A/N: A/N: I've been working on AoS and not liking how it's turning out. So while I figure that out, here's another chapter of Tammy Takes on the Upside Down. I thought we might need something light (at least lighter than some of my other stuff). I hope all of you are doing well and are safe.

Chapter Six

If I was going to succeed at self defence, I would need to get into shape. At least, work out enough to gain a full recognition of Tammy's body. Karate was one thing, but I needed more. My best bet, the easiest thing to do would be to start running. Running was boring though. I would need music.

Radioshack was in the heart of the town. It was busier than I expected, more cluttered. There were a lot of boxes and large electronics. I was so used to everything being small. It was weird.

"Hi there! Welcome to Radio Shack! My name's Bob, anything in particular you're looking for?"

I turned to look at the man that had come up to me. He was a bit shorter than me and he looked vaguely familiar. I couldn't place it though.

"Hi!" I said. "I could definitely use help."

"It's a little overwhelming, isn't it?" He smiled at me and it was comforting to see that he was just being friendly.

"A bit. Technology always is though, especially at how fast it advances."

His smile turned into a grin. "A fan! Well, welcome to the den of discovery. We got everything! What are you looking for?"

"Um…" I tried to think of the right terms for what I was looking for. "Tapes. Cassettes for music."

"Well, we have those," he laughed slightly. "Come on, I'll show you where they are."

Bob turned out to be entertaining. He was quick on his feet, funny and really genuine. It was a rare trait in a guy. He was also totally in love with his girlfriend, considering he had mentioned her at least three times so far. It was sweet.

"Are you sure you have the right stereo? You want to make sure it'll be a clear recording."

"I'm...pretty sure," I said. Truth be told, I had no idea what type of stereo Tammy had. I just knew that she had one.

"Alright, well these should work. If they don't, if the recording isn't great, come back. We'll get you hooked up with the right ones."

"Thank you, I really appreciate it," I held out my hand. "I'm Tammy Thompson, by the way."

"Bob Newby," he said before shaking my hand. "Let's get you cashed out and you'll be making your mixes in no time."

I left the store with the cassettes. Now, all I had to do was try to remember how to record them.

Going back to school felt like I was dragging my own corpse around. I was exhausted. My body hurt more than it did the day before, and I was going back to the class that night. I couldn't wait until Tammy's body acclimated to it.

I had managed to survive gym class by sheer will. I heard the laughter as I got to the locker I used to store my stuff in the change room. I was getting pretty used to hearing whispers as I walked by, but laughter was new. As soon as I opened the locker, I knew why.

My clothes were gone.

I looked over to where the laughing got louder. Carol was standing there with two other girls.

"Lose something?" She snarked.

"I think I just saw some hair falling out, Carol. You should get that looked at." Her eyes narrowed, but as I turned back to my locker I saw her reach up for her head.

She had stolen my clothes. I looked down at what I was wearing. The gym uniform consisted of tight red shorts that came to my mid thigh and a white t-shirt. It wasn't the worst I could wear. I shrugged, grabbed my bag and closed the door. If they thought this would embarrass me, they were wrong. I had come from a time where a person was encouraged to feel comfortable in whatever they wore regardless of their body type.

I left the locker room and I could feel their stares on my back. Let them talk.

"Miss. Thompson. Miss. Thompson!"

I was nearly at shop class when one of the teachers had finally called my name. Whispers and cat calls had followed me since I left the gym. I had ignored most of them and gave the finger to others. I turned as soon as I remembered he was talking to me.

"Yes?"

It was a teacher that I didn't recognize. Tammy had to have had him before if he knew who she was.

"What are you wearing?"

"Gym clothes," I said. He stormed towards me.

"I can see that. Where are your regular clothes?"

I shrugged. "Good question. I put them in the locker for gym, and when I came back, they were gone. It was almost like magic." He did not look amused.

"This is completely inappropriate! You cannot go wandering the halls like...this."

I knew exactly what he was trying to imply. I put my hands on my hips and glared at him. "Like what?"

His jaw clenched and I could see him trying to figure out how to phrase what he really wanted to say. "You cannot go around the school wearing inappropriate clothing."

"With all due respect, sir, this is school regulated clothing. If it was inappropriate, we shouldn't be wearing it for gym class, now would we?"

He grabbed my arm. "That's it, to the principal's office."

I waved at Ms. Callahan as I was nearly dragged into the room.

"Mr. Hughs! What is the meaning of this?" Ms. Callahan stood up at the sight of us.

"She is completely insubordinate and purposefully causing a ruckus wearing this outfit outside of her gym class!"

I pulled my arm from his grasp. "Excuse you, sir, but at what point was I being insubordinate? You asked why I was wearing this and I told you my clothes went missing out of my locker. I then stated that this outfit couldn't be inappropriate because it is a standard gym uniform."

"Do you see what I mean?" he waved an arm towards me. "She is clearly ignoring the rules, likely wanting the boys following her like dogs with their tongues hanging out of their mouths! It is clear that she is doing it for the attention, just like taking Shop!"

Ms. Callahan was watching both of us closely but had yet to say anything. I made a face at Mr. Hughs.

"I don't think I like what you're suggesting, sir," I enunciated clearly. "This sounds like you were the one looking at me inappropriately." He made a noise of outrage. I cut him off before he could interrupt. "And it clearly states in the rules and regulations that students must wear appropriate clothing including skirts that are no shorter than their fingers reach. It does not say that gym clothing must only be worn in the gym. Also, if this outfit is so inappropriate, then why are we made to wear it in the one class where we are moving the most? Doesn't that sound off to you?"

He stepped towards me. "Listen you little hussy-"

"Mr. Hughs!" The principal called out, breaking up any further impending fight.

I jutted out my chin towards him, daring him to continue. I had memorized the rules when I was choosing courses. I had years of experience in dealing with uncooperative males.

"That was completely inappropriate," the principal continued. "You cannot talk to a student in such a manner."

"But she-"

The principal raised a hand to stop him. "Regardless of the present issue. Now, Miss. Thompson, why are you not in your street clothes?"

"As I told Mr. Hughs, I put them in my locker at the beginning of class and when I went back, they were gone. Thus, I had no choice. I stand by my point though, if this outfit is inappropriate, then we shouldn't be wearing it in gym class. Also, I do not appreciate being spoken to by a teacher like this. I want to call my father." I aimed for Tammy's father because I had a feeling they'd listen to him more. I also figured that he'd be upset enough if I phrased it that a male teacher was gawking at me. I just had to get them to give me his number. "Now, please."

I was correct in my assumption that Tammy's father would be upset. He was furious. Ms. Callahan had lent me an extra sweater of hers as I sat in the office. I could hear him yelling from my spot near her desk. It was great. It also shouldn't have come to this.

Tammy's father walked out of the office. "Let's go Tammy."

I followed after him, waving to Ms. Callahan and hearing the principal still arguing with Mr. Hughs. "What happened?"

"He's been warned. A written one in his file about his conduct. If he ever talks to you like that again, you tell me, got it?" He looked at me as he opened the car door.

"Yup," I said. I had never seen her father like this. It was a typical protective father anger, and it made me miss my dad. He was sweet until someone did something to the people he cared about.

He drove me home and I spent the rest of the night telling the story to her mother and then listening as Tammy's father argued about it over dinner.

"Well," her mother said. "Maybe he had a point?"

"He did not have a point!" I snapped, shocking them both. "It shouldn't matter what a girl wears, men and boys have no right to stare and gawk and think that the woman owes them something because they're attracted to her! She doesn't!"

"If anyone tries to convince you that you owe them something, I give you full permission to use the skills you gain at class and knock them out," her father said, pointing his fork at me.

"Sam!"

"Deana!"

I grinned at him and he winked at me before he continued eating.

"Hey Tammy!" I looked across the cafeteria to see someone waving at me. Was I supposed to know who them? Did Tammy? I waved back before I sat down across from Robin.

"Did you really get Mr. Hughs fired?"

"What?" I looked at her. She was leaning forward, arms crossed on the table. "No!"

She shrugged and leaned back. "That's the rumour. They said he hit on you and dragged you to the office where your father caught him and got him fired." My mouth fell open.

"Wow. That's not what happened. He dragged me to the office because I was wearing my gym clothes to class because Carol stole my regular clothes out of my locker. He didn't appreciate me telling him that they couldn't be inappropriate because they were standard issue. Then in the office he accused me of wandering purposefully to get male attention and I called him out saying that if that's how he felt, it was likely he was looking at me inappropriately. Then he called me a hussy. The principal heard him and I told her I wanted to call my father." I started to eat my food.

"You don't do anything by halves, do you?"

"Nope," I said. "Apparently not."

"Well, you certainly keep things interesting."

I grinned at her. "That's my goal in life. To keep things interesting. How else am I going to make sure I'm not bored. You don't mind, do you? That people are talking about me?"

She looked confused. "No? Does it bother you?"

"Not really," I shrugged. "It doesn't really matter what they say about me. I know my truth and if others can't handle it or want to talk and speculate instead of just asking me, that's on them. If they're going to believe the rumours, that's not my problem. I have bigger fish to fry." I took a bite of my sandwich. Robin was good people. If I wanted to actually cultivate a friendship, we needed to hang out outside of school. "Hey, what are you doing this weekend?"

"Nothing, why?" She looked a little suspicious.

"Want to sleep over? I have Karate at four but I'll be done by five."

"Um, sure?"

"Great!" I grinned at her. "Want me to pick you up when I'm done? We can get movies, junk food...all the good stuff."

"Yeah," she nodded slowly before smiling. "Yeah, alright."

[tbc]