5. Alice
Alice
It’s been a week and a half since I’ve seen Ryder, and I’m glad.
One of the fortunate things about being a cheerleader is that our practices are at night when most of the organization has gone home. Do we see players here? Occasionally, but mostly they’re in the gym or with the trainer, which leaves the indoor field empty for us.
We have practice a minimum of three nights a week, starting the moment the roster is announced.
I have to believe that these first couple of weeks are the most intense, and as the season progresses, we’re cleaning up sideline cheers, the halftime dances, time-out routines, and possibly working on new ideas because I am wiped out.
Being a professional cheerleader, you have to really love it, or it’s not worth it.
While the Tarpons do pay more than other organizations, it’s still not enough to live off.
Everyone has another job, whether it’s part-time or full-time, and we do our best to manage the schedule.
We also work really hard on our brand to increase appearance bookings.
I haven’t mentioned my campaign with Ryder to the team yet.
I’m sure most will be happy for me, as the reason behind it is understandable, but some veteran cheerleaders will probably frown at the extra money I’m earning being so new.
Oh, well. If they only knew the headache that came with the money, I’m certain they would feel bad for me, not envious.
But outside of the marketing campaign, I am lucky.
For the time being, I’m able to supplement my income as a social media influencer.
Is that what I had planned on doing? No.
I got my college degree in early childhood education and planned on teaching, but after a couple of videos in college went viral with Kelli, we’ve both embraced the opportunity and the financial perks that come with it.
Do I plan on substitute teaching? Yes, I just need to feel out these first couple of months and see how the timing of everything works out.
Money is money, and if I have a way to make a little more, I’m going to do it.
“All right, everyone. I want to take School’em from the top.
Line up,” Coach Caruso calls out. Collectively, we all move into position.
I’m soaked from head to toe with sweat. We’ve been going nonstop, and although they’ve given me a few displeased once-overs, they haven’t said anything as we all look equally drained.
School’em is our pregame performance. The Tarpons have a great pregame show, as most teams do.
It starts approximately fifteen minutes before kickoff and features an electric water journey on the large end zone screens on both ends of the field.
Tarpons, by nature, are predators. They hunt and kill other fish and animals for food.
While they don’t have super sharp teeth like sharks, what they do have is a mouth that is bony and rough, allowing them to swallow their prey whole.
Granted, their prey isn’t usually super large, but for theatrics it is.
In the video, a ship with the opposing team appears on the screen, its sails flying high, as it’s making its way toward Tampa.
Of course, it never makes it to shore. A school of tarpons daisy-chains around the ship and eventually sinks it.
The tarpons eat the players as they land in the water and end up eating the mascot.
The music is a mash-up of the Jaws theme song and a trendy eighties rock song, and the crowd goes wild.
When the video ends, we’re in place on the field, and our routine begins.
“Coach Stacey and I reviewed the film from Tuesday night, and we need to smooth out a few errors. Kelcey, watch your feet during the chorus. Dara, make sure you stay in line. You were half a foot forward yesterday. Jennifer, by the end, you were a little behind the beat. Also, all of you need to watch your facial expressions. You know that the camera may be on you at any time.”
The music starts from the top, and as one, we begin.
Cheerleading is about so much more than a bunch of girls and guys standing on the sidelines chanting cheers and dancing. For most of us, it’s a deeply meaningful experience. It allows opportunities and platforms for growth, belonging, athleticism, and leadership.
Don’t get me wrong, while there is much to love, there are also the rules. Here are three of the main ones.
First and foremost is our appearance. While there are feminine movements that reject the idea of an individual having to be a certain size or weight, cheerleading is not one of them.
We must maintain an acceptable but strict weight for our body type and frame.
The reason is twofold: image and uniform.
Each uniform is hand-measured and sewn to fit us.
If our weight changes, then so does the uniform.
Along with our size is our day-to-day look.
If we leave our home, we are to look professional no matter what.
Our faces become recognizable, and we represent the Tarpons brand.
Hygiene, hair, makeup, and clothing must all be on point and is detailed in length in our handbook. Think wholesome sexy, not pin-up sexy.
Next is mandatory attendance. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.
Every sport has this rule. You are required to be at all rehearsals and all games.
On game day, we are required to be there five hours before kickoff.
We do our own makeup. It’s meant to look timeless and natural, and our hair is to be worn down.
We meet with whoever they ask us to: press, veterans, large donors, birthday parties, etcetera.
Last is conduct and socializing. I’m certain many have gone through the organizations over the years hoping to catch the eye of a player.
But if you do, and you engage, there will be repercussions.
There is no gray area. It is cut-and-dried, black and white.
We are not allowed to socialize, fraternize, or even imply that we are with one of the players.
I even read an article once where, in the handbook for a specific team, it said if you’re out eating and a player walks into the restaurant, the cheerleader is required to pay up and leave.
That’s how serious they are. Zero scandal.
And it goes both ways. The players, coaches, and overall staff also know that we are off limits too.
Which all leads to me feeling a little uncomfortable with the press of Ryder and me together. There’s already been some online chatter about the two of us. With our past and now our present, we’re being romanticized in a way that normal people think is a fairy tale, but the reality is a nightmare.
The song ends, and I feel like my insides are crying. “Water,” it whispers dramatically.
Coach Caruso gathers her things, then turns to face us. “I want to spend the last hour of practice in the gym. I’ve asked the conditioning coaches to join us to educate all of you on the importance of strength training. A few of the players will be there as well to assist with spotting.”
In the gym? I can barely lift myself, and they want us to lift weights. And that’s when her words hit me.
My stomach drops.
No. No, no, no.
Kelli flashes me a look as we all collect our things and make our way toward the weight room.
I’m praying with every fiber of my being that he’s not going to be there, but I should have known better.
Pushing through the heavy silver doors, he’s the first person I see, even though he’s standing with a dozen other people.
Some of them are staff, some are players, and some I recognize through the media team.
Of course they’re here too. As an influencer, I get it.
Content is content, and there’s never too much of it.
Ryder instantly locks onto me and doesn’t spare anyone else a glance. It used to always be this way. I loved it too, but now it feels like unwanted attention.
It also feels really odd. It’s been four years of silence, almost like he never even existed, and now he’s back. No one has watched me this closely in a long time, well, since him. It’s unnerving.
Also, I didn’t notice this the last couple of times that I’ve seen him, or maybe I did and just blocked it, but he’s not a boy anymore. He’s all man.
He looks taller. His shoulders are definitely broader. He has more muscles layering his frame, but his face looks lean, and his jaw is chiseled. He looks good, better than good, and with this realization my heart thumps hard with a painful ache. Painful for what? I’m not sure.
“All right, ladies, go ahead and drop your things, then split up into groups of three. One of the players or the staff will join you and walk you through a series of recommended lifting and body weight movements. Dancers and cheerleaders who lift weights have longer careers. By being consistent in the weight room, you are building a body that prevents injury, improves endurance, makes your movements more powerful and explosive, and, well, what we all love: the aesthetic benefits.”
Everyone breaks to do as they’re told. Kelli moves to stand next to me, along with our friend Rebecca. She cheered with us in college too and is new this year too. Out of the corner of my eye, Ryder and Danica make their way over. The three of us fall silent.
“Cheerleader,” he says by way of greeting. Not my name, just my job title, as if that’s enough to sum up who I am.
“Football player,” I return flatly.
“Asshole,” Kelli says, just loud enough for our group to hear, disgust pouring out of her eyes.
Rebecca gasps, and Danica’s gaze goes wide as it bounces between the three of us.
Ryder slides his eyes off me and over to Kelli. He tilts his head a little. “You must be the replacement friend.”
“By that you mean upgrade,” she states back.
“What is happening?” Rebecca whispers.