The sissy games

Part 81; learning more

Alex told Ember about the bags he had to choose from, how he ended up showing off all those lipsticks, and that tomorrow he would need to wear five different ones at school.

"They really know how to twist things so it's always worse than it sounds," Ember said, her tone heavy with sympathy.

"They do... and tomorrow's going to be hell. Wearing one is bad enough — everyone notices. But five different ones?" Alex groaned, shoulders slumping.

The mood between them grew heavy, so they agreed to stop worrying and distract themselves with lighter talk until sleep finally took them.

The next morning Alex was woken early — it was a school day. Still in his underwear, he wandered over to the table where Ember had already set breakfast. They ate bread with egg quietly, Ember already dressed while Alex made his way to the closet. Only two outfits were left. Today's was a baby-pink ruffled crop top with a high-waisted white pleated mini skirt. He sighed, pulling on the skirt just as he overheard Ember talking to someone.

"Alex, can you come here for a second?" Ember called.

He stepped into the room to find Jade waiting.

"Hi Alex," Jade said, hands on her hips. "Please hurry and finish dressing. You forgot a lipstick at the Lady's office."

"Oh—sorry. I'll get it as soon as I'm dressed," Alex replied quickly.

"Good. But don't forget ever again. The Lady wanted to punish you for that," she warned sternly.

"It won't happen again," he muttered.

He hurried to slip on the crop top, eager to leave, but Ember caught him at the door.

"Don't forget your hand cream and blush," she reminded him, her voice worried but a little awkward. "I know you hate it... but I don't want you punished."

Alex obeyed, dabbing his cheeks pink and working the lotion into his hands before heading to the Lady's office.

Inside, the Lady sat at her desk, occupied with paperwork. She looked up and smiled. "Well, Alex, don't you look like a pretty girl."

Alex kept quiet, but her gaze hardened. "Aren't you?"

"...Yes, my Lady," he answered softly.

"Good girl. Now, you missed—" she began, but her words cut off when a sharp ringtone interrupted. She picked up the phone, clicking her tongue. "Girly pop, you're lucky today. Take the lipstick and go. Don't forget to put it on before class." With that, she swept out of the room.

Alex spotted the lipstick — a shiny tube with bold, sparkly letters. But his eyes also caught the open book she'd been working on: The Biography of the Lady. His heart pounded. This might be his only chance.

He glanced around, confirmed he was alone, and pulled the book closer. He skimmed quickly: a boy named Ryan bullied for being different... her parents never accepting her... men abruptly leaving when they—

The sharp clack of heels echoed. Alex shoved the book back into place, snatched up the lipstick, and fished out a compact mirror from his bag.

The Lady opened the door, eyes narrowing. "What are you still—" She froze when Alex turned toward her, lipstick in one hand, mirror in the other.

"Sorry, I was just putting on the velvet crimson matte already," Alex said, holding the tube to his lips.

The Lady's expression softened into a smile. "Don't apologize. That's good. I like this enthusiasm."

Alex finished applying the bold red matte lipstick and hurried out.

When he returned, Ember's eyes widened. "Did the Lady put that on you for forgetting the lipstick?"

Alex hesitated, then confessed. "No... I read a bit of her book. Not much, but it seemed like her parents never accepted her. Maybe there's more. I didn't have time."

"It's something, at least," Ember said, encouraging him. "Maybe we'll get another chance."

But they had to leave. On their way out, Alex caught his reflection — the deep red lipstick stood out like a flare, impossible to hide. With his handbag slung over his shoulder, he stepped into the car, blindfolded as always until he was dropped back at school.

The moment he entered, laughter followed. Boys sneered, girls giggled. His flaming lips had already become the day's spectacle. And it was only the beginning.

After an hour, it was time to change lipsticks. Alex slipped toward the restrooms, heading instinctively for the boys' door.

"Wait—you can't go in there," a voice called.

He turned. A group of students lounging near the lockers approached.

"You're Alex, aren't you?" one asked.

"...Yeah."

"You don't look like an Alex," another sneered. "Don't you agree, boys?"

"I think he looks more like an Alexis with those lips," one jeered.

"And not just the lips — check out that outfit," another added. Laughter rang around him.

"I'm Alex, and I'm a boy. Now let me pass," Alex snapped.

But they only laughed harder. "Let's show him the restroom he belongs in." With mocking grins, they shoved him into the girls' toilets and blocked the door.

"Don't forget to powder your nose, Alexis!" they howled from outside.

Alex banged on the door, then gave up with a sigh. "Idiots..."

He glanced at the mirrors. Encouraging notes were scrawled on sticky paper — You're pretty, don't forget — though others read harsher things like Joey is a creep. He wanted to leave quickly; if a girl walked in, he'd have no excuse.

Pulling wipes from his bag, he scrubbed off the crimson, then reluctantly applied the metallic pink. It gleamed, sticky and bright. Worse than before.

He had just finished when the door opened.

"...Aren't you Alex?"