Chapter 4- Bring it.
Wednesday…
The day I am truly dreading. The day of cheerleading tryouts. Today. Starting now.
I walk into the gym, where I see the usual cheerleaders talking amongst themselves, some of them looking at the people trying out. I'm so nervous, walking to the bleachers to put my stuff down. 'Am I good enough to beat all these people?' I mean I have no cheer experience whatsoever although I can tumble good enough. Still I'm no professional.
The others start stretching so I follow in suit, "Omg Jazmine you're trying out?!" I look up to see Nicole. I had english with her last year, nice girl, kind of ditzy but she's cool. I almost forgot she is on the team.
"Hey Nicole. Yeah I decided to give it a try." I return her smile.
"Ooh that's so nice. I wish I was brave like you in finding new interests. Once I wanted to join debate club but it didn't work out. Then I tried drama ooh and then…" I try to listen to her rambling but I end up tuning her out due to my nervous jitters.
The whistle blows, the coach is here now, "Wait what was I saying again? Oh yeah don't worry I know you will make it. Good luck!" Nicole smiles and hugs me tight.
"Thanks!" I say but she's already gone off with her teammates. 'Boy, can that girl talk' Well we both have that in common. In certain situations whether it is awkward, anger, or if I'm passionate about something my mouth goes on autopilot.
The coach claps her hands, "We're going to start off with some encouraging words from our captain." She steps aside so the captain is the center of attention. Ming, probably the most popular girl in school. Probably because her parents are loaded with money, she's of Chinese dynasty. I try to steer clear of her and her entourage.
"Okay I just want to start by saying this is a safe non-judgmental place. That being said, there's not a lot of room this year. To be straightforward many of you will be cut and some of you will not make it. I need the best on my team. Okay got that out the way. Think positive thoughts and give it your all. Hope you all do great! Because we need to be impressed. Oh and if you can't do this…" Ming does a high kick then drops into a split. "Leave now."
After her small demonstration of her skills three girls exit the gym. Wow her speech was kind of passive aggressive. I don't blame those girls, Ming is intimidating, from her silky straight raven black hair to her flawless skin down to her perfect body. All the guys want a chance with her but she turns the majority of them down. I never really talked to her before, she isn't my cup of tea.
"Let's start with simple cheers, Ok! Repeat after me!" Everyone got into one line. I took a deep breath 'Here we go.'
After an hour tryouts were almost over and they were surprisingly not bad. I did pretty well if I do say so myself. I am one of the handful who remained that didn't get kicked out or leave.
"Alright last five, Can any of you tumble?" The coach asks. The other girls look around lost.
"Uh I can." I step up.
The coach nods, "Great! Show us what you got. Floor is yours." She gestures to the wide open gym space.
I nod and pick a random spot on the floor, making sure I have enough room. I run into a round off, then into a backflip. Followed by three other backflips and I finish off with a back tuck nicely landing on my two feets. This earns claps from everyone in the gym.
"Good. Good!"
"Now we have a few things to discuss for a minute." The cheerleaders huddle together away from us that tried out. I take the time to gulp down a long drink from my water bottle. A squeal startles me, almost making me spit out my water. Seconds later Nicole runs over to me, embracing me in a bear hug.
"You made it!" She voices excitedly. I want to respond but her grip is so tight. 'Damn this girl is strong.'
"Nicole, do you think you can uh let go?" I manage to get out.
"Oops sorry!" She releases finally.
When I can breathe again, "I made it?" I question her to be sure. Nicole nods her head goofily.
"I can't believe it!" I'm so speechless and ecstatic, "I really made it!" I exclaim. My new teammates congratulate me along with the coach. Then it goes silent as Ming makes her way to me with the most intense, dead serious look. 'Uh oh.' She stands in front of me and I'm sure I almost physically gulped. Suddenly she smiles.
"Welcome to the team." Ming opens her arms, enveloping me into another bone crushing hug. 'Seriously what did these girls eat?'
Ming lets go, "Ooh I'm so glad you made it. I can already tell we are going to be besties." She smiles again. I didn't trust that smile at all, fakeness lurks behind it.
"Um thank you but I already have a best friend." My mind instantly went to Cindy and what she'd do if she found out someone was trying to take her bestie title. Also, doesn't she already have best friends? Ming laughs, a phony one at that.
"Ohh Jazmine, we are going to be more than that. You see the cheer team is actually like a family. We all consider each other sisters. Isn't that right?" Ming looks at her two friends who are staring into space.
"Right?!" Ming snaps at her friends.
"Oh yeah definitely."
"We're all so close." They say unconvincingly.
"See!" Ming tries to see if I got the memo.
"Well I look forward to getting to know all of you." I smile.
"Yup well cheer practice is tomorrow. Be ready and don't disappoint." There's that condescending voice and wicked look again.
Then she grins, "Bye new cheer sis" Ming walks off with her two friends following behind.
Once she's gone I turn to Nicole, "Wow she's um.."
"Bitchy" Nicole finishes what I was trying to get at.
"I was going to say hostile but yeah that works too." The both of us laugh.
"Yeah you will get used to it. I mean she's not always like that 24/7."
"That's good I guess." I speak confused. ' Because it doesn't seem that way.'
"Well congrats again! I'll see you tomorrow, cheer buddy." Nicole runs off.
"See you!" I call after her. That girl is really energetic.
I walk to the bleachers and slip on my gym pants before grabbing my bag to walk out the gym... A stuck up team captain,'How cliche?' I roll my eyes. I'm not going to let her get to me, I ignore people like that. Rude for no reason. Speaking of rude..
"How we're tryouts?" I come in contact with Huey. 'Great football practice is over too.'
"If you must know, I made it after you practically forced me to try out."
"Hey I didn't force you but on the bright side you'll get to cheer us on at games." He says referring to his football teammates.
"Oooh goody! I can't wait!" I feign in a peppy voice.
"Your sarcasm isn't appreciated." Huey scowls.
"Noo I was practicing my cheer voice. Goooo Woodcrest!" I mock earning a smirk from him. This makes my heart leap, a dimple pokes out. 'There's just something about dimples, especially on guys.' I bet Huey has two, if he would forreal smile not one of those cocky smirks.
"You know Dubois you can't make fun of them, being that you are now one."
"Yeah thanks to you." I pout. 'Why is this conversation flowing so easily?' Just the other day I could barely get any words out.
"You never know, you will probably end up liking it." Huey assures me. 'No funny remark? What's this?'
"Oh I see why you wanted me to be on the team… You want me to be your little personal cheerleader." I tease.
Huey sucks his teeth, "Please. I know plenty of other girls who will jump at the chance." He turns his head around, looking down the hallway.
"Hey Huey." Two freshmen girls walk past us and he acknowledges them by nodding with a smirk. In return they giggle amongst each other. Huey turns back to me, catching my annoyed reaction 'He's so arrogant.'
I roll my eyes, "I'm going home."
"Want a ride?"
"No I'd rather run." I start to walk off.
"Come on that's like 3 miles from here." He looks at me unbelievably
I put my headphones in my ears, "I need the exercise." I shout while jogging away, even though nothing's playing yet. I'm not running home, I'm going to catch the city bus. I seriously need to get a car soon.
A/N: Short chapter, I know but next on will be longer I think.
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