Hi, darlings! Another chappy here. Just a quick disclaimer: I don't own MBC and I want to focus on problems teenagers have. I don't want to disrespect anyone. But I feel an urge to write and increase awareness through this story. I hope it won't discourage you.

The vibe of the chapter: More Than You Know by Axwell and Ingrosso (also the lyrics are quoted in this chapter) - You had your reasons, you had a few, but you knew that I would go anywhere for you, 'cause it ain't over until she sings - I just need to get it off my chest...

A day after

Danny's POV

My life has been easy. I am popular, talented, likable. I am grateful that I have friends and parents who love me. My father was a popular guy at school, now he is a cop - so he still is popular, in his own way. The perk of being cop's son is that I can drive like crazy and get away with it. Sam would say I am reckless and irresponsible - which is true, I am glad to have her to remind me. Chris would probably say I can't drive and I am just trying to get people's attention - which is also true. They know me after all.

Maybe I should be a better person. But my mom says I am good at heart. She's so nice to everyone. She has based a "Singletown moms community". I heard a few "sessions" and their favorite topics are gossip, knitting, erotic novels, muffin recipes and naturally, their kids. Even Mark's mom goes there, so I know all the newest mother-like scoop.

There's nothing in this world that bothers me. I am as carefree, as Cathy. I am glad she stayed here even though we don't catch aliens anymore. Time has come - we had retired. Now there is room for 4 new heroes. We have different things to fight with now... like graduation. And breakups... And now that cheerleader nonsense.

In the school gymnasium

"I hope this audition will be over soon." I sighed.

"It's called try-out, Danny. And we have to do it properly if we want to win," said Sam. She is wearing a really short blue dress just to show her school spirit. She has beautiful long legs, so why not. Those years when she wore tomboy clothes are finally gone.

"All work and no fun makes Samantha a dull girl. You should go to a party or... play cards with Chris or something." I suggested. By cards, I didn't mean cards exactly.

"We do play cards together. But life isn't a game Danny, you have to do things you don't like as well." And with that, Chris sat next to Sam. "I'll help you. Tumbling is all about physics after all."

"More like short skirts and firm butts."

"Now I feel like Tyra Banks in America's Next Top Model, having two Jays by my side." Sam looked into her papers. "36 people did fill out the questionnaire. This is going to be a looong day. Anyways, let's start."

"Who's first?" I asked. I have to admit I am looking forward to seeing all the girls.

"Wendy, and what's worse, as a former captain, I have to take her and listen to her shit the whole year."

"Manners, Samantha!" I said my favorite quote.

Wendy came into the room. Cheer audition, ehm, try-outs were held in the school gym. Us three were sitting by a table with notebooks and pens, ready to see the fresh meat. Wendy had her iconic high ponytail with a cheer bow. She walked to us confidently and when she saw Chris, she froze.

"What is that nerd doing here?" Even though I like her, I have to admit that she has a really annoying voice. And I don't like how she talks about my best friend.

"Judging. And I am hard to impress, so you better work it." Chris said with confidence. He's a smart boy, he knows that the best way to deal with an overconfident person is acting the same way. Wendy grinned and showed us her routine.

"Can you do some tumbling too?" Sam clearly wasn't as impressed as I was.

"Tumbling? Is it necessary? This isn't gymnastics, you know?" Wendy seemed passive-aggressive.

"Cheerleading is a mix-up of gymnastics, short skirts, dancing, and retarded chanting. And no tumbling is the reason why you were losing all the time. You gotta risk it to get the biscuit." Said Sam with a smile.

Wendy has done a cartwheel unwillingly. "At least it's something. But I expected a little more from you. A promise is a promise. You are in, but you have to work harder."

Wendy smiled significantly and stormed out of the hall.

"35 more to go," whispered Chris.

"I don't know if I should cry or be afraid who will come next..." Sam sounded defeated. "There's no way we can win this thing."

"I know that she was a captain and the fact she can hardly do a cartwheel is alarming, but look on the bright side - many talented people who were afraid of her are auditioning. And you can put her in the back of the formation, so people won't see her messing it up."

"Really funny Chris. I don't think someone is going to be better than her. Who's next?"

"Cathy."

"I didn't know she is auditioning, I mean trying out." I was surprised because she didn't tell me. It seems like I am the only one not knowing it. Maybe I shouldn't be so surprised. We don't talk much anymore. It hurt either way.

Cathy came in front of us with a huge smile on her face. She had two ponytails and a pink sports bra. As I more think about it, she is a cheerleader material - slim, blonde, brisk, flexible, positive, beautiful.

"Cath, I am skipping the interview part, because we all know you already. Just tell me, why do you want to be a part of the cheerleading team?" I took the chance and asked her before Sam did.

"I've always wanted to try it but didn't like the girls on the team. Now it's different, cheers are having a new great leader!" She squeaked enthusiastically.

Sam smiled. "Go ahead."

Cathy chose a song on her iPod and started her routine.

Your good intentions are sweet and pure
But they can never tame a fire like yours

Come a little closer, let me taste your smile
Until the morning lights
Ain't no going back the way you look tonight
I see it in your eyes

It was a really fast and joyful song (A/N title: More Than You Know). She danced airily and did some tumbling too. I have to admit, she was better than Wendy. I'd rather see HER in the team.

"That was really good. You deserve a spot on the team - I need someone to keep me sane. You are in."

"Zeeewa!" Screamed Cathy happily and left the room while jumping.

"Now you have 3 people in the team if I count you too." Chris was analyzing the situation again. He really likes statistics. Maybe that's the reason why Sam wanted him here. "NEXT!"

The next girl was quite fat.

"Sam, she is maybe too well-fed! This isn't what we want. She should go on a diet instead of going here." (A/N I don't want to emit fat-shaming vibes. Not at all. I want to show that you don't have to be slim and „perfect" to do what you want to do. This is a serious matter nowadays and I want to shed a light on it. Danny will find out further as the story will progress.)

"Why?"

"Because in cheerleading, we throw people into the air. And fat people don't go as high."

"You are the reason why there are so many bulimic girls, Dan. She isn't fat, she is.. curvy."

"Curvy? Her butt is so big it should get a twitter account!"

"Stop it, Danny, she is coming closer, she could hear you." Said Chris. Lucky to have him, to save the human race from jerks like me.

"What's your name?" Sam grabbed a pen and started making notes.

"Silvi." said the girl. "You know, many people said I shouldn't go here because I am not slim enough"

"As long as you will try and work hard, I don't see any problem with it. Who cares about other people's opinions? It's about how YOU feel. If you feel like trying cheer, why not. Start your routine whenever you are ready."

Sam liked it. Silvi moved quite well...for a fat girl. Then she left. Sam is going to decide tonight and announce the results tomorrow.

"It wasn't that bad, but don't take her," I said decisively.

"I want to see what I can teach her. You have to admit she has potential, her dancing wasn't bad. What do you think Chris?"

"I think that she has done pretty well for a girl that isn't fit."

"Thanks, Chris. Next is Alexa."

"Alexa? My brother has a crush on her." Little John is no longer little...

"Alexa? You mean the device?" I tried to make a joke.

"No, I mean the girl from freshman year."

"A freshman? Too young to handle the pressure" Wendy came from nowhere and sat on my lap.

"What are you doing here?" said concerned Chris.

"I'll definitely be more helpful than you, Chris. I am just curious about what will the little girl show us."

A girl with bright red curly shoulder-length hair came in.

"Name?"

"Alexa Hale".

"Have you done cheer before?" Asked Wendy while grinning.

"No ma'am, I used to play soccer." Ma'am? Is she trying to get on Wendy's blacklist?

"Soccer? That's the opposite of cheerleading! You aren't a cheerleader material, sorry." Wendy returned the attack.

"I'll prove you wrong, blondie." As she said that, she put on her song and started her routine. I have to admit, this girl is a wild one, she is sympathetic. The crowd would love her. She reminds me of Cathy a little, but Alexa is more cheeky and tough.

She chose dubstep as her routine music. Interesting choice, no wonder why John likes her - her favorite music style reminds him of his beloved electronics!

"I like you, Alexa, you are in." Said Sam.

"Excuse me? She is too young!" Wendy seemed mad. And jealous.

"Wendy, this is not a democracy, it's a cheerocracy. I'm sorry, but I'm overruling you." Sam winked on Alexa and shouted "NEXT!"

The next girl was Elle. She's a girl with a bad reputation. Maybe she wants to be seen in different colors than we know her – as a promiscuous party hustler. Her tryout went quite well until Wendy started to give her nasty questions.

Chloe came next. I know her, she is Wendy's minion and a former teammate. Always bragging about how rich her dad is. And her routine? Nothing special. No tumbling. Sam doesn't like non-tumblers.

Then a girl with a „month name" came. April? May? June I think. She seemed determinate to make a team. And maybe she will, Sam likes determination. The month-girl looked fearless. Another blonde. I have a soft spot for them. I can't deny it. I mean, Sam is a beautiful young woman too and Chris is lucky to have her, but she isn't blonde, not my type.

Bianca was a typical weird girl. She looked clueless and confused. I bet her mom said something like: „Go out, try cheer, make friends!". And she was like: „Do I have to?". Sam likes everything endangered and lost, maybe she will take Bianca under her wings.

Wendy was talking about Layla the whole time. According to her, she is a new girl who transferred yesterday. She knows her because she has attended the state cheer competition. That basically makes her a celebrity. Kinda. Of course, she was the last girl to come. But not least! Strawberry blonde – I had a very hard time just sitting there the whole afternoon watching blonde after blonde in short skirts cheering. I was cheered after that for sure.

„Just for your information, Mark wants to make a team too. Since he is a boy, he didn't have to come today." Sam said it as it was nothing. This is a big deal!

„Why not, I would like to see this blonde too. I hope he is going to wear a skirt." I was just curious if boys do have some privileges in this team, I want to be aware.

„While we are at it, I would like to try out too." I hope I just overheard. Does Chris want to be a cheerleader? That's for girls, gays and suicidal heterosexuals and I assume he is none of them.

„Whoa dude, are you gay?"

„I am not gay. I am married to Sam." He whispered back.

„She has bigger balls than you," I answered, Sam raised her eyebrow and Chris stood up.

„Please, tell me this is just a joke." Wendy seemed confused. It was confusing to me too.

„Wendy, the more boys in the team, the merrier and better. Or do you want to be a base? We need strong boys, they will take our routines to the next level."

„Is he strong enough? Can he tumble? Danny would be better for this." Am I suicidal in Wendy's eyes or what?

„As I more think about it, three boys are better than just two." Sam, not you too!

„You girls can't be serious." I resisted.

„Can I show you a round-off I was learning the whole night?" Said somewhat upset Chris.

We nodded and he did… something. I guess that's what a round-off looks like, it didn't seem that hard but seeing Chris do it made me cringe. Then he did a handstand as an encore.

„You did great Chris, now back to me. I can't be a cheerleader, girls, I have a reputation to maintain!" I was upset, are they all insane?

„Once you told me that you could watch Sex and the City with Elton John underneath your dress and you would still look as straight as an arrow, so what's the matter?" I can't believe Chris did pull this out right here, right now.

„Cheerleading and that are completely different things!"

„I don't care. This year, we have an opportunity and I would do WHATEVER it takes to win. Stop talking shit and think about all the girls you are going to hold upon your head." Wendy was furious, I didn't know she takes it so seriously. Chris and Sam were waiting for my response. Wendy would hate me if I said no.

"CHEEROCRACY!" Screamed Sam on the top of her lungs.

Well.. this DOES bother me. My life won't be so easy anymore. Now I am on the same boat as girls like Silvi and Bianca. My social life is officially over.

Hmm.. the Danny as a cheerleader? And why did Chris and Cathy try out? Maybe there is something shady going on in the school. One of the cheerleaders is hiding something. I'll be glad for a review, as always.

Get Into The Groove