Alex pedaled faster, he had to see Chad transformed. He found the football squad struggling with the balloon on a side street just off Main Street. They had planned on Marco, Dwight, Nick, Rick, and Rico to control the balloon, and with Rico missing, the balloon was getting the better of them. Rick was trying to control two ropes. The one on the left hind leg and the one attached to the belly. The rear leg rope slipped free and the cat balloon's hind leg swung up in the air, and the forelegs pushed down on Marco and Nick. Alex rolled up, and leaped off his bike, setting it against a fence, and ran and grabbed the loose rope.
"Hey, need some help?" Alex said as he helped straighten out the balloon.
"Thanks, kid," said Rick. He was going to say that he thought they could manage, but he knew that wasn't true. So he decided he'd let the basketball player help with Chad. "Yeah, you can help."
The parade started fifteen minutes later. They could hear the marching band for Centerfield High playing their fight song, and watched the crocodile float go by as it proceeded down Main Street. There were a few convertible cars loaded with politicians and local dignitaries. Then one of the Chamber of Commerce volunteers in red jackets motioned for the five high school athletes to get ready. The Panthers fight song blared as their marching band went by, and then Marco and Nick led the balloon out. Rick signaled for Alex and Dwight to pull down on the back leg ropes as Marco and Nick let the ropes loosen on the front legs, and the panther balloon that was Chad lunged on to the street.
As Chad bounced down the street, he felt embarrassment, terror and horny-ness, as he was naked bouncing up and down as they went down the street. It felt like he was having sex, or at least going through the motions, but he wasn't cumming. Damn, he needed to cum. After a few minutes, Chad no longer cared that he was naked in front of friends, family, and the whole town. It didn't occur to him that he now looked like a panther, and aside from four of his teammates, Coach Sinclair and a blue basketball that most of the people would have no idea that Chad was the balloon.
There was a picnic at the park at the end of Main Street. Chad finds himself tethered between four trees in a grove off the far end of the picnic grounds. The football team has spread out blue and white team blankets on the grass under their balloon awning. The judges award them a blue ribbon for their parade entry. The crocodile came in 3rd. The panther balloon was visible looming between the trees and over the bushes, but the football players picnicking as concealed from the picnickers by bushes.
"Nice balloon," said Centerfield Football Captain Rob as he strolled over in his red letterman jacket. He reached up and punched Chad's chin. He is accompanied by three of his teammates in red jackets.
Alex at Rico's prompting headed back to the school to collect a helium tank. He wheeled it to the park coming up behind.