Fighting Bees vs. Bluebirds

“Good evening, Honey Hollow and Noble County. Morris Yapin here again for WHNH Newsradio 780 on your dial. We’re proud to celebrate our forty-fifth year covering Honey Hollow High sports. Tonight’s action will feature our hometown Fighting Bees taking on the Bluebirds of Beakburg.”

Morris looked over as the door to the announcers' booth opened, ushering in a strong, sturdy-built man in his late twenties. The play-by-play man threw up his hands as if asking a question. The newcomer shrugged while attempting to apologize to his radio partner and their producer. However, he couldn't talk with the mouthful of Rice Krispie Treats.

"Well, it looks as if Homer Mundy finally joined us. And it doesn't appear as if the emergency that had him running late was due to a fire," Morris teased the firefighter as he sat down beside him.

“Sorry, Yapper. I had to support my alma mater’s bake sale. Who knows if next year’s cheer squad will have the same tasty delights,” the former All-State center quipped, pulling his headphones on.

“Based on what I’ve heard, you won’t be disappointed over the next two years,” Morris commented, having heard the praise of the new sophomore who loved to bake. “Now, back to the matchup. Honey Hollow High sits atop the Lakeland Conference with a 4-0 record. On the flip side, Beakburg High comes to town at 2-2 and bunched up at the bottom of the Northwoods Conference.”

The WHNH producer snapped his fingers to alert the two that the cheerleaders had started to head down the sidelines to the northern endzone.

“Expectations are high for the Fighting Bees this year. It’s been a generation since the school’s last state championship, which leaves all eyes on stellar quarterback McCoy Quarry. With the addition of the fleet-footed Pernell Sweet this season, the Bees finally have a balanced offense and don’t need to rely on Quarry’s strong arm. That said, McCoy is rapidly closing in on the school’s record for passing touchdowns.”

“Only six to go, Yap,” Homer chimed in. “And with his close connection to Brock Beal, it’s certainly possible that Coy might tie the record, at least, for next week’s homecoming.”

"I don't know, Homer. Your late arrival meant you missed hearing the chatter. Some students and fans think six TDs could be possible in this game. Beakburg is known for its undermanned teams," Morris relayed.

"Not happening. Fans better temper their expectations. The Bluebirds aren't pushovers this year. They finally have a solid-looking quarterback of their own in junior Jose Ureno. However, the biggest impediment to the Bees' offense will be defensive lineman Tyr Hamar. I have to say, if fans forgot the way The Viking Hammer dominated the teams' last meeting two years ago, then they better watch out. I doubt Coy has forgotten running for his life. This offensive line led by Wayne Parker is going to have their hands full tonight," Homer pointed out.

"And with the cheerleaders lining up in the northern endzone, we're going to take a break for our sponsors," Morris announced as the Rusk's Used Cars jingle began to play. Then, leaning forward, he squinted over the endzone. "What's going…Is there a commotion over there?"

“Sure is,” Homer chuckled after grabbing a pair of binoculars.

---

“Get out of here, brat!” Bridget ordered.

“But I need to make a splash!” Brandy whined. “Wyatt’s here. Sela said so.”

“Sela’s here?” Miranda asked. Then, she motioned for Kimberly to take her spot, holding one end of the breakaway banner. Annette didn’t look thrilled by the change from the other end. “What’s she doing here?”

“Am I a fricking mindreader? Oh, wait! Her dad handed over a check for us,” Brandy recalled, slapping her forehead before freaking out about it. “How does my face look? My hair?”

“A check?” Bridget repeated, letting the us comment slide for now.

“Don’t worry. You look fantastic,” Tinny told the youngster. “And I have an idea.”

“You do?!”

“Tin, no! “Don’t encourage her,” Bridget snapped, but Rain and Miranda’s discussion about the possible donation distracted her.

---

“And here comes your Fighting Bees!” Morris Yapin announced.

Led by their starting quarterback, the football team burst through the breakaway banner. Homer commented on the newish banner, and how much nicer it was compared to the thin paper in a large hoop they'd run through in his day. Then, the former college football player started laughing boisterously.

“Homer’s losing his mind as cornerback Oliver Ragg is showcasing his hands and possible desire to play wide receiver by carrying a miniature cheerleader down the field,” Morris relayed to the listeners. “If you’ve attended a football or basketball game over the last year plus, then you know who we’re talking about.”

“I guess there are perks when your older sister is cheer captain,” Homer remarked, wiping the tears from his eyes as the cornerback transferred Brandy from his side to in front of him. The color commentator would’ve erupted again if he’d heard Brandy demand that Oliver raise her higher while facing the homestand for her Lion King moment.

---

“Come on, Duke! Get that motherfucker!”

“Zita!” Bridget screeched. “Language!”

“Wha…Whoops, sorry,” the junior apologized.

Already down 3-0, the cheerleader wasn't the only worried spectator watching the Bluebirds drive down to the red zone again after a three and out by their team. Groans and boos sounded as Coach Buzz Alcorn called a very early timeout. Bridget signed which cheer to perform.

Be aggressive!
B-E aggressive!
Be aggressive!
B-E-E aggressive!
Be a Bee! Be a B-E-E
Buzz, buzz, buzzzz!

“So are we not going to talk about that big ass grin and wink that Coy gave Bee?” Shayla inquired after they turned back to watch the next play.

“Wink? I’d call that a total eye-fucking,” Tinny clarified.

“Oh, I’m sure that Coy’s fucked Bee many times in his dreams,” Haley added, earning a few giggles from her fellow juniors.

“I’d bet big bucks on a threesome fantasy with Bridget and Gemma,” Annette speculated.

“Whoa!” Haley roared.

“Not cool, Annie!” Zita admonished.

“Don’t bring up that bitch’s name,” Tinny ordered.

“What are you looking at?” Annette responded to Maura’s shaking her head.

“Hey, don’t talk to her like that!” Shayla snapped, defending her best friend.

“Miranda, get your…what the hell?” Haley questioned, seeing the scene that had distracted Miranda.

Stinger, the Honey Hollow High mascot, had his back to the field. Strangely, he waved his oversized costume’s tail at the Bluebirds. Even more odd, Brandy held a textbook of some sort in her hands while chanting.

“Are they…”

“I don’t get it.”

“Duh, they’re placing a curse on the Bluebirds,” Tinny said, rolling her eyes at her friends for not figuring it out. It appeared obvious to her, especially as the girl raised a finger to point at Jose Ureno while barking out a loud, unintelligible word.

“Dammit! What’s she doing on this side of the fence? She’s supposed to stay on the bleachers,” Bridget questioned before turning to face her co-BFF. “This is your fault for encouraging her with Oliver and that stunt.”

“Me? Cassie’s over there watching them,” Tinny pointed out, hoping to share whatever blame came her way. “Hey! What do you know? It worked!”

The home crowd cheered as a tipped pass nearly fell to the ground until Oliver snagged it with his fingertips for an interception.

“You get a handjob tonight, Ollie!” Zita screamed a promise as the defense ran past the cheer squad.

“Only a handjob?” Annette questioned. “He got an interception.”

“But not for a touchdown. That’s worth a blowjob,” Zita explained her reward levels for her homecoming date.

“That’s true,” Bridget agreed.

“Game-winning INT gets a fuck,” Tinny proclaimed.

“Now, I need to deal with the little monster,” Bridget announced.

“Holy hell! Who’s the fine-ass guy sitting with Sela?!” Haley exclaimed, causing her captain to pause in her tracks.

“Come on. How can you tell from that far away that a guy sitting in the–-Damn, he is fine as hell!” Shalya agreed.

“Does Sela have a boyfriend?” Maura asked while Tinny squealed.

“No way is she dating a hottie like that!”

“I think we’d know if Sela started dating anyone,” Miranda pointed out. “It’d be a shock to everyone we know.”

“Point to Randa,” Bridget acknowledged. “There is no way that Gabby or Rachel wouldn’t have called with the gossip. And especially not with a guy like that.”

The squad mostly laughed as their captain fanned a hand in front of her face. Mostly as Annette openly glowered at Bridget. Seeking to pull the attention away from the busty blonde, Annette brought up a guy she found sexy.

“You’re all gushing over a guy whose body you can’t even see? Sure, he’s a pretty face, but I’m far more interested in The Viking Hammer. How about I take one for the team and wear him out during halftime?”

“Where were you before? We already talked about Kimmy drooling over Thor or Tyr or whatever his name is,’’ Haley revealed.

“Yeah, we all teased her for wanting him to lay the thunder to her,” Shayla relayed.

“Stop picking on me,” Kimberly moaned, covering her face.

“The brute is all yours. We’re interested in Sela’s new man, not going up to bumfuck Beakburg to get ravaged by a woodsman,” Zita stated.

“Wait! This works out perfectly for Annie,” Tinny declared.

“Don’t even start with your shit,” Annette warned.

“How so, Tin?” Bridget asked in an overly cheerful voice.

“Well, Bee, let me tell you! We all know that Annie has pen pals up at The Birdcage–”

“I do not, you little shi–”

“So when she’s going up for conjugal visits, Annie can make a drive-by of the high school for the Viking,” Tinsley continued.

The petite brunette’s continuation earned her a thrown pom-pom to the face.

---

Halftime came with the score at 17-10 in favor of Honey Hollow. A solid number of fans grumbled about the offense not clicking. Those who expected three touchdown passes had to settle for only one by McCoy to his close friend, Brock. That was a feat matched by the opposing quarterback. The main difference in the game came from Oliver’s interception and Pernell’s hard-fought rushing TD.

Miranda grumbled to herself as she left the bake sale. Most of the cheer squad wasn’t thrilled about missing the halftime performance. Knowing that many of the Sugarbees–especially Gemma–hated having to assist the marching band’s show, the cheerleaders loved to watch the dancers grin and bear their way through halftime. However, unlike her friends, Miranda set out to figure out where her rebellious best friend had gone.

Why does she have to do this now? Ugh! I get that Bridget can steal the spotlight too much, but Annie needs to learn not to get so jealous. Acting this way doesn’t help her cause.

Checking for traffic, Miranda crossed the street between the stadium and the high school. Aware that most of the doors were locked, she headed toward the outside doors that lay closest to the gym.

“Hey, Janet! Have you seen Annette lately?”

Miranda asked several others, including the student managers for the football team, to no avail. Finally, with time running out, the heavy metal door opened as her dark-haired BFF burst out. Immediately, the blonde’s heart fell as Annette wiped her lips.

“You didn’t?!” Miranda challenged, well familiar with what usually preceded the way her friend wiped or licked her lips.

“Who me?”

“Don’t give me that innocent act!” Miranda hissed, scrambling to follow as Annette walked past her at a brisk pace. “Slow down!”

“Sorry, we don’t have time.”

THUD

Miranda looked back to see the next person who walked out the door. Her heart now plummeted in range of emotions.

“Omigawd! You didn’t?!”

---

“Quarry nearly sacked by Hamar! He turns his back to the line while scrambling…and narrowly avoids another Bluebird defender! Hamar is back up and gaining on McCoy as he runs to the sideline…and resets his footing. And it’s a bomb to Beal…who’s knocked out of bounds at the Beakburg 12-yard line!”

Score! Score!
We want more!
We'll drive it to the finish,
And own that board!

After a Beakburg timeout, Quarry rolled out on a bootleg, hitting his tight end for a touchdown. Running past the cheerleaders, Coy pumped a fist at Bridget, sending her heart a flutter. Tinny teasingly asked what rewards the star quarterback might get if he asked her co-BFF to the homecoming after the game.

“You gotta save the fuck for after homecoming, and only if he ties the record,” Shayla stressed.

“Totally. Bee should only give a blowjob tonight,” Tinny agreed.

“Sloppy and with a titfuck if he throws another two TDs,” Zita suggested.

“What is Annie doing now?” Maura questioned, causing the squad to turn to look farther down the sideline.

Their wayward cheermate strutted up and down the sideline with high-leg steps and an arm behind her head as she posed sexily. Stinger mimicked his heart pounding with his hand. Suddenly, Annette halted in front of the bumblebee mascot and turned on a dime before bending over. Furthermore, the dark-haired vixen flipped her skirt up, sending a swooning Stinger to the ground.

“What the hell? Annie is doing a bit with Clarkie? Did we know about this?” Haley questioned about Clark Schipper, the person inside the giant-head costume.

Miranda palmed her face. Now she knew precisely why her best friend blew Clarkie during halftime.

“No, we did not,” Bridget stated, growing unhappy with Annette’s unsanctioned action. Her unhappiness increased as Stinger rolled to his feet and grabbed a sign.

“Vote A for Annie,” Kimberly read aloud the sign with a crown on it.

“Why that scheming–” Tinny began to curse as Miranda started to move. Both stopped as a blonde blur ran into the picture.

With all her might, Brandy hit Stinger’s knee with the textbook they’d used prior in the curse. Hopping on his other foot, Clarkie howled while grabbing his hit knee. Of course, the crowd thought the whole thing to be an act and laughed along.

“Ooh! The legs are the least cushioned part of the costume,” Haley noted.

For once, Bridget didn't scream at her bratty little sister as Brandy flexed her arms to the crowd. Instead, she left that to their mother, who bellowed the younger blonde's name. Looking in every direction, Brandy scurried off to avoid Pepper's wrath.

“You see? The kid is good for some stuff,” Tinny boasted proudly.

"Fine. You can take over big sister duties," Bridget deadpanned, leading to roars of laughter as Tinny told her she'd need to trade for Teddy.

“He’ll just stare at her boobs all day, all night,” Shayla foresaw.

“That’s why she’ll hate it,” the petite brunette replied before poking Bridget’s left breast. “They are real!”

---

“And that’s a wrap on the game as Hershel Cline takes a knee. The Fighting Bees win by a final score of 31-16 over the Bluebirds. As expected, McCoy Quarry was the player of the game, throwing three touchdown passes,” Morris said after the final whistle.

“Great second half from McCoy, but I bet he’ll be feeling those two sacks in the fourth quarter by Tyr Hamar come tomorrow morning. They were big hits and almost make you wonder why he was still in the game for the second one,” Homer criticized slightly.

“Well, they took him out after that sack,” Moriss added.

“I have to say that the unsung heroes of this game were the defense. Oliver Ragg’s interception killed Beakburg’s early momentum. Also, Duke Hager did an awesome job of clogging up multiple blockers to allow the Kessler brothers to harass Jose Ureno,” Homer praised.

Their radio producer gave them the cue to head to a commercial.

“We’ll be back shortly with the game recap and a look forward to next week’s home game against Blackbridge North High,” Morris said as a commercial for Funland started.

---

“Buy a celebratory treat! We still got cookies, pie squares, muffins, and cupcakes!” Cassie yelled, standing near the gate where the crowd walked out.

“Make a pretty girl happy!” Tanith pleaded. “Won’t you?”

“Are you giving out favors for purchases?” Posey queried.

“No, I’m not!” Tanith screeched.

“That was a joke,” Sabrina explained to their eccentric cheermate. “Only a joke.”

“Oh,” Posey uttered with a confused expression.

“How have sales been?” Bridget inquired as she walked over to the tables. There was a decent line, which gave her hope.

“Good!” Virginia said, handing Teddy a pie square for a customer.

“Although we lost most of our helpers,” Pepper complained, causing Bridget to notice that Brandy, Fawn, and Wrenn weren’t around.

“But who we have, we appreciate!” Virginia declared, smiling at Fiona and Darla.

“And we’re here to help,” Miranda stated, taking over for her mom.

“I can take over too, Mom,” Bridget said, but she got brushed off.

“Help out Cassandra and the younger girls. Rope in as many customers as you can before they leave.”

Bridget, Tinsley, Shayla, and Haley followed Pepper’s suggestion. However, when they reached the gates, Brandy suddenly latched herself onto Bridget’s side. The hug was fierce and unable to pry off.

“Oh, no! I’m not falling for this. What did you do now, brat?”

Brandy didn’t say a word. She merely clung more tightly. It was the tears in her eyes that gave her big sister pause.

“Um, so Brandy had us perform a duty while she assisted the cheerleaders,” Wrenn began while looking uneasy. “It wasn’t our idea, so keep that in mind. While I do prefer to be informed on many topics, I’m not into spreading rumors like others.” She shot Fawn a dirty look. “So don’t blame the messenger, okay?”

“Oh, hell!” Fawn cried in exasperation at Wrenn’s dillydallying. “Look, Brandy wanted us to keep an eye on the Quarry family. So we sat near them in the bleachers.”

“You did what?” Bridget questioned, glancing down at her sister’s head.

“Bridget, we’re sorry, but–” Wrenn began again.

“Coy’s already got a homecoming date!” Fawn blurted out.