Alice jumped up from the couch as she heard the doorbell ring. “Yay, pizza!” she squealed. Vance stood. “Alright, go grab a couple plates and cups, we’ll eat in the living room so we can continue the movie. But don’t tell your mom,” he said with a conspiratorial wink, his voice rising naturally and easily to the higher register of Vanessa. Alice was his Vance’s mom’s coworker's daughter. She was 11 years old, so about a decade younger than Vance, but they always had a good time. He’d been babysitting her at least once a month for the better part of three years now, ever since their mothers got called into work on an emergency. It was last-minute, and Vance had nothing better to do, so he figured why not. It was a bit awkward for him at first. They didn’t have much in common, being a little girl and a young man. But Alice was such a beacon of joy, which helped ease the awkwardness a ton. She even got him to agree to play dress-up with her, which is where Vanessa came from.
After the first time Vance relented to becoming Vanessa, as Alice took to calling him, she requested him every time her mom, Ms. Douglas, needed a babysitter. Vance figured, why not? She paid well, and Alice was a sweetheart! So what if she begged for Vanessa every time he came over? It was a small concession to make. And, while he kind of hated to admit it, after the first few attempts, he looked good. He’d always been on the more androgynous side, so it took little effort. He became a wig styling and makeup expert. Ok, that may be a stretch, but for a boy who never really cared about his looks, he did a pretty damn good job. Which made falling into the role of Vanessa, the big sister, a lot easier. He began to move, talk, and act like a girl when over there, and as only children, they both loved having a pseudo-sibling, if just on occasion. He’s even been growing out his already long for a boy hair over the last few years so he didn’t need that old scratchy princess wig.
This was gunna be a special weekend for the two of them. The company their mothers work for is doing some sort of weekend-long retreat, and Vanessa had promised last time he was over that she’d be around the whole weekend. Alice got so excited when she heard that and hugged her “big sister” so tight. Vance decided to get ready at home so he could show up as Vanessa, just after Alice’s mom left. He styled his hair, his actual hair that now went down past his shoulders. Applied the makeup he had bought after he was worried Alice’s mom might notice some of hers getting low. Then he put on his outfit. Or more accurately, Vanessa’s outfit.
Usually, Vanessa just wore whatever clothes Vance had worn over or anything old of Ms. Douglas’s she had yet to donate. But for their special weekend, Vance had bought a new dress for Vanessa, her first piece of clothing that was actually hers! She was so excited to show Alice. It was a bit of a drive since they lived in the next town over, but it gave him time to mentally prepare. This would be the longest he’s ever had to be a girl. Weirdly, he was kind of excited! When he opened the door, he heard the pounding of Alice’s frantic, excited footsteps from across the house. And as she saw Vanessa standing in the doorway, she stopped and squealed before tackling her with a hug. “Oh my gosh, you look so pretty, Nessie!” Alice said as she finally released Vanessa, using the nickname she seemed to favor. She smiled, feeling her cheeks flush a bit at the compliment. “Thanks, Cece! You ready for our girls' weekend in?” Alice squealed again, dragging Vanessa to the first of many planned activities.
The day so far has consisted of a tea party, a few card games, and some arts and crafts. Now Alice and Vanessa settled in for an animated Barbie marathon. Vanessa didn’t think she would enjoy them, but she was pleasantly surprised. Some were surprisingly well made for DVD movies meant to sell toys. After the first couple, they decided to order pizza from Alice’s favorite local place. About thirty minutes into the third movie, the doorbell rang. Vanessa sent Alice to grab the plates and cups while she headed to the door, putting on her jacket to fight off the cold night’s air. As she looked up to meet the eyes of the delivery driver, she let out a quite feminine yelp as she covered her mouth in shock. There he stood, Jordan Monroe. The biggest, baddest bully on her block growing up. And Vance was his favorite target, especially after Jordan had gotten his growth spurt and all his muscles, and Vance got, well, nothing. Jordan’s eyes widened with recognition. “Shit, that you, Vance?” The bigger man laughed, recognizing his childhood victim even under all the makeup and hair. All Vance could manage was a soft whimper and nod, flashbacks of all the beatings and insults, chief among them being fairy and sissy boi. “Shit, shit, shit,” was all she could think in that moment, realizing that those comments were being confirmed in this moment, even if this had nothing to do with any of that.
“Shit, girl,” Jordan said, his gruff voice still filled with amusement. “You look pretty damn good for a sissy boi. I always knew you were a bit fruity.” “I-It’s not like that!” Vanessa managed to get out, her voice higher and louder than intended, catching herself off guard but not even fazing the mountain of a man in front. “I-I just babysit the girl that lives here,” she began to explain, voice much more timid now. “S-She likes when I dress up as Vanessa, so I–” “So you’re Vanessa now, huh?” Jordan interrupts, smirking down at her. She gulps and just nods. “Well, Nessa, kid’s mom know about you? Or anyone for that matter?” She shakes her head and manages to say, “Just me and Cece, uh, Alice.” He grins. “Well,” he begins, mischief in his voice as he hands me the pizza and soda, “here’s your dinner, gorgeous.” She takes it from him, his dark, meaty fingers lingering on hers longer than they need to.
Vanessa clears her throat, trying to compose herself. It only half works, and her voice still comes out shaky. “R-right, right,” she begins frantically as she sets down the pizza and reaches for the money. “Let me just–” she continues, trying to pay, but is interrupted by a bright flash and loud click as Jordan snaps a picture of her. “Don’t worry, hot stuff, it’s on me tonight,” Jordan claims as he looks at the photo on his phone. He hands her a piece of paper with his number on it. “You can pay me back with a call sometime. Otherwise, this,” he turns the phone to show the photo he just took, “may just end up online for all to see.” Her face goes pale, and Jordan laughs as he turns and begins to walk away. “Can’t wait to hear from you, sweetheart!” Vanessa closes the door and leans back against it, eyes closed, hands covering her face as she just groans. “So, is that like your boyfriend or?” Alice asked, startling Vanessa. “Shit!” she yelps as Alice just giggles and points to the swear jar.
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