"Wait, wait, wait. Aren't you missing one?"
"I am? I mean....of course I am. Silly me. I'll go get her.
LU...….CYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Uhoh. What do you think he's upset with now?"
"I don't know, but it's best not to keep him waiting."
"Wait..............I'll be behind you."
"Okay. Come on. Wonder what they have planned for us."
"Whatever he is, why would he….."
"Shhh.
...….Scrimmage? Now?"
"Let me see. Maybe they are just lining up."
"That doesn't look like a line to...Huuuuuuuuuuuhhhh."
"What is it?"
"Ruby.....she…..but.......why is she me?"
"You told her, remember."
"But she's not supposed to be playing. I am. Why didn't she come for me?"
"Maybe this is a good thing."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know how we always told you that there were signs between you and the Coach."
"Yes? But I told you, he needs me. He would not treat me badly nor take advantage of me. I earned this spot on my own. No need to be pushed."
"But now you can watch in a bird's eye third person view. If I am wrong.....you have nothing to lose. If I am right...…."
"Okay."
"Just looking out for you."
"I know you are. Go join your friends on the bleachers. I promise.
COMING, Coach.
Just had to take a pitstop on the throne. Long flight and those bathrooms are so small and cramped that I...."
"It's ok.
Now that we are all here, we can begin. Raven, you're captain for team Y. Jacklyn, you're captain for team X."
"Is this seat taken?"
"Jacklyn, what are you…"
"Shh. Coach can't know."
"Here, have my hat; and tuck it down deep so when he looks he won't recognize you."
"Thanks."
"So what are you doing up here and not on the sidelines? Want to get a scoop of your players from a larger vantage point?"
"Just scoping."
"What?"
*Birrrrafffffffffff*
"PLAY BALL."
"Everything."
".....Come on, Ruby. You can jump higher than that."
"Yeaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh...…Go team X."
"Ruby is on team Y."
"Oh.
...…Go team Y!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kick their butt!!!!!!!!!!"
"I thought I told you not to bring your family."
"They're not my daughters. Honest."
"Then Spectators?"
".....Cheerleaders."
"Did he really just call us cheerleaders?"
"Cheerleaders, eh? Then why don't you let them get up close and personal on the stage?"
"Uhmmmmmmm...…They're just tired."
"Give us the Pompoms. We'll cheer for any team, no matter what."
"You coming, Jacklyn?"
"I told you. Reckon."
"Got it.
Come on, Scarlett. Which team do you want to pick?"
"Laides first."
"Scarlett, you're a girl too."
"Oh.
Ummmm…..You can have Ruby. I'll take the others."
"Thank you."
"Come on, Girls. Go, go, go. Get into position. They need the motivation yesterday."
"Yes, Coach."
"Here's your pom poms. Now hurry.
*Smack*
"Oooooo."
"Sorry. Dropped one."
"It's ok. Thanks for picking it up. Names Scarlett."
"Fred."
"Scarlett!!!!!!!!"
"Ohhhh. That's me. Would love to stay and chat, but gotta run. Byeeeeeesss!!!!!!!!"
"Hmmmmm.
Maybe Lucy was telling the truth. I'll have to keep a better eye on him from now on. His hugs did seem a little tight, and I know I am small, and his hands big, but you don't have to reach all the way down to pick me up...…..Do you?"