"You know, I saw the list of people and I just don't think they are gonna cut it, I really don't" said Rita."
Serena sat with her new group of friends and took it all in. She was no longer being stalked by the media and she even found her time spent at East High somewhat manageable. She hung out with Andrew, Greg, Rita and Melvin most of the time and when she wasn't she was giving her teachers long full sentence answers. She had barely seen Beryl and her cousins Mina and Lita since the first day. She only had one class with Lita and that was social studies, which they ignored each other during the whole period so it wasn't a painful experience. She talked to Molly and Diana as often as she could. Their shopping trip had been just what she needed. Having fun with her friends was just a great cure for her depression since she had moved to East Jubann. As for her little moment with playboy Darien Shields well they hadn't been near or around each other since. So much for being a threat to Beryl's non-real relationship. She hadn't mentioned it to anyone. She figured it wasn't something best forgotten because he had seemed to have, more to the point.
"Well at least it wasn't you that was hurt because you are completely irreplaceable" said Andrew
"Ahhhh, Andrew you're so sweet." said a very happy Rita.
Serena smiled; the attraction between the two was so obvious. Well obvious to everyone besides Andrew and Rita. Maybe she would point it out for them later. "Serena, are going to come watch the auditions"? Asked Rita reluctantly, biting her bottom lip with nervousness she herself had not seen in Rita before. "Maybe" she replied. She really didn't know why she would. She didn't care what anyone thought about her but giving people a reason to think she was some kind of West High spy, come to steal from East High. As crazy as it sounded she wouldn't be surprised if Beryl concocted some idiotic story for her enjoyment of antagonizing her even more. It definitely wouldn't be the last time she would hear from her, Beryl had something planned. Serena could feel it. "Okay well please try. I know you don't like getting involved in this but we could really use your advice on who to choose".
She was surprised that Rita would even say something that would lead to her and the East High squad together in the same sentence. Being a cheerleader herself, Serena thought that Rita would get the situation a lot more than a non-cheerleader." Rita, I'm going to put this as lightly as I can. I'm not going to do anything that's going to help East High in winning against West High" said Serena.
"But..."
"And before you ask, I'm not helping West Jubann High either. I'm just staying out of it. At this point I'm Switzerland" Serena added trying to let Rita know that she was just playing a completely neutral part in all of it. "I understand that but I would actually like for our team to win for once" said Rita, somewhat sulked by Serena's replies. "I know but looking to me is just a dead end. I'm sorry" said Serena. She didn't want to make awkward tension between anyone more importantly Andrew, Greg, Melvin or Rita. However she wasn't going to betray Diana and Molly either. "I will say this though; watch out for uneven base stances. The worst thing you can do is let someone on the team and found out later that they have strength issues. That's all I'm saying" said Serena wanting to keep the peace between her and her new found friends.
"Thanks, I'll pass it on to Raye and Beryl, and look it was probably wrong of me to ask you anyway." said Rita sincerely. Serena knew that Rita just wanted help and she didn't mean offence by it but the circumstance just made it seem very impossible.
"It's okay, you want to win. I understand that more than anything" reassuring her that it had nothing to do with Rita herself.
The whole rivalry was straining to say the least. Rita, Andrew, Greg and Melvin had become her friend without question, unlike a large mass of other people. She knew that one day it wouldn't matter. One day they would all get jobs and families, move on with their lives and it would be a thing of the past. Making room for a new rivalry or enemy. However the problem was they were in the present and Serena refused to spend her life in a fantasy. Back on topic, it seemed more probable that she would become president of a country rather than give advice that would lead to help both Raye Shields and Beryl Wesson. Too think what her parents would say. Her mother would say ' Never trust a Shield', to which she would question her on what she was talking about. But now that she knew more about what had happened when her mother had been her own age, she understood what she was talking about. Adding her little encounter with Darien Shields it now made perfect sense. Her father would say something about having common ground and finding a balance of either tolerances or friendship. After learning of her father's past she was surprised he was the way he. He had been harassed by Mina and Lita's fathers and Raye and Darien's father for years. He should have been hard and tarnished but instead he was calm and soft-spoken whilst her mother had been more of a rush filled person. As they say, opposites do attract. She loved and missed them so much.
She could see it clearly written over Rita's face that she wanted to ask her something but didn't want to incase of her reaction. "What is it Rita"? Asked Serena, trying to find out what she wanted to ask her.
"My sister, Amber wants to try out for the team and I was hoping you could give her a hand, you know get a routine for her. She really wants to be on the squad" said Rita. Serena stared at her for a few seconds, trying to see if she was making it up. When she didn't receive that feeling from Rita she knew she wasn't. Serena had met Amber before. She was very kind, much like Rita but she knew that the pressure of hating West High was more forced on her being it was her first year of High School she was still figuring out that there was nothing wrong with making her our choices, instead of following what everyone else did but it didn't come down to that but rather if Molly and Diana would mind. Did it count as being a traitor to West Jubann High? It was something she didn't know for sure yet however a part of her was just itching to help; cheerleading was always something she had loved and had done well and being chosen as West high captain had reminded her that she had the skills. But in the end Serena felt that she had to talk to Molly and Diana before agreeing to help Amber for the auditions.
"Do you mind if I check back in with you later"?
"Sure." Rita looking happy that Serena had at least decided to think about it before saying flat out no.
"Can you all please stop talking about cheerleading? It's bad enough that Rita and Andrew are cheerleaders but does everything have to revolve around it in all of our lives. You're ruining my lunch" said Greg hastily.
"Your just jealous because you don't have any involvement with a team sport maybe if you did you wouldn't mind so much" said Andrew.
"No I would talk about my team sport and torture you in the process as punishment for torturing me." replied Greg rather childishly. "Grow up Greg" laughed Andrew with Rita giggling in the background. Serena smiled again, they really where her salvation at East Jubann High.
"Well we all better get to class. I can't get another detention for being late" said Greg. Unfortunately none of them had a class with her due to the fact that they were in the year above her with Andrew, even very shy and quiet Melvin. "I believe it was ditching that got you all those after school detentions and what's another to the list for you anyway" said Rita with a smile, messing with Greg yet again.
"Shut up Rita" said Greg, proving that Rita was indeed right. Serena decided she would call Molly and Rochelle after school and ask them but secretly she hoped that they didn't mind. Serena walked off to her next class as well as Melvin and Greg whilst Rita and Andrew headed to the gym to help with finalizing everything for Monday.
"I can't believe how much work is going into this, you would think we were preparing for nations or something" stated Rita.
"It will all be over soon. We will get Amber in than make nationals only to come in second again because of Beryl, so don't stress" said Andrew bluntly. A smiled crossed Rita's lips. "Yeah well I still have to wait for Serena's answer. She might not do it."
"She will. I know her kind of people, She's going to do it" replied Andrew.
"Her kind of people, what are you talking about"? asked a very confused Rita.
"Rita it's only been then a couple of weeks since her parents died. She may be closed off a bit at the moment but Serena isn't completely shut off from everything besides Serena is a good person, something that we have really been lacking around here for a while "replied Andrew to which Rita gave a slight nodded in understanding. Entering the gym they walked in finding Beryl in a predicted heated discussion.
…
"Why would she even think about signing up? She will never make the team" said Beryl referring to a name that she had her freshly manicured nail points at. Raye rolled her eyes. She had been doing it a lot lately well when anything concerned Beryl. "You never know, she might bring something to the team. You're going to have to wait till tomorrow. Anyway we need to make this fast, we have a game coming up." said Raye, trying to steer Beryl back on track. Looking at the name Beryl was pointing out, Raye realized why she didn't want her on the team. Lisa Callaway had dated Darien a year or so ago. It didn't last very long, like most of his relationships but Beryl was still threatened by that. She had serious cases of insecurities and dealing with that and trying to replace Rita was hard enough as it was without adding that extra pressure of Beryl. She had done barely anything to help the process. It was moments like now that had Raye questioning her choice to pull out of the Captain voting pole. Really she questioned it pretty much every day since the choice had been made.
"I seriously doubt that Callaway can bring anything to squad" she snapped in defence.
"Right and this has nothing to do with the fact she dated my brother" Raye replied and she left Beryl alone to join her friends on the other side of the classroom, not waiting for Beryl's reply.
"Beryl stressing you out again"? Asked Ami as soon as Raye arrived into the circle.
"No more than usual. It's just that this is so important we can't mess it up and once again Beryl's choices come down to who hasn't been with my brother" said Raye in frustration at Beryl's childish behaviour.
"Well they can't be worse than Beryl, whoever we choose. Just keep that in mind when all goes south" said Mina as comfortingly as she could. "I know but for once I would like to actually win this year. West High is going down, I'm not going to let Beryl ruin that for us." said Raye determinedly.
"You know it" cheered Mina raising her hands up and poising as if she was about to be photographed." Well if all else fails we can always just mutiny against her and vote her out" joked Lita. It was true that if a squad wasn't happy with their captain they could vote them out of the position but they wouldn't do that to Beryl for the squad's sake. Lita and Mina departed to head on to their next class whilst Ami and Raye had permission to stay for the period to make the arrangements for the auditions on Monday. Ami noticed Raye's look of disappointment suddenly (something she could tell that had nothing to do with Beryl) and questioned her about it.
"What's wrong Raye"? Raye looked up to face Ami.
"Well a small part of me was hoping that Serena would have signed up. I mean she has skills and a lot of them. You know she was West Jubann High's Spirit ensemble choreographer. She has made West High's routines for the past two years now. The routines that beat us twice. She could have been useful" said Raye.
"Raye could you have seen Serena signing up, really. Not once have we even had an actual conversation with her. But that's probably more on Mina and Lita's part than ours" replied Ami with reasoning. "And anyway, she seems too loyal to betray West Jubann High and join our squad." It was as if Ami knew Raye was going to mention something like this and already decided on what kind of answer she would give, but no that was just Ami thinking on her feet and coming up with an answer quickly." I know but I figured she could help". Raye had always found talking to Ami comforting. Sure, she had a great friendship with both Mina and Lita but Ami kept her headstrong when she needed it. "She probably could have but I doubt she will and why would she. I mean would you in her position"? Asked Ami. Raye tried to compromise that it could happen but she knew that it wasn't likely
"No, probably not" replied Raye, realizing that she had been thinking the impossible.
"Seriously Raye, I wouldn't worry about it, there is so much going on right now that if you do we are never going to get through it all" said Ami.
"Your right Ami, you usually are"
...
"So she really needs my help well at least that is what Rita told me"
"Serena, why doesn't Rita just train her, I mean she would know what they would be looking for but than again judging on what they keep letting in and what they have for a captain they must have low standards" giggled Diana. As soon as Serena had arrived back at Lily's and Andrew's place (She was still learning to call it home) she had called Molly and Diana to ask about how they would feel if she trained Amber over the weekend. She wasn't going to avoid this, knowing that not telling them both about her being sent to attend East High, she didn't want the same situation to repeat itself.
"Diana, be serious please. How would you feel about this"? Asked Serena trying to get to the point. It was just like Diana to make a joke about everything even when it was obvious that it wasn't a joking matter.
"Well it's a funny situation and you actually want to ask us how we would feel about it"? Said Diana sharply. Serena knew instantly that she was not happy, this was not going to be pleasant conversation, and she knew that much but it needed to be down even if it was just a little painful on her part.
"D calm down. Serena was just asking how we felt about it" said Molly.
"Really well how do you feel about it Molly" snapped Diana.
"I have to say that I'm not excited" answered Molly honestly.
"Look, I don't expect you both to understand why I want to do this but I just feel like I need to. You know how important this is to me but I'm not going to do it if you both don't want me to. It's just Rita could really use my help and she has been a really good friend to me." said Serena. She heard nothing from both of them for what felt like the longest time but it was probably more close to a minute or two. Serena knew them both of them where considering it. So she had a foot in the door for now.
"Okay Serena, you swear to us that this is it, you will have nothing else to do with the East high and its squad again"? Asked Molly.
"Yes, I swear this is it" replied Serena.
Feeling a tense moment coming on, Serena waited anxiety for her friend's verdict. "Fine than, I guess I'm okay with that." Molly said softly with a surprisingly calm tone. Serena was glad that Molly had agreed but she really wanted both of them to be okay with it before she could Rita the good news but Diana had said nothing.
"Diana"?
"I'm not happy about this" said Diana, stating the obvious. "But I know you need to do this so it's okay with me".
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. You don't know how much this means." said Serena, feeling good about something for the first time since her parent's had died.
"But if you're going to do this than you better go all out and show Rita's sister what it means to be a cheerleader, none of that second rate stuff, okay" warned Diana. "You know me, I wouldn't do it any other way." smiled Serena, happily knowing her friends would always support her.
"Well you better call Rita and give her the good news" said Molly dryly.
"Molly when you agreed, I wasn't forcing you too" replied Serena. It was a different situation all together now. They weren't talking about just helping someone for an audition but rather how it affected Molly. Serena had always been able to tune into her friends feelings and thoughts, not in some kind of super power; Edward Cullen, Jasper Hale way but just knowing how they acted and felt in quick response to anything at all. But she found as the week ended she was getting more and more out of touch with Molly whilst still being on the same level as Diana. It wasn't something she was use to at all. To be more correct she hated it completely. "I know but try not to get caught up in this. Serena when we found out that you were going to East Jubann High by a text message I wasn't happy", Serena still felt a huge amount of guilt still for that. She had never withheld anything from them ever.
"But I know that it's just the way it has to be but don't let them change you. I like Serena Morasca just the way she is and she is my best friend" finished Molly, Serena could feel that weight that seemed to instantly lift off of Molly's shoulders, she had said what she needed to say and for that Serena felt more with her friends.
"I thought I was your best friend" said Diana with a little too serious jealous, too which Molly smoothed out. "Yeah but you're not going anywhere so I don't need to worry" replied Molly lightly.
"Well I better tell Rita for real that the answer is yes" to which they all agreed and Serena continued to make the call to Rita's (After locating Andrew's phone in his school bag and finding Rita's number, transferring it to her own phone).
Calling Rita had been like an unreal moment and she knew that Rita was happy her own sister would get a better chance of making the squad. Shutting her phone back into the one piece she stood up and opened the doors that leaded to the tiny outlet outside. It really had reminded her of a mini balcony when she had first moved into the bedroom. Looking out she saw people living just like she had done, normal lives. It wasn't going to be easy but Serena knew she had to continue. Had to find out more about her mother's past when she had been Shallows. Knowing there was still a long road ahead before she found her way back into something more settled or rather at peace. She would focus her energy on searching but not yet, not till later. She still had to help Amber with her audition routine. Something she had to prep for. Serena went inside and closed the doors. She went to her music collection chose a couple of song she thought might work; she put her iPod into her sound system, turning it to a medium level. When the music did play, she warmed up and then decided on what she might use. It took her a little time to figure out a single routine for one person. She almost wished that she was making something for a team because it could look impressive with the right moves pulled together with a group but with one person it was all on them, them being Amber in this case. It had to be spectacular. She hadn't actually done a solo routine for a while but she was up for the challenge. After an hours work she finished it and put it to rest for the night. Serena heard a knock at the door
"Serena it's time for dinner" she called opening it to let herself in. Lily smiled, fazing out on the reason she had come up to see her. "Andrew told me you are helping Rita's sister out for the auditions. Congratulations". Serena sat down on her black leather computer chair that was conveniently placed a meters from her, facing Lily. "Thanks but it all comes down to Amber making the squad on her own, not my routine" said Serena. The smile remand on Lily's face and she took a seat and the foot of Serena's bed, just perched on the edge.
"So how are things going right now"? Asked Lily.
Serena knew this kind of talk. Lily wanted to say something but first she wasted time with simple talk before getting to what she really wanted to ask, like Rita had done earlier in the day about helping Amber. "Fine but you want to cut the small talk and tell me what do you really want" getting to the point rather bluntly.
Lily looked a little taken back by Serena's reaction. Realizing the situation Serena added "Sorry it's been a long day or rather a long couple of weeks". Lily lightened at this. "It's okay. I just wanted to make sure you're doing fine. I know this had been hard on you. "Replying simply, in a brighter tone.
"Well I have been better but it's getting better. What was she like, my mother? When she was my age"? Asked Serena.
Sighing Lily answer the question. "Well she was always a stand out. You could pick her out in a room full of people in five seconds. She had started dating Endymion Shields at the end of the school year when she was fourteen. It finished before her next birthday. She was a good friend and a good person but before she met your father she did see everything differently." Serena knew what Lily was talking about, the change in personally. Her mother had written about it in her letter. Her heritage as a Shallow made her feel above those of low statue but her father changed that. "She was a social butterfly, the most popular girl at East Jubann High. She was many things Serena but when she was sixteen she had started seeing your father by then. He changed many things within her. In the end she was a better person when she was with him and I think she would be very proud of you" concluded Lily.
"Whatever happened to Endymion Shields"? Asked Serena which surprised Lily.
He was her employer after all but she answered regardless. "He married of course. Rhyanna Jenson, she was a model turned Fashion designer. Endymion became Vice-President of Shields Enterprises where I work. His marriage ended six months after his second child Raven Anastasia was born and that was that. Really Endymion couldn't complain, the woman gave him a son and a daughter so she more than did her duty as a company owner's wife. She now has her own fashion house funded by the money she received in the divorce" This only sparked her interest more. They lived such a different life than her, Darien and Raye.
"Do they see her very much? Darien and Raven I mean"? Asked Serena.
"Not that I know of. Now come on you must be starving by now" said Lily ending the conversation.
Serena wanted to ask more but she knew that was all she was going to get from her at least until tomorrow." Sure" said Serena and she followed her downstairs to the kitchen area. Andrew was already downstairs waiting for than to arrive." Andrew get the plates" and he got up getting them and placing them on the dining room table. Sitting down they started to eat.
...
"Serena I can drive you to Rita's if you want"? Asked Lily, early Saturday morning.
"It's fine I can manage, Andrew showed me where Rita lives, so I'll be okay but thanks Lily" replied Serena.
It became clearer over time to Serena that Lily was trying her hardest not to let either Serena or Andrew drive a car and Serena really wanted to know why but she didn't have the time to find out because she was due at Rita's house to begin training with Amber. Serena had created more routines later last night after realizing that she had no idea on what level Amber would be on. She guessed she had some skill being Rita's sister and Serena was aware of her talent but in the end she would have to wait and see where she was. Pulling up to a drive way she parked. She saw Rita exit the front door soon after her arrival. "Thank you Serena so much and good luck, you're going to need it" said Rita suddenly. "Why do you say that"? asked Serena, getting suspenseful. "Well your just going to have to wait and see. Come on Amber's out the back. Once they trekked to the backyard Serena found a very frustrated Amber sitting on a deck chair looking very upset.
"Amber, Serena's here" and Amber got up quickly and joined the so girls, facing Serena she quickly spoke
"Thanks for coming but you might as well go home, I'm hopeless at this" said Amber, sighing in despair.
"I don't give up so easily now go warm up, it's going to be a long day" replied Serena quickly. Warming up had been a painful process of Amber whinnying every five seconds but Serena pushed past it. Rita sat on the same deck chair that Amber had been seated on at Serena's arrival to the house, watching them both work. "You have to work to be the best Amber" said Serena.
Amber pouted slightly but nodded and continued. After that had finished Serena asked to what she had. It wasn't pretty but Serena started her out on one of her easy routines, by midday she had sort of gotten it. They broke for lunch which was a health salad with grilled chicken strips much to Amber's disappointment. "So Serena where did you learn all of that"? Asked Rita, curiously.
"I just do it. I don't know where it comes from" replied Serena hoping she didn't sound like a crazed lunatic.
"Well some learn to cheer others are born to cheer. So rumour has it you made the routines for West High for the past two years" said Rita. Serena knew she was more asking for her to confirm if it was true rather than actually asked her she gave her a statement. Rita never did like awkward conversations. This just seemed to be how she got of that but still got the answer she was looking for. "Well help but yeah" said Serena. It was true she had but Avery last year's captain had put their own touches on them. It was good that they did considering that they knew how to play to everyone's strengths in the squad.
"So if you hadn't moved here you would have been Captain at West Jubann High" jumped in Amber.
"Yes but one of my friends is captain now so it cool" replied Serena.
"That's awesome, I think that the West high squad is better than here" said Amber with a smile.
"Amber" glared Rita; being an East Jubann high cheerleader of course she would react to something like that being said. Even if it was her own sister saying it. "Well I'm just saying but then again it would probably be near impossible for me to get on it so I guess I'm lucky to be at East High" smoothed over Amber and she looked down, not wanting to meet her sister's eyes know she wouldn't be very happy.
"Actually we choose people who have something to improve on. It means that we can train them to do what we do. Some cheerleaders get stuck in their own styles that they can't switch to another, it makes it hard for them to adapted, so I wouldn't worry. You would have had a good chance" said Serena. She had been on the panel at auditions when she had started making the routines for the team Avery or the vice-captain Amberlyn had always let her know what to look for so there was complete honesty in what she had said.
"You really think so"? Asked Amber rather like a child asking for support.
"Yeah but it means you have to be prepared to work hard every day for as long as it takes" said Serena, giving it a double meaning to which both Rita and Amber understood clearly. "I will. " said Amber. "Good, I'm happy to hear that." replied Serena.
"Oh speaking of work doesn't Darien look so hot, I hear he has been working out a lot" smiled Amber. Rita rolled her eyes.
"I think your I.Q just dropped twenty" said Rita. Amber spaced back into reality instead of fantasizing about Darien Shields.
"What"?
"Oh it just dropped another forty" added Rita.
Serena gave a sadden smile. It was like she was with Diana and Molly. She could just imagine Diana spacing out over a guy like Amber had just done and Molly calling her out on it and saying something just like Rita had. "He is hot you have to admit it Rita" said Amber in her defence. "Yeah but behind that ultra-attractive exterior is a jerk who has been with almost every girl in the school. So don't get wrapped up in that" said Rita.
Amber responded quickly to it "Yeah well I didn't hear you complaining last year about that" said Amber. Sparking Serena's interested in what Amber was referring to.
"Wait what are you talking about"? Serena asked. Before Rita could say anything, Amber spoke for her.
"They totally slept together when Rita had a party here when our parents went away for the weekend" smirked Amber.
"Amber enough. Serena doesn't need to hear this" snapped Rita.
Serena sensing the negative energy that was going circling around Rita changed the subject. "Well we need to get back to work or someone won't make it past auditions" said Serena.
She wished she had never asked what Amber had meant after she had felt Rita's anger rise suddenly. Serena had continued with Amber for another few hours, finishing at four knowing that she had done all she could do in a day's work for Amber. "Thanks Serena so much" said Amber. "You're welcome but practice a little more to night and I'll be over tomorrow morning to help you" and Amber smiled and went inside the house to do homework that had been left forgotten because of the training. Rita walked Serena to her car, when they got there Serena turned to face her.
"Well it went well I think" said Serena.
"I slept with Darien Shields" said Rita suddenly, shocking Serena at her bluntness. "Okay why are you telling me this"? Asked Serena. When she had changed the subject earlier she had purposely closed the door on her curiosity on it after hearing what she had. "I used to be in with Beryl, Raye, Ami and Mina and Lita" added Rita. "Rita you don't have to tell me any of this" said Serena. In truth she really didn't really want to hear it. "No I want to. I think I need to". Serena leant against her car and crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for Rita to continue.
"The six of us where so popular and we had everything, really we did. Being a female cheerleader gives you certain rights, certain privileges you could say. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about" said Rita. Serena understood. It was the control that you could have over the school. It could change you if you didn't know how to control yourself first. "I was mean and hurtful. I wouldn't even look at people like Melvin or Greg. Andrew was always there for me but he hated what I was becoming and I thought he was a loser for hang out with Greg and Melvin. We barely spoke for a long time but it didn't seem to matter to me especially when the great Darien shields started showing an interest in me. I did have a party like Amber said and we did hooked up. I lost my virginity to him, to Darien Shields and you know it's true what they say about him. He is so good in bed. I've never had better sex since then but that's not the point." Serena felt strange listening to it. She didn't know if it was because she had asked Lily about his father or because of that moment they had had earlier in the week, if you could call it that but she listened to what Rita had to say.
"Anyway when I confronted him about it later he said it was nothing, that he just needed me for sex that night and everyone found out about it including Beryl and she told everyone that I was a slut and did anything for attention. She still was jealous of anyone who had anything to do with Darien, even if it was just a one night stand.. Anyway Darien didn't deny it or say anything against it after Beryl called me a slut. I can't believe how naive I was about it. I really thought he wanted to date me and start a relationship. I saw a lot of things differently after that. Andrew took him in you could say after that and I met Greg and Melvin. They have always been there but I had been too arrogant to notice them." said Rita. Serena felt almost lost taking it all in.
"And where did Raye stand in all of this"? Asked Serena.
Knowing that when she said Raye, Rita understood she meant that whole group. "They were indifferent about it but a few weeks after that they all stopped being friends with Beryl. I think they saw her for what she was more clearly than ever before. So I can't say they did anything for Beryl in that situation. I just didn't speak to them much after that unless it had something to do with the squad" said Rita. Serena flashed back in the middle of Rita's sentiment, to her first day at East Jubann High School and something that Rita had told her. "Is this the actual reason why you told me to stay away from him"? It honestly would make a lot of sense." Yes but considering he hasn't said anything to you I guess I was wrong." said Rita. Serena felt the question coming in her answer and as much as she didn't want to say anything to anyone and forget about it she felt that she had to tell Rita.
"That's not actually true." Serena answered to which Rita glared slightly but waited to hear what she had to say.
"When I said I was going to the Library that day I actually went to the courts to call my Diana and Molly to talk to them" said Serena.
"Wait who are Diana and Molly"? Asked Rita.
"There my friends from West High anyway when I was done he kind of came over and talked to me very briefly when there was basketball practice going on" said Serena.
Rita searched her face for anything that gave off that there was more. "What did he say"? She asked in concern now.
"He introduced himself with his titles and made an arrogant comment. Honestly it wasn't anything. He just acted like a jerk as I expected he would. He hasn't said anything since than to me and I sure as hell haven't spoken to him since as well" confirmed Serena.
"Okay, Serena I'm not going to tell you what to do. I know you're not the kind of person that can be told that but please be careful. You have lost some much already; I don't want to see you lose who you are because of Darien Shields. You know I can see why your mum left to be with your father. There isn't much here in the way of fairness and trust." said Rita.
"Thanks Rita, that means a lot to me. More than you know" said Serena with gratefulness clearly in the voice. "
You're a good person Serena and it surprises me that you could have a Shallows personality somewhere with in." replied Rita." Serena nodded and knew it was time to go. It was too deep of a subject to talk about it anymore at that point." I'll see you tomorrow Rita." Rita smiled almost with sadness but nodded in reply rather than speak.
...
"I'm so nervous" said Amber as she waited for her turn.
"It will be fine; you're going to be fine. That spot is yours Amber remember that" said Serena giving Amber some words of encouragement. Rita was sitting with Raye and Beryl and other squad members judging the different people that auditioned. Serena could see that Raye and Rita both showed signs of frustrations, something that probably had to do with Beryl for she just seemed to me checking her nails every few seconds out of boredom instead of paying attention to those who were doing their routines. Andrew was with the other male cheerleaders sitting on the sidelines watching casually without any real interest.
"Next" Serena heard Beryl yell in a harsh tone.
"Just ignore Beryl and do what you know" added Serena as Amber's expression became intimidated by Beryl's tone of voice.
"What if I don't make it, Rita will be so disappointed" said Amber. Serena laughed a little to which Amber looked even more anxious.
"You're not doing this for Rita, you're doing it for you. I believe you can do it and if I can see it than everyone has to be able to see it not stop stressing Amber you're going to get It." said Serena and she left her in the group to sit down by herself but she wasn't alone for long before Andrew joined her.
"How is she doing"? Asked Andrew, as he sat down next to her.
"Nervous and terrified but she will be great" replied Serena confidently. "You got a lot of faith for Amber, Why"? Serena smiled knowing that Andrew hadn't been in a position of leadership or involved in that side of it in any way that he didn't know what she, herself knew.
"I just know it. Amber has something special. She wasn't born to cheer as Rita would say but she learnt it because she wanted to and she wants it bad. She just had to work at it. "Andrew took a moment to understand completely what Serena was trying to say and when he did, he smiled in agreement.
"I guess your right" he confirmed.
"I usually am" she said sarcastically. He laughed in reply.
"You're so different to anyone I've ever met before Serena, your special" said Andrew shyly and he reached forward to curl several stances of her hair behind her ear, to reveal more of her face to him and he smiled at the result. However their moment of harmony was ruined by someone.
"You are so different to anyone I've ever met before Serena, your special" he mocked. Serena and Andrew looked up to see Darien Shields with his friends Jacob Leigh, Nathan Connor, Michael Logan, and Zack Tyler standing behind him, two on each side as if he had planned it that way. Serena glared at him. Andrew was just being nice to her.
"What do you want"? Asked Serena, directly. She watched his friends smile at her rebellious spirit that enforced her strength to their friend and leader.
"I thought we had already been over that, I will let you know" he said smiling at her. It bought her back to Rita's confession of her past that involved him and she became angrier by the minute.
"Don't you have some whore to screw or is it always the people you can't have that you annoy with your presences." she said sharply.
He made a direction that indicated to his friends to leave to which they did straight away. "Why don't you leave us for a moment while Serena and I talk" he said. All through it was a suggestion he said it commandingly that would make anyone want to follow out of fear. Andrew looked fearfully at Serena but she gave him a sign that said she would be alright and he soon departed her side. Serena just sat casually without stress, in a way that showed her challenge of him. She waited for him to speak.
"You got a lot of nerve Morasca" he said suddenly. She crossed her arms over her chest and leant slightly back
"And you have a lot of ignorance's, Shields" she replied. He looked at her thoughtfully
"You know for someone who has just lost their parents you are very aggressive. I guess the rumour about you vendetta toward my family is true" he said looking down at her from his standing form.
"Relax, I don't keep grudges that are not mine" she said softly with a smile.
"Really."
She could almost see he was testing her but for what she wasn't sure." Yes, really. You might want to try it sometime that and having more respect for woman but that would be asking for too much" and she got up and left the gym, she couldn't be around him for long. Somehow, he had that connection with her mother's past because of his father. It was wrong to see it that way but she couldn't help it and after hearing what he had done to Rita. It just confirmed even more who
he was. He was attractive, she would give him that as Amber had pointed out but he was just a player, not worth her time.
"Serena, why do you do that"? She turned and saw him following her up the hall looking incredible strong and fierce. It wasn't what she expected. As soon as he was standing in front of her he changed his question. "Why do you hate me"? he asked. She looked at him seriously.
"Go figure it out" and she turned leaving away from him. She heard him walk away and all was silent. It was the second time that they had interacted she didn't know what it was they had between them but it was something. A spark she couldn't explain that made her aggressive and challenged. She had never felt the way she did toward him for anyone. "Sere, where did you go"? She saw Andrew.
"Sorry, what did I miss"? She asked changing the subject. "Amber got picked, Beryl was angry for some reason, she never liked Rita very much" said Andrew. Serena knew why but she admired the fact that Andrew was being protective of his friend and not telling her what she already knew.
"It's fine, I know why. Rita told me but it's okay. Now come we better go celebrate" said Serena and she walked back to the gym with him forgetting the feeling that she had gotten when she was with Darien Shields.