Chapter 6: Traditions Change

7.2K 223 17
                                    

Chapter 6: Traditions Change

        "Bobby! I swear if you don't let me go I'll..." "You'll what? Cheer me to death?" Bobby says mockingly. He bends down next to me and smugly grins. I look up stare intensely into to eyes, "You're right that won't work. Luckily I'm a football kicker." I pull my foot back and kick, with as much force as I can muster, Bobby in the gut. He lets out a moan and steps back to join the group. He looks over at me and spits, “If you want to be a football player so badly then, you all you need to do is pass initiation.” Some of the boys smile and suppress a laugh. I shift uncomfortably in my chair. “For years the South Pacific High football team has been a force to be reckoned with, a team of champions, breeding some of the nation’s finest athletes…” “Yeah, yeah I get it you guys are all high and mighty, but what do I have to do?” I say impatiently. “It’s tradition for players to strip naked and run across the football field while having these thrown at them,” Bobby hold ups the Spartan swords we use before every football game to represent our mascot Sammy the Spartan. I look over to see Ryan staring at the ground. “I can’t be expected to do that!” I protest. Ryan looks over at me and steps forward and says, “You know that as your captain I’m all for traditions, but this is ridiculous. I can’t be the only one who finds this inappropriate!” Bobby grabs Ryan’s shirt and looks at him. “You know the rules, if you interfere with the initiation of a new team member we’ll kick you off the team.” Ryan clenches his jaw and looks like he’s about to punch Bobby. “Ryan stop! Football means way too much to you. You know you’re up for a full ride at multiple schools. I can do this it’s okay.” I say solemnly. “Well then I guess it’s off to the field Ms. Bradley.” Bobby looks at me and grins that smiles he get’s when he knows he’s won.

            The boys lead me out to field. The whole time I’m racking my brain for a way to get out this. Then it hits me. Bobby loves showing off. I’m going to beat him at his own game. “Bobby I have a deal for you. If I can tackle you in 2 minutes, I don’t have to do your initiation, but if I can’t, I’ll do it no complaints.” I say slyly. “And why would I do that Jordan?” Bobby says as we near the field. “Oh I get it. You’re afraid that a cheerleader can play better football than you.” I say as we pass through the gates of the stadium. “You don’t want me to beat you in front of your boys. You know that a cheerleader is stronger than you.” As we walk down to the field, Bobby finally cracks. He narrows his eyes and sneers at me, “You’re going to be sorry you ever were born.” “You wish.” I say staring intensely into his eyes. “Guys are you sure you want to do this?” “Stay out of this Ryan!” Bobby and I yell in sync. “Fine then. At least wear helmets,” Ryan says as he hands us some of the practice helmets that were lying on the field. We put them on and get down on the line.  I quickly asses his form and try to create an attack plan. Ryan blows a whistle he found somewhere and it starts. Bobby lunges towards me but I spin around behind him and before he can figure out where I am I dive for his knees and tackle him. All the boys are stunned to see me a 5’0 foot girl tackle the best linebacker in our league. Bobby brushes himself off and stands up, “You have to do it Jordan. It’s tradition.” “We had a deal Bobby,” I say as I start to walk away, “Oh and it’s also tradition to have an all-boys team too. Traditions change.” I throw my helmet into the bin we store them in and confidently walk off the field.

The Day the Boys CriedWhere stories live. Discover now