-Act II-
Pie a Benton Academy Cheerleader! Only Five Dollars!

I took a deep breath as I was ushered from the ten to a wooden chair. Jamie as always took charge and ordered me to sit down in a wooden chair. I did as she commanded, she then shook her head and told me to sit down again, this time she told me to fold my skirt under me before I sat down, it sounded like an odd request but I did as I was told. Jamie watched me like a hawk as I did as she requested. Once that was done she told me to bring my legs together as close as possible, it felt weird but I did as she told me. Once it was done she told me to fold my hands on my lap and to sit straight back.

I did as I was told. Winter watched on with mild amusement. Once Jamie was finished with her instructions, Winter walked over to me. She was holding a clear, plastic sheet that had been folded to her chest. Smiling, she unfolded the plastic sheet and soon she had it wrapped over me. She then pulled the sheet down around me, the sheet covered me totally from the neck down.

“I guess this will keep you clean. Well as clean as possible. You'll still need to wash your hair. And I would suggest that you use some baby shampoo first. Then I would go over that with your normal shampoo of choice. Cause you might want to look into the mirror while your washing your hair to make sure you don't miss anything. Cause the last thing you want to do is go to school with specks of dried pudding or lose pieces of pie crust still clinging in your hair.” Winter said smiling as she stepped aside.

“Also.” Winter snapped her fingers together. “Put your lips together.”

I did as I was told and a few seconds later I felt Winter smearing something on them. Something that had the faint taste of cherries or strawberries.

“Okay if you're going to be a girl full time. We gotta cover a few ground rules that every girl knows. Remember these rules, they will make you part of the herd. And once you become part of the herd, the chances of getting picked off by a wolf decreases sharply. First rule, you always, and I mean you always carry around a tube of lip gloss in your purse. Best to carry around two if not three at all times. The first one being your main one, the second one being your backup and the third one being one you can hand out to a girl if she needs one. Also even though you might never need them. You always need to carry around some form of pads. Just to have on you and some extra pads in case a girl asks you if she could borrow one. Trust me, it's just things girls do. We share and share alike.” Winter said.

I blinked.

“Okay the plastic tarp is in place. Lips are nice and glossy. Very little make-up so your natural beauty and charm shines through. We should have given you some padding. Since your flat as the Delta. But given it's nighttime and you'll be seated at least three feet from the throwing line and you're also wearing a plastic tarp. So I doubt anybody will be paying much attention to your chest, and hopefully they won't notice your lack of breast. I mean if push comes to shove. I could always shove two apples down the front of your uniform. But, they're going to aim for your face, so smile, smile like you're a movie star or a beauty queen or something.” Winter said grinning.

I wanted to ask why Winter was helping me, but before I could get a word out she dashed out of the line of fire. It was then the truth had started to settle on me. This was not a weird fever dream brought on by the onset of cold, nor was this the product of drinking the weird tea my aunt always kept in the fridge. For the second time in my life, and no I did not count the whole Dotty thing I was presenting myself as female in public, maybe this was the first time. Oh shit this was the first time, this was the first time I'd used the name “Daisy Isabella Bell” in public!

I felt my cheeks starting to bloom with color as I did my best to keep my back straight, my head held high and my eyes focused in front of me.

Jamie smirked a little and smiled as she watched Winter once more safely retreat to the safety of the sidelines, She then turned upon her heel and smiled as she peered toward the crowd that had started to form around the booth. A huddle mass of all humanity all eager to lay down their five dollar bills for a chance to a pie in the face of a pretty girl!

“Attention Benton!” Jamie called out her voice and it echoed across the crowded, bustling fairground. “The 'Pie a Cheerleader' booth is now open for business! Due however to a volunteer shortage and an unforeseen issue with getting supplies! I'm afraid we're only open for a limited time! Also we only have a limited amount of pies on hand!”

I blinked and blinked again. Well that was a bit of good news maybe? A mere thirty seconds passed before a woman a few years older than me, one with long brown hair and sparkling blue eyes appeared at the counter of the booth. She was dressed in a flora print sundress. She smiled and without saying a word she placed five one dollar bills down upon the wooden surface. The girl smirked a little as she peered toward me, she then reached over and picked up one of the pies. Balancing the pie in the palm of her hand she reared it back and a second later I was tasting custard and pie crust.

“Oh!” The brunette girl said, smiling. “That felt good!”

“Wow... Madeline, I thought since Daisy is your cousin you would it hurt you to show a little mercy and just donate the five dollars.” Jamie said, smirking a little. “Gotta say. Maybe we should have used unicorn flavored pudding instead of normal vanilla.”

I could not really comment because for a few moments I was shocked, I wanted to know who in the world had the bright idea of putting the pudding in the fridge and turning the fridge down on the lowest setting! Because the pudding was cold and the creamed topping was also cold. And I could feel the filling sinking into my hair.

“Why?” I heard Madeline ask Jamie.

“Because,” I heard another voice say, “Of the colors of the pudding.”

A few seconds later I heard or felt something cold land on top of my head. Whoever had ever tossed the pie had thrown it a little high and it had landed right on top of my head. I shivered a little as I felt the full weight of the pie being pressed down upon me. I could feel the coldness of the pudding slipping down my neck and running down the collar of my blouse.

“What are the colors?” Another voice asked.

A few seconds later I felt another pie slap into my face, and I heard the tin fall on the ground in front of me. At this point I think I had more custard than hair on me, if that is even possible!

“Blue, pink and white.” The voice said.

“If we get enough donations, say around twelve thousand dollars. We could dump a whole bucket of the stuff over her. Heck I'll even take off the covering.” Jamie said, smirking. “Might even put Cerridwen on FaceTime so she can watch. After all, laughter is supposed to be the best medicine.”

At that moment I managed to clear most of the cream from my face. The tarp I was wearing was sticky, and covered with cream and drops of pudding. It was then that I got a good look at the group of people who had gathered around the counter. I was shocked! I knew most of them.

“You know!” Jamie said, smirking a little. “If the whole gang turns out. We might have to close down early. “

“With the fair just starting? When I was in charge of the cheerleading program we would keep the pie toss running from the moment the gate opened to the moment the gate closed! Man your really slacking off little sister!” I heard a blonde girl say to Jamie.

“Maybe you would like to take Daisy's place sister, after her turn is up?” I heard Jamie say toward the blonde haired girl as she folded her hands behind her back. “I really think this tradition is outdated though! We could make a boat load of money selling cupcakes or stuff.”

“I did my time in the chair!” I heard the blonde woman saying as she peered toward Jamie. “I'm just saying. You know, never mind? Anyway, what is all this talk of a special stunt?”

“If we collect twelve hundred dollars. I guess I will dump a bucket of this 'special' unicorn flavored pudding on my brave volunteer. Without the covering. Like a mop bucket worth. Problem is, we don't have enough of that stuff and who going to donate that much!”

I was blushing deeply and trying to clean my face as best I could.

“I'll call mom. She'll get daddy to donate the pudding, you know we own a general store.” The woman said, smiling. “And I'll donate a hundred dollars! Sweet Magnolia Bakery and Tearoom will!”

“And I'll donate a spare set of clothing. And a throw in some shampoo, soap, towels and stuff!” A woman with red hair said, smiling sweetly.

“Brewer Farms will donate another hundred dollars!” A brunette woman said, smiling as she appeared on the scene.

“The Heather Ford Show will also donate another hundred dollars!” Another blonde hair woman said.

“Edward's Butcher and Seafood Market will donate another hundred!” Another voice chimed in!

“Wow.. four hundred dollars already.. still eight hundred dollars short..”

“Give us time sis.. the fair just opened.” And with that the blonde hair woman stepped away.
“What have I gotten into..” I said taking a deep breath as I felt another pie smash into my face. Ten minutes into what was to be an hour shift and I'd always felt like it would take a week of baths to wash away all the cream and pudding that had baked me. And now they were talking about upturning a bucket of pudding over my head?

“Now you see what we cheerleader's go through every year when the fair rolls around!” Winter said, smiling as she stepped toward me. I blinked. She seemed to be holding a wet rag in her hand.

“Stand still okay I'm going to clean your face a little, give them a nice clean target to toss at! Also your doing great! Just keep smiling and showing the crowd those pearly whites.” Winter said grinning as she took the warm rag and slowly she started to wash my face.

Again I had to ask myself, what in the world had I gotten myself into!