Disclaimer: I am using a reference to 'That's So Raven' in this chapter. I do not own 'That's So Raven' nor do I own the rights to the CD 'Jock Jams,' the song 'Let's Get Ready To Rumble' or 'Land of a Thousand Dances.'

An Old Friend

Chapter 8—Running for Mascot

Tomorrow was Friday, and Kris still had no clue as to what the mascot was supposed to do. She knew she needed a great routine to impress the crowd. There was only one other person trying out for the position but Kris still needed to be ready. She decided to ask Keely for help before school.

"So you want my help coming up with a routine for mascot tryouts?"

"If it isn't too much trouble."

"Well, okay. For one thing, you'll be expected to do your routine to music. I think I know the song that is perfect for you." Keely pulled a CD out of her backpack with the words "Jock Jams" on it. "It's called 'Let's Get Ready to Rumble.'"

"I know that song."

"Are you serious? You've heard that song in the future?"

"Yeah. It's been redone so many times nobody knows the original singer. I had no idea it dated back this far."

"Wow. Well, this is the original song as far as I know."

"Cool!" Kris was ecstatic. "So when do we start?"

"After school in the gym. Come with me during lunch to the activities office. We can ask for a pass to use the gym after hours."

"Great."

Later at lunch:

"Mr. Sansworth, we were wondering if we could have a pass to use the gym after school today. I know it is really short notice but if nobody is using it Kris would like to practice her routine for mascot tryouts tomorrow," said Keely.

Mr. Sansworth turned to Kris. "So you're the roaring girl I have been hearing so much about. You just started yesterday and you're already getting involved in school activities. I like to see that in students. Let me check to see if the gym is free this afternoon. Mr. Sansworth looked through his schedule. "Well it looks as though the main gym is reserved for a karate tournament; however the back gym is free. It is smaller so I don't know if it will be good enough for your routine."

"I can make due with it. I wasn't planning on using the entire gym for my routine anyway," Kris told him.

"Excellent. I'll write you up a pass so you can get back to lunch." He wrote something on a piece of paper and handed it to Kris. "Don't lose that. If a teacher comes up to you after school you are going to need that pass."

"I won't. Thank you Mr. Sansworth."

Kris put the pass in the front pocket of her backpack and the two of them headed back to lunch.

After Science class, Greg once again came up to Kris. "Yo Kris. I just wanted to give you a heads up on something that will impress the people judging the tryouts. During basketball games, the crowd likes to see the mascot make a trick shot."

"What's a trick shot?"

"Well, the mascot is given a basketball and has to jump off a small trampoline towards the basket. While in the air he or she can do any trick at all but must place the ball in the hoop. Oh and you have to do all of this wearing the lion costume, that includes the tail. In fact, your whole routine is in that costume considering you will be wearing it during the time you are acting as mascot."

"What costume are you talking about?"

"It's just a costume made to look like lion. We have several because they are dry clean only. It is one size fits all as the bottom part is adjustable. It covers your entire body except for your eyes, hands and feet. There is an opening for hour mouth and nose so you can breathe but they won't be visible. You get to wear your own sneakers until we can order the lion paw sneakers in your size. You will get the sneakers whether you win or not. Since there are only two people trying out, the loser will be backup in case something happens to the other one."

"I have the gym reserved today, but I don't have a trampoline, a costume or a basketball."

"You can just pretend for now. I'm sure at tryouts tomorrow, you'll make a great impression." With that Greg and Kris left for their 7th period classes.

After school Keely told Kris to just listen to the music and make up a dance or something. They would work with whatever she came up with.

Keely turned on the music and Kris just took off. She started off by "raising the roof" and moved in to "walk like an Egyptian." Then she pretended to swing a tail. She switched into a spinning box step, jumped up, flipped over, landed on one hand and then rolled back on to her feet. She then did the same thing backwards. She did all of this with one hand gripping an imaginary basketball. Keely looked on in amazement as Kris literally pounced off the back wall of the gym and started sprinting on three limbs while pretending to dribble a ball. Right before she got to the basket she lifted her hand, jumped a foot in front of her and jumped again. While in the air she did a half spin, dunked the imaginary ball in the hoop while facing the other direction and then swung back under the backboard, her body went under and over the bars holding the basket up and the wall and Kris landed on all fours on the gym floor. To finish it off, she made a loud roar which echoed of every corner of the gym.

Kris got up from the floor. "So what did you think?"

Keely stood there with her mouth wide open staring at her.

Kris waved her hand in front of Keely's face. "Keely are you okay?"

Keely closed her mouth and blinked several times. "That was amazing. You should try out for gymnastics!"

"One thing at a time Keely. Besides, if I used these abilities for competitions, It would be like cheating."

"Well aren't you entering a competition to see if you can be mascot? What makes that any different?"

"Well for starters, Greg says the loser will get to be backup mascot, so they don't really lose anything. For another thing, I am not doing anything to win a medal or anything; this is just to show school spirit."

"I guess that's okay. Can you remember everything you did today in that routine of yours?"

"Most of it."

"Good. I don't think you need any more practice. Remind me to tell the judges not to give you a trampoline for your act."

"Why?"

"Trust me; you don't need one."

The next day at mascot tryouts it seemed like the whole school was there including half the staff. Apparently everyone wanted to see the new girl in action. The other competitor, Don, went first. He had an impressive act. He did his routine to "Land of a Thousand Dances." Kris sat on the bleachers in her borrowed lion costume, while she watched Don shake his tail, "raise the roof," and get down on his hands and wave his legs in the air. He got back on his feet, held his knees and walked while crouching over. Then he did two toe touchies in the air. He then danced his way over to the basket where somebody tossed him a basketball. He jumped onto the trampoline did a complete spin in the air and did a slam dunk. When he returned to the floor, the crowd applauded.

Don walked modestly over to Kris and outstretched his hand. Kris shook it. "Good luck," Don said. "Thanks."

Kris got off the bleachers and Don took off the lion head and sat in her place. Kris put her lion head on. (She was not very happy with the fact that the costume was male.) She walked over to where the ball had landed and watched as the trampoline was taken away. Many gasps were heard in the stands. They couldn't believe Kris would attempt a trick shot without it. The music started and Kris got to it. She "raised the roof," 'walked like an Egyptian, twirled her tail and did everything she did the day before. The crowd went silent with amazement as Kris once again pounced of the gym wall and sprinted on three limbs while dribbling the ball. When she got to the basket she did her jump into a half spin, dunked the ball and swung under and over the bars landing on the gym floor with all four limbs planted firmly on the ground. Kris roared and the crowd broke out of their trance and went wild. Cheers were heard from the stands. The applause was deafening. Kris swore the noise could be heard all the way outside and down the street.

Kris went back and sat next to Don. "You were awesome!" he told her after the noise died down. "How did you learn to do that?"

"It's a gift."

"Great job Kris," said Phil in the rise right above them.

"Thanks."

Kris and Don patiently awaited the results. After a few minutes the waiting was over.

"By a unanimous vote, Kristine Turner is H.G. Wells High School's new mascot. This means that Don Jordan will be backup. If in the event Kris is unable to fulfill her duties as mascot, Don will take her place. Congratulations!"

The students practically jumped off the stands to congratulate Kris. She was being asked so many questions at once. She ducked down and crawled on all fours out of the crowd. She then ran to the bathroom to change. The boys couldn't follow her there, but the girls were pouring in. Kris knew now that her newfound popularity came at a price. Finally the girls left the bathroom and the school was quiet. Kris went home with Phil and Pim where she was once again congratulated.

That evening when Kris went off to bed:

"Finally I can get some peace and quiet."

Snore!

"Or not."