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Brittany's POV

All summer I'd been either in dance class or at cheer camp. They were practically the only things I was good at, so I couldn't stop practicing. Since I would be starting high school that year, making the school cheerleading squad, the Cheerios, was of utmost importance.

The high school was close enough to our house that I didn't need to take the bus that year like I had every year before then. My little sister still did, so she had to wake up earlier than me.

When I woke up, I danced to warm myself up, then stretched before showering and getting ready for school. Once I was ready, I said goodbye to my parents, then left for school. I was a bit nervous for all of the people I wouldn't know, but not about being in the large school, because I had been there for dance competitions before.

When I arrived at the school, I noticed how many people were already there. I recognized a few, but didn't talk to them. My best friend from middle school had been bullied so badly, her family had moved away during summer, and all my dance friends went to different schools, mostly because they were richer.

I went into the school. I may not be short, but I sure felt it then. With all the students rushing to get their schedules sorted, find their friends, and sign up for clubs, I was immediately trapped in a sea of people.

I ran into a classroom to escape it all and found that I was in the Spanish class. I was taking Spanish that semester, and I was glad to know where at least one of my classes was. I did already know a little bit of Spanish, so I knew that it would be an easier credit than a lot of my classes.

"May I help you?"

I turned around and saw the Spanish teacher. "Where's the Geography class?" I asked, caught off guard. Geography was my first class of the day, so I guess I was okay at thinking under pressure.

"Just two doors to the left," he said. "Are you taking Spanish this semester?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"I'll be seeing you later today, then. I'm Mr. Schuester."

"Okay," I left the room and made it to the Geography class just before the bell rang.

Some people from my middle school were in the class, and I sat beside a girl named Emily. We were never friends, but I didn't want to be viewed as a loner my first day of high school.

The morning passed slowly, so did the afternoon. I was anxious for cheerleading tryouts and could barely concentrate in my classes.

There were a lot of girls in the locker room after school. Like me, they all had dreams of popularity and being part of a team. All us girls met in the gym, as well as a small handful of boys, where we warmed up, then were led outside the gym by the coach, so we couldn't watch others' routines.

The coach seemed mean and super competitive. This was only amplified when she said, "Most of you won't make it past the tryouts. In fact, most of you probably suck. When I call your name, come in and show me what you've got."

We were lined up alphabetically by last name, meaning I was closer to the end, with the last name Pierce. As I got closer to the front of the line, I could watch people leaving the gym after trying out, most appearing discouraged with their heads down and the odd few looking completely exhausted.

I watched one girl shove another out of line and yell at her, but otherwise, my wait in line was uneventful.

"Brittany Pierce," Sue called from inside the gym.

I shook off some nerves, then ran into the gym.

I was always a dancer before a cheerleader, so I worked a lot of dance into my routine. Maybe too much, but I made sure to do a back handspring to show that I knew my cheerleading just as well.

"Well Brittany, you seem like the dumb blonde type, but you can somewhat dance," she said.

Based on how horribly mean she usually acts, I took it as a compliment. Still, the "dumb blonde" comment is something that is hard for me to not react to.

"Go home," she continued. "If your name's on the bulletin board tomorrow, come here after school."

I nodded, then left to get changed back into my normal clothes. After I was changed, I walked home.

I arrived back at home after my younger sister. She'd been talking with Mom about her day, but as soon as I stepped in the door, she made a run for it, knowing it was my turn.

"How was your first day of high school?" Mom asked.

"Fine," I replied. "Cheerleading tryouts went okay."

"I'm sure you'll make the squad. Just remember, you have dance lessons tonight, so be ready early."

"Okay."

I headed to my bedroom and sat on my bed. I talked to Lord Tubbington, my cat, and ate a snack. I wondered how this year would play out; maybe I'd make some new best friends.

The next morning, I got to school earlier than the day before to check the bulletin board. I read the names on the list of freshman Cheerios and found mine. Only about 15 girls made it, and no boys. I was glad I made the squad, especially when it meant people actually wanted to sit with me in my classes.

While I was waiting in the cafeteria line to get my lunch, a tan girl with dark hair approached me.

"You're Brittany, right?" she asked, standing beside me.

"How'd you know?" I looked at her. She was trying to be intimidating, but really wasn't fooling me.

"Quinn told me. You're on the Cheerios, and so are we. She wanted you to join our group," she said.

"You mean like be friends?"

"Yeah, popular friends," she replied.

I nodded in agreement, then we got our food and joined a blonde girl named Quinn to eat.