9. King, Err, Queen Of Lies

"Yearwood for three," Carissa told the receptionist. "I have mani's and pedi's booked."

"Yes ma'am, we're ready for you. Ladies," said the girl after checking her appointment book. "Follow me, please."

Taylor was ready to shit his pants when he saw where they were and heard what Carissa said to the receptionist.

As they were led past the desk, the pungent smell of nail polish, acrylic, and polish remover filled his nose and turned his stomach.

Taylor was shaking when Carissa took their bags and he and Kaylee were quickly ushered to seats at a small table opposite a couple Korean women.

Taylor looked over at Kaylee. She did look quite as bothered by what was happening, but why would she be? She's probably done this a hundred times.

Clarissa had some discussions with the woman in front of Kaylee, but Taylor didn't hear what she was saying. He was too busy studying Kaylee's body language. She was smiling at her mom but didn't look exactly thrilled. Maybe she didn't like this girly-girl stuff nearly as much as her mom wanted her to.

When Carissa finished with Kaylee, she turned to the lady in front of him. She took his trembling hand in hers while they talked.

Taylor looked at his fingers, watching while the lady rubbed them softly to calm him down before inserting them into a spongy thing that kept them separated.

He knew what was about to happen and he closed his eyes, desperately wishing to find it had all been a bad dream.

He knew it wasn't a dream though, but more like a nightmare as he could feel her working on his nails. In his mind he could hear his brother threatening him within an inch of his life if he didn't go through with all of this. He also held on to the possibility of getting that dream gaming console and games out of the deal too.

Taylor would glance up every once and awhile as she trimmed, shaped and buffed his sloppy nails, but it was too hard for him to watch the inevitable.

When new, stronger fumes penetrated his nostrils, his eyes popped wide open just in time to see the first stroke of colored polish brushed across his first nail. It was like it was happening in slow motion, yet it was over in a flash and he was ready to explode in a fit of rage.

His nails were being painted to match the deep scarlet red of his tunic.

"Keep them fanned out," yelled Carissa from the station where she was having hers done, when they stood him up.

"You have had your nails done before, right?"

"Oh, not often enough, of course, and never in place like this," said Craig, walking up behind them.

He kissed Carissa's cheek. "What a nice surprise, Carissa. You're just spoiling them."

"Oh, stop it," teased Carissa.

"She deserves a nice treat. She's a darling and I'm about to spoil you too. Sit down right there."

"Me?" Craig asked, surprised.

"Yeah you," said Carissa, grinning at him. "I think it's wonderful when men take care of themselves, like getting a good manicure. Now sit down, I'm treating you as well."

"Who am I to argue with an insistent woman like you?" asked Craig, sitting at the station next to Carissa.

"Exactly," giggled Carissa.

Craig was worried about what was about to happen, but he knew he needed to do it. What would it benefit him to argue with Carissa? Besides, he kinda owed Taylor, as well.

"Now relax and let's all enjoy our little pampering."

Craig sat next to her enjoying the conversation until finally his hands were under the dyer, having his clear finish baked on.

When he finally got up, he realized Taylor had been moved across the room and was sitting next to Kaylee in an elevated chair as they were both now having their toes painted.

"See, your hands look and feel so much better, don't they,"  Clarissa asked, touching one of his now softer nails. "You sure you didn't want Cherry blossom pink or scarlet red like the girls?"

"No, I'm good with the clear coat," said Craig and they shared a laugh.

"I think you've more than done enough for both of us. We'll have to leave for Taylor's game once her nails are done."

"I really wish you didn't have to go," said Carissa, looking into his eyes. "But I understand. Oh, I have one more little thing that I have been trying to get Kaylee to do, but haven't yet been able to get her to go through with. I thought maybe if Taylor did it with her she'd be fine, so I thought I'd ask you first. It's quick, plus young girls can be so funny about things and I just thought it would really help her be a bit more feminine. Look at them over there together. They look so adorable, right? So we could have them do it right here, and--"

"No problem," said Craig, stopping her mid-sentence.

He was such putty in her hands he'd agree to just about anything, even without knowing what she was asking.

"Whatever helps you and Kaylee, then count Taylor in. I realize she's a bit of a tomboy, but spending time with you has really been good for both of us."

"You're amazing, Craig. I figured their birthstone colors, okay?" said Carissa, quickly kissing his cheek and giving a thumbs up to a young Korean girl in the back.

"You two wanna come over later for dinner," Carissa asked Craig as the girl approached. "I'm a pretty good cook."

Craig jumped at the offer. "That would be fantastic. We can change and come over right after the game. Oh, she's an April birthday."

"Sounds wonderful. I'll stop by the grocery while you guys are at the game," said Carissa, distracted by one of the workers.

"Yes, the brunette first. She's April. Want me to hug her while you do it, so she's not too rattled?"

"No, that's fine. We work in teams so it's quick," said the woman motioning over another worker.

Carissa was almost biting her new nails, watching them approach Taylor. He was barely paying attention when the lady twisted his neck.

Carissa put her head on Craig's shoulder, unable to watch and Craig's jaw dropped hearing Taylor screech.

"Noooooo!" screamed Taylor before the woman put her palm over his mouth. Taylor practically jumped from the chair as a second woman restrained him.

Carissa broke from Craig and ran over, hugging him. "You're so brave, and its all over sweetie. Trust me, you'll never have to be fearful about this again when you're older, if you do a few more."

Just as Carissa squeezed Taylor, he felt the second pinch. Not only did he feel a pinch, but something shot through his body like a mild jolt of electricity that flowed from his ear, through his heart, past to his groin and down his legs, causing a cold chill to come over his body. This was the second time today he had felt this jolt and cold chill that only lasted less than a second. The first time was moments ago when his other ear had been pierced.

"You look so beautiful," Carissa encouraged him. "I know you're not used to all this attention, but you deserve it, sweetie. Careful with your pretty nails."

"Oh shit," mouthed Craig from across the room, realizing what had just occurred.

"Taylor, stay calm." Craig called out as he approached, fearful his brother was about to say something to ruin everything.

"Awww, those are so pretty on you, Taylor," Kaylee gushed looking over at the sparkly little aquamarine stones, one in each of Taylor's ear lobes.

"See how brave she was, Kaylee," Carissa pointed out, turning towards her as she wiped away Taylor's tears. "You ready for your birthstones now, too?"

"No, please no, mommy," Kaylee began, but then quickly changed her tune when her mom gave Har a stern look.

"Yes mommy, I can be brave like Taylor," said Kaylee closing her eyes and dropping her head with a look of dispair on her face.

Taylor couldn't believe how quickly this all had happened, and he didn't know whether to scream or cry harder. Craig just stood there looking apologitic, but Taylor was barely able to look at him while they finished drying his toes.

"Add an 85 inch Ultra QLED TV and 7.3 Dolby Atmos soundbar for my bedroom, to the list," Taylor snapped at Craig.

Craig felt bad for Taylor and knew he really did owe him. He couldn't look his brother in the face, so Taylor avoided looking in his direction at all, for the rest of the time they were in the salon.

Once they were finally back in the parking lot, Carissa and Kaylee hugged Taylor, saying their goodbyes before she and Kaylee left to go get groceries for dinner.

Craig told Taylor to get his uniform out of the car so he could change in the bathroom right inside the mall entrance.

"How can I do that? Huh, Craig? Look at me! I'll have to use the girl's bathroom."

"Maybe not. I think there's one of those large public single toilet 'Family Bathrooms' by this entrance. We'll use that."

When they got inside there was a family bathroom and Taylor sighed in relief as they entered and Craig locked the door behind them.

"Hurry up and change. We've got to be going in five, or you'll be late for pre-game workouts," said Craig, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

"You're kidding, right? Five minutes?" Taylor growled angerly, trying to twist an earring in his sore lobe.

"Help me get this shit out of my ears and how do we get this polish off? Will it wash off with soap?"

"Are you serious?" yelled Craig, "I think there's some band aids in the glove box of my car. We'll cover the studs with those and take the braid out. Your ears will be hidden by your hair and helmet. No one will see them or your nails. You'll be fine if you just position you hair so it covers your ears, better yet, just keep your helmet on and wear your gloves the whole time. Tonight's my big night with Carissa, so no way are you ruining what she just paid for, at least not untill after I get what I want tonight. Now get into your uniform so we can get out of here."

"I can't keep doing this!" cried Taylor. "This is bullshit, and now I've got these sissy holes in my ears."

"Shut up, drama queen! We can get you some more manly looking earring so you can be one of the the cool kids in school, or we can just take them out later," said Craig. "Once I get in her pants, we'll break the news to her about you! I'll think of how we'll explain your decision to become a boy or maybe you will. You're the king, or I should say queen, of lies."

Taylor gave his brother the finger before quickly changed into his football uniform. He wasn't happy knowing he would be wearing silky panties under his uniform, but at least they weren't a color that might show through his white football pants.

When they got back to the car, Craig helped him out with the band aids to cover his studs, and then pulled out his braid.

He felt better in his uniform as they headed to the game, although, he didn't say a word the entire trip.

Taylor put his freshly manicured hands in his gloves and made sure his hair covered his ears before getting out of the car.

Taylor was able to put aside his horrible mall experiences once he got on the field and began participating in warm-ups with his helmet on.