“MIA, THERE’S A MIXER after work at the Lone Star Pub. You should totally come!” Debbie, one of the other women at the office, tapped my desk as she walked past and then turned to the desk next to mine. “Cindy, are you in?”
“Yeah!” Cindy nodded enthusiastically, but I didn’t reply.
I really do need to get out.
The mixers. It seemed like Debbie managed to scrounge up enough interest for a new party every week. I had been working at Texas Pride Accounting for nearly six months and I still hadn’t made it to one. I kept saying I would, but when my butt hit the couch and the television came on, I couldn’t find the energy to put on fancy clothes. I spent the day trying to convince myself it was going to be different when the day ended, but in my heart, I knew it was unlikely. As much as I wanted to go out and possibly meet someone, the office life just wasn’t exciting enough to keep me partying until dawn like my college days were. I finished my workday, and when it was time to clock out and go home, I was already exhausted and thinking how awesome a nap would be before I finally went to bed.
“Rick was asking if you were going to be at the mixer.” Debbie held the door open for me as I approached the exit.
“He was?” I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
“He’s got a crush on you, but I think he’s too scared to ask you for a date. I bet if you come out with us tonight, he would finally get some courage after a couple of drinks.” She winked at me.
Rick wasn’t a bad looking guy. He was a bit of a geek, but the suit he wore to work every day enhanced his look. He was also the only guy at the office that showed even a tiny bit of interest in me. I wasn’t motivated to date him, but since my options didn’t seem to be expanding, I was open to giving him a shot. My cheerleader credentials weren’t going to land me a date at the office unless I stripped down to my underwear and started cheering people on at the copier. That seemed like a route to unemployment instead of marriage. I went home and avoided the couch, searching through my closet for something that still fit my curves without showing off the five pounds I had put on since graduation. A couple of hours later, I was walking into the Lone Star Pub feeling more nervous than I did the first time I walked into a frat party my freshman year.
“Mia!” Debbie walked over and waved when she saw me. “Damn girl, you clean up good. Why don’t you dress like this every day?”
“It isn’t really appropriate for the office.” I shook my head back and forth.
“You’re crazy. The bosses love legs.” She put her arm around me. “Mia’s here everyone!”
I WOULDN’T CALL THE first hour a total disaster, but I was a bit out of my element. It was clear that everyone there had formed a bond and I was kind of an outsider. I finished my first drink quickly and started on my second. There were two distinct groups at the pub and the other one seemed to be a lot livelier than ours. There were plenty of couples and people that were all alone, but my attention kept getting drawn to the group of very attractive girls on the other side the bar. They were putting back shots like I did in college, laughing and hanging all over each other. I tried to stay focused on my group, but I couldn’t help but stare. It was like a memory unfolding, calling on me to embrace it. I was almost startled when I felt a hand on my arm.
“Mia?” I turned to see Rick smiling at me. “I’m glad you decided to come out with us tonight.”
“Hey, Rick!” My response was too loud, especially when the music ended before I finished his name.
“Can I get you another drink?” He motioned towards the bar.
“Sure—actually, I’ll walk over with you.” I followed him towards the bar and saw Debbie winking at me as I walked.
He’s got me alone. I’m away from the pack. If he’s going to ask me out, now is the time.
Rick ordered drinks and I took a seat at the bar while we waited. He made small talk, nervously dancing around whatever question he might have wanted to ask me. I tried to smile and show interest, but he wasn’t making it very easy. His eyes kept drifting over to the group of girls and I seemed to take a backseat to them. From my seat at the bar, I was closer to them and able to hear their conversations. I recognized the terms they were using, the formations they were joking about—they were cheerleaders. They looked a bit older than most college students, but they were throwing around cheerleader terms like I used to do with the squad. When Rick finally lost his courage or his interest and invited me to rejoin the group, I decided to walk over and talk to them instead.
“Hi, I’m Mia.” I raised my hand awkwardly. “I couldn’t help but overhear. Are you all cheerleaders?”
“Like you don’t recognize us?” A woman with brown hair threw a few strands of curls over her shoulder and stared me down. “We’re the Texas Cowboys squad, obviously.”
“You’re cheerleaders in the NFL?” My mouth fell open in shock. “Wow, that’s awesome!”
“Please don’t ask for autographs, darling. We’re just trying to have some girl time.” Her faced turned to a scowl and the rest of the group started to stare at me like I was a lost puppy begging for a treat.
“No! Not at all.” I shook my head quickly. “I was a cheerleader in college.”
“Oh, one of those.” The woman with brown hair smacked her lips. “Couldn’t make a pro-squad? It’s okay darling. Not everyone who gets to swing pompoms in college is good enough for the big time.”
“I mean...” I felt my face flushing with embarrassment. “I’ve never tried out. How does that work?”
“Your cheer coach didn’t get an audition lined up for you? You must not have been very good.” A blonde titled her head with a sarcastic scowl as she joined the conversation and the rest of them nodded their heads in confirmation.
“Well...” I looked down at the floor. “How do I audition?”
“Look it up online, and please leave us alone. We don’t have time for fans right now.” The group turned away from me and started talking amongst themselves again.
Was I this horrible to people that tried to talk to us in college?
I did as they requested, but I had a new focus. I had thought about trying out for a team after co