The Princess and the Plague : 9

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The Princess and the Plague
(Life after Camp Kumoni)

By Anistasia Allread
Edited by Nick B

“Guys, you've all wanted a peek up these skirts and if you are on the squad, you get to peek daily,” she smiled.

The guys in the student body cheered and whistled at that.

     

duckling.jpg

Eric woke up knowing that it was going to be a long, busy day. He grabbed some breakfast and met Samantha at the door. The blonde who had his heart for the past few years was dressed in her red and white cheer uniform.

“So, will you try out for cheer?” she asked.

“Shhh, not so loud,” Eric cautioned. “We don't want my mother to hear.”

“We do have boys on our cheer squad,” Samantha scolded, but lowered her voice as they walked down the drive.

“I have no cheer abilities. I can't do the splits, I can't cartwheel let alone tumble and I have two left feet,” Eric explained. “If I make the Rally squad will you be happy?”

Samantha frowned.

“We'll be at the games together,” Eric reminded.

“Fine, I'll talk to Melinda and see if she can get you on the Rally squad.”

“Krystal too,” Eric stated. “If Krystal doesn't get on, then I won't either.”

“Does Krystal even want on the Rally squad?”

“Secretly, I think she does, but I think she thinks she's too fat or something.”

Samantha sighed. “I'll talk to Melinda.”

“Thanks, Samantha.” Eric grinned, “What should I wear today? Since I'm not trying out for cheer, I don't have to wear anything special, do I? And what about the game? What should I wear to that?”

“You'll need to wear something comfortable or bring something comfortable, because if you're going to be on the Rally squad. You'll have to spend the afternoon before the game practicing routines and cheers.”

“The Rally squad does cheers?”

“They do pretty much everything that cheer does, except tumble and the more complicated routines. They don't do pyramids either, but they dance and cheer just like we do.”

Eric rolled his eyes. “Oh great.” What did he just agree to do?

“You can't go chickening out now,” Samantha warned. “Especially if I can get you and Krystal on the Rally squad. Besides, look at it this way, it'll be a great way for Krystal to work out.”

“Good morning,” Tricia greeted them from the kitchen. “I laid out two outfits for you upstairs. I'll be up as soon as I finish my breakfast.” She looked at Samantha, “You look pretty in your cheer outfit.”

“Go on up, I'll be up in a minute,” Samantha instructed.

Eric went up to Tricia's room and found the two outfits. One was a knee length skirt, sweater, leggings and heeled boots that went along with a wide belt. The other was a pair of denim capris, a pink long-sleeved shirt and a low cut short sleeved white sweater. A pair of flats were set next to the outfit. Eric looked at each for a long moment he went to the door and called down, “Samantha, I need your help.”

“Coming.” Samantha called back. The blonde cheerleader stood next to Eric, “They're both very cute and would look fantastic on you.”

“But which one should I wear?”

“Wear this one,” Samantha suggested, pointing to the skirt. “But bring the capris and a pair of tennis shoes to change into for Rally.”

Eric nodded and took the outfit into the bathroom.

“You almost ready?” Tricia asked.

“Just finishing up,” Erika said. A few moments later, Erika emerged from the bathroom wearing the royal blue sweater with skirt, leggings and boots, “It's time for a bang trim,” she said referring to the fringe that was now too long even with it fluffed and rounded.

“Damn girl! You look fine.” Tricia looked her up and down. She stepped up to Erika and kissed her pink glossy lips, “Don't go giving me up for cute guys asking you out.”

“Guys?” Erika grimaced, “Why would I want to go out with a guy?”

“Good answer.” Tricia smiled and kissed her again.

–o0o–

“So, Erika,” Jake smiled. “I was hoping that you'd come and watch me play tonight.”

“Why would I want to come to watch you?” Erika asked. “I don't even understand football.” Which was pretty much the truth.

“Well, most of the school shows up for our football games. Last year we went to the state finals. We're expected to win this year.”

Erika tried to show disinterest. “That's nice.”

“What could you possibly doing tonight that would be more fun than going to a football game?”

“I can think of a few things.” She looked over at Tricia, who mouthed 'I told you'.

“Well, just in case, I hope to see you there tonight.” Jake smiled.

Erika smiled back.

“I've got to go and get ready.” Samantha told the other two.

“Getting ready for what?”

“The pep rally.” Samantha got up, “When you get on Rally, you'll be coming with me.” Samantha gave Mrs. Anderson a knowing look and left.

–o0o–

Eric had only been to one other pep rally. Students made sure that they had left a wide berth around him as he sat on the bottom riser off to one side. It had taken him five minutes in the bathroom, afterwards, to get all the tiny pieces of paper and popcorn out of his hair. In the process he had found two signs posted on his back. One read: 'Stay Clear, Contamination', the other: 'Loser'.

Erika, Tricia, Krystal and Victoria sat together up towards the center top of the stands as the student body around them cheered, yelled and screamed along with the cheerleaders working on the gym floor.

Erika found a new respect for Samantha and her squad as they tumbled and lifted one another up into the air in acrobatic poses. In front of the cheer squad and sometimes off to either side, the Rally squad, interacted and augmented the cheer leaders.

Tricia squeezed Erika's hand. “You might be down there next pep rally.”

“I don't know. It looks a bit daunting.”

“Yeah, but you'll look great in that short skirt.” Tricia smiled.

“You're trying out for the cheer squad?” Krystal asked.

“The rally squad,” Erika corrected, “I can't do those flips and things.” She looked at Krystal, “I would really like it if you would do it with me.”

Krystal looked shocked. “Me?”

Erika and Tricia both nodded.

“Huh,uh.” Krystal shook her head.

“Please, Krystal.” Erika begged, “Think about what a good workout it would be.”

“They aren't going to allow someone as large as me to go anywhere near a uniform like that.” Krystal still shook her head, “Imagine what they would say about me being a warthog, the jokes that I would have to put up with.”

A few jokes about warthogs are nothing compared to what Eric had to deal with. Erika thought. Aloud she pleaded, “They all deal with those, At least come with me this afternoon to the tryouts?”

“I’ll need to think about it,” Krystal relented.

“Imagine Rachel's pride if you made the squad,” Victoria added.

“She would be pretty impressed,” Krystal admitted.

Melinda, her long ebony hair pulled back into a pony that bounced and swayed when she moved, introduced the captains of the football team. Jake, Tyler and Greg were among those wearing red game jerseys, standing in the center of the gym floor as the student body and faculty cheered for them.

“Come on, get up and cheer,” Victoria encouraged.

“I will not cheer for those Neanderthals,” Erika swore.

“Erika doesn't know who they are,” Victoria reminded.

Begrudgingly, Erika stood and clapped her hands without enthusiasm. The cheering died down and Greg stepped forward to take a microphone and made a speech, which Erika ignored.

Only after everyone started applauding again, did she tune back in to see Greg hand the mic back to Melinda.

“Okay, everyone,” Melinda began, “We're having Cheer and Rally try outs this afternoon. Come by the gym here and try out…We need guys too.”

She paused.

“Guys, you've all wanted a peek up these skirts and if you are on the squad, you get to peek daily,” she smiled.

The guys in the student body cheered and whistled at that.

“That's gross,” Tricia said, shaking her head.

“The only ones that get a peek are the ones that tire of it soon enough because of all the work involved,” Victoria promised. “Melinda will to see to that.”

The band began playing the Warthog fight song ending the rally.

“See you at lunch.” Victoria got up and followed mob of students back to class.

–o0o–

“What did you think of the Pep Rally?” Samantha asked at lunch.

“You were really great.” Krystal sipped at her iced tea.

“Melinda has almost guaranteed you a spot on the Rally squad.” Samantha told her.

“How? Why?” Krystal was bewildered.

“You're my friend and I vouched for you.”

“But, I'm fat.”

“You are not fat!” Samantha, Victoria and Erika hissed together.

“They probably don't even make uniforms this big,” Krystal protested.

“That is enough, Krystal,” Samantha admonished. “I want to see you along with Erika at try outs,”

Greg approached the end of the table. “Hey, Samantha. Have you been feeling ill lately–after being exposed to the plague and all?”

Erika turned her head to keep Greg from seeing her redden with embarrassment and rage.

“Greg, grow up,” Samantha scolded.

“I heard that after his dip in the mall fountain, that he has quarantined himself,” he chuckled. “No one has seen him since.”

“Oh my, Greg, such a large word. Did you learn that one all by yourself?” Victoria sneered.

The football captain ignored her.

“Why would you be seen with that loser?” Greg pressed. “Come on, it’s 'The Plague'.”

“Go get tackled,” Victoria hissed, glaring.

“Greg, if you took the time to get to know him, you'd find a very nice guy,” Samantha defended.

“Oh, is he a sissy boy?” Greg said with a lisp. “I'm sure he's a very sweet boy.”

Victoria stood. “Greg, get out of here!”

“Oooh, look who has grown fangs,” he smirked.

“Should I remind you that I control the articles that go into the school paper?” Victoria snarled.

Greg stood back. “I'm the one that they all want to read about.”

“I can inform them on just who does your homework for you,” Victoria whispered angrily.

Erika thought she saw Greg flinch.

“Some friends you've made, Sam.” Greg turned to walk away.

“Don't call me Sam,” Samantha warned.

Greg waved over his shoulder.

“I'm so sorry.” Tricia gave Erika's knee a squeeze, “That Neanderthal was a creep. You had to deal with those guys on your own?”

Erika nodded.

“No wonder you didn't want to come back to school as Eric.”

–o0o–

Erika joined Krystal as they were about to enter the gym, “You ready for this?” she asked her camp friend.

Krystal shook her head. “No. I don't know why I'm even here.”

“Because I want you here,” Samantha greeted them. She took Erika and Krystal's hands and walked them into the gym where other girls were sitting on the bleachers watching the cheer leaders as they spoke and stretched.

“Hi Erika,” Melinda greeted them. “I'm glad you decided to give this a shot.”

“Do I need to change?” Erika asked.

“Yes, if you brought something more– suitable for dancing and cheering, then go on into the locker rooms and change.”

“I didn't know I was trying out today,” Krystal apologized. “I don't have any other clothes.”

“Can you dance a bit in what you're wearing?” Melinda asked.

“I think so.”

“Great. I'll see you in a few minutes.”

“I'll use the bathroom,” Erika told Samantha, “I'll be right back.”

Dressed more comfortably, Erika sat on the bleachers with Krystal as Melinda took the floor.

“Hi everyone,” Melinda greeted. “I'm glad to see some guys are with us today.” She smiled up at the couple of guys who looked uncomfortable being at the tryouts. “However, if you're not here to try out, then I'll have to ask you to leave.”

One of the guys nudged the other and they got up and left.

Melinda continued after the two guys left the gym. “We'll get to the tryouts in just a few minutes; first I want to talk to you about cheerleading and the commitment it takes.

“Cheering takes up all of your spare time. If you don't want to spend Friday nights as well as some Saturdays at football games, basketball games, other sporting events, charity benefits and helping our athletic students out, then cheering isn't for you.

“We make and hang the posters Thursday nights before the games. We prep the football and basketball player’s locker rooms Friday afternoons. We put on pep rallies and help our community in lots of different ways. That doesn't even include our practices. On top of all of that, we must maintain a 'C+' average. If any of think that is too much, then I thank you for showing an interest and maybe you'll try out again next year.”

A few girls got up, some with slightly flushed faces and left the gym.

“Some of you are interested in cheering, the others of you are interested in the Rally squad.” Melinda went on to describe the differences and similarities in the two, “So, if you are interested in Cheer, please come down this way, those of you who want to be in Rally stay where you are.”

Taylor, the leader of the Rally squad stood before Erika and the others. “Hi,” she greeted.

Erika didn't know a whole lot about Taylor. She kept to herself most of the time. Last year, Eric had a class with her, but it she seldom spoke up in class. For someone as beautiful as she, she didn't socialize much. Her mixed heritage gave her skin the color of a latte and her hazel eyes tended to be more gold than green or gray. Today, her hair was straight and pulled back in a pony, but Erika had seen her wear it in long ringlets, or cornrowed. Taylor was one of those girls who made everything she wore look great.

“My name is Taylor and I'm in charge of the Rally squad. We don't get the glory of the cheer squad, but we work just as hard as they do, and in a lot of ways harder. They need to reserve a lot of their energy flipping and throwing themselves at each other. We pick up the slack and use our voices, our legs, and our cute looks to keep the crowd entertained.”

Krystal leaned close to Erika. “Why am I here?”

“Because if I am joining the rally squad for Samantha, you can too. Besides, it will help you lose even more weight,” Erika told her.

Taylor looked the girls over. “Let’s have you get up and pair off with another Rally girl, so she can teach you a basic routine and see how you do.”

Erika tried to keep up with the dancing as best as she could. In a way it was almost like when Tricia had taught her how to waltz out in the forest at camp. After a few times of going through it, she finally felt like she was getting the hang of it.

“Okay, girls.” Taylor stopped them. “Let’s see how you use your voices. I'm going to yell a cheer; I want you to copy it, one at a time.”

Taylor went up to one of the girls and yelled. Erika noticed that even though the brunette was yelling, she never seemed to lose her smile.

Erika let her voice carry as loud as she could, not caring if it sounded a little masculine. The thing she focused on was trying to keep smiling. It was harder than it looked. For the first time that afternoon, Taylor smiled.

“That was perfect.” Taylor nodded. “Did you all see and hear what she just did?”

“She was loud,” a girl stated.

“Not only was she loud, she projected,” Taylor explained, “She didn't just force air through her vocal chords, she focused her sound and bounced it off the wall and the whole time she was, smiling while she was doing it.”

Krystal gave Erika a nod of support.

“Good job, Erika.” Taylor smiled, she leaned in closer to Erika, “I know Samantha and Melinda want you on this squad, but I don't like playing favorites. You have a voice. You just need to learn to dance better.” She turned to the others. “Can any of you tumble? Do cartwheels, flips, and the like?”

One girl raised her hand.

Taylor stepped towards her, “Why aren't you trying out for cheer?”

“I like Rally uniforms better.” The girl smirked.

“They could use you if you can tumble.”

“I also don't like getting hurt,” the girl replied, “Statistically cheerleaders get hurt worse and more often than football players. I would rather have my feet on the ground than being thrown into the air and trust someone will catch me.”

“Me too,” Taylor nodded. “Okay,” she addressed the girls, “I'm going to have Jordon start teaching you all a cheer. Melinda and I'll make cuts accordingly. If you are cut, please leave quietly and without drama. You might make the squad next year.”

Jordon's blonde hair was pulled back into pigtails fastened with red ribbons. “Hi everyone.” She gave a small wave. “You are all doing great.” She gave them a toothy grin. “This is one of several of our basic cheers. I'll do it a couple of times and you follow along.”

Jordon turned to face away from the nervous girls and began the cheer, yelling and dancing at the same time.

By the time Melinda and Taylor had made their cuts, there were six girls left, Krystal and Erika included.

“Krystal, how much can you lift?” Melinda asked.

Krystal shrugged, “I don't know, why?”

“Only one of the guys trying out for cheer is acceptable and we could use another person who can spot. Could you come with me?”

Krystal looked confused. She looked to Erika, who nodded and smiled.

“The rest of you will meet in here every afternoon after school,” Taylor told them. “Welcome to the Warthog Rally squad.”

A few of the girls squealed with delight.

Taylor walked up to Erika, “Welcome to the squad, Erika. You really projected and presented, well. You just need to learn your left foot from your right, okay?”

“Thank you, Taylor. I'll try.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Erika picked up her duffle and walked over to where the cheer squad was working. She watched as Krystal hoisted a cheer leader up overhead and held her there for a moment before her arms began to give. Jorge and another guy standing nearby stepped in and caught the cheerleader as she half fell into their waiting arms.

“That was better than the guys could do,” Melinda observed, “If you worked on your upper body strength, would you consider joining Cheer?”

“Yes!” Samantha exclaimed clapping her hands together. “Say yes, Krystal, say yes.”

Krystal looked from Samantha to Erika, who smiled and nodded, then to Melinda, “I won't have to tumble will I?

“No.” Melinda smiled. We can work a routine around you so you won't have to tumble or do any aerials.”

“Aren't I too fat?”

“What?”

Krystal looked at the ground ashamed. “I'm fat.”

“This isn't 'Bring it On',” Melinda stated. “We need you Krystal. We need your strength. Besides, Samantha vouches for you. She says that you've lost a lot of weight over the summer while at camp.”

Krystal blushed but nodded.

“Krystal, will you please join cheer,” Melinda pleaded.

“Okay, as long as I don't look like a whale in the uniform,” Krystal relented.

“You'll look just as sexy as the rest of them,” Jorge spoke up.

Samantha jumped up and wrapped herself around Krystal. “You're so awesome,” she said. “You'll love it, just wait and see.”

“It'll be a lot of hard work.” Melinda warned. “I'll need you to work out on weights with Jorge to get that upper body and arm strength built up.”

“We'll start tomorrow,” Jorge nodded. “While you are all doing your wind sprints, I'll start pumping iron with Krystal.

“I won't get all brawny and bulky, will I?” Krystal was alarmed.

“No, I'll keep you looking gorgeously feminine,” Jorge promised.

“I'll do it.” Krystal let out a breath.


To be continued…

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Comments

Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop

joannebarbarella's picture

Or the wheels to fall off, or everything to go pearshaped. I was sure something would go wrong for Erika in this episode and I don't know whether to be relieved or alarmed because it didn't. The tension is getting to me. Also, why are those big jocks so obnoxious? What possible threat could Eric ever be to them? Neanderthal is probably an insult to the Neanderthals of yore, and if they were still around would be a racist remark,
Joanne

I've never understood

Angharad's picture

the American fixation with cheer leading. Sorry, I still don't understand.

Angharad

Angharad

That's alright

We've never understood the British fascination with soccer and rugby. I'd much rather watch pretty girls in skimpy outfits bouncing (!) around than stinky, sweat-soaked guys. :-)

Yuri!

Yuri!

Soccer? No!

And I don't understand how americans can call Football soccer and american football football. Their version is not FOOT-ball, but more likely brawl-over-ball. Thats if you call nearly eqq-shaped object ball. But thats really beside point.

What makes me worry more than little is how bad will be reactions of souroundings after truth about Eric/Erica gets out. And it most certainly will. I just hope that at that time Erica will win a lot more friends to support her.
Robin

I married one

She was the captain of the HS cheering squad in the next town and the two games I went to and she was there I thought she was adorable. They are the Alpha females of the school much like all the portrayals, good and bad, in the stories on BCTS. I was more like Eric in HS and she would never have given me a second look back then. Later we met as adults and hit it off.
I would not do that again.

It has to grow on you.

Like potatoes that have been cut into strips, deep fried and had vinegar poured on them. Yummmmmm! :)

Gwen

Hungry now

WillowD's picture

But since I live in Canada I much prefer to mix the fries in with gravy and cheese curds. We call it poutine. The idea originated in Quebec.

I so did not see Krystal getting on the cheer squad. That is an awesome plot twist.

Cheerleading

For many is about the skimpy outfits and bouncy boobs as well as seeing the girls undies for guys.
May Your Light Forever Shine

    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine

I would have liked to be a cheerleader

Some German teams started to have cheerleaders in the last couple of years, but its still not very wide spread.

However you need to consider a few things about cheer leading.

a challenging sport:
Even if cheerleaders seem to have generally a bad name it is very hard work. You need to be very athletic and very coordinated. Singing (cheering) dancing and doing acrobatics at the same time takes a lot.
trust and team work:
The girls need to learn to work together and fully trust each other (especially their stunt partners). So they learn to push back personal differences to make the team work. That is a very useful and important skill in todays work environment. Being able to trust people (who deserve that trust) is also something thats quite important. Since that is some thing I still strugle greatly with I consider that a very important aspect as well.
fun to watch for the guys:
OK what most see is that pretty girls show of for the pleasure of guys. It probably means a cheerleader has do be somewhat vain. But lets face it what girl is not at least some what vain and would love to be in the spotlight especially if she is pretty?
teasing guys is fun for teen girls:
But the girls get a lot out of it too I think. Teasing boys is great fun if it is done in a save way. Dressing sexy and being appreciate for your looks is something most girls enjoy.
team spirt and support:
The cheer squad motivates the playing team but even more so the fans. Those same fans in return cheer more for the time. This mental backup and support of your own fans is a great psychological booster to give the last to win.

If you consider all that then I personally think it out weights the negative aspects that it produces some very shallow girls. I guess most cheerleaders are quite ok.

OK I also would have loved to wear that skimpy uniform and be so popular. ;)
Can you blame a girl.

I liked that episode and its great to see that both Erika and Kristal did not just get on as a favor but for something they really are good at. To be honest I fully expected Erika to make the cheer squad despite her not wanting to or not believing in her abilities. After all she was climbing the robe course and jumping around in it like a little monkey. So she must have coordination and not be afraid of heights. She also get taught dancing by Trisha in the woods at camp and seemed to get the hang of it just well. So all she is probably lacking is some self confidence and some training on how to move her body. I would not be surprised if she learned to do cartwheels and maybe even splits in time and make it to cheer squad next year. Or maybe one day the cheer squad is one girl short and by then Erika has mastered what so far she thinks she can't do.

All in all I'm very happy for the girls. It should be a real ego booster for them which both Erika and Kristal still have use for.

It will also be great what Rachel will say when she learns Kristal made the cheer squad.

Is it just me or does Kristal have an admirer already? Well we will see what develops as they train together.

Thanks for this wonderful chapter Anistasia

hugs

Holly

Friendship is like glass,
once broken it can be mented,
but there will always be a crack.

Why isn't ERIC "the very nice guy" Being Given A Chance?

RAMI

Again, in this chapter, as I pointed out in my post to the last chapter, it appears that some of Eric/a's friends are intent on making him a girl, without giving Eric a chance to become the person he could be, if he was not simultaneously "The Plague".

Eric/a's supposedly closest friend, and perhaps romantic interest, Tricia, apparently wants him to be a girl and not a guy. While Eric/a was dressing at her home the following scene is revealed:

". . . Damn girl! You look fine.” Tricia looked her up and down. She stepped up to Erika and kissed her pink glossy lips, “Don't go giving me up for cute guys asking you out.” “Guys?” Erika grimaced, “Why would I want to go out with a guy?” Tricia shrugged.

Eric is obviously upset at this suggestion. Obviously, in HIS mind, he is not a girl. HE is NOT a girl interested in boys, in any way what-so-ever. Not now,not at camp, not ever, and doesn't even contemplate being that way. Tricia, who appears to be bi-sexual in thought pattern, however, thinks it is alright for the girl, "Erika", to be interested in boys, and to be interesting to boys. To be like her and like both boys and girls.

Perhaps, as his oldest friend, and the only one to ever truly know him as a boy, Samantha, may have a clue, that Erika is really a nice guy, Eric at his core. A boy who is misunderstood and maltreated.

The following occurs at lunch:

Greg approached the end of the table. “Hey, Samantha. Have you been feeling ill lately—after being exposed to the plague and all?”
Erika turned her head to keep Greg from seeing her redden with embarrassment and rage.
“Greg, grow up,” Samantha scolded.
“I heard that after his bath in the mall fountain, that he has quarantined himself,” he chuckled.
“Oh my, Greg, such a large word. Did you learn that one all by yourself?” Victoria sneered.
The football captain ignored her.
“Why would you be seen with that loser?” Greg pressed. “Come on, it’s 'The Plague'.”
“Go get tackled,” Victoria hissed, glaring.
“Greg, if you took the time to get to know him, you'd find a very nice guy,” Samantha defended.
“Oh, is he a sissy boy?” Greg said with a lisp. “I'm sure he's a very sweet boy.”

Unfortunately, maybe Samantha understands that Eric is a nice guy subconsciously, but like the others, she is not allowing Eric the chance to become that nice guy, and is intent on furthering his feminization.

That Eric is missing, is obviously evident to the students such as Greg, since he states that: "The Plague has quarantined himself". While we know that the school administration has not taken proper notice of Eric in the past, will they now notice his absence?

Is Eric/a and the gang's fall imminent? After the fall, will they put things back together again? What will happen? When will we know?

RAMI

I've made the same point ...

Jezzi Stewart's picture

... several times. I don't see how a real choice can be made without giving an improved Eric a chance ... but, then, Eric doesn't seem to be willing to stand up for himself, letting the girls make the decisions for him and protect him; he still see's himself as the plague and the girls arent' helping. They make it too easy for him to take the "safe" road of being a popular girl. Maybe a fall is needed; I cannot see how this whole going to school as a girl plot can last much longer.

"All the world really is a stage, darlings, so strut your stuff, have fun, and give the public a good show!" Miss Jezzi Belle at the end of each show

BE a lady!

Princess and the Plague --- or Perils of Pauline?

KristineRead's picture

While the girls are certainly enabling Eric, and encouraging him to embrace himself as Erica, it is unfair to say that Eric is being forced.

It was Eric that kept his things in the first place.

It was Eric that put makeup on when he was going out with his mother.

It was Eric that has pretty much told Dr. Barts that he feels more comfortable as a girl, and has been pretty grumpy towards his mother because he believes she is sending him to Dr. Barts to cure him of such foolishness.

Eric has free will in this story, far more then he did in Camp K, or at least at the beginning.

Samantha set him up in that and it was only through the fortune of a beneficent author that it did not end in disaster.

That same beneficent author is guiding this story, who has indicated to us that it is just a story.

A story with Eric, his friends and family facing down the school, and giving Eric the chance to decide between being Eric and Erika on equal footings, would have been enjoyable as I said several times right from the beginning.

That said, AA has made it clear that this is the story she has chosen to write. I for one am enjoying it immensely, even if she is keeping us all in suspense as payback for nagging her to continue with a sequel. ;)

Lets face it, there were many parts of Camp K. that were not realistic, but it was certainly enjoyable.

I fully expect that in true Perils of Pauline fashion, we will be going (as we did with Camp K) from one pending disaster to another, barely escaping from the train tracks we are tied too with Eric/Erika just in the nick of time.

But in between times we will have glimpses at the wonderful learning experiences that Eric is going through on his way to becoming Erika. Again looking back to look forward, Eric has had several boughts of soul searching, and has had times where he just had to be Eric. I don't think we are past that in its entirety and I suspect AA will use Dr. Barts to get at that. In Camp K. she used the hairdresser (sorry can't remember the name right now, and don't have time to look it up.) for those bits of introspection, now it will be Dr. Barts.

Anyway, I've buckled up for a heck of a ride. Thanks Anastasia!

Hugs,

Kristy

Agree

I humbly suggest we let our author do her job and not judge. I have advocated for what I think Erika's current direction because like Kristine I have read the tea leaves and I feel the foundation has been set for a certain path. These things change of course. However, one thing I do agree with, and I have made great pains to put forth, is that Eric/Erika has free will. There were moments of introspection in Kumoni with regard to his/her identity. Which direction the author will take this story from that foundation is yet to be seen.

However, there is also a bit of prejudice here that being part of Erika being the Rally or Cheerleading is 'feminizing'. It has been emphasized that the squad is open to the boys in the school also. The fact that whether Erica or Eric is the one there is irrelevant.

Finally, to give any naysayers out there something to think about:

What is the difference between Columbine cabin and a Cheerleading squad, eh ?

Kim

Agree too

I am unsure of how old Eric is, but it's not fair to say that Eric hasn't had a chance - he has at least ten years, maybe fifteen on Erika.

Eric has been there all the time and all Samantha seems to have done is yank out the cork and let all that which was inside Eric, pour out through Erika.

Eric has since discovered that this same outpouring does not occur when he is not Erika, so he prefers to be en-femme, allowing what's natural to happen.

It's not a particularly big leap of faith to think that Eric cannot be what he is as Erika, after all, the brain is a very complex organ; one that can react to stimuli in different ways or blank them completely under the right circumstances.

Eric's brain seems to be unable to be positive and with the outside stimuli always being negative, that's hardly surprising.

Erika on the other hand, has been received differently and it's not at all surprising that like Pavlov's Dogs, Eric equates femininity with feeling good - perhaps for the wrong reason and has become as someone else said, addicted to that feeling; the acceptance, the compliments and the lack of confrontation that comes from being Erika.

I suspect that there will always be those who don't feel that what AA has written has any truth to it, whilst others will feel it mirrors at least in part, their own experiences.

IT IS just a story though.

Try and remember that.

Lady E

Seems to Me...

You said it yourself: what direction the author will take the story remains to be seen.

Observations made about the characters in a story aren't judgments about the author; most such comments don't interfere in the least with the author doing her job. (If anything, they can help her in determining whether the characters are coming across in the way she intended.)

A.A. has made a point in this pair of stories that Eric is uncertain about his gender identity -- specifically, to what extent he identifies as Erika merely to avoid the physical discomfort of interacting with people as the Plague. I'd want to look back before asserting it unequivocally, but the mascara incident as Eric may be the first significant suggestion we've been given that there really is more to his choice than that. Even so, we haven't had the final word on that question. (Nor, FWIW, has Dr Barts.) Jezzi and others are correct in observing that there's been no opportunity to see Eric, with his increased confidence and social abilities, in a situation where the deck isn't hopelessly stacked against him, and that as a consequence neither we nor Eric are able to determine whether that would be a more comfortable option for him over the long term than Erika is.

Your point is a good one that the cheer and rally squads are open to both genders. (That's the answer to the person who asked how Eric's going to conceal his after-school activity from his parents: he won't have to -- he can just tell them that he's joining his new friends on the rally squad. His parents certainly don't seem like the kind that would go to games to see him.) Nevertheless, the lack of boys on the Warthog squad makes it clear that the students consider the cheer and rally squads to be primarily feminine pursuits. (Way back in the early '60s when gender stereotypes were (admittedly) stronger, the boy cheerleader positions at my junior high went unfilled for something like eight or ten consecutive years.) Would a non-Plague Eric, attending school as a male, have been encouraged by his female friends to join them on the squad? I wouldn't consider it a sure thing.

About the difference between Columbine and cheerleading: obviously the primary issue is the same -- Erika will need to bond with team members, and either has to conceal key parts of her body from them or be subject to public exposure and/or blackmail. (And once again there'll be an adult leader or group advisor to keep in the dark.) The main difference, I suppose, is that there are a few boys on the cheer squad, and if they're attracted to girls (stereotypically at least, no certainty with dancers/gymnasts), relationships may complicate team bonding. Another important difference: apparently girl cheerleaders here wear their uniforms to (and from) school rather than changing clothes for events, which would avoid locker room hassles -- except, perhaps, on nights with postgame dances.

Eric

I predict...

Hope Eternal Reigns's picture

Hi Ani,

I think Erica will be tapped to become a full cheer-leader, then because she is so tiny she'll be one of the girls who gets tossed and lifted. One day one of the boys who does the lifting will naturally have a hand in Erica's crotch and ... Dumm de dumm dumm, fall madly in love with her.

Thank you ever so much for the continuing saga of Erica.

with love,

Hope

with love,

Hope

Once in a while I bare my soul, more often my soles bear me.

Of Jocks And Goons

I'm probably somewhat oblivious to current cultural trends and norms in American high schools, but I'm having a bit of trouble accepting the characters of the Varsity bullies.

My experience was back in the Dark Ages (before there was GLSEN, Gay-Straight Alliances, or any other form of official diversity awareness, racial, religious, identity or otherwise.) I would have thought things would have changed for the better since then, not worse. I went to a large suburban high school in a fast-growing area (with an influx of white-collar types from the nearby city) of a conservative largely working-class county. The student body was a mix of college-oriented and working class kids of at least a half-dozen religions (but almost exclusively white, due to the geographical segregation of suburbia at the time.)

Being in a district that was exploding at the seams from rapid development probably had something to do with the schools' priorities, but being on the Varsity squads of the various sports was considered a privilege, not a right, and there were strict disciplinary requirements. There was also a lot of pride involved in participating, and it struck me that it made the kids better, not worse. The Varsity athletes were generally "bigger men", and I'm not talking about size. I don't remember them being braggarts, or bullies, or troublemakers. The coaches had the general disposition of military drill sargeants and wouldn't have tolerated less than exemplary behavior. They didn't all teach Gym, either -- I remember at least one was a history teacher.

My memories of the athletes were that they were generally good kids -- nice, hard-working, generally at least academically-competent, and tried to act like role models.

Most of the serious troublemakers were from the "fast" kids who emulated "greaser" fashion, had no college plans, drove muscle cars, drank, and behaved a bit like gang members. None of them would have ever been allowed to be on a Varsity squad.

It depends

A lot of it just depends on the culture of the school and the community, I think.

In my school, the "greasers" and "stoners" seemed scary at first but once I got to know a few I realized it was just them trying to act cool and get some respect. They were generally the most tolerant bunch of kids, other than maybe the nerds, and there were actually a surprising number of crossover friendships between those two groups, due to a shared interest in Dungeons and Dragons. This was in the early days of D&D, before it had been tarred with a reputation for being the province of those doomed to be perpetual virgins. Actually our D&D meetings were more or less balanced between boys and girls, and often devolved into excuses for a lot of making out and, as we got a bit older, getting stoned. My dad joked that D&D stood for "drunk and disorderly."

On the other hand the football team, at least the first-string Varsity "stars," were largely a bunch of testosterone-soaked, arrogant pricks who acted as if they owned the school--maybe not quite as bad as the ones depicted in this story, but I find these characters quite believable from my own experience. The football coaches struck me as a pair of former (?) posturing macho bullies themselves, so maybe that's where it came from.

To be fair, not everyone on the team was like that; a few were quite nice, respectable, friendly, upstanding kids. And quite a few others probably would have been, but for giving in to intense peer pressure to put down the less-conventional, less-athletic among us.

In general, I think (I hope) things are better today, but I know there are still plenty of places in the U.S. where this sort of thing is still the rule rather than the exception.

The problem arises when....

What you describe is fairly normal policy. The problematic culture comes when the school has a conflict of interest--the school wants to win the football game, and then you get logic like: you can't disqualify Jimmy, he's our star player.

To be a cheerleader

Holly,

May I respectfully disagree on a nuance here?

> I personally think it out weights the negative aspects that it produces some very shallow girls. I guess most cheerleaders are quite ok.

Speaking strictly from my own experience here (and some close 2nd hand information - e.g. daughter's experiences) - I doubt that that the cheerleading programs ~produce~ shallow girls; more likely, they were already that way when they started. It does, however, provide an environment where even a shallow girl could do well.

Deni

seems I worded that a bit missleading

Hi Deni,

thanks for pointing that out especially since I do not have any first hand knowledge.
What I meant is that the cheerleading and what it stands for provides an environment that promotes shallowness in those who already are quite shallow nut that it per say makes girls shallow.

In any case I was only looking for some negative aspect of cheerleading and that was about the only I could think of. Fell free to correct me if you think thats wrong.

Holly

Friendship is like glass,
once broken it can be mented,
but there will always be a crack.

Poor Boys

terrynaut's picture

All the boys can do is watch but the girls wouldn't let them do even that at the tryout. It made me laugh when the two had to leave. I guess at least one boy stayed to tryout though. There's hope for them. Heh.

I'm very happy to see one of the gang make it on the cheer squad. :)

Erika is going to busy, but she'll have fun being able to spend more time with her friends. I wonder if she'll develop an appreciation for football. I'm not much of a fan but I like the energetic atmosphere at games.

It's sad about Eric only being missed by the wrong element. *sigh*

Thanks very much for this latest chapter and please keep up the good work.

- Terry

Being A Cheerleader Is Very Tough And Demanding

jengrl's picture

In many athletic programs, cheerleaders are given less respect than other athletic teams. Make no mistake, cheerleaders work just as hard or harder than the teams they actually cheer for. It is really shameful that most schools don't give them the same financial support as other sports. Erika has just entered a new level of paranoid now. She will have to be even more on her guard lest her secret be discovered. One angle that will come up is press coverage of the team. I can just picture Erika's mom or dad seeing her in the newspaper cheering at school events or news crews taping footage for the sports reports on the eleven o'clock news. It will be interesting to see how that works.

PICT0013_1_0.jpg

Not attacking the author.

RAMI
I am one of those raising the issue of Eric not be given a chance to see if he can be a success as a boy without the "Plague" tag. Kimmie, thinks in doing so I am attacking the author and not letting her write the story she wants to. In no way am I criticizing the author. Just making observations. If I did not like the story, I would not still be looking forward to read it every week. Please keep the stories coming. I will continue to read them and enjoy them. I only leave comments for stories I like. If I do not like them, I do not feel the need to attack the author. After all, those who write for us should be supported and not attacked. They write for our enjoyment.

RAMI

Mo' Problems?

Now that Erica is on the Rally Squad (you know it's 'soon-to-be-cheerleader') how is Eric going to account for all the new demands on his time - weekends included?

PB

Cheerleading

Cheerleading covers a wide spectrum of activities.

At one end is the “wave a pompom and look pretty” type that was very common for cheer squads in the past. I think these squads tended to attract the “in-crowd”.

In more recent times, the cheer squads have introduced a significant amount of gymnastics and / or dance into their routines. Some squads are more heavily dance oriented while others lean more heavily on the gymnastics. These cheerleaders are true athletes.

Michelle B

Cheerleading and sports, weight training

Hello Anistasia!!! ^____^ ;-D

The only sport I went after when I was high school was wrestling in the 11th grade. All I got was JV letter. I did not get on the mat at all for any JV matches, let alone get on the varisity squad. There is always someone better than you. All I ended up is being another body for the others to practice on. It takes dedication to be good in athletics. Going to the work out room and lift weights. You either use your muscles or you lose them. You should can keep them toned up as you get older anyway.

I did take a weight training physical education class in college. All it did is teach me a lot of techniques when in the weight room. You do not want to over do it in training the muscles. You have to work up to it and the let the muscles recover before going back in the room. Krystal will be hurting the first week that is certain. She will be complaining about it the next day. Hopefully the other cheerleaders will give Krystal good pointers in doing it the right way. She will need to eat the right foods and drinks as well. No more sodas and sugar snacks!!!

I still expect transcript problems.

Have a wonderful week. Waiting patiently for the next chapter. I need to stop eating my nails and let them grow. I know it is a bad nervous habit.

Rachel

Shrink to the rescue?

The psychotherapist already knows the condensed history of Eric, and by persuading his alter ego to attend the next appointment with Mum, perhaps the stage is set to move towards a more managed approach to the 'reveal'.

I think it's already been demonstrated that it's not very 'safe' for Eric (in boy mode) to spend much time in public - if he was to attend school as Eric, he'd practically have to have his 'bodyguards' on duty and alert the whole time between lessons. Trying to 'turn over a new leaf' as Eric would be very difficult if not impossible because of his 'reputation'.

So if Erika revealed to the psychologist she's attending school rather than Eric, perhaps the psychologist can liaise with Mum and the school to produce a plausible cover story for Eric's absence, and perhaps by informing senior management at the school, Erika's transcript can be created in an 'above board' fashion.

Not that anything I'm writing will have any influence whatsoever, as there are 27+ more chapters already written and posted - but without reading further, it's an alternative hypothesis to the 'train wreck' other commenters keep mentioning...

 
 
--Ben


This space intentionally left blank.

As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!

Train wreck

I keep waiting for the train wreck to happen.

hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna

“Aren't I too fat?”

the bane of many young girls, that need to be a twig to be "beautiful"

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