Act like a LADY, Think like a BOSS

Chapter 2: Acting like a dude

Picture of Riley (Luke Bilyk!) on the side! and Tanner Patrick's cover of Pumped Up Kicks just for kicks! :)

I sat cross legged on the floor and sighed heavily, was Trevor insane? Me? Attend an all boy’s school? Was that possible? Could I honestly pull it off? Am I emotionally ready to take on something this big? Hell, am I even physically ready? I’m a girl; I have boobs for crying out loud!

I eyed the sleek, midnight IPhone lying on his desk and very hesitantly picked it up. The tiny gadget felt so heavy in my hands but perhaps it’s because my brother used it literally a week ago. Frowning, I unlocked the screen to reveal his wallpaper, a picture of us and Riley in line for Tower of Terror in Disneyland. Riley. Trevor said Riley would help right? But would he really do it? I stared at the picture. Riley, just a year older than me and a huge pain in the butt. Riley, with his amber eyes and hazel hair that turned the slightest bit red in the sun. Riley, who I’ve known almost my entire life and had seen me naked in the kiddie pool as a child once too many times. Riley, my brother’s best friend.

I quickly went to my room and shut the door while dialing his number.

“Okay, rule number one, expect the unexpected.”

“What the hell?” Savannah muttered under her breath as she went through Trevor’s closet. “That’s def not a rule Riles.”

“Yeah…” I trail off awkwardly, “That doesn’t help me at all Riley.”

I was seated on the floor of Trevor’s bedroom with Riley coaching me while Savannah dug through his stuff to find me clothes to wear.

“She’s leaving in a week,” Savannah pointed out, sitting up from her crouched position near the closet to rearrange her gorgeous blonde hair, “Give her better advice.”

“Okay,” Riley sighed. “Erin, from here on out, you’ll be known as ‘Aaron’. To get our story straight, you basically filled out the application under your middle name ‘Trevor’ but your first name is Aaron.”

I nodded, simple enough I guess. Sighing, I hugged Trevor’s pig pillow pet in my arms.

“Wait, wouldn’t it be easier for me to just go by ‘Trevor’? Why do I have to go by ‘Aaron’?”

“Way too many complications,” Savannah scowled. “Administrative stuff, paperwork, you get the idea. Just in plain English, you’re Aaron Trevor Burkley.”

I nodded, Aaron Trevor Burkley. But then it dawned on me. This would be a life changing experience. I vowed to myself to not turn into a guy as stupid as it sounds. Cause one, guys are idiots. Look at Riley for example.

“Umm, remember I’m your roommate so you’ll always have back up,” Riley muttered thoughtfully.

Thank you Captain Obvious. See what I mean? Idiot.

I nodded again, okay. I stroked the pillow pet’s pink fur. I miss you Trev.

“Here,” Savannah squealed, tossing me a flannel, “This will fit you.”

I caught it and turned to Riley. “Continue?”

“This is a secret,” he stressed, “No one, absolutely no one, can find out about your secret identity.”

I snorted. “Yeah, cause I’d totally go up to a random guy and say ‘Hey man, you know me? Aaron Burkley from homeroom? Oh yeah, turns out, I’m a chick!’”

I rolled my eyes, “Really Riley, how stupid do you think I am?”

Riley opened his mouth to protest but Savannah interrupted. “Erin, what he means is you’re going to be surrounded by guys 24/7 and a number of them are obviously going to be damn hot-”