The ride home from football games on the bus was one of my favorite parts of being a cheerleader. The bus was long and dark allowing for all sorts of “games" to be played in the back. The coaches all sat in the very front and left us to our own devices. I’m sure if they knew what was going on they would have stopped it but the rule was what happened on the bus stayed on the bus. That way stupid rumors and people with big mouths didn’t ruin our grand tradition.
I remember my “initiation” into the tradition as if it was yesterday. I had been nervous and excited all day. It was the first football game of the season and I got my first chance to cheer. I put on my new uniform with pride that morning. First on were the black bloomers with orange hoof prints across the back on each butt cheek; we were the Elks so it was fitting. Next, I zipped up my very short orange, black, and white pleated skirt. I pulled on a black sports bra and adjusted my large breasts to fit neatly inside, making sure my hard nipples were even and pointing straight out.
Next I tugged on the top, this was my favorite. We had gotten to pick the new uniforms out and the top was why we had decided on these. It was mostly black and very fitted. Across the front, there was an orange vee on one side and I white vee on the other. It was cropped above my belly button and showed off my tight tanned tummy. I then fastened a bally chain around my waist with a silver star charm that glittered right at my naval.
I sat on the edge of my bed and pulled on my Nike socks and cheer shoes. I quickly checked my reflection in the mirror and was pleased with what I saw. I had brushed my long blonde hair up into a high ponytail and secured it with an orange and black sparkly ribbon. My makeup was perfect with just a little eyeliner to bring out my big blue eyes and some pink lip-gloss to call attention to my full lips.
I pulled on my cheer leading jacket with my name scrawled across the back and ran out the door, kissing my daddy on the cheek as I went past him. “Hey you can’t wear that,” he called in protest but I pretended I didn’t hear him and hurried to start my car.
As I pulled into the parking lot at school, I saw my fellow squad members waiting for me by the entrance to the school. We had planned before hand to all walk in together. I grabbed my orange and black pom pons from the back seat and ran to meet them.
The day flew by and soon we were at the game. I cheered so loud and knew that I was looking really good. We had worked and practiced so hard to make the season opener amazing and I knew by the pumped up crowd that we had succeeded. We won the game 40-13.
Afterward in the locker room, I began to change after my shower. “Hey you have to wear your uniform home rookie,” Jada called to me. “It’s tradition.” She cast a smile to the other girls who all agreed that we had to get back on the bus in full cheerleader regalia. I shrugged and pulled my outfit back on even though it seemed a little gross to me. I noticed that the other girls were spending time to perfect their makeup and fix their hair. I followed their lead but was getting curious, what would it matter what we looked like on the dark bus? I would soon find out.
About five minutes into the trip home Shari who was sitting beside me whispered, ”Hey it’s time we gotta go find us a contestant.” She pulled me along behind her into the narrow aisle ducking low to not call attention to us. We moved toward the very back of the bus and I noticed the other girls doing the same. What happened next shocked me.
