‘‘This isn’t going to be easy for you, so get that into
your mind.’’ Bella sounded really strict. ‘‘You’ve got to
be real and be convincing.’’
‘‘But I’m not a girl,’’ I protested. ‘‘I never wanted to
be.’’
‘‘But you have a contract to be a girl.’’ She stared
me into silence. ‘‘You can either embrace it or enjoy
it, or you’re going to have an awful time.’’
‘‘I guess you’re right, but how do I enjoy it.’’
‘‘The first thing to understand is that being a girl is
good,’’ Bella said. ‘‘Get it through your head that
you’re really a girl. It’s what you are; it’s what you’re
going to be.’’