Debra was already feeling better. The fear she’d irrevocably ruined the relationship with Chris vanished the moment he squeezed her hands. A couple other things also contributed to her improved mental state. The long bike ride was physically taxing but also filled her with a sense of accomplishment. More importantly was Chris’ concern for her health. He immediately started warming up some soup for her. Yet, one more example where he looked out for her needs
Debra had done some soul-searching last night and during the bike ride over. She had behaved poorly but was determined to do better going forward. Her problem was the tendency to overthink any subject and jump to conclusions.
Chris was so good at getting people to talk. Employing him as a role model, like she had many times before, seemed a smart way to go. She suppressed the urge to just blurt out her many questions. Debra took a seat at the kitchen island with Chris on the other side at work preparing the soup. She inhaled deeply and asked
“Do you think I’m overly stubborn?”
She closely studied Chris’ body language for any telltale clues. Debra wouldn’t have been surprised if he rolled his eyes or exhibited some other sign of annoyance. He did none of those. Instead, he appeared curious. “Why would you say that?”
“I was talking to your Mom...” Debra found it interesting that his eyes flashed toward the front door which Anna had just exited through. “Your real Mom” she clarified.
His face briefly contorted into an expression of embarrassment. Debra provided an overview of the conversation she had with Cynthia yesterday. Chris set a bowl of soup in front of Debra and walked around the island to sit in the chair beside her.
“I don’t think she meant ‘single minded determination’ was implying you’re stubborn.” He took the edge of the towel wrapped around Debra’s shoulders and dabbed away a few flecks of mud on her cheek.
“However, I think bicycling here in the rain when I texted you not to is approaching the definition of it” Chris chided her. Despite the admonition, there was a note of amusement in his tone. Debra felt emboldened by his words and actions. He could have stood on the other side of the island's countertop placing a physical barrier between them. This was the perfect moment for Debra to prove how important he was to her.
“I needed to do it. You mean everything to me.” A compulsion to kiss Chris grew inside her. Without considering if this was the right play, she tilted her head to the right and leaned closer. Their lips met and the resulting kiss was glorious. Debra’s heart filled with joy sensing the passion as he kissed back.
“Besides, the cleansing rain reminded me of a poem we studied in Literature this year.” she added
Chris glared at her “Keats was using rain as a metaphor for melancholy overcoming a person. There are many better examples where rain was symbolic of renewal. Shawshank Redemption for example” he grumbled
His retort was surprising. Impressive for the degree of knowledge he exhibited but also because he was absolutely correct. It was Chris’ occasional lackadaisical attitude at school which had been the genesis for participating in the swap project. At the beginning of the swap, she’d been highly skeptical he was capable of maintaining her elite academic standing. He quickly proved her wrong. In fact, his scores on the finals were nearly as good, if not equal, to what she expected of herself. It was heartening to see his true ability unlocked. They both had changed so much during their life swap. The big question was whether that was a good thing.
“Good point. Maybe the rain washed the stupid off of me” she said with a grin.
Chris gave her a sidelong glance while collecting the empty bowl. “Uh huh. We’ll see” he murmured
*****
Chris was grateful Debra was quiet as he cleaned up. Her summary of the pep-talk from his Mom brought to mind similar past discussions. He’d lost count of how many times she pleaded with him to work hard on his schoolwork. He was well aware she worked a second job as a realtor to help pay for Wheaton and yet he could never find it within himself to put in a maximum effort. Even Debra put more effort into the boring soccer footwork drills than he ever had.
His mouth curved into a smile. If his Mom ever learned what he and Debra had done, she might be happy of what he'd learned. Being a cool kid at school wouldn't count for anything once he graduated. The swap with Debra had given him the confidence he could excel academically and he may have discovered a vocation worth pursuing. Chris was almost sure he wanted to attend college and get a degree in engineering.
While drying his hands on a towel, he came to the conclusion he gained plenty from their swap and it was time to make plans to reverse it. He was being selfish for wanting to continue anyway. He returned to the chair next to her.
*****
Debra noticed that as Chris took a seat, he spun the wooden chair directly toward her and sat in a very feminine manner. Entirely proper since he was wearing a White mini skirt. Positioning the chair as he did suggested they were going to have a frank talk.
He crossed his legs at the knee. “This is a good time to make plans about swapping back”
Since they were alone, it was an ideal time. But Debra had a few things to figure out first. A little voice in her head warned she was about to tread on dangerous ground but she pressed on anyway
“Yesterday, you made a suggestion we continue like this into the school year”
His expression hardened “I said forget I ever mentioned it” he growled. Chris had indeed said that earlier on the porch. The wiser course of action was to agree with him lest she undue all the positive gains today. But she needed to truly understand why he asked in the first place.
“At the risk of making you mad at me again, I still want to know.” A hopeful sign was he didn’t appear angrier. Chris turned his head away but said nothing. It took a tremendous effort on her part to be patient and wait for him to speak
*****
Chris often found it ironic that one of the most important life lessons he learned from his Mom was while in the guise of Debra. She’d advised that a sound relationship was built on communication. Chris sincerely hoped he wasn’t about to make a huge mistake
“To reiterate, I was never worried about you” he paused before continuing “I selfishly wanted to stay as we are because…”
His words failed him. Debra reached over and gently stroked his exposed knee. “Go on, you can tell me anything” she urged. Her touch felt so good and reassuring. Time to for a leap of faith.
“I love being Debra Burns and I adore being your girlfriend.” It was a tremendous relief to finally unburden himself. He stared intently at Debra to see how she would react. Fortunately, her expression was contemplative.
“I see. If I may then inquire,” she said carefully “I once stupidly assumed you were transgender. Has that changed?”
A fair question. One Chris had been struggling with himself. “I don't know” he wailed “At first, I loved having dear friends like Cheryl, Amy, and Harriet. I loved having a real father. There are so many things I love about being you”
With Debra’s encouragement, he described how he had gone from trying to improve her image with their classmates to enjoy dressing like a fashionable young woman. It really started to sink in during the beach vacation. He wasn’t disgusted when the guys became sexually aroused whenever he was near. In truth, he enjoyed the attention.
“Please know I was always thinking of you” he said while glancing at the bulge in Debra’s compression shorts.
*****
Debra noted his eyes fixed on the prosthetic male genitals filling her shorts. Her mind raced as the implications of his confession swirled in her head. Pretty much on brand for her, a series of actions with possible alternatives were rapidly planned out.
“Thank you for telling me” she said assuringly. Debra hoped off the chair and extended her right hand “Come with me”
Chris stood up and clasped the outreached hand “Where are we going?”
Debra purposely led him upstairs “To your room” she said matter of factly.
*****
Chris was so taken aback by Debra’s aura of self-assurance he followed along without objecting. Although, the idea that a teenage girl shouldn’t be alone in her bedroom with a boy hovered in the back of his mind. His perception of which of them was the girl or boy waffled back and forth. They were almost upstairs before he asked
“Umm, what are we doing?”
She led the two of them inside the bedroom. Debra took a second to look around. It had been many months since she had been here. Her old Harry Potter memorabilia was still on display but there were newer items like a makeup case and vanity mirror. To answer his question, she replied
“There is something I need to see. Take off your clothes. Please?”
She found it interesting to note that Chris reflexively covered his breasts “What!?!” he exclaimed loudly
His outburst was practically a physical blow. Debra stared at him blinking for several moments before she realized that once again her quick mind made too many assumptions.
“I’m so sorry. I only want to see us side by side and then try on that cute outfit of yours.”
Chris seemed unsure but he began to unbutton his blouse. Debra by this point had removed her t-shirt and compression shorts. Only the Beige elastic bandage wrapped around her chest remained. They had swapped clothes many times before, but this would be the first time in each other’s line of sight.
He let out a gasp upon seeing her nearly naked body. “Debra, you’re so, ummm”
Chris was stripped down to his panties and bra by now. Good enough to test her hypothesis. She tugged him close to stand in front of a large mirror. Her suspicions were confirmed by observing her more muscular body compared to his faintly feminine form. She completed his sentence
“Oh boy. I wouldn’t go so far as to say ripped. But I doubt I’ll be able to fit into your clothes”
What happens next?
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