Chad Leads the Cheer - Melanie Brown

Chad Makes Cheerleader

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

“Hey, guys. Is something wrong?”

“Oh, hey, Chad,” said Rhonda. She was standing next to Nick, her football boyfriend and looked very upset.

“Dude. You haven’t heard yet?” asked Nick, the team captain and man of few words.

I grinned. “I’m always out of the rumor mill. What  happened?” School was over for the day, and everyone was leaving. Well, except for those who still had to attend practice.

Rhonda carefully wiped a tear from her eyes. “I wish it was a rumor. Sandra has left the squad. In fact, she’s left school entirely. She’s cleaned out her locker and gone.”

Feeling shocked, I asked, “What happened? I thought everyone liked her.” She was intensely cute, but she had rejected my date invitations at least three times.

Rhonda sighed. “Oh, it was nothing like that. Her dad got a new job, and they all had to leave right away.”

Nick nodded. “Several of the cheerleaders offered to let her stay with them at least until the end of the season, but she wasn’t allowed to.”

Marveling that Nick was able to say so many words at one time, I exclaimed, “That’s crazy! That makes you a cheerleader short just one week before the big game.” The big game being the cross-town rivalry with the other high school. We always managed to beat them.

Rhonda nodded. “The squad is devastated.”

“Oh, the humanity!” laughed one of the football players here at Coipea High School, suited up for practice as he and his buddy walked by.

The buddy said, “Nick, the coach is going to have your ass if you’re late to practice again. Leave the girls alone.”

The first player said, “You have to admit, that little blonde is cute.” I frowned as I was the only blonde standing with Nick.

Nick laughed. “Maybe you should try out, Chad. Your sister was cheerleader last year. Hey guys, I gotta run. Give my sympathy to the squad.”

Rhonda looked me up and down and giggled. “Yeah, too bad you’re a boy. We don’t have time for tryouts before Friday. Not to mention that at the last tryout, we scooped up the best candidates for cheerleader. The rest of the girls kinda sucked. Well, I gotta run, too. See ya later.”

I sighed as Rhonda trotted off towards the gym, leaving me alone. I chuckled to myself. I do know all the cheers and routines. Watching my sister, it all got drilled into my brain. “Don’t be stupid!”  I said to myself as I started walking to the parking lot to get my car.

                    *

The next day, school was all abuzz about Sandra leaving the squad. Okay, abuzz might be a bit strong, but I did hear a few boys gathered in the hall lamenting the loss of the cutest cheerleader. There was actually more buzz about the rumor that two football players were discovered in a broom closet kissing. And no, it wasn’t about Nick.

The cheerleaders were all wearing long faces. They all actually said “Thanks” to me after I told them I was sorry about Sandra. The low point of the morning for me was getting hit on again by a football player.

Nothing else much happened, and lunch time finally rolled around. I had the same lunch bell as the cheerleader squad, which always gave me something to look at. I usually just sat by myself, though I was usually welcome to sit with the math nerds. And today, my brain slipped a cog.

“Hey Rhonda,” I said to Rhonda.

Rhonda, along with a few other of the girls, waved glumly and said, “Hey.”

“I have a crazy idea I wanted to toss out to you.”

“What is it this time?” Rhonda asked warily. My last crazy idea to her was asking her to a movie. It was Nick who said no for her.

“I heard you guys were having a quick tryout this afternoon to replace Sandra. I want to try out,” I said, trying to look serious. “I know all the cheers, and my sister won top honors at cheerleading. You might say I’m a legacy member.”

Rhonda chuckled. “Thanks, but we don’t do boy cheerleaders at this school. And we don’t have a legacy program.”

One of the girls whose name escapes me asked, “She’s not a girl?”

Another squad member laughed, “I always thought she just had bad taste in clothes!”

Rhonda smirked at me. “Besides, we already have two girls lined up to try out.”

“I’ll beat them! Please let me try out!” I’ve lost my mind.

A guy I knew as on the team walked by with his tray said, “Oh, let the little blonde tryout.”

Rhonda threw up her hands in exasperation. “Who am I to argue with ‘Deep Freeze’?”

Oh yeah. “Deep Freeze”. His real name is Cecil. I said, “See? Deep Freeze knows talent when he sees it.”

Rhonda laughed. “He thinks you’re a cute girl. Okay, Chad. You win. Come by the girls’ gym at five. Just be dressed in gym shorts and a t-shirt.” She grinned as she added, “No rings or make-up.”

With a wide smile, I said, “I’ll be there with bells on.”

Rhonda shook her head. “No bells.”

                    *

When the bell rang at the end of the day, I made a mad rush to get home and change into clean gym shorts. I also had the extra time to shave my legs, not that they were all that hairy.

Mom looked at me quizzically as I rushed towards the door to leave. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“Gotta run, Mom. Going to try out for cheerleader!”

“I didn’t know they had boy cheerleaders,” Mom said in all seriousness.

“They don’t.” I slammed the door and rushed to my car.

I made it back to school in record time. Rhonda, sitting on the floor, clapped her hands as I entered the girls’ gym. “You actually showed up!”

Stretching my leg muscles, I said, “Of course! I’m ready to dominate these tryouts.”

Carrying something in her hand, Rhonda got up and walked towards me. “I shouldn’t really help you, but you’ll need this. Turn around.”

She was holding a cheerbow. My first mistake. I should have grabbed one of my sister’s. Rhonda affixed it to the back of my hair.

Rhonda shook her head. “Damn. If I didn’t know better… Do you always shave your legs?” Before I could answer, she said, “Go sit with those other girls. When the coaches get back, we’ll start the tryouts. You’re last in line.”  The school had two girls’ coaches and apparently, they would judge the tryout.

After a few minutes of waiting, Coach Waxman and Collins entered the gym, clipboard in hand and whistles dangling around their necks.

Coach Waxman said, “I see another girl has arrived.” She squinted at me. “I had you in P.E. last spring, right?” That would have been my sister, but before I could answer, four boys suited up for football practice came up to the door. Apparently, practice had just ended.

Nick called out, “Hey, coach. Okay if we watch.?” He winked at me.

Coach said, “As long as you’re not disruptive.”

Nick said, “Thank you, coach.” They all started to sit at the partially pulled away from the wall bleachers.

Deep said, “My money’s on that little blonde.”

Nick grinned. “Me too.”

Coach Waxman walked out to the center mat. “Okay, girls. Line up in this order. Cindy, Melissa and then Chad. Chad?” She shrugged. “Okay, Cindy. You’re up. Begin.”

One of the football players watching yelled, “Go Cindy!” And then made a few guttural “Oh! Oh!” sounds.

Watching Cindy was a little painful. She fumbled several cheers and fell at the end of her cartwheel. The top of her voice was not a very loud place so she came off sounding weak.

When Melissa was called out, that same player shouted, “Go Melissa!”

Melissa had a strong voice, but she flubbed every single cheer and obviously had never practiced any of the stunts.

When I was called up, not only that one player, but Nick and Deep all shouted, “Go Chad!” Cindy and Melissa looked annoyed.

I flubbed one yell because it was a new one added this year. But I executed my cartwheels and backflips like a seasoned pro. The girls on the squad, as well as Nick and Deep applauded when I finished.

Coach Waxman said, “Coach Collins and I will now adjourn to my office with our notes to determine who our new cheerleader will be.”

After waiting ten minutes, I began to suspect the coaches were hitting the liquor bottle Coach Waxman hides in her desk.

After a fifteen-minute wait, the two coaches returned.

Coach Waxman smiled broadly. “We had a winner. First, I want to congratulate all three girls for trying out. We know it’s not easy. The two not selected may come to Coach Collins and myself for an individual assessment.”

Coach then said, “Let’s have a big Coipea cheer to welcome our new squad member, Chad!”

All the girls leaped up and cheered. Even Nick and Deep cheered. I stood there, totally stunned. I didn’t think they’d take me serious. But now I’m the newest cheerleader. I felt faint.

                    *

“Hold still” demanded Rhonda as she was helping me with my make-up while waiting for the bus to take us to the stadium. I had worn my uniform all day at school. I was so nervous at the pep-rally. My Mom had helped me with my hair the night before and did my nails. I have to admit, standing down on the fieldhouse floor, my heart swelled with pride while wearing my new uniform. I got so many compliments!

When we finally got to the stadium I was totally pumped with excitement.

Rhonda asked, “How does it feel to be a  cheerleader, Chad?”

“It’s awesome!” I squealed. “I couldn’t be more thrilled just knowing I’m wearing this uniform. I love it!”

Coach Waxman said to her charge of squealing girls. “All right girls. Let’s get down on the field. The school’s photographer wants to take our pictures.”

Rhonda grinned at me. “Let’s go, gorgeous.” We then ran down to the field.

We won the game. Rhonda got an after game kiss from Nick. Deep Freeze surprised me with a kiss at the after game party.

He’s taking me to a movie on Saturday.

The End