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For Chay, being the head cheerleader has always been a dream. Working her ass off for tryouts, being mentored and pushing her body to new heights. Respecting the seniors before her. Those who taught her and handed down the baton. She has done nothing eat and sleep cheerleading even in the office season.
It was a surprise in her senior year, Macau, a new transfer in her junior year joined the squad. She had been a cheerleader in her former school but still had to try out here. Things were going well for Macau, Chay had been trying to make things easier on her transition to a new school. She knew Macau was dating the school quarterback, Kinn.
They have public smiles and glances at games and practices, when Kinn was playing Macau would cheer the loudest.
Chay started seeing changes in Macau. Going silent in a room full of people. Kinn and Macau were seen fighting on more than one occasion.
Chay is up against a hurdle. She has feelings for Macau. After Macau was accepted into the team, during their first practice Chay felt a apart just looking into Macau eyes. Given Macau early interest in Kinn Chay never said a thing. But the attraction didn't fade and Chay made it no secret how she felt about the other cheerleader. She didn't show Macau any favoritism and didn't go easy during practice.
Chay couldn't confirm it but knew Kinn had figured it out and felt threatened by Chay. She knew Kinn was trying to get Macau to leave the squad.
Arriving back to school in the team bus, seeing a notice on the door as the disembarked. "The cheerleading squad will be disbanded and removed from campus." There had been no meeting. No notice they were being considered.
The other girls were equally as shocked to see the notice. Chay knows this is Kinns doing. Pull the power of the team and the quarterback title, take away cheerleading and Macau is all his minus Chay.
There is a two week notice on the page. Chay knows there is an assembly a few days prior. "What do we do?" This is the moment Chays cheer sister prepared her for. When the weigh of responsibility would be only hers. "Show them exactly what it is they are cutting."
Kinn making an appearance outside Chays dorm room. The university has shut down any and all practice spaces so they have to cram into a dorm room. Shoving Kinn away as they go inside. He knows he's gotten his way but he doesn't get to see what they are doing.
Wearing their certified name tags with pride as they practiced. Little pieces of paper clipped to their shirt. During a cool down, Macau sitting on the bar in her athletic bra and shorts.
Macau has felt guilty about all of this. She's a victim like the rest of the squad is. Readying her hands to steady Macau as she comes down off the counter, ready for another session. Her body riding down the length of Chays. Her body is perfect, not the first time this thought has come up and Chay has tried to chase it away.
Macau is diverting her eyes, a scare tactic Kinn used to get Macau to bend to his will. "I will do what it takes to make you safe again."
The players are all getting awards for their achievements for the season. The cheerleaders weren't expected to show up or in their uniforms.
Kinn is the last member to receive his honor and it's their cue to take the stage. Chay first thought to show up in black robes. Up on a vote. It's the idea. Make themselves unmistakable with their hoods up. Faces down. When the music starts, taking it off and throwing them across the room. It doesn't stop the crowd from getting to its feet. The crowds cheers is what they live for.
The routine is flawless and they are giving it everything. If they are going out, make it a bang. This gym has no more air flow than their small room practice, they are conditioned for it. The routine has come to an end and they are having breathe, dripping in sweat with crowd loud. Eyes on her fellow member as they take in the stands and each other. Eyes on Macau. It's just the two of them for a second.
Chay breaking the formation, walking up to the microphone and detaching it from the stand. Getting her breath, the crowd noise still loud as she looks behind her. There is nothing but pride. Discomfort from the other side of the gym.
"What you just witnessed has been in the making for 50 years. A team built from the tradition of this school. A sisterhood building up the team on the field. Cohesively working together for one goal. Leading each other to victory. Both working tirelessly."
Taking a breath, swallowing hard. "The cheerleaders were served notice two week ago, saying we were no longer needed." The crowd making loud noise again. Booing. "A meeting needs to be attended given prior notice. It happened, the day the cheer squad was out of town." Louder commotion being made.
Feeling a hand in hers. Looking down, seeing it's really there, plain nails belonging to Macau. Showing safety and trust in her eyes. "There is one way to push the meeting to advance. The quarter back and the coach had to show significant cause and concern for the school and squad."
In coming forward, Macau is also giving permission. This is a big step in all accounts. "The quarter back has a secret. Subjecting a cheerleader to abuse. All of us here have been to the team parties. He makes a scene fighting with her." Macau is take the microphone from her. "Intense eye contact meant to intimidate and scare me. Trying to make me go silent."
She can see Macau breathe. "What I found is sisters standing up and with their members. Unconditional love." Hand getting a squeeze. "Empowerment. Showing each other, we can. Isn't that why this cheerleading squad was made? If we let ego or power get in the way, then what are we really doing it for?"
The microphone is being taken from Macau before she can't stop it. "It's all waste when the head cheerleader is a dyke. It threatens the university's student code." She has to keep herself from laughing. He looks so accomplished by saying this to a crowd. Some look surprised, some don't.
"What era are you from?" As cool and collected as she can be. "Dyke stopped being used in the 90s and the only threat is that your little guy can't perform." There are jeers from the crowd. Macau still has her hand.
The Dean of students is taking the stick from Kinn. "The code of conduct clearly states no moral corruption can occur on campus." The other girls are filing in behind her. "Then you have a problem. Macau found a home with us. Where she feels safe and if you bag our captain then we all walk." More mixed reactions.
Kinn looks outraged. "You see. You playing with a bigger machine." Looking Kinn over. "It pays to be a cheerleader." And it looks like the crowd, who are challenging both men, want their girls more than their men in uniform as they walk out of the gym.
______________
The event caused a big uproar, calling for a board meeting with most of who was at the assembly and parents showing up.
"Has it ever been this big?" Macau asks. All the cheerleaders are at the back wall, their attendance isn't demanded but requested. "Nope."
"So this is what you've been up to since I left." Porsche graduated last year. "Challenging societal norms. "Hugging each other. "This is Macau, the new girl. This is the former cheer captain, Porsche." Greeting each other with big smiles. "This is seriously cutting into my me time." She states as her attention goes back to the room.
"You haven't changed." Porsche states. Did she really think it would? "She's gorgeous, by the way." Porsche whispers in her ear. A smile on both their faces.
"These cheerleaders are here to support the team, they are under contract with the school. We own them." Kinn is spouting his crap, gesturing to the back of the room and to the building. That is causing some commotion. "They can't get pregnant without our advanced notice."
Chay is rolling her eyes so hard it hurts. There is banging of a gavel at the front of the room. "The fact that you bulldozed a meeting to get the cheer squad kicked off campus is a strike against you and your coach. I would like the cheerleader, Patricia to step forward."
She has been here three years, wasn't nominated for Captain and didn't want the position but gives it everything she has. "When you arrived back after the meeting, what did you find?" The panelist is calm. "An eviction notice. It wasn't much time, we all thought we were being asked to leave that day." Patricias arms behind her back and they twitching, they do when she's angry.
"Did you investigate the matter?" They all know we did. "Yes, we asked other students, the head of the university. The coach and quarterback had held a meeting the day before we arrived." The panelist nodding. "Besides the day of the gather in the gym was there a cause for why it was held?" Chay has to keep herself from laughing, not a good idea right now. "We had served our purpose as cheerleaders and should venture other avenues."
The panelist is again nodding. "If I may add, we have every color on this squad, every ethnicity, we have nine different cultures. We are tough on ourselves to get it right because there are no second chances in front of a crowd. Our captains, past and present, don't favor one over the other. We pull together when one of us is in trouble. We are stronger because of it."
She is walking back to the line. There is wide spread applause. High fives with everyone. Kinn is holding up both arms to stop the noise. "No. We have to stop this immorality from spreading." She can feel the frown of her face as the room goes quiet. "You have been saying that but would you explain."
Chay can take his pestering anymore. "The grounds of which our university have stood are being put to ash by the captain of the squad." Looking around the room, seeing just as many friends as hers.
"Like every student in this university, I have ready the handbook cover to cover. As you so blatantly put it at the assembly, there is nothing in there against Lgbt members." The rest of the cheerleaders are applauding.
"If I may." Patricia is stepping for again. "Chay has never shown an interest in men since she joined the squad. There was a small change when a new recruit joined this year. Unlike the quarter back has stated, our captain has never flaunted herself. Now I don't know if this is because she didn't want to bring attention to herself but her job as captain has been to our the squad first." Patricia is winking. Chay can't help the smile.
Looking at Kinn. "The men are as loud as they can be when they show interest bin the opposite sex. When a woman shows interest in the same sex she gets booed. How, is who I'm attracted to or not, any of your business?" The room is bursting with noise again.
"Hot shot." Porsche whips when Chay rejoins the line. "If I could add something?" Chays eyes are bugging out at the sound of Macaus voice. "I think I know what's going on here. Kinn wants to shut down the cheerleaders because of me. Me and him dated but we were never on solid ground. When he saw how involved I became with the squad he starts fighting me. I showed an interest in the captain of the squad and so started his vendetta. Get rid of the squad get rid of Chay. This has nothing to do with school rules.
And he knows his power. It was why he got the meeting while we were gone. We all questioned what we should do when we saw the eviction notice. Chay didn't. Show them what they will be losing is what she said. Kinn took it a step farther, banning us from every practice space, it wasn't easy but Chay didn't let us give up.
You always did like being the center of attention. We'll look around. You have it. It could be that or that I didn't choose you."
The grab came out of nowhere, as Macau was walking away. The cheerleaders and the team all rushing in. "Your mine." Kinn growled for the whole room to hear. His bidding trying to pull him away. The grip on Macau getting tighter. The gavel on wood sounding through the room as everyone separates. All Chay can see is the red mark on Macaus arm.
"Is everyone all right?" Not looking away and knowing the fury on Kinns face. A heavy pause at the events. "I was willing to let this go with a warning, given the severity of what just transpired I can no longer look the other way. The cheerleaders will be reinstated to campus grounds. Although it is unusual for same gender relationships it is not unheard of."
Leveling her gaze at Kinn. "We can all leave from the cheer team, if I thought it would make a difference I would give you probation of a year behind the scenes, I revoke your scholarship through our institution and hope you get in on good merit to another university."
Although it should be justice all Chay can think about is getting Macau out of here. Finding a small corner to get a look at the arm. Harsh finger marks are coming into view. This has never happened before, they all would have noticed. The urge to hold and protect is stronger than she ever would have thought possible.
"Can I?" Macaus lips are on hers. Never being more satisfied to hold another person more in her life. Grateful for the wall holding Macau on the other side. "You deserved a reward." Not believing the words, Macau being so forward.
Chays look has shifted a little. There have been hints of her eyes lingering before. Now her eyes have want sparkling in them. Her eyes devouring Macaus face. Kinn has never gotten physical like that, seeing Chays full outrage and wanting to tamp it down, make some of the worry go away.
Chay is going one step farther. Pressure on her neck, warmth and wet, making her body tingle all over. Chays hands on the wall like she has to physically restrain herself. She had never kissed Kinn, no matter how much he wanted to, it never felt right to let it happen. He wasn't the person she wanted to kiss.
Chays eyes are full blown black, the sparkle almost gone. "I should stake my claim then." The words sending shivers through her body. Chay really held herself back, out of fear of rejection, not wanting to scare her. "It's one I don't mind having."
Taking Chays hand as they walk down the hall. Kinn coming out of the meeting room with a couple other players. "Really? A hickey? Just couldn't wait, could you?" He sees the kisses red lips and two hands. Chay looking at her, feeling the smile on her own face. "Hell no." Laughing as they are walking away.