Will's Flashback

TUESDAY, 17th January

When Dana grabbed his arm to drag him to the table where some of the other cheerleaders were sitting, he was just too tired to fight, thanks to a night filled with nightmarish dreams, where Vanessa turned into an empousa - not really that surprising- and was planning to cook Lucy and his brother Austin. It took him a while to catch up to the on-going argument between Chloe and Bea, Sabrina too busy eating and Sharon taking selfies.

"Ok, so what if she's pregnant?"

Lucy who had just arrived pushed Sharon to the side before sitting down.

"Who's pregnant? Oh, is it Giulia?"

Bea sighed, clearly tired of this argument.

"No one is pregnant, Chloe is just trying to discourage me, like a BAD friend would do."

"I'm not being a bad friend, I'm just playing the devil's advocate."

Lucy looked between both girls, still clearly confused.

"Discouraging you... about getting pregnant?"

Bea threw her hands up, exasperated.

"No one is getting pregnant!"

Lucy mumbled her answer, but still loud enough to be heard by her friends.

"Giulia is, if she doesn't start closing her legs."

Sharon stopped making kissy faces to her phone to glare at Lucy.

"Lu, what did I say about slut-shaming someone? Do we have to go through that again?"

"I'm not slut-shaming her!"

"Yes, you are!"

"No, I'm just saying-"

"That she should close her legs. If you didn't want to slut-shame her while still worried about teen pregnancy, what about saying she should start concerning herself more about contraceptives?"

Lucy opened her mouth to counter-attack, just to snap it closed after five seconds, meekly apologizing to Sharon. They kept eating until Lucy remembered what the previous fight was about.

"Wait, so what was Chloe discouraging you to do?"

"So, you know that section for secrets on the school newspaper?

"Of course I do, it's a hit; even Dana reads it."

Dana turned her attention from her phone to Lucy with a scowl.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Before they could distract themselves again, Bea waved a hand at Dana, mutely asking her to drop it, before grinning at Lucy.

"I'm thinking of expanding it."

"You mean you have a secret to share? Oh, do we know it? Will we be able to recognize it?

Bea was already shaking her head halfway through Lucy's questions.

"No, by expanding I meant start working at the newspaper and create a love and relationship advice column."

Will raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"You want to give love and relationship advice?"

"Yeah."

Chloe leaned forward, pointing from Bea to Lucy.

"And we were discussing if SHE's qualified before YOU interrupted."

I swear it, moments like this make me want to hit Chloe.

"What do you mean, qualified?"

"So, you know how Bea never had a boyfriend, right?"

"My love life is not a secret; you don't need to whisper."

Chloe ignored Bea, waving a hand to shut her.

"My point is, LUCY, that she isn't qualified to give relationship advice."

Clearly fed up, Bea slapped Chloe's hand away.

"You see, that's your problem. You think too small. You think I want to give advice about romantic relationships."

"You just said that!"

"No, because from the start I was thinking advice about self-love and about the base of relationships, be it with friends or family."

"My point stands. What if someone comes asking for romantic relationship advice?"

"I can do it."

"Really?"

"Yes, really, come on, any of you, quiz me."

Dana, who at this point was paying attention to the conversation, slapped the center of the table a couple of times to draw attention.

"Ok, this sounds fun, me first. Let's say, a boyfriend that doesn't listen when the girlfriend says she's jealous of a certain girl?"

Bea didn't miss a beat.

"Most people forget that your romantic partner should be your friend first. If you have a problem with your friend and he doesn't listen when you try to talk to him it's because he doesn't really care about your friendship. And if you can see it with a friend, you should also see it with a boyfriend. Besides, maybe you should consider why you're jealous of this girl. Is she really trying to make you jealous or is there an underlying problem hiding behind this jealousy? Again, you need to have an honest conversation with your partner."

"Ok, now me. Hm... someone has a major crush and doesn't know how to confess."

Apart from Will and Bea, the others turned knowing smirks to Sharon.

"Do you have a major crush, Sharon?"

Glaring at Dana, she answered in a strained voice.

"It's a hypothetical question."

"Sure it is..."

To avoid escalating conflict, Bea started talking before Sharon could.

"In that case, I would advice to first try to understand why the fear of confessing. Is it because you're afraid of the answer or simply afraid to ask? In either case, what is the root of your fear? Do you fear the other person is going to humiliate you? Then why are you pinning to someone so despicable? Or are you afraid of feeling worthless if you get rejected? In that case, before worrying about a confession, you need to get to know yourself, to know that your valor is not, in any way, associated with anyone but yourself. Or is it the fear of shame that incapacitates you? Shame for what? For having feelings? For having the courage to step up and act? You know, things like that."

Lucy scrunched her eyebrows, considering her friend's words.

"It doesn't help someone confess."

"I don't intend on helping someone confess, even because this is very personal and could easily backfire. I intend using this fear of confessing to help the person get to know themselves more."

Of course, as expected of Bea. Can I speak?

Sure.

Will faithfully relied his host's words.

"I like this approach. If I may be so bold of giving a suggestion, keep the anonymity. I think people would be more comfortable if they didn't know who knows about their personal life."

"But they know Trish is the one getting the secrets."

"Yes, but they are secrets that doesn't involve her, they're mostly directed to someone else. She merely reads and publishes it, she doesn't give her opinion. In your case, people would need to open up."

Sharon nodded in agreement with Will.

"She's right. Besides, there's a possibility that they'll dissect your life to use against your advice, like Chloe so helpfully demonstrated."

"Hey!"

"Hm, I'll think about it. Besides, I still need to talk to Trish to put it in action."

WEDNESDAY, 18th January

"Psst, Will!"

He leaned to his side discreetly, keeping his eyes on the teacher's back.

"What is it?"

Piper leaned close to him, still keeping her voice a whisper.

"Can I talk to you after class?"

Without turning to look at her, he nodded.

"Yeah, sure. Did something happen?"

"Nothing much, I just wanted to ask-"

"What is so interesting back there!?"

At the teacher's voice, both startled and faced back to the board, keeping the expressions as innocent as they could. Piper gave the teacher a shy smile.

"Nothing, sir. I apologize."

***

Will approached Piper as soon as she closed her backpack, both walking towards the door.

"So, what was it?"

"I wanted your opinion on someone."

"My opinion?"

"I believe her name was Beatrice? You know her, right?"

What is she playing at?

"Yeah, she was fr- she is friends with... well... Will."

Piper fished a pack of bubblegum from her pocket, offering him one.

"I figured. Yesterday she came to talk to me about an idea... are you familiar with any of it?"

He accepted, popping it into his mouth.

"Actually, she mentioned it during lunch yesterday."

"Good, this speeds things up. What do you think of it?"

"I mean, it seems like a good idea, I guess?"

"Let me reformulate. What do you think of her?"

What is her problem with Bea?

"What do you mean?"

"From what you saw so far, is she trustworthy? Is there a possibility where she could leak those secrets to someone else? That she would bully, intimidate or blackmail those people?"

OF COURSE NOT, BEA IS AN ANGEL!

I think she needs a little more than your biased opinion.

Will thought carefully before answering.

"From what I saw yesterday, she takes this seriously. Chloe could have been a risk. Maybe even Sharon. If I had to choose someone to not use the information given under secrecy against someone, my bets would be Bea or Lucy. If we had to add attention to words and patience, definitely Bea."

"Then you think she's a good choice?"

"... Yes, I do."

Piper sighed in relief, like a weight was lifted from her.

"Good, because she and Claire were already bonding yesterday and it would've crushed me – I mean, us – to separate those two."

"I'm glad."

"By the way, how are you? Is your... visitor still bothering you?"

My what?

She means period.

Oh!

"Oh, that. No, it's very regular, so I just start taking medicine the night before and keep going."

Piper opened and closed her mouth a couple of times, before hesitantly answering.

"Will... as someone from Cabin 7, I'm not sure you don't need me saying this, but it isn't healthy to take that much medicine."

"It's either that or a remember from the first month."

She nodded slowly.

"Point taken. Don't you get sleepy, though?"

"I sleep through almost all the classes, but it's all good."

No, it's not and she knows it.

Who invited you to the conversation?

I own this body, I don't need an invitation. I could use an eviction note for you, though.

Flashback over, back to present

SATURDAY, 21th January

"GET UP!"

Will felt his covers being removed and his feet being pulled by strong and calloused hands, even before he had a chance of opening his eyes.

AAAHHH, WHAT IS HAPPENING??

Whatever this is, it's waaaay too early!

He grunted when he fell to the floor, the hands leaving his skin. Less than a second later, his curtains were forcibly opened, flooding the pink room with light. Rubbing his eyes, he looked at his assailants.

"Sharon?"

And Dana?

"What are you doing here?"

"We're saving you from yourself."

"What?"

Oh, how I wish it was true...

Both girls grabbed Will by his arms and hoisted him up, guiding him to the bathroom.

"Wait, hold up, what do you mean?"

Sharon shot him a disappointed glare.

"One thing is to get kicked out of the squad. Trust me, I know, Vanessa is a... well, you know. But we remember how much you loved it, and it just kills me to see you become so sedentary. You have already lost almost all of your muscles."

Dana's bright tone was almost too much to bear.

"So now, we took it upon ourselves to take you exercising."

I have amazing friends!

"Wait, what time is it?"

"Roughly half past seven."

"Half past seven... on a Saturday!?"

"Yes, and you won't go back to bed, so might as well get over with it."

Both pushed him inside the bathroom and closed the door.

You know, I never really understood why you don't like mornings. I thought your father was the sun god?

He is.

Then why...

Also, medicine, music, truth. Do I need to like everything my father likes?

Well, no.

There you have it.

There was heavy knocking on the door.

"Get moving, Will! I only have the car till noon!"

***

I hate running.

It's better than jumping jacks. Don't you guys run in your camp?

We do, usually from enemies. Or...

Monsters, I remember. Anyway, you're slacking off, remember to keep your core engaged and...

Control my breathing, I know, you said it five times already, and I know how to run.

Well, I wouldn't have to repeat myself if you'd listened to me the first time.

"Come on, Will, we know this is not the best you can do!"

You know, they're really starting to get on my nerves.

Then prove to them that you can do it!

Is this your cheerleader peppy talk?

You know, I don't like your tone.

***

"Come on, Will, it's just a headstand, you've been doing it your whole life, why are you afraid of it now?"

Don't you guys do headstands in your camp?

Why would we? How would that help?

I don't know, maybe your leg gets chopped off? Or you need to make the blood flow to your head to think of an escape route?

"Don't worry, we won't let you get hurt. And... go!"

Control the arch! Engage your core! Don't look at the floor! Use your fingers to distribute the weight! Shoulders on the inside! Butt clenched! Straight legs! Breath!

Shut up!

Weakling...

***

Will was drinking from the bottle Dana offered, breathing hard, several joints hurting and muscles trembling.

It's harder when you don't have my muscle memory from the first days to help you out, isn't it?

I can almost feel the smile in your voice.

It's more of a smirk, actually.

"We're here!"

He turned to the gymnasium's door to see Lucy and Sabrina entering.

Somehow, I don't think they came to put an end to this torture.

Well, we need Lucy. Sabrina is here most likely for safety.

Why did we need Lucy?

Well, we need a flyer to make a stunt, right? Sharon is a good one, but maybe too heavy for our current muscles.

We're going to raise Lucy?

Of course! Stunt is one of the most fun things to do as cheerleader!

Oh, Apollo's light. What if I drop her? Again? Doesn't she remember the first week?

Sabrina will catch her, most likely. Still, your job is to NOT drop her; and if her fall becomes unavoidable, drop the stunt and catch her. You can do it, I know you can!

I don't know why you have so much trust in me.

Think of it like that, you're in a mission with them and there's a random object placed really high that you need for the mission.

Quest.

Whatever. The safest way is to raise Lucy in a stunt. And there are... bats, or birds or whatever monster you want trying to destabilize her, so even if her feet get wobbly, or if she switches her weight, you need to work with the others to keep her as stable as you can, and if a bird flies right into her face and knocks her out, you need to do what you can to catch her. Is it easier like that?

Not really sure.

Will.

What?

Cheerleading is fun. Stop holding a grudge against it because you don't like me or my body or everything that has been happening for the last... three months now, and allow yourself to be filled with the joy and pride of successfully keeping a stunt. I promise it's not that bad. By the way, listen to Dana. She's the most experienced one, let her call the shots.

***

Keep her steady! Look at Sharon, not Lucy!

Will moved his eyes to the girl in front of him, holding Lucy's other foot. Sharon winked at him and smiled.

"I missed having you as my pair, Will. No offense, Sabrina!"

"None taken."

Dana, standing on his side and holding Lucy's ankles, interrupted them.

"Enough chit-chat! Lucy, ready for a lib?"

"I think so?"

Dana turned to him.

"Ok, Will, one more time. Sabrina, count."

"Five! Seven! One! Three! Five! Seven!"

Will couldn't help looking at Lucy, still stable with a leg raised in the air, to her foot, where Sharon's hands filled the space where he couldn't reach. Dana's hands tightly wrapped on Lucy's ankle were sure to leave a bruise.

YOU DID IT! YOU ACTUALLY DID!

I... did?

YES! LOOK AT THAT! OH, IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!

Dana's voice interrupted Will's thoughts.

"Ok, Lucy, we're coming down. Ready? Sabrina?"

"Five! Seven! One! Three! Five! Seven!"

Once Lucy was safely on the ground, she threw her arms around Will.

"You did! I knew you still had it in you!"

Before he could respond, the other three had imitated Lucy, surrounding him.

You actually did it. You kept Lucy stable all the way up AND on the way down. You should be proud of yourself. Are you?

... maybe a little bit.

It's okay, I promise not to tell anyone.

Who would you tell?

Exactly.

***

Once Dana had dropped them and left to give the car to her brother, Will followed the girls to the cafe with glittery cupcakes to where they had dragged him the other day. Sabrina, who had been complaining about hunger for the last hour, kept hugging her stomach while in line.

"I'm ravenous!"

Sharon didn't take her eyes from the menu.

"Yeah, we know. Can you stop it now?"

Lucy moved Will to the side, staring at something on the far side of the café.

"Hey, look, it's Star!"

Will and the others followed Lucy's eyes to see a girl with lilac hair sitting on the far corner, huddled on her sweater and reading what appeared to be a book. Sabrina scrunched her eyebrows, looking between the girl and Lucy.

"You know her?"

"Sure! We've been bonding for almost two weeks now. Can you believe Star just moved in, and she lived in Japan for the last two years!? She's teaching me how to read Japanese so I stop depending on translations to read my favorite mangas."

"And how is it going?"

"Terrible, I suck at Japanese! Get me a Sparkly Fairy Combo, I'm going to talk to her!"

Sharon shook her head in disappointment.

"Unbelievable, she ditched us again. Is loyalty such a weird concept to that girl?"

Sabrina stepped forward in line, already rummaging her purse in search of her wallet.

"Lucy just has an enormous heart. The moment you present her with a lonely ugly duckling, she can't abandon them. First that gothic guy. And if this girl just moved in, I'm guessing she doesn't have that many friends."

Sharon kept pouting.

"I know, I just hate feeling left out."

Sabrina cooed.

"Aw, she's jealous! Come on, Will, let's give Sharon a biiiig hug!"

***

So...?

What?

You know.

No, I don't.

Was it that terrible? Cheerleading, I mean.

Maybe not.

See, cheerleading is fun!

I thought you joined just to be popular.

It was one of the reasons, I admit it. But girls don't become cheerleaders to be popular. Or not only for that. If you don't love the sport, you won't last long.

So you loved cheerleading?

Honestly? I did. I miss it. And I made some really amazing friends. But I don't miss Vanessa or her friends.

I thought you admired Vanessa.

She's an incredible cheerleader and serious captain. But as a person, she's...

She is...?

Lacking.

Lacking what?

Empathy? Tolerance? Kindness?

So, you're saying she's a psychopath?

He opened the door to his house and heard his mother's voice from the kitchen.

"Will, is that you?"

No, it's a burglar.

"Yes, mommy."

"Can you help me? I'm reorganizing the cupboards."

Not again.

It's the second time since I came here. Does she ever stop?

It's her way to deal with whatever is stressing her at work, so no.

"I'm coming!"

Once he entered the kitchen, he found his mother standing up on a ladder, cleaning a high shelf on an empty cupboard, while the table and the counter were filled to the brim. She turned to him with a grin.

"By the way, Hal called. He said Bruno had been asking about you, and wondered if you would be willing to babysit them tomorrow night for our date. He would pay, of course."

OH. HELL. NO.

Before Will could say anything, his mother's grin morphed into a conspiratory smirk.

"I said you already had plans with your friends, so he should call his usual babysitter."

Oh, thank God. My heart can beat again.

His mother gestured to a pile of plates on top of the counter.

"Get those ones for me, will you? And sweetie, you should have a little more of faith in your mother, you know."

Taking careful steps to not drop the plates, he approached the ladder.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not blind, you know?"

He looked up to see her playfully raising her eyebrows.

"I notice more than you think I do."

Oh, I don't think you do.

I HOPE she doesn't.

"And you're my daughter, you can always count on me to have your back."

"I know, mommy. Thank you."

"So, I was thinking, what if we painted the wall behind the tv a dark blue?"

I'm soooo glad you're in my body right now.

That's a first.

Don't get used to it.