Cheerleaders

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In Junior High I rode my bike almost everywhere

That day I had a flat tire, and I was walking it home

I felt especially satisfied about this flat tire because

It wasn’t caused by a nail or a piece of glass

It was caused by the ground after I landed an especially large jump

Over an especially large hole

I was good

So good on that bike

(my fake dad Archie later called me the best in California 

To his entire real estate office

Which was not a reflection of his pride in me

But a chance to brag, and was also far from the truth)

I had made the jump, and immediately heard a hissssss of air 

As it moved quickly out of the rubber tube

And that was why I was walking and not riding

My red bike as I saw the two attractive Cheerleaders 

Strolling down the sidewalk toward me

Walking gave me enough time

To think that they might somehow know the origin of my flat tire

But not enough time to realize the folly of that same thought

So as I passed, filled with confidence 

I smiled

I was good

So good on that bike

I was surprised to find that both Cheerleaders

Pulled back their full lips

And smiled back

Revealing dimples

And white teeth

And perfect skin

And hope

I felt a skip coming and held it back til I passed

At which point I looked over my shoulder to see 

Red and white fabric

Hanging on perfect frames

Then

I saw them look at each other

Showing me their perfect profiles

And within a few steps

(Too close for them to think they’d be out of ear shot)

They began a cheer:

U. G…. 

U. G. L. Y!

You’re UGLY!

Yeah, YEAH…

You’re UGLY.

I don’t remember the rest of the cheer

But remember the way their beautiful backs looked 

as they laughed at me and sung

And walked toward whatever beautiful cheerleaders walk toward. 

I was 15

And

I was good

I was so fucking good

On that bike

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