Traci leaned forward and wrapped her hands around her ankles. It was the first day of cheerleading practice. She wasn't really nervous even though she was the only freshman on the squad. She was Traci Michaels after all, totally cool under pressure.

As she continued to stretch she let her mind wander back to Friday night. After a quick wardrobe change she and Rick went out to dinner. He really thought he was slick with his lines but Traci was used to cutting through bullshit (It was a skill she was good at herself) and she even was able to call him out…in a totally flirtatious ladylike manner of course. It ended up being a pretty fun evening. She hadn't seen Rick all day…not really shocking seeing as he was in all advanced classes and while she wasn't stupid by any means she didn't really excel in the classroom.

"GIRLS!" Coach shouted. "Let's get started!"

Traci snapped back to reality and joined the rest of the squad.

Traci glanced at her watch.

"Come on Mom." She mumbled as she kicked a pebble with her toe.

Traci's mother never picked her up for anything…that is what their driver was for…but her mother was so excited about Traci making Varsity cheer that she insisted on picking her up after the first practice and having a family dinner. Family dinner…what a joke. Traci could count on one hand the number of times they sat down to eat as a family.

At this rate Traci could have walked home faster. She reached into her bag to grab her cell phone and suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder. Slightly startled Traci turned around nearly dropping her phone.

"Hi!" Rick said.

Traci smiled. "Hello, how are you?"

"Tired." He replied with that easy smile of his. "Had our first hockey practice today."

Traci was about to reply but she heard a car horn. She quickly looked over her shoulder…no luck.

"Waiting for someone?" He asked curiously.

"My ride…my mother." She replied.

"And she's a no show." He said.

"Story of my life." Traci mumbled.

"Pardon?" He asked.

Traci nodded. "Yeah, she's notoriously late."

"I thought you lived on campus." He said.

"I do, but I have to go home for a family dinner thing. Do you live on campus?" She asked not really wanting to talk about her home life.

"Yeah, over in Abbott." He replied.

"Oh cool, I live in Bowyer. We're neighbors." She said.

"That we are. Hey, if you need a ride home my dad is probably still around, he works here." Rick told her.

Traci was about to reply when she heard a familiar…

"TRACE!"

Traci waved to her parent's driver Randall. "Just a second!"

"That's your mom?" Rick said looking past Traci. "How'd you get so good looking?"

"I take after my father." She joked as she stood up. "Thanks for the offer but I guess it's not necessary. See you around."

"Wait…do you want to meet for breakfast tomorrow, neighbor?" He asked.

She smiled. "Sure, that would be nice."