Stan had been absent for most of Spring semester. First he had been ill for a long time and then when he on shaky legs had attempted to go downstairs he had fallen and broken his leg. Even if there were only two weeks left of the semester he wanted to go back to school so he wouldn’t fall even further back. He had tried to keep up from bed but he still would have to spend much of summer break to make up what he had lost. Amazingly it was John who had helped him most. John, the new student, who Stan only had been friends with for a short time before falling ill. It was also John who had convinced Stan to wear a skirt to accommodate the cast better. Even if it was strictly against the school dress code.

Stan regretted that as soon as he got into the school building supported by John. The first thing he saw was the strict disciplinarian vice principal heading their way.

John: “Sir, could you please give Stan a waiver for the skirt. It’s so much more practical with cast.”
Vice principal: “John, since it’s you asking: No problem. I’ll come to your class with the paper later. I see that you took the football team’s advice and wore a shorter skirt. Very nice skirt. Talking about your legs. The results of the beauty poll are in. You won in the category “legs”. Keep up the good work. You’ve got my vote for the “School Spirit” award this year.”

The vice principal hurries away to fix the waiver for Stan. Stan looks at the very short skirt John is wearing.

Stan: “You really panicked that day at the beginning of the semester when you wore a skirt not knowing the rules.”
John: “You can say that. I panicked so much that I wound up both a cheerleader and Wolf’s, Wolfgang’s, girlyfriend. Too late to back out later but it’s all fake you know. Wolf knows I have no feelings for him and he’s OK with that as long as I go through the motions. The girls, and boys, in the cheerleading squad know I will drop it next year as well. All fake, all fake.
Stan: ”Can I see that list? Yes, pretty legs but you suck at other parts.”
John: “No, I don’t! I have the 20th prettiest face. And I’m the 12th girliest. And I don’t suck. No sucking for me. I’m a normal heterosexual boy. So what if I like to wear skirts?”
Stan: “A very normal cheerleader heterosexual boy wearing a very short skirt and with a hunky boyfriend.”
John: “All fake, all fake.”
Stan: “I bet you even don’t look at the girls in the locker room any longer.”
John: “What do you expect after all those months. And since it’s all “look but don’t touch” … I only wish Bill wouldn’t ogle me.”
Stan: “So you are four “boy” cheerleaders now” (air quotes).
John: “No need to do that. We are just cheerleaders doing our thing for the school. All fake from my side and it’s soon over. Wolf will graduate and I will drop cheerleading. I’m just going through the motions.”

At that point the girls’ coach comes up.

“Nice to see you back in school Stan. Have you cleared the skirt with the vice principal?”
“Yes miss. The waiver is in the mail.”
“John, there is something I want you to think about. I know that you have only been a cheerleader for a semester but the way you have progressed and especially your contagious enthusiasm at the same time as you keep an A- average makes me consider you as head cheerleader next year. I know it’s a big responsibility so take your time and give me an answer tomorrow.”
“I’m honored that you think I can fulfill the role. Amy will be a hard act to follow. I will think about it but tentatively I’m all thrilled.”

The big nose tackle Wolf is hovering next to the small group.

“My favorite cheerleader, head cheerleader next year! I almost hope they will keep me back a year so I can see that. This calls for a celebration. Let’s go and tell the team the good news.”

With a shriek and a big smile John leaps into the big boy’s embrace. Together with his very girly girlyfriend snuggling up to him Wolf heads towards the football team’s locker room to spread the good news. Stan is left alone.

To himself, with an indulgent smile: “Fake it till you make it.”

Then he realizes what an amazing friend he has, and has to live up to. John not only is an A student and a cheerleader. To that comes his social obligations. Not much free time for John and most of that he has spent helping Stan.

Stan takes a first step towards the first class. He winces, not only from pain but also from knowing he will be far behind everyone else. Then he realizes that that is the wrong attitude. So he knows less than the others. That only means that he has the joy of sponging up more learning. Stan takes his second hobbling step in his now legal skirt, a wide smile plastered over his face. Of course it’s all fake – for now.