Suddenly, Dani’s heart jumped when she spotted two of her friends, Randy and Craig. The three of them had grown up together, playing basketball and video games at each other’s houses, sharing all kinds of experiences. How would they react to Dani’s change of gender? With great trepidation, she approached them from the side, careful not to get their attention until she stood a couple of steps away. “Uh, hi, guys,” she greeted softly with a small wave.
Both boys turned. Their eyes went wide, and for a moment, Dani feared they would make a scene. Instead, they did something worse.
“Dani!” Randy smiled, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. “Happy birthday!”
“Thanks?” Dani responded with some confusion. “So…notice anything different about me?”
The two boys shared a puzzled look. Craig took the first stab at an answer. “Um, well, I don’t think I ever saw you in makeup and a dress before.”
“Really?” Dani asked hopefully. Did someone actually detect the craziness going on right now? Maybe they thought Dani was still a boy and that he was cross-dressing or something. Maybe their lack of a reaction was just to be polite.
“Sure,” Randy piped up. “You’re usually more of a tomboy.” Reddening further, he blurted out. “B-But that doesn’t mean you don’t look nice! I-I mean, you look especially nice now! More than usual! And you usually look nice! That is, here’s your present!” Ducking his head, he shoved a carefully wrapped package into Dani’s stunned arms.
Dani automatically took the gift. After a pause, she said a quiet “Thanks” before hurrying away. Behind her, she overheard Craig snorting in amusement, “Nice, dude. Not awkward at all.”
This took a backseat to the more pressing issue. “They don’t remember.”