The Problem with Boys c. 4-6

     After walking Kathra and Abby to the clothing store, Xena wandered down the streets of Justin's Ridge.  She was bored.  All of her friends were at the lake laughing, splashing, and swinging on the tire.  Maybe some of the girls were even being asked out on dates.  Xena's ears dropped.  She should have been there having fun and playing games, but she didn't think she could . . . not with Annie pointing out her toothpick legs to everyone.

     "But I don't have toothpick legs."  Xena looked at her legs.  She had never thought they were too skinny before.  "Annie is just jealous."  She crossed her arms but then let her shoulders slump.  "But . . . if she's just making things up, why did the guys say I was just like them?"

     She groaned and continued walking.

     Xena paused at the front of the grocery store and gazed at its exterior.  It's red and white striped awning was caked with dirt and faded with weather, and Xena could see the barrels of pickles and apples from the front window.  The store was built with dark wood that always made it look like dusk inside even when it was noon outside.  A single ceiling fan twirled overhead.

     A brown, female Manchester terrier swept the floor.  Xena smirked.  No matter how much she saw Miss Melody sweeping, the store was always dusty.

     Xena walked in and headed over to Melody who had turned to put the broom away.  As she passed the apple barrel, Xena reached in and fished out a red apple.  She took a bite of it as she approached the counter.

     "Hi, Xena."  Melody walked behind the counter.  "I didn't see you come in.  I really do need to get that bell fixed."

     "You always say that."  Xena reached into her shorts pocket.  "Where's Mr. Withers?"

     Melody shrugged.  "He's back there ordering something called BomBase fruit for the store.  Some guy came in and convinced him that he's going to need to offer it for sale soon.  Apparently, it's not easy to find.  Dad's been going nuts trying to find it."

     "Why would he need it?"  Xena reached into her other pocket.

     "I haven't the foggiest."  Melody leaned on counter. "Whenever I ask Dad about it, he gives me a convoluted answer, but he swears it's important.  It's better to just go with it."

     "I know I've got some change in here somewhere."  Xena dug into her back pocket and pulled out fifty cents.  "Here we go.  For the apple."  She took another bite.

     Melody put the coins in the register.  "What's the matter, Xena?"

     "What do you mean?" Xena asked, chewing on her apple.

     "Whenever you come in and buy an apple instead of a lollipop, something's on your mind."

     "You can read me like a book, Miss Melody."  Xena smiled, but her smile soon faded.  "Miss Melody, do you think I dress like a boy?"

     "A boy?  No."  Melody patted Xena's face.  "But you do dress like a boy raised you."

     Xena cocked her head.  "What do you mean?"

     "Your outfits are . . . let's see; how can I put this delicately . . ."  Melody put a finger to her cheek.  ". . . very practical.  They're faded and old and comfortable, and you can run around in them without worrying about messing them up or caring what you look like."

     "What's wrong with that?"

     "Nothing, if you're J.R. Dunsworth or the boys you run around with.  But you can't dress like this all the time, sweetie.  You're a young lady.  You should look nice sometimes.  You'd look so cute in a pink tank top and a fluttery skirt."

     Xena stifled a shudder.  Her insides felt like they were about to come out her nose.  A pink tank top?  Pink?  Green, maybe.  But pink?  And how was she supposed to run around in a skirt?  All the guys would see her underwear.

     But she pasted a smile on her face.  If this is what she had to do to look like a girl, then it was worth it . . . right?  Xena decided to jump on this before she changed her mind.

     "Miss Melody, do you think you can help me shop for some new clothes?  Something to make me look—"

     Melody practically vaulted over the counter.  "Dad, come up front.  I'm going to help Xena shop for new clothes."  Then she grabbed Xena's hand and jerked her out of the door.

                                                                Chapter 5

     Shopping with Miss Melody was more boring than the time the guys let Carlton convince them to race snails all day.  Xena was going to fall over in the store and never, ever recover from fashion brain damage.  Justin's Ridge had only one clothing store, but she and Melody had spent two hours in it.  And every time Xena thought they were finished, Melody would squeal, "Isn't this adorable?" and Xena would have to try on the same thing in ten different colors.  Xena began to hate the word "adorable."

     Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.  With a smile on her face, Xena made up an excuse about having to fix lunch and scooted out of the store before Melody could object.  It wasn't a complete lie . . . Xena was late for lunch.  Even so, when Xena fled the store she carried six bags filled with items . . . most of which she would never wear unless held at gunpoint . . . or provoked by Annie.  Xena wasn't sure which was worse, but she suspected it was Annie.

     She arrived home and cracked the door open.  Silence.  J.R. was probably in the basement, and Kathra must have been still out with Abby.  Xena glanced at her bags and slipped into the house.  She didn't want J.R. to see what she had bought . . . not after the big deal they had made about clothes this morning.

     Xena trained her ears forward.  She heard nothing, so she tip-toed to the stairs.  She was almost up the stairs when she heard heavy footsteps below.

     "Where have you been?" J.R.'s voice boomed.

     Xena hid the bags behind her back.  "Hi, Mr. J.R.  Um, where were you?  It was so quiet in here that—"

     "I asked a question, Xena." J.R. lowered his head.

     Xena tilted her ears back. He was mad. Why was he mad?  "I went to play soccer.  I told you that this morning."

     "Kathra came back with her friend hours ago."  J.R. climbed the stairs.  "She said you had gone to the lake with them boys."

     Xena chuckled.  "Is that why you're so mad?  I didn't go with them.  I went shopping with Miss Melody."

     "Shopping?"

     "Miss Melody bought me all kinds of stuff."  Xena held out her bags.

     "That I'm going to have to pay for, no doubt."  J.R. reached for the bag.  "Let me see the damage."

     Xena held the bag away from him.  "It's just a bunch of clothes and stuff.  You know, pants, shirts . . . panties."

     J.R. recoiled as if he had been punched.  "Xena."

     "I think she may have even bought me a training bra."  Xena opened her bag.  "Want to see?"

     "No."  J.R. scrambled down the stairs.  "Put that girly stuff away and come downstairs.  It's lunch time."

     Xena closed her bag.  "Didn't anyone cook?"

     J.R. just gazed at her.

     "Right.  I'm asking about you and Kat cooking."  Xena climbed the stairs.  "I'd rather have the house burned down than have you two in the kitchen."

     "Lippy," J.R. said.

     "Bossy."  Xena walked toward her room.  "I'll be down in a few."  She closed her door and leaned against it.  "That was close."

     Xena's room was painted white.  Posters of martial arts instructors in various poses were tacked on her wall, and a chart of martial arts moves hung next to her bed.  The bed was right in front of her balcony, but since the glass door opened outward, it was okay.  At the end of the bed was a nightstand and a door to the bathroom she and Kathra shared.  A mirror was hung above her dresser.

     "Here's the outfit Miss Melody really liked."  Xena pulled out a green and white skirt with a lace overlay on it, a white tank top, and a sheer, long-sleeved shirt that was to be worn over it.  Xena gazed at them a moment and shrugged.  "Might as well try it.  Maybe it's not as hideous as I remember."

     She glanced at the door to make sure it was closed and then changed into the outfit.  Then she took a deep breath and looked in the mirror.  Her breath caught.  She didn't look like a clown or like a helpless princess.  She looked like herself in new clothes.  And the clothes weren't half bad.  The shirt was comfortable and made her look kind of nice.  But the skirt . . .

     "I hate this skirt.  It really does make my legs look like toothpicks . . . like two toothpicks sticking out of a napkin."  Xena examined herself from all angles.  "Still . . . I guess it's not all that bad.  I could wear this when I'm going to a dress-uppy party or something."  She turned and lifted her tail.  "But it's so short.  I don't like how short it is."  She jumped in front of the mirror.  "Yup.  All the boys will see my underwear.  Maybe there's something else in here."  She turned to dig into the bag.

     The door burst open. J.R. barged in.  "Xena . . . what the—"

     "Mr. J.R."  Xena grabbed her tail and tried to hold it over her skirt.  "What are you doing in here?"

     "You've been up here for a long time."  J.R. tilted his head.  "What are you wearing?"

     "Um . . . it's some of the stuff Miss Melody bought for me."  Xena's ears fell and her face started to heat up.  She could feel the embarrassment radiate off of her like electricity.  Even the lights seemed to brighten in response to her feelings.  She ducked her head.  J.R. had caught her, and now he was going lose all respect for her.  He probably thought she was a frilly girl like the other girls.  But she wasn't like that, and J.R. knew it.  If she was going to start dressing more like a girl, J.R. was just going to have to understand that.

     Xena clenched her teeth and looked up at him.  "I was just trying some of it on.  What do you think?"  She twirled around.

     J.R.'s mouth dropped open.  He gazed at her from top to bottom and from bottom to top, and then clamped his mouth shut.  He swallowed hard and then . . .

     He started to chuckle.  He put his hand on his head and started laughing harder and harder.  Soon, he was doubled over, laughing at the top of his lungs.  "Kid.  You poor thing.  You look ridiculous.  I'm sorry Melody hooked you in.  What is that . . . is that . . . lace?"  He slapped his knee and laughed until he had to hold his sides.  "My sides . . . my sides . . ."

     Xena's heart dropped and splat on the floor.  She glanced at herself in the mirror and saw it.  She really did look stupid.  Why did she think she could pull this off?  She ducked her head. Tears start to sting her eyes.

     "Mercy."  J.R. wiped his eyes as his laughter subsided.  "Take that stuff off and put it away.  We'll go outside and bury it later."  He waved his hand.  "No wonder you didn't want me to see what was in there.  Priceless."

     Xena couldn't stifle the sob that tore out of her.  She turned away from J.R. before he could see her crying.

     "Eh?  Kid?"

     Xena slapped her hands over her face and cried into her hands.  The lights brightened a little more.

     "Kid?  Are . . . are you . . . you crying?"

     "No."  Xena tried to stifle her tears.  It was bad enough J.R. thought she looked stupid in these clothes.  She didn't want him to think she was a crybaby too.

     "What's the problem, Kid?" J.R. poked her shoulder.

     "There is no problem."  Xena shrugged him off.  "It doesn't matter."

     "Kid . . ."

     "It's obvious that I really do look like a boy."  Xena wiped her eyes on her forearm.  "I shouldn't have tried to change that.  So just leave me alone."

     "A boy?"  J.R.'s ears stood straight up.  "I never said you looked like a boy."

     Xena got a tissue.  "I didn't say you did."  She blew her nose.

     "That's right.  Because you don't."

     "Then why did you laugh when you saw me in this skirt?"

     "Because you look ridiculous."  J.R. looked her up and down again.  "Tell the truth.  Do you actually like this skirt?"

     "No . . . not really."

     "Then why are you going to torture yourself?"

     "I don't know . . . I just . . . I thought I could look nicer for once."  Xena rubbed the fur on her arm.  "I don't think I want to look like I'm about to jump in a mud pit all the time.  Although that would be fun."

     J.R. scratched his hair.  "Don't you got some shorts or pants you can wear instead?  That skirt makes you look . . . I dunno . . . not like you.  It's . . . it's . . ."

     "Frilly?"

     "And if you tried to jump around in that . . ."

     "I know; I checked."  Xena checked herself in the mirror again.  "This is something that Annie would wear, isn't it?"

     "Probably."

     "No wonder I hate it so much."  Xena tugged at the skirt.

     "Hurry up and come downstairs." J.R. turned to the door.  "I'm starving."

     "Can you and Kat at least set the table while I take a shower and change?"

     "I didn't sign up for this."  J.R. walked out the door.

     "Bossy."

     "Lippy." J.R. said from the stairs.

     Xena snickered and then dug into the bag for the new jeans that Melody had bought.  They were a pair of blue jeans with a red flower stitched over the pocket.  She had also gotten a sleeveless green shirt that reached down to her thighs.  Melody wasn't fond of that shirt, but Xena insisted on buying it.  She also had a broad black belt that she had gotten some time ago.  Tomorrow, Xena could try that outfit on, but today . . . the shirt she was wearing was nice.

     Xena held the jeans up to her body.  "I think you're right, Daddy," she said to the mirror.  "I'll feel much better in these jeans."  She gazed at the door and sighed.  If only she could call J.R. that to his face.  Nothing could ever go wrong if she could just claim him for her dad.  But that was a hurdle for another day.  Today, it was just enough that he accepted the changes she tried to make.

                                                                Chapter 6

     The town was deserted when Xena returned after taking a shower and eating lunch . . . well, that wasn't true.  Only the kids were missing.  Xena stuffed her hands in her pockets.  They were all probably still at the lake.  She could have joined them, but it was too late now.

     She wandered down the sidewalk, looking for something to do until she neared Mr. Deals' store.  A smile brightened on her face.  Mr. Deals' store was the town's electronic store.  He carried computers, video games, holodisk players, video holodisks . . . any type of electronics that came into the town could be found at this store.  The only problem was that it took forever for the latest gadgets to get there.

     That was why Xena was so interested in the rumors of the new electronics store that would be opening in a few months.  It would carry the latest in gadgets the day they came out.  But three months was a long time away, and Xena didn't think anyone could replace the amount of time and effort Mr. Deals put into making sure the electronics he sold worked right.  She hoped he wouldn't go out of business with the new competition that was coming.

     Xena walked into the store.  Jingling bells announced her arrival.

     "Huh?  Who's there?"  Mr. Deals' head poked up from behind a machine.  He was a meerkat with brown and white fur.

     "Hi, Mr. Deals."  Xena walked toward him.

     "Xena, what a surprise."  He smiled at her.  "You look nice today."

     "Thank you."

     "I have a surprise for you."  Mr. Deals patted the machine he was working on.

     Xena balled up her fists.  "Is that the new Plumber Brothers game?"

     "It's the display model I've been waiting for."

     "No way."  Xena cocked her head.  "But why is it so big?"

     Mr. Deals looked around at the building.  "Because this store's so old.  That's also why I was waiting so long.  Most of this is housing converters."

     Xena gazed around.  The walls were white, and electronic equipment was stacked on any available space.  The only open space was a twenty foot area in front of the display model to allow people room to play.

     "Carlton will be so jealous."  Xena rubbed her hands together.  "So when can I get to play?"

     "I just finished setting it up.  Just let me get the game disc, and I'll get you started."

     "Yes."  Xena pumped her arm.  "You're the greatest, Mr. Deals."

     The meerkat picked up his toolbox and disappeared into the back.

     Xena ran her hands along the rope enclosing the game space.  This was going to be so much fun.  If only Carlton was here.  She should go get him.  After all, he was just as excited as she was for this.  And she would get him.  After playing one game . . . maybe two . . .

     The bell jingled.  Jett, Tommy, Mike, and Carlton walked in.  They had changed out of their swimming things, but their fur was still wet.  Either they had just taken a shower or had forgone the shower and had changed into new clothes.  Xena felt it was the latter.

     "Xena, there you are."  Mike looked Xena up and down.

     "Were you guys looking for me?  I thought you'd all still be at the lake."

     "We were, until Tommy did a cannonball and splashed every single one of the girls at the same time."  Jett gazed at her with furrowed eyebrows.  "It was awesome."

     "Cool."  Xena gave Tommy a high-five.  "That wave must have been huge."

     "It was; thank you very much." Tommy did a mock bow.

     "Unfortunately, none of the girls wanted to get their hair wet."  Carlton pushed up his glasses.  "They got mad and went home."

     "It was no fun after that."  Mike still gazed at Xena.  "You look nice."

     "Yeah."  Jett cocked his head.  "What did you do to yourself?"

     "Took a shower and changed my clothes.  You might want to try it sometime."

     "Of course."  Jett smacked his forehead.  "You must be going to the thing at Annie's house.  We were just on the way over."

     "I didn't even know there was a thing going on at Annie's house."  Xena put her hands in her front pocket.  "I just felt like dressing nice."

     "I like it."  Mike's face turned the slightest bit red.

     "Thanks.  Hey, Carlton, guess what?" Xena motioned to the machine.  "Deals got the game."

     "No way."  Carlton's eyes widened.  "Finally."

     "Game?" Jett cocked his head.  "What game?"

     "The new Plumber Brothers game."  Xena leaned over the rope.  "It's so cool.  It actually displays the game around you, and you have to run and jump and stuff.  And you can play as Marco, Luciano, Princess Pear, or her lichen foot soldier.  I'm just waiting for him to find the disc, and I'm going to be the first one to play."

     "No fair, Z." Carlton pouted.  "You said we'd play together."

     "But you guys are going to Annie's thing."  Xena blinked at them.  "Aren't you?"

     "Xena?"  Mr. Deals emerged from the back of the store.  "Did I hear someone come in? Oh!  You're friends are here.  Good.  Good.  If you don't mind sharing the first game, Xena, it can accommodate up to four players."

     "I'm in."  Carlton jumped into the ring.

     "They've got someplace to go."  Xena ducked under the rope.  "But me and Carlton will play."

     "No way I'm getting left out."  Jett dove under the rope.  "Move over."

     "Me too."  Mike followed suit.

     "Lowest score switches out."  Tommy leaned on the rope.

     Xena gazed at them.  "But what about Annie's party thing?"

     "She'll be alright."  Jett waved his hand.

     "It's not really much fun without you, Z," Mike said, pulling on his ear.

     "None of the guys want to talk to the girls unless you're there." Carlton readied himself to play, shifting his weight from one foot to another.  "They're too nervous."

     "Shut up."  Jett smacked Carlton's glasses off.

     "Here's the disc, Xena." Mr. Deals gave it to her.  "Try not to hurt yourselves."

     "Thanks, Mr. Deals."  Xena turned to Jett.  "But you were just at the lake with all the girls."

     "But we weren't really talking to them."  Jett slicked his hair back.  "We were just showing off."

     "But you asked out Annie, right?" Xena said.

     "Actually."  Jett scratched his hair.  "She sort of asked me out.  She's cute, and it was my first date.  I didn't want to say no."

     "And you got a kiss out of it."  Tommy pointed at him.

     Jett smiled.  "That was nice."

     "You guys are pigs."  Xena put the disc in the player.  "No wonder my dad doesn't want me hanging out with you."

     "Just shut up and start the game." Jett got into position.

     Xena closed the game consol.  As soon as the game started, she snapped up the character Luciano before anyone could stick her with being the frilly Princess Pear.

© 2011 M.R. Anglin. Do not copy or redistribute without author's permission