"This is embarrassing" I hissed as Zoe led me out of the salon and into the mall proper. Zoe hadn't bothered giving me any other clothes to wear over the pink leotard, not even the St Mary uniform, so the whole world could see me. I could picture people, boys especially, staring at me, and worse, the leotard felt strange against my female body.
"So what do you want to do? Stay in the salon and maybe get a spa session? Sorry, Anna, but I wasn't joking when I said we were late" Zoe said, a faint frown passing on her face.
"What is going on? You're not making me take a.. class? Are you?" I asked. All I wanted to do was hide.
"No. Least, not yet" Zoe said to my slight relief, though i didn't like the 'not yet' bit.
"Don't screw with me. I'm not in the mood. I swear, everyone can see... you know" I snapped, not wanting to say that everyone could see my crotch.
"I'm not. Trust me, no one can see that. Its designed that way" Zoe said. "Anyway, we're almost out."
"What would you know? You never wore any of this crap" I snapped.
"Joanna!" Zoe said, looking around nervously, but nobody was around. "You're right, but I know about more of this stuff than
"Yeah right" I muttered. "Why were you nervous just then? You're acting like a mom. Not liking having a foul mouthed 'daughter'?"
"Yes" came the blunt replay. "And you're acting like a little brat."
I lost my temper. "What is wrong with you, 'mom'? First you say you don't want to turn me into a bimbo, then you make me blonde and you put me in pink. As a fucking ballerina! Either that, you're trying to turn me into a child! "
"Joanna!" Zoe warned. We were next to the car, so i felt safe enough to continue my rant. Even if it wasn't, I probably still would had vented.
"Don't deny it, mom. You're the only one that benefits. You don't age as much"
"True, but you get something too" Zoe said somewhat surprisingly calm as we got in the car. I had expected her to argue back. "Growing up as a girl. Escaping from your 'ditzy' friends, though i think you're just exaggerating. Delaying your boy crazy nature..."
"Knock it off, mom. I don't like boys" I snapped, my eyes widening in shock. I had meant to say 'Zoe'. I stared around the car and myself fearfully, afraid some sort of shift would occur. Why did i sit in the back? With some effect, I said, "Zoe. Something is happening to me. It feels more natural to call you 'mom'."
"Hmmm" Zoe said. "Maybe that explains something. I'm surprised you haven't asked me what we're late for,."
"What?"
"Linda. I can't call her 'mom' myself. Seems she is my sister now. Can still call her the bitch though" Zoe said, chuckling slightly. It was refreshing to hear Zoe laugh, but it didn't last long. "She wants to catch up. That's why you're in that leotard. I'm hoping it will deter her, make her think I have to take you ballet of something."
"As long as I don't turn into a little girl, or finding myself in ballet for real. You could had told the truth that i was concussed, mom" I said sourly.
