An Accidental Midriff

Try-Out Trouble - Part 2

During lunch, Stephanie had sat down with some of the girls from last semester's cheerleading squad. They weren't exactly friends but she figured she may as well make an effort to socialize with them if they were to be future squadmates.

She waited for a pause in the conversation and asked, "So, are you guys gonna try-out again afterschool?"

"No way," said Sheila, last semester's lead cheerleader. "Tony Richmond and Blake Sandoval are going to fight. Blake told his girlfriend to tell Tony's girlfriend that if he saw Tony after winter break, then Blake would kick his ass."

Stephanie stared at her blankly.

"Well, there's no way we're missing that! Besides, Coach Tania said she would save our spots, so it's not like you can swoop in and take our spots. That's what you were thinking of doing? Right?"

Stephanie's mouth twitched. "Wh... what? No, I.."

"Whatever, vulture," Sheila interrupted. "You didn't get in last year and you won't get in this year either. You're just not cut out for it. Simple as that." She waved her hand as if to say 'you're dismissed'.

Stephanie was fuming. She picked up her tray and stormed off while the other girls snickered.

She threw away her half-eaten lunch and found sanctuary in one of the school buildings. There was a big ugly poster over the front doors: "Fitness Initiative - Get Involved!" She rolled her eyes. Most of the students and staff were in the main quad for lunch, so she didn't have to worry about bumping into anyone in there.

Or so she thought.

Stephanie sobbed lightly. Maybe she is better than me. She did get on the team, after all. She's prettier, cooler, more popular. I'm just... me. She looked down at her outfit. Whereas Sheila had been wearing a gorgeous summer dress that showed off her flawless legs and shoulders, Stephanie was wearing an old t-shirt and some grungy jeans. She pouted as she looked down and saw her belly peeking out from her shirt. I have nothing. No colored eyes. No luscious blonde hair. No flawless neckline. Just a fat belly. She looked at the little bit of belly and poked it. It was soft, and from her angle, seemed to protrude out stubbornly. How is Ben even an option for me? Look at me! she poked her lower tummy again and groaned. I've got nothing. Just a chubby belly that doesn't want to stay hidden away from the world. That's where it really belongs.

As she entertained these depreciative thoughts she rounded a corner and almost crashed right into someone. Her eyes darted from her belly up to a tall Indian man. They both stopped in their tracks. "Oh, I'm so sorry Coach Bahl. I wasn't paying attention," she said apologetically.

"Indeed..." he dragged the word. "And what exactly are you doing here in the halls?"

"Oh, I.. umm.. stayed after class a little bit to help Mr. Garcia with some... decorations in his room." She pressed her lips together, hoping Bahl would accept the lie.

"I see..." he dragged on the last word again. His eyes scanned her skeptically and locked onto the little bit of exposed belly. "And what have you got to say about this violation of the dress code, young lady?"

Stephanie felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. No, this couldn't be. Am I about to be dress coded? I have got to think of something. Fast!

"Oh... this?" Stephanie pointed at her shirt. "This is a one-hundred percent appropriate shirt! I had it personally checked in by.. umm.. Garcia," she smiled nervously. Garcia was the first teacher name that came to mind.

"Garcia..." again, he dragged the last syllable of the word. "Well, in any case, this," one of his long hairy fingers sprang out and, for a second, Stephanie thought he was going to poke her tummy. Instead, he waved it around in front of her exposed skin. "This... is not going to work. I'm afraid you must report to the detention office immediately and retrieve a loaner shirt to wear for the remainder of the day."

Stephanie's face paled. "There's nothing wrong with the shirt!" she blurted out. "Look!" She grabbed the bottom hem of the shirt and pulled down as far as she could. She felt the fabric stretch and even tear in some places as she held the hem down. She looked up desperately at Bahl and noticed his eyes had been surveying her. He looked her up and down not unlike a fat kid looks at cake; or a lion looks at a tasty gazelle. Her shirt finally covered any exposed belly skin at the cost of hugging her seductive form tightly. The outline of her breasts were readily apparent. Bahl enjoyed her torment. She seemed to have made herself as small as possible for him. "...See? n..no problem here!" beamed Stephanie miserably.

"Heh," Bahl scoffed, "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Guess you're right. I'll look the other way this time. But don't let me catch you with your belly... showing again." She didn't like the way he said 'belly'. It dragged on like those other words.

After nodding obediently, Coach Bahl swept right past her. Then, the bell rang. Phew, that was a close one. She wiped some sweat off of her forehead and headed to her next class.