Rent or Forfeit 17

Chapter 17: Edgy Resolutions

“Erm... hey Henry. Maybe we can talk somewhere a little more private?” Tommy said nervously, glancing around at a group of girls he used to go to school with, all eagerly listening in.

“Er… yeah... sure,” Henry replied, looking shell-shocked at the sight of his oldest friend looking more feminine than most of the girls in the room.

Spotting the open door to the kitchen, Tommy led the way, mincing across the living room, his painful heels making every step torturous. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep his knees from buckling and his dinner from making a reappearance. Meanwhile, Henry followed silently, his eyes scanning up and down the person he could barely recognize as his old mate. As the feminine figure wiggled ahead of him, each tottering step sent the flared hem of his minidress fluttering around his smooth, shiny thighs. With every glance, Henry’s disbelief only grew.

In the kitchen, they found Maddison and some other girls chatting as they finished preparing a round of drinks. Maddison handed the drinks out before gently ushering them out of the room. On her way out, she handed one to Tommy. “Breathe, it’ll be okay,” she said softly, giving him a reassuring squeeze and a kiss on the cheek.

Now alone, Tommy felt more awkward than ever. Leaning against the wall, he rested one foot on its tall stiletto heel, giving the ball of his aching foot a brief respite as the wall supported his weight. He didn’t know what to say, and seeing Henry staring at him wide-eyed and speechless only worsened the situation.

(See image 17.1)

“So…” Henry began, then paused, turning away with a huff, also uncomfortable and unsure of what to say.

“I know, I look ridiculous, right?” Tommy said with a nervous giggle, avoiding Henry’s gaze as it once again locked onto his feminised frame.

“No,” Henry replied in a serious tone that made Tommy’s head snap back up. “You look... In that dress, you look pretty hot!"

A small squeak escaped Tommy’s pouting red lips as they opened and then closed again. The unexpected compliment took him by surprise, leaving him staring blankly at his best friend through thick, extended lashes.

“Oh, sorry,” Henry said, flustered, looking away again. “That came out wrong. I’m not hitting on you or anything. I mean, you look good. But I’m not into... I just wanted to say I’m okay with this,” he finally managed, offering a weak smile.

Silence hung between them for a moment. “It’s okay. Thank you,” Tommy finally said, his voice softer now. “I get it. It’s a lot to take in. For both of us.”

“So, I guess I should call you Tammy now?” Henry asked, for once, sounding unsure of himself.

“That’s what everyone seems to like calling me,” Tommy replied, taking a sip of the drink Maddison had handed him, finding it both sickly sweet and devilishly strong.

“Wow, Tom... Sorry, Tammy. I can’t get over how convincing you look. Maybe I should have seen it sooner - you were always a little effeminate. But honestly, I had no idea you were... one of those people.”

“What do you mean by ‘one of those people’?” Tommy shot back, clearly offended by the effeminate comment, wanting to know exactly what Henry was insinuating. “Just because I’m dressed like this, it doesn’t make me some kind of poof.”

“Woah, calm down,” Henry said, reaching out with his arms defensively. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. Girls, guys, whatever you’re into, it doesn’t bother me. I saw this documentary about people born in the wrong body. They had it tough, needing therapy and surgery just to be who they are. What’s that condition called again?”

“Transgendered?” Tommy snapped back.

“Yeah, that’s it,” Henry nodded. “All I meant was I had no idea you were transgendered. But don’t get me wrong, I’m cool with it. Shocked, but cool. You’re my friend, and you always will be. Besides, now that you’re a hot chick, you can help me score some dates.”

“Even as a chick, I can’t perform miracles,” Tommy said with a grin, and the pair laughed together, finally breaking the tension.

When their laughter finally subsided, Henry smiled, his body language looking more relaxed. "I have to ask... your tits look amazing. Are they real?" He blurted out, staring at Tommy’s enhanced chest, pushed up by the special bra under his sexy party dress.

“What do you think? You watched that documentary, right? Do you think it’s possible to grow breasts this quickly?” Tommy shot back, watching as Henry tilted his head, looking confused. “God!” Tommy sighed, frustrated by the gormless expression on his friend’s face. “No! They’re fake. Just like my hair, my eyelashes, and these annoying nails!” He added, lifting his hands to shield his chest from Henry’s piercing blue gaze.

"Yeah, thought so," Henry replied, nodding. "And sorry if that made you uncomfortable. I guess I should be more sensitive now that you’re... you know, a bird. Fewer questions, more compliments." He paused before adding, “Erm... I like your shoes. They make your legs look really long."

Tommy groaned loudly. "If you like them so much, you can wear them," he retorted while glaring. "Just... be... normal. Okay?"

"Err... sure. Normal. I can do that," Henry replied with a cheeky grin. "So, if we’re being normal, why don’t you fetch me a drink? I bet Maddy’s dad has some good stuff stashed somewhere."

“Sure,” Tommy replied with a chuckle before tottering across the room in search of the liquor cabinet.

The rest of the evening was a typical New Year’s Eve affair. Everyone got very drunk, "Auld Lang Syne" rang out as the clock struck midnight, and the next day was spent cleaning up the mess while nursing hangovers. But for Tommy, it was anything but typical. He spent the night fielding personal questions from people he barely knew, all while pretending to be a girl in an outfit that made him feel vulnerable and shoes that left his nylon-clad toes throbbing by the end of the night.

At midnight, as usual, he didn’t get a kiss to ring in the new year. But unlike previous years, he had a few willing participants, judging by the lustful glances aimed in his direction.

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On Thursday morning the following week, Tommy was up early. He showered, applied his makeup, and trudged into Sarah’s room to pick an outfit for the day. Flicking on the light, he flung open the wardrobe doors, making as much noise as possible in an attempt to disturb his still-sleeping sister. Rattling through the coat hangers, he huffed, glancing at her snoring form before a mischievous idea crossed his mind. Spying the neatly folded outfit Sarah had planned to wear that day on her sofa, he tiptoed over with a grin.

By the time Tommy clambered onto the bus that morning, he was already starting to regret his decision. In line with the rules of his forfeits, he had swapped out Sarah’s planned jeans for a pair of patterned tights and tight leather shorts. As he felt the arches of his feet stretch uncomfortably inside the leather ankle boots, their tall, stiletto heels clicking loudly as he made his way down the centre aisle, he drew several curious glances.

The chains on his boots rattled softly with each step, making Tommy feel more like a groupie heading to a rock concert than a commuter on a regular weekday. But with his head held high and his natural resting bitch face firmly in place, Tommy didn’t care. He had grown used to the stares, even if part of him still felt a bit ridiculous. He knew his high ponytail, large hoop earrings, and pouty lips commanded attention. Yet, the thought of Sarah’s inevitable fury when she woke up and realised what he had done made it all feel worth it.

He arrived at the temp office just after 9 am. Tired from the short walk and cold, since his leather jacket and thin top provided little warmth, he gladly accepted the receptionist's offer to wait on the sofa. After ten boring minutes of contemplating his life choices, Claire, Monica’s friend, appeared with a bright smile. "Good morning, Tammy," she called out cheerfully. "Would you like to follow me?"

Tommy stood up, making sure to grab his little black handbag this time, forcing a smile as he greeted her. "Good morning." He echoed through gritted teeth, acutely aware of the uncomfortable wedgie caused by his thong panties and tight leather shorts riding up his backside.

(See image 17.2)

Waiting for Claire to turn, Tommy discreetly reached down, his long pink nails carefully tugging at the hem of his shorts to fix the uncomfortable bunching of fabric before trotting after her down a short, carpeted corridor. They soon entered her office, and once both were seated, Claire offered him another warm smile.

“So, what can I do for you today, Tammy?” she asked, noticing the determined look on the feminized man's face.

“I’d like some work,” Tommy replied, his voice coming out more forcefully than intended. “When I first came here, you promised to find me a job, but I haven’t had any offers for over a week.” Softening his tone, he added, “I could really use the cash right now.”

Claire, slightly taken aback by Tommy’s newfound assertiveness, especially in his edgy outfit, paused before nodding. “Well, you’re in luck. Two temporary positions just came in, and since you're here, I’ll give you first pick. The first is secretarial work in an office - easy, but the pay’s not great. The second one pays a lot more, but… there is a costume involved.”