The Online Job - Chapter 11

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Note - The following chapter is the edited version of chapter 11.

Sunday found Natti, her mom, and Tara walking into Janlei’s and signing up for a consult. They had to wait about 45 min and they would text Natti about 10 min so that she wouldn’t have to sit in the nonexistent waiting area. They walked around and Tara said something to Ms. Silvers and they both had a little chuckle. Natti noticed this and asked what was so funny.

She was told to look over her left shoulder at the 2 boys that had been following them. Natti turned back to Tara, and she said they’ve been following us for about 10min and they are checking you out. This is when you can use your girl's voice. Ms. Silvers didn’t understand what she meant and she said that Natti can talk like a girl. Natti had to show her mom that she could talk like a girl and then explain about trolling.

While the three were talking they didn’t notice the two boys had begun to get closer and then one of the boys spoke speaking directly to Natti, “Hi my name is Robby, Robert Gardner, and Lyle and I helped you with your bags yesterday. You were in quite a hurry and I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself”, the other boy broke in, “I’m Chris Bales and I wasn’t lucky enough to be chosen by Lyle to help you with your bags.

” This was a first for Natti and she looked at Tara who was all smiles so she turned to answer, “Oh I’m so sorry, but we were in quite a hurry yesterday and yes it was unfortunate that we weren’t properly introduced. My name is Natti Ainsworth, and this is my mother, and my friend here is Tara.” The two looked like miners that had just struck gold. The two boys said hello to Natti’s mom and then to Tara and then turned back to Natti and asked, “Are you also a friend of Lyle’s?” Natti told them that yesterday was the first time that she had ever met him and that he was a friend of Tara’s.” Just then Natti’s phone sounded the receipt of a text message and looking saw that it was

Janlei’s informing them of her appointment and would be expecting them in ten minutes.

Natti looked to the boys telling them that they had to go to her appointment but they could walk with them back to her consult. Robby thanked her and with that Chris began to walk with them back to the store. They chatted about the luck of running into them again, about what they had bought yesterday, and what they were going to do today. Natti told Robby that she was going to get a makeover, and he began playing on that and kind of laying it on with he didn’t think that she needed any, he thought she was very pretty just like she was, and he thought she had really pretty hair. Janlei’s wasn’t that far away and soon they were there.

As Ms. Silvers and Tara went inside Natti said goodbye to Robby who was clearly interested in seeing her saying that he hoped they would meet again. Then he said something all girls learn to watch out for, “You know I think you may just be the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.” Of course, this caused Natti to blush and kind of turn her head and that’s when Robby leaned in and gave her a peck on the cheek. She quickly looked up and watched as he began to walk away smiling. This unsettled Natti, there was just something about his smile as he was walking away. Natti would tell Tara about it later but was sure that she had just been had.

Tara told Miss Silvers that Natti needed to work on her boy skills, and Natti’s mom said that she was sorry that she had just never provided her with the proper training that she would need on such occasions because how could she have foreseen this result. Tara told her that she would help all that she could but Natti was like a babe in the woods. “I guess I am kind of to blame”, Tara continued, but she needs a crash course in Boys 101.

Natti went with her makeup consultant to her consultation booth with her mother and Tara. Her consultant tested her skin color with matching samples, tested the composition of her skin, and then formulated a makeup regimen. She showed Natti that her skin was quite normal in the amounts of moisture but deficient in lipids.

Her protein level was good, so she recommended a makeup that had an SPF 15 because in Florida she needed more protection than if she was in a higher latitude. Then she showed her how to apply her makeup and how to care for her skin. Alicia was really amazed at the result of her makeover. “See what did I tell you”, remarked Tara. Natti used her card to pay for the makeover and the makeup that she bought.

They drove back to Natti’s house and Tara and she started going through the boxes of clothes that her mother brought home that Sylvia had given her. Tara guided Natti on what would be good to keep, which was most of all the clothes as they were of good quality. Natti also let Tara take whatever she wanted as well as many fit her better than they did Natti.

Natti’s mom asked if they could show what clothes they would be wearing tomorrow. Tara said that she didn’t have hers here, but Natti could show her and since it was the same clothes she would just have to imagine them on her. Her mother sat on the couch and watched the fashion show put on by the two girls.

Monday it would be the green blouse, with the whitepleated skirt. They would match that with sheer white tights, white open-toed sandals, and a white purse. This was going to be so much fun.

Tuesday would be greeted with a dark maroon A-Line skirt matched with a sleeveless light pink lace top that buttoned up the back. The white purse and sandals would work with this one as well.

Wednesday was very special because that was the day of the sailor dress. It was almost a costume, but still very much a nice item. It was dark navy blue with a wide white collar and three wavy white lines going around the hem of the almost knee-length full skirt. The accent of four large round white buttons added to the nautical theme.

Thursday was the gypsy day with the gypsy-styled dark red-orange skirt matched with a light tan blouse with a gathered neckline and big puffy short sleeves. The blouse was made of a muslin type of fabric, and the effect of a knit handbag of various colors and brown with strapped open-toe sandals.

Friday would be pushing the boundaries day with a very short black mini and a black tank top that was very tight and left nothing to the imagination. There was a question of wearing it without a bra, but Natti’s mom wasn’t on board with that idea, and it was not pushing the boundaries as much as breaking the boundaries. They would wear short booties with a three-inch heel.

It was a lot of fun and Miss Silvers was ready to give Tara a ride back. Tara asked Natti to not go along because she wanted a few moments with her mom by herself. They said their goodbyes and they left. It was okay since Natti had to read two more stories.

As they rode along Tara told Natti’s mom that Robby kissed Natti and that they had to watch out for her. She told her what Natti had told her and boys like Robby would try to get all that they could get, so they really had to help guide her along. If a boy went to far and found out that Natti wasn’t a real girl, well that is something we need to avoid.

Alicia agreed and said that she would give them a ride to school the next day and agreed on a time to collect her. On the drive back she understood what Tara was talking about and she was glad that Natti had a friend like Tara. She knew that Tara was correct and added that to the fact that Natti was, oh what was the word, coming out as they say she would need a little bit closer attention for a little while.

When she saw her new daughter ready for school she was again stunned at how pretty she was. She knew that she was a boy, but you couldn’t call someone that looked so feminine a boy. As they drove over to Tara’s house she asked her what she had for breakfast, and Natti just remarked, “Oh just some cold pizza and I spread some peanut butter on the top.”

She looked at her and saw that cute smile that she was developing and those sparkling blue eyes, but unable to tell if she was serious or not. Natti reached over and patted her on her shoulder and while giggling said, “Dear, dear mother your beautiful daughter had puffed rice, mixed with strawberry yogurt to which I added some non-fat dry milk and some strawberries.”

You know Natti it is getting hard for me to tell when you are kidding with me, and you’ve been doing that a lot lately. I’m not complaining I actually like hearing that you’re in such a good mood. And where did you come up with that “Dear mother thing?” Natti looked at her and she replied, I don’t know, it’s just that I’m just so very happy. I used to feel so out of sorts when I woke up some days, well most days, and now it’s like every day is Christmas or something. I just feel so, so, me. It’s kind of hard to explain but for the first time in my life, I’m really happy and living life and not just existing.

They were coming up on Tara’s home and drove into her curved driveway and saw her standing on the steps in front of the double blue doors. Natti had the door open and she was jumping out and running to meet her. They grabbed each other and started to jump up and down screaming the way excited teen girls do at times. Alicia was sitting behind the wheel of her SUV smiling at the obvious joy the two girls felt. It was infectious and she almost wanted to get out and join them.

She saw the doors open, and she put her car in park and suddenly had an idea and grabbed her cellphone. Olivia Morgan was coming out of the house and she had an expensive-looking digital camera. The two girls posed for first one mother and then the other. Alicia greeted Olivia and mentioned how cute the girls were, and Olivia returned the sentiment adding that it was amazing how happy Tara had been the past two days. “I can’t believe how Natti has blossomed”, added Alicia. Mrs. Morgan added, “It is all Tara can talk about.

It’s like she has been set free from her cage. I’m just so glad that she isn’t seeing that Hartman boy anymore. I had no idea that he was telling everyone that Tara was his girl and that they were exclusive.” Alicia didn’t really look worried as they were piling into the car and she said, “I just hope the school administration can control the bad elements.” Olivia put her arm out and assured her that they would be fine.

The excited chatter was more like teen girls going to Disney World instead of to school. As she pulled into the line where parents were dropping off their children she heard the two in the back yelling out the windows and waving to friends. Their enthusiasm was getting to her and she felt sorry that she would miss their day together. She stopped and they jumped out and waved and thanked her for taking them to school. She waved back and encouraged them to have fun. She was smiling as she had to drive on to let other parents drop off their charges.

Just as soon as the two got out they started up the walk, but then stopped. Tara told Natti that we should get in step for walking up to the school. They stopped and put their feet together and then started off on their left foot and stayed in step as they walked up the walk and up the wide steps to enter the school. On the way, they linked arms together. It wasn’t a conscious thought or planned out, it was just what two teen friends would do in their joyous reverie. There was a sense of carnival in the air as the adolescence mass parted for them as the impromptu guests of honor walked, well skipped through the crowded mass.

As they finally entered the building the den of the mass all talking at once was reverberating off the metal of the lockers, the hard tiled floors, and the hard plaster-covered walls. The two “look-alikes”, where walking, and Natti spoke to people and got the strangest looks as she called out their names and greetings. Tara on the other hand seemed to be getting the warmest welcomes from the girls that she spoke to and Natti pointed this out. Tara replied oh nonsense how could anyone not be happy that this was the last week of school, and a drop-dead gorgeous girl was talking to them.

There was really no reason for either of them to go to their lockers but both of them wanted to go, so when Natti told Tara that she wanted to go to her locker and pick up a notebook she bartered a deal saying that she could go if she would go with her to her locker. The pact was made and the first stop was to Tara’s locker there one of her friends walked over and greeted Tara, “Hey what do you know, last week of being institutionalized, it is so fried. All day laying by the pool and the beach during the week. Hey, who’s your friend? I’m sorry is Orange Blossom showing you around?”

Natti just looked at Shyla checking her out and then when she introduced herself and offered her hand Natti spoke. “Shyla, you know me. True we aren’t really good friends, but Tara introduce us last week.” Shyla just blanked out and stared at Natti. Tara looked at Shyla thinking at first that she might have forgotten, but then it hit her. She didn’t recognize Natti.

She laughed and Shyla looked at her not understanding why she was laughing and she slapped Natti on her arm explaining, “Oh Natti, she just doesn’t recognize that it’s you. Don’t you see when you’ve been talking to people and they’ve acted like they didn’t know who you were, it’s because they didn’t know who you are?

Shyla this is the new and improved Nathan, or now Natti”, she just stood there, and then it hit her, and when it did her jaw literally dropped open. Shyla stepped back and looked Natti up and down from her hair down to her feet. “OH MY GOD! No, it can’t be. I mean I never would have guessed”, and looked at Tara, and then a smile came across her face.

Tara took her by her arm and started to walk with the poor girl unable to stop looking at Natti and telling her about the weekend. She finally accepted that it was indeed the new and improved Nathan, and the poor girl lost it. Now she couldn’t stop laughing. Then finally saying I’m going everywhere with you two today, and then to Natti, she looked at her and finally through her laughing said, “This is going to be good, it’s going to be so fried.”

The short walk to Natti’s locker, and then to their homeroom was followed first by Shyla, then Allie, and after that Remy, and in no time flat there was a throng following them. The ones that didn’t follow them took off to spread the word. When they reached homeroom Tara bargained for the girl that sat next to her to change seats with her so Natti and she could be the bookends they were playing.

Miss Clayburn saw Tara and Natti and looked around not understanding and then voices from other seats began to point out who Natti had been before, and then the laughter started all over again. Finally, she held up her hands and had Natti and Tara come to the front of the class so that everyone could see them and the class could continue, just as the bell sounded. Tara and Natti returned to their seats but not before Miss Clayburn and most of the rest of the produced banned cell phones to snap pictures. Some had been taking videos from the hallway.

The three gongs sounded and the intercom crackled to life. “This is your principal Mrs. Reeves and I’d like to welcome the student body to the last week of school. Traditionally the last week of school will be a time of assemblies and an inhale before the long breath of summer, but I want to remind the student body that the rules still apply. You are to act your age and even though you may see things that you have only read about, good order and discipline will be the order of the day.

Natti looked to Tara and whispered have you ever heard Mrs. Reeves give the daily announcements? Tara shook her head and returned the whisper saying It’s probably just because it is the last week of the year.

The announcements continued, “We have a zero-tolerance policy for violence and bullying. This also follows you off the school grounds. Now we can’t dictate what you do when you are off campus, but if you engage in any kind of behavior that would not be tolerated on campus I will take swift and corrective action up to and including reporting to the lawful authorities.

So if you don’t want to spend your summer vacation in Haute juvenile detention you might want to carry along a student handbook. If you don’t think you can abide by the school policy and the laws of Miami county then maybe you should seek education elsewhere. Now Mr. Eastman your vice principal will finish the daily announcements.

Natti looked to where his friend Steve Wilson usually sat and saw Stephanie Wilson sitting there in a dark blush gray blouson dress. Natti waved and her friend waved back. They got a chance to talk at lunch and there was very little eating. There was a carrot stick fight but it was all in good nature. There were a few suggestions that the Monday following the last week of school they should have a beach day party.

The summer was reviewed, upcoming concerts, and the Cos Con (which is slated to be huge), but the most talked about topic was the Shopping Trip. There was massive support for the 7 students that actually dressed. Some looked kind of rough to be sure and Natti was by far and away the most convincing and there were more than a few that had questions.

She was getting tired of answering the same questions and finally said that she would answer all their questions by email if they wanted to email. That way she could just answer all the questions and send it out that way. Then she thought about another way and run it by Tara, “Hey I could start a youtube channel and do a live stream and just have people ask me that way.” Tara was kidding her about her “Illusions of grandeur.” All in all, it was a good time for lots of people.

But there were those even after the daily announcement who still tried to instigate some sort of violence. Natti began to keep track after about three or four times of someone calling him faggot, queer boy, and worse and stopped when he got to ten. Tara said she had been talking to some of the girls and they had decided that the best way stop the violence was to make what she called the Hand Pact.

Natti asked her what that was and she said that there was a petition going around and anyone that signed it would not have anything to do with anyone that started any trouble, which included bullying and name calling. Natti said that was admirable but what could that do?

She said that by rights Natti should also be signing the pact. She asked well what did the pact say? She just explained that anyone that started any violence, bullying, or name-calling would not be dating anyone that signed the pact.

Natti then understood what the pact meant. She thought for a moment then summed it all up. Anyone that starts anything would only be able to date their hand. Tara looked at him and the group of girls that were listening all had the light bulb moment. To be honest there were still a few that didn’t get it and Tara explained that they could go to the movies and hold their own hand.