Save the Cheerleader, Save the World

[Flicker]

There was no cheer practice Friday in honor of parent’s day -- no classes. Peyton smiled to herself. Despite getting frustrated at times, she did miss it. Saturday was another picture perfect day for sitting out on the sand, listening to some music and even though there was no practice, jotting down a few notes. Ar and Sondra would make a great match up for a stunt team. With Ar’s strength and Sondra’s grace, she could see that going over well during half time.

Jeremy was doing great. His tumble passes were spot on, and a few times he even nailed them without being given the go-sign. They’d work on hands-free walk-overs soon, if he could walk-over or handspring holding a card, or pick up a series of cards, it would give him something to do during the routine without having to keep in place with everyone else. Mia was doing great, showing a little more confidence or maybe she was just worried Peyton would drag her someplace worse next time. Peyton chuckled to herself. Like the Patriots training camp down in Massachusetts. And then there was Wyatt. Wyatt Wyborn. He was good looking, a little rugged for a cheer boy, but he ran hot and cold as the expression went. When he was up, he was amazingly fun to be around, like at karaoke. But when he was down, the whole world knew it. Sometimes he was painfully, awkwardly shy, and he had the worst blush reflex Peyton had ever seen. It was like he had an extra circulatory system in his cheeks and ears or something. Other times, like Roach called him, he came off all Cassanova, a ladies man. He only had been at the school a little while and already he’d been out with Krista, tried to kiss Mia, had a brief fling with a mall rat, and now Lauren. Peyton snickered to herself. “He’s fast.”

But kidding aside, back in Lexington, there was a reason the Jets self-enforced a strict no fraternization dating rule. Sure, there were a few guys on the team, you could hang out and be close, you could go to the movies and to grab a bite to eat, but at the end of the day - you didn’t date. It would be awful for the team. Besides being a big distraction (who really wants to see people suck face when taking five?) there was always the chance something would happen. People would break up, feelings would get hurt, it was distracting and messy and uncomfortable for everyone involved.

Fortunately, the Mustangs weren’t competitive. And it was easy enough to switch things up, but that also meant the basket toss she’d planned for Lauren and Wyatt might get scrubbed.

Despite all that, he was also a cheer boy. He showed up for practice, maybe because it gave him extra time with Lauren, maybe to be around Mia, or maybe because he actually in fact liked being an athlete. It was that last one that Peyton was counting on. Wyatt was strong. She snickered at an image in her head, Wyatt tossing someone up then walking off to follow a pretty skirt. She knew he wouldn’t really do that or anything, but the picture was enough to make her giggle.

In any case, she texted Romeo to see if he could meet up for some extra practice, maybe help improve his focus.

[Flicker]

Peyton shifted the megaphone shaped pillow behind her back as she sat cross-legged on her bed, her note book computer, adorned with Wildcat colors and cheer stickers on her lap. Across from her, Sondra slept even though it was the middle of the day. She'd been through a lot, held hostage, drugged, saved. Seeing her doped up like that in the infirmary brought back too many memories of Brett. Years and years playing football, practices, two-a-days, getting accepted to Oklahoma, playing ball, and then within one season he was back home scamming for oxy and later on meth. She had pushed the images back in her mind as she smiled and squeezed Sondra's hand, Henry and JD by her side.

Sondra hadn't come home Thursday night, but Peyton didn't think much of it. It wasn't like Sondra, she was usually on a pretty decent schedule, diet, sleep, all that good stuff. But rehearsals could have run late. She'd been a little concerned when Sondra didn't show for practice, because that definitely wasn't like her at all. Sondra wasn't flaky. And something nagged at Peyton about it, but no news was good news, right? No teachers, not the RA, no one from the school asked if she'd seen Sondra. If something was wrong, wasn't that usually one of the first things they'd do?

But something was wrong. And now Sondra was hurt and even though Peyton didn't know the full story, she knew it involved Mr. Druce. She got bits and pieces from Henry and JD, wanting to ask more questions but also not wanting to know the answers. Seventeen. You're supposed to be immortal at 17.

It was a beautiful day outside. Plenty of sunshine, great day for the beach to study and work on her tan before fall started, but Peyton settled back down against her pillows, scanning the Faceplace pages of Kayla and Kelly, Abby, Becca, Amber, all of them. Who was dating who for the summer. Whose heart was broken, who broke a heart, who broke a thumb at cheer camp. Volumes of pics from vacations and camp and Travis Auton's end-of-the-summer party. Hell week. First day, back to school mobile uploads. Pictures of the people she'd counted on, people sticking together, hugging and mugging it up for the camera. Some made her quietly laugh out loud, some made her wish she was right there with them.

Peyton turned the notebook to Sondra, and snapped a quick pic with the webcam. One for her summer memories, not for posting, but so she wouldn't forget. She kept an eye on her roommate. Sondra might need something. She'd be there for her.

[Flicker]

((Coincides with Mustangs vs. the Warhawks ))

The bus was quiet on the way home, or it was all the way until it crossed into psychic territory. Like many of the other students had taken to doing, Peyton slipped into her ear buds to try and drown out the din, especially after a loss. She was still in an upbeat mood though. Despite losing? The team did well. Henry made some great calls. Chase had a fantastic run. Diya kicked tail. Matt and JD had some great catches, and Espy? He was always on point.

The band was new, but fun. Really upbeat. Included kids Peyton knew from around school, but it was awesome to see school spirit. It didn't matter if they were a little off key at times. It didn't matter that they played Soft Kitty out of no where, the crowd laughed, and that's what it was all about. Having fun.

The cheer squad was down to four this week. Her, Lauren, Sondra and Ar. Far cry from where it was, but Mia would be sidelined for a bit with a broken arm. Jeanette - she just joined. Peyton asked Lauren and Sondra to help her out some, hold extra practices, get her up and running, let her have fun with it. Abby was a maybe. Still on a fence. Peyton planned to ask her one more time, using ten gallon hats as a bribe. They were Mustangs! They could pull it off.

Wyatt - she felt bad, but she had to bench him for the game. He was in the infirmary the night before. He was still having dizzy spells. He showed up in uniform and she could've cried for the dedication he was showing, but truth be told, she just couldn't risk it.

"Comes down to this." She told him sympathetically. "I'm responsible for the team. You were in the infirmary last night, and you said yourself they don't know what's causing the dizzy spells. I can't risk it - having you hurt yourself or worse, even with no powers, you can seriously hurt someone on the squad. You wanna help us out? You cheer from the benches. Cheer real loud." And he did. Everyone did a bang up job.

And besides, there was bowling afterwards. Who can be upset while bowling?

[Flicker]

((Coincides with On the Rocks))

Peyton's mom hollered plenty, but Peyton still had to smile at the paradox. She took the blame for Lauren because Lauren's parents would make her go home. Peyton's mom was more worried about the school not letting her stay there. Irony.

Mr. H had reduced the community service in favor of letting her assist the RA, which pretty much consisted of sitting at a desk a few hours a night and calling maintenance if any of the students had a problem. And she heard that he even spoke in her behalf at the student review meeting.

She'd be allowed to cheer in the game, and she could go to the dance, both amazing reliefs. She'd been pushing the cheer squad a little harder, maybe because it was such a big game, a big deal, but also just in case she wouldn't be allowed on the field with them. Homecoming court was another story.

"The review board and faculty members were pretty clear on the issue, Peyton." His tone was calm, even, and finalizing. "As homecoming court - you represent Westbrook and all it stands for. The students who serve on homecoming court should be exemplary role models for the rest of the school. Your recent transgression is not something we want to exemplify nor reward. You demonstrated both a lapse in judgement and a disregard for Westrbook's rules, not to mention the law itself. This is not an accurate, nor honorable representation of our student body or the spirit of Westbrook. The decision is final "

She let out a slow breath and nodded. She was protecting a member of the cheer squad that she helped start in the name of school spirit. Bitter irony.

[Flicker]

She turned the corner of the hallway, running a hand through her hair and checking to see if the area was clear while cradling the phone between her ear and shoulder. After three rings she rehearsed what she'd say to voice mail when it picked up, but the voice on the other end meant it wouldn't be needed.

"Peyton!" Her voice was warm and cheery and it made Peyton smile.

"Hey, Mom. Saw Kelly's squad took 2nd Sunday. The routine looked amazing! Thanks for uploading it."

"They did so well! But they'll have to step it up a lot to take state. Two of their tosses were weak." Peyton smiled again, missing the long conversations they'd had over technicalities. "Kelly's at practice though."

"I know, I know. I'll be soon too, just wanted to talk to you right quick."

"Everything okay? You're not in trouble again, are you?"

"Nah, that was a one time deal, like I said. But listen, I wanted to talk to you about Christmas." There was a pause on the other end of the line. Peyton turned another hallway, speaking all in one breath.

"I priced out tickets home. Cheapest is around six hundred bucks. I was thinking that instead, you could send me some money towards an iPad. I'll need it for college next year, and it'll help out a lot with the cheer squad." Another pause.

"Six hundred for a flight?" Her mom asked. Peyton clenched her teeth. Ten days before Christmas and she hadn't even thought of booking airfare?

"Yeah. Amtrak's half that, but the one and only train from here to there gets me into Cincy at 1 am. No stations in Lexington. I mean, I'll miss you and all, but if it's all the same I'd rather..."

"No, no, that's fine, that's fine." Her mom replied. "We'll see what we can get out your way."

"Appreciate it." Peyton answered, stopping in the girls' room to check her reflection. Hair, check. Teeth, check. Forehead... Is that a zit?

"I know you had a falling out with the squad. Kelly told me about Becca and..."

"My squad's here, mom, and we're fine. No falling outs. Have you heard from Brett?"

"Yes. He's not going to be able to make it either."

"He okay?"

"He's in a half-way house, set him up really nice but traveling's out of the question."

"If you want, I probably could come home. Probably take me no time to make the run from Cincy to Kentucky. I'm quick."

"I thought you wanted an iPad?" Pause. Backpedal. "I mean, I'm sure I could find someone to come with me to pick you up if you want to come home instead. You said the train gets in at 1?" Peyton left the restroom.

"Yeah."

"We could make probably make some sort of arrangement, most likely. Whichever you want sweetheart." Another pause. When did talking get so awkward? She should have texted. "It's just... we've invited the Gannon's for dinner." Peyton's teeth clenched again; Drew was on her old squad, and Drew's sister Fran was on Kelly's.

"Say hey to them for me. Oh! And can you send some peppermint sticks if they're still selling them at that Christmas shoppe? The squad will love them." She pushed the doors open to the gym, and took her spot on the bleachers. "I gotta get going, Mom. Got a new guy trying out today, I don't want to be rude or anything, and it looks like he's early." She dismissed the phone call and smiled bright over at the new boy who returned the smile with a little wave.

Kim agreed to meet Peyton about ½ hour before the squad arrived for practice. It wasn’t a tryout per say, seeing as the team was intramural, but more to see what level she had to work with. He came in at a good time, right after football, beginning of basketball, most of the routines would be changing up anyway. Taking center court was a little different than the football field. There would be less tumbling, more foot stomping and clapping, and new cheers. She waved him over, the dark haired boy offering her a smile as his sneakers squeaked on the hard wood floor.

“Peyton?” He asked with bright, inquisitive eyes. He was short, she noticed, just about Ar’s height. Immediately she began formulating pyramids and stances in her head, and decided he’d be paired off with Lauren.

“Yep.” She replied with a smile of her own. “And you must be Kimber.”

“Aglakti.” He corrected, continuing when he saw her puzzled expression. “It’s my given name.” Peyton caught on then nodded.

“New city, new school, now’s the time to change it up before people get used to one of them. Whichever you prefer, I’ll use. “ He flashed another smile.

“Aglakti.” He repeated. Nothing could wash away the phone call quicker than new squad.

“All right, Aglakti, like I said, we don’t have formal tryouts or anything. You said you can dance?”

[Flicker]

Peyton rifled through the box in the storage room, pulling out a uniform for Natalia. She smiled thinking back to a few short months ago when the box was near filled with sweaters, skirts, and polyester. Some people had come and gone, people like Jeremy. She chuckled to herself, running a hand over the back of her neck remembering the static electricity he’d generate. Over in the corner was the musty Mustang head that he’d complained smelled of soup, now overly scented with Febreez Apples and Cinnamon.

She’d miss it, all of it. The start up squad, her initial disdain at the word ‘intramural’, but most of all the people. That’s what made the squad. Sondra waking up at 5 am to try out a new routine. Lauren learning to keep her thumbs side out. Wyatt and the grin he’d get when he nailed a tumble pass perfectly. Mia getting more and more confidence. Ar... being less Ar. Later on, they added Eric. Now, Natalia, and Raven said she’d sign up.

They weren’t the Jets - they weren’t even a replacement for the Jets. They were the Mustangs, unique in their own way, strengths and weaknesses. She was a better person having known them.

Sap. She chastised herself. She’d been waking up earlier to work on a routine of her own, a bid routine for Rhode Island State. The University of Kentucky didn’t seem so important anymore, and it seemed so far away. Somewhere between starting up squad, football season and basketball season, Paragon became home.

Besides, it was about the sport, the feel of tumbling across the field, getting a crowd pumped up. If Nat - if any of them got that same feeling, it’d be more than worth it. Jets, Mustangs, Roosters, it didn’t matter who she cheered for. It was about the people she cheered with.

[Flicker]

"Twenty Eight!" The people sitting behind the table called out, and she took front and center. "Name?"

"Peyton Meredith." She replied with confidence. So far, the try-out was going well. About 50 people showed up. They broke them into groups of six, showed them a routine, and then had them perform it. Standard fare for All Star teams or try outs. Back with the Jets, she was one of the people who'd demo the routine for others to follow. If you made that cut, you got to come back for a solo tryout, which was where she stood.

"Do we have a bid tape?" One of the 'judges' asked. A bid tape was pretty much just a few clips linked together, showing how well you could stunt, tumble, cheer and dance.

"Sure do." She replied cheerily, and they nodded to each other.

"All right. Show us what you got." The cheer captain, a pretty brunette, said, crossing her arms and sitting back in her chair. "You have three minutes to impress us." The original song was 3 minutes 40 seconds, but with a bit of help, Peyton edited it down to 2:40. The routine was original. She hoped to teach it to the Mustangs before she graduated next month.

She readied up as the lyrics to Katy Perry's song started.

Days like these I want to drive a-way-ay.

She mentally counted in her head, on the eights, just like she told the Mustangs, over and over. Two, turn, six, up, up, down down, turn, round off handspring.

Her mind wandered back to the Jets, to competing, when the whole team pumped each other up and they hit the mats with a ready-for-anything attitude. Back when they were friends, 18 so-called best friends.

Throw your sticks, your stones,
Throw your bombs and your blows...

Freak. They turned on her all too quickly. The word never bugged her until they used it against her squad. Heel stretch, 360 into a scorpion. She smiled. Her squad. The music played on, and Peyton went through her routine fluidly, but she wasn't in the RISU sports complex being judged by six people. She was someplace else.

She was in her room at Westbrook, staying up way too late while eating carbs and dancing with Sondra to the Boom Dynamite song, going tick-tick-tick-tick.

She was on the field with Jeremy, as he caught the flag on the goal post. In the gym, laughing at Ar as he struck a pin-up girl post. With Mia performing SOS, and with Wyatt, howling at the moon, or holding him back from tearing up Espy, and on the docks yelling at him for ruining her senior year homecoming. She was telling Lauren to turn her thumbs out and talking boys. With Eric, as he finally nailed a perfect back walkover and gave it his all. With Henry, watching a black and white movie, learning to say 'quick, not fast.' Watching Lorne sweat it out while holding Lauren's butt in a chair sit. With Juan, laughing about boats. Asking Abby to join cheer squad. She saw every person who crinkled their nose and said 'cheer squad' with disdain, just because they weren't brave enough to give it a go. She was with Etienne and Jeanette and Aglakti and Natalie who *were* brave enough to give it a go. She was reliving all the great times she had at Westbrook. All the rough times. The ups and the downs that she'd remember for the rest of her life.

This is the part of me that you're never gonna ever take away from me.

It was for them. She took her last tumble pass. Everyone who ever tried cheer squad. Everyone that touched her life while she was at Westbrook. Eli, Sydney, Roach, Matt, Chase, David, JD, the new kids.

No matter where she went, what life threw her way, she'd always have that. She had pictures and memories, and despite not being what she thought she wanted, she had the best senior year at the best high school there is. And no one would take that from her ever.

The routine ended, and it didn't so much matter what the judges said. She'd later find out she made the squad, but at that moment, she was never prouder or happier to call herself a Mustang.

[Flicker]

Like high school itself, graduation came and went fast. Peyton snickered to herself. "Quick. It went quick." She looked around her bare-walled room, hers and Sondra's boxes stacked on opposite walls. They were going to the same university, Rhode Island State, home of the roosters. Lorne was going way across the country to Stanford. Nilesh, she wasn't sure about, and she wasn't sure about Milo either, but wherever he went, she hoped someone reminded him to hydrate now and again.

Westbrook wasn't what she had expected back a year and a half ago, when her parents packed her up in a rush. It wasn't John Tyler - they weren't the Jets. But somewhere between mourning the loss of her old school and learning to love her new one - she was glad it wasn't John Tyler. The people here were genuine. In both schools, everyone was in the same boat. Difference was, at John Tyler, they were constantly looking for the next person to throw overboard. At Westbrook, it wasn't perfect. Sometimes people rowed in different directions, but in the end, everyone knew there was room enough for everyone. They did all they could to make sure no one drowned. They were like family.

Now, looking back, she wished she'd come sooner, that she had one more year, but at the same time, the prospect of college was pretty appealing. No curfews, no detentions, no getting in trouble for.... well, you'd likely still get in trouble if you were caught with alcohol underage. Most importantly, she'd be close by. She'd have Sondra, maybe they could be roommies again at some point. And there was Henry. He'd been accepted to Collingswood, and graduated there with honors. She cheered loudest of all for him at his graduation. He'd be staying in Paragon too.

She'd miss all the Mustangs, the squad especially, but non joiners like Jess and Sam, and Magic kids like Chris, Juan and the swim team too. The people made Westbrook what it is.

And even though it went quick, she snickered again, they'd all made a lasting impression. She had tons of photos to remind her if memories started to fade. They'd all move on, do great things. Each of them, in their own way made a difference in her life.

She smiled.

They all saved the cheerleader.

((Thank you all for a great run with Peyton! Thank you especially to those who helped/let me use your likeness for squad, and thank you all for playing along. Class of 2012, represent!))