Chapter 11

"Give me a G! Give me a E! Give me a T-U-P! What does that spell? Get up! Up! Up! U-AHH!"

Matt fell to the floor with a yell as a pillow was thrown at him from his very irritated little sister.

"One more word and I'll pummel you," she mumbled from under her comforter.

She was not in the mood.

Allura had roped her into cheering at Friday's game as a temporary squad member at practice. It was at least until their flyer returned from being sick.Which Pidgehoped would be after the first game.

So, of course when Matt found out, he had a field day. Loving and enjoying what little time he had to tease his sister about being a preppy little cheerleader. Something she practically swore never to be.

It was already Thursday and officially the beginning of the spooky season. October was in full swing and so was Garrison's highschool event week.

Monday had been filled with chaos as students from the Decorating committee hung multi colored streamers from just about every doorway. Signs about the upcoming game were plastered on almost every wall.

The halls, littered with blue, green, red, and yellow.

In her opinion, it was ridiculous. But to everyone else, it was amazing.

"She's still not up, Matt?" She heard Keith ask from her window before a thump of his feet followed.

"Nope and i'm out of ideas. She has like 20 minutes."

Pidge didn't care If she was going to be late. Ever since she joined the stupid squad, sorry forced, she had been exhausted.

All the routines that were repeated over and over, all the practices almost every morning and afternoon….the brunette was sore all over. Not to mention it was interfering with her time with Lance.

The cuban was a little peeved about that as well. He had even asked the cheer captain at lunch about easing up and letting him have his best friend back.

But no such luck. The girls had to be perfect for the first Friday night lights and with the brunette being the only high flyer, she was a key part. Which meant she had to be at every practice.

Every. Single. One

A groan sounded from her bed.

"Look at the bright side, Pidge. After today, you'll have the game tomorrow and then all of this will be over. It's just like having one more practice. In your case, the last practice," offered Keith. She felt him grip the ends of her blanket near her feet. "Now be a big girl and get up." The comforter was stripped from her and she squealed. Cold air violated her skin, sending goosebumps bumps everywhere.

"It's not just like the last practice," she huffed, pulling her arms into her shirt for warmth and sitting up to look at the two boys.

Her vision was slightly blurry as she hadn't grabbed her glasses yet, so she squinted at them. "It's me in an obscene short skirt and tight shirt. It's me having to be lifted and tossed like a rag doll in said skirt, in front of almost the whole school and their family members."

"It's one time," Matt smirked.

"One time too many. One time that should never be happening," she whined, throwing her head face down into her pillow.

"Stop being a big baby. I didn't complain this much when I was forced to play football. At least you had a choice to say no."

Two cold hands slipped beneath her waist and pulled at her once in warning before completely lifting her from the bed.

Keith had her wrapped up in his arms as he carried her over to the bathroom and pushed her right in. "Shower and get dressed. I'll have breakfast waiting for you in the truck."

Matt waved at her with a smile, shutting the door.

Stupid boys.

Grabbing her contact container from the bathroom sink, the brunette placed them in so she could see what she was doing.

Her hair was an absolute bird's nest and awful purple circles laid under her eyes.

Being a cheerleader was going to kill her before the game even happened.

Her body was not meant for such excessive work. She prefered sleep for a reason. Sleep was her thing. That's what she told Allura to start with.

Why hadn't the princess listened to her? Why was she in this situation?

Oh right, because she sucked when it came to puppy dog eyes.

Jumping in and out of the shower, Pidge's mind began to clear from her morning tiredness and she rushed to pull on her jeans and a long sleeved blue t-shirt.

Lance liked blue.

Oh great, I'm dressing for Lance now. How wonderful.

Slipping on her long brown lace up boots, she of course put on her favorite green sweater and pulled it tightly around herself when she realized just how cold her room had gotten since kieth opened the window.

It seemed the temperatures were finally starting to really drop.

Grabbing her phone and Heading down the stairs, the brunette kissed her mother on the cheek and walked out the door.

Matt's green mustang was gone. Meaning he probably left for school or took Shiro out for breakfast. Whichever one it was, the two were most likely together.

"A warm hazelnut coffee with two shots of creamer." A to-go mug was placed in her hands. Heat radiated around the cup and Pidge soaked in as much as she could.

"And one cinnamon roll, courtesy of a baking Shiro."

So it seemed Matt hadn't taken his boyfriend out for breakfast.

Cosmo barked from the bed of the truck, wagging his tail happily at the sight of the brunette. "Hey baby boy," she cooed, scratching the husky under his chin.

"Come on, Cosmo. Old red has to take us to school," said Keith.

Cosmo barked once again before jumping out the back and running into Pidge's house through the doggy door.

He had to squeeze as usual, seeing as Bae Bae wasn't nearly as big as him. It was his old door after all.

"Ready for another fantastic day?" The emo asked in an overly cheery voice. He was trying to bother her. Wanting to get a rise from her when she was already annoyed as is.

"Shut it, mullet."

"Excited for your first cheer debut?" Griffin asked from beside her. Ever since last Friday the boy had made the spot his new seat in history.

The jock would constantly ask her questions and make conversation. Which she didn't completely find annoying. He was nice and did help her with the worksheets. But she sometimes wondered when or if he was ever going to go back to his own seat.

"I wouldn't exactly say excited," she grumbled.

"Why not?" He laughed. "You're good. You should probably try out for the actual team instead of being a temporary."

Pidge looked to him with a bewildered and horror filled expression. "I'm barely surviving as is and it hasn't even been a full week."

He gave her a curious look at her reaction. "You don't like it?"

"No. I mean it's not that I don't like the girls or anything. It's just a lot of work. I may be the perfect size for being up in the air but I have to work a lot harder to keep up with everyone. My stupid shortness kind of prevents me from doing most things."

"I like your shortness. It fits you."

The jock smiled charmingly at her after his comment.

Honestly, she kinda felt like what he said should have caused her to blush. At least the smile should have.

Maybe he was trying to get her to. It wouldn't be the first time the brunette caught him flirting with her. Was he flirting with her now?Or was she just bad at recognizing affectionate comments?

The first time she noticed it, the brunette simply brushed it off.

Lance and her were friends and he playfully flirted with her too.

Perhaps it was just a common thing among all male and female friends. Even Keith flirted with her occasionally and he was gay.

But what if Griffin didn't see them as just friends? What if he was hitting on her?

The polite smiles and nice but Charming looks might have been a ploy to a plan.

"I've got number 3 if you want it," he said, handing her his sheet.

There was no way a jock as attractive and socially high as James Griffin, had a thing for her.

She was flattering herself if she thought someone like him could want anything but friendship from her. Her short stature was no match for what she had previously seen him date.

He probably just wanted to use her in the near future for science homework or something. Maybe a test. Or maybe he really just wanted to be her friend.

Either way, she didn't really know what to make of him leaning so close to her as he showed her another answer.

Perhaps he just wanted to be really good friends.

At the beginning of every lunch period, Pidge would leave her boring math class, head down towards the vending machine and then casually walk to the cafeteria. Usually she walked by herself.

Everyone else was closer to the cafeteria so they grabbed a table and waited for her. Didn't really make sense for one of them to meet her. Besides, she was a big girl, she could go by herself.

She sometimes even preferred it. The quiet time, when she could get it, was nice.

Except today, it looked like she wouldn't be getting that alone time.

A dark haired James Griffin, stood outside her third period class. He was leaning against the wall with the same pleasant smile plastered on his face that he always seemed to have reserved for her. "Mind if I walk you?"

Oh, right. We share the same lunch period.

"Um, sure," she answered. Once again his actions puzzled her.

The two of them walked in relative silence. He let her stop to get her daily sugar rush of junk food. Waiting next to her and even offering his opinion on some of the best snacks.

What pidge questioned was why he walked so close to her.

Why did he have to be almost touching her at all times?

She could just about feel his body heat as they made their way down the halls and it was a bit off putting and made her feel a little uncomfortable.

Entering the cafeteria, she let out a sigh of relief. He would split away from her to join his own friends while she found hers.

And she did. The brunette's lunch crew of 5 was seated near the back at their usual table. She grinned when Lance looked up and waved at her, bringing her to the attention of the rest of the group.

She started their way, but was stopped though, when a large hand grabbed her upper arm.

The short girl looked behind her to see Griffin holding her back. "Why don't you join my friends and I at our table today?" He questioned, jutting a thumb behind himself. His mouth twitched up into what she guessed was supposed to be an inviting smile.

But it made Pidge feel like she was anything but as his hand felt like it was beginning to tighten around the width of her small arm. "My uh, friends. I usually sit with my friends at lunch," she said, pointing towards the group of teens. Lance's happy expression that he had when she walked in was completely gone, a look of concern and confusion now crossed his features.

"We're friends aren't we?" He asked, bringing her eyes back on to him.

His grip on her arm tightened a bit harshly when she didn't immediately answer, making her wince. Quickly she nodded and it loosened up a fraction.

"I'm sure they won't mind."

"Actually we would." A second hand, this time more gentle, grabbed the wrist of her free arm and pulled her away from the jock.

Lance leered at his team mate, pushing the brunette back from the boy and almost behind himself. The cuban still had her wrist tucked in his grasp.

"We kinda have important things to talk about today," he spoke with a mean and snippy edge to his voice. Obviously Lance wasn't trying to act nice around the football player anymore.

Most likely seeing his best friend manhandled flipped a switch in him.

Lance only stood there with a glare, not elaborating on why she couldn't sit with him but also not leaving an inch for discussion.

Griffin settled the lanky teen with a mean look of his own but shifted it into his usual charming expression when he faced her. "I'll see you around, Pidge."

She nodded and then let Lance drag her away.

"What was that about?" Asked Hunk as she sat down between Lance and Keith.

"Nothing," she said, rubbing her arm where the jock had grabbed her too tightly.

"Does your arm hurt?" Asked Keith quietly as he leaned into the girl's ear. Pidge placed on a small smile and shook her head.

Her arm was actually slightly throbbing but she didn't want to worry anyone over nothing.

"What have you all been talking about?" The brunette asked.

Lance practically burst with excitement next to her, pointing a long tan finger at the asian. "You, Son of Kogane. Will join your friends for Halloween."

"Son of Kogane" chuckled, shaking his head and forgetting about the small girl. "Once again, no."

"Please?" The cuban whined, lacing his fingers together in a begging manner. His tall frame leaned slightly across the brunette's front so he could pull out the puppy dog eyes.

Unfortunately for him though, the asian wasn't easily swayed as his shorter friend, when it came to a certain pair of ocean blues.

Keith smirked and leaned in close to the lanky teen's face. Both of them were now low, faces leaned down to be level withPidge's as they stared at one another.

Keith spoke simply, "No."

Lance huffed in defeat and dropped his head down face first into the brunette's lap.

A spluttered sound sounded from the asian as he covered his mouth to keep from outright laughing.

Why was he laughing, you ask?

Because the minute the cuban made contact with her thighs, a fierce blush took over every inch of Pidge's face. Eyes blown wide.

Hunk grinned at her from the corner of her eye and Allura cuddled up into Lotors side.

The couple was staring at her with an understanding gaze.

What the hell do they understand? And why is Hunk giving me that look??

After a minute of silence, she felt as the cuban stiffened and shot up with a balring red face to match hers. His eyes met her honey ones and he quickly looked to the asian beside her.

"You are going, Mullet. That's final." Standing up, he grabbed his empty Gatorade bottle and muttered something about getting another one before he left.

After a beat of silence, Pidge shook off the tingles that traveled up her spine and turned towards her friend. "Keith, would you just go to the damn party."

The asian grinned, "Why? Is my stubbornness affecting the others around me?"

He knew the answer to that when he asked but she still answered. "Dangerously so."

Grin not leaving, he shrugged a shoulder and leaned back into his chair. "I was gonna go from the start."

"Classic Keith, living to aggravate Lance," Hunk said, picking through his lunch.

Rolling her eyes, Pidge opened her bag of chips that she had stuffed into her sweater pocket.

She went through that flushed embarrassment just because emo boy wanted to have his fun? How fair was that!

Also, did the two know anything about personal space?!

"Ok, all I'm saying is that you could probably find something really cool to wear," said Lance as he returned to the table and his topic about the Halloween party continued.

Why was he even still going on about the stupid party, anyways?

It was being hosted by Griffin. Sure, the two hadn't gotten alongwhen Lance first found out about the party. But she would only be stating the obvious by saying that it had gotten a lot worse over the past week. Shouldn't he be overreacting about how it would be an Insult for him to be going to an enemies party?

"Keith's been pulling your leg, he's planned to go all along," she stated simply, plucking a chip from her bag.

"What?!"

Loverboy

: I can't believe Mullet!How dare he! I was close to going down on my knees to beg him!

Pidgeon: I believe that was his plan.

Class had started about five minutes ago and Pidge was laid across the top of the black grand piano in the music room.

Keith and Lotor were on the bench trying to find songs again and having the asian play them out before they would rehearse it.

Hunk though, was seated in the back with a girl named Romelle.

She was a pretty, energetic blonde that practiced the violin.

Something the drummer seemed to find very interesting….

Or at least he found the player very Interesting.

Pidge could see hearts practically floating around his head as he watched her.

Is that how she looked with Lance?

L: Rude. Why is that boy filled with such hate?

P: It's the mullet's influence.

The brunette chuckled. She figured he would appreciate a mullet joke.

"What about this one?" Keith asked as he began playing a tune.

Vibrations from the large instrument flowed into her body, sending her into a peaceful and relaxed mindset.

She had felt awfully tense from the incident with Lance at lunch. Not to mention the confrontation with Griffin.

She honestly still didn't know what to do with that. He had made her feel very uncomfortable and she wasn't quite sure she even wanted to be around him anymore.

Which was a problem.

She highly doubted the jock would stop talking to her. If the smile he had given her was any indication, he probably didn't even notice that he had done anything wrong.

L: haha this is why you are the greatest.

"I think we should give it a run," said Lotor. "Pidge. Hunk." The captain called.

Hunk gave a timid smile before he was jogging over to his drum set taking a seat and the paper Lotor handed them each. Pidge simply sat up. "Think you could put the song into play?" Lotor asked, smirking at her.

She just smirked back, grabbing the paper and pulling her knees up to sit criss cross. "What do you think." She was cocky and confident when it came to her ability and skill of singing.

Unlike cheerleading.

Looking to the top of the page, Pidge recognized the song title.

"Slow fade" by Ruth b.

"Another love song?" She asked, looking down at keith.

He shrugged, "Slow songs with a lot of emotion seem to fit your voice well."

"Rolo, you filming this?" Lotor called over to the teen who was leaning up against the front wall on the floor.

The stoner nodded, holding up his phone.

The video would definitely make its way to Lance's phone, she knew. But she also knew lotor reviewed the footage to find errors. Almost like a roll play of the game.

"Ready?" Hunk asked

Everyone nodded and Keith started to moved his fingers delicately across the keys.

Pidge breathed in.

Late nights, are you sleepless too?

The brunette's voice came out smoothly. Pouring out like silk.

Wide awake in the starless blueStaring up at the ceilingDo you feel what I'm feelingLittle fights at the weekend doYou love me better when I'm not with youWe were built like concreteI used to know your heartbeat.

Rolo whistled from behind his phone, giving her a thumbs up as her voice carried the last line perfectly.

The light has disappearedThe dust has settled hereBut still I want you nearSo I been waiting for that slow fade (Ooh-hoo-hoo)(Ooh-hoo-hoo)Kinda hoping that you won't stay (Ooh-hoo-hoo)(Ooh-hoo-hoo)

There's no color in us latelyAnd it's too hard to sayI been praying that we'll lose our love in slow fade.

Keith's piano played beautifully by itself as a break in the song appeared and she sent him an encouraging but teasing smile as she stuck out her tongue.

Crazy how it was me and youFrom the start of the sun and moonHeld each other through itWe were young and foolishNow we're dancing like we're doneWe found the end of the moon and sunWas it always like this?Cause now it's always like this

Most of the students had stopped playing their instruments in respect of them. But most just wanted to watch. They always did.

The light has disappearedThe dust has settled hereBut still I want you near, ohSo I been waiting for that slow fade (Ooh-hoo-hoo)(Ooh-hoo-hoo)Kinda hoping that you won't stay (Ooh-hoo-hoo)(Ooh-hoo-hoo)There's no color in us latelyAnd it's too hard to sayI been praying that we'll lose our love in slow fade.

Keith cursed quietly. He had made a slight slip up at the end but quickly corrected it.

It didn't bother anyone though.

Maybe I'll find you again, maybe I won'tI think for now that it's best if we let it goI hope you get all you want out of this lifeEven if it's not with me by your sideSo I've been waiting for that slow fade (Ooh-hoo-hoo)(Ooh-hoo-hoo)Kinda hoping that you won't stay (Ooh-hoo-hoo)(Ooh-hoo-hoo)There's no color in us latelyAnd it's too hard to sayI've been praying that we'll lose our love in slow fadeI've been praying that we'll lose our love in slow fade.

It wouldn't be until she had sung the song 2 more times, that Lance commented on her newest video.

L: My love will never slow fade for your beautiful voice.

Great, now she wanted to absolutely die from happiness and she had to get rid of the redness and warmth that took over skin before she met him at Principle Coran's class.

Thanks Lance, you wonderful, wonderful boy, she thought sarcastically.

"I'm going to die tomorrow," Pidge pouted, shoveling a spoon full of ice cream into her mouth.

Lance had asked her to go to the parlor after class. He used the excuse of just wanting something sweet but she knew it was just a cover for wanting some time with her.

Something they both desperately needed.

"I highly doubt it'll be that bad," he said, taking a bite of his own sugary treat.

"I have an early practice in the morning, fitting for my awful outfit during lunch and a game in the damn thing. Also, to top it all off, it's going to drop down to the 50's. I'm gonna freeze!" the brunette exclaimed.

"See, you think you will. But all your movement will keep you warm."

"I'm not running a touchdown, Lance. I'm being thrown like a rag doll."

Lance smiled at her obvious disdain with everything that had to do with the sport. She had complained non-stop all week. The cuban had the text to prove it.

"Still a lot of moving. You aren't tired after practice for nothing."

Pidge huffed, dropping her chin into her hand and playing with the remaining liquid left in her bowl.

She didn't say anymore on the subject and didn't act like she wanted to. She simply just stirred her spoon. So, seeing his opening, the Lanky teen spoke.

"I have a question for you?"

His voice made her lift her head up to look at him. Curiosity filling her features

"Ok, what is it?"

The cuban breathed out before stilling his eyes on hers. "Do you uh, Do you like Griffin?"

The brunette looked at him weirdly. Her honey brown eyes narrowed in thought and her small pink lips puckered out into a frown. "Yeah, he's pretty cool. A bit of a talker-"

"No," he interrupted. "Do you like, like him. Is he...is he your crush?"

The girl's eyes bulged and she shook her head, sitting up straighter. "Oh no! No, Griffin is just a friend."

"Really?" He asked. He could practically feel the tension leaving his body.

"Yeah, I mean he's great and all."

"You mean he's an ass," the cuban grumbled, a little pissy that she still didn't see how much of a dick the guy was.

"I think you are judging before you get to know him," she said, grabbing a menu from the rack on the table and leaning back into her seat to browse the appetizers. Lance figured all the work she had been doing built up an appetite for her. Well...more of an appetite.

The girl could already eat like crazy.

"Trust me. I know him."

Pidge smirked, "oh, because you are such a great judge of character," she told him sarcastically.

The cuban lifted his chin high, crossing his arms out in front of him. "I am."

"Oh, really?" She was so ready to pop his almighty bubble. "What about the girl from Dennys you asked out a couple of months ago?"

He deflated slightly in his seat, leaning forward onto his arms. "Ok fine, I'll give you that. She was mean. But she was the only one."

"And the guy from the mall?" She asked, a fine eyebrow raised.

"He was hot!!"

"He bullied you about your skin care routine and then referred to you as his bitch!" She shouted back.

"They told me the devil would be attractive," he said dramatically in a joking manner.

"Lord help you," she laughed, shaking her head at his antics.

"I'm probably gonna need it." Reaching over he plucked the menu from her fingers and skimmed it before giving her a dazzling smile. "What else do you want? I'll get you whatever you want for your bad week."

"Fries?" She asked Hopefully.

He laughed, "If that's what you want."

"Hand it to me so I can look at it again just in case I missed something else." He handed her the menu as told, smiling as she made cute grabby hands at him.