Bowled Over
By Jena Corso
Edited By Angela Meyers
Part Five
"Morning honey." His mother shook him awake. "Come on. The girls are all
downstairs, so come have some breakfast."
"Ooohhh," sighed Brian, stretching his arms as she pulled off the
covers. "Ok."
Brian rolled out of bed, sliding his hands over his hips and twisting
his neck before wandering downstairs. While Erica was still in her
pajamas, Amy and Lori were already dressed casually in jeans and girly
t-shirts, having some pancakes.
"Hey sis," said Amy, sipping her coffee. "Nice bed head."
"Thanks," said Brian, casually giving her the finger so Erica couldn't
see.
"Eat while we talk," said his mother, also dressed casually. "So
pancakes or fat free muffins, honey?"
"Huummm." Brian looked around as they stared at him for an answer. "Does
it matter?"
"Well probably not, you're in such phenomenal shape," said his mother,
pushing a plate with a muffin his way. "But pancakes would be kind of
heavy, since you're performing at noon, right?"
"You still thinking I should waste my time?" Brian asked as he took a
drink.
"I do, your routine is killer," said his sister. "And after watching
them all yesterday, I still think you're better than some of the ones
they picked already."
"Me too," said Lori, nodding and reaching over and grabbing his hand.
"You can still do this, Brie."
"Well knowing you two, I bet the routine is awesome, and I agree I might
be better, crazy as that seems." Brian swallowed hard. "But we all know
I probably screwed that up last night. Didn't I?"
"I doubt that honey?" said his mother.
"Mom, please," said Brian. "It's my own fault and I know that. I'm not
blaming anyone, and I should never have done any of this."
"Well..?" his mothewr began to say.
"No I shouldn't have, and even if I did for the sake of competing, I
shouldn't have gone down that path with him," said Brian, throwing up
his hands. "It was a backup plan, and I led him on just like you said
for no reason but a selfish one. I was wrong and I'm sorry I kept things
from you. I'm sorry I made Lori work so hard for me and I'm sorry I
acted like someone I'm not."
"You sure about that?" said his mother. "Because that is what I thought
all along, but now I'm not so sure, Briana."
"Maybe don't call me that anymore mom," said Brian frustrated.
"I'll call you whatever you want, but what I won't call you is a
quitter," said his mother, softly pounding the table. "I know some of
this is your fault because I denied you your dream and I was wrong. Of
course I couldn't send you to the super bowl financially, even here in
our hometown, but the last thing I'm going to do is sit back and watch
you quit on your chance when you're so close."
"You know about that?" Brian asked.
"Yes, I figured there was something to this and then that first night
when I was speaking to Ricky and reading all the contest information, I
read about the winners being chosen to be at the game," said his mother.
"I knew before you even left the house for the first time out as
Briana."
"And you didn't say anything?" said Brian, slouching in his seat.
"No," said his mother. "I wanted to see how much you wanted it, and I
really didn't know if there was more to this cheer thing than just being
at the game. Or if you really had the talent? Or maybe even if there was
more to this of being Briana altogether?"
"I'm so sorry mom?" said Brian getting emotional.
"It's ok," replied his mother, almost tearing up. "So is there?"
"No," said Brian, sucking up his tears. "I mean mostly no, as it's all
pretty confusing and really all I care about is winning so I can live
out my dream to be at the game, but I kind of didn't expect how I'd feel
sometimes as a girl."
"Which is what, honey?" his mother asked, curious.
"It's hard to explain," said Brian, turning beet red.
"Try me, sweetie," said his mother, grabbing his hand. "We're all here
for you."
"Well sometimes scared out of my wits, and other times oddly super
confident," said Brian. "Feeling beautiful and desired is kind of a
rush, and then like five minutes later I feel ready to puke, like
everything is a disaster. It's like there's no in between."
"Oh my gaawddd," said Amy with a giggle. "You are a girl then already."
"Yeah that's kinda normal, bestie," smiled Lori, looking at him with her
big eyes. "Especially when you're pretty and talented."
"So then I guess we're going for it then, Miss Briana." His mother
smiled.
"Well I'd love to, but that's not what I said?" replied Brian, shaking
his head.
"You didn't have to, girlfriend," said Lori, standing up and taking his
hand. "You said it without even knowing you did."
"I did?" said Brian, totally bamboozled. "But I can't win. I'm sure he's
pissed and told his mom. No shot she'd pick me after I dissed her son."
"Don't be so sure? He's upset of course, and I calmed him down texting
back and forth last night," said Lori, spinning her phone and then his.
"Plus 'you' apologized, said 'you' just weren't ready yet for a
boyfriend and hope he understands, with many heart and hugs emojis."
"You texted as me?" said Brian, grabbing the phone.
"Yup, just a little, but mostly he and I talked after that," said Lori.
"All is fine, and there are plenty of other girls after him so you're
safe from that boyfriend/girlfriend stuff, unless you want me to text
him back something different?"
"No, please don't," said Brian, ready to die just talking about this in
front of his family. "But what about..."
"Chill, he said he's coming anyway to support you, and wants you to
win," said Lori with a smirk, turning the phone. "See? So are we going
to sit here all day, because making you pretty plus rehearsing doesn't
take five minutes you know?"
"No it doesn't?" smiled Brian, nodding and getting up and hugging Lori.
"Plus I had an idea about making you different if we're going for it?"
said Amy. "So you all in or what sis?"
"I was always in it to win it," smiled Brian, holding up his hands and
pointing to himself. "Look at me? That's been my issue all along, in
case you didn't notice?"
"I noticed you're in one of my favorite nightgowns, so go put on one of
my old big t-shirts I sleep in while Lori and I get everything ready,"
said Amy, getting up and softly rubbing his back. "Erica will show you
where they are and then get right back down here."
"Yup, top drawer on the left in the big bureau," said Erica, reaching
out her hand. "Come let me show you and I can help too, right Amy?"
"Of course you can squirt," nodded Amy as up the stairs went Brian and
Erica.
In two minutes he was back in a long faded t-shirt with Pooh bear and
hearts adorning the front which spanned almost all the way down to his
knees. They had turned the kitchen into their makeshift beauty parlor,
as Lori was laying out all type of cosmetics and products on the table
while Amy had cleaned the kitchen counter near the sink.
"Ok, these should be enough old towels and just cover the chair with
this old sheet," said his mother, coming in and unfolding it.
"What's all this for?" Brian was a bit confused. "I thought we were
working on a different type of routine."
"Yup we are, and I think it'll be killer," said Lori. "You can memorize
it while we work on your hair and then we'll practice. We tried getting
creative, and making sure you'd stand out."
"Cool, I'm really excited but what's with the towels then?" said Brian,
twisting his neck and then making a joke. "What, am I getting a bath in
the kitchen?"
"No, but for starters we'll need to carefully wash your hair with all
those extensions newly bonded. Erica, run up and get all mommy's
canisters under the vanity please," said his mother, sending off his
little sister. "And now that's she gone, we all do see that you're very
excited and right now really standing out like no girl should, so can we
calm down just a bit honey."
"Oh?" gulped Brian seeing the tented nightshirt. "Sorry."
"It's fine. Sit and just keep an extra towel there for a minute," said
Amy, putting the chair near the sink. "I'm ready if you are, Briana?
Ready to be different?"
"Well yeah, but I'm not sure what this all has to do with my routine?"
said Brian, sitting down as his sister dropped his hair back into the
sink.
"Well nothing and everything, right?" said Amy, switching on the water
and wetting his hair.
"Bestie, in a minute you can read the script when you pop your head back
up," said Lori walking over, looking down at him as his sister ever so
carefully washed his hair in the sink. "We added more dance elements in
conjunction with your flips and cheers. Physically not every girl would
be able handle something like this, but you're cardio and athleticism is
better than most, so we want to play that up."
"Cool, that sounds good, but did you see the other girls they picked,
and the two I'm competing against?" said Brian as she gingerly scrubbed
through his hair, looking up at Lori. "They looked in really good shape
but obviously you know what I should do, so I'm going with whatever you
say."
"And so that brings us to my point exactly, sis," said Amy, turning off
the water and placing some towels under his hair, sitting him up. "Not
only do we want your routine to be different, but that's also our
approach with you. They're looking for someone to really stand out
right?"
"Well yeah," said Brian, confused. "That's what they said but..?"
"What the girls are saying is that they chose talented girls and of
course they did," said his mother. "But you need to look further when
things are this close honey, and we've all talked in great detail about
this."
"What mom is saying is that they picked two blondes and two brunettes,"
said Amy, extending his hair. "Also today there is one blonde and one
brunette besides you, right?"
"Umm?" said Brian, thinking and looking out at his wet dark hair. "Yeah
I guess so."
"Ok then, our strategy in addition to giving you a unique routine, is to
skew things so that they see how far you're willing to go to be
different, sis!" said Amy, picking up a small box on the counter and
wiggling it, showing it to him. "You said you are willing to go as far
as it takes, right?"
"Preference by L'Or?al?" said Brian, realizing what they meant, staring
at the girl on the cover of the box. "Really? So you're dying my hair
like that?"
"Only because we think you could pull it off looking fabulous, and
that's part of our strategy! So yes and move to the chair near the
table," said Amy, guiding him away from the sink and over to the table
only a few steps away. "Would it come out exactly like the box, probably
not, but will you be different than the others girls, absolutely."
"Really all that matters is that it'll be another reason for the judges
to take notice," said Lori, handing him his routineoutline while Amy
stretched on some plastic gloves. "And while we work, you can memorize
your routine and then we'll work on it later."
"I guess so," sighed Brian, smiling and taking the script. "A red head?
What the fu--."
"Fudge? Right, Briana?" said his mother, interrupting and covering his
mouth.
"Yeah sorry," said Brian, looking up, realizing his little sister was
also sliding on gloves.
"It's ok. I've heard that one and worse," smiled Erica. "Now which part
do I get to help with?"
"All of it, sis," said Amy, handing her a brush. "I'll section and then
we brush on together."
From the back, Amy lifted his hair, pinning most of it out of the way
and then slowly but surely Erica and Amy saturated his head, brushing on
the color. As some sections were done, she would flip them aside,
letting down others as he just sat there studying his routine. After his
third time through it, he began noticing them adding some foils as
theygot up towards his ears, ever so carefully folding them over as they
did some small sections now.
When he felt he basically had it memorized, Lori tested him and then
took it away as his mother stepped in, stretching his left hand.
"So we'll be ganging up on you now, honey," teased his mother as he
looked out, seeing her open a canister filled with bright colors.
"Yeah and eyes closed until I tell you to open them, Brie?" said Lori,
taking a brush to his brows.
"Sure," said Brian, closing his eyes as he now was being worked on by
his mother, two sisters and Lori.
For the next thirty plus minutes, he sat patiently opening and closing
his eyes on command as they slowly but ever so precisely worked on his
new makeover. As strange as it seemed, the more he thought about it the
more he liked their strategy as he sat being transformed even further
now then he could have ever imagined, until Amy tapped his shoulder for
him to get up.
"Ok, I think you should be ready to get washed out," said Amy, grasping
his forearm and helping him up. "Chin up without bending you head
forward, get up gingerly and be careful of your nails please, so don't
touch a thing."
"Sure," said Brian, standing up slowly and then before he knew it his
hair was back in the sink.
On went the sprayer as she rinsed his hair ever so thoroughly as he was
ever so curious about how he'd turn out. With his hair hanging into the
sink, she extended a small strand, turning on her hair dryer removing
the dampness from the small section and then twisted her neck, giving
her mother a look.
"What?" panicked Brian. "Is it bad? Can you fix it or put it back to
normal?"
"Sssshhh," said his mother coming over and checking it. "It's none of
that honey. I think that's going to do quite nicely actually, but maybe
Lori will need to just adjust your makeup a touch."
"Eeewww! I love it Amy!" said Lori, coming around for a better look.
"You're right though Mrs. Capelli, we'll need to tweak a few things, and
I will once it's dry so I can really match his tones. Don't worry
bestie, this will be so so hot on you."
"I guess I sure hope so," gulped Brian as they sat him up now and he
returned to his seat by the kitchen.
As his sister took a brush to his hair, it was pretty never racking
seeing a few stray wet auburn looking sections slide in and out of his
vision. He tried focusing on his routine in his mind, but that wasn't
easy as somehow during this insane weekend he had gone from hiding all
this from them to becoming their model, as they all worked so diligently
on his makeover.
Amy was a bit rougher than Lori as she twisted some sections atop his
head and then so many silver pins slid in. Like a wizard, she spun up
the back of his head as he winced each time she seemed to pull on even
the tiniest hairs, until finally he knew the feeling of a big high pony
being arranged on his head before his left hand was put under a small
portable dryer.
"Small sections like this, Erica. Spray it really good! Then just slide
it on and let go," Amy said, extending a long pink tube until Brian lost
sight of it as she tugged a strand of his hair, seemingly snapping it in
place. "You got it."
"It's easy! I've done it on myself, and I'll make them perfect," said
Erica, taking a yellow tube and pulling a strand of her brothers damp
hair tightly before saturating it further and snapping it on. "That's
good, right?"
"Perfect, sis!" smiled Amy. "Rotate colors each time while I do the
front and sides, and I'll help you if you run into a problem, ok?"
"Thank you so much for letting me help, Briana," said Erica, so excited
to be part of the team gathering the next section and yanking at her
brother's hair.
"No problem," Brian replied, seeing his mother look at him with such
appreciation before he winked at her, knowing what it meant to Erica.
"And I'm happy to have such a talented sister that can help me."
Amy lifted his chin for a moment, nodding her approval at him without
saying a word as he watched her dip her index finger into a green gel.
Without much hesitation, she untwisted the hair behind his forehead and
then began teasing before every so often greasing the long strands and
dropping them to the side of his face. He looked over, seeing her lift a
big green plastic roller from his mother's canister and then lifted a
strand of his hair at the middle of his head high into the air before
rolling it back. Once she pinned it in place, she repeated the process
two more times and then he felt like a little old lady with some of his
hair back in rollers while the nail dryer was rotated to the other side.
The only sections still loose now were at his temple just above each
ear. As she combed the left side out, she saturated it just like his
sister did with each on top and then began winding continually. Instead
of just the normal tension atop his head from his tightly bound pony, he
had tension from other places as well, as his nape and both temples also
were pulled ever so tightly.
When she wound the right side to finish off his new look, he was more
confused than ever as she jumped in the back helping Erica finish up
before his mother rolled over a portable suitcase.
"Ok twenty minutes, and then we'll give you a break to practice for
thirty," said his mother, undoing the hinges.
As she opened the top, out came a long tube that looked like the dryer
vent and then instantly he realized it was a different type of dryer all
together as she snapped a bonnet onto the end. Over his hair went the
plastic cap now as she settled all the elastic in place, covering his
ears and hair and then on went the switch as he felt the warm air flood.
"Ok just watch, ok?" said Lori, standing in front of him now. "Can you
hear me?"
"Yeah." Brian nodded as Lori stood in front of him doing the dance
routines.
He watched over and over before finally doing the hand gestures with
her, practicing as over and over they rehearsed with his head still
under the dryer. After five or six times, he stood, moving his feet as
the flexible tube moved with him as he danced without spinning and then
worked on his cheering.
Twenty minutes went by quickly as he had already memorized the steps and
the cheers as he was getting itchy to try the whole thing, as Amy
switched off the dryer and checked his hair.
"Ok, we just have to net you up so we don't have a disaster on our hands
while this is still in progress, but just focus on the routine and tune
this out for now," said Amy, stretching a back hairnet over his head and
then adding a series of pins.
He was already raring to go as she gently pulled the nightshirt over his
head as he stood in only his panties in front of his sister. Over his
head she stretched one of her sports lime tanks and then had him step
into a pair of her black Nike shorts. She knelt down, sliding on ankle
socks and tying his sneakers and then he was all Lori's, as they headed
into the living room, ready to go. He was amazed that his mother and
sister had moved the furniture out of the way, giving him space to
practice as he was almost emotional that everyone was doing all this for
him.
For the next seventy minutes, he nailed his flips and completed his
dance moves, piecing together the entire routine. It took ten more
minutes to do it three times in a row without a single mistake, and then
as he was about to do it again, Lori put up her hand.
"You're ready, Brie," smiled Lori, looking over at his mother and
sisters. "I'd say it's time to finish getting you ready and get there."
"Already? What time is it on?" asked Brian, touching his hip nervously
and reaching up, feeling the hairnet still perfectly in place atop his
head.
"Noon, and we want to be early, right?" nodded his mother. "You've been
up since six, and it's almost ten."
"Ok, I guess," said Brian, feeling butterflies. "One more and then I
really have to pee, ok?"
Once again they started his music, and without a hitch in his step he
nailed the routine, unable to wipe the smile from his face as he lifted
his hands into the air. Just seeing the looks of approval on their faces
flushed the butterflies from his belly, and then he hurried to the
bathroom, flushing away the rest of his discomfort. Through the hairnet,
he could see the red now emanating from his roots and never expected his
brows to look so ginger.
"Honey, unlock the door so I can hand in your panties, and whatever you
call that thing that holds back the extra stuff," said his mother,
knocking. "Now one minute body shower without getting your hair or face
wet, and then don't dilly dally, so we can dress you and finish your
hair."
"Yes mom," said Brian, unlocking the door as in she came, handing him a
shower cap and helping him off with his sister's top. "I'm on it!"
She turned as he stripped off his underwear and shorts, quickly turning
on the water for him and handing him some fruity shower gel. Within a
minute he was out as she waited while he dried himself with a fluffy
towel and tucked himself before stepping into the panties. When she
turned back around, she helped him off with the shower cap and on with a
new gelled filled sports bra, as he instantly noticed that he looked
half a cup bigger today.
"Ok, keep a towel around your waist, because your little sister is still
around and Lori is waiting to help you get dressed in your room," said
his mother as she knew he hated his mother helping him but then happily
Lori was awaiting him.
As he hurried to his room, Lori was already waiting and this time joined
by Amy as she closed the door behind them. He was eager, yet somehow
felt remarkably calm for the moment, knowing they seemed just as
invested as he was.
"Ok bestie," said Lori, taking a skirt from his bed. "You getting
excited or what?"
"Hopefully not in that little skirt." Brian tried to keep it loose as he
stepped in. "But wait, those aren't our colors, are they?"
"Well, it's the special event uniform, and they actually don't make this
one anymore," said Lori as she zipped him up.
"Oh but it's still ok to wear then?" asked Brian, surprised.
"Of course it is, and it's a very special occasion, right?" said Lori,
unzipping the back of the crop top.
"Well yeah." Brian smiled as she slid it over his head and pulled his
arms inside. "I guess it is, right?"
"Of course it is, and it couldn't fit better," said Lori, zipping the
back. "That and no one's worn this outfit for a while. Now let's get
your sneakers on please."
"You wore this, Amy?" said Brian, feeling strange as Lori stretched out
a sock, sliding it on.
"Yup at the Nationals, like seven or eight years ago, and obviously you
didn't notice," Giggled Amy, undoing the hairnet while Lori put on his
right sneaker.
"Sorry," said Brian, looking down at how bright it was while Amy was
pulling out a series of pins from his head. "I'm not sure how I could
have missed it?"
"Me either, but don't worry, the judges are much more observant of every
little detail than you were as a zit face preteen trouble maker," teased
Amy. "Now come, let's go finish off that pretty face and hair."
As he stood, he couldn't help but think he was actually going to be
performing in a special cheer outfit that his sister had also donned
years earlier.
In his dresser mirror, there stood this boldly outfitted cheerleader
even he barely recognized, with his makeup half done and glimpses of red
hair showing amidst all the contraptions on his head. Like a
grandmother, he had three big rollers at the front of his head and
behind them his hair sprung up from a high pony concealed inside these
bizarre yellow and pink corkscrew sleeves.
He stretched his calves to get the full view of his outfit, turning and
staring at the front and rear view. The short athletic crop top was no
different than what he was used to, exposing his abs and in a strange
way it was actually comforting to be back in a tiny cheer skirt instead
of spandex shorts. The Cheer Elite trademark bright blue colors were
still very much part of the outfit, instead of being featured or
accenting the white base, they were complementary to the bright fuchsia
pink.
He almost needed sunglasses just to glance at his own image as he slid
his hands across the skirt, twisting one more time, trying to get
comfortable until Lori broke his gaze by touching his arm.
"You coming or what?" smirked Lori.
"Sorry," smiled Brian, following her from his room. "Yeah."
Down the stairs they went and he soon found himself back in the kitchen
chair. When he sat now, Amy took a second misting a sticky substance to
his hair on the big rollers, and then from the right temple all the way
around the back of his head to the other temple, before she stretched
the plastic bonnet back over his hair.
As the warm air came on, he was back under the dyer now as Lori resumed
working on his face as he sat watching her set the glue on his long
false lashes. Once she glued each one in place, she was hard at work
really adding quite a bit of additional color to his lids as instantly
he noticed her dip her eye shadow brush into some bright pinks. With all
off his foundation, base shadows and eyeliner already done, she was now
working on marrying his new outfit's color and hair color together to
create his new look.
He was learning firsthand how women could vary their appearance to
deliver a different look, yet he could have never imagined how much more
made up he could even be than he was on the first day. He sat closing
his eyes on command after watching her dip her brush through shimmering
palettes, already used to having glitter emitting from his eyes, lips
and cheek bones, yet these were kits of bright colors she never used on
him before.
Bold red lips like he had to match the other cheer girls previously
would almost seem lost now in his new look he thought as he sat feeling
the air grow cool on his hair for a few minutes. The cooling down was a
nice variation until he felt the odd slight burning at his lips as the
plumper took effect. As she worked pumping up his cheeks and bronzing,
he sat there growing impatient while his mother arrived, stretching his
left hand. With a little bowl of the tiniest sparking rhinestones, she
began adhering them to the edge of his left ring finger's nails. She had
already added an element of bright fuchsia to the base of his immaculate
manicure earlier, as even the tiniest little tweak wouldn't be taken for
granted. Back under the dryer would go his fingers as she clear coated
all his nails again while hot air seemed to be doing a final baking on
his head. He was almost sweating now as Lori noticed him struggle with
the temperature and put a straw up to his lips.
She really was the best friend anyone could have, as the ice water felt
like coolant down his throat. When he finished sipping, she lifted a
scarlet lip pencil, ever so precisely lining the outside of his lips and
then allowed him one last sip before she began filling in the color with
her brush. Between the water and the lip stain, at least his mouth no
longer felt chapped as she unscrewed a glittered gloss. When the dryer
clicked off while the applicator slowly rubbed at his lower lip, it was
like they had opened the window, letting in fresh air once they took off
the bonnet.
"Ok, all yours Amy," said Lori, stepping back, pleased with her work.
"Ooohhhh! I love that color," said Amy, lifting her brother's chin a
touch. "Come on Erica. Get the bow sis, and let's finish her off."
"Yeah!" screamed Erica. "I've been waiting patiently."
"I know you have, squirt," said her sister. "But you hold it in place in
the front and let me do the winding. I have to do it without disturbing
the rest."
Brian was already used to cheering in big bows, but something felt so
weird about his little sister putting one atop his head. Whether he
liked it or not, that's exactly what was happening as she held it up as
while Amy wound it ever so carefully over his weird coils and then
tightened it in place.
He watched Amy now plug in a thick and a thin curling iron, placing them
right on the table before walking behind him with Erica.
"Ok, you can take them all out with me, but just really carefully ok?"
said Amy as he felt the first tug at his pony.
Slowly but steadily, after each little tug, he could feel his hair
spring back while he watched the pink and yellow coils filling an empty
canister on the table as his sisters worked in harmony. When finally the
bin was full and the tension of them tugging was gone, he could see the
distinct coils at the sides of his head as he twisted his neck.
"Patience, sis," said Amy, stopping him from moving his head. "There's a
few I need to fix, but most of them came really pretty."
Across his body went the wire as she stretched the hot gold barrel
behind his head, rolling up some sections she wasn't pleased with. Curl
after curl she twisted and sprayed, spending another ten minutes on
sections that had been baked in all morning. One at a time she would
lift, heavily spray and make sure every curl was to her liking as he sat
there having every strand on his head critiqued.
When finally she came out in front, he realized it was almost time as
she pulled out the first roller, feeling his hair snap right back like
it never left. Just pulling them from his head was like someone was
plucking little hairs, as each time she broke the sticky bond but really
it only took seconds. When the third roller clanked down, he felt the
little tweaks with her fingers and then the tweaks became uncomfortable,
as she stunned him, raking through them with a wide tooth brush.
"Sorry, and try to hold your head as steady as you can for a minute,
please," smiled Amy, with a mouth full of bobbi pins, lifting his hair
with her fingers and seeing him cringe. "This stuff really holds, but
that's the idea so just chill for one last minute while I tie everything
in."
It wasn't even that easy to stay steady as he tried keeping his neck
stiff as she created his bump behind his forehead and twisted in pins.
When she got it exactly to her liking, she slid in the big iron ever so
quickly just clamping the front and pushing down momentarily. As soon as
she pulled it out with her palms, she patted and pushed, spraying
between touches before finally being satisfied as she stepped back
admiring her work.
He had enough hairspray on his head to burn down the house if his mother
turned on the oven, yet they still needed to add the glittered
hairspray, so one more time she coated his head before she was
satisfied.
When the fumes would clear, he looked out, seeing all four women
staring, seemingly inspecting every inch and then his mother broke the
momentary tension.
"Stand up honey, and turn in a circle slowly, so we can just see
everything," said his mother in a serious tone.
"Ok," As he did, he felt weird as they gawked at him as he turned ever
so slowly, showing them every angle.
They all talked at once, confusing him for a minute as Amy changed his
earrings in the first hole, while Lori lotioned his legs, Erica spritzed
him in perfume, and his mother double knotted his sneakers. They
scurried around him one more time as he stood there being poked at like
their mannequin, until finally the dust seemed to settle and everyone
calmed down.
"Ok, Miss Briana," smiled his mother. "You're ready, honey!"
"I would hope so, after all this," said Brian, holding up his hands.
They all burst into laughter, hugging him and smiling like a big happy
group of women.
"Ok girls, everyone change and we're going in ten minutes," said his
mother after the hugs ended as they all scurried to get themselves ready
leaving him alone as they abandoned the kitchen in a roar.
He wandered into the living room now, walking through the routine in his
head while practicing every step and each gesture as he moved. He was
practically pacing back and forth now, growing anxious as he did
everything but the cartwheels and flips, timing each cheer.
He almost couldn't believe he had this routine down as it now seemed so
in synch as he stopped, brimming with confidence and then turned, seeing
the vases on the hallway table. He walked over, smelling the roses and
softly touched the daisies, feeling so warm inside that a boy liked him
this much. Instantly he searched his feelings, wondering if he should
have let things play out further with Ricky, yet knew that that was
never on Briana's agenda, except as a backup plan.
No matter what now, he felt in touch with himself in a way he'd never
known as a boy, and completely at peace today, never feeling so
feminine. When he closed his eyes, he could still taste the popcorn
kisses that would be locked inside him forever, regardless of how he'd
feel about himself once his selfish quest for the big game would end.
"Whoaaaaa!" smirked Brian sheepishly as he stepped back, seeing his
entire look now, almost purring at himself as he twitched his hips.
"Damnnnn!"
He smiled as big as he could, both amazed and satisfied, becoming
quickly engulfed in his image. His Cheer Elite uniform was now shot out
of a cannon, as both the short crop top and tiny cheer skirt screamed
right back at him in an electric hot pink. At the neckline, cut outs of
the shoulders and ends of the three quarter length sleeves baby blue
trim was encapsulated on both sides by thicker royal striping,
thoroughly dressing up his sexy top. The same design of Royal blue
script letters outlined in baby blue spelled out "Cheer Elite" across
his even bustier chest today, and matched the striping at the hem and
left leg cut out of his hot pink cheer skirt. Faint silver stars in
glitter were like a mild backdrop, scattered throughout the already
electric print, as if anyone that looked at him wouldn't think he was
anything but an all-star already.
Bright fuchsia lipstick exploded off his plumped up, fuller looking
sparkly lips, and a hint of hot pink popped out of the corner of his
outer lids. Thick curled lashes were nothing new, yet the slightly
thicker winged jet black liner added more depth in front of opal,
blending to blush pink to fuchsia from the bridge of his nose outward.
The translucent glitter atop the expert shadows at his lids was just one
of many places that illuminated his face, yet the gleam from the dark
pink apple blush at his cheekbones shined like a beacon from the bronzer
above it, and at the sides of his nose.
He reached up his still royal and baby blue long square tipped nails,
amazed at how his mother incorporated hot pink near the base. Tiny
rhinestones graced both index fingers, now forming a focal point and the
square ends had been electrified by a brushed on silver glitter at the
tips.
If all this added bling and blinding pink wouldn't be enough to make the
judges take notice, then his hair would certainly set him apart, as he
became infatuated with his image as a red head.
It was crazy to see, as he moved his neck back and forth, watching his
ginger curls swing from their bow, as completely gone were his dark
brunette locks, replaced by a vibrant red color, like their neighbor's
Irish setter. While he knew exactly what they were doing dying his hair,
it seemed so different from the dark auburn tone he noticed when his
hair hung wet. Instead though, he quickly understood the distinction
between him and the other girls they were after had been achieved, as
the color splash his new look delivered was undeniably different.
He still had a classic cheer hairdo, with perfect ribbon curls spilling
behind a huge bow, and a bump behind his forehead, yet even those now
had been ratcheted up a notch.
His older sister being the perfectionist she was, now took his pouf to a
pompadour height, making it look so much fuller and higher until it
faded under his bow. Alongside each temple his hair now no longer was
pulled up tightly blending into the cheer bump, instead now tight French
braids weaved their way back before being pulled up into the top pony.
Also, from the nape of his neck, a reverse French braid weaved from his
top vertebrae before joining into the top pony as well, creating a whole
new element of his precise hair style.
Last but not least, once again spiral curls flowed in endless layers
like they did that first day, except now they hung in tighter, more
coiled ringlets off the back of his head, stemming exclusively from his
top pony. The workmanship that went into each ribbon curl seemed even
more intricate, as the outermost curl coiled to the right with the next
coiling left as they rotated across each and every layer. Just shaking
his neck and watching them reverberate without wavering was astonishing
to see, as his time sitting under the dryer with his hair being set had
to perfect his hairdo had delivered the illusion of a girl with an
expensive spiral perm.
The huge hot pink rhinestone latent bow with its royal and baby blue
accents sitting between his pouf and his curls finished off his
cheerleader image with an exclamation point, as he smiled, flipping his
curls. He had huge cheer hair with braids and curls that would be
outdone by no one, and in a hair color that suddenly looked meant for
him.
He was ready to dazzle, feeling confident and never more girly before
becoming embarrassed, noticing everyone watching and waiting as he
turned, taking it all in.
"Sorry, I didn't know you were all there," Brian cringed.
"It's ok, Briana," smiled his mother. "We figured we would wait because
we didn't want to ruin the moment."
"Oh? There's no moment really? Let's go," said Brian, grabbing his
sister's cheer warm up and pulling it on. "I was just checking things
you know."
"It's fine sis, and you look amazing," said Amy, grabbing his arm as
Lori handed him his pocketbook. "Every girl needs a little time to
themselves to feel like a princess."
"Uuumm," gulped Brian, heading to the car with them. "I guess they do."
To the competition they went for the first time as a family together, as
there'd be no surprises or long waiting today. It was a touch awkward
being scanned in as Briana with his mother and sisters present, but that
was nothing now since any traces of Brian had been thoroughly removed.
As they walked through the lobby, so many other Cheer Elite girls raced
over, hugging him and showered him with encouragement as he now felt a
sense of pride representing the cheer company. As they turned toward the
entrance to go back stage, there was Ricky with a gift in a bag,
awaiting him as his stomach dropped, hoping to avoid dealing with him
before he had to compete. He of course knew Ricky was coming to cheer
him on, which was a wonderful gesture, yet Ricky's agenda was probably
different than his. He figured Ricky wanted to change his mind, about to
convince Briana to become his girlfriend, yet his mind set today was
"Briana the competitor" and that was the only thing on his agenda.
Just seeing him standing there though brought back guilty feelings about
last night as he took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment to
get into a character as the girl he knew as his date. It wasn't
something he was ready to deal with so quickly, but he maturely paused
and knew that he should.
"Maybe give me a minute, ok?" said Brian, exhaling.
"You sure," said Lori, grabbing his arm. "You want me to go with you?"
"No. You're the best friend ever, but I made this mess," said Brian,
squeezing her hand and slowing walking away. "So I need to deal with it
right?"
"Yeah? That would be best, Brie," nodded Lori as he was walking away
from them, leaving them far behind.
After a few steps, he hustled across the room in a soft jog and then
stopped right in front of him, looking up into his eyes.
"Hey," smiled Brian, immediately grabbing his hand.
"Hey," said Ricky, smiling. "So I..."
"No let me go first, ok?" said Brian, interrupting, looking down and
then up filling his chest with air. "About last night... I'm sorry.
I..."
"No, Briana," Interrupted Ricky, softly squeezing his hand. "I'm sorry,
and I shouldn't have been so pushy. You're such an amazing girl and so
beautiful, but I probably forgot you're only thirteen. So I'm the one
that needs to apologize, and all I want you to do is win today! Ok?"
"Wow?" smiled Brian, relieved, even if he didn't know what that meant.
"Ok?"
"Just please don't be mad at me," said Ricky, lifting his chin and
looking into his eyes.
"I was never mad at you?" Brian replied with a smirk, squishing his face
and then winking at him. "Well maybe a little, but mad isn't the right
word? How could I possibly be mad at a guy that thinks I'm beautiful?"
"Whheeww! Thanks," sighed Ricky, wiping his forehead. "And maybe at
least for now we can be friends?"
"Sure," smiled Brian, hugging him and planting a soft kiss on his cheek
before teasing. "Is this your peace offering?"
"Yeah?" said Ricky, handing him a red bag.
"I love it," sighed Brian, taking out the pink stuffed bear that was
wearing a cheer outfit and giving it a hug. "It's so adorable."
"Yeah, that's why I bought it," said Ricky. "It reminded me of you."
"Stop, you're going to make me cry and ruin my makeup," said Brian,
fanning himself, playing the flirt then gently punching him. "Then I'll
have to really kill you, and our friendship would be over before it even
started."
"No let's not have that," smirked Ricky, eating it up.
"Again thanks," said Brian, squeezing his hand. "That was really sweet,
and I'll see you after the contest, ok?"
"You mean after you win!" replied Ricky with a grin.
"Let's hope so, and just hold this for me until then please," said
Brian, looking into his eyes and then kissing his cheek more softly and
wetly this time.
"Sure," smiled Ricky, feeling goosebumps as Brian rubbed his thumb
against Ricky's.
"Toodles?" waved Brian, running off. "I have to go run to fix my
lipstick, because half of it is on your cheeks in case you didn't know."
Brian gave one last wink to him before he hurried towards the entrance
back stage and waved goodbye to his family. Lori pounded her heart in
encouragement, and his sister pumped their fists, cheering him on one
last time as he blew back a few kisses towards them.
When he got down the hallway and into their dressing area, he was the
first of all three girls to arrive, as he had the room to himself now.
He wasn't sure if that was good or bad as he tried getting into the
zone, fixing his lips and checking every inch of his face. When he
snapped his pocketbook shut, he practiced his flips and then marched
through his cheers, psyching himself up as he awaited the event. For the
next ten minutes, he went through his entire routine a few times without
a soul present before sitting back down at the vanity, checking his
phone for the time. He read the few inspirational messages on his phone,
feeling great about each and every one of them, waiting confidently as
the time to perform was coming.
With only a few minutes before they were to be called, in came the
blonde and then seconds later the brunette, each doing a double take,
not recognizing him at first, which only boosted his confidence.
"Hi," said the blonde, casually saying hello, yet basically ignoring
him.
"Hi Diana," replied Brian to her and then the other girl as she hurried
right to her station at the mirror. "And hi Yolinda."
"Hey," said the brunette, Yolinda Taveras, before rolling back her
chair, looking at him again. "Briana?"
"Hey Yolinda," said Brian, fussing with his curls in the mirror. "Good
luck, today."
"You dyed your hair?" said the blonde, Diana Clawson.
"Well, it was looking a little drab," smiled Brian, lifting some curls
and taking out his hairspray. "You like it?"
"Uuum.. sure," said Diana, as he could see her looking annoyed as he
sprayed some curls.
"Thanks," smiled Brian, rubbing it in while patting his bump. "I wasn't
sure if anyone would notice."
"What a bitch!" whispered Yolanda to Diana as she got up, walking by
her.
"It wasn't too noticeable?" whispered Diana back, rolling her eyes as
Brian held back his smile, clearly hearing them.
"Ready, ladies?" said a man, opening the door. "You're up first Miss
Taveras, and please come with me as well, Clawson. Your routines are
quick, so as soon as she's on I'll be right back for you, Miss Capelli."
"I can hardly wait," said Brian, with a big smile on his face and then
getting up, running over, hugging the other two girls. "Good luck,
girls."
"Good luck to you as well, Briana?" said Diana, rolling her eyes when
she turned away as they air kissed cheeks.
"Yeah and maybe someday we can all be friends?" said Yolinda in the
phoniest tone, following suit, air kissing as they all minded their
lipstick before Diana and Yolinda headed out the door. "May the best man
win?"
"Or hopefully the only man win?" joked Brian, talking to himself as the
door closed and he sat back down at the vanity.
Just seeing the snarls on their faces shot his confidence through the
roof, as he knew now that before they began that his new image had
gotten in their heads. Being some cute little red head he never imagined
could be intimidating, yet maybe he was as he thought as he packed up
his hairspray and giggled away some of his own tension.
As Yolinda went on, the stagehand came back for Brian as he arrived
backstage, half way through her routine. Just from the sneer emanating
from Diana when she saw him again, he knew his new image was still
bothering her, and then they both covered their mouths in a huff,
watching Yolinda take a fall.
She had destroyed her routine, looking disoriented and unable to recover
her rhythm when she got back to her feet, seemingly eliminating herself
before Brian or Diana even got their turn. He actually felt really bad
for her as she raced past him, needing to gather herself as Diana
turned, ready to be called. He could see Diana's nerves were frazzled
before she even started, yet out she went, shivering through her first
few steps.
She did pretty well, but wasn't as crisp as he knew she could be, so the
door was open for him before he began. When his music began and he
stepped out on stage, he looked up, seeing the judges immediately come
to full attention. Familiar double takes and some wide eyed looks from
as judges instantly brought a huge smile to his face as he raised his
hands ready to cheer.
There would be no butterflies in his belly today or goosebumps on his
skin, as he felt so alive as a rambunctious red head in the brightest
cheer outfit. The first cheer went seamlessly as he punched, weaved and
pranced before placing down his pom poms at his side, never missing a
beat. With pep in his step, he flipped forward in to his technical
routine, springing into action as his curls sprung back when he landed
so perfectly. One back handspring became a double and then a triple,
before the diva in him took over, incorporating his dance moves.
Fifteen seconds of hip hop, rotating his hips, executing each bounce
move before transitioning into popping and locking were a breeze now. He
was beaming with confidence, stepping back with one leg while keeping it
straight before slightly bending it forward, shifting his head and
shoulders from side to side, feeling it big time. The sharp,
intentionally jerky motions couldn't have looked more fluent, until out
of his dance routine erupted endless flips.
When the final side twist landed, he tumbled twice right into position
to lift his hot pink pom poms exactly where he left them earlier, and
then with a spin of his ankles he was daintily back on his feet ready
for the most important cheer of his life.
"Hey Judges!! I am your girl," yelled Brian, strutting with some
attitude. "You're going want me! For more... Than my pretty curls."
As he took a step, he was in the zone, feeling it and then noticed Ricky
and his family in the back, yet made sure not to make eye contact.
"With me on the squad.... Our opponents don't fare well," said Brian,
pointing to his chest with both thumbs and then making horizontal
scissor motions with hands at midriff level. "This ginger warrior...
Will smash them until the final bell. Our opponents are too scared to
even shout. When the game is over, they're splattered about!"
With a quick kick in the air, he spun around his leg and punched as
girly as he could with his left pom pom before landing and mustering his
last ounce of inner cheer diva.
"You know you need this red head girl. In fact I'm your super bowl
captain!.... Briana Capelli! You're go to girl," said Brian, poking out
his finger and wiggling it with some attitude. "When the lights are the
brightest...not your final choice....No! No! instead... When you pick
this ginger... you've picked the finest! The only choice!"
He back flipped completely off script now with the utmost confidence,
landing in a split, not even feeling the blow to his loins today as he
raised his hands into the air. He held his pose for an extra beat or
two, sensing the positive vibe from the judges, until finally Judge
Smith look him right in the eye.
"Thank you Miss Capelli, and ladies," said Judge Smith. "Just allow us
to confer for a moment, and you'll have our final decision."
Brian sat down next to the other girls as they hugged each other,
getting emotional as their sobbing almost made him sob. He did his best
holding it together, as he knew he had given it his all, taking a deep
breath awaiting their decision.
"Ladies, please stand and you all did wonderfully," said Judge Smith as
they stood together holding hands. "But one girl stood apart today.
Congratulations, you've made the team, Miss Capelli."
As much as he expected it, the girls sobbing and hugging him quickly
brought him to tears. As confident as he felt after all of the day's
events, he still couldn't believe he was going to the super bowl,
suddenly balling like a little sissy as his family ran up to him.
"Congratulations again, Briana," said Ricky's mother, coming over and
extending her hand. "You must be her proud mother?"
"Hi, yes," replied his mother, extending her hand. "Roseann Capelli.
Thank you for choosing her, and it's my pleasure to meet you."
"She was marvelous, and from what I hear from someone I know," Winked
the judge. "A wonderful young lady as well. I'm Loretta Wilson."
"And your son is a doll," said Mrs. Capelli. "You should be proud. You
raised such a fantastic young gentlemen."
"I hope so, because the boy is girl crazy. It's all he talks about, so
I'm happy to hear he's been respectful," said Judge Wilson. "Especially
when you've got a daughter this pretty. I'm sure the boys must be
ringing your phone off the hook."
"Well I've got three daughters in the house right now, so I can hardly
keep up," said Roseann, smiling.
"I bet, but this one will be out quite a bit right up to the big game,
so I'll need you to sign the release and finish off the paperwork so we
can get her officially named to the team," said Judge Wison, handing his
mother a stack of forms. "Why don't you come sit and I can help you if
you have any questions while Briana goes and takes her physical."
"You mean right now?" asked his mother.
"Yes, we have our wonderful team doctor here scheduled to do it for
whoever was the winner, so once that's done and all the paperwork is
finished, she'll be officially named to the team," said Judge Wilson.
"Oh, I see," said Roseann, caught off guard.
"It's routine, and she's in amazing physical condition, so she'll pass
with flying colors I'm sure," said Judge Wilson, flipping her wrist.
"And no worries, as you already signed all the medical wavers before she
signed up, so she can just go right down there."
"I'm sure I did," smiled Mrs. Capelli, turning and looking at Brian.
"Just give us a second please, and I'll be right back."
"Is this a problem, mom?" Brian fretted, seeing how she was looking at
him as she guided him away.
"Well I doubt it, but go freshen up first with Lori and take this," said
his mother, opening her pocketbook and handing Lori a few tampons. "Put
on at least one pad, and if he asked to check you down there, then just
say it's your period, and it's kind of heavy. Understand?"
"What's heavy?" asked Brian, confused. "I'm what?"
"Your time of the month," smirked Lori, trying not to laugh. "Say it's
you're period."
"Ohhhhh?" smiled Brian, almost grabbing himself as Lori grabbed his
wrist, stopping him. "Yuk... So like say there's... wait .....say it
how?"
"Like just say there's a tampon down there, or at least there will be in
a minute so let's go get one on you," said Lori, pulling him away. "I
got it Mrs. Capelli and we'll meet you back outside once she's done."
"Sorry, all good," said his mother, returning to the judge. "She's just
going to go freshen up and head right down there."
"Perfect, and don't be worried, there is no cost to you on anything.
She's a National All Star now, and if she keeps excelling, the
scholarships will be flooding in when she's older," smiled Judge Wilson,
handing her a stack of forms. "Practice all day every day, and she'll
need private schooling while she's out of her regular class. Plus photo
consent, injury waiver, style consent, hair consent and I'll stop
talking so you can read through the rest."
"It's like I'm signing my life away," joked Mrs. Capelli as she signed.
"No, just your pretty daughter," laughed Judge Wilson as she softly
tapped her arm, making light of it all.
"But don't worry, Roseann, I'm taking her and keeping her until we can
marry our kids off to each other."
"Ok Loretta! Where do I sign that one first?" Roseann joked back.
The women were hitting it off splendidly as Brian and Lori hustled into
the ladies room, locking the door behind them. On the counter she tossed
the few extra tampons and then pulled the wrapper from the pad, ready to
help him.
"So kind of just pull down your skirt and panties and that winkie holder
thing. Then just put it there and put everything back like it was," said
Lori, unzipping his skirt and turning her back. "If you do it right I
would doubt you'll even feel it I think?"
"This is so gross," said Brian, as he dropped down everything and pushed
it on, staying tucked.
"Maybe, does it cover?" said Lori. "You know?"
"I think so?" said Brian, pulling everything back up. "But I kind of
need to stay tucked and then it goes over the thin holder hose. You
know?"
"No I don't, and I really don't want to know, but just let me check
before you put your skirt back on?" said Lori. "Is it covered?"
"Think so," said Brian, dropping his panties and turning beet red.
"Wow? It really is, girlfriend?" said Lori, inspecting him, feeling
better. "Pull them up, you menstrual bitch, and let's get this over
with."
"But what about everything else?" said Brian, starting to sweat.
"Hey! You're thirteen, and you just got your period," said Lori, putting
her hands on both his arms, looking at him. "As much as I hate to admit
it, I'm almost as flat as you are, and everything else is the same until
our hormones start to make the changes. Really, you're just a skinny
chick without any really curves yet, but you already know that, because
you fit like a glove into your sister's clothes when she was around your
age. Basically without the gross boy junk between your legs, you've
pretty much got the same body Amy did."
"Ok...ok," Brian sighed as they walked from the rest room and then down
the hall to the medical area. "Oh gawwwwdddd."
"It'll be fine," said Lori, squeezing his hand. "Just stay calm."
"Trying?" Brian took a breath. "I'm sweating."
"We all get hot flashes, so think of it as normal," said Lori, giving
him a little shove. "I'll be right out here waiting, and don't make a
big deal."
"Hi," said Brian meekly, seeing a woman filling out charts. "Briana
Capelli. They sent me down for a physical."
"Yes, Judge Wilson called down," said the woman. "Room 3, and the nurse
will be in shortly."
As scary as it was to step out the door as a cheerleader the first time,
this almost seemed worse in a way as he walked into the small examining
room. He sat anxiously swinging his feet off the edge of the examining
table as there was nowhere else to sit as he sat with his hands
folded,twiddling his thumbs. Five minutes felt like an eternity, as
every little sound from outside the room startled him.
"Great job I hear, Briana. I'm Nurse Betty," said the nurse, finally
coming in. "Kick off your sneakers and let's get you on the scale,
honey."
"Sure," said Brian, trying to keep it together as he stepped on the
scale.
"Stand straight and without me having to ruin all your hard work, let's
find that actual head of yours," joked the nurse, extending the bar
before moving his curls, finding a spot behind his bow and resting it
across the back of his actual cranium. "98 pounds and 5'2," Does that
sound about right?"
"I guess," said Brian, seeing her jot things down.
"Any allergies, medical conditions and are you currently taking
anything?" asked the nurse.
"Uumm no, but my mom gave me some Advil," replied Brian.
"And when was your last period?" asked the nurse.
"Right now," Brian answered.
"Ok open please," said the nurse, swabbing inside his mouth and then
dropping it in a container. "And now just a little blood, and the doctor
will be in."
"Blood?" asked Brian, growing nervous. "What's that for?"
"Don't be nervous, Briana," replied the nurse, wrapping the band around
his arm. "I know no one likes needles, but it's just to check your red
and white blood counts. I'm sure you're fine."
She withdrew a blood sample as Brian had done this numerous times in his
life, so really as long as they were just looking at counts, then it was
no big deal. When she finished, he sat for ten minutes alone when she
left with the samples, wondering if there would be something there that
could reveal his secret, anxious to get this over with until finally the
doctor came in.
"Congratulations, Miss Capelli," said the doctor. "I'm Dr. Vargas, and
I'll be doing your physical."
"Hi doc," said Brian, very meekly sitting on the edge of the examining
table.
"Don't be nervous, young lady," said Dr. Vargas, taking out a small
light. "Open up dear."
Inside his mouth he looked and then down his throat. After jotting down
a few things, he shone the light up his nose and then inside his ears.
He then lifted his finger, looking at his hands and then his nails
before flipping to another page, writing down more.
"I assume those reflexes are tip top if you won today," said Dr. Vargas,
tapping his knees and extending each leg. "Any issue like bad bruises,
sprain, pulls or anything we should be concerned about?"
"No sir," said Brian, hoping this was it.
"Stand Briana, and arms up for me," ordered the doctor as he stood on
command.
It was strange having his body felt around the abdomen, ribs and then
under his arms, before finally the doctor allowed him to drop them.
"Ok, just unbuckle you bra, but you can leave your top on," said the
doctor, putting the stethoscope into his ears. "This will only take a
few seconds."
Brian reached back, trying not to be too nervous, fidgeting for the
clasp for a minute until it snapped open and his padded bra hung under
his top.
He then took his stethoscope, listening to his heart and chest in
various places, which wasn't difficult in the stretchy crop top as he
slid his cold hand uncomfortably right under it. It was quite
embarrassing seeing the doctor give him a look, knowing he was enhanced
with some padding as he felt around each nipple before he pulled out his
hand and continued jotting on the charts.
"So your period just began then Briana, and I assume it must be recent
that you've begun getting it," asked Dr. Vargas.
"Uuumm yes," said Brian, crossing his legs.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, honey," said the doctor. "It's
just natural, and being a late bloomer is common in active cheerleaders.
As it is, competing during the menstrual cycle is tough enough while
your estrogen and progesterone levels are low, so that makes your
accomplishment even more impressive."
"Thank you, doctor," said Brian, feeling more confident he had almost
gotten through this now.
"Any issues with anxiety, depression, irritability and mood swings?"
asked the doctor.
"Well not really," smirked Brian. "But it's just a stressful
competition, so I can't say it hasn't been an emotional rollercoaster."
"Oh I can only imagine," joked the doctor back, looking at the charts
before the nurse came in with some reports.
He took a few minutes reading everything and then writing down a few
more things until he looked up at Brian, rubbing his chin, thinking.
"So I'm going to assume you have been working out more than normal to
get ready for Nationals, and can I assume you lost some weight from
that, and possibly the stress of all this?" said the doctor.
"Yeah a few pounds," said Brian. "But I'm fine. I've never been more fit
in my life, doctor."
"I see that, and yes you're in fantastic shape, Briana," replied the
doctor. "My only concerns are your levels are extremely low, but this is
not uncommon with a girl your age just beginning to menstruate.
Excessive exercise, dieting and being very active in young girls
sometimes means estradiol's levels are abnormally low."
"Ok?" said Brian, not really understanding. "But I'm still good, right?"
"Yes. You've passed the physical, but we need to make sure we avoid
extreme dieting, and we watch your nutrition," said the doctor, writing.
"I will prescribe some vitamins and supplements you'll need to follow,
since you'll be practicing even harder than ever leading up the game."
"Sure," said Brian, feeling relieved. "No problem doctor. I'll take
whatever I need to."
"Good, because we find that when estrogen levels are this low, you may
also find that your bones fracture or break more easily, so we shouldn't
leave untreated," said the doctor, turning and injecting a needle into a
vile. "Be still please, and we'll correct that now."
Before Brian could give it another thought, this wasn't exactly what he
had agreed to, as the doctor took a pinch at his thigh and before he
could barely blink, had injected him. When he tossed the syringe in a
canister it was over just that quickly anyway, and then the doctor
jotted a few last things on the chart.
"OK all set Briana, and congratulations again, young lady," said the
doctor, extending his hand. "Don't be alarmed, as you may feel some
additional mood swings today now that your estrogen levels are where
they should be for a girl your age, but this will become normal, honey."
"Believe me, I'm kind of used to some mood swings," said Brian, happy to
be finished, shaking his hand briefly. "I've been on an emotional roller
coaster all weekend."
"Well that's a good sign then. In fact, a very good sign!" said the
doctor, nodding jotting down a few things. "I had a slight concern that
your estrogen levels were so low since you've just entered puberty, but
now I feel much better. I almost thought you were a boy for a second."
"Huuuuhh?" sighed Brian, covering his mouth.
"I'm sorry honey. Just a bad joke. Please don't get insulted, Briana,"
said the doctor, hearing his angst.
"You see, boys and girls have about the same estrogen level from about 8
until 12 or so, and yours were still at a pre-adolescent level, but we
fixed that now. Unfortunately you had the levels that were still too low
for a young lady entering puberty, but now you can move forward, as I
realize what a sensitive time this is for pretty young girls wanting to
become beautiful young ladies."
"Oh," swallowed Brian. "Ok thanks doctor."
"And make sure you take all the supplements the nurse will provide,"
said the doctor. "I'll check with your coach to make sure you do,
otherwise your levels could go off track again, and we'd need to do a
further examination, plus inject you again next week."
"No problem," replied Brian as he turned towards the door. "I'll be sure
to take them and stay on track."
"Good girl," said the doctor, patting his arm before leaving the room.
"And don't forget to buckle your bra honey. Now that we've got your
hormone levels right, you won't need the padded type much longer."