The Stand-In

As the sun cast long shadows over the high school field, Alex Monroe, a dedicated 17-year-old soccer player, walked out of the school gym, a sense of accomplishment filling his heart. He had just finished having his portraits taken—one capturing his full-body in action, and the other a close-up headshot with his long hair resting on his shoulders. Although the photo session was exciting, a hint of wistfulness lingered within him, knowing his sister, Emily, couldn’t make it. Emily, a vibrant and talented cheerleader, was stuck at home nursing a cold. She had looked forward to having her cheerleading portraits taken for months. As Alex left the gymnasium and walked toward the parking lot, he overheard a group of cheerleaders chatting as they left the school. "It's such a bummer Emily couldn't be there for the portraits today," one of the girls said. "I know! She was so excited about it," another agreed. Hearing this, a pang of sadness struck Alex. He knew how much these portraits meant to Emily. Without thinking twice, a crazy yet heartfelt idea crossed his mind. Determined to make sure his sister didn’t miss out, Alex turned on his heel and headed back into the school, toward the cheerleaders' locker room. He approached Emily's locker with trepidation, but his resolve was firm. He opened the locker and quickly pulled out her cheerleading uniform, laying it out neatly. With a deep breath, Alex started changing. He pulled on the thong and sports bra, stuffing the bra to give himself the right shape. Next came the snug cheerleading top and cheer knickers, followed by the short skirt. Slipping on her socks and shoes, he was grateful that they fit reasonably well. With practiced ease, he gathered his long hair into two ponytails, securing them with the same ribbons Emily always used. Standing in front of the mirror, Alex hesitated. He wasn’t used to wearing makeup, but Emily’s cheer bag had what he needed. A little mascara, some blush, and a dab of lip gloss later, he was shocked at how much he resembled his sister. With one final look of determination, he sprinted towards the photography area, hoping not to be recognized. As he entered the room, the photographers welcomed him warmly, mistaking him for Emily. "Perfect timing, Emily! We were about to wrap up, but we can take your portraits now," one of the photographers said, setting up the equipment again. Alex struck a cheerful pose, smiling as he thought about how happy Emily would be seeing her portraits. Shot after shot, he flashed a smile, hoping he could fool everyone for just a little while longer. After the pictures were taken, Alex thanked the photographers with a voice an octave higher than his usual tone and hurried back to the locker room. He changed back into his clothes as quickly as possible, stashing Emily's cheer outfit back in her locker and removing the makeup. As Alex left the building, he felt a mix of relief and pride. His heart swelled with the knowledge that he had done something special for his sister. The next day, Emily was feeling better and Alex greeted her with a knowing smile. When she arrived at school and found out about her portraits being taken, her joy was immeasurable. Although Alex never confessed to his role in the mystery, his secret act of kindness left a lasting bond between them. And that day, as Emily marveled at her portraits, Alex knew he had scored the most important goal of his life.