Want to Comment? click here
to Email meAll things denied….
A Gaby FanFic by PB
Chapter 15
After all the AHS cheerleaders and the remaining Sherwood Foresters' were back on their coach, Bunny made herself busy calling roll before telling the driver to begin the long trip back to Grottoes. As she was nearing the end of the AHS portion of the roll, she was joined at the front of the bus by one of the other escorts.
“... Robert.”
“Yo!” Bunny paused and shot him a glaring look.
“Sorry ma'am,” Bob said unapologetically. Bunny just nodded and went back to her list.
“Angela.”
“Here.”
“... And finally ... Karen,” Bunny called out.
“Here.”
“That concludes the AHS roll ... now for the Sure-wood Forester's ... Ga…” Miss MacDonald paused as she felt a hand on her arm.
“Just skip her ... she's already left with Britney's mother,” Jessica whispered.
“Oh … ok ... thanks,” Bunny quietly replied. “Madeline!” She called out as she resumed the list.
“Here,” Maddy replied in an unenthusiastic fashion. Miss MacDonald gave Maddy a quizzical look then resumed her calling of the roll.
“Bernie?”
“Ummm ... Yes, Miss?
“You're not in class, Bernadette ... I was just calling attendance! ... Now where was I? ... Oh yes ... Allison?”
“Miss.”
“Mer-fawn-ee.”
“Here, Miss,” a despondent Em replied.
“Cheerful bunch aren't you?” Bunny mumbled to herself, then turning to the bus driver, stated “We can go anytime you're ready.” As far as she was concerned, the girls of the Sherwood Forester's weren't exactly gushing over their win.
To Bunny's thinking, their mood seemed more appropriate for a funeral. There was none of the excited banter that one would expect from some young English teenaged girls who just waltzed in and stunned the hometown crowd by unexpectedly beating all the Virginia schools at their own cheerleading game and claiming the 2004 State Cheerleading Championship for their classification.
As the bus sprang to life, an excited Britney spoke up. “Miss MacDonald! ... Gaby's not here!”
“Don't worry about it Britney ... Miss Bell told me she's already left with your mother,” Bunny replied.
“But why?” Brit inquired. Miss Bell turned in her seat and gave Britney a look that told her to drop the subject and Britney reluctantly complied.
As they left the parking lot, Bunny leaned over to her travelling partner and commented to Fran, “I understand the British are typically a restrained people ... but this?”
“Events have overshadowed the win,” Fran solemnly lamented, but would not elaborate. Putting together the reaction of each of the Sherwood Forester's and Gaby's sudden absence, Bunny nodded her acknowledgement and sat back in her seat, choosing not to pursue the matter further. She concluded something had happened but wasn't quite sure what that something was.
Once on the interstate, the monotony of the drive and the exhaustion of the kids soon ensured the trip back to Grottoes was a quiet one with only a few hushed conversations occasionally taking place.
Under the cover of darkness later that evening when the bus rolled into the flood-lit parking lot of Augusta High School, the kids saw all the parents patiently waiting. When Britney emerged from the bus, she immediately ran for the family's Forester sitting a short distance away.
“Hi Mo ... Dad! ... Where's Mom and Gaby?” Britney asked, the disappointment evident in her voice.
“Sorry ... Mom's at home with the girls. She asked me to pick you up,” Britney's dad replied.
“No ... it's not that ... Gaby wasn't on the bus and I was kinda hoping she might be here with Mom,” Britney admitted.
As she climbed into the front passenger seat, her dad cautioned, “When you get in the house ... let Gaby have her space ... ok? ... Something's really upset her and the last thing she needs is a lot of questions.”
“Da-ad-d-d!” Britney whined.
“I mean it, young lady! ... Leave her be!” Her dad firmly warned. “Your sister and I were busy enough keeping your mother from badgering Gaby ... we don't need to worry about you ... ok?”
“Yes Daddy,” Britney quietly replied. She knew better than to try to push her father when his mind was set.
“Is she ... like ... ok?” Brit timidly asked.
“I don't know, honey ... whatever's bothering her ... she's taking it mighty hard,” her dad quietly commented.
Donald started the car and headed out of the parking lot. Brit remained very quiet for the trip home.
Back in the school's parking lot Jessica held back Maddy and Em, allowing the others to the leave the bus and get picked up by a parent before they proceeded over to Jessica's Jetta.
“Sandy ... could you please give us a few minutes?” Jessica asked as Sandy approached.
From Sandy's vantage point, she could see something was amiss by the body language of Maddy and Em when Fran and Jessica were having words with them. Finally when Em slowly walked over to Sandy, it was quite evident to her that Em had been crying.
“Em! ... What's wrong?” Sandy softly asked.
“Later ... ( sniff ) ... can we just go home?”
“In a minute, Sis ... I want to find out what's going on!” Sandy sternly replied.
As Fran pulled out of the school's parking lot, Sandy took Em by the hand and approached Jessica, who had just turned to walk the short distance to her car in which Maddy was waiting.
“Jessica? ... What's going on? ... Why was Em crying?” a concerned Sandy asked.
“I was going to talk to you on Monday after things calmed down … but since you asked ... there was ... ‘an incident' at the competition... against one of the other girls ... involving both Maddy and Em.”
Seeing that wasn't going to satisfy Sandy, Jessica decided to elaborate. “There will be some form of disciplinary action taken … but right now I can't say if it'll be anything more than a mention on their records ... hopefully that in itself may be enough. Miss Cowlishaw said Mr. Woods would definitely act upon it.”
She then proceeded to carefully outline the events that lead up to the earlier incident, essentially listing the ‘charges' while at the same time taking great care not to compromise Gaby's position. As Em stood beside Sandy and listened to Miss Bell, she felt bad as she saw the disappointment grow in Sandy's expression.
“You talk as if the other girl was Gaby ... was it?” Sandy asked. Jessica's silence was all she needed to hear.
“I don't understand ... why would Maddy and Em's comments upset Gaby ...unless ... she's … like Em … an' she was … was she? … With Maddy?” Suddenly the light came on for Sandy. Turning to Em, Sandy calmly asked, “Em ... is she?”
Em remained silent while studying her trainers.
“Em ... be a dear and wait with Maddy ... please? ... I need to talk to Sandy.” Noting Em's initial reluctance, Jessica added in a soothing voice, “I promise ... it's not about you ... it's just that I have to talk to Sandy … privately ... please?” After giving Em a hug, she sent her off to join Maddy. With Em safely out of earshot, Jessica turned her attention back to a confused Sandy.
Speaking in hushed tones, Jessica explained, “Em and the others don't know yet so please keep this to yourself … I'd rather have let Gaby tell you … but things obviously aren't working out that way ... you almost had it ... Maddy and Gaby were a couple … but Gaby's not exactly like Em ... or yourself... she's intersexed.” Seeing she had Sandy's undivided attention, Jessica began to give a short, edited account of Drew and Gaby's history as she knew it and what Gaby's endured throughout the visit by both students at AHS and her ‘friends'.
“...So you see ... I need your help … I'd like to help this girl …and I know you and Em got some very realistic appliances from someone...”
We-e-l-l,” Sandy interrupted.
“Sandy! ... C'mon! ... They're realistic enough that the boys who attacked Em were scared off once they pulled down her panties and saw a terrified teenaged girl lying at their feet instead of the boy they expected ... and she apparently has no hesitation what-so-ever about showering or changing in front of the other girls during gym! ... Gaby still changes in the privacy stalls out of fear of being discovered, for Heaven's sake! ... I'm also told that at the beginning of their visit, Mrs. Walters had doubts about Gaby's gender and I have a nagging feeling they still may exist to some degree! … This lovely girl has done nothing to deserve any of this!” Jessica pleaded.
”Look! ... I'd just like to her to get something nice out of this trip! ... You know only too well what I'm talking about and how she must be feeling about now!” Jessica quietly stated. It was only then she realised that she had been holding onto Sandy's hand the whole time.
“I remember, Jess … okay ... I'll introduce you and Gaby to Ellen...” Sandy relented.
“Ellen?”
“Yeah ... she owns that small store that sells dance and gym outfits for girls. We got them from her ... she's very sympathetic to ... people like us ... and all she asked us in return is that we tell her our story for her thesis research,” Sandy explained. Noting some concern on Jessica's face, Sandy quickly added, “It's all anonymous! ... She promised us!”
“Okay ... please … see what you can do? ... Just set up the meeting and Gaby and I will explain everything to her! ... Oh! ... Don't let Em know about this if at all possible. If Gaby tells anyone, let it be on her own terms ... you understand ...don't you?” Jessica softly asked and then let Sandy know their talk was done.
Sandy seemed to be in deep thought for but a moment and then turning her attention to Em, called her over saying “C'mon Sis ... Mom and Kevin are waiting!” While waiting for Em, she whispered to Jessie with a hint of a little girl's giggle, “With all this cloak n' dagger stuff ... I feel like a Bond girl!”
“Oooo ... that's bad, Sandy!” Jessica playfully whispered. Sandy grimaced as she realised the bad pun she just made.
“Say g'nite … Sandy,” Miss B sarcastically added and with a wink, let Sandy lead Em to back to her own car. As they left, Jessica returned to Maddy and prepared to leave the school herself.
“Jessica? ... I'm sorry,” Maddy tearfully offered while trying to avoid eye contact with Jessica.
Jessica stopped the car before she left the parking lot and turned to Maddy. In a soft consolatory voice she told her, “It's not me you should be apologizing to ... you know that ... don't you?”
“I know...,” replied a dejected Maddy. “Will I be sent home, Miss?”
Hearing Maddy's last question, Jessica's attempt to re-start the car was suddenly interrupted. “What's with the ‘Miss'? ... Let's get a couple things straight, Maddy ... ok?” As Maddy slowly turned and looked at her, Jessica continued.
“You're correct in thinking I'm very disappointed in you ... but that's no reason to go back to calling me ‘Miss' ... not after all this time ... I hope we're still friends … but you have to admit that you've dug a really deep hole for yourself despite repeated warnings … now we have to deal with it!” Jessica lectured.
“As for sending you home ... I don't rightly know ... that remains to be seen ... Fran and I will have to put our heads together ... but I somehow doubt it, being it's so late in your trip an' all ... however ... Mr. Woods and your parents will have to be informed ... there's no way to avoid that ... sorry … but you and Em brought it upon yourselves,” Jessica quietly explained. She then undid her seat belt and leaned over and gave Maddy a little hug. “Let's go home.”
Later that evening, Jessica got a phone call that had her calling the Walter residence when Maddy was up in her room.
“Hello? ... Oh ... hi, Miss Bell ... it's Debbie,” Debbie related into the phone. After a short pause, she spoke again. “Gaby's upstairs but here's Jules.” As Debbie handed Jules the phone, she whispered, “It's Jessica!”
“Hello? ... Miss Bell? ...Nothing I know of ... just a second ... I'll ask Deb,” Jules stated then turning to Debbie, asked, “We doing anything tomorrow afternoon? ... Jessica wants to take Gaby and myself for the afternoon.”
“Go for it ... we're doing nothing important!” Deb replied with a shrug.
“Hello ... Miss Bell? ... Sorry about that … but Deb sez we're free ... no … nothing has been planned ... one o'clock ...Gaby and I will be ready ... thanks for calling ... g'nite.” Jules informed Debbie and her parents that she and Gaby would be out with Miss B for the afternoon, the next day. “I think Miss B wants to talk to Gaby and me about the cheer comp.”
After informing the Walters, she went upstairs to their room to inform Gaby. There she found her sister eyes closed, lying on her bed with the lights off and a CD softly playing.
“Sis? ... You awake?” Jules whispered. Gaby opened her eyes and turned to watch Jules close the bedroom door and enter the room. Approaching Gaby's bed, Jules turned on the single lamp and sat on the edge of her bed. Looking at her sister, Jules softly mentioned, “Jessica called and wants to see both of us tomorrow afternoon ... she'll be here to pick us up at one o'clock.”
“Probably about today,” Gaby quietly replied with dejected resignation.
Moving to Gaby's bed, Jules reached out and touched her arm. “We haven't talked for awhile ... you want to now?
“Yeah ... ( sniff ) I would,” Gaby whispered and then opened her arms signalling she wanted Jules to hold her.
For the next while Gaby poured out her pent-up feelings about the trip, the gang's drifting apart and in particular Maddy, the other kids and anything else that was bothering her. As usual, Jules listened with a sympathetic ear.
Ever since the weekend Gaby learned of Sam, and Maddy became aloof, these private ‘talks' between the two seemed to be the glue that held Gaby together over the course of the visit along with her cycling. It was especially evident when she had particularly bad days.
Sometimes Jules would offer sisterly advice. Other times, she was just there for Gaby when she had a good cry. Most importantly, she realised that she was all Gaby had and she was determined to be there for her, whenever she was needed. A few times, that even meant sitting up with her through some of the night when Gaby was crying in her sleep or having nightmares about recent events. How quickly Jules had grown up since leaving Warsop.
The next day shortly before one, Jessica appeared at the Walters' door to collect the Bond girls.
“Told you I'd be here! ... Ready?” Jessica cheerfully asked. As the girls gathered their coats and went to leave, Miss B turned around and told Jocelyn, “I'll have them back for supper!” As they walked to Miss B's car, Gaby noticed Sandy's Volvo parked along the curb a few houses from the Walters.
“What's she doing here?” asked Gaby, nodding towards Sandy's car.
“All in good time ... now hurry up and get in,” Jessica urged. Once the Jetta sprang to life, Sandy's car pulled forward and continued down the street. Eventually, both cars pulled into the small parking lot of Ellen's Dance Shoppe.
“Ok ... everyone out!” Jessica ordered.
“Why we here?” Gaby wanted to know.
“She always this inquisitive, Jules?” Jessica asked with a laugh in her voice.
“Usually,” Jules confirmed, but she was just as mystified.
“It say's ‘closed!” Gaby observed as they approached and saw the sign in the front door
“Of course it does ... its Sunday!” Sandy replied as she knocked on the door. It was immediately opened by a rather attractive woman. She struck Gaby as being about the same age as Mrs. Walters.
“Right on time! ... C'mon in folks,” Ellen cheerfully offered. Once in, Sandy started to perform the formal introductions.
“Ellen ... this is my very good friend … Jessica Bell ... and two of her exchange students ... Jules and Gaby Bond ... guys ... this here's Ellen … a girl's best friend!” Sandy gushed.
“I'm very happy to finally meet you Jessica ... both Sandy and Em have spoke very highly of you,” Ellen greeted, then turning to the two sisters, she added, “Jules ... Gaby ... welcome!”
Getting right down to business, Ellen went on to say, “We'll be more comfortable in the office ... we can talk and I've just put on a fresh pot of coffee. I've also got some tea, hot chocolate or soda for the girls.”
As they filed onto Ellen's office, Sandy bade Jules and Gaby to join her on the sofa along the wall while Jessica and Ellen dragged the two plush chairs that were in front of her desk closer to the sofa, to form a conversation pit.
“Gaby ... do you know why you're here?” Ellen asked in a soft voice.
“No ... not especially ... Jules and I thought Miss Bell wanted to talk to us about the cheer competition yesterday,” Gaby admitted.
“Yes … and no...” Jessica started to say.
“Jessica?” a confidant Sandy piped up. Jessica closed her eyes and nodded.
“Last night when the cheer teams got home … I found out Maddy and Em were in trouble for what they did to you on this trip. You have to understand ... I think of Em as my younger sister ... and seeing Em upset like I did …I began talking to Jessica and she told me everything!”
“Sorry,” Jessica softly offered. “I felt I had to.”
Seeing fear forming on Gaby's face as she frantically looked from Jessica to Sandy and back, Sandy was quick to take hold of her hand in an attempt to calm her and quickly added, “She had to tell me Gaby! ... She had to ...she needed ... my help ... to help you ... and to do that ... she had to tell me.”
“I'm sorry Gabs ... I really am ... but I could see no other way!” Jessie apologized. Gaby was still a bit shaken, but calmer than she was. Sandy decided to lay all her cards on the table.
“When you and Maddy came after dinner at my mom's … and the others were there ... remember?” Gaby nodded as Sandy continued. “Remember in the basement … Em stripped to show us how real her breast forms and gaff looked?” Again, Gaby nodded, speechless and intently listening to every word Sandy spoke. “What did you think when you saw Em?”
“I was looking at a real girl ... an' wondered how she did it … then I thought if I looked like that ... at least I wouldn't have to hide when I changed after P/E!” Gaby truthfully replied, unsure of what Sandy was driving at.
“After speaking to Jessica last night and learning of all you've been through and of your fears, I agreed to call Ellen and set up this meeting. She's prepared to offer you the exact same deal that she offered Em ... and me...”
Gaby and Jules both did a double take in disbelief. Sandy spoke, “Yes … it's true, Gaby ... I'm a pre-op transsexual ... I still need my SRS … but that'll come some day. Mom doesn't know about either you or Em ... or that Em knows about me ... but Em and I have known about each other since she arrived ... I just wish I knew about you as well ... it might've been kinda nice if we all had each other to talk to,” Sandy confided. She gambled outing herself would gain Gaby's trust and it appeared to have worked as she was noticeably calmer.
“Like Sandy said ... I want to help you, Gaby ... the deal I gave the other two applies to you as well ... I want your story. I'm working towards my Doctorate and these stories I'm collecting from people like yourself, will be used to help me prepare my thesis ... of course I will ensure it is totally anonymous when it comes to anything that might provide a clue as to the individual's identity.” Ellen explained.
“Well ... what do you say?” Ellen asked Gaby after a few minutes of silence.
“Take it Sis ... you know it will help,” Jules encouraged.
“You'll say nothing about my cycling or Mum?” Gaby was plainly worried about a connection being made.
“Gaby holds three National cycling titles and is semi-pro, while our Mum is the current Women's Pro Cycling World Champion … so naturally Gaby's worried about any possible connection being made,” Jules explained to a confused Ellen.
“Of course ... as I said ... there will be absolutely no mention of anything that might provide a clue as to the individual's identity, nor that of any family member. I'm well aware of the need for secrecy in these matters.”
“Then ... whattya want to know?” a smiling Gaby asked, as Ellen sat back and started her recorder.
Over the next hour or so, Ellen questioned Gaby in addition to listening to her life story. She was also interested in learning Jules' reaction to Gaby over time and learning of her parent's reaction to her younger sister. Jessica had already heard most of it, but she still found it of interest hearing it again. Sandy was hanging on every word especially when Gaby and Jules spoke of their parent's acceptance.
“Just amazin'! ... Thank you … both of you,” Ellen mentioned, then turning to Gaby, added, “You're a very pretty young lady ... Gaby ... I really hope everything works out for you in the future.”
Rising from her chair, Ellen announced, “Now ... let's see what I can do for you ... shall we?”
As they adjourned into the store, Ellen directed Gaby to a change room and asked her to strip while she went into the back room.
“C'mon Sis ... You're here now!” Jules whispered sensing Gaby's reluctance.
Ellen returned with an armload of boxes as Gaby disappeared into the indicated change room. Even though it was like her sister said and every one was a girl, Gaby still felt a little self conscience being naked in front of Ellen.
“Relax, dear ... you've got nothin' I haven't seen before,” Ellen said in a soothing voice.
Looking Gaby in the eyes, Ellen confidently added, “Besides ... when we're done here ... your Mrs. Walters can look all she wants but she ain't gonna see any boy!”
“Fine with me!” Gaby replied with a smile.
“You'll be surprised how many girls like you and Sandy, we've taken care of!” Ellen countered.
Ellen produced some solvent and removed Gaby's breastforms and measured her chest. She then began to rummage through the boxes she brought with her, eventually finding the size she was looking for. When she opened the box and removed the contents, she held a set of forms that looked like real breasts.
"These are about the right size for a girl your age ... I would suggest nothing larger than a B cup as anything larger and the increase will be too noticeable.” Ellen stated as she fitted the forms to Gaby's chest, before gluing them in place.
“Just a little water-proof make-up around the seams for blending ... and ... viola!” Ellen stood back and let Gaby look at herself in the change-room mirror.
“Whatta think?” Ellen asked.
Gaby couldn't tell where the breast forms stopped and her skin started. She was grinning ear to ear when she turned to Ellen. “I don't know what to say!”
“When we're done here … I'll give you some blending tips before you get dressed ... ok?” Ellen asked. “You realise you'll have to get some new bras after you're done here … right?”
“Did I hear the S-word?” asked Jules from the other side of the change room door.
( sigh ) “Yes, sister-of-mine ... you did. Ellen says I have to get some new bras,” Gaby called back. Looking at Ellen, Gaby whispered, “Mum calls it ‘selective hearing'...”
“I heard that!” Jules returned.
Returning to the matter at hand, Ellen suggested, “Let's get you fixed up ... below ... shall we?”
“This … Gaby … is a professional gaff … called a V-string. These are usually custom made for people that like to look as much like a woman as possible … but I always try to keep some in stock for customers like yourself. Like your breast forms, it's glued in place ... it may be a bit uncomfortable at first … but you'll quickly get used to it.” Ellen explained.
Noting Gaby was already familiar with wearing a gaff, Ellen coyly asked, “Do you want the ‘honours' ... or do you need help?” A blushing Gaby took the gaff and adjusted her ‘boy bits', allowing Ellen to do a final fitting before applying the glue.
‘Now ... how does that look? ... It's the same one Em and Sandy wear,” Ellen offered.
Gaby looked once more at herself in the full-length mirror. “JULES!” Gaby called out.
As soon as Jules entered the change room, Gaby turned to face her. Jules stood there with a stunned expression on her face, taking in her sister for the first time.
“Well?” an inquisitive Gaby ventured. Jules blinked a few times, trying to hold back her tears of joy. “No one can deny you're a real girl, Sis! ... Not from what I see.” Ellen took the opportunity to hand Jules a slip of paper.
“Her bra size ... in case somebody forgets,” Ellen added with a smile, indicating Gaby.
“As I told Em … they claim you can even have sex with it … but you're too young for that! ... You can have a period and really bleed like a woman, using a blood capsule. I'm told that's what helped Em to convince some girls checking up on her, that she really was a girl!” Ellen expounded. “I've still got some capsules … if you'd like to have them.”
“Yes, please!” Gaby enthusiastically replied as she looked at Jules nodding her opinion.
“Be right back ... I'll get them ... you kin get dressed now, Gaby … an' I'll meet you at the front counter,” Ellen mentioned.
“I already asked Jessica and she'll take us to the mall if you're quick about it!” Jules enthused.
“There you go, dear ... you're all set,” Ellen handed Gaby her blood capsules but when she started to look through her purse for some money, Ellen added with a smile, “It's all paid for ... remember the chat we had? ... Now run along ... Miss Bell is waiting!”
“Thank you! ... Bye!” Gaby excitedly replied as she and Jules left the store.
Back at the cars, Jessica explained, “Sandy's got to head home ... her excuse is running out … so it falls to me to get you to the mall and back.”
“How did you get here without Em … Sandy?” Gaby asked.
“I told everyone I got called in to help out ... and left Em playing PS2 games with Kevin ... but now I gotta get back cuz Jack's closed about 20 minutes ago,” Sandy replied.
“Well … thanks for everything ... an' I mean everything!” Gaby gushed as she gave Sandy a hug.
“Hopefully we can all get together before you go,” Sandy said wishfully. They stood and watched Sandy leave before they got into Jessica's car and headed for the mall.
After driving to Waynesboro and turning into the mall's massive parking lot, Jessica turned to Gaby and asked, “Know what you're going for Gaby?”
“Just a couple of bras ... Ellen told me 34B,” Gaby answered.
“Gaby! ... You're a gir!l ... You know ... girls ... shopping ... Jessica ... talk to her?” Jules playfully added her two cents worth.
“Think you'll find what you want in here,” Jessica remarked as they got out of the car and headed for the large J.C.Penny's.
(to be continued)
PB 01.06.08 © 2008
Want to Comment? click here to Email me