Coach John Forsythe trailed behind the team as they headed to the weight room. He was looking for any signal that the boys were unhappy that Julia and her friends would be joining them for the optional training session. He could hear a few snippets of the conversations but they seemed accepting of them joining in.
*****
Julia had only a basic understanding of weight training. She had only asked to join the boys because she just wanted to be part of the team. To be considered an equal. But as they walked together she began to think of what she really wanted from the training. Tammy looked like she would be doing some Kicking and Jessica had locked up a spot as Receiver but Julia’s spot on the team was less clear. Personally she thought she could help the most on Defense. Today she had, with the help of another teammate, made several tackles. She felt no fear as she slammed her body into the runner.
‘If I was stronger, maybe I could have made those tackles by myself’ she thought
*****
This was the first time the girls had been in the weight room. Their heads snapped back and forth taking in the sight of racks of free weights, benches, and several mechanical contraptions.
The girls, being unfamiliar with the routine, watched as the boys removed their bulky shoulder pads and began to spread out around the room. Coach Forsythe approached them as they huddled together. “Go ahead and take your pads off. They just get in the way.”
Once that was accomplished John pointed to a series of laminated signs on the wall depicting various strengthening routines. “Garrett and Duncan” referring to Jessica and Tammy respectively “I think you should work mostly on your legs.” He showed them how they could use a bench or one of the machines to work on the different muscles groups in their legs and hips. The two quickly jumped right in and got to work
He turned to Julia last “Okay Munroe. What would you like to work on?”
She was quick with her response “Whatever most helps the team” she said sincerely
‘Good answer’ Coach Forsythe admitted. He was about to reply when he decided to test her ability at self assessment.
“What do you think is your best position on the team?”
Julia paused before answering. Deep down she wanted to be a star like a Quarterback or Running back. They were involved in most of the plays and got the most attention. But she also know that she lacked the skills to play those positions and she really wanted to do more than sit on the bench watching the whole game. She was also very surprised at how willing she was to violently collide with another player on the field.
“I think I’m more useful on Defense. Either as a Safety or a Linebacker” she finally answered. Coach Forsythe nodded approvingly. That had been his thinking also.
‘After just a week she has come so far. What could she do with a year of practice?’ he thought. He dismissed the idea as he believed this challenge would never go on that long. But until this ended he would continue to Coach to the best of his abilities.
“Ideally an extensive program of training would be best for those positions. Both legs and upper body. You should hit every station then” he said pointing to the signs. “Remember its more about repetitions than doing a max lift. Try to do 10 reps of every exercise but let’s start on the lower end of weights until we know what you are capable of. Okay?”
Julia gave him an enthusiastic nod.
*****
Meanwhile the only exercise Chris was getting was Cardio related. His heart rate was beating far above normal as he slowly walked back to his house. He knew the trip would normally take about 10 minutes. Now he was thinking it might be the longest 10 minutes of his life.
Wearing Maria’s Cheerleader uniform had enabled him to escape her house without detection. It had seemed like a good idea at the time and he had been curious what he would look like wearing it. But now as walked down the street with just a rectangular sports bag hanging off his left shoulder, he realized how much he stood out. The Green, Black and White colors of the uniform combined with the short skirt and tightly fitted top made him feel that a giant spotlight was shining down on him from above.
At first he walked with his head down as if this would somehow draw less attention. But as the minutes ticked by he felt a surge of confidence building within. He was outside dressed as a female for the whole world to see and no one seemed to notice. The anxiety he felt subsided to be replaced by a feeling of excitement. People that he passed took little notice of him. Cars drove by with a similar degree of indifference. Subconsciously he began to walk with a little more sway in his hips. Everything was going so well.
Until one car passed him from behind. Chris only took notice when the car came to a halt not far down the street. Chris was puzzled as the car began to slowly reverse towards him.
The windows facing him lowered and he felt the panicky feeling returning. There were 3 boys in the car and Chris recognized them as Seniors from his school. He didn’t know them very well so he was unsure of what to expect.
‘Oh God. What if they realize its me’ Fighting a desire to run he lowered his head and kept walking.
“Hey baby. What’s your name?” Chris ignored them taking some solace that so far they thought he was a girl.
“Do you need a ride? We would be really glad to take care of you”
Chris’ face began to flush with embarrassment as he realized that he had probably said the same dumb sexual innuendos to a girl before. Now that he was now on the other side of the fence so to speak, these type of comments didn’t seem nearly so hilarious.
They continued to yell out catcalls as the car slowly matched Chris’ pace. He knew he needed to get rid of them but didnt trust himself to speak.
Then he came up with an idea. Recalling a scene that he had watched from one of the actress Kristen Bell’s roles, Chris mimed reaching into his sports bag. Pretending to pull the cap off a lipstick that was really the middle finger on his right hand, he slowly drew his fingertip across his lips as if he was applying a coat of lipstick. He then mimed putting the cap back on his middle finger and gave the boys a smug grin.
One boy actually laughed but the driver of the car seemed flustered and began to pull away. Chris felt a measure of pride at how he had handled them. He slowly let out a deep exhale as the car disappeared from sight. ‘Geez what else will happen today? Am i going to get home and Mom will be standing there?’
Luckily for him that was the end of today’s adventures. He made it home safely, carefully hung up the uniform, hid it in his closet and removed his makeup. But he did do something different. He spent the rest of the night texting back and forth with Maria as he filled her in about his walk home. He was greatly enjoying their back and forth as the two covered a range of topics, some decidedly feminine in nature.
*****
If she had known, Julia would have taken great pleasure of Chris’ encounter with the boys in the car. This was part of her reasoning for making the challenge in the first place. It wasn’t strictly about which team had it harder. She felt her muscles protesting in pain as she did bench press after bench press so she knew full well that football was more physically demanding. But Chris had just experienced the demeaning misogynistic attitude all to common among males that she had been forced to live with her whole life. Mental sssaults that hurt more than cuts or bruises.
She had enlisted her friend Maria’s help getting Chris to understand a little of what she experienced all the time. She was confident he would wave the white flag soon as the attacks on his male ego escalated.
But a dilemma was growing The team’s first game was days away and she was feeling something that she had never anticipated. She was learning so much about football and herself. She loved the competition and camaraderie with the football team. When Chris and his friends inevitably gave up, how would they feel if she wanted to stay with football and play with them? Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jessica and Tammy working out. The two had gone along with this challenge to support her as good friends did. But she sensed they were having the same thoughts as her.
She strained to thrust the weight bar up again “Eight” she grunted. Coach Forsythe stood behind her acting as a spotter.
“Don’t injure yourself Munroe. Only do what your mind and body are willing to” he said patiently.
Julia gave him a steely eyed look “Nine” she spat out between clenched teeth as she pushed the bar up again. “Ten….”
****
A voice called out “Coach Forsythe, can I have a minute?” He turned to see Principal Greene standing in the hallway waving to him. She had a very serious look on her face. John exited the weight room to see what she wanted
“I see the girls are continuing with their efforts to play football” she observed. John gave a noncommittal shrug “They’ve done everything asked of them. If you’re asking me do they want to play for the team this season, I’d have to say yes.
Principal Greene nodded sagely “Then there is an issue we will have to deal with.”
Lowering her voice to just above a whisper she said “The State Sports Association is not going to allow them to play this weekend”
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