This is a gentle coming-of-age story about a college-aged boy becoming the girl he knows he truly is.
With the help of his two girl friends he becomes Susanna as they teach him all about life as a girl.
Please note this is a gentle, sentimental tale and although there is some sexual content it is inferred, NOT graphic and tagged where it occurs.

I came off my phone and looked at the girls. Apparently I’ve a relation in Darwin according to my Aunty Val – shall we call and see them? Shonali was the first to react, “Of course Susie we’re going to Darwin anyhow so it would be rude not to.”

So that was decided we continued talking telling Ceri what she would need. Australia is a wonderful country where the clothes you need are for hot weather so a lot of what we had we could leave at Aunty Sue’s until we brought Ceri home in September ready for her to start university!

We had a night slobbing about listening to music doing our nails and gently teasing each other. Ceri was so excited that she kept asking if we were sure we wanted her along.
After about the zillionth time Charley turned to her and said, “Ceri! We or rather they sure do want you to come with us – me, I’m just the American Translator for these crazy Brits. I decided that they needed looking after so I kinda tagged along after the States! So shut up asking if they really want you to come with us sorry - them right guys?” She said this last bit turning to the three of us.

Kelly said jokingly, “Don’t forget we’ve left the states – you’re redundant now! Charley pulled a face and said in a little girl voice, “And here’s me thinking you guy’s liked me.”

This ended up in a general wrestling and tickling match, which degenerated into a pillow fight.
Ceri was unsure as to whether it was ok to join in so Shonali cured that by grabbing her and tickling her so that there were five girls squealing, laughing and squirming on the floor battering each other with cushions when Aunty Sue came into the room.

“Geez girls I know this is the rumpus room but for gods sake keep it down!” She had to shout to make herself heard. “What’s going on love?” this was from Ted Ceri’s dad. “Ted luv” Sue said, “You don’t want to come in here there are boobs and bums everywhere!”

“Let me in!” Was the response to that as he stuck his head into the room “Geez I could sell tickets for this to the bloke’s down the pub.”
Mind you he had a broad grin on his face as he said this. The five of us were laid in a heap looking up at them grinning inanely clutching our weapons (cushions).

Aunt Sue continued, “Your dad has agreed to lend you $2000!” Ceri let out a whoop, leapt up and flung her arms around her mum and dad. She was bouncing up and down in excitement.
Her dad tempered this a little by saying, “And you’ll pay it all back young lady – understand?”

“Understood dad” she replied. Her mum commented, “It’ll be worth two grand for a couple of month’s peace and quiet.”

“I’ll hold you to that mum” Ceri quipped.

At supper we continued to discuss how we were going to get up to Cairns. This was a good example of our naivety as to the distances involved in Australia being from Sydney to Cairns it’s about 2,000 miles by car – and we were thinking about cycling!!!!!

Ceri’s dad then said, “Look girls I’ll ask around. There may be a trucker going up that way.”
Our alternatives were train (4 days including a one day stop in Brisbane.) Bus but that would use up some of our passes kilometres – and finally flying which was not too expensive at about $100 one way or of course a free ride on a truck!

We ended up flying, as there were no trucks going up that way. So we bought our 25,000km passes, packed up and said goodbye to everyone promising to see them in about three weeks when we passed through Sydney again. Then Aunty Sue took the five of us to the airport.

We arrived in Cairns and found a campsite right in the middle of the town and set up our tents in a shady area then set off to explore.
Of course we ended up at the beach and five young attractive girls soon grabbed the attention of the local guys.

The Aussie guys are great. Really friendly and open, great fun to be with – but most of them are a subtle as a 28lb sledgehammer.
Their idea of a chat up line is “Hi I’m Dave lets shag!” and their idea of foreplay is a shake followed by “Are you awake?”
BUT at least you know where you are with them. As I said, I personally really like them.

After a couple of days we boarded our first bus and set off down the coast to Townsville, MacKay, Bundaberg, Rainbow Beach then Brisbane.
We managed to find great campsites and had a great time. By now our impromptu music sessions were a well oiled performance and usually attracted people. So far Charley’s guitar was doing well though it did look a touch more battered now.

Brisbane..... How to describe the city?

It would be stupid to say it’s big because it is! And it’s warm even in winter because this is an obvious thing to say.
The hostel we decided on was ‘The Brisbane Backpackers Resort’ which looked really good.
As there were now five of us we had booked a 6-bed girls dorm with ensuite shower, air con, fridge and TV.
The resort had everything. Bar, Restaurant, pool and spa just about every game you could think of and a shuttle bus to the City. The last bus back was 7pm but Friday and Saturday there was a party bus, which left the city at 11pm.

So as usual, we got a brochure and decided what we would do for the coming week that we had decided to stay.
Today was Friday so of course the ‘Party Bus beckoned us. Piling on the shuttle bus about 6 pm in full girl mode, dress, heels, make up the lot we headed into the city.
We had been told that a place called Fortitude Valley had just about everything we needed. Bars, nightclubs and at this present moment FOOD - because the five of us were starving.

First place we found was a restaurant called ‘The Fat Dumpling’. This restaurant specialises in – well obviously dumplings.
So once seated we each ordered different types of dumplings poached, steamed and fried so we could try everything it was great and filled us up well.

Then we started wandering around Fortitude Valley calling in a few bars along the way, eventually ending up just making the bus, all a bit tipsy. A gaggle of giggling slightly pissed girls. I had a feeling that in the Fortitude Valley area you could get into trouble if you were that way inclined.

Saturday and we were going to visit “Davies Park market, which was in West End where our hostel was. This was a lovely place full of all sorts of stalls and nestled beneath some huge Fig trees.

We were wandering around drinking ice-cold yogurt drinks when a runaway dog battered us! Well really the dog collided with me. My drink shot out of my hand and I fell but I managed to grab hold of the lead of a very furry, very friendly Old English sheepdog.
Unfortunately my strawberry yogurt had landed all over a girl who looked to be in her mid 20’s and didn’t look too pleased with me.

“Jeez I love yogurt but not like this!” she managed to say looking at me on the floor being comprehensively licked by my new best friend.
Her companion was wetting herself looking at me on the floor trying to get up with the dog having different ideas and her friend who was splattered with strawberry yogurt.

I struggled to my feet apologising profusely while Kelly, Charley, Ceri and Shoni were trying to help the poor girl clean herself.

Then Kelly had a brainwave and said, “Err I’ve just bought a T shirt, you’re welcome to it to replace your top”.
The girl refused but her friend said, “Look Panda it’s either go home to get changed, walk around covered in goo or borrow the T shirt.”

Then she looked at us she carried on asking “Poms?” Ceri answered for us. Telling her “these three are Poms.” Then nodding towards Charley, “Charley’s a Septic.”
“And you’re from Sydney – right!” the blond girl said looking at Ceri.

Ceri nodded saying, “And I know who you are. You’re...........” She didn’t get any further, as the blonde girl interrupted her, “Please don’t say my name out loud I’m trying to get some peace and quiet.”

This piqued my interest so I started to ask, “Who........” Ceri said, “I’ll tell you later Susie. We all walked to the nearest toilet with the Yogurt covered girl telling us to call her Panda.
I was still hanging onto the lead of my new best friend, anxiously looking around for anyone looking remotely worried about their lost dog.

As we stood waiting Ceri asked in a quiet voice, “Are you really Nikki Stapleton?”
The blond girl grinned answering, “Yep but at the minute I’m trying to get some peace and quiet that’s why I’m wearing these huge shades! So please call me Louise - my middle name and please don’t broadcast that I’m here.”
Ceri excitedly answered, “Sure Louise but my Dad thinks you’re great.”
Kelly butted in saying, “You’re welcome to come with us. After all no one would expect to notice you especially with us, a load of tourists!”

Just then Panda came out of the loo sporting Kelly’s T-shirt and looking far more relaxed now she was clear of the yogurt.
Louise put our proposition to her grinning she said, “At least I’ll know where these three are. Especially the yogurt throwing one!” Looking directly at me and as usual I blushed crimson.
Then she looked at my new best friend and went all goofy sighing, “Jeeze, is this dog cute or is it cute?”
As she said this she knelt down and was giving the dog a really good cuddle, which the dog loved so now Panda had a new best friend.

“Oscar, Oscar.” The dog looked up very alert at the words being called out from guy running up to us. I commented, “I think we’re about to loose our friend Panda.”
She looked up saying, “That’s a shame I’d love one of these guys – Oh and the names Amanda it’s Louise that calls me Panda”
I apologised again but all she said was “That’s OK I’m used to it now.”
Finally a red-faced guy got to us. From the reaction of Oscar this was his owner.

The middle-aged guy panted, “The drongo did a runner – thanks girls for catching him”.
I smiled saying, “No problems it was a lucky catch here you go” I reluctantly handed him the lead and Amanda reluctantly stopped cuddling her new best friend.

And this is how we met Nikki Stapleton the scourge of any batsman facing her amazing spin bowling – or Louise as we called her when she was hiding behind the huge shades (like we all were).

As Kelly surmised seven girls from three nations attracted very little interest especially as five of us acted like the tourists we were so Nikki managed to get a quiet few days away from the public gaze.

We mentioned that we were heading back to the hostel for a beer and asked if they wanted to come with us.
Much to my amazement they accepted and soon we were back at the hostel drinking ice-cold lager - telling Louise and Amanda our story so far.
Especially our time in India while we didn’t give any real secrets away we did mention some names Nikki would know.
All this thanks to an errant Old English Sheepdog (OES) and a yogurt drink.

We met up with the two for them for a couple of days and on one of them experienced the hassle Nikki had to endure when she was recognised. Adoring fans surrounded her wanting her autograph, which she happily gave.
Especially the kids who she freely gave her time to; but we could see that ignorant people who simply thrust bit’s of paper under her nose really pissed her off but she didn’t show it - at least not too much!

Then Nikki had to go and do whatever famous cricketers do making personal appearances and such like.
On this last day, Ceri shyly asked her, “Do you think you could give me your autograph for my Dad because he thinks you’re fantastic. One of the best spinners the country’s produced he reckons.”

Nikki blushed at Ceri saying this to her before saying, “I’ll tell you what…. because your dad’s a fan if you’ll give me your address and his name I’ll send him something.”
Ceri was over the moon beaming from ear to ear, “Are you sure it’s no trouble?”

Amanda sighed answering for Nikki. “Ceri, give her you dad’s name and address. When she’s like this, there’s no stopping her!”

Ceri did as she was told and the five of us said farewell to these two great girls who had devoted so much time showing us around – Oh and we even had a personal tour around the world famous Gabba Stadium how she swung that I’ll never know! What a wonderful few days we had enjoyed.

From there we travelled down to Gold Coast where we spent a couple of days doing conservation work on Coomera Island. We had decided that we would do some work and volunteering seemed a good a way as any also Ceri was studying Zoology at University and she knew of some projects which would welcome 5 unskilled girls.

After the Gold Coast we carried on down the coast, missing Sydney. Well when I say missing we went to Ceri’s to have a home cooked meal and get ready for the next leg (and also do what washing we had amassed).

A very excited Uncle Ted wanting to know what the hell we had been doing greeted us.
As true to her word, Nikki had sent an autographed picture of herself BUT she’d also sent a test team autographed cricket bat as well. We told him the story about the OES and a strawberry yogurt drink.
AND she had sent us 5 identical bikinis in Green with Gold Stars and a note that said, ‘ When you wear these you’re supporting the Ozzie cricket team.’ And the note was signed Nikki.

From Sydney we travelled down to Canberra, Wagga Wagga and then Melbourne.
At the campsite in on the beach near Melbourne we pitched our tents made some supper and as usual sat around chatting.

I was on the ipad and using Facebook, when I saw a message on my page from Jill my counsellor, “Oh No!” I gasped.
Kelly looked at me and asked, “What’s up Susie?”
Being a bit of a drama queen I squeaked, “The clinic in Thailand – it’s had a fire and my operations been cancelled!”

Now I had totally forgotten that Ceri didn’t know about the other me. Ceri looked up and asked, “What operation Susie?”

What followed can only be described as a deathly silence (or a pregnant pause) as the four of us looked at each other.
I remembered that I had promised myself that now I was ready to become a girl I would be honest.
Kelly got up saying; “Ceri feel like a walk?” which translated into ‘Come for a walk’ by the tone of her voice.

I was just about to get up when Kelly looked at me and said, “Stay here Susie – I’ll fill Ceri in ok!”
When Kell was in this frame of mind it was best to acquiesce so I sat down and watched the two of the wander off. I gnawed my bottom lip in anguish.
Charley shuffled up to me and put her arm around me saying, “Don’t worry it’ll be ok. Ceri’s a good kid a bit sheltered but a good kid.”

Continuing on Charley asked, “But what are YOU going to do?” Numbly I shook my head, “I’ll email Jill and see what she advises.”
I had just finished sending Jill Harvey an email asking for advice, when Kelly and Ceri came back. Ceri was somewhat reluctant to say anything. I looked at Kelly and the smile and slight nod of her head gave me some hope.

The two of them sat down, with Ceri sitting well away from me. She looked at me and simply asked, “Why?”

I looked straight into her eyes and said, “because I hated being a man.......”
Ceri stopped me asking again, “Not that why! Why didn’t you tell me earlier – didn’t you trust me?”
Then she burst into tears it would seem my idea of not telling her to protect her and me had badly backfired.

While Kelly and Charley comforted her I thought about her question – why hadn’t I told her earlier? I took a deep breath and started, “Ceri I’m really sorry I’ve upset you, because that’s the last thing I would want to do. But it’s something I just don’t talk about.”

This gained me a sharp look from Charley as she hated liars, which is what I had just turned into and I decided that the truth needed telling never mind the half-truths!

So I started again, “I was very wrong not to tell you straight away since I told Charley on the first day we set off.”
This earned a smile and slight nod from Charley. I soldiered on, “The reason I told Charley was that we were setting off around the world and four of us would be using a three man tent so keeping something secret wasn’t an option. Also if Charley was uncomfortable travelling with someone like me she could go home and we would never see each other again.”

Ceri held my gaze and asked, “And me?”

I sighed and answered, “Ceri, you’re different. You’re one of my best friend’s cousins and there was every chance we would see you again and hear from you too. It was impossible for you to share our tent so I thought that I had a better chance of keeping my secret. I’m sorry that I’ve hurt you really, really sorry. I would never do that intentionally to you - please you have to believe me.”

I could feel tears pricking the back of my eyes. Shonali spoke then in a soft voice she said, “Ceri what Susie has just said is true. She would never knowingly hurt anybody she is too soft for her own good. Please give her the benefit of the doubt. What she did was for the best possible reasons - but it seems in your case they were the wrong reasons.”

In a small voice Ceri asked, “Is that why you have never shared my tent?” I nodded and told her, “Yes because I have to keep myself really clean down there, these guys tolerate me doing this.”

She nodded then asked, “I don’t understand what is it they tolerate.” I sighed again and quietly answered, “I wear a false silicon vagina and in this heat it needs to come off every night to stop any skin problems.”

“Y, y, y, you wear a what?” she asked amazed so I repeated myself. “WOW” she exclaimed, “That’s awesome. No wonder I’ve never noticed anything different especially with the bikini’s you wear!”

I had a feeling we had just crossed a bridge so I asked, “Do you forgive me for hurting you? And how do you feel about.... well things - errr me?”
Ceri looked steadily at me and after a while answered, “You really hurt me Susanna by not trusting me.”
I was about to speak when she carried on, “But I think I understand why you felt you had to do what you did. As for how do I feel about you? You’re still the same person just different!”

I knew what she meant and thanked her for her understanding. “Before we drop this will you promise me one thing?” she asked.
“What is it?” I asked in reply. She looked at me and said, “Please don’t keep anything from me in future – and please will you share my tent with me sometimes?”

I grinned at her and answered, “That’s two things and the answer’s yes to both of them but you’ll probably have to see my boy bit’s but I’ll try to be discreet.”

“Susanna” Ceri told me, “Just do what you normally do and don’t worry about me. I’ve seen boy bits before - ok.”
I smiled somewhat ruefully and said, “Ok, but if you want to ask anything then ask away. After all I’ve been through the third degree with these three.”

In a way I was glad that everything was out in the open. We had our camping stove on and were charging our phones in turn. This small light camping stove had been a brilliant investment.
It worked off twigs, boils enough water for us and with the waste heat, produced electricity to charge up a phone. It will even do our ipad – but that takes a bit more time

We started to discuss our trip and between us had come to the conclusion that Australia being such a huge place, we would never see everywhere in a couple of months. The same was true of America, where we had just scratched the surface.

Eventually we decided on staying a day here and there with a couple of days in really interesting places. If we did this, we should make it all round Australia in the 2 months we had given ourselves.

Kelly moaned, “Gee guy’s I was looking forward to checking out some more of those hunky ‘Aus.’ guys!”
Grinning at her I commented, “Slapper, but I know what you mean. There certainly are some hunks!” I finished off with a theatrical sigh.

Ceri looked at me with huge questioning eyes that I totally miss read. I grinned and told her, “Yes I love going with guys; but I’m not gay. Well when I say that, I guess I must be. But to me I’m a girl and as a girl I like guys. But when I was living as a guy I liked girls…. But as a girl - I like girls as friends, if you follow me!” I sat there for a second thinking about this very confused statement – I’d managed to confuse myself!

Kelly, Shonali and Charley looked at me their mouths hung open at the stupidity of what I had just said. Poor Ceri looked really confused and after that rather strange statement.
Shonali was the first to recover the power of speech looking at me she said, “Susie do you realise what you have just said?”
I looked at her nodded and replied, “I knew what I wanted to say but it came out all wrong.”
Kelly blew out her cheeks, “Phewwwww you aren’t kidding girl that was really mangling the English language.”

Ceri had recovered enough to ask“B, b, but how do you – well you know –err I mean..........” Poor Ceri tailed off here unable to finish.

Charley gave a broad grin and said to no one in particular, “Here is the first lesson in our Susie’s remarkable anatomy.”

Kelly spluttered and nearly choked at this adding, “And utterly unique anatomy – you know Ceri after a guy’s been with Susie the floosy they aren’t interested in any other girl she’s magic!”

“Kelly Jackson” I spluttered, “That’s just not true and you know it.” All Kell did was grin.

Ceri looked amazed at the banter between us. “Gee guy’s if it’s out of bounds I’m sorry I asked.”
She was looking very uncomfortable. I smiled warmly at her and told her, “No it’s no problem, these two are just jealous that I get all the hunky guys.” Now the poor girl was confused so I put her out of her misery.
“Ceri” I started, “I said earlier that I wear a silicon prosthetic vagina.” She nodded.

“Well that looks exactly like a girl, I can do everything a girl can do. Guy’s can’t tell the difference.”
Kelly snorted at this saying, “Mind you most guys can’t tell the time….never mind the difference!”
This set us all off laughing.
Ceri shook her head in amazement saying, “I never realised things like that existed.”
“Neither did we before we met Susie” Shonali chipped in.

It was getting late so we decided to get to sleep. Kelly crawled into our tent and threw my sleeping bag out. “You’re next door girl!” Charley groaned saying, “Damn evicted again – what a bitch! Back to Kelly’s snoring!”
This evoked a response from Kell, “I do not snore!” she exclaimed, “I simply breathe heavily.”
That caused the four of us to roll our eyes as much as to say ‘yeh right’.

This set us off bickering again. Eventually I retrieved my backpack got some clean panties and we headed off to the shower block to get ready for bed.
Which in my case was removing my vagina, washing, drying and powdering my boy bits and washing my vagina thoroughly so it was ready for the next day.

We headed back to the tents said good night and zipped up the flysheet. I spread out my sleeping bag and slipped into sleep shorts and camisole. Ceri was doing similar and in a small voice asked, “Susie can I see your errm well.”

“My boy bits?” I asked. She blushed furiously and nodded.
In truth I wasn’t in the slightest insulted or embarrassed so I slipped my shorts and panties down showing her my tiny boy bits.
Obviously fascinated, she watched as I slipped my panties and shorts back up, then we slipped into our sleeping bags and turned the small lamp off. “Susie?” came the voice in the dark.
I turned over to face her and through the dim light I could see her face.

“Yes Ceri” I prompted her. “Errm when you well - you know have sex what do you feel.”
Now that was some question with a lot of answers so I probed a bit deeper, “What do you mean? What do I feel?” I could see her squirm in embarrassment eventually she asked, “Do you have an orgasm?”

I smiled in the darkness, a lovely warm feeling coming over me as I remembered the last time in Sydney, “Oh yes I orgasm Ceri many, many times – I love the feeling. And before you ask no it doesn’t get hard and grow like a man’s does the hormones won’t let it. It simply gets a bit hard then Ohhhhh! It’s my clittie just that it’s a bit bigger than most girls.”

She was silent for a while and I thought she had gone to sleep. I was just drifting off when she murmured, “Thanks Susie”.
“What for” I asked and heard her sigh, then she said, “For being so honest and understanding and nice – I’ve never met anyone like you!”
I replied, “You mean for eventually being honest with you.”
“No” she said “I understand why you didn’t tell me at first I just over reacted I’m sorry.”

I struggled onto my elbow and told her, “Look it’s in the past Ceri. Let’s start again and be friends again.” “Mmmmmmmmm” she said, “I’d like that but I’ve always been your friend and I really like you! I was just upset.” And with that she finally went to sleep.

I lay there for a while. Secretly I was upset about not becoming a girl. My heart had been set on the operation and I would just have to see what Jill and Dr. Kendrick would advise. Before I went to sleep I made a promise to myself to abide by their advice and not be impulsive.

Next morning things were totally back to normal between us. Kelly commented, “I was thinking last night.”
Shonali glanced at Charley and quipped, “This usually means trouble for one of us.”

“Will you listen this is serious!” Kelly snapped. Now ‘that’ got our attention as we all looked at her waiting for her to continue.
Eventually she asked, “What are we going to do about the apartment in Thailand?”

“Bloody hell” I gasped “We’ve booked it for 2 months.” Thinking rapidly I continued, “I’ll send an email to the clinic – surely it wasn’t burned to the ground and the admin office is still going. I’ll see if they can do anything for us. After all I’ve only paid a deposit on it hopefully I’ll get the money back”.

I sent the email then we went and explored Melbourne. The first place we visited was the Eureka Skydeck 88 this is a really tall tower said to be the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere we went into the lift and shot up to level 88 in under 40 seconds then we went into the Edge which is a switchable glass cube which slides out from the building, with you inside even though you know what is going to happen I still gave a small squeal as it moved out over empty air both a terrifying and exhilarating experience – what a view of the city and surrounding area.
Then we followed a sign posted route to see public artworks; they were fantastic – and free, next was of course food and we found an American style diner called Bowery to Williamsburg as a treat for our resident American and the décor and food was really good.
Then we spent the afternoon wandering around the Chapel Street Precinct simply window-shopping. Then we discovered the Queen Victoria Market and from a great stall called The Chicken Pantry where we got everything food wise for our barbi tonight.

That night at the beach campsite we set up and had a barbeque on one of the communal barbeques. We had some meat - we were trying crocodile sausages and Peppered Kangaroo Fillet as well as chicken and naturally seafood, we also had some salad stuff and of course beer which we got from the supermarket near to the campsite.
We had also got ourselves a cheap cool box and a couple of bags of ice – we were set up!
Though we hadn’t quite figured out what we were going to do with the cool box after this campsite!

One of the ‘drawbacks’ (or advantage) from being 5 attractive young girls is that guys are attracted. Our simple Barbie ended up a full scale party with guys but also couples both young and old joining us.
Our music making soon started and as well as guitar and mouth organ, we had a fiddle and a banjo complete with a load of singers. People brought food and more drink so this was turning into a great night.

I was being chatted up something rotten by a real hunk called Simon. Charley leant over to Ceri and said in a stage whisper, “Ceri look and learn. Susie’s in action!” I stuck my tongue out at them then turned my attention to Simon giving him the smouldering eyes that I had learnt from Shonali.

Soon everyone had paired up for the evening and as the wine and beer flowed, things started to happen (In a nice way). I had decided that if Simon continued to be a nice guy I was his for the night! I was careful with what I drank and noticed that he was doing the same.

It is enough to say that he was really nice throughout the night and even better in the morning! Unfortunately we were leaving that morning, so my one night of passion was short lived as I would never see Simon again – or so I thought.

*****************************************
My many thanks to OES for letting me use her wonderful character Nikki Stapleton and of course Panda. And also for helping me with the Brisbane bits.
I simply can’t thank you enough.
******************************************