Dressing the Part

Jess barely made it to her first class on time. Adjusting to life as a woman was already overwhelming, but now she had to sit through lectures and pretend everything was normal. She slipped into the back of the physics lecture hall just as the professor started writing equations on the board. Jess exhaled in relief—until she spotted Leanna.

She was three rows ahead, taking notes with perfect posture, completely unaware of Jess’s presence. Jess sank into her seat, her mind racing. Of course Leanna was in this class. Because why not make this whole thing even more complicated?

After class, Jess tried to slip out unnoticed, but Hannah and Olivia caught her outside.

“Hey, roomie!” Hannah grinned. “So, we were talking, and we decided you need a wardrobe upgrade.”

Jess blinked. “What?”

Olivia nodded. “No offense, but you’ve been wearing Kevin’s clothes, and it’s not working.”

Jess crossed her arms. “I think I’m fine.”

Hannah rolled her eyes. “Come on. You live with us now. We can’t let you walk around campus looking like you got lost in the men’s department.”

Jess groaned. “Shopping isn’t exactly high on my priority list.”

Hannah smirked. “Yeah, and you’re terrible at lying, so that’s cute.”

Olivia grinned. “Leanna, back us up. She needs real clothes, right?”

Jess glanced at Leanna, hoping she’d shut this down.

Instead, Leanna sighed. “She’s not wrong. You need stuff that actually fits you.”

Jess scowled. “Et tu, Leanna?”

Hannah clapped her hands. “Mall trip settled! Leanna, you take her.”

Leanna’s expression flickered. “Wait, why me?”

“Because Olivia and I have study group,” Hannah said sweetly. “And you and Jess bonding would be great for apartment harmony.”

Leanna hesitated. Jess didn’t blame her—this was the last thing either of them wanted.

But after a long pause, Leanna exhaled. “Fine.”

Jess groaned. “Great.”

—------------------------------------

The drive to the mall was awkward.

Jess sat stiffly in the passenger seat while Leanna kept her eyes on the road, saying nothing.

Finally, Jess broke the silence. “So. Physics.”

She could’ve asked about the party. About the drink. About the way Leanna looked at her sometimes—like she already knew the punchline. But Jess wasn’t ready to tear open that door yet. Not with the ground still shifting under her feet.

Leanna glanced at her. “What?”

“We have the same class. Didn’t know that.”

Leanna nodded. “Yeah.”

Silence again. Jess sighed. “You’re real chatty, huh?”

Leanna smirked. “Not much to talk about.”

Jess wanted to argue, but she let it go.

—---------------------------------

The mall was a nightmare. Hannah and Olivia had given Leanna a list of “essentials,” and Leanna was determined to follow it. Jess, on the other hand, just wanted to grab the basics and leave.

“No way,” Leanna said, pushing a pile of clothes into Jess’s arms. “You’re trying these on.”

Jess groaned. “This is ridiculous.”

Leanna arched an eyebrow. “You want to keep wearing Kevin’s basketball shorts?”

Every moment with Leanna felt like tiptoeing around a tripwire—she didn’t know what would set off the truth, or what the truth even was. But deep down, she was starting to wonder if Leanna was waiting for her to ask.

Jess muttered something under her breath and stomped into the fitting room. Trying on clothes was weird. Everything fit differently. The jeans hugged in ways he wasn’t used to, the shirts were tighter, and don’t even get her started on the bra situation.

She sighed, stepping out. “Happy now?”

Leanna eyed her, then shrugged. “Not bad. You actually look like you belong in your own body.”

Jess scoffed. “Thanks, I guess.”

Leanna hesitated. “It’s… probably a lot. Adjusting.”

Jess blinked. It was the first time Leanna had acknowledged that anything was strange about this.

Jess hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. It is.”

Leanna’s expression softened—just for a second.

“Come on,” she said, voice a little gentler. “Let’s get out of here.”

Jess followed, still unsure about Leanna. But for the first time since she moved into the apartment, Jess thought maybe, just maybe, they weren’t completely on opposite sides.