Getting Catty

“What did you say to me?” Sela demanded, turning abruptly so that her whole body faced Bridget. The sudden move caused her white and pale green sundress to billow at the bottom.

“I asked if you’re fucking this cousin,” Bridget repeated with a slight change. Her blue eyes matched the older blonde’s piercing grays.

“How dare you speak to me in such a manner,” the former head Bumble Girl hissed. “You may be the current captain, but I am your elder co-captain.”

The corner of Bridget’s mouth cracked a half-smile as she turned to survey the scene. River Sandberry, Sela’s distant cousin from Hawaii, continued to cause cheerleaders’ hearts to flutter. After fainting upon seeing his tanned, shirtless chest, Lemon returned to her senses only to find the chiseled, tanned god kneeling next to her. Immediately, the overwhelmed sophomore laid her head back on the ground.

The concerned newcomer from Zurbrugg College only moved away after Lemon’s fellow Babybee, Regina, assured him she’d be okay. Next, Kimberly pulled herself upright after falling against the float. Immediately, Rain rushed over. However, the lead float designer held more concern over her creation than Kim’s well-being. After a swift inspection, the brainy cheerleader seemed satisfied. However, she warned the platinum blonde to be more careful in the future and fall elsewhere.

Bridget continued to ignore Sela’s glare as she watched the handsome guy with neck-length brown hair run his blue eyes over the float’s frame. An unheard question about the odd-looking top brought Monty Rusk around to explain. Although she couldn’t hear his response, Bridget guessed that the used car dealership worker explained the recent change and new purpose for the homecoming float.

A quick name call and gesture brought Rain over for additional details. However, the brilliant girl appeared to be the one cheerleader in the barn unaffected by the gorgeous surfer. With too little time to do far too much, Rain rattled off answers to questions before moving over to discuss where the thicker pieces of plywood should be placed.

“It’s a fair question. You showed up with a guy who has nearly every pair of cheerleader panties wet from desire,” Bridget told the haughty heiress. “Look at this handsome face, those tight muscles, incredible hair, and the package straining against those tight–”

“I’d kindly ask not to hear that type of language around me, but you’re clearly less of a lady than I realized,” Sela proclaimed with a sneer.

“Oh, please, Sela. Didn’t you say the Sandberrys are very distant relatives? And you mentioned only meeting him a half-dozen or so times?”

“I see you have the squad reporting details back to you. That shows some competency,” Sela remarked, recalling that Bridget hadn’t been around when she revealed those details last night.

“Not to mention that he’s giving off player vibes to me. Oh, I totally bet he has a string of friends-with-benefits back home, especially at the resort his family owns. So why shouldn’t he have a cousin-with-benefits at college until he meets more coeds,” Bridget explained the first part of her reasoning.

“While I will admit the Sandberrys do a reputation for a certain…say sexual liberation, I have no such thing. How dare you suggest that I’d have sex with a relative, even one far removed,” Sela declared, laying outrage on thick.

“You sure about that?” Bridget asked, springing her trap.

“Yes, I’m sure!” Sela exclaimed before catching herself and lowering her voice to a whisper. “I am not the type of slut who sleeps with a relative.”

“If you recall, I asked if you’re fucking this cousin. I used those words because I know for a fact that you’re fucking a different cousin. Sure, it’s another distant cousin, but I believe a third cousin is a closer connection than the Sandberrys.”

“I…How did…How dare you?! I have never had sex—” Sela sputtered in her denial until Bridget cut her off.

“I saw you,” the sun-kissed blonde revealed.

A tiny smirk formed at the corners of her mouth. Although Bridget didn’t dislike her old co-captain, throwing the self-important, prideful, and often condescending young woman for a loop felt satisfying. If anyone deserved getting knocked down a peg or two by a friendly face, it was Sela.

Still, Bridget gave her royal majesty credit. The former lead Bumble Girl’s countenance only faltered for a few brief seconds. With a slight shake of her head, Sela’s posture resumed its imperial air.

“You’re clearly mistaken,” the heiress declared simply. However, wishing it so didn’t make it happen.

“Hmm, what were the exact words I heard? Ah!” Bridget cried before softly mimicking the other young woman’s voice. "It's our destiny. So keep that in fucking mind the next time one of those whores comes near you. I'm your only partner, Calum!"

Bridget shot an arm out as Sela’s body launched forward two steps with a loud gasp. Yet, she didn’t need to catch the shocked blonde as Sela regained her composure within seconds. The current cheer captain had to admit it kind of impressed her.

“You spied on me!” Sela hissed while maintaining the appearance of a friendly conversation. “Where? At my house? At his? Have you been to Zurbrugg?”

“Whoa,” Bridget sounded, holding her hands up halfway. “Damn, you two are going at it like rabbits.”

“Is this ****? Did someone hire you?”

“Hire me? I’m not a private detective like my dad. Calm down,” Bridget ordered, shaking her head in disbelief. “What happened is that you forgot an important detail about Shelly’s lakehouse. The upstairs bedrooms all share a connected bathroom with another bedroom. I happened to be in it and heard you two going at it.”

“Oh.” The single word belied the simmering fury and self-recrimination swelling inside the tightly wound-up coed.

“Hey, I’m not judging. Okay, I might have a tiny bit at first, but whatever kinks float your boat is fine with me. As long as it’s not illegal, then I–”

“It’s not!” Sela responded defensively.

“I just said it’s not. Third cousins marrying used to be common, and their banging is probably happening more than people think,” Bridget replied, now feeling a little remorseful over revealing what she knew. “I mean, it’s not necessarily shocking. You and Calum have always been extraordinarily close.”

Breathing slowly and steadily, Sela appeared to be holding in her panic. Obsessed with maintaining a perfect reputation to meet the Wynwick family standards, the proud daughter mentally scolded herself. The thrill of the forbidden had caught up to her; now it was time to face the consequences.

“Who else knows?”

“Nobody,” Bridget answered. She spotted the disbelieving expression immediately. “I swear. I’ve told no one.”

“I am not a naive simpleton, Fallon,” Sela declared, her voice rising with indignation. “I know you tell Tinsley and Cassandra everything.”

“I didn’t tell them,” Bridget insisted, but her denial fell on deaf ears. She quickly launched into a defense. “Look, Cassie doesn’t like to hear about sordid sex details. And Tin–”

“My life is now sordid?”

“Calm the fuck down, and let me finish,” Bridget shot back. “And if Tinny knew, don’t you think she’d have said something by now? We both know that she’d be lording it over you.”

Sela mulled it over for a long thirty seconds.

“You may have a point,” the uppity blonde agreed. Then, she issued a warning. “And you better not tell a soul, or I’ll make your life hell. Got that?”

“Yeah, yeah. You know, asking and saying pretty please might work better,” Bridget teased.

The sour expression shut down Bridget’s attempt at playfulness. Instead, Sela turned to spot Annette as she continued to hover around River. An annoyed sigh escaped her lips.

“Not even considering it the slightest?” Bridget asked. “Hey, I’m just saying you look peeved, or is that jealousy?”

“No, I am not interested. What Calum and I have is unique,” Sela stated.

“I promise I won’t tell anyone, but on one condition.”

“Tread lightly. Don’t risk my wrath on today of all days.”

“Whoa, take it down a few levels,” Bridget suggested, rolling her eyes. “I know you planned to only stay for an hour or two. How about this? When you leave, River stays behind.”

“Please don’t tell me you plan to use my relative as a rebound for Quarry,” Sela spat. Behind her words held the declaration that no Wynwick of any name was a mere rebound.

“Damn, that’s a low blow even for you,” Bridget replied. “Sure, I may find him intriguing. It’s rare to see that surfer look around here. However, we could use a strong, helpful guy. As you pointed out, we don’t have any, and we’re behind on the float with the changes.”

Sela turned to study Bridget as if she could read the truth on her face. Aware that speaking could blow her chance, the captain kept silent. After a long two minutes of consideration, Sela nodded.

“I will allow it…however, I have my own condition.”

“What do you want?” Bridget inquired, bracing for the worst.

“You are to personally keep Annette away from River,” Sela directed. “I shudder at the thought of an accident turning her into family.”

---

On the end of the barn stood a small field with a narrow dirt driveway bisecting two sections of still-trimmed grass. The short driveway led to the old storage shed that the Howell family continued to use. Four small groups of potentially future cheerleaders were split in half on the two sections of grass. A drill sergeant marched back and forth on the dirt path, barking out suggestions, compliments, and criticisms.

“Come on, Fiona! Put some pep into it!” Tinsley ordered, clapping her hands. Spotting the slightly younger girl next to the thirteen-year-old troublemaker, she praised her effort. “Way to show energy, Lotus!”

Suddenly, Fiona’s younger cousin’s exuberance spun her out of control, sending her tumbling to the ground. One of the girls in her group snickered in response.

“Knock it off, Calista! Show support to your squadmate, or I’ll sic Brandy on you again,” the petite brunette threatened before stopping to watch as Fiona helped Lottie back up. “Love the high energy, girl. But you need to keep it in check, or you’ll lose your balance again. Okay, let’s retry the routine.”

Turning around to check out Tanith’s group on the opposite stretch of grass, the varsity co-captain nodded at the well-oiled machine she saw. Maura Afton’s little sister, Marielle, and her two friends easily picked up the routines. It wasn’t surprising as Maura’s stint as co-captain and later captain of the JV squad last year had rubbed off on Marielle. Her two friends and fellow Harborside Junior High cheerleaders also showcased their competency.

Returning to the missing Miranda’s group, Tinny’s eyes narrowed in dismay.

“Dammit, Audra, show some fucking effort!”

“I am!”

“Don’t back talk me, St. Pierre. Nepotism doesn’t exist in this cheer squad,” Tinny implied, already aware that Audra assumed she’d get a spot on the float due to Annette’s presence.

“Me? What about her?” the mouthy thirteen-year-old responded, pointing past Tinsley.

“Lisa and Marielle aren’t getting free passes. They’re both on their junior high squads.”

“I meant her!” Audra clarified. ‘The little girl who’s only here because her sister is varsity captain.”

“You want a piece of this?” Brandy yelled.

“Stay where you are, Dee,” the petite brunette ordered, knowing that her next-door neighborhood might rush over and deliver on her threat. “Listen up, St. Pierre and your friends. Brandy knows our routines better than anyone here. If you don’t start showing more effort, I’ll put her in charge of your group.”

Then, muttering about Miranda and Haley’s disappearances, Tinny turned to check out the fifteen-year-old group. Rather than a well-ran group, she found Sabrina watching the eight-year-olds while her group had a fight breaking out.

“Sabrina!” Tinny screeched, altering the Babybee captain to the two girls pulling each other’s hair.

“Cherry, Frida, stop that right now!” Bridget’s little cheersister ordered, rushing to break up the two girls. Standing there doing nothing was one of her fellow sophomores.

“Hey, you! Yeah, you, Miss Whiny Babybee. Get your shit together and keep your recruits from fighting,” Tinny commanded.

“I have a name, you know,” the JV cheerleader responded angrily. “Show some respect.”

“Respect? You get a fucking name when I say you’ve earned it!” Tinny screamed before performing a slow twirl to face all the girls. “Remember, being here is an honor and a privilege. Nobody gets a free pass or disrespects the cheer life. Got that? I asked if you got that?!”

A chorus of agreement met the upset varsity co-captain.

Suddenly, the petite brunette felt a tug on her orange spaghetti-strap top. After turning around, Tinny found a pensive-looking Brandy. The eight-year-old motioned for her sister’s co-BFF to bend down so that she could whisper into her ear.

“Children of the Corn? Where?!” Tinny questioned, turning to scan the cornfield opposite the barn. A frantic nudge directed her to turn back toward the barn. “Oh, fuck. They’re multiplying.”

A rusting, ancient-looking tractor lay at the end of the barn. While they weren’t children, two scruffy-looking teenagers used the long-abandoned tractor for support. The one with dark blond hair leaned against the old farm vehicle while his friend with auburn hair and big ears sat on the partially remaining seat.

Their attention shifted from the older cheerleaders leading the training to Miranda and Haley, who’d just appeared along the long side of the barn. The dark blond opened his mouth to reveal a large overbite.

“Looking good, sweetie,” he complimented.

While Miranda smiled politely, Haley turned to stare in disbelief at Overbite while Big Ears chuckled. Without missing a beat, the two varsity cheerleaders walked over by Tinny and Brandy. Shayla left the two remaining girls in Brandy’s group to them.

“Who are those two?” Haley questioned.

“I don’t know where they even came from,” Tinny admitted.

“I noticed them about five minutes ago,” Shayla revealed. “I could feel pervy eyes on me.”

“Hey, how’s it going?” a chipper voice asked, approaching from behind.

“Jesus, Cass, don’t fucking scare me like that!” Tinny responded. “Where the hell did you come from?”

“The house,” the bookish squad manager said, gesturing over her shoulder to the unseen home far in the distance. “Are the girls working out?”

“Surprisingly, I don’t think the oldest girls will make the cut. Besides, Lisa, of course,” Shayla relayed. “Frida and Cherry can’t stop arguing, and Hillary doesn’t seem all that coordinated.”

“Graham wasn’t sure if Frida even wanted to try. He said she kept waffling about her interest. I think Harvey convinced her yesterday when he called home,” Haley revealed.

“I think Cherry and Hillary just came along with Lisa to see what was happening. Neither shows any interest or skill,” Miranda said.

“Really? I thought I heard that Cherry was on the Meadowmilk squad last year,” Cassie recalled.

“That’s the point. She was on their squad last year but not this year,” Shayla noted.

“Lauren mentioned she can be a complainer,” Miranda passed on.

“So, how are you getting along with your two future squadmates?” Cassie asked Brandy, noticing that Sherry Stackhouse and Trista Guillory had wandered over by them.

“I like Sherry,” Brandy announced, moving to side-hug her fellow eight-year-old. The bubbly girl with dark brown hair beamed at the comment. “I think she’s on probationary friend status.”

Haley rolled her eyes while Tinny nodded as she fully agreed with her neighbor.

“And are you and Trista getting along?” Cassie asked, gesturing to the sporty-looking girl with light brown hair.

“Eh, I’m not sure. There’s something about her.”

Having just joined the group, Tanith covered her mouth to keep from laughing at Brandy’s bluntness.

“Excuse me. Maybe I’m the one who doesn’t like the girl running around like a wild maniac,” Trista responded.

“Now it’s official. I don’t like you!” Brandy shot back, unknowingly triggering a lifelong feud.

“Okay, okay, let’s not fight,” Shayla said, attempting to play peacemaker. She motioned for Tanith to take Sherry and Trista back to the practice spot.

“That wasn’t very nice, Brandy,” Cassie admonished. “What did we say about being rude to others?”

“That it’s okay if they deserve it,” Tinny answered first.

“Tin!”

“I got more important things on my mind,” Brandy declared, nodding her head toward Overbite and Big Ears. “I bet those two creeps are with Dahmer.”

“Who’s Dahmer?” Haley asked.

“Kimberly’s boyfriend,” Tinny said.

“He’s not her boyfriend,” Miranda insisted. “And be nice to him. He’s the one letting us use the barn.”

“You mean the creepy horror movie barn? Oh, yeah, I’m going to thank him with a handjob for such an honor,” Tinny shot back.

“Tin!” Cassie squealed, prepared to scold her for talking in front of Brandy that way. Then, she realized everyone talked that way around the youngest Fallon sister.

“Wait, so those two creeps perving on us are friends with Kimberly’s date?” Haley asked.

“Oh, you’re talking about those two guys? Yes, they’re Gilbert’s friends. Uh, I think the redhead is named Chet or Chip. Can’t say I caught the other one’s name. Kimmie went to school with them before she moved,” Cassie explained.

“I’m feeling unsettled,” Tinsley declared.

“I got a bad feeling,” Brandy added, sharing a nod with her older version.

“Don’t encourage her,” Miranda said, but nobody could tell who she said it to.

“I bet Kimberly is their inside man. Creepy killers living on a farm always have that one person who ropes in the victims,” Tinny speculated.

“Only Kimberly isn’t very good at her role,” Brandy pointed out.

“Oh, good call, Dee! The bait is usually sweet and innocent,” the cheer co-captain noted.

Miranda shook her head while Shayla palmed her face. On the other side, Haley looked at the two county boys more suspiciously.

“I won’t be surprised when Kimberly reveals her true colors and locks us in the barn,” Tinsley declared.

“Okay, Tin, knock it off. Show some gratitude to your host and his friends,” Cassie directed.

“Dee, when they aren’t watching, slip in that storage shed and find us a few weapons,” Tinny ordered, earning a nod back.

“You will do no such thing, Brandy! If you do, your mother will hear about it,” Cassie threatened before glancing around. “Where are Fawn and Wrenn? They need to keep you out of trouble.”

---

With the sun streaming through the cracks in the barn’s boards, Bridget stepped past one ray beam to duck behind the float. Finding a smidgeon of privacy in a dusty, spiderweb-filled corner, Bridget struggled to roll up her tight shorts' ends. Next, she shimmied her royal blue spaghetti-strap top up to reveal a thin section of her taut stomach. Finally, she pinched her nipples in order to harden them. Once satisfied, the caramel blonde began her hunt.

Sliding around the float, Bridget made a bee-line for River Sandberry. She walked behind Rain and in front of Posey as they worked on the homecoming float. Already hovering on River’s opposite side, Annette spotted Bridget coming over. The gazes met in a mutual understanding of the competition. With the gloves thrown off, Annie blatantly undid another button on her already barely buttoned-up shirt. The move left all of her red bra-encased D-cups exposed.

Strutting over with confidence that could only come from being the fantasy of most of Honey Hollow High’s male population, Bridget exaggeratedly swayed her hips. Her spaghetti-strap top clung to her like a second skin, revealing a deep V of cleavage. The heat of Annette’s jealous eyes sparked a competitive fire inside the caramel blonde.

"Hey, River," Bridget said, her voice filled with sweet honey. A smile played at the corner of her lips as she positioned herself on his right, her own set of large, firm breasts straining against the fabric. If Annie wanted a big tit fight, then her captain would show off her superiority. "I can’t thank you enough for lending a hand. I think you shocked Sela.”

“No problem. I’m happy to lend a hand. Sela wouldn’t stop worrying about how behind you girls are on the way over here. I wanted to thank her for showing me around campus and introducing me to a ton of people,” River said cheerfully, his voice a deep rumble that caused shivers in the two competing cheerleaders.

Never missing a beat, Annette sighed in disappointment to catch his attention. When she saw his eyes flicker over, the brunette looked up at him through her eyelashes, her expression inviting his eyes to wander downward. For added effect, the slutty cheerleader gave the most imperceptible bounce on her feet that sent her bra-exposed breasts a jiggle.

“You know, I’m the one who came up with the idea for this year’s float,” Annette stated, leaning in closer to the point that her breasts practically rested on River’s left arm. The position made it nearly impossible for him to use the arm to work on the float.

“I thought, um, that one cheerleader…Rain was the person behind your float,” River recalled with a confused expression.

“Oh, Rain merely designed our float’s structure. I’m the girl who came up with our theme,” Annie clarified.

Bridget's smirk grew wider as she watched Annette's blatant attempt to monopolize River's attention backfire because she left an easy opening for her captain. Positioning herself strategically, the sun-kissed blonde placed her left hand on River's right bicep, her touch feather-light yet claiming. The feeling on his skin caused the surfer to turn away from Annette and look at Bridget. Their eyes locked on each other’s with intensity.

“Actually, Annette created our original theme," the buxom blonde began, words ready to slice off Annie’s claim. Then, with eyes sparkling mischievously, she gave her rival a hint of credit. "'Shake Your Pom-Poms' was a solid idea. Maybe a little too provocative, but I like to be that way sometimes. However, circumstances changed, and we needed to adjust. I do feel bad that we had to discard Annie’s idea, but we need a more wholesome theme for the new purpose.”

"Wholesome? Bridget, the dance squad's float is going to be all glitz and glamour, and we're sitting here playing Miss Goody Two-Shoes. That's not how you win Homecoming!” Annette scoffed before stepping closer to River. Close enough to drop her voice down to a conspiratorial whisper. "We need to make a statement. Something bold, something that makes everyone remember us. That’s why I created 'Shake Your Pom-Poms.'"

"I suggested 'Today, Tomorrow, The Future' because I thought it was more appropriate for recruiting younger girls. Our float isn't just about us. It's about the squad, the school, and the little girls who look up to us and will comprise the future cheer squads. Do you really want them to think cheerleading is just about... well, what you're trying to sell? I don’t think their parents would like it." Bridget glanced at Annette, her eyes glinting with a challenge. "After all, we wouldn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, would we?"

“I think some of the fathers might enjoy my idea. So, River, do you prefer to play it safe, or do you like to get a little... naughty?" the busty brunette began, her voice a purr that hinted at her next move."

Bridget didn’t see Annette’s move. However, she did witness River’s startled jump when her fellow cheerleader’s hand dropped down to give his firm ass a teasing squeeze.

"You know, I love to live a little and break some rules,” Annie proclaimed.

Suddenly, before Bridget could respond, a loud shriek interrupted her flirting.

“Saboteur!” a young voice screamed. “You’re a saboteur!”