“I understand that you instantly thought of him, but you could have said it a bit more nicely!” Holland yelled. Ryan just kept staring at her. “What?!”

“Wow.” Peter smiled. “Maggie did a great job.”

She looked down at the new clothes Maggie had lent her. They were older, but they made her actually look like a girl. She’d be getting new clothes of her own soon. She tugged nervously at the long pale orange skirt that had almost tripped her when she’d been walking. Along with that, she was wearing a pale blue blouse and a necklace that she never took off. Even now, she grabbed the blood-red cross as she always did when she wasn’t sure what to do. “Do I look that weird?”

“No.” Ryan managed. “No, you look…” He cleared his throat. “You look stunning. Like a real girl.”

Holland frowned. “I am a real girl.”

Peter laughed and Ryan’s face turned red. “I meant, you look like a real lady.”

Maggie came up behind her, giggling. “Well, it’s not much, but it does fit rather nicely. We’ll get you some of your own in a second.” She walked over and kissed Peter. “We’ll be back soon, love.” She stood up straight and turned to Ryan. “Are you coming?”

Ryan stood up. “Of course.” He walked over and took Holland’s hand. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

Holland had a feeling he thought the outing would be funny. If she was in his position, she’d be laughing already. She knew shopping for dresses and pretty, formal clothes would not turn out well.

The first stop they made didn’t last long. Holland took one step inside and had to leave. The store was filled with the scents from a perfume counter, which had made her sick. Maggie took notes about what the girl could stand and how she acted in different situations.

In the second shop, Holland managed to make it to the racks, but then Maggie pulled her over to a counter and got a salesclerk to look through the store for them. It made Holland feel weird, watching her run around the store looking for clothes for someone else.

When she finally got into the change-room, Holland was surprised to find a lot of pastel colours. She’d worn dark colours for the past five years, so it felt strange slipping into a light green sun-dress.

***

Ryan looked from rack to rack as he waited for Oliver to get changed. He’d thought about her style before, but that had been when he’d thought she was a boy. Now he realized she’d just been style-challenged.

He chuckled to himself as he fingered a dress in a darker colour. This would suit her better. He found himself thinking.

“Ryan.” Maggie called him back to the changing rooms. “What’s that?” She asked when he’d returned.

Ryan looked at his hands and realized he’d taken the dress. “I thought she might like it.”

Maggie sighed. “Leave the fashion decisions to the experts. But, you’re right. We’ll try it.”

“Please stop talking about me like I’m a doll.” Oliver opened the curtain and glared at them. “I’m a person. I can make my own decisions.”

Ryan just gaped at her. “How…how did you…” He clamped his mouth shut.

Oliver looked down at her chest, which had suddenly grown a few sizes. “Oh, I just took off the wrap I usually wear.” She shrugged. “No big deal.”

“No big deal?!” Maggie exclaimed. “This changes everything!” She turned to the salesclerk. “We don’t need a ruffled top anymore. Just flat material will work.”

Oliver shifted uncomfortably. “This is why I wrap my chest.” She muttered to herself.

Ryan handed her the darker dress. “Try this one.”

She took one look at the neck line and scowled. “Won’t this make me look like a street girl?”

Maggie and Ryan gave her a look, asking for an explanation. “But it’s designer.” Maggie commented.

“A designer who dresses hookers?” Oliver held up the dress to her figure. Ryan saw that the bottom was a bit short. “I’m not wearing this.” She stated.

The clerk stared at her, dumbfounded. “Young lady, we would never sell something for a… a…” She couldn’t bring herself to say the word.

Oliver shrugged. “Whatever. I do like the colour, though. Thanks, Ryan.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek before retreating back into the changing room.

Ryan blushed. “No, uh, problem.”