ended by another dance. Chris went in the same dress as last time. After all he was a boy and not a girl. He didn’t see any reason to spend more of his parents’ money, even if it had been generously provided. And it wasn’t like he’d have any use for several dresses or even just one dress once camp was over. Phil taught him Kissing 102. Chris somehow felt something was missing. There was no Taylor to show how much he had learnt.

By the third two-week period the camp manager had grown quite customed to look up at the camp motto. Chris was not only challenged, he was also very challenging. The manager had expected Chris to just fade into the background and if he caused any problems it would be because he was a boy. Well, the problems he caused was because he was a boy but not in the way she had expected. Chris was just a happy camper. A too happy camper. He was perky and bushy tailed. He was a daily sunshine even when it poured down. The camp manager sometimes felt she was subjected to a Pollyanna overdose. Lethal that. Chris outperformed all the girls. Perhaps not in absolute terms but most definitely when looking at the first derivate. Even more worrying was the second derivate. There was no way she could just hide him away and forget about him.

There was no other solution than pulling Chris out of the daisy group for gymnastics and cheerleading. The camp manager hated doing that but she had to. There was no other solution. To make things worse Chris thrived even more in the advanced gymnastic and cheerleading groups. Smiling every day no matter how much his muscles disagreed. Especially the abdominal muscles bellyached. However, the facial muscles hadn’t joined the union.

Don’t think that it was all work and no play. Chris spent time on the playa, frolicking in the bulrushes (there was a wetland at the edge of camp, which explained all the mosquitos) and fooling around with the girls. If anyone chose to misinterpret the last statement I want to make clear that Chris may not have been a good girl (though he was getting better and better at it) but he was a morally upright and most honorable boy. Young George Washington would look like a weasel in comparison.

For the third dance the other daisies just wouldn’t let him go to the dance. At least not in his old dress. He had worn it TWICE already and wouldn’t a more daring dress be better? At least Phil thought so and suggested an inter course. Phil still hadn’t understood why Chris was at the camp and I’m sorry to say that Phil had some very strange ideas about transgendered girls. Chris politely declined and just had fun at the dance. Not that he was a good ballroom dancer but getting downtrodden (on his feet) was also a new experience. To be honest. even without taking time off for Phil’s coaching Chris didn’t dance that much. The punch was good though. Despite lacking that extra punch.

By the final two-week period Chris had become really focused on Madame Muna’s belly-dancing class. She even sneaked in extra sessions with him. She kept nagging at him to keep up with classes after camp as well. She even recommended a school near West Ridge. Chris was grateful but he was too honorable to lie to her (see, I told you!). Camp Las Vagas was one thing. High school another. Chris had become quite an accomplished cheerleader. A not bad (girl) gymnast. A marginally competent belly dancer. Even six weeks of intensive training don’t turn a rookie boy into something more.

To be honest, which Chris was this time, he was looking forward to the end of the camp. He was not only physically exhausted. Crawling around aimlessly outside the box was even more mentally exhausting. Chris sure looked forward to rejoining his parents in West Ridge, his new hometown. There he’d happily revert to his comfortable boring self. What happened in Las Vagas stayed in Las Vagas.

The end.

Hey, STOP! That is not the end at all! There is a part two as well. Didn’t you see the title? It CLEARLY states “part 1”. Thus, there must be at least a part 2. It goes without saying. And do you really think that I’ll let Chris get off this easily? Really?!

Just an Ordinary Boy Part 2

Author: 

  • Bru

Audience Rating: 

  • General Audience (pg)

Publication: 

  • 17,500 < Novella < 40,000 words

Genre: 

  • Crossdressing
  • Romance

Character Age: 

  • Teenage or High School

TG Themes: 

  • Reluctant
  • Sweet / Sentimental
  • Tricked / Outsmarted

Permission: 

  • Posted by author(s)

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?

Just an Ordinary Boy part 3. Now is the Summer of Our Discontent

Author: 

  • Bru

Audience Rating: 

  • General Audience (pg)

Publication: 

  • 17,500 < Novella < 40,000 words

Character Age: 

  • Teenage or High School

Other Keywords: 

  • Too many tags to keep track of

Permission: 

  • Posted by author(s)

As you can see this is a part 3. Normally that means that there is a part 1 and a part 2 as well. That’s not always true but in this case it happens to be. I think I said something similar before part 2. Still true, as is that you will be much more confused if you read part 3 without having read parts 1 and 2. I had not intended to write a part 3 but here we go (there is a part 4 as well). Oh, before I start. You can blame this on Emma Anne Tate and a comment of hers. I really hadn’t any intention to milk Chrysanthemum more. After all he has no breasts. But Chrysanthemum has got friends.

Just an Ordinary Boy part 3. Now is the Summer of Our Discontent.

The next day the other campers arrived at Camp Las Vagas (roughly Camp Lazy Girls). Most came by the old school buses the camp used from the nearby urban centers. Some came by car. One car arriving in the early morning was filled with four solid members of the species Homo Sapiens. The car was driven by a huge muscular man with a crewcut. What appeared to be the mother of the family was also of a respectable size and well-trained. Very strict female clothing. Another male never exited the car. Having unloaded one big girl looking uncomfortable in a skirt and one not so big bag the car set in motion to fulfill the next off-loading mission at the other side of the lake.

The girl in question was directed to Sunflower cabin. Given the stature of the girl Sunflower was appropriate. The girl was not happy with the yellow outfits that she was provided with. Too bad for her that admin absolutely refused to give her black clothes instead. For one thing black was exclusively for staff. For another Taylor, that was her name, was in the oldest age bracket and that was Sunflower cabin. Sunflowers wore yellow outfits. And that was it. Taylor was not a happy camper. Wait! Now we have another Taylor. So that makes her Taylor-w. W for woman. Taylor-w was after all a high school senior to be.

Taylor-w had arrived so early that she was lucky enough to participate in the morning session. Somehow Taylor-w did not agree with lucky enough part.

Taylor survived the gymnastics session. She was with the older girls but she, together with a small handful of other girls, were absolute beginners. In between exercises Taylor-w observed the more advanced girls. She was intrigued by the girl named Chrysanthemum, or Chris for short. Not that Chris was a great gymnast but she wasn’t bad. So why didn’t she do the uneven bars? When Taylor-w had her first go at the uneven bars she thought she had the answer. The bar snapped. The company that supplied the gymnastic equipment was there already a few hours later with profuse excuses. There must have been a fabrication error. The bars should be able to handle much stronger forces than that. Somehow that didn’t cheer Taylor-w up.

After the various campers had settled into their cabins they gravitated towards the dining hall. Taylor-b was there to help direct the campers to the right tables. Remember, Taylor-b (for boy) was a counselor at the camp. He addressed a girl that was obviously lost.

“Hello, what are you?”
“Oh, hello, I’m Rose.”
“But you wear a lavender t-shirt. Roses wear fuchsia.”
“Oh sorry. I’m Rose but I’m a daisy.”
Strangely enough this made perfect sense to Taylor-b. Perhaps because his boyfriend was a rose even if he was a Daisy. And properly wearing a fuchsia Camp Las Vagas t-shirt. Not that Chris by any stretch of imagination could be called lazy. Rose was directed to the Daisy table.

Some of the girls at the Rose table had been daisies the summer before and cheerfully greeted Chris and Taylor (the original one in this story and thus non-hyphenated. Remember that hyphenated is not hyphenated and non-hyphenated is). Others were surprised to see Chris there once they realized that the girl in long golden locks answering to the name Chrysanthemum really was an unashamed boy. And that Taylor was his girlfriend, apart from also being his BFF. Good thing nobody told them at the time that Chris was also the assistant Oriental Dancing instructor. Or about his boyfriend. Thus no brain damage was caused.

Over at Sunflower table Taylor-w kept grumbling. That’s not the way to make friends at camp. In her defense she had just learnt what her parents had signed her up for. Taylor had no experience and absolutely no interest in gymnastics and cheerleading. To make things worse all the other girls in Sunflower cabin were experienced in at least one of the disciplines. And enthusiastic about the camp. Taylor-w could survive all that but belly-dancing? No self-respecting tomboy would be caught dead in an outfit like that. Good thing Taylor-w was still alive. Not that that fact cheered her up very much.

Strangely enough the cheerleading session did. To Taylor-w’s surprise she was approached by Chris.

“Hello, what’s your name?”
“Taylor. Why are you smiling.”
“In-joke, just an in-joke. I gather you’re not too happy to be here. Nothing you can do about that. What you can do something about is what you do about it. Trust me, been there done that. Are you a team player?”
“Yes”
“Cheerleading is a team sport, whatever you may think about it. If YOU don’t make an effort all the other girls in the team will suffer. Like it or not I believe your sense of duty is too strong to do that.”
Reluctant nod.
“Another thing you will be less miserable if you make an effort. Fake it till you make it and all that.”
Taylor-w didn’t exactly like it but it wasn’t as bad as she had feared. And then came the moment she had dreaded all day. Belly dancing. I will not relate how Taylor-w felt when she looked at herself in her oriental dancing outfit. Despite everything Taylor-w turned up at the belly dancing. She had not expected to see Chrysanthemum, the main teacher kept calling her that, as an assistant. As things turned out Chrysanthemum spent quite a lot of time with Taylor-w. Reluctantly Taylor-w came to find the dancing rather fun. Horribly difficult but fun. Completely different from anything she’d done before and Chrysanthemum’s instruction and encouragement helped immensely. Taylor-w almost forgot to grumble at dinner.

The next day at the lake waterfront a quite busy Chrysanthemum was using a brief break in his busy camp schedule to relax in his fuchsia bikini at the lake beach.

“Hello Chris. The belly dancing was amazing. I never thought I’d like anything so girly but it’s really a challenge. How long have you been doing it? You’re so expressive. And your belly muscles! Trust me I know about muscles and that must have taken hours and hours of training and lots and lots of hard work.”
“Believe it or not but I started here at Camp Las Vagas last summer but I’ve been working really hard. I take lessons from Madame Hamda twice a week back home and another two in a neighboring town. So yes my belly gets some workout.”,
“Who’s that hunk over there? He’s the first boy I’ve seen at Camp Las Vagas.”
“That’s Taylor. Yes, another Taylor. He’s part of the staff. He’s the waterfront counselor. He’s new this year and only the third male in camp history as a counselor. He’s going to university in the fall on a football scholarship. He’s a nose guard. He’s also my boyfriend.”
“Your boyfriend? Aren’t you a bit young for him? And, excuse me, but you don’t really have that much on top, do you”?
Taylor-w looked very intensely at Chris’s very flat bikini top.
“Hey, stop looking at my chest, my face is up here! Our relationship is not sexual so my lack of breast doesn’t matter. And we are both aware that long distance relationships don’t work.”
“So he’s a football player? And he’s named Taylor. That must be fate. That means we have so much in common. I was a wide receiver on the varsity team in my old school. Maybe I should go over there and have a chat with him.”
The looks that Taylor-w (I was wrong. The w obviously stands for wide receiver) gave Taylor-b (remember, b for boy) was predatory.
“If you’re a football player, why are you here? Isn’t it a bit eh too girly for you?”
“You can say that again.”
“If you’re ..”
“I didn’t mean that literally. I hate being here. I’d rather be on the other side of the lake with my brother at the football camp but even if my parents had allowed me they’re strictly a boys only camp. Bummer.”
“Why wouldn’t your parents let you?”
“The think I should be more feminine. That’s why they dumped me here for eight weeks. Our parents are really square. I mean REALLY square. They hate that I play football but I have prevailed so far. Our parents are very socially conservative. With the zeal of converts. They grew up in some whacky hippie commune. They even got married there, or possibly not. Given how the woman officiating was spaced out most of the time it probably wasn’t legal so they later had a big church ceremony. The last non-conformist thing they’ve ever done in their life was naming me and my twin brother Taylor.”
“So what’s your brother’s name, Taylor?”
“I told you, Taylor.”
“So both of you twins are named Taylor?”
“Yup that’s us, the infamous Taylor twins. Taylor Taylor and Taaaylor Taylor. My name should really be pronounced with a long aaa but I never bother about that. It’s spelt the same way anyway.”
“Taylor Taylor? So your family name is Taylor and your brother is also named Taylor?”
“Yeah, weird. Coach in our old school hated that. Just imagine having two Taylor Taylors on the team. Sometimes I think it would’ve been better if my parents hadn’t changed back to their old family name instead of the weird flowery hippy name great-grandfather took.”
“Couldn’t they just have taken your mother’s maiden name?“
“They are cousins and had the same family name. And their given names! My mother’s was bad enough. She was named Serene. Quite funny given how high strung she is. But father was the really unlucky one. Just imagine naming your kid It! Father really hated to be called an it.”
“Cousin It!”
“Yes, exactly that as well! Father always has a crew cut because of that. As soon the hair grows out even a millimeter he has it cut.”
“No, I mean really Cousin It. MY cousin It. We haven’t had any news of him since they left the commune. I’m a Daisy.”
“I thought you were in Rose cabin?”
“Yes, I’m a rose but I’m named Daisy.”
“I thought your name was Chrysanthemum?”
“YES, I’m Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum Daisy. If your father is Cousin It then we are second cousins!”
“So you’re really a Taylor?”
At that point a new voice gets involved in the conversation.
“Did someone mention my name?”
“Oh, hi Taylor. Let me introduce Taylor. Taylor, this is my cousin Taylor Taylor . Taylor, please meet Taylor Fuller. She’s my girlfriend.”
The new party in the conversation was Taylor. The original and unhyphenated Taylor. Remember her?
“Your girlfriend? But isn’t Taylor your boyfriend. I mean isn’t THAT Taylor over there your boyfriend? “
“Yes, so what?”
“Isn’t that a bit strange?”
“Remember that Chris is a Daisy.” Taylor said.
“So your really are one of those really weird Daisys my parents have been telling us about but only when they are a bit tipsy?”
“Well, my parents also left the commune and even if they’d liked to keep contact grandma Daisy ostracized them. Too square! Perhaps they are but I think they have pretty rounded corners. Too rounded for my taste to be honest. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
“Why else would Chris be the only boy, eh I forgot about Taylor this year. Why else would he be the only boy camper at a girls only camp?” Taylor interjected.
“Stop confusing me! So Chrysanthemum is a BOY?! That explains the tiny boobs. Are you transgender?”
A question that Chris was getting a bit tired of.
“NO! I’m just an ordinary boy. And I don’t have ANY breasts.”
Unhyphenated Taylor again: “Just an ordinary boy who is a belly dance instructor, who is a cheerleader, who dances ballet, who does exhibitions at girl gymnastics meets, who has both a cute girlfriend and a hunky boyfriend , who has the basement full of hunky boys in tights …”
“Stop Taylor! Now you’re twisting things out of all recognition. And I’m not a belly dance instructor. I’m an ASSISTANT to the oriental dance teacher.”
Taylor-w: “But the rest is true?”
“Technically yes, but my girlfriend makes it sound weird. And it really isn’t.”
“Oh no, absolutely not. Not for a Daisy!” said Taylor-w.
“Hey, we are the square Daisys. Well, squarish.”
“I rest my case.”
At that point Taylor-w shook her head.
“I don’t think my poor head can take any more of this. We must talk more about this but not now. They’d take me away in a straitjacket then.”
Unhyphenated Taylor: “Why? You think this is weird? I see that you don’t know Chris yet.”
Taylor-w shook her head once again and proceeded to do something more normal, like chatting up the hunky waterfront counselor at the camp. So what if he already had a boyfriend? And if Taylor-w was to be honest (not a given in her case) a damned cute boyfriend. But on second thought, he didn’t have a girlfriend and wouldn’t Taylor(-b) be more partial to a well-grown girl than most teenage boys? Even if Chris was smaller than Taylor(-w) he wasn’t petit(e).

That night a counselor caught Chris and Taylor cuddling in Dandelion cabin.

“Stop that immediately! You know it’s not allowed.”
Chris: “Sorry I hadn’t noticed that. Please don’t report us.”
Taylor-b: ”You haven’t done anything wrong. It’s Taylor that’s breaking rules, as usual. You both know it’s not allowed for a campers to be in another cabin than her own. So out you go Taylor. Cuddling? For some reason there’s nothing in the camp rules about cuddling, kissing, PDA or even .. ahem. If you want to cuddle go ahead but first– out you go!”
And out they went. And as kissing was allowed they did indulge in that too. They refrained from “ahem”. Still Taylor was heard to indulge in her signature O O Os.

As curfew was sounded Chris went back into the cabin and proceeded to cuddle with Taylor. Taylor-b of course. No breaking of the rules. I think some kissing was involved as well. For some reason there was nothing in the camp rules about that either. The idea that a counselor would even consider cuddling a camper was apparently unthinkable. Wait. Come to think about it Chris was not just a camper. He was also an assistant instructor. Phew! No problem then. And since Taylor-b lived in Dandelion cabin everything was just fine. Just to be on the safe side and to preserve his virtue Taylor-b locked the door to his room when he went to bed. The main room, where Chris had the choice of 12 beds, each as uncomfortable as the next, wasn’t possible to lock.

The chatting up of the waterfront counselor had only been the start of the Taylor-w campaign to snare him. Taylor-w felt miserable. She was in a place where she didn’t want to be. She had to do things she didn’t want to do. And there was only ONE male in the whole Camp Las Vagas. Not counting Chris. Taylor-w liked Chris but couldn’t really think of him as a him. She felt a bit bad about trying to seduce Chris’ boyfriend but then he had a girlfriend as well and Taylor-w had no one. It wasn’t fair! So according to the Robin Hood principle she was prepared to take from those who have much (that is Chris) and to give to those who have nothing (in particular herself). If only Chris wouldn’t be so nice! Chris had made Taylor-w his special project in Oriental dancing class. Taylor-w enjoyed it but at the same time she felt bad. It had the strange effect that she worked even harder at her belly dancing and tried to be a more happy camper. Both things she understood pleased Chris.

Then as soon as the Oriental dancing class was over she’d head for an evening dip and chat with the waterfront counselor. At that time Chris was busy at the self-defense class. “Aunt Mary” felt she couldn’t make Chris’ parents pay for a class that Chris partially taught so she had allowed Chris to take the self-defense class as well. “Aunt Mary” really was only Taylor’s aunt and should more properly be address as the camp manager. Chris was a very busy boy. Hm “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Wasn’t Chris supposed to become a less dull boy at camp? Oh, I forgot the late evening cuddles. And remember Chris was an equal opportunity cuddler. Still “Aunt Mary” was right in her assessment. About both Chris and Taylor-b. Unfortunately about her niece Taylor as well but Chris and Taylor-b wouldn’t let her do anything not really considered in a bout of excessive enthusiasm. Taylor had a habit of getting excited. Remember all those O O Os?

One evening as Taylor left Dandelion cabin, or to be more precisely the steps leading up to Dandelion cabin, she was observed. Had the observer not been out on nefarious purposes things could have been sticky for Taylor and Chris. Or perhaps not. “Aunt Mary”, the camp manager, knew very well what went on at Dandelion cabin. She got daily reports from an assistant instructor.

Hm, I got sidetracked. Where was I. Yes, observer with the nefarious intentions. The intruder sneaked into Dandelion cabin. She silently tried to open the door to the resident counselor’s room. Locked! Why would he lock the door? That just wasn’t done at Camp Las Vagas. Foiled, foiled again. The shadow disappeared into the night and Chris, who had been awake all the time, could go back to sleep again.

During the two weeks of the first camp period Taylor-w felt she was making progress with Taylor. The boy Taylor of course. Not as much as she’d have liked but she still had time. She made sure that her brother was Chris’ partner for the dance. That way she could accompany Taylor-b. Sadly she had no idea about how the dance worked. 1) Counselors were chaperons only. 2) ALL participants were paired with someone from the other camp. Taylor-w was paired with a boy that Taylor had become good friends with. Zut, another Taylor, the other half of the Taylor Taylor twins. Hm, his position on the field was full-back so let’s tag him as Taylor-f. So that’s settled then. Let’s get back to the story. The dance was animated as usual. Taylor-f, who had been reluctant to accompany a boy, was charmed by Chris. Chris had brought an absolutely marvelous dress this time.

During the evening Chris was cornered by Phil who managed to guide him into an empty room. Phil insisted to continue the instruction he had started the year before. Progressing from kissing (that Chris had learnt very well) to the inter course. Chris was not interested in further instruction but Phil was quite insistent. Then Chris demonstrated what he had learned in another course. Chris had been a very attentive student in self-defense class. That was when Taylor, Taylor, Taylor and Taylor burst into the room. They had started to suspect that Phil was up to no good. The way that Taylor-b took Chris into his arms made Taylor-w understand that her campaign to seduce him was a non-starter.

The next period was mercifully eventless. Taylor-w had given up hope about Taylor-b but Chris DID have great taste so perhaps it was worth looking into Taylor. The same Robin Hood principle still applied. It was interesting. Taylor-w had never tried to enter a romantic relationship with a girl before. Still, Taylor-w couldn’t shake the feeling that she was doing something bad. She wasn’t, not really. Was she?

The next dance her brother Taylor had a serious talk with her. He even made her apologize to Taylor, Taylor-b and Chris for what she had been trying to do.

Taylor-b to Taylor-f: “Why did you that for? We had a good thing going. Of course we understood what your sister was up to from the early beginning. But it kept her distracted. Not wallowing in self-pity. She was no fun like that. But with the going on and her bad conscience she was more focused and committed to camp activities. She was a happy camper, sort of.”
Taylor to Taylor-w: “And I liked the attention you gave me. You’re nice. You will make some boy, or possibly a girl, very happy in the future. Probably a boy rather than a girl, I think.”
Chris: “So now our grand scheme to keep Taylor happy and busy has been shot down. I had been planning on how to string Taylor along once she’d moved her attention to me. That was bound to happen sooner or later. Oh well. We still like you Taylor, even if not in THAT way.”

Something clicked in Taylor (w). The situation was just too ridiculous. The rest of the summer she WAS a happy camper. Truly a happy camper. She was absolutely hopeless at gymnastics,. At least she didn’t break any more bars (come to think about it she was too young to go into bars and thus no bar fights). She came to be moderately proficient as a cheerleader. What did you say? All right Taylor-w became a not bad cheerleader. Her specialties being base and tossing. She was also an enthusiastic belly dancer. The fact that she was absolutely awful at it didn’t diminish her joy of dancing. And she did find companionship and perhaps even love. Not with the rose Daisy but with the daisy Rose. They were cute together.

Not only the smaller cheerleaders flew when tossed by Taylor-w. So did time. Things were more or less the same every day. Taylor-w and Taylor had the same schedule. Chris switched to first aid instead of self-defense. Time flew by, as mentioned earlier. The campers, or most of them, were happy campers. Early in the morning the day when all campers were to leave camp a minibus came from the camp on the other side of the lake. In it was Taylor-f. His sister squeezed in. To her surprise so did Taylor, Taylor-b and Chris. Well, to be honest so were those three. The minibus was to go the airport. But the Taylor twins had arrived by car.

“Why aren’t your parents picking you up?”
“They don’t live her any longer. They dumped us here and moved to the other side of the country.”
“Ah makes perfect sense. So now you are being flown to a third country?”
“As good as. We are going “home” to a place we’ve never been to. A small place I can’t ever remember the name of. All our friends are a thousand miles away. A new school. And our parents are going to be teachers there. They are good teachers but even I can’t pretend that they are likable. So yes, new kids in the school. Teacher’s children and most likely unpopular teachers’ kids. Yay!”

That they got on the same flight from the airport next to Camp Las Vagas wasn’t surprising. There weren’t that many flights from there. That they got on the same flight on the second leg was more surprising since there weren’t that many flights to that airport. Chris and Taylor understood what was happening. Probably Taylor-b did as well but he was more focused on going to Harvard the next week (he had not managed to get into Broader Reality University).

At West Ridge airport there were many people awaiting the arrivals. No one for Taylor-b. That was expected. He could manage himself. Coach Fuller nodded to an XL couple (and I don’t refer to fat) that were new colleagues to her before Taylor rushed into her arms. The male of the XL couple had a crew cut and the female a very strict and very female suit. The Taylor Twins and Chris came out together. Chris whispered to Taylor-w.

“What happens in Las Vagas stays in Las Vagas”.

They moved towards the XL couple and another that was only L-sized (NO, I’m still not talking about fat).

Chris: “Hi mom and dad. Meet my friends Taylor Taylor and Taylor Taylor. They are like relatives to me. Well, they are relatives. Meet their parents. Well, meet them again It’s been a long time since you last met.”

At that the adults looked at each other. And then (Fra)Grant Daisy burst out with something that would haunt his descendant for the next generation even if it was shouted with obvious joy (no Joy(ful) didn’t shout, I’m referring to Grant’s mood)

“Cousin It!”


Source URL:https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/110625/just-ordinary-boy-part-1