A Girlfriend in the Making (1/2)

Evan was lounging on the couch, his game controller in hand, when Jenna appeared in the doorway, a sly smile on her face.

“So, you know how I wrote your entire term paper on global economics last semester? The one you begged me to do?” she began, crossing her arms.

Evan paused the game and glanced at her warily. “Yeah…” he replied, dragging the word out, sensing a trap.

“Well, it’s time for you to pay me back,” Jenna said breezily, stepping further into the room.

Evan groaned. “Pay you back? How?”

Jenna’s smile widened. “Marcus needs a date for mini-golf tomorrow night, and I told him Evie would go with him.”

Evan blinked, confused. “Wait. Who’s Evie?”

“You, silly,” Jenna said, her grin turning downright mischievous. Before Evan could even attempt to argue, she grabbed his wrist and started dragging him toward the bathroom.

“Whoa, whoa, Jenna, wait! I don’t—what are you talking about?” he stammered, trying to dig in his heels.

“I told Marcus I have a little sister,” Jenna explained, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Evan stopped short. “But you don’t have a sister!”

Jenna just winked. “Not yet. But hey, you owe me, and I figured this is the perfect time for you to repay your debt—by being my cute little sister!”

Before Evan could protest further, Jenna dragged him into the bathroom and set him down on the edge of the tub. He flinched as she began shaving his legs and arms with quick, practiced strokes, the razor gliding over his skin and leaving it smooth and soft. He couldn’t stop squirming as Jenna worked, but her sharp look kept him from saying much more than the occasional groan of protest.

Next, she plucked his eyebrows, her hands steady as she shaped them into delicate, feminine arches. Each sharp tug made him wince, but Jenna ignored his grumbles and focused on her task until they were perfect.

When she brought out a set of press-on nails, Evan’s eyes widened. The square-shaped nails, painted in a glossy pale pink, gleamed as Jenna pressed them onto his fingers one by one. He fidgeted awkwardly, the weight and length of the nails making his hands feel clumsy and foreign.

Then came the makeup. Jenna carefully brushed foundation over his skin, erasing any trace of roughness or unevenness. A subtle contour gave him softer, more delicate features, while a flick of black eyeliner and mascara highlighted his wide eyes. Glossy pink lips completed the look, making his reflection unrecognizable.

Then came the outfit. Jenna tossed him a black skater dress, its simple, flared design playful and perfectly suited for the casual date ahead. “Put it on,” she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument. Reluctantly, Evan stepped into it, the soft fabric sliding over his smooth skin. It clung snugly at the waist and flared at the skirt, giving him a distinctly girly silhouette that made his cheeks burn.

Once dressed, Jenna braided his hair into two tidy plaits that framed his face. “Almost done,” she said, clipping a pair of small silver earrings onto his ears. She stepped back, a satisfied grin spreading across her face as she surveyed her work.

Evan turned to the mirror and froze. His reflection was barely recognizable. The skater dress flared out just enough to emphasize his hips, and the makeup—sharp eyeliner, fluttery lashes, and glossy pink lips—made his features soft and feminine. The braids added a youthful charm, completing the illusion of a bubbly, carefree girl.

“Perfect,” Jenna said smugly, grabbing his hand and dragging him outside.

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made Evan’s stomach drop.

Jenna leaned in close, her voice a teasing whisper. “Remember, you’re Evie now. It’d be sooo embarrassing if Marcus found out you’re actually a guy.”

Before Evan could respond, she gave him a playful push toward the driveway, calling out with a grin, “Have fun on your date!”