A dress

Ted eagerly tears the package open, but as he sees the contents his face grows confused and dire. His hands start to shake and the contents of the present rattles against the sides of the box itself.

"Are you okay, Ted?" Aria asks concerned: "What's in the box?"

Ted doesn't say anything in return. Instead he answers by grabbing what is in the box and reveals it to the middle-aged couple. A glitzy pink dress cascades from Ted's hand and down to floor. It's a tight sleeveless dress with a neckline that clings to the throat all around the neck. It's very minimalist and very confident, but still very girly.

"T-t-t-this has to be a mistake." Ted says completely flustered.

"I'm sure we can talk to some staff." Richard reassures him: "We'll find you a tux in no time."

Ted nods, but doesn't move or say anything. Instead his gaze is just fixated on the dress. While looking at it, Aria spots that the dress is exactly Ted's size. It's also a type of dress made for women with small breasts... or no breasts.

"H-how did they know...?" Ted mutter under his breath.

"How did they know what?" Aria asks for clarification.

"Nothing." Ted says dismissively as he looks down.

"It doesn't sound like nothing, hun." Aria sits on her bed and looks empathetically at him. She pats the spot next to her to signal that she wants Ted to sit besides her. Richard has seen Aria go into "mother-mode" before. He usually groans when she does it to him, but it feels more right with Ted. Ted is young enough that someone could mistake him for their child. Maybe he should help too.

"I... I..." Ted stammers as Richard sits beside him.

"It's okay." Richard says gently: "Take your time, and whatever you have to say, we won't judge."

"I..." Ted stumbles again, takes a deep breath and tries again: "I like to crossdress. It's not that I find it arousing or anything. It just feels... right. I'm sorry if this is weird."

"No no, hun. It's fine. You're among friends here." Aria gently chimes in.

"Yeah, Aria and I have been all around block here." Richard helps: "Aria has an old friend that crossdresses, and we also have several trans friends."

"Trans... I don't know if I'm trans. I just like being a girl sometimes." Ted manages to say as he grips his arm nervously.

"And that is completely okay." Richard responds.

"Do you want to try on the dress?" Aria asks.

Ted just sniffles, then nods. The couple leaves the cabin to give the young guy some privacy. They look at each other with an air of contentment from doing the right thing. When they hear a: "You can come in now", they reenter.

Before them stands Ted. The dress suits him perfectly. All the right cuts and adjustments are fitted to him to a tee. It helps that Ted's body is not just androgynous, but slightly curvy as well. The effeminate boy's shoulder-length blonde straight hair accentuates the pink color scheme. He is barefoot. Next to him is a pair of ankle strap heels that matches the dress. It's presumably from the box as well, which is now on the floor. Inside there is a make-up kit, different hair products, and clip-on earrings.

"Oh, you look wonderful in that!" Aria exclaims excitedly. Richard stands behind her and gives Ted an enthusiastic thumbs up.

"T-thanks." Ted's cheeks redden.

"How about I put make-up on you for the ball, darling?" Aria suggests: "Give me an hour or two, and when I'm done with you, no one will even think about the possibility of you being anything else but a beautiful girl."

"You would do that... for me?" he sniffles.

"Of course. Just leave it to me." she answers.

A couple of hours go by with Aria applying lipstick and mascara and various other make-up and other skin care treatments, taking great care in applying it just right. Ted's hair gets filled with a bunch of different products that Richard hasn't even heard of. Richard in general keeps out of the way from Aria, as he knows little to nothing about cosmetics. However, he sits and watches through the whole ordeal, keeping interest in the process and supports Aria and Ted with a barrage of heartfelt compliments.

After a long, arduous, and at times uphill battle, the boy the couple got introduced to just mere hours ago is now not just a girl, but a very feminine, cute, and breathtaking beauty. She puts on the clip-on earrings and the high heels which she walks in surprisingly effortlessly.

"You look absolutely stunning!" Richard praises her. She responds by looking down in embarrassment, her cheeks growing crimson.

"She does, doesn't she?" Aria chips in while she finishes her own make up, obviously proud of her achievement.

"Thank y-you." the girl says without looking up.

"Do you want us to call you something else when you're a girl?" Richard asks with a broad smile.

"I've... I've always liked the name Jennifer."

"Jennifer it is then." Richard confirms: "Now, how about we go to the ball, so you can flaunt how good you look in that dress?"

"O-okay." Jennifer says, giving a cute little smile as she takes the hand of both Richard and Aria and together they walk to the club area where the ball is taking place.