Page 6 of The Cheerleader

We all turn sideways with our arms poised, and Mary calls out, “Five, six, seven, eight.”

Here I am doing the dance routine I learned an hour ago with the official cheerleading squad for UConn. A laugh spills out from my wide smile, and the giddy feeling is unexpected.

I’m not a giddy person. I’m not even sure what it means to be a cheerleader or what I’ve gotten myself into, but the pure joy of this group of girls bubbles over like champagne, and I’ve taken a big sip. I know without knowing why that I’m in for the time of my life.

When the routine ends, we collapse into a huddle, laughing and hugging each other. Liz hugs me and then Carol. She has tears in her eyes, and I’m assuming they’re joyful.

Mary comes down from the stage where the judges were sitting and joins us.

“Congratulations, ladies. Before you go, I’d like a few minutes with you. Let’s sit.”

We all take seats on the floor in a circle as if it were a perfectly normal thing to do. It’s not, I remind myself, but I follow suit.

“I’ve been asked by Pete to introduce you to the program. Some of you were on the squad last year, so you know at least some of it, but let’s go over everything.” Her smiling eyes travel around the group.

“First, you are now representing the University of Connecticut when you put on your uniform and even when you’re not in uniform. Keep that in mind as you go through your days in class and out around campus.”

She pauses to glance around at us to make sure we understand the gravity. “Second, you’ll be required to attend practices two to three times a week all through football and basketball seasons, and in addition, you’ll report to campus a week before classes for two-a-day sessions at training camp. Your dorm rooms will be available for you to stay at, and you will be eating breakfast and lunch at the Student Union using ID cards.”

“That’s so cool,” Penny says. She has an adorable, almost Minnie Mouse voice and Shirley Temple honey blond curls. She’s the only one of us who wears glasses, and I wonder how she’ll manage without them when we have a game. She pushes them up her pert nose now and catches me watching her.

“Very cool,” I say and smile at her. I’m not sure if it is cool, but I guess I’ll find out. So far, cheerleading sounds like a big commitment, and I wonder if it might interfere with my studies.

Mary finishes up about the code of conduct and then asks Liz to stay behind a minute while we go back to the sidelines to gather our things. The girls are all about to disperse and go back to their dorms or classes when Liz lets out an ear-piercing whistle.

“Hold up. One more announcement.” She and Mary come over to us.

“Pete and the athletic department decided to name Liz McNeil as the captain of the cheerleading squad next year. Let’s all congratulate her.”

I give Liz a genuine hug. “I’m so happy for you. You’ll make a great captain.”

“She’s always in charge, so it makes sense,” Carol says, smiling. The others laugh.

“That’s not all I have to announce,” Mary interrupts the buzz of congratulations. “The University will host a dinner tonight at seven at Chuck’s Steak House for the cheerleading squad, current and new members⁠—”

“Including the guys?” Liz says.

A pop of surprise dislodges my tongue. “Guys?”

The others laugh, and Mary continues. “Sure, let’s include them. Maybe you can use the dinner as a perk to encourage more guys to join the squad.” She smiles wryly at Liz, then goes on. “As usual, Pete has left it to me to represent the Athletic Department, so he won’t be there tonight. And I’m passing the torch.” She hands Liz a blue card. “You can be in charge of the bill and the paperwork.”

Liz laughs, and Mary glances at the giant clock on the wall, her face registering alarm. “I’ll leave the rest of the announcement to you, Liz. I can’t be late to my next class.”

Mary leaves, and the rest of the girls break up, getting ready to follow suit.

Liz takes my arm as she gathers up her things shoved against the wall. “I knew you’d be a natural. Look at you!”

“This is crazy. I’ve barely been admitted to UConn—a few hours ago.”

“Shh. You don’t tell them, and I won’t.”

I glance at my watch. “Shit. I have to go too. My parents will be wondering what happened to me.”

“You sure you can’t stay over and celebrate? You can call your parents from my room and tell them.”

“You’re crazy.” I wonder if I should call Mom to ask if I can keep her car and stay overnight. I can’t tell her I’d be staying with Liz of all people.

She laughs. “What else is new?” She shouts, “Let’s do it. Dinner at Chuck’s Steak House tonight. And remember, the university is paying.” She waves the plastic card around like it means something.