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Hours later Jodie awoke to the sounds of loud grunts and banging. Jodie slipped on his fuzzy robe before she opened the door. Up the short hallway were two large and muscular men trying to **** and cajole a bed frame into Jodie's old room. Lauren peaked over the upended bed frame, "Oh! Jodie! I'm sorry did we wake you?"

Jodie softly nodded before returning to the room he now shared. He, so, did not want to deal with people today but he was starving. He sat in Eric’s computer chair and held the robe to his newly enhanced chest. He was tired of laying down and hoped sitting up would relieve him of the new weight but it didn’t help. The weight was with him no matter how he moved himself. Finally, he couldn’t stand it any longer and dressed. He put on a button-up denim skirt and his loosest top, a sleeveless white top with lace filigree. Out of habit, and maybe comfort, he put on his makeup. The ritual had become second nature now and by the end, he felt somewhat better. More...together. He slipped on a pair of wedge sneakers, at this point the least girly pair of shoes he owned, and walked out into the hallway.

The movers had finished installing the full-sized bed and waited by the door for their pay. Lauren noticed the men were staring behind her. Turning she saw Jodie’s beautiful self as she had become accustomed to, but now the once loose top was form-fitting around Jodie’s new breasts.

“Hey.” Jodie ignored the men and continued on to the kitchen with some difficulty. His balance was all off now that he sported two large and squishy weights on his chest. Lauren handed the men a twenty and pushed them out of the apartment.

“Jodie…”

“Hmm?” He sat a bowl of leftovers on the counter, unwrapping the plastic wrap.

“How’re you doing? Eric said you were a little out of it earlier.” Jodie shrugged and placed the bowl in the microwave. “Jodie? Sweetie?” She placed her hand on his arm. “Are you okay? If you’re in pain Eric said I’m supposed to give you a pain pill.” Jodie nodded and Lauren left to her room and took the pain killer from her secret spot and returned to Jodie.

Jodie didn’t talk much even after the pain medicine. He was headed back to his room when Lauren finally broke the ice. “I don’t know how you walk in those.” She talked as if it was any other day and it made Jodie stop and look back.

“What do you mean?”

“Those heels. I mean, wedges are easier sure, but I’ve seen you in some killer stilettos. I know if it were me I’d probably break an ankle or fall flat on my face.”

Jodie shrugged again, “Practice.”

“Do you mind showing me?” All of five minutes later both girls were walking around the living room in high heels. “I don’t think I have the coordination for these!” The difference between Lauren’s heels and Jodie’s may have been only a couple of inches but a sudden change made for a series of hilarious mistakes. Bracing herself on the couch Lauren saw Jodie smile for the first time today. Which was Lauren’s real goal, although she did have a laugh or two at her own expense. Before he left Eric told Lauren Jodie might seem upset but he explained it was from stress and fear that everyone would treat her differently.

Lauren sat beside Jodie and Jodie felt himself smiling. It was nice to pretend even for a few minutes that his life was normal and he was just hanging out with a friend. “You get used to them. I’m, like, honestly surprised I don’t trip and die every day.”

“Nooo. You’re ridiculously graceful. Did you ever do ballet when you were little?”

“No. The only time I danced really was on a date with Eric.” As he said the words he couldn’t help but smile again. He had a fun time with Eric and maybe their friendship had deepened...even if he was dressed how he was. ‘And Eric did, like, look totally hot in his suit. WHAT THE FUCK?!”

“Aww.” Lauren hugged Jodie pressing her breasts against Jodie’s much larger breasts.

“What?”

“Someone’s got a cruuUUuush!” She teased.

“Shut up!” Jodie playfully shoved Lauren away.

“Eric and Jodie K I S S I N-AAH!” Lauren screamed as Jodie hurled a throw pillow at her head hitting Lauren square in the chest. Lauren hit Jodie with the pillow and Jodie managed to steal it away and hit her in the head. They continued on for the next several minutes and despite himself, Jodie found himself laughing and smiling along with Lauren.

By the time Eric walked in the door several hours later the girls were both snuggling on the couch under a big blanket eating popcorn and watching a chick-flick. “Hey,” Eric spoke softly as he sat beside Jodie and softly kissed her lips. “How’re you doin?” he whispered.

“Better.”

“That’s good.” Eric took Jodie’s hand and quietly watched the movie. As they watched the romantic adventures unfurl Jodie slowly smelled something...good. For a moment she wondered if Eric brought food. It took several minutes of scent sleuthing before she found Eric was the source. “Can I help you?” Eric asked as she sniffed at him like a mouse searching for cheese.

“Um...you smell good.”

“Thank you?”

“New deodorant?”

“No.”

“Bodywash?”

“Nope.”

“Aftershave?” Eric shook his head no. Jodie blushed when he realized he was practically groping his friend. Looking to Lauren she smirked and hummed the same grade school rhyme from earlier.

Eric wondered what was going on with Jodie when he remembered some mention that hormone replacement therapy could change tastes and even scents you enjoyed. He tried to not let it go to his head but it was hard not to having a beautiful woman recently groping on him.

Before bed, Eric gave Jodie her pills and a glass of water. “So how are you really?”

“Better. Like, actually better. Well...stopped crying kind of better but not like, super happy.”

Eric sat at the end of the bed and placed her feet in his lap and pulled off her heels so he could give them a massage. “You’ll be all better soon.”

“Hmm...you think so?”

“I know so. Have I told you lately how beautiful you look?”

“Not since this morning.”

“Well, you are.”

Jodie smirked, “You know. We’re alone.” Eric felt a familiar and hopeful stirring, “You don’t have to pretend I’m beautiful.”

He frowned and spoke softly, “I’m not.”

Jodie blushed, he was confused and happy, but he didn’t want to be either. “We should go to bed.”