Jess managed to pull herself together for a moment to explain after she looked up briefly to see Nathan get on the bus. [color=F08080]"I... No no. This,[/color] her mouth felt dry for a minute, as she breathed deeply to reinforce her momentary, and quickly fleeing, calmness. [color=F08080]"This isn't a dare, and Nathan didn't force me to do this. [/color] She closed her eyes for a second and thought how she could pull a win out of this catastrophe. It came suddenly and it took everything she had not to grin, but she had it. 

[color=F08080]"I met up with him and he knew something was bothering me so I explained the basic stuff. Family and the diner and everyday stuff. But he kept asking knowing it wasn't everything. I..."[/color] she licked her lips quickly to moisten them before continuing [color=F08080]"I was tired of lying to him. I mean he's my best friend, practically my brother and I have been lying to him for so long. I told him that I forgot about something back home and would explain when I got back. I'm trans, Nessa... I shouldn't have been born as a guy. I was heading back when I got nervous. I panicked and got off and wandered the mall for a bit. I had just worked up the nerve to head over to explain to him when I heard you and Rachel saying you were headed there to meet up with us and you'd have seen me there and I... I... I'm scared Nessa. I'm so scared of how he'll react. He's my best friend and I've known him for so long and I can't lose anymore of my family with Mom and Dad and Kylie." [/color]

Vanessa kinda look confused until the big reveal. [color=aqua] "Oh. So you were scared of what others would think, what I would think, what even Nathan would think.  I think I understand. It makes sense that things wouldn't work out between us. Ummm. Would you like us to go with you?"[/color]

[color=pink]"Hold on a moment![/color] Rachel said glaring at Jess. [color=pink]"So you're trans, should have been a woman. Ok fine. You're friends with Nathan. Ok. You're going over without his girlfriend there. Not quite okay. We're going regardless if she is Vanessa."[/color] Rachel told them

[color=F08080]'Did that really just work?'[/color] Jess thought to herself letting her surprise show through. [color=F08080]"You're not mad, or freaked out or anything? And you want go with me to... To tell Nathan?"[/color]

[color=aqua]"Yeah, I mean it is a little weird and entirely unexpected, but I do like you as a friend and what kind of friend would I be if I didn't try to get to know the real you. Come on, stand up.[/color] Vanessa said, offering Jess a hand which was promptly accepted. 

[Color=F08080]"Thanks. I'll let him know that I'm still coming back and just had to stop for something to explain why it took so long. That way the two of you can still surprise him if you want." [/color] Jess pulls out her phone and texts Nathan. It would take plenty long enough to wait for the next bus that's on the same route to arrive to take them to Nathan's apartment for Nathan to have changed back into him clothes and cleaned off. [color=F08080]"Nathan, It's Jess. I'm okay surprisingly and it's ok you got on the bus and left me. They know about me and not about you, but they don't know you know about me. We're on our way as soon as we get on the next bus that actually is on the right route comes by. Calm down. Get yourself fixed up. And pretend you don't recognize me at first and all that. We may just make it out of this in one piece after all."[/color] She sent to Nathan. 

[color=aqua]"Look we've got sometime before the next bus, let's go inside real quick so I can help fix your makeup."[/color] Vanessa suggested, as she guided Jess back into the mall and into a nearby women's room. It was so much cleaner than she had expected. Vanessa carefully washed off the smudged makeup off and expertly redid it as it had been before the near catastrophe had happened. 

[color=F08080]"You really are the best."[/color] Jess said to Vanessa as they left the women's room and went back out to the bus stop, just minutes before the next bus arrived. All she had to do was actually remember to breathe and hope that Nathan could act well enough and they might just pull this off.