Chapter 20

“Erika.” Someone called “Erika? Are you alright?”

Erika opened her eyes. “Yes. I think I fell asleep.”

The nurse nodded. “I checked on you, but you were out. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t having a mild seizure.”

Erika shook her head. “Just sleeping. I feel better now. Thank you. What period is it?”

“Last period.” She looked up from her watch.

Erika stepped into history class and handed the teacher her hall pass before taking her seat. Ugh, another lecture on the fall of the Roman Empire. Maybe she should have stayed in the nurse’s office.

Krystal caught up with her after class. “I heard Tricia was thrown out of school.”

Erika rolled her eyes. “That is a bit of an exaggeration.”

Krystal looked down at her friend. “How was Christmas?”

“Busy. You?”

“The same.” Jorge got me this.” She fingered a pretty pendent on a delicate chain.”

“Very pretty.” Erika smiled. “I’ll meet you at practice. I’ve gotta change”

Erika emerged from the bathroom in her rally practice gear to find Samantha waiting for her.

“Hurry, Melissa has called a meeting.”

“What about?” Erika’s heart skipped a beat.

Samantha shrugged.

When they got to the gym, most of cheer and rally were sitting in the stands. Samantha and Erika took a seat next to Krystal and Jorge.

Melissa, followed by Jordan strolled out of the locker room. Erika looked around, but didn’t find Taylor.

“Listen up!” Melissa began getting everyone’s attention. “I have an announcement Taylor has decided that for personal reasons that she can no longer be part of Rally. So as of today, Jordan will be the leader of Rally.”

“is Taylor sick? One girl asked.

“Its personal.” Melissa repeated more firmly. “Please don’t badger her in the halls or class. Like I said, it’s a personal matter.”

Samantha and Erika exchanged looks. This was not the outcome Erika had wanted. Perhaps she should speak with her. Taylor was a great rally leader as well as an amazing dancer. Erika decided to ask her to come back. She shouldn’t be asked to leave any more than Erika.

So, if Taylor was out who was going to lead Rally?

“So,” Melinda announced, “Jordon will be taking over Rally.

A small applause sounded in the news. Jordon blushed, but smiled.

“Alright, lets get to work!” Melinda directed.

Going through the Rally dance moves was a different experience having long hair. The long hair flicking and into her face or catching in her mouth was not a pleasant experience. About half way through she started to get the hang of tossing her head to keep it clear and even began enjoying the feeling of it brushing against her back and shoulders.

Erika met Samantha at her car.

“Tricia’s?” She asked knowing the answer.

“Yes please.”

The friends got into the car. “You need to tell Tricia about Jake at the spa.” Samantha put her seat belt on then checked both mirrors before backing up.

“I know.” Erika sighed. “I Know. I almost forgot with all that has been happening today. Do you know where Taylor lives?”

“Why?”

“I don’t like how that ended.” Erika stated.

“She made her choice.” Samantha shrugged.

“Still.” Erika purposefully didn’t look at the billboard.

Erika knocked on Tricia’s door. A moment later, Tricia opened it.

“Hello.” She greeted, stepping aside to admit Erika. “You didn’t need to come checking on me, but I’m glad you did.” Her lips feathered across Erika’s.

An electric charge coursed through her body. Erika removed her coat and took Tricia’s hand. “We need to talk.”

The sweet adoring look on Tricia’s face turned to one of concern. “Are you mad at me?” She inquired.

Erika shook her head. Tricia took a deep breath and led her to the formal living room. The two sat down, Tricia holding both of Erika’s hands.

“Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Let’s have it.”

Erika took a deep breath. “First, I didn’t know. I really didn’t, but…” She paused then continued. “Jake was a model at the spa photo shoot. He was my supposed prom date.” Erika closed her eyes waiting for an explosion. She opened them to see Tricia’s face thoughtful but also relaxed.

“I thought you were going to break up with me.” She stated at last. “Jake, huh?”

Erika nodded. “There’s more.” She winced. “as part of the shoot we…”

“Kissed?” Tricia almost growled.”

Erika nodded. “There was nothing in it and it meant nothing, it was only for the shoot.” She rushed on.

Tricia took a deep breath and studied her. “It’s alright.” She finally stated. “Thank you for telling me. I’d hate to have found out when the ad came out.”

Erika released a breath she didn’t know she had been holding. “Really?” She looked hopeful.

Tricia nodded. “I don’t like that you are kissing boys, but I understand that it was a modeling thing. It is something I’m going to have to be alright with if I’m dating a model.”

“Thank you.” Erika gushed. “I was so afraid that you’d break up with me because of it.”

Tricia giggled. “And here, I thought you were here to break up with me.” Tricia lunged forward and hungrily kissed Erika.

Erika awoke, naked between the sheets of Tricia’s bed. She started up, her heart racing. What time was it? She fumbled around looking for her phone. Swiping the screen, she sighed with relief, it was still early.

“Anyone home?” Leeza called. “Tricia?”

Tricia stirred next to her.

“Tricia.” Erika shook her girlfriends shoulder, “Tricia.”

Tricia rolled over and peeked through her eyelashes. “Hmm?”

“Leeza is calling for you.” Erika jumped out of bed and started searching for her clothing. Panties and bra, she found, but her skirt and blouse, were no where to be seen.

The bedroom door opened, Erika snapped her head up to see Leeza in the doorway holding her missing articles of clothing. “Good thing I got here before mom and dad.” She directed to her sister. She then took in the both of them. “I hope you two are being safe.”

Leeza stepped forward and handed Erika her clothing. She then pulled her other hand out from behind her back and tossed Tricia’s clothes on to the foot of the bed. “Some of these were laying in the front room. Mom and Dad would have a fit.”

Tricia’s blush matched her hair.

Leeza turned to Erika. “Just because you are on hormones, doesn’t mean you can’t still get her pregnant.”

“We were safe.” Erika insisted. She held Leeza’s gaze until Leeza nodded.

Leeza turned back to Tricia. “Mom and Dad may be very liberal in how they raise us, but that doesn’t mean you can go flaunting it. Please have a little more respect in the future.”

“Okay.” Tricia didn’t argue.

Leeza’s body relaxed. “So how bad was it today? Mom called me this afternoon.”

Erika and Tricia related the events of the morning while getting dressed.

The sound of the garage door alerted them to the parents’ arrival. Erika found herself wrapped in a hug that enveloped Tricia as well.

“I’m proud of you both. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” She released them and looked at Tricia. “After all of the issues they had to deal with while I was transitioning in school, I’m sure the school admin isn’t sure what just happened.” She smiled.

“We’re home.” Tricia’s father called.

“We brought pizza.” Her mother announced right after.

--o0o—

“Thanks for the ride.” Erika slid out of Leeza’s car and waved good bye. She checked her phone and sighed heavily. Her mother and father had texted her to get home. She was sure that the principal had called them, and now to find out what kind of trouble she might be in.

“I’m home.” She tried to sound cheerful as she entered. She hung up her coat and purse, slipping her phone from it.

“We are in here.” Her father called from the living room.

Erika took a deep breath, slowly let it out and pasted a smile on her face that belied her heart doing acrobatics in her chest. Her heels clicked as she walked down the hard wood floored hall.

“Hi.” She could feel her face heating. Her parents were both sitting on the couch. Her father gestured to a chair placed in front of them.

“Oh crap.” She told herself.

“So. . . “ Her mother began. “We received calls from your school today.”

Her dad continued, “Before we decide anything, we want to hear about your involvement in this. . . this situation.”

“And you had better be honest, because we know more than you think.” Her mother finished.

“I didn’t do anything.” Erika protested as she took her seat. She almost cringed when her mother gave her the one raised eyebrow ‘knowing’ look.

Erika related to her parents what had happened. It was getting easier since she and Tricia had both had to re-tell it a few times already.

“And you didn’t provoke it?” her mother asked. “You didn’t say anything that might have set Stephanie off?”

“No.” Erika shook her head, her long hair bounced around her shoulders. She kind of liked how that felt. “Like I said, before Christmas break, I thought we might have been friends, then she was like a possessed person this morning.”

“Tricia’s parents called and spoke to us while you were on your way home.” Her father stated.

That’s why Leeza insisted on stopping at the grocery store before dropping me. Erika realized.

“They explained what had been said and done at the school. They also said, and Tricia insisted, that you had no part in it.”

“Dad, Mom,” Erika looked at each in turn. “I have been bullied so many times and have been treated like crap by so many people, I could never… ever treat anyone like that. You know me, I’ve always tried to avoid and run away from problems.”

“We know.” Her mother nodded. “We just wanted to make sure that you had no part in it. Or that your girlfriend was just trying to cover for you.”

Erika was shaking her head. Tears were blurring her vision. “I just froze, I didn’t know what to do. I was a coward again. Tricia was so amazing, but I was so scared for her or what they still might do to her.” Her voice was trembling. “They still haven’t said whether or not she will be kicked off the dive team.”

“Maybe we should start those self-defense classes again.” Her father stated.

“Fighting isn’t the answer.” Her mother protested.

“Self defense is an answer.” He stated. “I know our daughter well enough by now to know that she would never start a fight, but I would like her to know how to finish one.”

Inwardly Erika was glowing. Her father was calling her his daughter. It felt so good she almost forgot what they were discussing.

“Mom, Dad?” Erika got their attention. “I’m thinking of dropping Rally. . . “

“What?” her mother exclaimed. “I thought you liked Rally.”

“I do, I do, but with me flying to Los Angeles and maybe doing more modeling, I don’t think it is fair to my team. I’ve already missed so much because of my surgery and it just isn’t fair to them.”

Her mother looked to her father then back to her. “If that is really what you want.”

“No, but it is best for my team.” She stated. “I’m still thinking about it, I haven’t told anyone yet, cuz I haven’t decided.”

Her parents were nodding with understanding.

“Anything else?” She asked. “I’m not grounded, am I?” she looked at each.

“No.” her father began to stand. “You haven’t done anything wrong. You just got mixed up in an unfortunate situation.”

“Thanks Daddy.” She stood and kissed his cheek. “I have homework.”

Her parents nodded a dismissal.

Erika went to her room and tried to concentrate on her school work but gave up. Too many things were happening yet again.

She pulled out her phone.

Taylor, I really need to talk to you. Can you meet me I front of the school tomorrow? She texted. She put the phone down. She really didn’t like the fact that Taylor quit Rally. She was hoping Taylor would be a bit more accepting.

Her phone alerted an incoming text. There’s nothing to say.

Please. She text back.

I don’t know was the response.

Erika then text Samantha to please pick her up a little early in the morning.

--o0o—

“Why won’t you just tell me?” Samantha pleaded. “It’s freezing out here.”

Erika ignored her grumbling and continued to scan the incoming students. She made sure to be warm this morning. Thick leggings under a sweater dress and her boots. Over which she wore her winter coat, and gloves.

Her heart quickened when she spotted Taylor approaching. The former Rally squad mate wore a scowl.

Erika forced a smile.

“You are meeting with Taylor?” Samantha groaned. “Seriously?”

“What do you want.” Taylor growled.

“Thank you for meeting me.” Erika forced a grin. “Taylor, I really like you and respect you and I really didn’t want you to quit the Rally squad.”

“Melinda didn’t give me much of a choice.”

“Look,” Erika continued. “I love being on the squad. I love hanging out with you and being a part of something so cool and full of spirit. But I have a very busy schedule coming up and I have already missed so much practice that it really wouldn’t be fair to the squad for me to miss more. So, I have decided to drop out of Rally and would like to, with your okay, talk to Melinda and ask her to take you back in my place.”

“What?” Samantha and Taylor both exclaimed.

“But we worked so hard to keep you.” Samantha protested.

“Why would you do that?” Taylor said on top of Samantha.

“With one major condition.” Erika raised her voice to be heard over them. “Make it two.”

Both girls looked at her.

“There had to be a catch.” Taylor scoffed. “What is it?”

“One, you keep my secret.” Erika ticked off a finger. “You don’t tell a soul or do anything to ‘out’ me.”

Taylor rolled her eyes, “What’s the second?”

“You’ll still let me help with the posters if and when I have time.”

Both girls stared at her agog.

“Are you sure you want to quit?” Samantha sounded injured. Which is why Erika chose not to tell her beforehand.

“I don’t want to.” Erika affirmed. “But it looks like I will be missing more practices because of other commitments. It really isn’t fair to the squad.”

“And you would go to Melinda on my behalf?” Taylor looked skeptical.

“Taylor, I’ve never had a problem with you.” Erika gave her a friendly look. “I just didn’t want my secret getting out or to be kicked off of the squad.”

“I can’t believe you are doing this.” Samantha bemoaned.

Erika shot her a stern look. “It’s my choice, and it’s what’s best for the squad.”

“When do you plan to talk to her?” Taylor asked.

“Lunch if possible, if not, before practice starts.”

Taylor nodded. “Okay, it’s a deal.” She relented.

“You’ll keep my secret?”

Taylor nodded.

“If she doesn’t, I’ll make sure she gets kicked off.” Samantha promised. “Now can we get out the cold?”

Erika and Taylor gave each other agreeing looks before joining Samantha as she entered the school.

School somehow seemed empty without Tricia. She was to serve a three-day suspension for fighting but allowed to stay on the dive team with the coach’s approval. Strange Stephanie, Erika felt better about referring to her by that name now, also received a suspension

“Really?” Samantha shook her head. “I can’t believe you are quitting Rally.”

“Not quitting, Dropping.” Erika stated. “I offered to still work on the posters.”

“Which they will definitely let you do.”

The two walked into homeroom.

--o0o—

Erika and Victoria walked down the hall towards the cafeteria.

“I heard you wanted to speak with me?” Melinda was waiting for them.

“Hi Melinda, Yes.” Erika greeted. She glanced around. “Can we go somewhere more private?”

Melinda shrugged her gorgeous shimmering black hair waved almost floated near the back of her knees. Erika followed her off to the side to an alcove, the door led to a part of the school that wasn’t frequented as much.

“What do you want?” Melinda inquired.

“I’ve been giving it a lot of thought lately.” Erika began, “I’ve got other things out side of school going on. I’m leaving tomorrow for a week in Hollywood, and with my recovering from brain surgery as well as dealing with our house burning down, well I think it might be best if I dropped Rally squad. It just isn’t fair to the rest of the girls who are there every day, while I have one excuse after another as to why I can’t do this or that.”

Melinda’s eyes became hard. Her face turned pink and she closed her eyes for a long moment before opening them again. “You couldn’t figure this out before this drama with Taylor happened?” she growled.

“Well, I was hoping that since I’ll be dropping out, that you could ask Taylor to come back.” Erika inserted.

“No.” Melinda snapped. “Taylor walked off. She made her choice not to be part of the team.”

“But that was because of me.” Erika was having trouble finding her voice. This should have been easy. She’d quit and Taylor would be back. This scenario she was not prepared for.

“Yes, it was, Erika.” Melinda’s voice was like ice. “And because she is intolerant of people who don’t fit into her mold of the world. I can’t say that I’m sad seeing you leave the squad. We did our best to help you become part of the team. Samantha had to call in a lot of favors to get you that spot. I am very sad however that I had to give Taylor the choice of leaving and she took it, but I can’t have her back on the squad.”

Erika’s vison was blurring because of the tears. “But I didn’t want Taylor to quit, I just wanted her to accept me and treat me like everyone else.”

“Her unwillingness to do so, shows a lack of character.” Melinda stated. “She showed that she can’t treat everyone at this school with the same respect. I don’t want that on my team, especially as a leader.”

“Can’t you give her another chance?” Erika pleaded. “I’m sure she’ll be better.”

“My answer is no.” Melinda spun, her long tresses a black veil billowing in the wind.

“Please Melinda?” Erika’s heart wasn’t in it. Melinda had made up her mind.

Hope flitted across her heart as Melinda turned towards her again.

“Please turn your uniform in as soon as you get back from your trip.” She simply and coldly stated before turning back to where she had been going.

“Oh hell.” Erika cursed under her breath. “Taylor is going to kill me.”

With Tricia not around, she didn’t want to deal with the cafeteria. She retraced her steps down the hall and found the library. This was always a quiet place for contemplation. She pulled out her phone and text Samantha

Erika: Melinda won’t let Taylor back on the squad.

Samantha: I didn’t think she would. I wish you’d have spoken to me about this first.

Erika: Taylor is going to be so pissed.

Samantha: It is a choice that she made.

Erika: She is a great Rally Leader, why won’t Melinda take her back?

Samantha: She has her reasons. And with Melinda, they usually are pretty good ones.

Samantha: Where are you?

Erika: In the Library

Erka: trying to figure things out.

Samantha: Hiding from Taylor?

Erika: That too.

Samantha: Better to get it over with

Erika: I know. I’d even let her pound on me, but I can’t be showing up in Hollywood all bruised.

Samantha: You should have spoken with me and Melinda before approaching Taylor

Erika: I know that now.

Erika: I am so sorry, Samantha. Melinda said you called in a lot of favors to get me on the Squad.

Samantha: Not really, and it was worth it.

Samantha: I’m just sad that you are quitting.

Erika: Not quitting, dropping.

Samantha: same dif.

Erika: Are you angry with me?

Samantha: No

Samantha: disappointed.

Erika: God, that’s worse.

Erika: I love you like a sister.

Samantha: ditto

Erika: Can I get a ride to Tricia’s after school?

Samantha: sorry, I have Cheer.

Erika’s heart felt like it was going to fall through her body and hit the floor. “What have I done?” She asked herself.

The rest of the day dragged on. She had no idea what was taught in any of her classes. She could only think on two things. Disappointing Samantha, and how she was going to tell Taylor.