Cheerleader- Boy for the Cheer

by Daring Diane

  Dinner was good and everyone was full. Lee started slow and found his appetite.

  After dinner, the day’s exhaustion caught up with Lee. He went to his room and crashed early. Sally checked on him regularly and finally allowed herself to go to sleep. She was up early and checked on Lee. He was still sleeping soundly.

  She woke Lee up a little earlier than usual so she could talk to him before school.

  Lee came down to breakfast with his book bag and the string cheer bag. As he began eating breakfast, Sally sat down next to him. “Lee we need to talk before you head out.”

  He looked at his mother and nodded, “What about?”

  “Lee, you got very upset yesterday. Sylvia and Darby both talked to me about it. I want to make sure you are okay. Are you Okay?”

  “Mom, I think I’m okay. I don’t really know. I had a lot of weird thoughts yesterday. I think I was overwhelmed when I was given the cheer bag.”

  “What was it that concerned you the most?”

  “I think I am still worried about doing something that boys should not be doing. I don’t want to be the butt of jokes at school and I want to have friends. I don’t want to be thought of as one of the weird kids. But, for a few minutes, I wanted to be one of the girls. I wanted to have all the cool stuff. And then I realized I should not want any of that. That was when I started to lose control.”

  “Lee, your father and I will love you no matter what. Everyone wants to be liked and to be popular. No one wants to be the butt of jokes. But in life, you have to be comfortable with yourself. You have to do what makes you happy. And in the end, you have to live with yourself. Sometimes I wonder if you realize how many friends you really have. I understand you are not hanging out with a bunch of school jocks. But, you have some very good friends and they are probably as much of athletes as the jocks you think you should be with. I would also suggest that no other freshman at your school has as many friends in all four classes as you do. These girls adore you and would do anything for you. I talked to Darby’s mom last night after you went to bed. Darby was on the phone all night because your friends were worried about you. You, your father and I, along with all your friends will make sure you are not embarrassed or an outcast. And according to Sylvia, she expects you to be starting on the baseball team this spring. So, maybe you will end up hanging out with those jocks after all. Now, you grab your stuff and go get Darby. Then head off to school.”

  Lee picked up his things and went next door. Darby was very happy to see him and ran out the door. She gave him a quick hug and they headed off to school.

  Sally watched Lee as he headed off to school. She hoped today was a good day. Sylvia told her a secret last night that should make Lee very happy.

  School went pretty smoothly on Tuesday. For practice, Lee dressed in his cheer shorts and the sleeveless workout top. At the start of practice he noticed that there was a variety of different outfits today. He believed that having a consistent outfit on different days of the week was a good strategy that helped them all concentrate on working out. They were still concentrating on fitness at this point. After practice, Lee asked everyone to come together.

  “Ladies, I believe that we all benefited in different ways from having a sort of dress code for our cheerleading workouts during football. I would like Darby to lead a group of you who will set out a dress code for practices. That way we will all wear the same thing and we will look like a cohesive unit. Please let Coach Steiling and I know your decision. Remember, besides our new clothing, everyone has the cheer shorts and workout tops we wore during the football season. Since we don’t have a decision yet, tomorrow we wear the old practice tops and black cheer shorts.”

  Chapter 12 – The Special Trainer

  As everyone was getting ready to leave Coach Steiling asked Lee and Darby if she could give them a ride home.

  As they drove away from the school, Sylvia mentioned that she needed to make a quick stop. They pulled into a strip mall and she bade Darby and Lee to come in with her. They went in the back door of a store in the strip mall. Once inside, the kids could see that they were in a business with indoor batting cages. An older gentleman was in the rear cage.

  Sylvia said, “Lee and Darby, I’d like to introduce you to Jerry Steiling, my father. Dad, these are the two students I was telling you about.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you. Sylvia has told me so much about you.” Looking at Lee, he added, “And you are the future baseball player, right?”

  Lee was surprised, “Yes sir. That’s the plan.”

  Jerry asked, “I understand you are in really good shape, and you can run pretty fast. How are you on fielding and hitting?”

  Wondering where this was going, Lee admitted, “Hitting is probably my weaker area. I am pretty good in the field and I usually play infield, shortstop or second base.”

  Turning around, Jerry instructed, “Drop your stuff and let’s see what we have to work with.”

  Still befuddled, Lee put his bags down and followed Jerry into the cage. Lee donned a helmet and picked up a bat. Jerry turned on the pitching machine and watched Lee swinging and made some mental notes. He walked over to Lee and told him to adjust his stance. He helped him move his arms and the angle he held the bat.

  Jerry was impressed by the immediate improvement and could see that Lee took the advice and put it in practice. After about half an hour, Jerry said, “That’s enough for today. Can you come by for 45 minutes to an hour on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons right after your practice?”

  Lee was still mixed up, “Yes, I can work that out. I’m not sure I understand what we are doing here.”

  Jerry laughed, “You didn’t tell him.”

  Sylvia shook her head. “I wanted it to be a surprise. I promised to help him with his game. I just thought maybe you would be better at helping him.”

  Lee looked at them, “So, you are going to help me get better at baseball?”

  “That’s the plan.” Jerry said.

  “Well I guess thanks are in order. I appreciate your taking the time to help me. Will this hurt your business?”

  Jerry laughed. “No, my business will be fine. I am pretty sure that if you work with me, I can get you to be one of the best hitters on your team and I’ll fix any problems with your fielding in a week or two. Then it is just a matter of practicing and showing up for the tryouts.”

  Lee blurted out, “I wish I had your confidence. Shouldn’t I be hitting off real pitches? Is this really the right way to learn this stuff?”

  Jerry’s response, “I know it’s the right way. You guys head out now. I’ll see you Thursday.”

  On the ride to their home, Lee thanked Sylvia. “I appreciate your dad helping out. I was going to ask my dad to help me. I’m not sure we should inconvenience your dad. I just wish I could go to one of those high end camps people talk about.”

  Sylvia giggled. “Lee, you are going to one of those high end camps.”

  Lee tried to explain, “I meant one of those ones you hear about where rich guys go and play with the pros. It might raise my game.”

  Sylvia was still giggling. “Lee, I know exactly what you mean. You are going to get much better training than at one of those camps. And it’s free.”

  Lee said, “I’m sure your dad was really good at helping you play when you were younger. But this is real baseball. I have to compete with people that think they could get into the minor leagues.”

  Sylvia stopped in front of Lee’s house. As Lee and Darby said goodbye, Sylvia said, “Lee, my dad was the hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers, he ran their pre-season summer camps to weed out young players. There is no one within a hundred miles who has trained more professional players than my dad. You hit the lottery my boy. Buck up.”

  Lee stared open mouthed as she drove away.

  Darby said, “Well I guess she showed you. Do you think you might be able to learn something from a professional baseball coach whose job it was to teach young players and de
velop talent? Ah, Ah. Don’t say anything. Just go home.”

  Darby had a spring in her step as she headed home waving to Lee.

  Jack was thrilled when he heard the name of Lee’s trainer. He was going to take off work and come by for some of the practices. Jerry had been one of his idols for years. Lee had no idea. Sally was delighted to see her son happy after yesterday’s ups and downs.

  Lee went to bed on Tuesday evening with a positive outlook on the future. He was getting comfortable with the cheer squad and now he had reason to believe he could succeed at baseball, clearly a man’s sport. Lee crawled between the covers in his soft panties and a matching tank top/camisole. Eventually, Lee had determined he loved his new underwear and it was more comfortable than anything he had ever slept in. With Christmas coming, Lee was trying to figure out how to ask his mom for some pajamas made out of the same soft material. He might need to wear more than just underwear to bed as winter took hold.

  Lee carried his string bag bearing his name and his book bag to school. Lee liked having a bag with his name on it. Darby exited her house carrying her string bag along with her book bag and they headed to school. They both had a spring in their step this morning. Lee talked about Jerry and told Darby how excited his dad was. Apparently, Jerry was a really big deal in professional baseball. Lee looked him up on the internet and Jerry had an amazing reputation. It was said he could take people with little or no talent and mold them in to really good players.

  Darby was happy that Lee was going to get what he wanted in the baseball department. She and the other girls had demanded a lot from Lee and it was time for him to get something back.

  Darby informed Lee that the girls talked on the phone last night and came up with a schedule for workout uniforms and days of the week. They would all discuss it after practice. Lee did not notice the smirk on her face. She hoped that he would go along with their decisions.

  Like during the football season, Sylvia was joining the girls for their afternoon workout. That afternoon after practice, everyone sat down. Darby stood in front of the group and described the wardrobe plan for workouts and a few other situations.

  Darby said, “An e-mail containing the information we discuss will be sent to everyone after I get home. Earlier this year, Lee instituted a plan where all of the members of our squad wore the same color coordinated outfit for training every day. You all know that and I think we all agree that this made us feel like a unit and built team unity. It was a great idea. We hope to continue this practice going forward as we build a new team in a new sport at our school. On Mondays, we will practice in squad sleeveless tops and blue cheer shorts. Tuesday you will wear cheer squad tank top and cheer squad leggings. Wednesday’s dress will be practice tops from football and black cheer shorts. Thursday, dress in your second sleeveless top and gold cheer shorts. Friday we will wear the same outfit as Tuesday. Saturday practices, when we have them will be football practice tops and black cropped leggings. Sunday practices when needed will be a sleeveless squad top and red cheer shorts. Now, we have a couple of other things to help unit cohesion. On Fridays, everyone will wear their warmups to class. That is coats and pants. I expect most of you will wear your leggings under the warmups with the squad polo. You may wear the sports bra or workout tank under the polo. It will not be acceptable to wear your cheer tank top as outerwear for class at any time. No one will wear a cheer squad sports bra as outer wear. Are there any questions?”

  While Lee had several questions, he along with everyone else, remained quiet.

  “There are a couple of other issues. No one will wear the uniform unless it is for an event or squad scheduled activity where the uniform is designated as the uniform to wear. No one will wear the cheer skirt without the cheer briefs. Cheer briefs are outerwear ladies. That means you will wear underwear. No one will wear a thong as underwear to a cheer activity unless you are notified that it is acceptable. It should not need to be said, but any body hair exposed in the official uniform shall be removed. This includes underarm hair. If god forbid, you have obvious facial hair, Miss Steiling will recommend a local shop that has offered their services. Hair on your head will be well-groomed. At competitions or public appearances, we will designate the attire including hair and other accessories. Everyone will match. On Fridays when we all wear the uniform warmups, everyone will wear their necklace. No one will wear their cheer necklace, any other necklace or any earrings during practice or while competing. From now on cheer squad members wear navy blue or black scrunchies only.”

  “That pretty much covers the items the committee discussed. One final thing, next Saturday evening there will be a party and sleepover at my house. My mom wanted to do something for everyone after football was over. Everyone is invited. Try to arrive around 4:30. We’ll be supplying dinner. Lee and I will get things setup ahead of time. Lee, I assume you’ll help me.”

  Lee nodded, “Of course.”

  Several questions were asked and soon everyone was dismissed. Lee and Darby headed home talking about the clothing choices and the party. Darby wanted to focus on the party and asked Lee to help with a number of items. She did not want Lee to focus on the clothing.

  Lee printed out the clothing choices so that his mother could help make sure he had the necessary items washed for each day. She read with interest the parts regarding grooming and such. “Lee, even though you are the assistant coach, you’re considered on the squad right?”

  Lee considered the question, “Yes, technically I am a member of the squad according to Coach Steiling.”

  Lee was startled when his mother said, “According to these rules, you can’t wear a thong with any of your cheer uniforms. I’m sorry those are the rules.”

  As Lee whipped around to stare at his mother, she was snickering and smiling. He quickly realized she was kidding him. I mean, he didn’t even have any thongs.

  Later, Lee went over to Darby’s and spent the evening going over details of the party. All the girls would bring sleeping bags or blankets and pillows. Everyone would sleep in the family room. After dinner, they would all watch a movie or two. Darby and her mom would pick up the movies at the store. Darby said they would have popcorn and freshly baked cookies to snack on. All in all it sounded like fun. Lee figured he’d head home at some point in the evening. Yet, he looked forward to the party.

  Heading to school on Thursday, an animated Darby talked non-stop about the party. That afternoon the squad practiced in their gold cheer shorts. After practice, Darby accompanied Lee to the batting cage where Lee spent around an hour with Jerry.

  **********

  In many ways, Lee and Darby were just like any other high school freshmen. Darby had never been a girly girl. Yet, being on the cheerleaders, Darby had been exposed to not only the freshmen but the older cheerleaders. Many of the cheerleaders were good looking young ladies, but most of the older girls were more concerned about their appearance than many of the freshmen girls. Over time, because of constant interactions, Darby and other girls on the junior team became more concerned about their appearance and the clothes they were wearing. While many of the girls wore more dresses and were more stylish, Darby still avoided moving to skirts as she still preferred pants and shorts. She was not afraid of skirts, it was just not her preferred clothing. When looking for new clothes, Darby found herself looking at pants and tops that had a more feminine flair.

  As Darby entered puberty, her mother worked with her on skin care and other personal grooming. Before high school Darby regularly shaved her legs and underarms. Since Lee was with Darby almost all the time, they talked about everything.

  Lee saw no need to shave his legs or underarms, but he and Darby talked about skin care and their faces. As Lee began showing signs of mild acne months after Darby, he took advice from Darby and his own mother and adopted a skin care regime for his face and neck. Sally taught Lee that as an athlete, he would shower and use harsh soaps more frequently. She explained that this would dry his skin out. Sally t
aught Lee good skin care and he religiously used skin moisturizers.

  With long hair, Lee and Darby had both been trained by their mothers to take care of their hair. Both washed, conditioned and regularly got their hair trimmed to avoid split ends.

  Lee was not showing signs of developing facial hair and he did not expect to since his father Jack had not developed significant facial hair until his senior year in high school.

  While a few students in the freshman class dove into dating, Lee and Darby along with many of their friends had avoided the one on one relationships. If and when they went out or to school activities like the football games they would hang out as a group. The group often included boys and girls. The cheerleaders bonded strongly under Lee’s guidance and they were often together as a group at school and weekend activities.

  Lee and Darby talked about boys and girls. Like all young girls, Darby was interested in boys and what they thought about her. As the fall semester moved along, she became more concerned about what she wore and began adding a little makeup. Lee was a rock for Darby. Lee constantly assured Darby that she should live her life and not worry about what other people thought. In regular conversations, without pandering, Lee would try to convince her that she was a class leader, a team leader and one of the better looking girls in the class. Reminding her that she had lots of friends from the neighborhood and from the cheerleading squad, Lee would build a case that Darby was the girl all the other classmates looked to as an example. Darby had a lot of self-confidence and with Lee’s support she lived her life from week to week and added to the things that made her stand out. Like all the other girls, Darby speculated on which boys were good looking or might be interested in her. In these conversations, Lee tried to be objective and offer helpful opinions without influencing her one way or the other. As one would expect, Darby had more of these conversations with the girls. But, she and Lee were such close friends and spent so much time together, Darby was totally comfortable having even these intimate talks with Lee.