Under the bright stadium lights, Mike stood on the sidelines in a cheerleader’s uniform that hugged every new curve. His eyes were locked on the field where he was once the fastest running back his college had ever seen. But now, instead of a helmet and pads, he wore mascara and a short skirt that barely covered his (much wider) hips.
“Michelle,” Nancy, the squad leader yelled, “Get your head in the game! You’re a cheerleader now. And for God’s sake, stop looking so mopey. Smile!”
Mike forced his lips into a grin and stepped forward. The team’s logo was emblazoned across his breasts, which bounced with each jump and cheer. “Let’s go, boys! Push ‘em back, push ‘em back! Waaaay back!” Mike chanted with feigned enthusiasm as he shook the pom-poms.
The crowd cheered, but many stared at him with curiosity. Rumors had spread like wildfire about how the star player had become the newest addition to the cheer squad.
After the game ended, Coach Simmons approached with a frown. “Good job out there tonight. You’ve got quite the talent for rallying spirits.”
Mike’s fists tightened around her pom-poms. “I should be out there playing, not cheering.”
“Yeah, and we lost because you weren’t,” Simmons barked. “But you had to get caught juicing before playoffs last season. And the worst part is those ‘steroids’ definitely weren’t made for guys. Your scumbag dealer didn’t bother to check, and you... Well, look at you now.”
Anger surged through Mike as he remembered the unexpected weight gain, the softening skin, and the way his nipples swelled and ached as they grew into breasts. He’d been reckless, taking whatever pills he could get his hands on without question, desperate to maintain his edge.
“I didn’t know,” Mike mumbled. “They were supposed to make me stronger.”
Simmons laughed. “Stronger? Son, those injections made you into a fine piece of—”
“Don’t,” Mike cut him off with a glare that could kill.
The coach raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright,” Simmons said. “Point is, you can’t play anymore. Not like this. You’d get crushed out there with what’s happened to your body.”
Mike looked down at himself. It was true...probably literally. 
As the coach walked off, Nancy handed him a water bottle. “Your throat must be parched from all that cheering. Here, hydrate.”
“Thanks,” he muttered. 
“You’re doing great, Michelle. Except for not smiling! But who knows? Maybe you’ll come to like being with us on the sidelines.” 
“No way. I’m not... I wasn’t meant for this.”
“Look, right now, you’re one of us. You should own it.” She twirled her hair around her finger. “Besides, we have a lot of fun when the boys aren’t around. Trust me, the best way to get with a cheerleader is to be a cheerleader. The things I could teach you, hun...”
A flush creeped up his checs. “I don’t.... I just want to—”
“What? Go back to being Mike the mighty running back? Honey, that ship has sailed. You’ve got hips and tits now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still be a star.” She gestured to the stands, now emptying as fans filed out. “They came for the game, but they stayed for you. Every eye was on Michelle, the cheerleader with more bounce to the ounce than any girl out there. Think about it. And when you do, come find me. I’m a senior. I’ll need a new girl to take the lead.”
Mike watched her walk away, the sway of her hips exaggerated for his benefit. He stood rooted to the spot as the floodlights dimmed and a cool night breeze swept through the stadium.
Maybe Nancy was right. What was the point in fighting the inevitable? There was power in being the center of attention. He’d always loved the attention of being a star far more than the game itself. So, if you’re gonna be gawked at no matter what, might as well own the stage.