You go to the dressing room

You left the toilet and headed straight to the dressing room. Karen was your older sister and throughout your life had tended to organize you. You were used to been bossed around by her, even when you were a 6’3 guy. Now you were significantly smaller than her and she had seemed somewhat intimidating when she had earlier told you to hurry back. You did not want to cross her.

Despite her bossiness you loved her and you owed her. She was the one who had introduced you to Jackie. You could remember her consoling you after the breakup of a previous relationship “You really should meet my colleague Jackie. I think she would be perfect for you”

Reluctantly you had attended a dinner party at Karen’s flat. She seated you beside a blonde, whom you couldn’t take your eyes off. You hit it off and in the three years since your relationship had gone from strength to strength. 8 months ago you had popped the question and she had said ‘Yes’. Now it was your wedding day and …… Reality hit…… Jackie was about to marry Carmen, whilst you were a bridesmaid. Life wasn’t fair.

Now you were standing outside the dressing room door. You could hear the chattering of female voices inside. Someone was giggling, it sounded like Jackie’s younger sister Judy, the third bridesmaid. You started to have second thoughts about entering. Could you really do this? Could really pull off pretending to be Carmen? Did you want to do this? How would you cope with hearing Carmen say your wedding vows? Maybe you should just walk in and tell them ‘I’m sorry but this wedding cannot go ahead!’.

But then you thought about Jackie, she had been quite clear that the wedding was going to go ahead, no matter that the groom had swapped bodies with her bridesmaid. It was what she wanted. Her reasoning about the costs and that some of the guests had travelled a long way made sense. Surely the swap was only temporary. You would repair the orb and be able to swap back. If not, you could find a replacement orb. It had to have come from a shop somewhere. This was just a hiccup on your wedding day. In the long scheme of things, hopefully you would be married for 50 - 60 years. What was one day? Carmen seemed prepared to play your part as the groom. If she/he could do it, surely you could as well? Play the part of a bridesmaid? Part of your mind was telling you to just go in there and experience a ‘girly day’. Perhaps you would be better for the experience? Long term this ordeal might make you understand women better.

Then a more negative thought came into your head. If you entered that room you would be thrust into a dress and be **** to wear high heels. You would no doubt stumble on the walk to the altar and make a fool of yourself and Carmen. You would be found out as a fraud. You couldn’t go through with this. You needed to find somewhere to hide. Maybe head back to that toilet cubicle for a start?

In the end the decision was made for you. You heard through the door Karen’s voice “Where has Carmen got to?” Almost immediately the door opened and Karen was looking down on you. You had not thought of 5’7 as particularly tall but she now seemed very imposing. She looked you in the eye and said “What has taken you so long? Chelsea is ready to do your hair” she grasped you by the arm and hauled you inside.

You found yourself plonked onto a chair and being told by the hairdresser to “Stay still”

You stayed still and largely silent as the Chelsea worked on your hair. From where you were sitting you could not see your reflection. You gathered that Carmen must have previously discussed how her hair was to be styled as the woman seemed to know what she was doing and didn’t ask your opinion.

On another chair Judy was getting her face made-up. You could see Karen had already had her make-up completed and Jackie’s hair had been done. It was braided and done up in some sort of bun. Karen was now fixing pearls or some sort into Jackie’s hair.

Jackie’s mum Teresa was doing something to what must be Jackie’s wedding dress. She seemed to be inspecting the silky white garment carefully. You didn’t know why and didn’t ask. You noticed Teresa was now in a maroon lace dress. She looked very stylish and could have passed for 40, not the 47 year old you knew her to be.

There was constant chatter. You only joined in when asked a particular question. Several times Jackie rescued you when you were asked questions you had no idea of the answer to.

At one stage Karen saw the broken pieces of the orb, still sitting on the dressing table. She told the group “I’ll find a bin and toss out that broken glass”

You thought quickly and said “No don’t. My mother does glass mosaics. She will find the colours of that glass very intriguing. I’ll find something to pack the pieces into”

Karen looked dubious but didn’t argue. Instead, she somehow produced a shoe box and told you “I’ll pack your glass into this box. I don’t think it is wise to leave broken glass lying around in a workplace”. The woman Chelsea was still doing your hair. She was using a heated implement to apparently putting a curl into it. You sat still and watched Karen carefully put the remains of the orb into the silver shoe box. She then placed the shoe box on a shelf.

As soon as your hair was done you swapped places with Judy. It was your turn to get made-up. Whilst once more sitting still you watched as Karen got changed in front of you into her silver bridesmaid dress. It was a strapless silver dress. Ankle length with a split at the back. Teresa helped her into it. It was done up by buttons at the back. The dress hugged the curves of Karen’s body. You hadn't wanted to see your sister naked so averted your eyes as she changed.

Whilst this was happening Jackie also stripped off her clothes and changed into her white wedding day underwear. She paraded around the room just in her lace bra, and matching panties before covering with some sort of see-through petticoat or slip. She approached you as the make-up woman, Annie, was applying something to your lips “What do you think Carmen?” she asked “Do you think Gerry will be impressed” She put on a sexy pose for you.

You had to wait until Annie had finished before you could nod your head and say “Very nice. Gerry will love it”. That was at least partially the truth. When you were Gerry you would have loved seeing Jackie in such feminine underwear. However, you realised with disappointment, that currently the underwear was doing nothing for you. You were not turned on by seeing Jackie in this state of undress. You were no longer turned on sexually by seeing your fiancé semi-naked.

Soon after you were replaced in the makeup chair by Karen. You were finally able to move in front of one of the mirrors and see your reflection. You looked like a movie star. Your dark hair was now wavy. Your eyes were accentuated by the eye shadow and mascara that Annie had applied. Your lips were a shiny cherry red.

It was Teresa who told you “Come over here Carmen. I will help you into your dress.

You went to her and stripped out of the shirt and jeans you had been wearing. None of the women seemed scandalised by your G-string. You got your first glimpse of the silver bra you had been wearing, as Katie removed the silver shoulder straps from it. It still clung in place, apparently able to be worn with or without straps. She then told you to step into a silver dress, identical to what Karen was wearing. You did so. It felt like satin. Teresa did up the buttons on your back. You were able to see your reflection. You were gorgeous.

You were presented with a pair of silver shoes. They had narrow 3 inch heels. You tried them on. They fit perfectly. But could you walk in them? Jackie was apparently watching as Teresa presented them to you. She told you “Carmen, would you mind poking your head out and seeing if the priest is ready? Just check if he has everything he needs” She gave you a wink

You recalled Carmen had told you to practice walking in the heels before you walked down the aisle. Jackie was apparently giving you a chance to do so. You carefully walked to the door, concentrating on landing on the heel first. The dress hampered how long your strides could be, but you were able to keep your balance easily enough. You were actually pleased by the extra height the heels gave you. You didn’t feel such a midget any longer.

You made it to the door without mishap. Then practised walking up and down the hallway several times before attempting to search out the celebrant. It was actually easier than you imagined. It was as if the ability to walk in heels was transferred with the body. You gained some confidence that maybe you were going to be able to pull this charade off.