Several days later after school, Kim and Jenny were heading for their usual exit.
"Now that you've been here a few days, have you thought about any extracirrics?" asked Kim.
"As a matter of fact, I have," answered Jenny.
"Debate team? Chess? Book club?" asked Kim.
"Nah. I do okay with the textbooks, but you know me-- I'm an active girl," said Jenny.
"Basketball?" asked Kim.
Jenny shook her head. "And not cheerleading, either, if that's what you're thinking. You've got that wrapped up. I was thinking the gymnastics team."
"Ooohh, good choice. Middleton High's gym team hasn't done anything in several years, and with your talents, I can see them doing a lot better," said Kim with a smile. "They practice on days the cheer squad doesn't. Come on, I'll introduce you to Mrs. Finch, and put in a good word."
A few minutes later in the gym they found Mrs. Finch watching her team practice. She was a thin woman in her early forties with gray in her predominantly brown hair, and some muscle definition.
"Mrs. Finch, I want to introduce you to Jenny Wheeler," said Kim, getting the teacher's attention.
"Hi, Jenny, what can I do for you?" asked Mrs. Finch in a friendly voice.
"I'd like to try out for the gym squad," said Jenny.
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear, we've already had tryouts, and have a full roster," was the reply.
At Jenny's crestfallen face, Mrs. Finch thought for a moment. "Tell you what. I'll give you a tryout anyway, and if you're good enough, I'll put you down as an alternate."
Jenny's face brightened. "What does that mean?"
"Well, you'll have to come in and practice with the others, but you won't get to compete unless someone gets hurt and can't," Mrs. Finch replied.
Jenny shrugged. "Better than nothing, I guess," she replied, and turned her attention to the practicing girls.
After a few minutes of watching, she could tell that two had some talent, but the others were mediocre at best. They were all raw, and Jenny knew she could run rings around all of them. Literally.
"Jenny, go dress out, and when you get back we'll give you a try," said Mrs. Finch.
While she was gone, Kim asked Mrs. Finch if she had seen the video of Jenny's fight with Drakken's robot. As it turns out, she had. "That was her?" the teacher asked, "Well, then, she obviously has talent. Be interesting to see how she does."
When Jenny got back, Mrs. Finch blew her whistle. "Okay, team, Jenny here is going to try out as an alternate," she explained, and the others moved away from the equipment.
Jenny looked over the equipment, then did some stretches. Then she stepped back, took a few deep breaths, and started.
All of the witnesses, even Kim, were dazzled at the prowess Jenny exhibited. Parallel bars,
uneven bars, balance beam, rings, she twisted and turned like it was nothing. She ended by jumping high into the air, doing a triple flip, and ended in a classic pose.
Everyone gave her an ovation. She grinned and walked over to Mrs. Finch and Kim. The other girls clustered around her. "Ending was a bit rough," she panted, "I haven't done that in a long time." She looked at Mrs. Finch. "Did I make it?"
"Jenny, that was amazing! I've seen pros do worse!" said Mrs. Finch.
"I guess you made it, then," said Kim, grinning.
"Not only did you make alternate, would you be interested in being assistant coach as well?
I think you could help this team in a big way," said Mrs. Finch.
"I dunno..." said Jenny, "I've never done any teaching."
"Say yes, Jenny," said one of the girls, "We really need the help." And all the others encouraged her to take the job.
"Okay, okay, I'm in," said Jenny at last, and got a cheer from all concerned.
"She goes on missions with me and Ron. I hope that won't be a problem," said Kim.
"We'll work around it," promised Mrs. Finch.
"Then I'll see you back at the house," said Kim. "Don't forget to keep an ear out for your Jennunicator."
Jenny grinned. "I'll do it, Kim. And thanks."
kpkpkp
Jenny arrived home around seven, where she found her dinner waiting in the microwave.
She ate her food absently, barely noticing the taste, as she was deep in thought.
Taking a break from homework, Kim came into the kitchen, getting a soda. "How was it?"
she asked, sitting down at the table.
Jenny grinned. "I loved it! Mrs. Finch is great! She had me demonstrating some basic moves to the squad." She took a bite of chicken.
"I'm sure you'll be able to help them, even if it's only for this year," said Kim.
Kim started to get up when Jenny said, "I need some advice."
Kim sat back down. "Monique is way better with advice than me, but I'll help if I can."
"One of the girls on the team, Madison, offered to give up her place to me," said Jenny.
"I wasn't sure what to do, so I said I'd think about it."
"What do you want to do?" asked Kim.
Jenny sighed. "Part of me says take it. It would give me what I wanted. And it's not like I'd be doing anything evil, like throwing her off the team."
"But...?" said Kim.
"It feels wrong, but I don't know why," said Jenny, taking a drink of tea.
"I see..." said Kim. "Well, you're right, it isn't evil, so in the end it has to be your decision."
"Fat lotta help you are..." muttered Jenny.
Kim paused. "I'm sorry. I forget you're still learning to be a good guy." She sat, thinking. "Let me ask this: What are you bringing to the squad?"
"Talent, ability, and knowledge," said Jenny without pause.
"And what did Madison bring to the squad?" asked Kim.
Jenny sat and thought, brow wrinkling. "Well, she does have some talent, but it's raw. I'm not sure what else."
"A dream. She had a dream to be on the gym squad, and worked hard to get there," said Kim,
"There are girls on the cheer squad the same way."
Jenny sat and thought, while Kim took a drink of her soda.
"So... even though I'm more talented, and she offered to give up her spot... it would be wrong of me to take it because I would be crushing her dream," said Jenny.
Kim smiled. "You got it. I use my position as cheer captain to help and encourage those less talented to do better, and work harder, instead of just showing them up."
Jenny looked surprised. "You're right. Being an alternate doesn't matter, but as assistant coach I can help all of them do better."
"Now you're thinking like a good guy," said Kim with a smile.
Jenny blushed. "It isn't easy to think of being modest and putting others first after years of training in being evil."
"Really? What about that fight with Drakken?" asked Kim, "You put yourself in danger to protect me and Ron, and the other people nearby."
"That's different. You're my team, and I was taught to work with and take care of my team,"
answered Jenny, "That way we were more effective being evil."
"How is it different? The gym squad is your team too," pointed out Kim.
Jenny's eyes widened. "That's right..." suddenly she laughed, "What do you know? Evil training is being used for good."
Kim laughed as well.
"I'll tell Madison tomorrow that I'm going to stick to what I was offered," said Jenny, and Kim nodded. Jenny got an evil grin. "I'm also going to tell her that I'm going to ride her twice as hard as everyone else, so she'll be the best!"
Kim grinned. "Now you're being evil again."
"Yeah, but it's for a good cause," answered Jenny, and they both laughed.