"Cinder, are you coming or what?" Adam yelled through her door over
the blaring music of Christina Aguilera.
She opened the door and he looked at her still wearing her pajamas. "I just fuckin got up Adam."
"Well, I'm leaving in 10 minutes," he replied pointing to his watch.
"Sorry, I over slept!" she exclaimed as she walked back into her room.
"10 minutes C," he said impatiently.
"No way in hell will I be ready in 10. I'll just have Trish give me a lift."
"You better not be late for first period. If mom finds out you're already being late to class she'll have your ass!"
"I know! Now leave so I can get ready!" she yelled as she threw her pillow at the closing door. She picked up her cordless phone and immediately called Trish. She rushed through the phone call and hurried to get ready.
"Where's Cinder?" Jay asked as he climbed in Adam's car.
"She just got up. She over slept," Adam answered.
"Already?! She sure is starting early this year."
"I know. She looked really tired and worn out when I left."
"Maybe she stayed up late last nite or something."
"No, she went to bed at like midnite. I went to go check up on her, like I normally do, around 2 and there was no answer. She was like fast asleep," Adam said with a shrug.
"Well, you're mom will have a conniption if she's late for first period. Especially only on the second day," Jay said.
"I know, that's what I said. She's got a lot on her plate this year though. She has a boyfriend, she has cheering, she'll have softball in the spring, plus the band, and all her friends. I have a feeling she'll burn out before November," Adam said shaking his head.
"Thanks so much for the ride Trish," Cinder said as she threw her book bag in the bag, hitting Shannon in the head by doing so.
"Hey!" Shannon exclaimed as he rubbed his head.
"Sorry. Didn't know you were there," Cinder shrugged as she put on her sunglasses.
"So, I'm guessing you had a late nite," Trish winked at her.
"Yeah, I didn't get back till 3 in the morning," Cinder yawned.
"Jesus girl. What were you doing for all that time!?" Shannon laughed.
"We went to Fred's Diner and had dessert. That was it. We just sat there talking and shit."
"Yeah, it's that shit stuff that I'm wondering about," Trish laughed as they pulled into Amy's driveway.
"Seriously, we didn't do anything else," Cinder shrugged.
"Hey all. Thanks for the ride Trish," Amy said as she climbed into the backseat with Shannon.
"No problem. What's wrong with your Blazer?" Trish asked.
"Don't know, just wouldn't start. C, can you help me look at it after school?" Amy asked as she leaned over the front seat.
"Can't, gotta pick a few girls to move up to varsity this afternoon," Cinder replied.
"Hmmm, what about you Shan?"
"Sure, I'll help," he answered.
"How'd you get back in the house?" Trish wondered.
"I had to stand on his shoulders and pull myself onto the porch roof. Lazy Adam didn't cut the weeds around the side of the house in July so they all grew around the ladder. I could have killed him for that," Cinder laughed.
"What'd you do last nite?" Amy asked.
"She snuck out to see Charlie last nite," Shannon answered.
"Oh, you're gonna be in trouble," Amy joked.
"Oh come on guys. I wasn't caught. Everything's cool," Cinder said casually as she began to fall asleep.
"C, if you can't stay awake now, you'll never stay awake during your classes," Trish said. Cinder groaned and sat up straight as they pulled into the pack parking lot.
"Oh, did you two see the new guys?" Amy asked as we climbed out of the car.
"What new guys?" Trish asked excitedly.
"I saw two new guys yesterday. One was like the tall dark and handsome type. The other had, well, he had weird hair," Amy laughed as they all walked towards the school.
"Must be freshmen," Shannon said with a shrug.
"No, I don't think so. I saw the dark haired one walking out of senior English with Mark Callaway," Amy said as they all stood around Cinder's locker.
"Oh no. He's hanging out with Mark? Just what we need another one of him," Cinder joked just as he walked by.
"And what's wrong with having another one of me around, darlin?" he asked. Cinder turned around and smiled innocently at him.
"Oh nothing. It could be great to have another person besides you and Glen scaring the poor little freshmen," she laughed.
"Well, who else is gonna teach them the rules of the school?" Glen asked as he walked up to the group.
"And who's gonna protect them from those damn 3 minute warning assholes?" Mark asked.
"Good point," Cinder laughed. "Anyways, Amy and I have to get to class. I'll see ya'll lata!" With that she and Amy walked away towards their first period English class.
"Ah, ladies, how YOU doin?" Chris Irvine asked as he walked up behind the two of them, wrapping his arms around the two of them.
"Hey Chris," the two girls chorused.
"Cinder, you're goin to my party Friday nite, right? You too Ames?" he asked.
"Ummm, I don't know. Maybe," Cinder replied.
"You have to come. You're the most popular girl in school. If you're not there, half the school won't show up!" Chris whined.
"Oh, come now, Chris. You're the king of the world," Amy teased. "Surely they'll just show up for you!"
"Haha, Amy," he said sarcastically as they stood outside the English room. "Please?"
"When to when?" Cinder asked with a sigh.
"9 to 2?" he said his voice full of hope.
"Yeah, we'll be there," Cinder said.
"GREAT!" Chris said excitedly as a few guys started to walk by them into the room. "I mean, that's cool."
"Come on," Cinder chuckled as they walked in to take their seats. She looked over to Rob's seat and frowned when she saw he wasn't there. She looked over at Chris and nodded to Rob's seat. He gave her a shrug as she turned around to face Amy. Amy shook her head as Cinder turned around, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh shit."
"What?" Chris asked.
"Dude, it's the second day of school. He always does some crazy stunt on the second day," Cinder said with a smile.
"Sweet," Chris laughed as we all looked around the room for him. The bell rang and kids ran in at the last minute before the teacher could shut the door.
"Alright where's Rob?" the teacher asked as "One of a Kind" blared through the school speakers.
"And it begins," Chris whispered to Amy and Cinder as they all shared a similar smile. Suddenly there was a yell of 'cowabunga' from outside and everyone rushed to the window to see Rob doing flips in the air as he jumped off the roof of the school. He landed on his feet as everyone applauded. He turned to face the school and gave everyone that laid back cool smile of his. He slowly bowed as Principal Bischoff ran out the front doors. He gave everyone a shrug and took off around the building.
"Guess Rob'll be in detention till Christmas again," Amy laughed.
"That was a good stunt," Stephanie McMahon added as everyone slowly walked back to their seats.
"Hey Steph! I didn't think you were coming back this year," Cinder said excitedly as she gave the brunette a hug.
"Yeah, that prep school was just not for me. So Shane and I are back," she responded happily.
""Welcome back Stephy," Chris said with a wiggle of his eyes. She rolled her eyes at him and took a seat in front of Cinder.
"You goin for cheerleading this year?" Cinder whispered.
"Nah, I have too much to do this year. I'm involved in so many extracurricular activities that I just don't have time for cheering this year," she answered.
"We'll miss you Steph," Cinder said. "Is Shane-O goin for football?"
"Oh hell yeah! You think my Dad would let him not?!" she laughed. "What's up with Paul?"
"Oh you don't wanna know," Cinder laughed.
"Cinder, Stephanie, would you like to continue this conversation after school in detention?!" the teacher threatened.
"No ma'am," they answered.
"Then I would suggest you two be quiet," she said. They nodded at her before breaking into giggles.
*****
"Shane, please tell me you didn't do that worksheet," Cinder pleaded as she and Shane Helms walked into geometry together.
"Sorry Cin, but I did. You didn't?" he asked as they took their seats at the table they shared.
"No. I totally forgot about it," Cinder whined as she leaned back in her chair.
"Well, I can pretend I didn't do it, if that'll make you feel better," Shane offered.
"Nah, I can't ask you to do that because of my stupidity," Cinder said with a sigh. Shane shrugged as the class began.
"Cinder, where's your worksheet?" Mrs. Macintosh asked as she leafed through the papers.
"I didn't do it," Cinder confessed.
"You do realize that you get a zero for the day, right?" she asked.
"Yes," Cinder replied.
"And you do realize that one more missing assignment means I have to call your mom?" she added.
"Yeah, I know," Cinder said softly.
"Alright, just keep all that in your mind," she said as she went on to a new chapter.
"Cinder, your mom is gonna kill you if you don't pass this year," Shane whispered.
"I know. I have a feeling that this year is gonna be my toughest yet," Cinder sighed as she began to take notes for the class.
******
"Shane told me about you not doing that worksheet," Trish said as her and Cinder sat at the table watching one of the hopeful JV kids try to impress them.
"Yeah well Shane has a big mouth, so what?" Cinder snapped.
"Just please promise me that you'll try harder cause we need you on the team. And I know you're mom will make you quit if it comes down to it," Trish said.
"Oh please. C, we need you on this squad," Alanah said. "Besides, Adam will kill you."
"Did I just hear you're quitting?!" Rico exclaimed in question.
"No!" Cinder yelled. "Umm, thank you Nidia." The curly haired girl smiled at them as she turned to leave.
"Freshmen," Trish sighed.
"Well, she was the last one," Jessy said.
"Wow, that's quite the group," Alanah sighed.
"Well, I think it's obvious who we have to keep. Torrie, Sara, and Casey," Cinder said.
"But Casey is a freshman," Rico pointed out.
"I know, but she's got some abilities."
"Sara's boyfriend scares me," Jessy added.
"Oh Mark is harmless," Cinder laughed.
"What about taking Jackie," Trish suggested.
"Ewe, no way. Her cartwheels were sloppy," Alanah said.
"What about Lilian? She's got a strong voice," Jessy said.
"Freshman," Rico said.
"I'm still sticking with my choices," Cinder said crossing her arms.
"Yeah, I agree with Cinder," Alanah said.
"Fine, whatever," Rico said giving. "We'll just have some stupid freshman stinking up the place."
"So it's decided then. Torrie, Sara, and Casey," Trish said as everyone nodded. "Rico, go get everyone back in here, please."
Rico grumbled and muttered to himself as he stood and walked into the hallway where everyone waited. A few minutes later Rico came back in followed by a group of people. They stood in front of the judges and Cinder stood. She smiled at them all and said, "Well, we've picked the three that will be moving up to varsity. It was a tough decision, but we've picked, sophomore Torrie, sophomore Sara, and freshman Casey. Welcome to the team. Sorry to those that didn't make it. Maybe next year. To you three that did make it, practice tomorrow right after school. Be ready to workout and run. We'll be doing some conditioning before we get to the routines."
"C, we have a game next Monday," Trish whispered.
"Oh, um, well, it'll have to be an extra long practice until then. Okay, so practice this week will be right after school till 7ish. We'll see you all tomorrow," Cinder smiled as everyone departed.
"Did you two order the uniforms?" Jessy asked.
"Yeah, I ran it in to Mr. Bischoff during lunch. He ordered them right then. We should have them Friday," Cinder answered.
"Hey C!" Amy yelled from down the hall. She waved at her friend as she ran towards her.
"What's up?" Cinder asked.
"Shannon, Chris, and I were gonna go to the beach, ya wanna come?" she asked.
"Oh that'd awesome. Yeah, totally," Cinder smiled as they walked to Chris's car.
"Did anyone hear what happened to Rob?" Shannon asked.
"No. How long is he in for?" Amy asked.
"He's in detention after school till Christmas break. And has Saturday detention till Thanksgiving break," Shannon replied.
"Whoa, he really got it this time," Cinder said.
"He was gonna have to sit out for the first game, but it's against Central, so they decided it'd be better for him to play against them since we'll probably have to play them in the playoffs," Shannon said.
"Thank God. Central is brutal!" Amy said as they pulled into Cinder's driveway. They all ran into her house and waited for her to finish getting ready. She ran down the stairs, skipping a few on her way down, wearing her blue palm tree covered bikini with blue board shorts that had white Hawaiian flowers on them. She hauled her blue surfboard behind her with her beach bag hanging off her shoulder.
"Ready to catch some waves!" she yelled as she began to run out the door.
"Hey, where are ya'll goin?" Adam asked as he got out of his car.
"The beach," Cinder replied as they loaded up Chris's car.
"Be back before dark. Ya know mom hates it if you're still on the beach after sundown," Adam said brotherly.
"Yes Adam," Cinder groaned as the four of them headed off to the beach.
She opened the door and he looked at her still wearing her pajamas. "I just fuckin got up Adam."
"Well, I'm leaving in 10 minutes," he replied pointing to his watch.
"Sorry, I over slept!" she exclaimed as she walked back into her room.
"10 minutes C," he said impatiently.
"No way in hell will I be ready in 10. I'll just have Trish give me a lift."
"You better not be late for first period. If mom finds out you're already being late to class she'll have your ass!"
"I know! Now leave so I can get ready!" she yelled as she threw her pillow at the closing door. She picked up her cordless phone and immediately called Trish. She rushed through the phone call and hurried to get ready.
"Where's Cinder?" Jay asked as he climbed in Adam's car.
"She just got up. She over slept," Adam answered.
"Already?! She sure is starting early this year."
"I know. She looked really tired and worn out when I left."
"Maybe she stayed up late last nite or something."
"No, she went to bed at like midnite. I went to go check up on her, like I normally do, around 2 and there was no answer. She was like fast asleep," Adam said with a shrug.
"Well, you're mom will have a conniption if she's late for first period. Especially only on the second day," Jay said.
"I know, that's what I said. She's got a lot on her plate this year though. She has a boyfriend, she has cheering, she'll have softball in the spring, plus the band, and all her friends. I have a feeling she'll burn out before November," Adam said shaking his head.
"Thanks so much for the ride Trish," Cinder said as she threw her book bag in the bag, hitting Shannon in the head by doing so.
"Hey!" Shannon exclaimed as he rubbed his head.
"Sorry. Didn't know you were there," Cinder shrugged as she put on her sunglasses.
"So, I'm guessing you had a late nite," Trish winked at her.
"Yeah, I didn't get back till 3 in the morning," Cinder yawned.
"Jesus girl. What were you doing for all that time!?" Shannon laughed.
"We went to Fred's Diner and had dessert. That was it. We just sat there talking and shit."
"Yeah, it's that shit stuff that I'm wondering about," Trish laughed as they pulled into Amy's driveway.
"Seriously, we didn't do anything else," Cinder shrugged.
"Hey all. Thanks for the ride Trish," Amy said as she climbed into the backseat with Shannon.
"No problem. What's wrong with your Blazer?" Trish asked.
"Don't know, just wouldn't start. C, can you help me look at it after school?" Amy asked as she leaned over the front seat.
"Can't, gotta pick a few girls to move up to varsity this afternoon," Cinder replied.
"Hmmm, what about you Shan?"
"Sure, I'll help," he answered.
"How'd you get back in the house?" Trish wondered.
"I had to stand on his shoulders and pull myself onto the porch roof. Lazy Adam didn't cut the weeds around the side of the house in July so they all grew around the ladder. I could have killed him for that," Cinder laughed.
"What'd you do last nite?" Amy asked.
"She snuck out to see Charlie last nite," Shannon answered.
"Oh, you're gonna be in trouble," Amy joked.
"Oh come on guys. I wasn't caught. Everything's cool," Cinder said casually as she began to fall asleep.
"C, if you can't stay awake now, you'll never stay awake during your classes," Trish said. Cinder groaned and sat up straight as they pulled into the pack parking lot.
"Oh, did you two see the new guys?" Amy asked as we climbed out of the car.
"What new guys?" Trish asked excitedly.
"I saw two new guys yesterday. One was like the tall dark and handsome type. The other had, well, he had weird hair," Amy laughed as they all walked towards the school.
"Must be freshmen," Shannon said with a shrug.
"No, I don't think so. I saw the dark haired one walking out of senior English with Mark Callaway," Amy said as they all stood around Cinder's locker.
"Oh no. He's hanging out with Mark? Just what we need another one of him," Cinder joked just as he walked by.
"And what's wrong with having another one of me around, darlin?" he asked. Cinder turned around and smiled innocently at him.
"Oh nothing. It could be great to have another person besides you and Glen scaring the poor little freshmen," she laughed.
"Well, who else is gonna teach them the rules of the school?" Glen asked as he walked up to the group.
"And who's gonna protect them from those damn 3 minute warning assholes?" Mark asked.
"Good point," Cinder laughed. "Anyways, Amy and I have to get to class. I'll see ya'll lata!" With that she and Amy walked away towards their first period English class.
"Ah, ladies, how YOU doin?" Chris Irvine asked as he walked up behind the two of them, wrapping his arms around the two of them.
"Hey Chris," the two girls chorused.
"Cinder, you're goin to my party Friday nite, right? You too Ames?" he asked.
"Ummm, I don't know. Maybe," Cinder replied.
"You have to come. You're the most popular girl in school. If you're not there, half the school won't show up!" Chris whined.
"Oh, come now, Chris. You're the king of the world," Amy teased. "Surely they'll just show up for you!"
"Haha, Amy," he said sarcastically as they stood outside the English room. "Please?"
"When to when?" Cinder asked with a sigh.
"9 to 2?" he said his voice full of hope.
"Yeah, we'll be there," Cinder said.
"GREAT!" Chris said excitedly as a few guys started to walk by them into the room. "I mean, that's cool."
"Come on," Cinder chuckled as they walked in to take their seats. She looked over to Rob's seat and frowned when she saw he wasn't there. She looked over at Chris and nodded to Rob's seat. He gave her a shrug as she turned around to face Amy. Amy shook her head as Cinder turned around, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh shit."
"What?" Chris asked.
"Dude, it's the second day of school. He always does some crazy stunt on the second day," Cinder said with a smile.
"Sweet," Chris laughed as we all looked around the room for him. The bell rang and kids ran in at the last minute before the teacher could shut the door.
"Alright where's Rob?" the teacher asked as "One of a Kind" blared through the school speakers.
"And it begins," Chris whispered to Amy and Cinder as they all shared a similar smile. Suddenly there was a yell of 'cowabunga' from outside and everyone rushed to the window to see Rob doing flips in the air as he jumped off the roof of the school. He landed on his feet as everyone applauded. He turned to face the school and gave everyone that laid back cool smile of his. He slowly bowed as Principal Bischoff ran out the front doors. He gave everyone a shrug and took off around the building.
"Guess Rob'll be in detention till Christmas again," Amy laughed.
"That was a good stunt," Stephanie McMahon added as everyone slowly walked back to their seats.
"Hey Steph! I didn't think you were coming back this year," Cinder said excitedly as she gave the brunette a hug.
"Yeah, that prep school was just not for me. So Shane and I are back," she responded happily.
""Welcome back Stephy," Chris said with a wiggle of his eyes. She rolled her eyes at him and took a seat in front of Cinder.
"You goin for cheerleading this year?" Cinder whispered.
"Nah, I have too much to do this year. I'm involved in so many extracurricular activities that I just don't have time for cheering this year," she answered.
"We'll miss you Steph," Cinder said. "Is Shane-O goin for football?"
"Oh hell yeah! You think my Dad would let him not?!" she laughed. "What's up with Paul?"
"Oh you don't wanna know," Cinder laughed.
"Cinder, Stephanie, would you like to continue this conversation after school in detention?!" the teacher threatened.
"No ma'am," they answered.
"Then I would suggest you two be quiet," she said. They nodded at her before breaking into giggles.
*****
"Shane, please tell me you didn't do that worksheet," Cinder pleaded as she and Shane Helms walked into geometry together.
"Sorry Cin, but I did. You didn't?" he asked as they took their seats at the table they shared.
"No. I totally forgot about it," Cinder whined as she leaned back in her chair.
"Well, I can pretend I didn't do it, if that'll make you feel better," Shane offered.
"Nah, I can't ask you to do that because of my stupidity," Cinder said with a sigh. Shane shrugged as the class began.
"Cinder, where's your worksheet?" Mrs. Macintosh asked as she leafed through the papers.
"I didn't do it," Cinder confessed.
"You do realize that you get a zero for the day, right?" she asked.
"Yes," Cinder replied.
"And you do realize that one more missing assignment means I have to call your mom?" she added.
"Yeah, I know," Cinder said softly.
"Alright, just keep all that in your mind," she said as she went on to a new chapter.
"Cinder, your mom is gonna kill you if you don't pass this year," Shane whispered.
"I know. I have a feeling that this year is gonna be my toughest yet," Cinder sighed as she began to take notes for the class.
******
"Shane told me about you not doing that worksheet," Trish said as her and Cinder sat at the table watching one of the hopeful JV kids try to impress them.
"Yeah well Shane has a big mouth, so what?" Cinder snapped.
"Just please promise me that you'll try harder cause we need you on the team. And I know you're mom will make you quit if it comes down to it," Trish said.
"Oh please. C, we need you on this squad," Alanah said. "Besides, Adam will kill you."
"Did I just hear you're quitting?!" Rico exclaimed in question.
"No!" Cinder yelled. "Umm, thank you Nidia." The curly haired girl smiled at them as she turned to leave.
"Freshmen," Trish sighed.
"Well, she was the last one," Jessy said.
"Wow, that's quite the group," Alanah sighed.
"Well, I think it's obvious who we have to keep. Torrie, Sara, and Casey," Cinder said.
"But Casey is a freshman," Rico pointed out.
"I know, but she's got some abilities."
"Sara's boyfriend scares me," Jessy added.
"Oh Mark is harmless," Cinder laughed.
"What about taking Jackie," Trish suggested.
"Ewe, no way. Her cartwheels were sloppy," Alanah said.
"What about Lilian? She's got a strong voice," Jessy said.
"Freshman," Rico said.
"I'm still sticking with my choices," Cinder said crossing her arms.
"Yeah, I agree with Cinder," Alanah said.
"Fine, whatever," Rico said giving. "We'll just have some stupid freshman stinking up the place."
"So it's decided then. Torrie, Sara, and Casey," Trish said as everyone nodded. "Rico, go get everyone back in here, please."
Rico grumbled and muttered to himself as he stood and walked into the hallway where everyone waited. A few minutes later Rico came back in followed by a group of people. They stood in front of the judges and Cinder stood. She smiled at them all and said, "Well, we've picked the three that will be moving up to varsity. It was a tough decision, but we've picked, sophomore Torrie, sophomore Sara, and freshman Casey. Welcome to the team. Sorry to those that didn't make it. Maybe next year. To you three that did make it, practice tomorrow right after school. Be ready to workout and run. We'll be doing some conditioning before we get to the routines."
"C, we have a game next Monday," Trish whispered.
"Oh, um, well, it'll have to be an extra long practice until then. Okay, so practice this week will be right after school till 7ish. We'll see you all tomorrow," Cinder smiled as everyone departed.
"Did you two order the uniforms?" Jessy asked.
"Yeah, I ran it in to Mr. Bischoff during lunch. He ordered them right then. We should have them Friday," Cinder answered.
"Hey C!" Amy yelled from down the hall. She waved at her friend as she ran towards her.
"What's up?" Cinder asked.
"Shannon, Chris, and I were gonna go to the beach, ya wanna come?" she asked.
"Oh that'd awesome. Yeah, totally," Cinder smiled as they walked to Chris's car.
"Did anyone hear what happened to Rob?" Shannon asked.
"No. How long is he in for?" Amy asked.
"He's in detention after school till Christmas break. And has Saturday detention till Thanksgiving break," Shannon replied.
"Whoa, he really got it this time," Cinder said.
"He was gonna have to sit out for the first game, but it's against Central, so they decided it'd be better for him to play against them since we'll probably have to play them in the playoffs," Shannon said.
"Thank God. Central is brutal!" Amy said as they pulled into Cinder's driveway. They all ran into her house and waited for her to finish getting ready. She ran down the stairs, skipping a few on her way down, wearing her blue palm tree covered bikini with blue board shorts that had white Hawaiian flowers on them. She hauled her blue surfboard behind her with her beach bag hanging off her shoulder.
"Ready to catch some waves!" she yelled as she began to run out the door.
"Hey, where are ya'll goin?" Adam asked as he got out of his car.
"The beach," Cinder replied as they loaded up Chris's car.
"Be back before dark. Ya know mom hates it if you're still on the beach after sundown," Adam said brotherly.
"Yes Adam," Cinder groaned as the four of them headed off to the beach.