Mike couldn't change again until mid-day. He had to go to breakfast as a girl. Sharon and Mary made her wear a skirt and and a spaghetti top. They were evidently the only clothes Mary could spare. At least no-one at the hotel new him.
However Mike hadn't counted on the fact that Mary knew the rest of her new cheerleader teammates and evidently Sharon had buddied up with some of the other mothers when they had "Checked in" to the competition the previous evening.
As the walked into the breakfast room they were waved over to a table by two girls of Mike's age sitting with their Mothers. 'Hi Mary, why don't you join us?'
Mary turned and looked at Mike with a smile on her face 'Why good morning Betsy and Mina. We'd love to. This is my Mum Sharon and my twin Michelle'
'Good morning Tess' said Mike's Mum to one of the mothers.
The other woman said 'I'm Tracey, Mina's Mum'
'Nice to meet you Tracey'
Mary had already sat down and Sharon was taking the seat beside Tess. She indicated Mike should take the seat on her other side. 'Um I think I'll get something to eat first'
Mike overheard the girls talking. 'Did you hear the news? Katelin slipped and broke her arm returning to her room last night. She's going home. We are going to have to compete one short. Mrs Maloney is right now working on a new routine'
Mike took his/her time. She didn't want to have to make small talk. he looked at a clock on the wall. 4 more hours!
She got herself a glass of orange juice then went across and helped herself to a hot breakfast piling eggs, bacon, and hash browns on a plate until it was in danger of overflowing.
Reluctantly she headed back to the table. Sharon was no longer there but Mary was still talking to the other girls.
One of the mothers, the one called Tess, spoke to Mike. 'So Michelle, are you attending to Alton high as well this year?'
'Yes' Mike answered without thinking. Mike was enrolled at the school.
'I gather you are not a cheerleader?'
'No'
'That's quite a pile of food you have there. You must expend a lot of energy to be such a big eater. I'm guessing you must play a sport?'
'Basketball. But I'm not a star. I don't have a scholarship'
'Have they had basketball tryouts yet?'
'I don't thinks so. I haven't heard anything. I haven't actually been to the school yet. Mum enrolled me'
Just then Sharon returned. She gave Mike a funny look when she saw the huge pile of food in front of her.
'Michelle, you need to watch how much you eat or you will ruin your figure' Sharon couldn't help scold Mike.
However fortunately that was the last talking Mike had to do. Mary and the other girls ignored her and the women were chatting about fashion. Mike ate his breakfast, then feeling very full, asked Sharon for a key and returned to their room.