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Summer was a favorite time of year for Fox. It meant warm weather, time with friends in the sun, and good food and cold drinks. Right now, lounging on the deck of Fay’s boat—a small pleasure vessel—off of a secluded shore, life was that good. And it was even better because Krystal was lounging in the chair next to him, a heart-stopper in one of her yellow bikinis that always made Fox blush despite how often she wore such swimsuits during the summer.
He heard paw steps. Fay appeared on deck, in her own red bikini, wearing sunglasses and eyeing the two of them with satisfaction. Fay never failed to make it a point to be the model hostess. That didn’t stop on vacations. And aboard her boat—The Silver Belle—that went double.
“I’m sorry that you both aren’t enjoying yourselves,” she said, giggling. “Rough life for all of us, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” said Krystal, sitting up from her chair. “We really should’ve said no to this invitation.”
Fox just shrugged.
“I’m glad we’re in agreement,” said Fay. She sat down on her own chair and looked out to sea. Fox followed her gaze, as did Krystal. The ocean was still as glass this afternoon, and the gentle motion of the boat was almost hypnotic with the calm atmosphere. Life was good.
“Say,” said Krystal, looking at the two of them. “I think I was promised another story.”
Fox rolled his eyes, and Fay’s tail started to wag. Fox was aware of how many tales Fay regaled the blue vixen with about his younger days, and seeing as Fay was his official big sister, she was a fountain of cute, silly, or sweet stories.
“Yes,” said Fay, “you were. Though, I can’t think of one right now.”
“I’m spared,” said Fox.
“Oh, no you aren’t,” said Krystal, leaning over and batting one of Fox’s ears. “Come on Fay, think of one! Surely there’s something to make him blush as red as that swim suit of yours.”
Fay tapped her cheek. Fox could see the gears working in her head. It was only a matter of time, as the spaniel had quite the memory, and Fox could only guess at what-
“Oh,” she said. Her smiled widened. Then widened even more, until her teeth were glittering. “Oh, I know.”
“What?” said Krystal.
“How about the one where me, Sheila, and Marie kidnapped Fox for the Summer Cheer meet?” said Fay. “Why don’t you tell it, Fox?”
A host of memories flooded back into his mind. Fox blushed, and Krystal looked delighted to see it. He sat up, and looked back to shore.
“I’ll be swimming back to shore, now,” said Fox.
“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” said Fay. “It’s a fun story, Foxy! Everyone had a great time. And Krystal would love it.”
“I am already vibrating in anticipation,” said Krystal, her own smile widening. “Come on, Fox. Please?”
Yup. He was doomed.
“Oh, alright,” said Fox. He leaned back in his chair, and faced the two girls. “Twist my leg and all that.”
“I will throw you into the ocean if you keep whining,” said Fay, giving him a pout.
Fox smiled. “Well…” He took a deep breath, “ok. Here is the one where I got kidnapped.”
And so began the story where Fox got kidnapped.
Fay (Fox) Tells All: The One Where Fox Got Kidnapped.
It began with a phone call.
Fox looked up as his phone rang on his desk. He was lounging on his bed on his belly, reading a comic book, enjoying a lazy Friday afternoon. Summer was on the horizon, and he was looking forward to summer vacation in the next few weeks, which would be spent with friends and his father. There would be similar lazy afternoons just like this one, watching sunsets and cartoons on TV, reading, trips to the beach, and long walks.
Getting off his bed, Fox padded over to his phone, and saw the placeholder image he used for whenever a certain Fay Sinclair was calling him; a selfie of her giving him a thumbs up, and a wink. He answered the phone.
“Fooooox~!” she said. “Oh, thank goodness you answered. We’d be doomed if you didn’t!”
Fox raised his eyebrows. “I doubt that, Fay, but if you say so. What’s up?”
“Me and the girls are on the way to your home right now.”
Fox blinked.
“Um…” he said, “did something happen?”
“No, just a decision was made amongst us, and we’re acting fast, Foxy,” she said. “Tell your father we’re on our way, and we-“
“Fox!” said another voice. Sheila’s. “We need to kidnap you for the weekend!”
Silence.
“You know, Sheila, phrasing is important,” said another voice. That would be Marie.
“Fay,” said Fox, now completely confused. “I need context?”
“You’ll get it when we get there!” she said. “See you soon!” The call ended.
Fox stared at his phone screen with the vague feeling that something silly was about to happen. That’s how it tended to be with the girls. His first year of school since meeting them was chock full of escapades ranging from cute things at his expense to embarrassing adventures also at his expense, but all the while he valued their friendship. Still, he wondered what could get them to drive to his home on short notice.
He walked downstairs to find his dad reclining on the sofa and reading. It was one of his long weeks of shore leave, as he called it, time spent relaxing and being with his son. James McCloud, though certainly one for an adventure, seemed the happiest when he was just enjoying time at home and being around Fox. Seeing his dad at ease never failed to make Fox happy, as well.
“Hi dad,” said Fox. “Um…so, I think Fay and the girls are on their way right now. And I have no idea why.”
It was a testament to how often those girls whisked Fox away on outings that James merely looked up from his book, and smiled while raising an eyebrow. “Cheer girls coming to pick up their favorite mascot?”
Fox blushed. “Probably. They sounded rushed.”
“Then whatever is about to happen when they do pull up to the house,” said James, his smile widening, “is going to be both very funny, and very entertaining.”
Fox rolled his eyes. “You could at least try to be concerned.”
“Nah, those girls are alright. This is just gonna be good,” said James.
Good it usually was. Fox could still see and hear his father laughing on the floor when, upon Fay, Sheila, and Marie meeting the legendary James McCloud for the first time, Sheila did the thing she usually did; think out-loud before her brain put the filter on. So she called James a “total DILF” to his face. Fay just looked at her, Marie held in her laughter, Fox gaped in mortification, and James lost it. That was probably the moment James knew Fox found good friends in those girls.
Fox’s memories were interrupted by the sound of a car sliding into the yard in front of the house, doors opening and shutting, and someone approaching the door. Fox had just enough time to turn towards the front door…and see it already opened, and an eager husky girl moving toward him with her arms open—
Boomf~.
“There you are!” said Sheila. “Oh! Hi Mr. James. We need to kidnap your son.”
“I told you,” said another voice—Fay’s—“not to call it that! And hi, Mr. McCloud. Sorry for the sudden visit.”
“I can see Sheila wasted no time with the greetings,” said Marie.
“Mmmmph!” said Fox, trying—and failing, as usual—to pull away from Sheila’s bosom. “What-mmph…”
“Let him go, Sheila,” said Fay. “We need his lungs intact.”
Sheila did let him go, and Fox caught his breath and saw the three girls standing in the living room. They all looked happy to see him, and that was one of the things that made it impossible to be mad at them for any of their escapades; they were always happy to see Fox and have him around. He smiled back.
James sat up on the sofa, and put his book aside. He leaned back, crossing his arms, and smiled.
“Yup, this is going to be good,” he said. “I can already tell.”
“So,” said James. “Let me see if I understand this.”
All three girls nodded, looking hopeful. Fox just watched.
“Foxy has been going to your competitions locally for a while. And every time he does, you girls win. So naturally, he’s a good luck charm?”
“Absolutely,” said Fay. “And he’s a great supporter.
Fox just blushed and smiled. “I like being there for my friends,” he said.
“You’re within hugging distance, Foxykins,” said Sheila. “Just so you know~.”
“And this weekend is the big competition between multiple schools in the area, held at a summer resort by the beach. And this is a big deal for the team,” said James.
The girls nodded.
“So, to be absolutely prepared, you need Fox, because his luck hasn’t failed you before, and you want to make sure nothing is spared to be ready for this weekend.”
“Exactly,” said Fay.
“And this is all on short notice.”
“…is it a little sudden,” said Fay. “But, really, Mr. McCloud, everything will be fine. We-“
“Of course he can go.”
All three girls looked on in shock.
“Poor you, Foxy,” said James, looking at his son with a faux-sympathetic look. “A young man doomed to a sudden summer trip, surrounded by young ladies like this that love you to bits. As much as it strains me, as your father, to allow this, I will gracefully bow out and let it happen.”
“Oh, hush,” said Fox. “I knew you would let me go, because it would be too funny not to.”
“It is a father’s first responsibility to mess with his son,” said James.
“Oh, thank you sir!” said Fay, now wrapping Fox in a hug from behind. “You have no idea how much this means! C’mon upstairs, Fox, let’s get you packed.”
“Man, Fox, your dad is so cool,” said Sheila. “Not only is he a total DILF-“
“Sheila,” said Fay and Marie, looking at her friend with imploring eyes.
James just chuckled. Fox let the girls lead him upstairs.
The girls were efficient packers. In only a little under ten minutes Fox had his bag packed; clothes, bathing suits, some books to entertain him, though Fay was clear that there would be plenty to do.
“Sometimes the best part of the weekend isn’t even the competition,” said Fay. “Sometimes it’s just the hanging out with friends.”
“There’s gonna be so much to do!” said Sheila. “There’s the city by the resort, the beach, the ocean…oh man, it’s going to be so nice!”
“Your dad’s right,” said Marie. “Poor you, just being stuck in the middle of it.”
“I only ask,” said Fox, sitting on his bed, “that it won’t be too crazy. Otherwise, I think it will be fun.”
All three girls looked at each other, smiled, and then looked back at him.
“Never mind,” said Fox, sighing. “I forgot who I was talking to.”
Fox’s instructions were to wake up early and be ready outside his house by 7 AM. The busload of girls would pick him up by 7:15.
So, he was outside by 7:00, rubbing sleep from his eyes, but otherwise awake. James woke up early himself to prepare Fox a good breakfast and a cup of coffee, and to “wish him well on this most perilous of trips.” He eyed the brightening summer sky, and smiled. He was going on a trip with friends. A trip that would likely be filled with some kind of nonsense—these were the cheer girls he was talking about—but it would be fun nonsense non-the-less. And hopefully nonsense without any major consequences. All the same, Fox trusted the girls. For however many situations Fay and the girls could get him into, they always got him out, and they always made it clear they had his back.
In fact, Fox considered that the reason why James so easily let him go on short notice was because he understood this. What better could a father ask for, for his son, then friends who looked out for him?
Fox was smiling fondly at these ruminations when, alongs the country road, came a large bus. It wasn’t a school bus, but rather a charter bus, and Fox realized his school found it fitting to give the team a little luxury for their last big competition of the year.
The bus stopped in front of him, and a window opened to reveal a familiar spaniel.
“Hulloo, Fox~!” said Fay. “Get in!” Fox heard giggles coming from inside the bus.
It finally set in that he would spending no small amount of time confined with a team of girls who loved to tease him to bits. Fox blushed, and boarded.
Evidentially Fox was one of the early pickups. Not every seat was taken, and some of the girls were wiping as much sleep from their eyes as Fox was. He saw the familiar faces, and they smiled back at him—one even pinched his cheek, a cheetah who never failed to spoil him—and he saw Fay, seated in one of the isles, and patting the seat next to her.
“Good to see you up, McCloud,” said a voice beside him. Mrs. Michelle, the teams coach and a tall and athletic Collie, gave him a fond smile. “I’m supposing Fay’s ‘mission’ to kidnap you worked?”
“Seems like it,” said Fox. “Glad to help out the team’s chances.”
He walked over to Fay’s isle and, after placing his bag in the overhead compartment, sat down beside her.
“Now to pick up the rest of the girls,” said Fay. She looked giddy to see him. “You’ll be sitting in the middle, here.”
“I’m guessing Sheila or Marie is on the other seat, trapping me in?” said Fox, raising an eyebrow.
“Good, you’re learning!” said Fay, rubbing his head fur. “That’s the plan.”
The first thirty minutes of the drive was picking up the other girls. Sheila and Marie came on board at the next stop, and it was Sheila who would be hemming Fox in. Marie sat in the row behind them. Once all the girls were picked up and on board, they were off to the resort.
At first, most of the girls decided to catch up on sleep, but beyond the first hour of the two-and-a-half-hour trip, the whole bus came alive with conversation. More than a few of the girls looked his way, apparently happy to note that their beloved good luck charm had, in fact, decided to go with them.
“Where are we staying, by the way?” said Fox. “At the resort itself?”
“Oh yeah!” said Sheila. “All the teams get rooms! And the place we’re staying in is the closest to the beach. They really roll out the red carpet for this competition.”
“Pretty much all the high schools in the greater Cornerian City area, and beyond, go to this meet,” said Fay. “The Summer Finals. It’s invitational, so you already have to be pretty good to even get invited.”
“So it’s the best of the best,” said Marie. The snow-leopard hung over the seat, her paws messing with Fox’s headfur. “You win this? Bragging rights for the entire summer.”
“I didn’t know it was that intense,” said Fox, his interest piqued. Fox loved a good competition. “Who will be there?”
“Well, the usual suspects. Us, which is Cornerian Central High. Then Coastal High, and then some other schools, including-“
“Them,” said Sheila, suddenly looking fierce.
“…who’s that?” said Fox.
“She’s referring to Southern High,” said Fay, her expression also serious. “They are…something of a sport juggernaut. In Cheer specifically, we have a big rivalry with those girls.”
“Those girls are full of themselves, and destroying them will feel glorious,” said Sheila.
“…I’ve never seen you so locked in, Sheila,” said Fox. It was kind of mesmerizing, seeing the normally ditzy husky look ready to destroy on the field of battle.
“Oh, you should see her at these meets sometimes,” said Fay. “Sheila’s built different when the stakes are high.”
They talked about other things—the beach, a little more about the resort, and the surrounding area—until Fox asked a question that just occurred to him.
“Oh,” he said. “Am I going to have my own room, being a boy?”
Fay cocked her head to the side. “Hm? Well, no. Fox, you’re staying in me and Sheila’s room.”
“Yup!” said Sheila, wrapping her arms around him.
“I should’ve figured,” said Fox. He could already feel the warmth of a blush on his face. “But, I mean…what about privacy for you two?”
“Fox, we know you won’t try anything, and we’ll work something out,” said Fay. “I mean, how couldn’t we? It’s you we’re talking about.”
“You girls put a lot of faith in me,” said Fox. He smiled.
“Oh?” said Fay. “Well, if anything, it just means we have you all to ourselves and our teasing whims,” said Fay, smirking.
At this point, Fox thought, he should know better than to tease back.
Fox remembered hearing somewhere—maybe it was Slippy who said this—that one of the funnest parts of any school trip was the drive. None of the students had to worry about driving, so essentially that left nothing but time for chatting, amusing themselves, and sleep. For pretty much the whole of the drive to the beach, that was the case onboard the bus. Stuck between Fay and Sheila, Fox overheard and participated in conversation, and when he wasn’t doing that, he was trying to read. The one time he did fall asleep, he awoke later to find himself leaning against Fay, who had put an arm around him and was reading her own book with one paw. Fox was too comfortable, so he closed his eyes again and got a few more minutes of shuteye.
The bus arrived at the resort in the late morning, and Fox just barely awoke from his long nap when the bus pulled in and stopped. Conversation picked up again as girls woke up and started chatting excitedly. Sheila herself woke up, stretched, and looked out the window.
“Well, we have great timing, Fox,” she said. “Right as we woke up, too!”
“What happens next?” said Fox, rubbing his eyes.
“Check in, and time to make ourselves at home,” said Fay. “Practices aren’t till later.”
Mrs. Michelle had all the girls disembark, Fox moving with Fay’s group. All of them—around fifteen girls, it looked like—filed into the lobby of the hotel, and Fox saw at once they would be staying in style. The hotel looked expensive, with its spotless furnishings, multiple restaurants along the lobby, and general atmosphere. It certainly looked like a resort hotel, and Fox figured this trip was starting to feel more like a vacation.
As Mrs. Michelle handed out room keys after check-in, groups of girls filed together and headed to their rooms. Marie would be staying with some other friends, and she waved to Fox, Fay, and Sheila as she walked away. When the time came for their keys, Mrs. Michelle arched an eyebrow at their group.
“I,” she said, “will be staying in the room two doors down from you three. I know this goes without saying, Mrs. Sinclair, but I’m hoping I won’t regret letting Fox stay with you two?”
“I thought you would ask me that?” said Fox.
Her response was patting his head. “Oh, I don’t expect problems from you, Fox. Fay and Sheila are just…rather exuberant sometimes.”
“It’s more like I have to be exuberant to keep Sheila in check, but I understand,” said Fay. “We’ll be good, Mrs. Michelle. Come along, Foxy!”
Fox followed the girls to the elevator, and after a short journey they were on the twelfth floor at the door to their room. Opening it, they found it was a two-bedroom suite, with a TV along the wall opposite the beds, a desk, some cozy chairs, and a large bathroom. Fox’s first impression of the hotel was correct. It was a very nice room.
“Alright, I’ll take the bed by the window,” said Fay. “Sheila, you take the other one. And…well, Rock-Paper-Scissors for the other thing?”
The girls did so, and Fay won. Sheila pouted.
“Well, that settles that,” said Fay. “Fox, you’ll be in my bed tonight.”
“Huh?” said Fox. “I mean….surely they have rollouts?”
“Fox, those are never as comfortable as the actual beds, and you are not staying on the floor,” said Fay.
“But-“
“No,” said Fay. Her hands were on her hips now, with her trademarked “big sister” look that she often brought to bear if Fox was being too stubborn about something. “My bed tonight. End of discussion.”
Fox blushed and tried to think about what he could say later to make Fay understand it wouldn’t be too bad if he slept on the floor. He would bring this up again tonight.
“Oh, look,” said Sheila, staring out the window. “Those girls just arrived.”
They all gathered at the window. Another charter bus was in the hotel parking lot, and stepping out of it was another cheer team. They didn’t seem all that different from the Cornerian Central girls, until Fox laid eyes on a feline who was clearly their leader; she stood in front of all of them, next to a lynx woman who seemed to be the coach, arms crossed and giving orders. She seemed more like a military martinet rather than a high school girl. The girls gave a shout, and then followed her inside.
“I’m gonna guess that’s Southern High?” said Fox.
“Oh yes,” said Fay, frowning. “And the girl at the front who thinks she’s gods gift to high school sports is Tiffany Sutherson, leader of those girls and probably the most bloodthirsty competitor in the sport. Like I said on the bus, Southern High already had a reputation of being a premier school for sports—if you go there, it’s already a given you’ll be scouted by college teams—but when Tiffany got there this year? They became a leader in cheer, with the only school able to keep up with them being-“
“Us,” said Sheila. “Because we’re better.”
“I like your moxie,” said Fay, giving Sheila a smile. “And Tiffany doesn’t like me in particular. I don’t think she gets how a girl like me who isn’t a complete tyrant can run a team as good as ours.”
“Well, it’s because you’re charismatic,” said Fox. “We all like you. So all the girls do their best for you.”
“He gives the sweetest answers to everything, doesn’t he?” said Fay to Sheila.
“Absolutely,” said Sheila.
Fox blushed. “It’s the truth,” he said.
Fay rustled his headfur. “Anyway, they will be the stiffest competition here. And if anything else, I want to make sure we beat them. I don’t care if we come second. As long as they are third, that’s a win.”
“And if we’re in first and they are in third?” said Fox with a grin.
“I will never let them live it down,” said Sheila with a wicked grin. “Oh my gosh I will make sure they never do.”
Fay checked her phone. “Oh, it’s almost time to head downstairs. The whole team is going out to an early lunch. Get your stuff sorted out, guys.”
Fox placed his bag on Fay’s bed. He let the girls place their things in the bathroom, even as he wondered how this arrangement was going to work, and how the rest of the weekend was going to go. It would probably be fine, but he knew some form of shenanigans was going to happen soon.
As soon as they stepped out of the elevator into the lobby, Sheila and Fay froze.
Three girls, wearing unmistakable Cornerian Southern High apparel, were milling about close by, talking. At almost the same time, all three of them spotted Fay and Sheila, and they too froze in place. One of them was Tiffany, and the way her eyes narrowed at the sight of Fay and Sheila was enough to make Fox uneasy. His two friends were not be intimidated however. They walked over to the group of girls, and a small stare-down began. Fox followed in behind them.
“So,” said Tiffany. Even when not shouting her voice sounded commanding. “I figured you all would be here.”
“All the big schools are going to be here, after all,” said Fay. “What made you think otherwise?”
“I have a hard time considering Central High a big school in cheer,” she said, crossing her arms. “You do have your supply of dumb luck when it comes to winning, I’ll admit. Beyond that, not much else.”
One of the girls beside her—a Sheppard dog—grinned maliciously. The other, a Golden Retriever, looked unsure. If this was the friend who was uneasy about what was about to happen, then Fox already felt a kinship with her.
“I could say the same thing,” said Sheila, standing tall to command her full—and formidable—height. “If they invited us, they could’ve saved space by passing on you girls.”
“And why is that?” said Tiffany.
“Let some other team get second or third,” said Sheila, shrugging. “Someone has to be the underachiever.”
Fox winced.
“And who is this?” said Tiffany, glaring at him all of a sudden.
“A friend,” said Fay. Now her voice had a hard edge. “Came along for the trip.”
“Is this the good luck charm I’ve heard about from other teams?” said Tiffany. Her scowl deepened. “I expected something more remarkable than a short kid.”
“Lay off Foxykins, or else,” said Sheila.
“Or else what?” said Tiffany.
All five girls glared at each other, and the competitive tension in the room became palpable. The air crackled with the intensity of mutual disdain, pride, and the hands that were about to be thrown if this kept up longer.
“There you girls are!” said a voice.
Mrs. Michelle walked over to the group, and instantly the atmosphere dissipated as the girls parted. It was an unspoken rule; fighting with adults present could only bring disqualification and worse, even if both parties were waiting for the other to make the first swing.
“Come along now, we’re all ready to leave to eat,” said Mrs. Michelle. Apparently everyone was already by the bus outside. Mrs. Michelle looked over as the Southern High girls walked away, raising an eyebrow, and then looked at Fay.
“…they weren’t causing any trouble, right?” she said.
“Nothing more than usual,” said Fay.
“Good,” said Mrs. Michelle. “Beat them on the court, girls, and don’t sink to their level off it.”
The restaurant the team chose was one of those big, buffet style restaurants that seem perfectly suited to feed and hold dozens of hungry high school kids. There were plenty of charter busses outside, indicating that other schools thought the same thing. Fox filed in with the rest of the team, and sat at a table with Fay, Sheila, Marie, and others. Soon he, just like them, was munching through a pile of food. The long bus drive left him hungry, just like everyone else.
Marie was filled in on the little encounter in the hotel’s lobby. She scowled.
“They touch Fox, they get hurt,” said the snow-leopard. “Simple as that.”
“Glad we all understand that,” said Sheila.
“I highly doubt,” said Fox, “that they will try anything.”
“Fox, high school sports is just like all sports, in that there is equal opportunity for both healthy competition and unhealthy pettiness,” said Fay. “They know you are our good luck charm. And if they are willing to do anything to win…”
“What are they going to do?” said Fox. “Capture me and take me to their room and hide me?”
All the girls looked at him with worried glances.
“…please don’t tell me you actually think that?” said Fox.
“Like I said, Fox,” said Fay, who started devouring her pasta. “Unhealthy amounts of pettiness.”
Conversation drifted into cheerier subjects. Practice would be that evening, and of course, Fox was expected to come along and bring his lucky vibes. During times they weren’t competing, they would spend time at the beach. Fox forgot his worries about what the girls expected to happen and settled into the comfort that comes from eating with friends.
Eventually, nature started to call for Fox, so he stood up and got to business finding the bathroom. As he walked, he moved into a part of the restaurant out of sight of the Central High team’s tables. And there, in the middle of a group of tables, was a long one held by the Southern High team.
Despite believing that any threat of ridiculousness was remote, Fox kept his eyes elsewhere and gave the table a wide berth. He could’ve sworn he saw one girl—and maybe it was Tiffany—look up and see him, but he didn’t stop to check. He found the bathroom, and did his business.
On the way back, he absolutely saw one girl next to another—and yes, that was Tiffany—point in his direction.
Fox frowned. He didn’t look at them, and kept walking to his table.
When he arrived, Fay saw the look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“…so,” said Fox, “the Southern Girls are here-“
Sheila’s paw clenched.
“-and I think they’re…noticing me?” said Fox.
Sheila stood up.
“Cover me, Fay,” said the husky with grim determination. “Time to start swinging-“
Fay practically lunged at her friend while still sitting, and grabbed her paw. “No, Sheila, we are not fighting in a restaurant. Sit back down.”
Sheila whined as she sat down. “But, Fay, you know they’re plotting something.”
“Oh, I know,” said Fay. “Fox, keep on your toes.”
“They can’t really be-“ said Fox.
All three girls gave him a hard look.
“…alright,” said Fox. “I’ll be careful.”
One more thing happened as they were leaving the restaurant. Once again, Fox saw some Southern High students looking his way. The ones closest to Tiffany seemed to be whispering to each other, all except the Golden Retriever girl, who still looked uneasy. She even raised her paw slightly to wave at him.
Fox opted to keep this to himself. Anymore proof that those girls were actually plotting something and perhaps Fay wouldn’t be so keen to hold Sheila back from doing something stupid.
The rest of the evening was dedicated to practice. One of the buildings of the resort had a gymnasium large enough for the Cornerian Central girls, and two hours passed in heavy practice. It was during moments like these that Fox actually saw Fay, Sheila and Marie—usually a ditzy, fun trio—lock in mentally and show that they were truly the best the team had. Sheila and Marie were physically impressive, and Fay was all that and a competent leader. It was like a switch flicked in her head, going from her usual easy-going self to a focused athlete. She loved reminding Fox that Cheer was one of most dangerous sports for high schoolers. The potential for something to go wrong when a girl is flipping through the air didn’t need to be said, but it did need to be acknowledged, and Fay made sure every girl knew their routines down to muscle memory.
Fox wondered if this “switch” was how his father worked. Uncle Peppy let him know, with all his stories, that his father—goofy, memorizer of a thousand dad jokes and true believer in the dictum that a father’s first duty to his son was to mess with him—was a peerless, focused, and deadly serious leader and pilot. When he locked in, he was just different.
With these idle musings Fox watched the girls, while he clapped and cheered. Once practice was over, all the girls were clamoring for showers. Fay, Maire, and Sheila walked towards him.
“Yeah, we’re ready,” said Fay. “Say, Fox, wanna make a bet?”
Fox knew those were words were exceedingly dangerous. “What is it?”
Fay rolled her eyes. “Can you just say yes without asking for context?”
“The last time,” said Fox, “that I did that, and I lost, you made me put the cheer uniform on.”
“Wait,” said Krystal, blinking, and smiling wickedly. “He did-“
“Delete that thought,” said Fox, “from your memory. Immediately.”
“…I’m still going to ask Fay later,” said Krystal.
Fox rubbed his temples.
“Oh, it wasn’t that bad,” said Fay. “Okay, here’s the bet. If we score a perfect score—and this doesn’t happen very often!—you put the unform on and do a routine-“
“No,” said Fox.
“But-“ said Sheila.
“No,” said Fox.
“…It is not-“ said Fay.
“My dignity says otherwise,” said Fox.
“Stick in the mud,” said Krystal, winking at him.
“Shush,” said Fox.
“Oh alright,” said Fay. “Lets head back to the hotel, girls. I need a shower. We need all the rest we can get for tomorrow.”
“How do you all feel?” said Fox.
“Pretty good!” said Fay, the three of them following the rest of the crowd as they started walking back to the hotel. “I think we’re as ready as we can be, frankly. All the routines looked fine, now it’s just a case of preforming well during the actual competition. Sleep should help with the nerves.”
Idle talk followed. The sun was setting now, and the resort had a comfortable feeling in the twilight. Fox could hear waves breaking on the beach beyond, and the temperature was perfect. If this weather kept up, it looked to be a beautiful weekend. The idea of spending it with friends made it even better.
Back in the room, Fay, Sheila, and Marie settled into showers as Fox read on his bed. Once all the girls we’re done, he showered amidst the smells of flowery fur wash contrasting with his own sandalwood-scented fur shampoo and conditioner. He emerged feeling refreshed in his PJs. The also pajama’d girls were crowded around some board games—a tradition for them during meet trips to keep their minds off competition during relaxed hours—and Fox joined in.
Then, later, Fox started to feel thirsty.
“Is there a drink machine on this floor?” said Fox. He headed towards the door.
“I think so,” said Fay, looking over her shoulder at him. “It should be down the hall.”
“I’ll be right back,” said Fox. “Just want a bottle of water.”
Taking a room key with him, Fox walked into the hall. The sounds of the other cheer girls drifted from behind closed doors, and sure enough down the hall on his right, tucked away in its own little cubby, was the drink machine. Smiling, Fox walked over to it, only for the smile to die at the little piece of paper stuck to the machine with a piece of tape.
OUT OF ORDER
“Well, even resorts have their problems,” said Fox. Besides, he guessed that every floor probably had their own machine. He headed for the stairs, and went down one level.
Indeed, there was a duplicate drink machine in a duplicate cubby. Fox inserted his credits, and selected the option for a bottle of water. The machine dispensed it, and he grabbed it, at about the same time his ears swiveled when he heard pawsteps behind him. He turned and-
Boomf~.
It really said something about how often this happened that Fox’s immediate thought was that Sheila had followed him in a moment of paranoia. But as he looked while his nose was wedged in someone’s bosom, he only saw the surprised look of the Golden Retriever girl from Southern High.
“There he is!” said another voice. “Delila got him!”
Two more sets of pawsteps followed. With a muffled apology, Fox stepped back and noticed that the girl—Delila—was joined by Tiffany and the Sheppard girl from before. Both of them were grinning in a predatory way, and suddenly Fox realized he shouldn’t have shrugged off Fay and Sheila’s warnings.
“So this is those amateur’s good luck charm,” said Tiffany. The derision in her voice was enough to make Fox’s tail bristle. He didn’t like being insulted, but moreover, he liked his friend’s being insulted even less.
“I’m guessing we will have only a bit before the girls notice he’s missing,” said the Sheppard girl.
“You’re probably right, Caroline.” said Tiffany. “Alright, little boy, you’re coming with us. You will tell us the details of Central Highs routines, and you will cooperate.”
“Or else what?” said Fox.
Tiffany raised her eyebrows. Fox had the distinct impression the girl wasn’t used to be talked back to. Caroline growled, and Delila looked impressed
“Fine,” said Tiffany. “I can see we will have to be difficult. Delila?”
“Yes?” said the Retriever girl.
“Use those zip ties I gave you.”
Fox looked at her aghast. Were they really about to…? Sure enough, Delila did take some zip ties out of the pocket of her pajama bottoms. Caroline grinned.
“I’m going back to the room to make the ransom note,” Tiffany said casually, as if deciding to kidnap somebody was a generally normal thing cheer captain’s did. “Caroline, come with me. You will deliver it to that…Sinclair bitch once it’s finished. Delila, tie him up, or else.”
“Are you sure-“ said Delila.
“Yes. Do it, or else.” said Tiffany. Both girls left the two of them alone.
Still at a loss, Fox looked up the girl. Delila was taller than him, and so maybe she could restrain him if he made a break for it. Fox had no qualms about struggling if it came to that, but the girl looked so unsure of herself that he only wanted that as a last resort.
“…hi,” said Fox, trying to find a place to start for diplomacy. “Um…”
“Oh? Hello,” said the girl. She gave him a small smile. “I’m sorry about all this.”
“…you aren’t really going to tie me up with those ties, are you?” said Fox.
For a single, preposterous moment, Delila looked at war with herself, and Fox started to prep himself for making a break for it. Fit as this girl looked, he was no slouch in speed. But then the girl growled in frustration and threw the ties to the ground.
“This is so stupid!” she hissed. “Just because that girl just walks onto the team this year and no one is strong enough to stand up to her, she thinks she can do this! I won’t let her get away with it. This is wrong! But more importantly…”
Fox leaned in to listen, only to feel two arms yank him into a hug as Delila cuddled him to her chest.
“Oh my gawd you are the cutest thing~!” she squealed. “You have no idea how many girls on the team think that. Seriously, we could just take you home with us~.”
Idly, Fox wondered if he was somehow destined to be the cuddle toy of affectionate young woman. Not that it was a bad thing, really—Delila’s hug was quite comfortable, he thought sheepishly—but at this point the laundry list of girls who did this was steadily growing. Was some force behind this? Something beyond Lylat, even?
Somewhere, a fanfic author smiles at his screen.
“Mmmph?” said Fox.
Delila adjusted her hold and rubbed her cheek against his. “I can’t help by be jealous of the Central girls, for having such a cutie like you for a good luck charm.” she said. She looked down at him with a million-watt smile. “What’s your name?”
“Fox,” said Fox, blushing. “And…I’m flattered?”
“And I know you must have great friends in those girls,” said Delila. “Fay seems nice! I wish I was strong enough to say hi to them at past cheer meets this year, but Tiffany’s…well, you know.” She gave him another nuzzle. “No more, though. Not if it means being told to hurt a cutie like you.”
Fox just looked away, blushing and smiling shyly. Delila giggled and put him down.
“But let’s get you back to your room, and quickly,” she said. “Tiffany is probably wondering what’s taking so long.”
“You said not all the girls follow her?” said Fox as he led her up the stairs to his floor.
“She…has a difficult and scary personality. We do win a lot under her, but I think we could still do so without her.” Delila shook her head. “Girl thinks she’s the center of the cheer universe, and I can’t stand it anymore.”
They reached the door to his room, frantic voices inside. Fox knocked on the door, and it swung open to reveal Sheila looking like she was on the warpath. Seeing a Southern High girl right in front of her didn’t help matters.
“I know you took him!” she said, “and if you think I’ll stand it-Foxykins?”
“Hi Sheila,” said Fox, his paws up to calm her down. “I-“
The husky girl had a paw behind his head in an instant, as she clutched him forward to her chest.
“What did you do to him?” she said.
“Sheila!” said Fay, and Fox heard her walk up behind the husky. “He’s alright? Thank goodness we don’t have to go down there and break down doors.”
Fox understood in that moment that if Fay was considering force at that point, Delila probably prevented more than just his kidnapping by bringing him back.
“He’s fine,” said Delila. “I-“
“He’d better be,” said Marie.
“Tiffany wanted to kidnap him and get information about your girl’s routine-“
“I am going,” said Sheila, “to start swinging in the next three seconds. You have been warned.”
“Mmmph!” said Fox.
“And I refused!” said Delila. “I would never do that. Fox is adorable and I want to keep him! Plenty of us do! Tiffany just knows how to scare others into doing what she wants. Please, I have nothing against any of you girls. If anything, I’m jealous.”
Three seconds went by, and Sheila did not start swinging. That alone made Fox’s tail stop bristling.
“…I think we can trust her,” said Fay.
Mercifully, Sheila let him go. Fay, Marie, and Sheila were looking at Delila with unsure looks, trying to understand the information just given to them. Fox supposed they were so sure all the Southern High girls were up to no good, seeing evidence to the contrary was shocking.
“C’mon guys,” said Fox. “I trust her. She did let me go, anyway.”
“There’s one way to settle this,” said Fay. She narrowed her eyes. “What’s the cutest thing about Fox?”
“The way he blushes,” said Delila, not missing a beat.
Smiles all around. “Yeah, she’s alright, girls,” said Fay.
“…and is it really just that simple?” said Fox in deadpan.
“Yup!” said all four girls in unison.
“But is there really a split with you guys?” said Marie. “Seems like most of the girls on your team worship the ground Tiffany walks on.”
“She just has a knack for ruling through fear,” said Delila, looking weary. “And we do win with her. I think most of the girls are fine with it as long as we win and keep their heads down. But when we start trying to kidnap somebody for information, I can’t do it anymore. Most of the girls won’t stand for it either.”
“Oh, really?” said a voice behind Delila.
Tiffany stood out in the hall, arms crossed. Caroline stood beside her. The temperature in the room dropped, and Fox saw all three of his friends tense. Fay immediately wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. This time, at least, he could still see.
Delila seemed to waver in her determination; she looked afraid, her ears drooping. Fox wondered if she was about to recant her earlier feelings, and a fight was about to happen between the three girls. But she straightened her back.
“Yes,” said Delila. “Once the other girls find out, you’ll be in for it.”
“So you’ll tank our chances of winning just to protect a kid?” said Tiffany. “I thought I said this team needed to do whatever it takes to win.”
“If you admit you ‘tank your chances of winning’ by not messing with Foxy,” said Fay, her hold tightening, “isn’t that just saying we’re just better than you, and you have to use foul play to win?”
Tiffany blinked. Then for the first time Fox saw more than cool disdain on the feline girl’s face; she scowled, and if looks could kill…
“No one,” she said, “is better than me.”
“Shouldn’t you say better than your team?” said Fox.
Even Caroline looked at him for that one, and looked at Tiffany with uncertainty. Tiffany seemed caught off guard and unsure of herself, until she balled up her fist and looked at Fay with hate. All six girls tensed again, and not for the first time the air crackled with the intensity of mutual disdain, pride, and the hands that were about to be thrown.
“Excuse me, what is going on?”
Seven heads turned to see Ms. Michelle, clad in a bathrobe, and looking over the little group with disapproval.
In the end, the adults settled matters.
Ms. Michella was…less than enthused by the plot to kidnap her team’s favorite mascot. In fact, Fox caught a protective gleam in her eye when the plan came out, and she quickly summoned the head coach of Southern High. Any worries Fox and girls had about that coach taking her girl’s side were dispelled when she, the Lynx woman with a seemingly tough exterior, gave Tiffany the mother of all evil eyes. Tiffany and Caroline wilted under her gaze, and coach promised there would be consequences.
Delila, meanwhile, was praised for doing the right thing when Tiffany and Caroline were sent back to their rooms. Fox was relieved she wouldn’t be punished, and hoped things improved for the team, since it seemed like Tiffany would get her just deserts. All the same, Delila was told to head back to her room, and she did, but not before cuddling Fox into another hug.
“Let’s work out custody,” she said, when she pulled away. “You think we can have him on weekends?”
“I’m sure we can work something out,” said Fay, giggling.
Fox rolled his eyes, though he did end up exchanging numbers with Delila. Another one for the fanclub, as Fay put it.
Marie headed back to her room, and Fay and Sheila and Fox realized how tired they were. It had been, with travel, practice, and shenanigans, a very long day. Sheila about conked out when she slipped under the covers of her bed, and Fay got into bed herself as Fox got about to wondering about where he would sleep…until he saw Fay pat a side of her bed while looking at him.
“Huh?” said Fox. “…oh. Yeah, I forgot about that.”
“A lot happened,” said Fay, smiling kindly. “Now, c’mon. We need to get some sleep.”
“Fay, are you sure?” said Fox. “I don’t mind finding some way to sleep on the floor-“
“Fox,” she said, putting on her best ‘stern big sister’ face. “You are not sleeping on the floor. Now, hop in.”
“But are you sure-“
Fay, while maintaining her stern look, got up from bed, marched over to him, and hoisted him up to carry him in her arms.
“Wha-“ said Fox, blushing.
She then walked over to her bed—acting like he weighed nothing—and gently set him down, and tucked him under the covers. She scooted him over, and climbed into bed next to him. Then she turned the lamp off.
“If you try to get out,” she said, still looking at him sternly, “I will put you back in.”
“If you say so,” said Fox.
As he lay in bed, Fox stared at the ceiling. What a day. And still more days to come during this little vacation.
…he wouldn’t have it any other way, honestly. What could beat time with friends?
“And that’s that,” said Fox, leaning back and smiling.
“Oh my goodness, Fay,” said Krystal, her tail wagging. “Every time I hear one of these stories I get jealous, because you got a front row seat to Fox’s cutest years!”
“He’s still cute,” said Fay.
“He is, absolutely,” said Krystal. “But back then you could just put him in your pocket and take him home!”
“Alright, alright,” said Fox. “I get it. Still cute as a button, but now I’m old and boring.”
“Oh, hush,” said Krystal. “But I’m curious. What happened to Tiffany and Delila?”
“Well, something of a happy ending for both of those,” said Fay. “Tiffany actually was kicked off the team for that, and I think seeing how many of the team just feared her, but didn’t like her, was a reality check. She left Southern High, joined another school, and apparently mellowed out. I ran into her once in college. We didn’t become friends, but we were friendly enough. I heard Caroline chilled out as well. Delila, though,” and here Fay grinned, “became a card-carrying member of our ‘tease Fox relentlessly’ group. She would come down to my house every so often, and she’s about as clingy as Sheila is.”
“I wonder how many members that group has,” said Krystal.
“More than enough,” said Fox.
“Not enough,” said Fay. “Not nearly enough.”
Fay and Krystal giggled. Fox just sat back, figuring it was his lot in life to be teased. Ah, well. If this was what he had to deal with to have some great friends—and one very, very wonderful girlfriend—then it was all worth it.
“Oh,” said Krystal. “Did you guys win the meet?”
“Yup!” said Fay. Her tail wagged. “Perfect scores too!”
Krystal looked at Fox with a grin. Fox just shrugged, and smiled back.
“Dodged that bullet,” he said.