Clothes switch

Terry followed Emma into the gymnasium, his heart pounding in his chest. The bright lights illuminated the polished wooden floor, and the echoes of footsteps and distant chatter filled the air. The other cheerleaders were already assembling, stretching and chatting as they prepared for practice.

"Alright, team, let's get started!" the coach called out, clapping her hands to gather everyone's attention.

Terry hesitated at the edge of the group, unsure of where to position himself. Emma noticed his uncertainty and gently guided him to a spot in the formation.

"You're over here today," she whispered. "Coach rearranged the lineup."

"Right, thanks," he replied, trying to sound casual.

The coach began leading the team through warm-up exercises. Terry did his best to mimic the stretches, his movements a bit stiff but passable. He could feel the fabric of the cheer uniform moving with him, a constant reminder of his precarious situation.

"Okay, let's run through the new routine," the coach announced. "Positions!"

The team shifted seamlessly into formation. Terry glanced around, quickly realizing he was in the front row. Great, he thought. No pressure.

The music started—a lively beat that energized the room. Terry focused intently on the girl next to him, copying her moves as best he could. The routine involved a series of coordinated steps, jumps, and spins that required precise timing.

At first, he stumbled, missing cues and turning in the wrong direction. A few of the girls gave him puzzled looks, but most were too absorbed in their own performance to notice.

"Come on, Sophie, keep up!" the coach called out, a hint of frustration in her voice.

"Sorry!" Terry replied, cheeks flushing.

Determined not to draw further attention, he took a deep breath and tried to synchronize with the music. Muscle memory began to kick in—not his own, but echoes of watching Sophie practice in the backyard. His movements became more fluid, and he started hitting the marks more accurately.

"That's better!" the coach acknowledged.

As the routine continued, Terry found himself enjoying the challenge. The energy of the team was infectious, and for a moment, he forgot about the awkwardness of his situation.

They concluded the practice with a dramatic final pose. The girls erupted into cheers and applause.

"Great job, everyone!" the coach praised. "Much improved. Keep it up for the game next week."

Relieved, Terry allowed himself a small smile. He'd managed to get through it without blowing his cover.

Emma approached him, grabbing a water bottle from her bag. "You okay? You seemed a bit off at first."

"Yeah, just a little tired," he admitted.

"Well, you pulled it together. Proud of you," she said, giving him a friendly pat on the back.

"Thanks," he replied, genuinely touched by her support.

As the team dispersed, heading back toward the locker room, Terry hesitated. The thought of navigating the locker room again made him uneasy.

"Coming?" Emma asked.

"I think I'll stay and practice a bit more," he said quickly. "Want to make sure I have the routine down."

"Dedication! I like it," she laughed. "Don't stay too long."

"I won't."

Once the gym was empty, Terry sat down on the bleachers, letting out a long sigh. What a day, he thought. His mind raced with options on how to proceed.