Mako's Message: ... I want to say stuff but I'm too tired to come up with something so let's just jump into it.


Today went better than expected.

Today was the first day of tryouts and a LOT of people showed up. Way more than I was expecting. Even a couple guys, which could be interesting. I guess with more spots open more people thought they might have a chance at making it. Of course, I'm pretty sure close to half of them were Brooke's "friends".

But fuck em. If they think they can try and bully me into doing or not doing whatever they're in for a big surprise.

They kinda already got one actually. It was stupid but it was so smooth and perfect I can't help but be proud of it.

I was looking over the sign up and permission forms when Brook came over with a couple of her friends and said, "What happened to your face? Did you walk into a door?" with this stupid "I'm so clever" smirk.

I didn't even look up from my clip board when I said, "No, I got it last night when your dad fucked me so hard we fell off the bed."

And that threw them off long enough for me to get things started.

As soon as I did though she yelled out, "Is this cheer tryouts or boot camp!" Referring I guess to my cargo pants, tank top, and aviator shades.

I said, "Both."

There were a couple snickers and Angela said, "That wasn't a joke. If that scares you, leave now!"

I think there were a few girls who were scared, but not enough to be the first one to walk away.

Since the goal is to win Nationals this year, I wanted to make sure that everybody is physically up to standard...or at least know what the standards are. So the first day was just an endurance test. It was simple, but grueling.

We jogged around the track until they couldn't any more.

Angela and I set the pace and everyone else had to keep up. Coach Baum watched and kept track of who was lagging behind.

I still think it was a great idea, but I never imagined that Brooke would be able to keep up at all, let alone for as long as she did. I mean, I could have lapped her if I was trying, but I wanted to keep the pace reasonable so not only did I look awesome for finishing it without looking tired, but so Angela would as well. And of course I didn't want to run everybody into the ground on the first day.

Which brings me to the reason I'm currently pissed that I actually want to win Nationals this year. Because Brooke WAS keeping up. She was one of the last three people to start lagging behind. And that made me start thinking she would actually be an asset.

But god damnit did I want to leave that bitch gasping in my dust like a fish out of water.

I kept looking over at Angela to see how much more she could push without looking like she was putting in effort, but it looked like she almost at her limit.

Brooke caught my glances at least once and said, "What? Didn't think I...could keep up? Ha! I jog...everyday!"

The fact that she couldn't get through a whole sentence without sucking down a lungful of air made it bearable.

I was expecting to have to cut the hopefuls by at least half, but enough managed to meet the standard that I only told four girls to go home. It was kind of disappointing though. Made me think I didn't push hard enough.

So after the run I took them through a … well, I was going to say "basic" but more like "basic for me" workout for them to start on so they'd be able to pull off the cool stunts that'll get us a win. Brooke seemed to be trying to stir up shit too, saying stuff like, "This is ridiculous," and "She can't make us do this."

How little she knows me.

But if the bitch wants on the team she'll do it voluntarily or I'll kick her diva ass into the gutter.

So we'll see how the next try out goes.

Oh, and Marcus saw my new necklace for the first time today. I don't know if I should feel worried about his reaction or hopeful. I guess it's a bit of both.

He was just about to leave when I was just getting up and he saw me putting it on, and said, "Since when do you wear jewelry?" Like I haven't been wearing Jessi's friendship bracelet for the last year.

But I held it up so he could see it and said, "Like it? Dave bought it for me." and then I blurted out something I realize I shouldn't have said, "Black pearls are for 'Love'."

And his face morphed from amused curiosity, to confusion, to horrified understanding, to rage in about two heartbeats.

I was sure that if I hadn't grabbed on to him he was going to go find Dave and not to the station. "No no no! It's not like that! We're just friends! The color was random!" and I dragged him back to my room to show him the box so he could see.

I hated having to assure him that Dave wasn't interested in me like that. I think it would have hurt less to rip out my fingernails. But I did.

And then I reminded him that if anybody tried do anything to me I didn't want them to that I am capable of killing a man with both arms tied behind my back.

Marcus just sighed and said, "You're just too young to be getting into those types of relationships."

I told, "Dave seems to agree with you so you don't have anything to worry about."

Then he said, "When you're old enough you'll find someone great. I know it." Then he hugged me, told me to have a good day at school, and left for work.

I didn't say anything because the only thing that wanted to come out of my mouth was, "I already found someone great."