No matter how bad my days can get, I always thank the one friend who's been by my side since forever: Marco. He's helped me through almost everything, like when my parents got divorced and my mom had to go through a lot of guys (some of them rude and stupid) before she found the right one. And there was those times I got in a fight and almost got suspended. And finally, the time that we were at a party and someone spiked the punch I had drank. Now, he's helping me through this ordeal, and I really owe him big time.

But the thing was, I didn't understand why I was suddenly thinking about him like this. I mean, he's a great guy to have as a friend, but then suddenly I started to think of him as my knight in shining armor or something. Is this what girls do when they hang out with guys for awhile? Ugh, what a terrible feeling. The feeling is kind of like, as Vice Principal Levi would say, "trying to take a shit, but the shit won't come out." And the worst part is, I still continued to think about him throughout the day.

It started when he invited me over to his house like he usually did. His mom was surprised to say the least, but his sisters were thrilled. They wanted to put bows in my hair and even brought out one of Marco's mom's Sunday dresses. Needless to say, we were both really embarrassed. But I couldn't also help but think, from that incident, that I did need some temporary clothes since there was no way in hell that I'd wear what my mom was wearing (even I had the common sense to dress like a teen). I decided I'd go after visiting Marco for awhile, and possibly maybe bring him with me.

...

Wait, just what am I even thinking? Marco was not my boyfriend that I dragged along to go shopping with. He wasn't and never will be. I just needed him to come with me since I'm not 100% comfortable shopping in the girls department. I mean, since he had sisters, he should know what stuff they like to wear right? I stared at Marco, who was about to pop in Left 4 Dead, when he caught me staring out of the corner of his eyes. He gave me a questioning look.

"What's up Jane? Need something?" I almost cringed when he called me Jane because I wasn't used to it.

"Uh, nothin'. I was just going to ask... you know what? Nevermind, it's stupid." This was stupid. Why am I doing this. And of course Marco, being Marco, just had to keep pushing it.

"No way! You have to tell me now!"

"No."

"Teeelll me."

"Hell no, you'll think it's ridiculous."

"Coome ooooooooooooooon. Pleeease." His voice was so obnoxiously annoying that I finally snapped. Damn Marco for making me tell him everything.

"Okay fine. But, you have to swear not to laugh, okay?" I asked, sounding a little bit immature. He nodded vigorously and leaned closer. It was weird, but my heart suddenly skipped a best when he did that. "Marco, will, will you go clothes shopping with me? I need better fitting clothes." I said firmly, trying to cover up the embarrassment I felt. Surprisingly, he only looked at me for a moment before smiling and giving a response.

"Of course I'll go shopping with you. You could've asked earlier you know. Friends do things for friends, right?" God I was so happy when he said that. Marco was like a saint for always being this nice. Maybe I'd start calling him Freckled Jesus from now on.

"Thank god! Let's go after we slaughter those Boomers!" I said as we started playing the game. Marco laughed.

"I don't think I've ever heard a girl say that in my life."

Our gaming session ended quicker than I would've liked, and now it was off to the store. Once we got in, we headed straight for the girl's department. Spaghetti strap tank tops, colorful skinny jeans, and ruffl-y blouses were what mainly lined this department. And of course, who could forget the lingerie section? I shuddered at the thought.

"Alright Jane, what're you looking for?" Marco asked, rummaging around the jeans. I thought for a moment.

"I don't want to be a super girly chick, but I don't want to be one of those weird scene girls either," Marco nodded. "Oh, also, make sure my pants have plenty of hip space. And also make sure my shirts don't say yolo!" Marco laughed at this.

"Aw man, I just found the perfect shirt for that too!" he said, holding up a shirt that said in bright, pink letters, 'you only live once.' My expression must've been priceless to Marco, who was now doubled over in laughter.

"Marco, what do you think of this one?" I shouted, holding up a blue and red stripped shirt. It had been about a half an hour, and so far all I found was a stripped shirt, two solid colored ones, and one with an owl on it. I'm not really sure why I liked it, I just did. Marco had helped me along the way, pointing out the ones that fit the best. He nodded his approval and I fist pumped.

"Yes! Score four for Jane!" Marco laughed and came over with jeans he found in the aisle over.

"The lady said these were the best for curvy-ish girls, so I'm going to trust her." he said. I shrugged. It didn't matter that much to- wait a minute. I looked at the jeans closer.

"The fuck is this shit?" I reached for the pocket and tried to stick my hand in. But I couldn't stick my hand in. At all. The pocket was sewn shut.

What the actual fuck. What the actual fuck.

"Wha- why?! What's the point of having a god damn pocket when it's sewn shut?! Put those back Marco, I don't want to see that useless piece of shit ever again in my life!" I could tell Marco was trying not to lose his shit, but I didn't care. Jeans aren't real jeans if there's no pockets. I then inspected the others, to make sure they weren't... defective like that one. Thankfully, none of them were. However, the pockets were still super small. I couldn't even fit my hand all the way in for gods sakes! I sighed. It would just have to do for now. So, now that I had my shirts and pants, next was the... underwear. I quickly looked over to Marco, and seriously considered just telling him to look somewhere else while I found my necessities.

Come on, is it really that hard to say? I mentally scolded myself. You can say panties. I know you can. You've said boobs and panties and bras a million times so just do it now. But for some reason, when it was Marco, I got all flustered. Not that I like him or anything, but, he was like, the greatest friend I've ever had. Plus, I was an awkward girl now, doing girl things in front of a boy who just happened to remember me as another boy. Okay, now I was just stalling. I swallowed and walked straight up to him, showing no awkwardness whatsoever (or at least I thought).

"Marco, I'm gonna look in the lingerie section now." I told him. He seemed to get the message, for he blushed a little bit and told me he'd wait by the dressing rooms. Thank god that wasn't as painful as I thought it was going to be. That was, until the lady had to measure me for my bra size. I did not know that it was so violating to be measured.

"Marco, can you grab me a size up in these?" I shouted over the stall as I lifted the jeans up and over for him to grab. So far all the shirts I had fit perfectly, but the jeans were either too small or too loose around my waist. Man, I didn't realize a lot of work went into building girl's clothes until I got hips. Marco came back quicker than I expected and handed me the last pair of pants I had told him to get me. Huh. Maybe I should step out and make sure I don't have a cameltoe, because these were kind of tight around the crotch area. The mirror in there was broken, which was really annoying because now I had to step outside and hope some asshole didn't take my stall. I stepped out for a moment, and turned to see one of the strangest sights of my life. It was Marco, just staring in awe. It was almost as if he suddenly saw God or some shit.

"What?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips. He just shook his head.

"It's nothing. You just look really pretty, is all. Not saying that to be weird though!" If I had to be honest with myself, I'd say that I was pretty flattered with that for some reason. I started to blush, and headed back to the dressing room.

What was happening to me? Was it girly hormones? Or something more? Either way, it couldn't be that bad. I'll get over it soon, I just know it.