Chapter 3

Jolene 

Immediately the bell rings, I didn't have the tell to organize my belongings before Jess was pulling me out of the classroom. 

I had to shove everything into my back pack before leaving with her. 

We reached the gymnasium and the coach along with Vera was standing there. 

We form a crowd around them, everyone filled with excitement and anxiety. 

"Okay girls! Thank you all for coming today. I'm Madam Ferguson and I'm the coach of this school's cheer team. As we all know...." She starts talking about the history of the cheer squad and a lot of things I don't think anyone was paying attention to. 

"Does a cheer team really have a history?" Jess whispers behind me and I shrug.

Sh continued to talk for ten more minutes before finally ending, 

"Good luck and we expect your best" she ended. 

Vera steps forward with a smirk, I really hate that smirk of hers. 

“Listen up,” she says sharply. “I don’t care who your parents are, who your friends are, or who you dated this summer. Out there, talent decides everything. Understood?”

“Yes,” everyone chorused

"All girls, everyone, go into the locker room and get changed. We'll be mentioning the name according to when the form was submitted. Like coach said, good luck" she adds 

We all move to the locker room with anticipation. 

The changing room was loud.

Girls were everywhere, fixing ponytails, stretching, talking too loudly because everyone was nervous and happy and excited! 

I changed into my skort and tank top, a beautiful set my mom got for me just this summer. She says it matches my eyes. Yeah, she has an obsession with mine and dad's eyes, since they are the same shades. 

I fixed my ponytail for the eleventh time since we came to school. 

"Quit being nervous. It makes me nervous too" Jess complains beside me with leotards and top. 

She was a ballerina in middle school and I went for gymnastics. But we decided on cheerleading because ballet and gymnastics weren't available in this school. 

"Well you have nothing to be nervous about. Vera literally would kiss the ground you walk on. She'll do everything to please your brother" I tell her. 

"Well she'll do anything to please your college brothers too" she smirked hr comeback andi groan. 

"Oh please" I scoff

"Don't oh please me. Have you seen your brothers? Have you seen Jasper's packs and don't me started on Jacob biceps. They  are every girl's wet dreams" she signed and I almost buffed 

"Ewww... Don't ever say that again" I tell her.

Just then the assistant cheerleader comes and mentions the name and the first person goes.

One after another, girls stepped forward to perform combinations, jumps, routines and flexibility tests.

Some were incredible.

Some… not so much. 

So also left crying without even starting.

It was brutal.

" Wow this is much worse than I thought. Almost everyone who comes back seems upset"Jess whispers.

My nervousness intensified. Oh my God, what if I'm not good enough. What if I don't make it? What am I going to do about Seth falling in love with me then.

Oh my goodness,that is why plan B should always be in a planning process.

"Stop over thinking,you are going to do great" 

"I'm not overthinking" 

"Yes you are. I know you Jo. I know when your head wheels are turning. You'll do great" she adds softly 

Before I can reply,her name is called and she gives me a smile

"Break a leg" I waved at her.

After five minutes,she returns with big smile on her face.

I immediately rushed to her side.

" How did it go?" I asked

" It was the easiest tryout I have ever been to. I can't believe I was nervous about it at all. You'll take them down hands down"sh beams at me.

" You are the alpha's daughter, of course they are going to make things easier for you "I tell her.

" Trust me, you'll be fine"she squeezes my hands softly.

“Jolene Falls.”

My head snapped up. Oh goddess.

It’s my turn.

I hug Jess one more before walking out the locker room. 

Almost half of the cheerleaders were on the bleachers watching and some on their phones.

Oh Jolene,you can do it.

I stepped onto the mat, suddenly aware of every single person watching.

Coach Ferguson looked  at me before looking at the clip board.“ I see you have  gymnastics background? Hmmm..." 

I nodded 

"Okay,falls show me what you've got" 

"Backflip, double hand spring,Aerial ,back hand springs and full twist"Vera says with a sweet smile.

I nod before moving back and then giving me pace before running and forward and doing everything she said.

I did the most perfect landing that could do and then I could hear gaps from beside me.

" With high V and low V,daggers and punch. Cheer,We got spirit, yes we do!

We got spirit, how about you? Go Crovers!" Vera said

I nodded and did the same thing.

" Okay,I have seen and hard enough. Thank you Miss Falls. You did amazing. Tomorrow you get to know our decision"Coach says

"Thank you" I said and walk away.

Immediately I entered the locker room Jess pulled me into a tight hug.

"Jo! You did absolutely amazing! We are getting in"she said excited.

" Calm down. We'll get to know tomorrow" I tell her and went get on packing our things.

By the time tryouts ended, the sky outside had turned golden.

The parking lot was crowded with students waiting for rides, laughing and talking about the first day.

Jessica and I sat on a low concrete barrier near the entrance.

"My legs are dead"  she groans 

"Me too. I think I broke my hip"I replied and then she started laughing.

" Where the fuck is Seth? Probably fucking Vera. My brother is a sex addict"I scrunch my face.

No I don't want to hear about that part of his life. It does something to my heart.

A familiar black benz pulled into the parking lot and my heartbeat betrayed me instantly.

Seth.

Of course.

Even from far away, I recognized the way he drove too fast before slowing at the last second.

Jessica noticed my expression immediately.

"You know," she said rolling her eyes "one day your face is going to expose you.I can't believe I lost you,my best friend to my brother. He isn't that hot!" 

"My face does nothing. And you haven't lost me to anyone "

" Your entire soul leaves your body whenever he appears. Literally "

I gasped. "Metaphorically " and add"That is rude and not true"

"It’s true."

The driver door opened and Seth stepped out.

My stomach flipped.

Why does he always look unfairly good?

It should honestly be illegal.

He is wearing a his basketball jersey top and shorts. He just finished practice.

"Well here is my ride. Gotta go" Jess tells me.

"Come on Jess, let's go" he says giving her a brief look. His eyes met mine again and I looked away immediately blushing.

This is embarrassing.

"Okay,I'll see you tomorrow" I waved back and watched her walk into the car and they drive off.