by Daring Diane
As their first week of workouts came to a close, the two squads were starting to merge and it was clear to Sylvia Steiling that good things were in the future.
Saturday morning, Lee decided to be adventurous and wore the light blue shorts for running. He kept them on for cheer practice. Darby and several of the girls suggested that Lee wear the gold shorts with his coach’s shirt for the game. Lee wanted to talk to his mom about it. He loved the comfort of the shorts. But, gold was not a very masculine color.
After their run, Lee and Darby heard the squad arriving and went outside. Neither of them were surprised to see Sylvia back and ready to work out. But, they were surprised to see Kelly, Marcia and four of the other varsity cheerleaders. More interesting, the varsity girls were all dressed identically wearing pink cheer shorts, pink trimmed socks and pink shirts which were apparently from last year. Everyone immediately realized that the varsity members were getting back at them for matching every day of the last week. Better yet, Sylvia was dressed in the same outfit as the varsity team. All of the girls started laughing and most of the ice was broken at that point.
Everyone stretched and did their regular beginning workout. They spent time on the handstands and walking on their hands. Several of the older girls could do forward and reverse tucks without using their hands on the ground. This added a lot of possibilities to what the combined group might be able to accomplish.
Sylvia was again worn out at the end of practice. She had brought along some snacks to contribute to the program. Everyone was consuming the snacks and drinks. The football game was in the evening so there was not the same rush to get over to the game. Even though she was worn out, Sylvia realized that Lee and Darby had longer weekend practices when there was not a football game.
As everyone sat around chatting, Sylvia mentioned, “Since this weekend thing has become a full team effort, you should talk to your parents and see if they would prefer if we had these sessions at the school. I’m sure we can get approval to use the facilities.”
Sally and Erin actually had disappointed looks on their faces. Lee and Darby looked at each other, their parents and back at Sylvia. Lee said, “You know, the casual nature of our weekend practices gives us a little flexibility and it feels like something we own. Unless mom wants us to do it at the school, I think we would like to keep it here for a little longer.”
Darby added, “Besides, we get much better snacks and things here. Our moms bake something every week. It gives them something to watch and talk about while they have their late morning coffee.”
Sylvia raised her hands saying, “I give up. I don’t know why I would try to do anything to change the things that have been working for you guys. But I think that the varsity girls have now designated the practice uniform color for Saturday as pink.”
Lee immediately objected, “I’m not sure I can wear pink. I have light blue.”
Darby and the other girls including Marcia and Kelly stated in unison, “Lee will be in the correct colors next Saturday. We’ll make sure.”
Defeated, Lee complained, “Why should I wear pink?”
Darby explained, “Lee you keep telling everyone that this is our cheer squad and that you are just here because we asked you to help. We appreciate all your help and I know that you don’t want to disappoint all your junior cheerleaders. You and I can work this out. Any problems we have, your mom can help with. Right Mrs. Corcoran?”
Sally laughed along with all the girls. “Lee, you were the one that said everyone would feel better and work as a team if they were dressed in the same outfit. I think that since it was your idea, you should feel an obligation to dress in the team colors.”
Everyone cheered. Lee knew he had lost this argument. He just hoped he could find a way out before next week. He finally added, “Just so everyone knows. Sunday is casual Sunday. Everyone wears any color they want.”
Unluckily the girls interpreted that statement a little differently. Kelly said, “So Lee agrees Sunday is casual colors since Saturday is pink. Great. I need to head home. I’ll see you girls at the game.”
People were up and leaving before Lee could explain that he had not agreed to pink Saturday.
The football game went off wonderfully. Lee acquiesced to Darby and wore the gold shorts and socks to match the coach’s shirt. He gave in to his mom and did not wear the colored practiced shirt underneath. He tried a white t-shirt, but the sleeves hung out of the coach shirt which looked stupid. His mom produced a cotton white tank style t-shirt that he wore under the shirt. He wanted something under the shirt to give it a more finished look. The tank top did the trick. He mentioned to his mom that the shirt seemed to bunch up on the tank top and did not hang as naturally as it had over the practice shirt. His mom explained that that was because of the material the shirt was made of. She told him she would look around to see if she could find a t-shirt that would work better.
Everyone decided to skip Sunday practice this week since they had worked so hard and had held longer practices all week. Lee and Darby got their homework done and sat around watching TV and spending time with their families.
Lee and Darby talked about some routines the girls could do as a unified group. They came up with some ideas and tried to hammer out a few details.
Chapter 7 – Week Seven
Monday, Sally was back at the athletic supply store buying a couple of white tank tops made of the same soft wicking fabric as the cheer panties Lee seemed to like. Figuring he might like them, she bought a few in other colors and bought a couple of sleeved t-shirts also. Of course, the sleeves were a little shorter since they were designed for girls. But, they would all match Lee’s underwear.
Monday afternoon, Lee and Darby focused on ensuring that all the girls understood the timing exercises. They wanted to ensure that any item they included in the weekend performance could be done by every member of both squads.
Lee also worked with Kelly to add some additional flourishes to the traditional cheers the girls did. The girls and Kelly were all excited to perform the new routines. During certain portions of the program, some girls that used to stand to the side would instead spin on one leg with the other leg in the air. It was an ice skating move that added a nice adornment to the typical routine the girls performed. At another point, the girls would tumble towards the crowd and end up in a standing position. As they landed in the standing position they would shout the letter as the girls spelled out the school name. It wasn’t complicated. But it was different and would keep the crowd focused.
At home Lee was excited about the new t-shirts his mother had purchased. She told him they were of the same material as the cheer panties and had the same wicking characteristics. Lee seemed to ignore the obvious issue that the clothes were clearly designed for women. Since he did not bring it up, Sally saw no need.
The next game was homecoming and the girls wanted to do something special. Lee, Darby and Kelly talked about different options. Lee spent a lot of time thinking about ways to meld the two cheer squads. Lee finally came up with a program he hoped everyone would like.
The overall routine Lee envisioned would have the varsity squad do their enhanced half-time routine. Then the varsity squad would line up in two rows at centerfield. The junior squad would join them for a group of four rows. Darby would walk through the cheer position exercises and jumps. Kelly would switch places with Darby and they would do a couple of the cheers for the team. Then the varsity squad would move to the sides and take a knee. The junior squad would do their circle pattern with this week’s variation of routines followed by spins. The finish would be for both squads to come together with junior squad members walking on their hands or doing the hand stand routines on the outside while varsity and some junior members would line up and in perfect timing do parallel timed cartwheels, walkovers and round overs. Having a large group of girls doing a choreographed routine spread out on the field was a great visual.
Lee, Sylvia, Darby and Kelly worked with all t
he girls to perfect the program for Saturday. Everyone was excited about the homecoming game and the special program.
Lee and Sylvia planned to wear the gold cheer shorts combination with their coach shirts. Lee wore one of his new white tank tops. The coach shirt slid along it and Lee loved the feel of the material. He wondered why he had been wearing the other shirts when there were such comfortable options available.
On Saturday, the crowd loved the program. Lee and Sylvia were encircled by the joint squad and they congratulated all the girls following the program. In the second half, the junior girls joined in on several cheers as the football team stormed to victory.
Everyone headed home after the game to get ready for the homecoming dance. The event was just an open mixer and not a formal dance. Darby, Lee and several of their friends had not been to a school dance yet and most of them were not dating. Erin was going to drop Lee, Darby and a couple of friends from the neighborhood off at the dance where they would join other freshman. Jack and Liam intended to pick the kids up to ensure nothing inappropriate was going on.
Lee wanted to go super-casual. Sally convinced Lee to wear a pair of khaki pants with a nice polo shirt. Underneath, he wore one of his new t-shirt style undershirts. Lee loved the way his clothes flowed and slid over his underwear. It gave him a thrill. Other than well-kept long hair, Lee looked like any other freshman boy heading to his first dance.
Since most of them were not dating, everyone just wanted to have fun. Lee bounced between some of his male friends and people from the squad or his neighborhood. Many of Lee’s friends wanted to hang out with him because he knew many of the girls and they figured that would provide them an opportunity to dance and meet more people.
One of the results of Lee’s working with the cheer squad and his interactions was that he had relationships with a lot of people around school. Because of this, he wasn’t trying to meet people or overcome shyness. While most of his friends were trying to figure out how to talk to a girl, Lee was walking around talking to girls the way he did every day. Lee was unaware that he had avoided one of the primary obstacles freshmen had in trying to interact with the other sex.
Lee loved music and he spent a lot of the evening dancing to the music. Usually there was a group of 3-10 students dancing together. On slow dances, most of the freshmen headed to the refreshment stand. When dancing, if Lee saw any of his friends, male or female looking out at the group, he would proactively go over and drag them into the group.
What most impressed Lee’s friends was when many of the older cheerleaders came over hugged him and joined in dancing with his group for a few minutes. To the other freshmen, Lee was a rock star.
When the dance was over, the kids exited as a group. They were all in high spirits, laughing and chatting. Jack and Liam took the kids for a late ice cream before dropping people off at their homes. Both men were relieved that everyone seemed to have fun and there did not seem to be any youthful clinging or puppy dog eyes in the back seats of the van.
Sunday morning, Lee donned a blue t-shirt from the new ones his mom had purchased to wear for his run along with running shorts. Lee and Darby took off on a long run of about 8 miles. Afterwards, as they showered, Erin prepared a breakfast of pancakes and bacon. The two runners absorbed the calories after their exhausting run. They spent an hour or so working on homework before girls started to arrive for their Sunday practice.
The weather had been getting a little cooler and some girls showed up in warmup pants and light coats. After their success at the game and the late night dancing, practice was an easy workout. Sylvia and all of the varsity cheerleaders had shown up and it was clear that everyone was getting along and working together. Lee, Darby and Kelly were finding an easy fit for their roles. When they were done, Sylvia asked everyone to sit down for a few minutes.
“I cannot tell you how proud I was of the performances everyone delivered at yesterday's football game.” Sylvia began, “Your hard work shows in the quality of the performance. You are all working together and the unit cohesion is better than I have ever seen. The principal and several other administrators pulled me aside to express their pride and gratitude for the effort you have all put into the program this year. I know that the effort all of the first year cheerleaders and their advisor, Lee, has helped to push all of us to try new things and raise the level of our programs. I want to thank you and just take this moment to express how proud I am for all of you. Now, is there anyone that wants a snack or something to drink?”
Sally and Erin smiled and waved to the girls. Everyone attacked the snack trays and grabbed a drink.
As everyone sat around Sylvia sat down near Lee and Darby. “So, you two have had a lot of success in your first semester in high school. There are only two more games. I know we have to concentrate on finishing out the season. What do you plan to do after the football season is over?”
Lee jumped in, “I was hoping to try out for basketball and then my main sport is baseball. I need to get in shape for baseball.”
Sylvia laughed, “You are in better shape than anyone else in your class and most of the school. You should work on fundamentals so that you can make the team.”
Lee was surprised by her declaration. “I want to work on fundamentals. But, I don’t really know who is on the team and I don’t know if they will want to help me be my best.”
Sylvia smiled, “Finally, something I can help you with. After all you have done for the cheerleaders, I think I can help you out. Are you sure you want to go out for basketball?”
Lee was taken aback. “Why shouldn’t I?”
Sylvia didn’t want to upset him. “I didn’t mean you shouldn’t. I was asking how good you think you are and whether you would discuss any other options.”
Darby and Lee had talked about his plans. They both knew he would probably not be able to play varsity basketball.
Lee looked more like a typical shy freshman at that moment. “Well, I like basketball. I guess realistically, I don’t expect to play varsity because I probably won’t end up tall enough. I just wanted to try out.”
Sylvia nodded, “That’s the kind of analysis you have demonstrated all semester with the cheerleaders. Let me tell you my thoughts. Our program has always been a typical cheerleading program. But, you and Darby have raised the bar. We have never participated, but there are some competitions for high school cheerleader squads. I wondered if maybe we should see what happens if we tried to compete. It would be during the winter sports season and I guarantee it would not interfere with baseball. In addition, I will work with you to ensure that you have all the skills needed to make the baseball team and hopefully do well. I guess what I am asking is would you consider helping me in working with a group of the cheerleaders to put together a competition squad. You would not be able to do this and basketball. Tell me your thoughts.”
Lee was stunned. “I would continue to help with training and choreography?”
Sylvia nodded, “It would be a lot of what you have been doing. In fact, a lot of your routines are more appropriate for the competition than cheering for a sport. I think you could really contribute. I would not actually attempt this without you.”
“Who would be on this group?” Lee asked.
Sylvia nodded again, “I was going to make selections after talking to you. I thought we would take some of the varsity and some of the junior squad members. Some of the girls play other sports and won’t be available. Some might not want to do it.”
Lee laughed, “You seem focused on me. Have you noticed that everyone else has stopped talking and is staring at us?”
Sylvia looked up. Everyone was staring like they were waiting for the big reveal. “I guess we should have had this conversation in private.”
All the girls started laughing. Then suddenly they were all asking questions about the types of competitions and when they would be held. Some were asking Lee what routines he thought would work out. As the two of them were peppered with questio
ns, it occurred to Darby that the girls assumed that Lee’s participation was a done deal.
Darby stood up. “Ladies. Ladies.” She was holding her hand up in the air. “While I am equally excited about this opportunity. I think you have all assumed that Lee is going to give up his desire to play basketball. Lee was considering this. We kind of roped him into helping us for cheerleading. But, while I share everyone’s love for what Lee has helped us accomplish. Lee might want to do something else. I think it would be unfair of us to rope him in again. This would have to be something Lee wants to do. And, since it was dropped on him unexpectedly, I think we should give him a day or so to think about it. Let’s plan to discuss this on Wednesday. That will give Lee time to talk to Coach Steiling, his parents and anyone else whose opinion he would like to include. It will give him time to research what is involved. Maybe all of us should do some research ourselves. That way we can all have a thoughtful conversation on Wednesday afternoon. And Ladies, this is not a discussion. We are done talking today. Let’s everyone head home, spend time with your family and get ready for school tomorrow.”
Sylvia stood up, “Thank you Darby. That was the perfect way to handle this. Lee, you can come by and talk to me about this anytime. Or call me in the evening if you want to talk. I’ll look forward to talking on Wednesday. Erin, Sally, Thank you for everything.”
As the girls gathered their things and headed home, Erin stepped off the porch and wrapped her daughter in a tight hug. “I am so proud of you. You handled that situation like a pro and protected Lee while diffusing the situation. I love you.”
Lee was still a little stunned. “Thank you Darby. For a moment there, I felt like I was drowning. I think I need some alone time.” Lee wandered into the house looking exhausted. Sally looked at Erin who waved her away. Knowing Erin would clean things up and ensure everyone left. Sally followed Lee into the house and up to his room.
Sylvia expressed her gratitude to Darby and Erin for all they had done. She then hustled all the girls away. Darby helped her mom clean things up and headed with her mom back to her own house.