The cold war 13

“I… I… came to see if you were alright, I mean, I haven’t heard from you in weeks”, said a stunned looking Jake, “dude, why are you dressed as a girl”?

“It’s a... a long story”, replied Ben in a shaky voice, looking around to see Elena and Irina staring on.

Not wanting to talk in front of the two women, Ben stepped forward on his cork wedged sandals, tottered across the room, and reached out with his right hand as Jake just looked on horrified at Ben’s flashy new manicure, his long red ballerina style nails extending out far beyond the end of his fingertips, “come with me”, Ben said looking down at his confused friend, “we can talk outside”.

Jake nodded before placing the cup and saucer, he was still clutching on his lap, onto a nearby side table, he then stood up without taking Ben’s outstretched hand, “ok, lead the way”, he said looking around at Irina and Elena a little unsure of himself.

Ben turned and walked out of the room, feeling incredibly nervous hearing Jake following behind. He tried focussing on his footsteps, not wanting to stumble and embarrass himself even more but this only exaggerated the sway of his backside, gyrating from side to side with every step he took on his ramped footwear, “Is he checking me out”, Ben thought to himself not wanting to turn and find out, “I would be if the situation was reversed, shit, what am I going to say to him? This is so messed up”.

Stopping in front of the glass patio door, Ben fumbled with the lock, the combination of being nervous and not wanting to chip his new manicure making the normally easy task near to impossible.

“Would you like me to open that”? Jake said seeing Ben struggling.

“Err… if you wouldn’t mind”, Ben replied embarrassed, stepping to one side.

Ben watched as Jake easily undid the latch and slid open the door, before stepping out. Following him out, the first thing he noticed was the chill in the air as he felt the breezy night air dance around his ankles and sandaled feet, the material of his snake print asymmetric skirt gently fluttering around and massaging his upper legs only serving to remind him of how he was dressed.

It was much warmer earlier when he and Irina had headed out, but with the sun now low in the sky, and stood high up on his apartment balcony, Ben instantly regretted choosing the balcony for their conversation.

“So… err…this is a bit awkward, ay? Ben said shuffling his feet and looking down, causing him to look even more feminine.

“Dude, make me understand this”? Jake said, “we’ve known each other for years, why have hidden this from me”?

Ben quickly looked up, “Oh, no, it’s not like that, it’s... it's like a job”, he stated.

“A job”? Jake replied pulling an unconvinced face.

“Yeah, it started off with Irina moaning as usual about how difficult her life was, and I said something like, how difficult can it be, I forget the exact words now, but the next thing I know, I’m being offered ten thousand dollars a month just to do what she does”, Ben said realising how crazy he sounded.

Jake slowly looked Ben up and down before shaking his head as the two friends just looked at each other, the hum of the city and Ben’s skirt rustling in the wind the only sounds to be heard.

“What? You don’t believe me”? Ben stated annoyed.

“I didn’t say that!  I’m just trying to process this”, Jake replied, “you just look so feminine, and the way you came into the room earlier, that voice, it all seemed so natural".

“I’m not gay”, Ben stated loudly.

“And what’s wrong with being gay”? Jake shot back in a booming voice, surprising Ben with the response and making him back-pedal.

“Nothing, dude, you know me, I’ve got nothing against people like that, you know, each to their own and all that”, Ben stated nervously, “I just don’t want you to think that of me”.

“Gay, straight, bi, purple with blue spots, I don’t give a shit, man, just be honest with yourself”, Jake replied.

There was another moment of silence as Ben felt a little frustrated, not only had his best friend surprised him while crossdressed and coming home from the nail salon but now he was getting entirely the wrong idea.

“So, how does it feel”? Jake asked.

“How does what feel”? Ben quickly replied, slightly surprised by the question.

“Life dressed as a woman”, Jake replied, “it must be an interesting experience”.

“Oh, it’s hell", Ben replied, shaking his head", not that I’m going to admit that to Irina, it's crazy, Jake, female beauty seems to be designed to restrict movement, and I’m forever having to check my appearance just in case my lipstick has smudged, or my hair looks a mess.

“Well, you always were pretty vain, checking your reflection in every mirror you passed, and are you sure you hate it as much as you make out? you seemed pretty comfortable, when you walked in earlier, showing off your new nails to what did you call her, Mamulya? Jake stated, “there must be some part of it that you like”?

“That was just me acting to... oh never mind", Ben said feeling frustrated and wanting to change the subject,  "I guess parts of this are quite interesting”, he added before getting flustered, “I mean… like an experiment, you know, to see how women live and working with Irina at the office is finally answered a lot of questions I've had for years.

Jake smiled, “so, you’re going to be like this for a while then"?

“Err… yeah, well… not that long, a few more weeks, six tops”, Ben said looking down at the ground and seeing his shiny pedicure, through the open toe area of his girly shoes, that although much more comfortable than a pair of stilettos, were still causing his ankles to ache after a day of walking the city wearing them. 

Jake nodded, “I see, well, at least now I know about all this, you can stop ignoring my messages, and we can start hanging out again".

Ben’s head shot up, “I wasn’t ignoring you; you know I lost my phone a few weeks back, and then Irina went and broke my tablet, I had no way to contact you", he said sadly", I’ve got this new phone, Irina gave me, I can give you the number if you really don't mind being seen with me looking like this"?

“I don't mind”, Jake said, casually taking his phone out of his pocket, “do you know your new number”?

“Yeah, Irina made me memorise it, 098...”, Ben said before being interrupted.

“Woah, hang on, I’m just setting a new contact, one second… and there, done, go ahead, Bunny”.

“What? Oh no, not you too, please don’t call me that” Ben said placing one hand on his hip and trying to sound forceful.

Jake laughed, “too late, babe, it’s already in the phone, and besides, looking as cute as you do right now, the name suits you”.

(See image 7.2)