Curse of the Fountain -11- Melanie Brown

Curse of the Fountain

Melanie Brown

Copyright © 2025

Part 11

“Nell! You have a visitor!”

“Thanks, Mom!” I called as I hurried to the front door.

“Hey, Nell.”

“Thanks for coming over, Sissy.” I said sincerely.  I had asked Sissy to come over after dinner to go over some finer points of cheerleading. I may not like being forced into cheerleading, but I don’t want to look like a damn fool, either.

Grinning, Sissy said, “Happy to help. Obviously, we can’t really work on your stunts inside your house, but we can get your cheers locked down.”

“My room is over this way. Oh, the grumpy dude in the recliner is my dad.” I chuckled as I pointed to the grumpy dude in the recliner.

Sissy said, “Nice to meet you, sir.”  Dad forced a smile and waved. We were interrupting some football panel discussion on some sports network.

Sissy and I both giggled as we ran back to my room. To reduce the noise I shut the door to my room. I told Riley if she wanted to see her eleventh birthday, she’d stay out of our room for two hours. I jumped up on my bed, and Sissy sat on the chair at the desk.

Sissy said, “We’ll cover our four main cheers and the alma mater. We have to sing that at the end of every game, win or lose.”

I shook my head. “Don’t you just love traditions?”

“While we go over the cheers, let’s do your nails,” said Sissy.

“Crap! I forgot. We’re doing red, correct?”

Sissy gathered up her notes and climbed up onto my bed. “That’s right.” She set her notes down on my bed.

I got up and grabbed the bottle of red polish from the top of the dresser. Nails. It’s another of those goofy things girls do that I just don’t understand. I got back up on my bed and sat cross-legged. I opened the bottle carefully hoping to not spill any.

As I started to carefully brush on some color, Sissy said, “Don’t worry about the skit tomorrow at the pep rally. We’ve already enlisted a couple of the football players to dress up as SLH cheerleaders.” The opposing team was Sidney Liebowitz High from the little town of Crane. We were expected to win the game Friday.

Not sure why, but I asked, “Is Jeff one of them?”

Sissy giggled. “You like him, don’t you? But no, we got ‘Freight Train’ and ‘The Wall’ to play the cheerleaders. They’re the biggest and hairiest players. It’s an old skit but always a hit.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, those guys are super hairy.” Even as a male I’d hate to be that hairy.

“So is it true your mother won you in a card game?”

I laughed. “No! I made that shit up because the truth is rather messy. Honestly, I don’t want to talk about it. I was living with my grandfather in South America while he treasure-hunted. He died in the jungle, and Mom claimed me before the Brazilian government did. Like I said, it’s messy.” I hated lying to Sissy, but this was the story the legal team dreamed up. It’s easier to just lie about being won in a card game.

Sissy nodded. “Sounds messy. Okay. Let’s get started on the cheers.”

We spent the next hour and a half going over cheers and singing the alma mater, as well as who we thought the cutest boys at school were (Jeff topped my list), what songs we had on our devices and our favorite movies. Mom brought us a snack of cookies and milk. Mom thinks I drink too much soda as it is.

Sissy’s phone buzzed. She picked it up and said, “My Dad’s here to pick me up. I’ll see you in the morning. Have all your make-up ready.”

I climbed off the bed to walk her to the door. “Thanks so much for coming over and helping me. I hope I’m ready for the pep rally. I admit, I’m scared to death.”

As we walked to the door, Sissy said, “Don’t be. You got this. And all the boys love you.”

I shook my head. “Terrific. Thanks again.”

As she passed through the door, Sissy shouted, “See you in the morning!”

From his recliner, Dad asked when I closed the door, “Why is she coming over tomorrow morning?”

I sighed. “To help me with my make-up.”

Dad shook his head as he went back to staring at the TV. “You girls and your make-up.”

I gave Dad a frosty glare. “It’s not my idea.”

                    *

I hated having to get up early to get my shower out of the way and get dressed in my cheerleader uniform before Sissy came over. Make-up is a required part of the uniform, or I should say expected. I had no idea what to do, and Sissy insisted I didn’t want my Mom to help with it.  We have to wear our cheerleader uniforms all day.

I entered the kitchen to get some fruit for breakfast. Mom was standing in the doorway in her PJs, her hair disheveled and drinking a cup of coffee.

“Well, don’t you look cute,” she said when she saw me. I had my hair up in large rollers to try to restore the wave to my hair. Hopefully it’ll be dry by the time I need to head off for school. I tried using a curling iron once and wound up scorching my hair. I accidentally left it turned on and got a lecture from Dad about burning down the house.

The doorbell rang. I shouted, “I’ll get it!”

From the kitchen, Mom said, “I need to get ready for work.” To Dad who had just stepped into the kitchen in his underwear said, “You might want to get a robe.” She pointed at the door as I was opening it.

“Shit,” said Dad as he broke one of Mom’s cardinal rules on language.

“Hey, Sissy. Come on back to my room. We’ll have to put up with my little sister, though.”

Sissy chuckled. “I have a little sister too, remember?”

I had a small table I’d put in my room that morning and loaded it with my makeup collection. Sissy chuckled when she saw it. “I was expecting to do this in your bathroom, but this gives me more room. You might want to get a vanity.”

Riley came bounding into the room after brushing her teeth. “Are you going to show Nell how to wear make-up?”

As I sat down in front of the table, Sissy said, “That’s the plan.”

Riley laughed. “About time. Ever since she met that Jeff dude, she’s been hogging the bathroom trying to practice with it.”

With a scowl, I snarled, “I have not, you little liar!”  Once. I did it once.

Sissy giggled. “This isn’t a tutorial. And girl, if you want to get good at it, like me, you have to do it every day.”

Shrugging, I said, “I just don’t see the point.”

Giggling, Riley said, “The point is named Jeff!”

Frowning at Riley, I said, “Come here. Let me staple your lips shut.” I fumbled for the stapler on the desk.

Sissy frowned at me. “Do you want my help or not? Let’s get this done.”

“Okay, okay. Let’s do it.”

Looking solemn, Sissy said, “Let’s start with foundation.” She then quickly and methodically applied the various liquids and powders to my face. Why the hell do women do this? What a chore!

“I’ll let you do your own lipstick. You’ll have to re-apply it all day.”

I looked in the mirror after I had put on the lipstick. “Wow. That red’s intense.”

Sissy nodded. “Well, it’s the color required today. After today, play with the different shades you have to find the one that suits you best. Hey, I gotta go. Remember. Second period, come straight to the field house.”

I studied myself in the mirror. “Thanks, Sissy! You’re a lifesaver.”

Grinning, she said, “You’re very welcome. See you at the pep rally.” I walked her to the door and watched as she jumped into her dad’s car.

I looked in the mirror again. “Moooom! Can you help me with my hair?”

                    *

The car rolled slowly to the curb. I grabbed the door handle and let go a few times. “I don’t want to go. I look stupid.”

Mom shook her head. “You look fine, sweetie. Sissy did a great job on your make-up.”

“I know. But Mom this whole cheerleading thing is stupid. Can you imagine me, jumping around and yelling?”

Mom chuckled. “Well, I certainly can’t imagine my curmudgeonly old uncle doing anything fun. But now you’re that girl I saw dancing around the living room in pure, youthful joy. I think you’ll do fine.”

As I cracked the car door open, I asked, “Are you and Dad coming to the game?” None of us cheerleaders, band members, or dance squad will be going home after school. No, we’re all getting chicken nuggets and a bus ride to the stadium.

Smiling, Mom said, “Of course, honey. We wouldn’t miss it for the world. We’re here for you.”

I nodded a couple times. “Thanks. I guess I’ll see you at the game.” I stepped out of the car and closed the door.

I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath. I started walking towards school. I’m wearing a skimpy outfit that, a few weeks ago, would have been a horrifying spectacle. I’m wearing make-up and nail polish. I think I’ve gone completely insane.

                    *

End of Part 11