Chapter 4: Jaylee

"Does a teacher count?" I'm nervous.

The chair pulls back, drawing against the brown vinyl floor as Amber stands up.

"Are you chickening out with such a simple dare, Jaylee?" Amber asks.

"Or are you too much of a virgin to do so?"

Honestly, I am, and I didn't want them to know. A member can never be a virgin in their squad. For them, if you aren't hitting it with anyone, then you're a loser.

"I'm not a virgin," I fib.

They all laugh, not believing.

"Don't worry, you can't get pregnant by kissing a boy." Amber jeer.

I take a deep breath and exhale. "I accept your dare, Amber Frost," I say, attempting to be brave, but my feet shaking exposes me to being afraid.

"Then do my dare now." Amber's arms fold and her face is sober.

I find myself swerving around. What was I doing?

My heart thuds while striding from the gymnasium. Amber and his two team members clack against the floor, trailing behind me to ensure I'd done the dare.

I push the door open and stand in the corridor. It's empty. I didn't know whether I should be relieved about it or not. A part of me wanted to get over the dare right away, so the faster I see a guy, the less I have to deal with it.

Amber, along with the two, stands away from me, waiting.

The corridor is generally vacant on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Students were given time to complete assignments for clubs and classes.

My heart thuds faster at a guy I've never seen at Effney High—a new student, I guess. He exits the male's bathroom. He's tall, around 6 feet 2 inches. He wears a gray hoody that covers his head, a black pant, a shoe, and his backpack hanging from one arm.

"He's a nerd," Amber chuckles, and the two join in at the sight of him in his large geek eyewear.

His raven hair protrudes from his hoody head covering. Jittery, I watch him as he heads to the stairs.

"Go and kiss the nerd before he leaves," Amber shoves at me.

I start to walk to him.

"Faster, we have things to do," Amber hastily tells me.

My pace increases, and as I do, I realize I'm not as nervous as I was to take on the dare. He is a nerd; he isn't popular. What is there to be scared of about him?

"Excuse me," I say, stopping him as he's about to descend the stairs.

He faces me, and gradually the nervousness returns.

His eyes were as dark as his hair. His countenance is attractive to a nerd. Without his humongous class, I'm sure he could have been one of the hot and popular guys at school.

I didn't realize I was staring too much. His curious eyes dart at me, eager to know what I want.

I decide to get right on to it.

"Kiss me, please," I nervily say.

Shock and bemuse combine and seize his face. He's pulling away; I can't afford for him to.

"Please, or I won't be a part of the cheerleading team. I've been longing to be a part of their squad for a long time. Can't you help me out?"

"They are behind us, watching. Don't let them catch you staring at them," I whisper.

Secretly, he looks at them, and his attention returns to me.

"So, will you help me out? I ask.

He draws near to me.

I'm about to receive my first kiss from a stranger. This was not what I expected it to be. A girl's first kiss was to be special with someone she wanted to share a kiss with.

His hand touches the right side of my face, and he leans in. I shut my eyes. As our lips unite, I feel a static of electricity passing through my body.

His hand goes from my face as our lips part, and I couldn't help thinking that for him, it was not his first kiss. It could never be.

His head turns, and he walks away.

Aroused by his kiss I watch him, immobile, as he goes away, not hearing Amber calling.

I regain control of my body by Amber shrugging me. She and two others stand by my side.

"Well done, Jaylee. You've earned your spot on our team," Amber says.

I smile when I'm given my uniform.

"I'll text the training schedule," Amber says.

I nod, and she and the two leave.

When I'm alone, I leap happily in the corridor and sniff my uniform.

I'm officially a member of the Hot Shot cheerleading team.