MY CHEERLEADER

BY CHRISTOPHER TOILKIEN

It was both the last week of June and the last few days of middle school for this group of grade nine students as they milled around their school yard. Many turned their heads in surprise as an older male in a high school football players numbered jacket entered their yard. Danny was embroidered over his left breast and quarterback over his right.

The two staffers on yard duties watched as he made his way across the schoolyard, head moving back and forth as if he was searching for someone. Then he made a sharp turn to his left as the girls of the junior high cheerleader squad entered the yard, dressed in their schoolgirl uniforms and moved towards them with a determined stride.

The teachers on yard duty recognized him on sight. Danny's skill with a football was the talk of the state, never mind the town. Already college football scouts were lined up to offer the eleventh grader his choice of schools and scholarships.

They may have wondered why he was here in a yard filled with younger students. But knew the schoolgirls he was heading for. Quite able to look after themselves. Girls were instructed in all the martial arts, including weapons proficiency as part of their regular curriculum here. Boys were not.

Sandy, the head cheerleader was critiquing their last practice before they performed at the schools gradation dance Friday night. She had her back to the yard and unaware of the older males approach until she heard him call her name.

"Sandy." The teenaged male called in a determined voice. The cheerleader turned to find the taller blond haired high school quarterback standing right behind her.

"Yes?” She inquired. Wondering what her town’s most famous footballer wanted with her. She was a startlingly beautiful girl of Italian ancestry. Her already curvaceous body trained as an excellent gymnast, dancer and cheerleader. Added to a mind that was destined to take her as far as she wished.

"Your position as junior high head cheerleader assures you of a place on the high school cheerleader squad." He noted. "And?" Sandy inquired. That was the standard practice here and she knew he must be aware of it.

"I want you to try out for the squad as if you were not.” He instructed.

"And why would I want to do that?” She asked. This boy was giving orders as if he owned her or something and she was swiftly getting annoyed with his arrogance.

"As quarterback and team captain in my senior year, I am allowed to have the cheerleader of my choice at my side." He began. "And I want everyone to know you are the best there is when I pick you."

"Why should I tryout for a position that is already mine by tradition." Sandy asked. Her opinion of this good-looking boy had hit rock bottom and she was about to turn her back on him.

An act traditionally of total dismissal with no recourse, of a male by a female around here. "Just so everyone will know only the best is good enough for you?"

"Uh, no. I want you to be my girl forever." He stammered. Obviously his well practiced kills with a football were not matched by skill interacting with girls.

Sandy's expression of puzzlement that appeared on her face did not help as he continued.

"I meant that I wanted your permission to inquire at your station if I might begin to walk about with you." He said in an unsure tone.

Whether she lived with her parents or an orphan assigned to a home as a live-in house girl. Here, where a girl lived, was referred to as her station.

"Why should I give it to you?" Her only reply.

"I want you to be the one seen at my feet at parties to bring me my food and drink. You to be the one whose task it is to relax me before a game. The one I dance with and keep in your proper station at my side everywhere I go." He informed her.

"You ask a lot and promise little in return." Was the girl’s only toneless reply. "When I am allowed to attend a celebration. Boys usually fight over who gets to sit at my side and fetch my refreshment."

The young male appeared to be unsure of how to proceed after the one he had chosen apparently was refusing his offer.

Then it was obvious he had come to a decision and a calm expression came across his demeanor.

"I swear by my fathers name engraved on the cenotaph of the fallen hero’s. I will ask for you to be mine for all time before I leave to attend university." The young quarterback informed his chosen.

It was obvious from the surprise on all the young females’ faces. They were not expecting him to go this far to be with Sandy.

His statement of intent was common practice when a man wished to acquire the female of his choice. But it usually occurred much later in life.

And it was still a woman’s right to refuse.

----

A girl blessed with her looks and brains knew she could pick and choose her mate. Even here were the females outnumbered the males ten to one.

Obviously, she realized, this boy had only their best interests at heart in order to pledge his lifelong troth this early in life.

"Then I agree to become yours for all time." Sandy replied in a formal tone

His hands came up, fingers reaching for her nipples. "May I?" Danny asked. "Yes" Sandy replied. Both knew touching a female without her express permission would get the offending male severely battered by the offended female.

His fingers tightly gripped her stiffening nipples through her white school uniform blouse as he informed her.

"I will have these pierced, gold rings inserted, engraved with Property of David Anders."

"A man may do with his female property as he wishes." Sandy's voice softly replied. Her eyes lowered with her hands clasped behind her.

"Then I will attend your station tonight and request the right to walk about with you in your proper place at my side." Danny informed her. "In order we may discuss our future together."

He then turned on his heel and walked off with a sure tread and a cheerful smile on his face.

Sandy’s companions had remained silent during their discussion. They were at first as annoyed she had been at his effrontery. But now, once they had concluded their agreement. Knew it was their duty to see first their verbal contract was recorded by the school secretary with them as witnesses.

And second, make sure both lived up to it.

They were all part of the Ropeville sisterhood after all.