Casey was blushing so hard it was probably painful. Peyton let go of her hand and it took her another second or two to remove her own. When she did, she pulled it away as if she was holding something burning hot. "I... I... I'm... s...s...sorry... I..."

Peyton laughed and decided to put the girl out of her misery, "I'm sorry, that was rude of me. Yes Casey, I'm a girl. I just refuse to wear that skirt; although you make it look very appealing."

Casey could not make eye contact with Peyton or Kimberly so she opted for a steady gaze at the floor. "Uh... thanks... Um... we all have home room together so you guys could follow me. The bell will ring soon."

Peyton and Kimberly said a simultaneous, "okay" and followed Casey. When they got to the classroom Casey showed them two seats off to the side of the class that are always empty and waved a goodbye as she went and sat in her own seat near the back of the class on the other side of the room.

"What the fuck was that?!" Kimberly exclaimed in a hushed tone.

Peyton just grinned as she cast a glance at Casey who was also stealing a look at her, "she is so in the closet."

"So you thought you'd get her to come out by making her feel you up in the middle of the school?"

"Well, technically it was not the middle of the school and no one was around."

"What about Sadie?"

"What do you mean?"

"I thought you like her. Why are you flirting so blatantly with Casey?"

"I'm not flirting with her. And no matter how much I like Sadie she'd never like me back. Not the way I want her to. Plus, she's an..."

Kimberly cut her off, "I know, she's an idiot because she's with Adam. But you know, anything is possible. And you are flirting with her. I saw you wink at her just now, I am not blind."

Peyton payed Kimberly full attention as she answered, "yeah, I guess but I'm not that lucky. And really, I'm not flirting with her, she's not my type. I'm playing with her. Don't worry, I won't lead her on. I'm not a complete bitch."

Kimberly sighed, "just try not to get yourself in trouble. You know how some girls can be."

Peyton nodded and assured Kimberly that she knew what she was doing.

Two minutes later a teacher came into the classroom to take the names of everyone who was present. When he got to Kimberly and Peyton he made them stand and introduce themselves. He gave a few announcements and then was on his way.

As the students began leaving the room Casey came over to them, "hey, so let me see your schedules, I'll walk you guys to class."

"You don't have to do that." Kimberly said, "we'll find our way around eventually."

Casey waved her off, "don't be silly. It sucks being new. I'll show you guys around. I don't mind." She looked at Peyton and smiled, "it'll be my pleasure."

It turns out that the three had the same classes all morning until lunch. They all had separate classes after lunch. So it was agreed that they'd grab a quick lunch and Casey would show them where their after lunch classes are.

The day was passing smoothly and no one seemed to pay any attention to Peyton's uniform. They probably, like Casey, didn't fully notice that she is actually a girl.

As Peyton entered the classroom for her final class of the day, however, she was stopped by the teacher already seated at her desk. "You, come here."

Peyton did as she was told and walked up to the teacher's desk, "yes miss?"

"You're new. What's your name?"

"Peyton Saunders."

"What are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you some gender confused person?"

"No miss. I'm a girl. I'm not confused about that."

"Then are you stupid?!"

"No miss I am not. I happen to get all A's and B's."

"So then how would you explain why you are wearing the boys' uniform?!"

"Because it's comfortable and I refuse to wear a skirt."

The teacher glared at Peyton before she scribbled some chicken scratch on a post-it and handed it to Peyton, "take that to the principal's office. Now!"

Peyton saluted the teacher, "mam yes mam!"

She was soon seated in the waiting area outside of the principal's office. She had given the clerk by the desk the post-it and was instructed to sit and wait. "Saunders. Peyton Saunders." She heard her name being called by a man. She stood and opened the door assuming that it was the principal calling her from inside his office. Apparently she was right.

"Have a seat miss Saunders." He instructed.

Peyton sat in the strangely comfortable chair.

"So, miss Saunders, care to explain why you are not wearing the proper uniform and your blatant disregard for the school's rules? And aren't you new here?"

"Yes sir, I am new. Today's my first day. And I am not breaking any of the school's rules." She pulled out the student rulebook from her bag, "there is nothing in here that says girls are not to wear the boys' uniform and vice versa. It states what the boys' and girls' uniforms are but it never states which uniform we are required to wear. So, as far as I see it I am wearing the proper school uniform and I am abiding by every rule of the school."

Mr Lawrence, the principal, was speechless for a couple seconds but he quickly retorted, "yes, but it is implied. By definition of society's rules women wear skirts and men wear pants in any major and formal setting. That is how it is and always had been."

"Actually sir, I beg to disagree. It has not always been women in skirts and men in pants. In the olden days everyone, men and women alike, wore skirts and dresses. Even the kings. Pants are a new age thing. And I don't know why people choose to adopt the mentality that women should not wear pants. That is sexism."

This time he was really speechless. He opened his mouth but closed it back. After a couple seconds of staring at her in disbelief he spoke, "you really should join our debate team."

Peyton let out a laugh, "so I'm not in trouble?"

With a genuine smile he shook his head, "no. I believe you have talked your way out of it. I must say, it was refreshing and a pleasure to meet you miss Saunders."

Peyton smiled, "well I'll be damned. Thank you sir."

They both stood and shook hands before Peyton left.

On her way back to class Peyton took a detour to the washroom for a much needed bladder relief. When she was done and was washing her hands, she heard someone enter and not long after they spoke, "hey! This is the girls' bathroom you pervert!"

She turned immediately with a big smile on her face saying, "you don't say. Maybe that's why I'm here. I can read..."

She had intended to say more but she was thrown into a sudden inability to form anymore words. There, standing before her was none other than Sadie Wells.

Say something you idiot! Anything! 'Hi' would do. Come on, stop making me look like an idiot!

"You're a girl?"

Normally she would say something like "duh" or "last time I checked" and she even pulled that crazy stunt this morning with Casey but nothing came out. She stood there like an idiot and just gave a slight nod.

"Well why are you wearing that uniform then?"

No response.

"Hmmm... if you didn't just say something a minute ago I would have assumed that you're a mute."

You've made me mute! You took my words away!

"Anyhow, I realise you're new here so I'm warning you, you're gonna get in trouble for dressing like that."

I already have and apparently I was not a mute then because I talked myself out of it.

When Sadie realised that she was going to get no response whatsoever from Peyton she sighed, "I'm Sadie by the way. Maybe one day you'll find back your words and tell me yours. Till then, I guess I'll be seeing you around. Bye." Sadie gave Peyton a friendly wave accompanied by a small smile before walking past her to enter a stall.

When Sadie passed by Peyton could not resist the urge to take in a deep breath. Damn girl, you smell great!

Peyton quickly dried her hands and rushed out of the bathroom and back to class. The teacher was no doubt surprised to see Peyton. She had expected that the principal would have sent her home or given her detention or suspend her or something.

"Miss Saunders! Why are you back here? I sent you to the principal!" The teacher's voice boomed throughout the classroom.

"I did. We had a healthy discussion and came to the conclusion that nothing is wrong. Thanks for asking though." Peyton gave her best patronising voice and smile.

"You! I cannot stand the ones like you!"

"Me? What am I?"

"The wannabe rebels! Thread carefully Miss Saunders. You will not get away with what you want in my class!"

Once again, Peyton saluted the teacher, "mam yes mam!"

This earned her a roaring laugh from her peers. She sat down and pretended to concentrate on what the teacher was going on and on about but in actuality she was counting down the minutes until she could see Kimberly to tell her all about her bathroom encounter.