The Rod of Gender Transformation Ch. 9

As the duo walked in Target, Brianna was clearly on the verge of panicking. Her eyes darted around like a rabbit walking into a pack of wolves.

Lucas placed a (hopefully calming) hand on her shoulder. “If this is too much we can come back another time?” he said softly.

Brianna shook her head. “No. I have to do this. I mean, this is nothing. It’s just a store. I’m being really irrational.”

“If you’re sure you’re okay,” Lucas said.

Brianna nodded, her mouth set in a firm line. “I can do this.” she said, seemingly to herself.

Lucas walked beside her as they headed towards the women’s clothes. As they reached the edge of the section, Brianna suddenly stopped.

“You good?” Lucas asked.

Brianna took a deep breath. “I just–I feel like I’m not supposed to be here. I feel like I’m going to make someone uncomfortable.”

“Even if that happens, that’s that person’s problem. And it probably won’t happen anyway.” Lucas said. He took one step forward into the section. “See? Not the end of the world.”

Brianna took several more deep breaths. “I can’t do this. I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be sorry! It’s fine! There’s no rush, okay? There’s no failure here. Do you wanna go get a soft pretzel?”

“That sounds nice,” Brianna said, before burying her face in her hands.

“Oh no! Oh no no no,” Lucas said, rushing to her side and embracing his quietly sobbing friend. “It’s okay. It’s okay, Brianna.”

After a bit, Brianna’s sobs slowed down and diminished to just a sniffle, and she pulled herself back upright.

“Hey, actually, why don’t you go ahead and get a soft pretzel for each of us? I, uh, gotta pee,” Lucas said.

“Okay,” Brianna said. “I’ll meet you over there.”

As Brianna turned and walked away, Lucas briefly steepled his fingers and grinned. Little did she know that he had just conceived of a brilliant scheme.