I'm in the bathroom stall, changing into my cheerleading gear.
"Jaylee, you've been in there for more than 5 minutes now. I'm hungry; I need lunch." Samantha hits the stall door.
"Give me one more minute. I promise I'll be out very soon," I say, making sure everything is perfect before I leave the bathroom stall.
Samantha tuts in annoyance.
I came out to see her sitting on the countertop, her back reclined against the wall.
Her blase face morphs into astonishment.
I'm chuffed by her reaction. Samantha leaps from the countertop and walks over to me.
"You look amazing, Jaylee," she compliments.
I redden, and both of my hands run down the mini skirt that clings perfectly to my body.
My glazed, hair-free, slender leg appears long in my mini skirt.
"New sneakers?" Samantha asks.
"Yeah." I fixed the tank top. It snaps against my skin, being mostly made of elastic material.
My old PE sneaker wasn't white enough to go with my gear. I needed something new.
I go to the mirror to touch up my lips.
"If we stay here any longer, lunch time will be over," Samantha grumbles.
She waited long enough, and I hastened.
All eyes were on me when Samantha and I walked the corridor.
Samantha and I giggle as we walk past them. It feels good to be idolized, and I'm glad I've gotten a taste of how Amber and the other popular ones feel. Pridefully, I toss my ponytail from my shoulder to the back.
As we were about to enter the school's cafeteria, I ran into Davie. With envy, she looks at me and walks away.
"What's that about?" Samantha notices her bitter reaction to me.
I shrug, pretending as if I didn't know.
I'm about to get in line for my lunch. Amber pulls me from the line.
Samantha and I exchange reactions as I'm led to the front of the line.
"A Hot Shot never waits in line," says Amber.
I feel bad leaving Samantha in the long line after collecting my lunch: a chicken salad, chocolate pudding, and a bottle of water.
Amber discards the pudding as we go to our chairs.
"Eeww. We don't eat fatty food," she says scornfully.
I nod.
I sit with them, and I'm excited to be with the popular ones for the first time. I feel like royalty.
"Who's that red-headed girl you're walking with?" Amber asks as I open my bottle of water.
"That is my best friend, Samantha," I say.
"You're no longer her best friend; we are your best friend now," Amber retorts.
I'm queasy about her comment.
"How can I not? She's been a true friend to me, and we've been friends for a long time," I explain.
"She's fat, unpopular, and worst of all, she's ugly. She's not in your league to be associating with you," Amber responded.
"Though you've successfully accepted this squad, there are rules to be followed, Jaylee. And as a Hot Shot it is forbidden to be friends with the lowly ones. If you persist in being seen with her, the other nobodies will come to believe they can befriend us as well."
"Got it," she says.
I nod.
Downheartedly, I start on my salad. It will be hard to tell Samantha that we cannot be seen together at school or in public. I hope she understands.
I secretly scan the cafeteria for Samantha. She's with the chest team members, giggling, and I'm glad she isn't eating alone.
"Hey babe."
My attention goes to Tristan, the captain of the football team, tilting Amber's head backward and kissing her. They're the popular couple in school, following Sookie, the co-captain of the cheerleading squad, and Neil, the co-captain of the football team. Tristan and Amber have been the spring king and queen winners for 2 years, with Sookie and Neil remaining the runner-up.
Tristan and Amber kept kissing; I thought they'd never finish. The smacking of their lips as they caressed each other made me feel uncomfortable.
Thankful, they were through.
"Miss me?" Tristan asks as he places a foot over the bench, facing her.
"You know I always do," says Amber.
They kiss again.
Their love seems real, and I find myself desiring it as well.
"I can't stay too long. The coach must be looking for me. You know I have a big final coming up very soon," he says.
"I know. The girls and I have been practicing very hard on a perfect cheer for when you and your team win." Amber fondled his dark hair.
"You know I love when you cheer for me in that sexy uniform," Tristan starts to play with the end of her skirt.
"Guys, get a room," says Sookie.
They laugh.
"Our team has received a new member, Jaylee," Amber introduced me.
Turner's Nordic blue eyes meet mine, and I wave nervously.
He smiles, and I'm reminded of the huge crush I'd once had on him in seventh grade. Dolefully, his heart is always meant for Amber.
"I got to go now," he says, kissing Amber on the forehead.
"Okay." Amber's eyes closed at his kiss.
"Since you're with us now, do you have a crush on any of the sports teams?" Amber turns to ask.
I'm left speechless by her response, and then I answer.
"Not right now," I say.
"Okay, just let us know, and we'll happily hook you up," says Amber.
It is time for class.
"We'll meet after school to teach you the dance routine," says Amber.
I nod, and we discard our lunch that was barely eaten.
In the last class, I hurriedly left and texted Samantha that I had a late practice.I'm afraid to tell her I can't be seen with her. Amber words. She'd ask me to choose between her and being a Hot Shot member. I love Samantha, but I always dreamed of being a part of the team, and now I am. I can't drop it so easily.Amber is a devoted cheerleader and, as a nerd, obsessed with receiving high grades in every subject. Practice goes on for 4 hours. I was breathless on the gymnasium floor when we were finally through."You did great." Amber extended a hand to help me up.I smiled while taking it.We take a quick shower in the girl's locker room and arrange to meet again at the same time tomorrow.The place is almost dark when I go outside.Without asking if I needed a ride, everyone got into a car with their partner and drove off, leaving me alone.I try calling my mom, but it goes straight to voicemail.I guess I'd have to take a taxi. I go from the school compound to the bank of the road
I park the car in the garage and remove my glasses before heading inside.When I entered the house, Mom was in the living room watching television, a favorite drama series of hers."You're late; what happened?" she asked, worried."My car broke down, and I had to repair it two times before coming home," I say.A sad look appears on her face."I'm sorry, I cannot get you a new car like your dad can," she says disappointedly."Mom, it's okay." I go to hug her."Let's not speak about him while you're here. Remember, we came here for a new start, away from him," I tell her.In my arms, her forehead gently hits my chest as she nods."I know you want an ordinary life and to focus on your studies, but I think you should try out for the swimming team at your new school. Right now, it's your only hope to go to college." Her arms leave me."Mom, I can't.""I understand, Nate, that you feel you'll betray your team by competing against them with their opponent. But you have to. No one wants a nur
Dear new cheerleaders out there, when given your first gear, ask for another; one is not enough.I had to wash my cheerleading uniform before going to bed last night."You're finally a Hot Shot cheerleader. I'm happy for you." I meet Mom in the kitchen.I smile.She breathes in relief. "You have no idea how much torture it was to hear you go on and on about wanting to be one. It's such a joy that it's over."My smile disappears, and I roll my eyes.She giggles.I grab a banana. "Can you take me to school, mom?" I ask."I thought you never wanted me to drive to school anymore and wanted Samantha to only," she says."Please, mom," I beg."Okay.""Now," I say."So early?""Yeah, mom, I'm a cheerleader now. I have to be at school early to meet with the other." I fib.I was only eager to leave because I didn't want to ride with Samantha after what Amber said.While I waited for my mom, I texted Samantha.Already at school; see you around.I edited the message before sending GM. I'm already
Amber wants us to meet up at the gym during our free session.I go in to see everyone who is already there.They sat down while Amber stood before them next to a small whiteboard with a red marker in her hand."You're late," Amber says, disappointed."I'm sorry, Ms. Dwinkle wanted to talk before class," I explain."Try to let us know when you're running late again," Amber says.I nod and go to sit at the back.What's written in the marker on the whiteboard intrigues me. Nate Skylar.Amber sees the bemused expression on my face and, therefore, gives me a brief on what I've missed out on so far. I'm startled that at the first session, they managed to find out who Nate is already. Did they even bother to go to class?I'm informed that Nate is from Canada and is an excellent swimmer. He was the captain of his swimming team, and his former school is the one that keeps winning our school in the swimming competition.I wasn't surprised that he's athletic; his sculpted body says so."You were
As I've depicted. It would be a piece of cake to get on the Effney High swim team.The moment I entered Mr. Brimworth's office, the swim team coach. He recognized me, and I was asked to be a part of his team without having to ask.He is on cloud nine to have me; any school would."My sole desire to be a part of your team is to receive a scholarship." Soberly, I say."And you will receive that scholarship in full if you bring me home that trophy this year," Brimworth says wildly, with a pounce behind his desk.It's hard to control his excitement; gaining the one he's confident in will take his team to victory.Brimworth scurries from his desk to stand at my side. One of his hands touched my right shoulder while bursting with joy, telling me how glad he was that I was part of his team.I wasn't.I'm oblivious to whatever else he's saying, lost in my thoughts. I was only there to secure a college scholarship."Your former team is coming in second place this year." No longer absent-minded
"Stop," Amber brought to a halt our practice.Everyone looks around, wondering who ruined the dance routine once more.When my name is called, I'm surprised."Come to me, Jaylee," says Amber curtly.Fidgety, I walk to her.As I stand before her, she gives me an intense stare."I'm sorry-" I'm about to apologize. But Amber raises a hand, halting me."Are you a virgin?" she asks."What!" I'm bemused.I glance back as everyone begins to laugh, and my head lowers, humiliated."Shut up!" Ambers silenced them."Are you?" Amber asks again.My gaze returns to hers. "No," I con."Then why are you moving your hips so stiffly and out of tune as if you are?""Probably she hasn't had some hanky-panky in a while and is a bit rusty," Sookie jokes, followed by everyone laughing.Amber smiles, and I blink excessively to not cry."Pay close attention to my waist," Amber says.I'm extremely focused as she reels her waist as if it had no bone.I smiled and was impressed."Now you try it?" she says.I sta
"The house has been awfully quiet since you've become a cheerleader," says Mom as we're eating supper: mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and buttery garlic green beans. "Are you too popular to talk to me? She bites into the chicken wing. "Yeah," I joke, sipping my grape juice. Mom laughs. Mom and I have been dining alone since the day she found out Dad was having an affair with his secretary. I was thirteen at the time. Dad remarried a day after he and Mom finalized the divorce. I lost all respect for him for cheating on Mom, and I wanted nothing to do with him. But Mom, having a good heart, doesn't want me to resent Dad. So, I'm under pressure every holiday to visit him and his homewrecker wife, Viola. "How are you liking being a cheerleader?" Mom goes on to ask. "Good," I say, and an awful feeling rises inside of me. I loved being a cheerleader, but I hated being told to do things that don't come with being a cheerleader. ***** I video-called Samantha as I was in my room, lyin
As I step into the locker room, resentful stares greet me."Sell out!" someone coughed, followed by chuckles.I evaded them by walking to my locker.I'm opening my locker. I realize I can't get in. With force, I'm pulling it open.A hand is placed on the locker, and I see Lucas, the captain, standing next to me.My arms form a tight fist, staring him down, showing I wasn't intimidated by him. If he wants to fight, I'll be happy to take my abusive dad's problem on him. He pulls back, and finally, my locker opens with a forceful yank. I search for my swim goggles, and I discover they have shattered into pieces.I take it up and slam the locker shut."Who did this?! Who broke my goggles?!" Angrily, I toss it on the ground.Everyone is laughing, and I'm seething with fury."Probably one of your team members flew from Canada and broke it, realizing you're a sellout," said Lucas Jester.I grab his shoulders and shove him backward to the locker, pinning him down. He's struggling to break fre