The last week before school went by in a whirlwind. You expected to hear from Randall, but she never called. A few days later, the funeral for "Randall" was held. You **** yourself to look somber and even gave some words in memorial. Despite the numerous familiar faces from school, "Miss Card" did not make an appearance. With Randall's absence, it was hard to for you to feel like he hadn't passed on. The only thing you hadn't anticipated was amount of condolences you would have to deal with. Everyone knew how close the two of you were and though you appreciated the concern, it was hard to consistently pretend to be the sorrowful best friend.
In the days after, you tried to think about Randall less. A watched pot never boils, you kept reminding yourself. You spent quality time with Allison and hung out with your family. You destroyed David at Call of Duty and killed a lot of time watching random things on Netflix. The week was rapidly flying by and your senior year was set to begin. You reflected back, thinking about how you and Randall usually spent the weekend nerding out right around this time of year. It really bothered you that she hadn't called. You couldn't help but feel like it was only a matter of time before you don't fit in her life.
Eventually, the first day of school arrived. You pulled up to the school with David and Tabitha in tow. They both eagerly rushed off while you parked the car. Excited as you were to finally be a senior, you certainly felt alone in the crowd of people milling about the halls. You found your homeroom. Anxiously, you waited in line for your course schedule. There were some decidedly mixed emotions churning in your gut. On one hand, you hoped that you would have Randall's class. On the other hand, it would be difficult day after day watching her have to play Miss Card. When it came down to it, if you didn't get into Randall's class, what would you be able to use as an excuse to hang out? Luckily, your worries are cut short when you see that your fifth period class reads "Government/Card 275". Relieved, you head out to go find Allison before the first period bell rings.
After lunch, you head up the stairs into the main building. Its been a relatively uneventful day. Classes seem like they are going to be fairly easy. An easy senior year after all, you think, at least in some respect. Keeping to yourself, you take a seat in the second row. Your pulse was pounding. Eventually, the bell rang. The class fell to a hush as the door opened and Randall walked to the front of the room. Or, the person that was supposed to be Randall.
You could scarcely believe it. Last time you saw Randall, she was certainly more feminine in her movements and mannerisms, however, when she opened her mouth, Randall's brash words and humor still poured out like normal. This was different. In fact, despite you knowing better, you could almost believe that the woman at the head of the class was Miss Laura Card. She was dressed plainly, but professionally in a white button down blouse and a rather tight pinstripe, knee length skirt. Her legs were clad in dark hose and propped up on fairly sizable set of heels. Her hair was up and Miss Card's trademark black spectacles adorned her perfectly made up face. You were mesmerized by the sultry sway of her wide hips and the gentle bounce of her melon sized breasts beneath the blouse.
You couldn't keep your mind focused as Randall gave a standard introduction, handed out the class syllabus, and started off into a lecture. How could you take notes when Randall's large, perfectly round ass was just a few feet away? You drifted back to the night the two of you lost your virginity...
"Any idea, Mr. Connor?" asked Randall, sweetly.
"Huh?" you shook your head, startled.
"Welcome back," she said. "Would you care to define federalism for us?" You froze up. How could he put you on the spot like that? you wondered.
"Uh... Um... Federalism..." you stammered.
"Pay attention. Okay, Tim?" she scolded. You were stunned. Randall's performance as Miss Card was absolutely unbelievable.
The rest of the period flew by. Eventually, the bell rang and everyone started to shuffle about, moving on to the next class.
"Mr. Connor, will you hang back just a moment?" asked Randall, nonchalantly.
"Uh, sure." You leaned back in your desk. Randall seemed to be preoccupied with work at his desk. As soon as the last student left and the door clicked, it was like a switch was thrown.
"What the hell, Tim!" Randall said, a air of accusation in her voice. Interestingly, you noticed that his voice had shifted back to the way he had been speaking normally. At least, normally since the procedure.
"What?" you asked. What could he possible be mad about, you wondered.
"Dude, why haven't you returned any of my calls?"
"What?! Randall, I've been checking my phone constantly. I don't have any missed calls," you explain.
"Not your cell phone, smart guy. Your house. A couple times no one answered and the other couple times your mom said she would have you call me back," she said, sounding exasperated. "All kinds of crazy shit has been going down." You scrunched up your face. You had asked your mom repeatedly if "Laura" had called and she had said "no". You explained as much to Randall. "That's so weird. I wonder why she didn't tell you."
You shook you head. "No idea, man. Wait. So, what's been going on? When you went all M.I.A., I figured you were just trying to get some space."
"Yeah, for like a day maybe," she said. "Mostly, I just needed to get away from your mom. I called you the first time about a day after. Things have been absolutely crazy, Tim. Dealing with Miss Card's friends. Getting dragged out clubbing. All this prep for school."
"Good job, by the way," you interjected.
"Thanks," she said cheerfully. Randall continued, "Dealing with men." She made a face at that. You couldn't help but feel a little jealous at the idea of men coming around. "I do not want to do this, Tim. Getting turned into a woman wasn't that bad when it was just you and me, but the novelty has worn off a bit. There's so much bullshit to deal with." You had wondered when the reality of the situation would hit. "Don't get me wrong. I'd rather be doing this than be dead, but all I've been able to think about lately is how much I wish it could go back to the way it used to be." Her shoulders slumped. You felt a deep sorrow for your friend, that she'd been suffering and you hadn't been around.
"I know, bud. Me, too." You put your hand on Randall's shoulder. "So, remind me why you didn't call my cell again?"
"Uh," said Randall, looking embarrassed, "I kinda forgot it. I always had it stored in my old phone, never had to dial it." You gave a nod, knowing how it goes. "I'll never forget your house number though. I must have called you a million times way back in the day." You chuckled, thinking about how when you were kids, Randall called nearly everyday.
Randall glanced up at the clock. "Shit. Don't you have class to get to?"
"Yeah..." you said. "Its just weight lifting though. Do you have another class coming in?"
"No, I have a prep period at the end of the day. Two classes of World History, two of U.S. History, and one U.S. Government..."
"Sounds busy as fuck," you say, amazed that she's able to handle all of that.
"Not as bad as you would think," she replied wistfully.
You think for a moment. "Well, I..."
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