Chapter 11

Back in the waking world but tired Gabriel felt the pull of reality in an uncomfortable state with his bladder calling out for his attention. A few of the students started to get up with the alarm, some complained and the last just ignored it. Taking the opportunity he shuffled himself over to the bathroom, slinging his spare outfit for the day over his shoulder like a towel. He tried to piece together what any of that dream actually meant, even as the memory of it faded. Not liking what he could piece together and truly not wanting to consider any of the possibilities of meaning behind it.

Gabe instead choked it all up to unfamiliar food, exhaustion and sleeping on the floor. “More of gravy than the grave.” Gabriel quotes the Christmas Carol, not something that he knew by memory, but years his sister dragged them to see the play around Christmas time. Her claiming traditions were important and this was now one of theirs. His mama for it, getting to enjoy some cheap entertainment with her children, so he hardly fought it. The remnants of the dream just felt something akin to that first meeting Scrooge had, only this time there wasn’t going to be some big change of character.

Splashing water on his face, Gabe stared at himself in the hotel’s bathroom mirror. He looked like a mess, his make up… The pink wearing man cringed at the accusation of the makeup being his. It hadn’t been removed before he was ushered off to the room and he hadn’t considered removing it. Now it was running and smeared on his face and he was sure the pillow had been wearing didn’t look too great either. “One thing after another.” He pointed at himself in the mirror.

As he dropped his pajamas and began to pee, into the toilet he remembered the stupid advise Maria gave him while they were getting ready for dinner. “If you have to pee, do it while sitting. You have to be a little lady about this. It’ll help keep you in the right headspace.”

At this point, Gabe wasn’t in the mood for her acting tips, he looked like a mess, like some girl coming home after a one night stand and he felt even worse. The flow from himself to the toilet wasn’t quite, but still he didn’t stop. His waking mind not really considering what was at stake, but his stomach was also letting him know of his other bathroom needs. Holding off the flow of his urine, holding onto his male member he turned around and sat down. “Right headspace, right.” Gabriel said aloud to make it clear he hadn’t done so because his sister had told him to,even if he had only been talking to himself.

Pink pajama bottoms and panties around his ankles, Gave continued to do his morning ritual when he heard the doorknob start to turn. The door was unlocked, causing him to start panicking. Pressing his legs together in a way to hide male bits, Gabe called out. “Occupied!” In his fright the young teacher’s voice came out with a bit of a squeak.

The declaration that someone was already in the bathroom didn’t stop the door from opening and Jennifer walking in. “Oh, sorry, but I wanted to just let you know Miss DeLeon told us we’re all getting breakfast in the lobby so we can head down to the museum as soon as we can. So no long showers for us this morning. Story of my life, you know I have five siblings, hot water is a luxury and I miss it.”

Gabe swallowed hard, not only had the girl just barged in without knocking, but she stood there with the bathroom door partially open while trying to carry on a conversation. “Jen… Jennifer, do you mind?” He kept his legs tightly pressed together, one hand trying to hide things and waving at the partially open door with the other.

Turning her head the girl's red hair fluttered in the air as she looked over her shoulder and then back. “Oh yeah, sorry.” Jennifer stopped into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Gabe thought his eyes were going to fall out of his head with how wide they went. “There that is better, just us now. You know Gabby if you like you can just call me Jen, most of my friends do.” She gave a smile that was bright enough that it just disgusted Gabe. What she was doing sure helped fuel that feeling, but it was mostly because it was clear she was part of the most horrible group, morning people.

Putting her hands on either side of the sink Jennifer leaned in closer, squirting before turning the faucet on. “I say I miss it, the hot water, but it isn’t like I don’t have it.” She glanced to her side and gave a lopsided grin. “Just have to be first in, I mean we have more than one bathroom, but the hot water doesn’t last. My brother Jimmy has the right idea of it taking a shower, well a bath. He likes baths, he does them before he goes to bed.”

“Jennifer.” Gabe stopped pressing his free hand in the air like he was pressing a brake. “Jen.” He corrected, not because he wanted to be friends, but because he really needed her to listen. “Do you mind?” He motioned to the door with his head.

“Hmm? OH yeah. Well…” She took a step backwards like she was about to head out of the bathroom. Sometimes I stay at my grandparents place, you would love them. We can have a sleepover sometimes and I can promise I will help you remember to clean your face off before bed. Sorry, it seems like all of us were a bit distracted last night. Wasn’t that fun though?”

“Jen, please… please.”

The teen girl nodded a few times. “Shy bladder, I get it. Just don’t take too long.”

Finishing up Gabriel sighed and quickly changed into his clothes for the day, but not before actually scrubbing his face clean of the stupid makeup. The dress he was going to wear for the day was a modest red, maybe orangish in the right light pretty dress. Maria had been merciful enough to give him something fashionable that wouldn’t lead to too much embarrassment.

He was sure there would be fallout for it being the dress Becky bought him, but it was better than the ill fitting clothes from the first day. What would give him shame though is the pair of sheer black nylon pantyhose she had packed along with them. He grumbled and tried to pull them on in one quick motion, only to realize he had immediately torn a small hole in it with his toenail. That created a ripped line up the hose from how he was attempting to put it on.

Balling up the cursed garment he tossed them in the trash. ‘Why did I even try this, stupid, not like I know how to put on girl's clothes.’ Gabe thought.

Sitting on the floor in the dress he got out a pair of clippers from his purse that he had carried in along with his stupid dress for the day. The clipping and maintaining his toe nails was strangely meditative. Something outside of the feminine world he was currently trapped in, something he could focus on helped. He was sure he wouldn’t snag the pantyhose again, but it was too late. He loved running his hands over a girl’s leg when she wore pantyhose or better stockings. For himself though, he was going to pass. ‘Score one for me, and a fuck you for Maria.’

Still sitting on the floor there came a hurried knock to the door before it opened once more. ‘I still didn't’ lock it…’ he sighed as he saw the face of Sarah.

“You look pretty.” The blonde girl said in a snarky tone. “Now get out, time to share.”

Sarah didn’t wait for him to finish, walking around him and the second he noticed she was pulling her little cotton shorts down at the toilet he averted his eyes and scrambled out of the bathroom the second he got to his feet. The room itself was empty, the other teens finding they had to use the other bathrooms with him hogging that one. Or the room would have been empty if it wasn’t for his sibling sitting on one of the beds, one leg crossed over the other as she looked at something on her phone. “Where is everyone?”

Looking up from her mobile device Maria took her brother in. Hair was a mess, still traces of makeup on his face and he wasn’t wearing the pantyhose she had bought. “They all left, except Sarah. She wanted a shower, while everyone else wasn’t willing to wait on you, hija.”

Next to her on the bed was the pair of stiletto heels he had worn to dinner the previous night, along with a pair of black flats Maria had gotten, her intention not to always **** him. “We need to get your face done for the day and…” she picked up the white heels with one finger by their strap. “One of the boys, Bryan said you wanted to wear these today?” She phrased it as a question with one eyebrow raised.”

“Want isn’t a great choice of words, need to.” He huffed, stepping closer before plopped down on the bed.

“That isn’t how a young lady sits, but we can work on that and your movements in your shoes that you just love so much that you have to wear. You do know we will be walking around for most of the day right?”

Falling backwards on the bed, Gabe rolled his eyes, not giving one shit how a proper girl sits. “I’m aware.”

“Hmm.” She dangled the white heel over her siblings head. “Care to tell me why you have to wear them?”

He gave a quick answer with no hesitation. “Nope” Not willing to confess to her that he had been part of a game called Kiss or Dare, knowing it would only bring more questions.” Soon enough they could hear the water starting in the bathroom shower and Maria got to work helping her brother with his disguise for another day.

Gabe was already regretting the bet he made last night. Yesterday he wore heels during the trip to the white house, but they were only three inches and a solid block. His feet still hurt the entire time, but he could at least balance on them with barely any practice. Now though, he was stuck wearing these much higher stilettos and was genuinely worried he was going to snap his ankle at any moment.

“Stop putting all your weight on the heel. You need to step with your entire foot, don’t lead with the heel or toes. It is heel toe, heel toe, but you have to roll your foot not come stomping like an ape.” Maria tried to coach him, but she had a responsibility to the rest of the club as well, so she only really had this quick moment as they were waiting in line to get into the Smithsonian. “Why did you insist on wearing these heels again? I was nice enough to buy you some cute flats for this trip.”

Gabe, prone to anger in this moment by the pain in his feet, snapped back. “You mean ‘that I bought’, considering it was with ‘my money’.” Wishing he very much could accept her chosen footwear.

Gabe could just imagine Bryan peeking at him from across the crouch in the room. If he didn’t wear the shoes then tonight he was sure they all would insist he have to kiss the teen for not following through and if they were anything like his frat there would be some sort of penalty for not following through. ‘I'm not going to lose to you.’ Gabriel shook his fist in the air as if the boy was still around ‘I’m a man of my word even if it is stupid…’ His **** footwear the previous day had come at a price, pain. Still he thought of his sister and how she often wore heels all day at work. ‘If Maria can do it, then it can’t be that hard. If there is pain, well I can handle it.’ He told himself, still more than worried about the repercussions of choosing the flats.

Maria, knowing nothing of the bet, was more than a little confused by her little brother’s sudden adamant declaration that he needed to wear the stilettos. She began to wonder if he was actually liking all this, or at least some of this. She could understand the appeal of a good shoe, but Gabriel or Gabriella… She laughed at the thought, she guessed the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree, though her pretend daughter was going to learn she needed to start with something a bit lower.

Unless… she tapped her finger to her chin. She was comfortable in her heels because of the arch in her foot, and wondered if her sibling was finding they were practically built for this way of life. The grimace on his pretty face made her reconsider. He had been weird all morning from her perspective. “Hija, go get your hose so we can get going downstairs.”

“Not wearing them.” he said matter of factly. “Can’t wear them anyhow, they ripped.”

“Dios mio, you already tore them? Why didn’t you wait till I got here… Just throwing away money.” She pressed her lips into a line mentally ranting about how he never had any respect for money, especially if it was hers. “You’re just wasting money.”

“Oh can it, Maria!” He snapped, his voice moving a little closer to his natural octave. All of it coming out just a bit too loud, as soon as he snapped back he cringed. Nothing came of it as the room was already empty, even Sarah had headed downstairs at this point. Gabe had been so on edge that the slightest slip up made him think the worst was about to happen.

“Outbursts like that are going to get you in trouble.” She could clearly see his eyes moving like a prey animal searching for a predator. “Now, if you want my assistance to continue you will apologize for wasting money and will tell me what I want to hear. Think hard, I’m sure you can come to the right conclusion.”

Twisting his foot to the side to literally grind his foot down, Gabriel felt his ankle almost buckle. Making him feel more like a fool, allowing some of his anger to dispel. Never in his life had he capitulated like this to Maira, let alone this often.Thankfully no one was around to notice his screw up nor around to see him practically grovel. Gabe knew what she wanted from him, she had made him say some form of it a few times over the course of… ‘Has it really only been around twenty four hours?’ He asked himself a bit surprised at how long the last day felt.

“I’m sorry I wasted money and I promise to…’ The smile on his face almost faltered as he tried to maintain the false smile and cutesy voice. “To be a good girl.”

A slight smile grew on Maria’s stern expression, it felt much more thrilling to her than she let one to make her arrogant brother apologize, let alone the rest. “I’m sure you are more upset at yourself considering how you reminded me that it was your money you wasted when you ruined your pantyhose.” Looking at the tiny watch on her wrist Maria picked up her purse. “We should have enough time to grab a banana or apple for the road. You missy need to work on how long it takes you to get ready. Now follow along.”

With an apple in hand Gabriel stepped out of the hotel, his sister adjacent to him. The last few days in DC had been unseasonably warm for fall, but today the cold weather caught up with the nation's capital. A cold breeze blew across the crossdressed man, running along his shaven legs and up the skirt of the red dress. Causing an uncomfortable shiver from the new experience.

Swallowing a gasp he looked to his sister, as he shuffled with the light crowd of students. Wanting to get on the bus to take refuge from the stiff October wind. “Ugh, Hace frío. ¿Tienes un suéter extra?” Gabe rubbed his arms up to his shoulders, the dress not the best or even near the best garment for cold with its lack of sleeves.

”Oh, cold?” Maria continued in English, waving her hand in the direction of his legs. “Pantyhose would help with that, but…” She drew out the last word, leaning in close so others didn’t overhear. “I didn’t bring an extra sweater, but you could just man up.” Putting one hand on her fake daughter’s shoulder Maria laughed, a joyous thing. The fact she could literally feel him squirm added another level of enjoyment. “I could ask Sam if we can stop somewhere for you to buy some more pantyhose and a sweater if you like. I do recall the museum is rather chilly. They like to keep the AC on pretty high.”

“Oh c’mon, please?” He hated how she had him so **** like this, the woman had packed two suitcases for a few days and didn’t believe she only had the one she was wearing. He never considered his sibling to be cruel, just a bossy bitch that would complain when he didn’t let her get her way. Now it seemed she was taking all her pent of energy that she had never let go of and was taking it out on him.

So he had to play along, at least for now. “Please Mami, may I please borrow your sweater?” He pitched up his voice as high as could , attempting to sound like those girls who use a baby sickeningly sweet baby voice. Attempting to garner sympathy by over indulging in her commanding threat to be girly. “It’s just soooooo cold”

Maria rolled her eyes, but decided to reward her tortured brother for behaving like a little girl. Pulling off her sweater before draping it over his shoulders. “Now try to keep your clothes clean, and I need you to look happy today instead of a sour puss. You promised you would be a good girl, do as you said…. Or else.”

“Or else what?” Gabe wasn’t sure he could handle anymore punishments, especially with already feeling the strain from his current footwear.

“Well…” Maria tapped her long nailed index finger to her bottom lip a few times before she looked down at her hands, getting an idea. “Your nails are rather drab hija and the girls were asking about going to a salon before we left.”

She lied with a smile and could see the shiver run through the disguised man once more. She didn’t know if the physical reaction was from the threat or the brisk hair on his clean shaven legs, but she wanted to believe it was a bit of both. Everything that was happening with him was a risk, but it was clear he had been taken down a peg or two. She hoped by the end of this that ego would be in check.

Letting out a light laugh at the idea of a reward if he did act like a good girl. Instead of Gabe getting his nails done as a punishment she could reward Gabby by getting her nails done. “Don’t fret nina. Just be on your best behavior and I’ll be merciful.” Calling him a young girl was her way of saying exactly how she wanted him to behave.

Gabriel wasn’t sure what merciful meant, but today was going to be bad enough he didn’t want to make things worse for himself. The threat of going to a nail salon was not great, but what made it worse was that when he got back home he still wouldn’t have his wallet. That meant his mama seeing his hands that way when he asked to borrow a few dollars to fix what Maria did to him. He could always refuse to get his nails done, but that could lead to something worse that he had no control over. ‘Best behavior… best little girl behavior, fuck, just fuck me.’

At that moment as he was first stepping into the bus, making sure to hold the rails tight to keep his balance, a piece of his last dream floated to the front of his thoughts. How he was told that all he was, is just a cute, empty-headed little girl. Standing at the front of the bus, the last to get on he looked at the students, children he thought. ‘I need to act like an empty headed girl, just really… fuck, just fuck me.’