Lace and Grace
On Wednesday afternoon, the boys assembled in the quad. They quickly had realized they couldnât really postpone shopping for new lingerie, since they only had the one set each. Their Big Sisters had dropped strong hints about a particular boutique in the quaint college town with knowing smiles and cryptic encouragement. The task ahead felt daunting, and they exchanged uneasy glances as they set off together. Lingerie shopping was uncharted territory, and the prospect of selecting such intimate things made their cheeks burn with embarrassment and nerves.
The disquieted Little Sisters slowly made their to âLace and Grace.â As they approached the cozy shop, the boutiqueâs window display sparkled in the afternoon sun. In the display window, delicate pastel bras hung alongside embroidered silk robes and a multitude of other dainty and feminine apparel.
Nate paused, uncertain. âAre we really doing this?â Nate muttered, his voice wavering.
Milo tried a brave smile, âLetâs just⌠get in and out, quick as possible.â Then Milo nudged Nate through the door first.
Every head seemed to turn at the soft tinkle of the bell above the door. Although there were only a couple of other customers, they were all surprised to see the four cringing college boys enter. The incredibly feminine space glowed with soft pinks and lavenders, and the air was thick with the scents of sachets and soft new fabrics. Velvet chairs and gilded mirrors enhanced the overall sense of feminine elegance.
Two of the store clerks, Anna and Becca, recognized the boys immediately from the moment they stepped in. They smiled mischievously at each other. They knew precisely why the boys were there. Anna, feigning ignorance, approached first and said, âWelcome to Lace & Grace.â She then asked with playful curiosity, âAre we shopping for our girlfriends today?â
âOr maybe your sisters?â Becca chimed in, her voice teasingly sweet. âWe have some beautiful sets for gifts, if youâre not sure what to pick.â
None of the boys knew how to say the words, so they just stood there in cringy silence.
Becca let the pained silence linger for a moment. Then, she exchanged a glance with Anna before adopting a mock-serious tone. âSo, if itâs not for sisters or girlfriends, what brings you in today?â she asked, eyes twinkling.
Milo fidgeted, shifting his weight from foot to foot, and Julian stared at his shoes. The boys exchanged desperate glances, each silently willing the others to speak up first. Finally, Owen cleared his throat and stammered, âActually⌠uh⌠itâs not for anyone else. Weâre⌠shopping for ourselves.â
Annaâs brows shot up in mock surprise, and Beccaâs lips curled into a knowing grin. âOh really?â Anna replied, feigning innocence. âThatâs so fun! You want some pretty things for yourselves?â Grinning, she pointed to a delicate pair of lavender panties on the nearest rack. She asked innocently, âWhat did you have in mind? Perhaps something soft and lacy like these here? Or maybe something a bit more sheer?â Her eyes sparkled as Owenâs cheeks turned a deeper shade of red.
Nate attempted to explain, his face nearly as pink as the pastel bras on display. âWell, umm⌠we already have some⌠but we need more.â He added weakly, âItâs, uh, a sorority thing.â His feeble words hung awkwardly in the air. His explanation didnât seem to explain much at all.
âA sorority thing?â Becca asked teasingly, âI didnât know boys could join sororities, but more power to you!â Anna couldnât hold back a laugh, and Becca giggled with her, their amusement genuine but not unkind. With a wink, Becca said softly, âRelax boys, weâre Gamma DeltasâMadison told us you might stop by.â
Anna added somewhat conspiratorially, âJust so you know, we have a surprisingly large clientele of trans women⌠and also quite a few adventurous and open-minded men⌠than you might expect. So we are well âequippedâ in all kinds of frilly things that might match your anatomy!â She chuckled a bit more as she finished.
The boys didnât know whether to feel relieved or even more uneasy.
A moment later, Anna said, âWell letâs get started then! This is going to be such fun!â Her tone was warm, but her eyes danced with playful mischief.
Then, Anna and Becca led them over to some of the racks of frilly, lacy lingerie sets. âAlright, boys, drop your jackets,â Anna instructed, âwe need to check your sizesâbust, waist, hips, and all that.â
The boys reluctantly placed their jackets on one of the velvet chairs, and Anna and Becca set to work collecting their measurements. Anna started with Owen, wrapping the measuring tape around his torso. She smiled, âLetâs get your bust firstâstand up nice and tall, sweetie.â
Meanwhile Becca sized up Julian and remarked on his graceful build. The two clerks quickly got what they needed and began holding up delicate bra and panty sets on the cringing boys. They began a running commentary on which ones suited them best. The two sisters then began interrogating the boys on their preferences for colors, fabrics and styles. They insistently coaxed the Little Sisters to be more specific about the lingerie they wanted.