• Everybody calls me Robin. That’s not my real name, though. It’s Rob. My sister Amy started it all when I was four. At the time, our favorite show to watch together was Batman and Robin. I even had the pajamas, and for several Halloweens in a row, I dressed as Robin. I think I just liked wearing the tights.

    Now we’re older, still people call me Robin. I don’t mind that much, really. I like it. Sometimes my Dad will call me by my real name, but only if I’m in trouble. Like now.

    “ROB!” I heard him yell.

    I sigh, coming out of my room. My Dad is at the kitchen counter, still dressed in his clothes from work, his tie loosened about his neck. He was holding a letter in his hands, and it had my school logo on it. Uh oh.

    “What’s this?”

    I bite my lip. “Um…”

    “You got into another fight?! I can’t believe this! They say that if you get into another fight at school, they’ll suspend you!”

    I look down at my feet, crossing my arms across my chest. “What was I supposed to do, Dad, just let them hit me?”

    Mom and Amy walked into the house, stopping short as they saw Dad and me. “What’s going on?” Mom asked, taking the letter from Dad. She read it through quickly, while Amy dropped her bookbag on the floor, rolling her eyes.

    She goes off to her room, and I want to follow her, but I know Mom and Dad aren’t finished with me yet.

    -

    That night, I go to Amy’s room. She’s getting ready for a date with her boyfriend. They’ve been going out for two months now- longer than any other boyfriend she’s had. I watch her put her makeup on, from my place at the end of her bed.

    “Don’t you have homework or something to do?”

    I shrug. “Finished it already. So…what are you guys doing tonight?”

    “Probably a movie. Dinner at Chuck’s.” She said, brushing some blush on.

    “Use that pink lipstick, then. The red would be too dark for that outfit.”

    She smiled slightly at me in the mirror, picking up her pale pink lipstick. “You know, I think you’re right.” She put it on, and I sighed.

    She looked at me in the mirror, putting the cap back on. “What? What’s the matter? Still upset about Dad and Mom getting onto you?”

    “It’s not my fault the guys at school are jerks.”

    She laughed, turning around to face me. “Not all of them are. What about that Pete guy?”

    I raise my eyebrow. “Are you serious? Julia’s brother? He’s…crazy, or something. I heard that he smokes.” I make a face. I hate people who smoke. It makes me want to gag.

    Amy rolls her eyes. “So, you going to see Julia and Holly soon?”

    “Tomorrow, probably. Want to come with?”

    “No, I’ve got practice.” She slips into her shoes, looking at herself in the mirror. “You don’t think I’m gaining weight, do you?” She asks, turning every which way, looking at herself in the mirror.

    “No. You look fine.” I mumble.

    -

    After she leaves, I go to the back of her closet, and grab the dark blue dress she never wears. I’ve worn it before though. She likes more revealing clothes, and this certainly wasn't revealing- which meant it was perfect for me. She got it as a Christmas present last year from our Grandma. I make sure the coast is clear before running to my room across the hall, the dress in my hands. I lock my door behind me, and take off my clothes.

    I pull on the dress over my head, and I look in the mirror that’s on my closet door. I’m short for a guy- I get it from my Mom’s side of the family. I’ve started to grow out my hair, it’s just reaching past my chin now. I brush my hair, attempting to style it into something that looks good. I look at myself in the dress.

    I started doing this when I was seven. I think Amy and I were playing house with some of her friends, and they had dressed me up. We had gotten caught by our Mom, and I was never allowed to play House with them again.

    But I still dressed up in Amy’s clothes. When no one is looking, of course. I go to my closet, and on the very top shelf, I have my old Batman lunchbox. I take it down, and open it up on my bed. It’s full of little odds and ends I’ve collected over the years. Clip on earrings that had been Amy’s when she was eight- barrettes, nail polish, blush, and lipgloss. And a whole bunch of cash adding up to 392 Dollars. I was saving up for a camera. I had been begging my parents for one for almost two years now, and they had yet to get one for me.

    But my birthday was coming up. I was turning 16, and I would finally get my license. Amy and I would have to share the car now, but I didn’t care.

    I stared at myself in the little mirror that was on the inside of the case. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. You see…those boys at school tease me because they think I’m gay. I’ve never actually come out and said it, but I’m pretty sure I do like boys. I’m friends with a lot of girls, but I’m not interested in them.

    The only thing I'm really into about them is their clothes and things. I know it's a little strange, but I've always liked it. I know people say it's wrong, but...clothes are clothes, and I feel good wearing them. I feel...right.

    -
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