CHEER-CHAMPIONSHIP

Friday morning had finally arrived. Months of hard work, and re-work after re-work had all led up to this day. National cheer championships. Addison had already been to Nationals twice before, once sophomore year and again junior year, but this year was different. This year she didn't have her older cousin calling the shots. This year she was in charge. Every decision, every mistake, every detail was hers...No pressure. With a heavy sigh, that quickly turned into a coughing fit, Addison sat up in bed.

"Girl! You still have that cold?" Bree asked as she removed her eye mask.

"It's worlds better. I just need to go take my medicine."

"If you say so. What time are we meeting everyone for breakfast, again?"

"7:30, sharp."

Bree glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand. "I'm going back to sleep for another thirty minutes. You should try to do the same."

Addison smiled and shook her head as Bree covered her eyes back up and rolled over. She got up and walked over to the coffee pot and started it before she went into the bathroom to take her medicine and shower.

When she came out, Bree was already dressed and drinking a cup of coffee.

"What happened to getting thirty more minutes of sleep?"

Bree shrugged. "Bonz called...and you started a pot of coffee."

Addison smiled as she walked over and poured herself a cup. She cringed when she took a sip. "Why is hotel coffee so terrible? Even at Disney?"

"So you go downstairs and buy the good stuff."

Addison nodded her head and shrugged. "Makes sense."

"Ready for me to do your hair?"

"Okay, Mighty Shrimp!" Addison called out as she stood in front of the squad right outside of Everything Pop in the main building of their resort. "It's 7:32. Go grab some food, coffee, whatever you are going to need to get you through the day. We're meeting right back here at 9:45 to get on the buses for 10." She picked up her captain's whistles and blew, dismissing them for the time being. She looked over to Bree, Zara, and Katie. "Alright girls, let's go eat!"

Addison walked through, looking at the various counters in search of the one thing she needed to eat. After not seeing what she was looking for she finally decided to ask a cast member.

"Hi, I know you are super busy with all the cheerleaders running around this place, but do you still have any cinnamon rolls? I didn't see any out."

"I'm sorry, miss," the very stressed out cast member said as he looked around. "But we don't have any today"

"Oh...Okay...Thank you," Addison said as politely as she could. Slowly she walked back to the table to meet up with Bree, Zara, and Katie.

"Addie, what's wrong?" Bree asked when she noticed the look on her face.

"They don't have cinnamon rolls," she whispered, afraid that her voice would crack.

"Uhoh..." Zara said quietly.

"Why don't you get something else?" Katie asked as she took a bite of her bagel.

"It's competition day..." Zara said looking at Katie.

"And…."

Zara rolled her eyes, "Really, Katie? You've been on the team longer than me, and even I know that cinnamon rolls are her good luck breakfast on competition days."

"Oooooh...This is bad..." Katie whispered.

"No, it's fine. It'll be fine," Addison said with a forced smile. I just need to go get another cup of coffee...excuse me," she said as she stood back up and walked back to one of the lines.

"I'll be right back," Bree excused herself from the table and walked out of the restaurant. She pulled her phone out and hoped she got an answer.

"Hello?"

"Zed! Oh, thank goodness!"

"Bree. What's wrong? Is Addie okay?"

"I need you to do me a favor. I need you to find our girl a cinnamon roll, or some cinni-mini's, or even some cinnamon toast crunch. Our hotel is out! She needs this Zed! You don't mess with tradition on Cheer-Championship days!"

"I'm on it...Wait...How did you know I was here?"

"Oh please, I knew you were on your way Wednesday night when I talked to Bonz. And before you ask, no, I haven't told Addie."

Zed let out a relieved sigh. "Thanks, Bree. I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you. I'll text you our room info."

Zed hung up the phone and slipped his shoes on.

"Where are you going?" Tracey asked sleepily.

"Bree is sending me on a mission to find anything cinnamon for Addie. Her hotel is out and it's her good luck thing."

"Oh trust me, I know! Go! Quickly!"

Zed laughed as he grabbed his wallet. "Any suggestions on where to look?"

Bucky sat up and rubbed his eyes. "I'll come with you. It'll be so much easier than trying to tell you how to get from here to there."

"Thanks, man, I appreciate it."

"No problem at all. I get how important this is. Trust."

Two stops and forty minutes later, Bucky pulled up into the 80's lot of the Pop Century resort.

"Alright, go do your thing," Bucky said as he patted him on the back.

"Thanks, Bucky. I'll be right back."

"Five says Bree texts me first."

Zed rolled his eyes and smiled as he opened the door of the van and started towards the room. After a few wrong turns, he was finally standing outside the door. He took a deep breath and steadied himself before he reached out and knocked.

"I'll get it..." he could hear Addison say from inside. A moment later the door opened up. Addison's jaw dropped open.

"I heard you could use some cheer-championship style breakfa…."

Addison cut him off, jumping into his arms and kissing him. "What are you doing here?" she asked when she finally pulled back.

"Bringing you cinnamon rolls?"

Addison smiled and shook her head. "That's not what I meant, but I can't thank you enough!"

"Happy to do it, Gorgeous."

"Um...Addie...do you and Zed want to come in or are you two just going to make out in the hall until we have to go?" Bree asked as she popped her head out of the room.

Addison hopped out of his arms and pulled him into their room. "So..." she said, taking the bag containing her cinnamon roll from him. "Start talking!"

Zed laughed and bent down to kiss her cheek. "Bucky, Tracey and I left Wednesday night and drove straight through."

"Tracey came too?!"

"Sure did. We're staying over at the Polynesian."

Addison took a bite of her cinnamon roll and moaned. "Soooo good...Thank you!"

"You're welcome. I know how important it is," he said with a teasing smile.

"Hey, don't knock the cinnamon tradition! The one year I didn't have them, we came in second and didn't go to Nationals."

Bree let out a laugh. "Technically neither of us were on the team for that performance."

"And I'm pretty sure you saved it," Zed added, leaning over and stealing a bite.

"WE saved it!"

"Yes, dear. We. My one and only foray into the cheer-leading world...You're so lucky I love you!"

Addison smiled, "I know." She leaned over and kissed him. "Oooh...cinnamon-y," she smiled as she kissed him again. "Nope...no…," she said pulling back and taking a deep centering breath.

"No what?"

Addison looked up at him and smiled. "I can't have you in here right now. All I can think about is kissing you...and other things...and I really need to get my head in the game."

Zed smiled and leaned over to kiss her once more. "I get it. I don't want to distract you," he said as he stood up and stretched.

Addison walked with him to the door. "You're not mad I'm booting you out?"

Zed stopped and pulled her into a hug, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. "Not at all, Gorgeous. You need to be totally focused. I get it completely."

"Thanks, Z," she sighed, melting into his arms. "I'm so glad you came down."

"Me too."

Addison looked up to him. "You know...There are a few parties after the competition."
Zed laughed. "Tracey may have mentioned the parties a few hundred times on the way down."

"I usually skip them, but with you here..."

"Awww, are you asking me out?"

Addison smiled and rolled her eyes. "Something like that."

He leaned down and kissed her. "I'd love to go with you, Gorgeous," he whispered against her lips.

Addison pulled back and bit her lip, "Yeah, you need to go...Right now!"

Zed laughed and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

Later that afternoon Bucky, Tracey and Zed decided that instead of waiting anxiously in their hotel room, they would take in the sights of their hotel. After making one circuit around the resort, Zed suggested they stop to eat. Without advanced dining reservations, their options were limited, but they lucked out and grabbed a table at Trader Sam's Grotto.

"This place is awesome!" Zed smiled as they sat around their table enjoying lunch.

"Dude, this is like Hawaii light. Just wait."

"If Hawaii is anything like this, I think I can put up with the ridiculously long flights," Zed laughed as he took a sip out of his shrunken head glass. "Speaking of Hawaii, I want to do something special for Addie while we're there. Is there anything that she really loves or has always wanted to do?"

"Actually, there is," Bucky said taking a sip of his own drink. "She's, well really we've, always wanted to go to one of those cheesy tourist trap luaus. Sounds corny, but for as many times as we've been to Hawaii we've never gone to one."

"Really? Why not?"

"Well, most of the time while we're down there our moms would either be at the spa or shopping, and our dads would be playing golf. Addie and I were pretty much left with her Grandfather and then when he passed away, the housekeeper watched us."

"Wow...That sounds kind of sad," Tracey whispered.

Bucky just shrugged.

"Okay, so cheesy luau it is. Anything else?"

"There you three are!" Missy called out as she and Dale walked into the Tikki themed restaurant. "We were looking all through the lobby for you boys!"

Bucky stood up and gave his aunt a hug. "Sorry, Zed was hungry."

"When is he not?" Dale laughed as he sat down at the table. "So...what's good here?" He asked picking up the menu.

"Everything," Zed smiled as he hugged Missy as well. "But these tacos are lit!"

"What have you three been up to today?" Missy asked sitting down next to them.

"We were just talking about the trip to Hawaii next month, but before that, we were showing Zed around the resort."

Tracey leaned over and whisper-yelled, "He's never been to Disney before!"

"Really?" Missy asked, causing Dale to laugh.

"Honey, the travel ban was just lifted seven years ago, and less than that in Seabrook."

"Oh, right. Sorry, Zed, sweetie."

Zed laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "It's okay, Mayor Missy. I'm just super stoked to be this close right now!"

Missy smiled and held her hand over her heart. After a moment, she glanced over to her husband. "Honey, may I speak with you a moment?"

"Sure, dear...If you'll excuse me. We'll be right back," he said as he stood up from the table and followed Missy out.

A few moments later Dale returned. "Missy had to go take care of a few things, but she'll be back before we need to head over to Wide World of Sports," he said sitting back down. "So...the tacos..."

Bree was nervously pacing around backstage, mentally performing the routine in her head on a constant loop. She glanced up and saw Addison smiling serenely.

"Why aren't you nervous?"

"I don't know. I'm just not. I just feel like everything is as it should be right now."

Bree walked up to her and felt her forehead. "Are you sure those meds are working? Are you feeling warm, or lightheaded, or...dillusional perhaps?"

Addison laughed and swatted her hand away. "Look, we've put in a lot of hard work to get here. But rehearsals looked great! No good is going to come from me worrying about it. So...I'm choosing to enjoy it instead. This is our last high school competition ever!"

Bree sighed. "You're right. We should just be enjoying this moment."

"Would you feel better if I gave you back your phone so you could go video chat with Bonzo for a few minutes?"

"I want to say 'no' because I'm co-captain and I shouldn't be violating our 'no cell phones backstage' rule...But..."

Addison smiled and dug through her cheer bag, pulling out Bree's sparkly pink phone. "Tell Bonz I said 'hi'."

"Thank you, Addie!" Bree said as she threw her arms around her and hugged her tight. "I'll be right back!"

Addison laughed to herself as she watched Bree run off towards the side exit. She started to pull out her own phone to text Zed when Zara ran up to her looking unusually pale.

"O.M.G! Zara! What's wrong?" she asked, hopping off the table.

Zara was silent for a moment as she looked around to make sure no one else would overhear. "I met someone..." she whispered so quietly that Addison wasn't sure she had heard her correctly.

"Isn't that a good thing? Why are we whispering?"

Zara tightened her ponytail nervously. "I'm scared. If I had a heartbeat it would be racing and my palms are sweaty...Maybe I just have the flu.

"No, that's how I felt about Zed! So...What's his name!"

"HER name is Mallory," Zara said with a shy smile lighting up her face.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to assume."

"No, I totally get it! Oh my god, I've never felt this way before," she said smiling wide. "Addie...how did you know Zed was the one? I mean, he's a Zombie. weren't you scared?"

"I tried not to fall in love. But that smile..." she whispered with a dreamy look crossing her face. "That damn smile always makes my heart skip a beat. Loving him was never a choice. I am, so I do...And yeah, there was the whole Zombie thing, but for whatever reason love made the danger look like safety."

"Wow...That was kind of poetic."

"I know right! It just kind of popped out! So, tell me about Mallory!"

"She's a cheerleader...obviously! Tall, beautiful smile, these eyes that just...And she's so nice..."

"Oh, you've got it bad!" Addison smiled hugging her. "What squad is she on?"

"Valley Range! That's only a few hours away from Seabrook!"

"I'm so happy for you, Zara!"

"Who's from Valley Range?" Bree asked cheerily as she walked back up to them. "That's where I'm from!"

Zara looked around nervously. "I forgot about that. Um...do you know Morgan?"

"Tall, red hair, super sweet?"

Zara smiled shyly, "I'll take that as a 'yes'."

"Yeah! I've known Morgan since I was in diapers. We lived down the street from each other. I just saw her outside actually….Wait a second..." Bree said suddenly putting things together in her head. "Are you the someone she just met that she was outside gushing about?!"

"I hope so..."

"EEEEK!" Bree shrieked hugging Zara tightly. "This is so great!"

"Seabrook..." The production assistant called out. "You're up in ten!"

"Honey, relax," Dale said as he placed a comforting hand on Missy's bouncing knee.

"I know, I know...It's just that I haven't seen the new routine. I just know it's...different..." she said testing the word out.

"Wait," Zed said poking his head between the two of them from the row behind. "You haven't seen it yet? Any of it?"

Dale shook his head. "No, she wanted to keep it a surprise. Have any of you seen it?"

"Not me," Tracey laughed. "I just keep hearing about it!"

"We only saw her walk through it the day she came up with it," Zed said.

Missy's knee started to bounce again. "Oh, no...What is she doing?"

"Aunt Missy, this is really difficult for me to say, but you clearly need to hear it," Bucky said quietly. "If this routine lives up to half of its potential, it will be the greatest routine ever performed at Nationals."

"Wow, Bucky..." Dale said in shock. "You really think so?"

"I can't believe I'm going to say this, and don't you dare repeat it...especially you, Zed...But Addie's choreography puts mine to shame."

Missy was positively beaming. "Thank you, Bucky."

"Hey, I'm just stating the truth. Between her choreography and Eliza's music, this crowd is about to be shook," he said with a smile. "Now stop stressing about it...please...you're making Tracey nervous."

Tracey shook his head in agreement.

Zed's phone buzzed in his pocket He pulled it out and smiled as he looked at the picture of Addison and Bree striking a pose backstage, and read the attached text:

A- 4:31 pm: We're up next! I love you!

He quickly typed out a reply

Z- 4:32 pm: We're all rooting for you, Gorgeous! I'll see you after you win! I LOVE YOU!

"Seabrook is up next," he told them just as the team on the stage finished their routine.

"I can't wait!" Tracey said clapping his hands and bouncing in his seat.

The lights on the stage went out.

"Here we go," Bucky said nervously.

"And for our final routine of the day, the NHSCC defending national champions...The Seabrook High Mighty Shrimp!"

Zed held his phone up and pressed record as four spotlights illuminated the four female senior cheerleaders, Addison, Bree, Zara, and Katie. He took a deep breath. "You've got this, Gorgeous."

All the teams were arranged on stage in a semi-circle around the announcers. Everyone's hard work had come down to this very moment.

Addison took a deep breath and smiled as she looked around. These teams were the best of the best. She was beyond proud of her squad. They had never given up on her through every single routine change. She challenged them and pushed them outside of their comfort zone, and they had risen to the occasion. They performed flawlessly and had been rewarded by a standing ovation from the crowd. But it all came down to the next few minutes and what the judges decided.

"I'd like to give a round of applause for all the amazing routines that we have seen today...Good job!" the female announcer said, pulling Addison out of her thoughts. "Just a reminder, coaches, you can pick up your scores and rankings right here on the bottom level after the awards presentation."

"Also," the male announcer stated, "First through third place teams will receive bronze, silver, or gold medallions, as well as trophies...Without further ado, let's get started."

Addison grabbed Bree's hand and looked over to her smiling.

"In sixth place, congratulations to, from New Jersey, Shores Academy!"

"5 more to go," Addison whispered to herself.

"In fifth place, from Albuquerque...Pueblo High!"

Bree squeezed Addison's hand a little tighter.

"Fourth place, from Valley Range, Valley Range Magnet Academy!"

"Yes!" Zara exclaimed as she clapped excitedly for Morgan and her squad.

"And now, we're down to the top three…."

Bree leaned over to Addison, "You ready, girl?"

Addison shook her head and smiled. "No matter what, I am super proud of this squad. Thank you for being the best co-captain ever"

Bree hugged her tight.

"You're third place team, and recipients of the bronze, from Seattle, Pacific High!"

Addison hugged Bree tighter. It was down to two teams. As the applause died down, Addison held her breath.

"The top two teams remain. In second place, the silver medallion winners, from Wisconsin..."

Addison didn't hear the rest. The cheers and applause were deafening as the Mighty Shrimp were named National Champions for the third year in a row. Addison was swept up by her teammates and carried to the center of the stage where they were presented with their gold medallions and National Cheer Championship trophy.

Tracey was clinging to Zed's side as the announcers worked their way through the rankings. With every team announced, they inched closer and closer to the edge of their seats.

"...In second place, the silver medallion winners, from Wisconsin, Green Bay High School!"

"THEY DID IT!" Tracey exclaimed as he, Zed, and Bucky jumped to their feet and began to scream.

"That means, for the third year, the Seabrook High Mighty Shrimp are the NHSCC National Champions!"

"THAT'S MY BABY COUSIN!" Bucky shouted as he jumped up and down.

Zed was in awe as he watched Addison being picked up by the squad and carried to the center of the stage to receive their awards. By the time Missy and Dale had turned around to hug him, he had tears in his eyes.

"Oh, sweetie!" Missy said, pulling him down into a hug.

"I'm just so proud of her," he whispered.

"I know, sweetie, me too!" Missy said as she wiped his eyes, and then wiped her own.

Dale hugged them both.

"Come on! Let's go down and see her!" Bucky said as he joined the hug.

"We can do that?" Zed asked picking his head up.

"Of course, silly!" Tracey smiled, as he took Zed's arm and started down the stairs.

When they reached the stage, Zed jumped up and ran, sweeping Addison off her feet and spinning her around in a circle before kissing her as hard and as deep as he could. When he pulled back, both of them gasping for air, he rested his forehead against hers. "I am so in awe of you."

"We did it!" Addison smiled and kissed him once more before she was pulled in the opposite direction by her cousin.

"You can make out later!" Bucky said pulling her into a hug. "I am so proud of you!"

"Aww, thanks Bucky!" Addison said as she hugged him back. "I can't believe that I led the squad to another championship!"

"I can!" Tracey said as he joined their hug. "I've said it since Freshman year! You're the best cheerleader I've ever seen! Sorry, Bucky...but it's true!"

"Alright, boys, let me congratulate my daughter!" Dale said pulling Addison away from Bucky and Tracey. "Addie...That was..."

"CHEERTASTIC!" Missy exclaimed throwing her arms around her.

Dale laughed, "What your mother said!"

"Thanks, Mom and Dad!"

"Sweetheart, we are just so proud of you. So proud!" Missy said, wiping at her eyes again.

Addison wiped her own eyes before finding her way back to Zed's arms.

It took every ounce of control Zed could find to keep himself from dropping down to one knee and asking her to marry him right there on that stage. Instead, he held her close and whispered in her ear. "I am so proud of you. I love you."

"I love you, too," Addison whispered. "I can't wait for the party tonight!"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you so much for the continued love and support of this story, and for being so understanding that I needed a break! The time off was definitely needed! I was able to outline most of the upcoming Spring Break chapter series (we're finally getting to go to Hawaii!), so that was fun and productive! If you're enjoying this story, please leave me a review and let me know!

UPDATES: Because I was writing ahead and not focusing on the next couple chapters, I won't be posting this Thursday. I'll update again next Tuesday. After Thanksgiving I'm hoping to be back to two weekly updates. Hope you understand! I'm only human and I have a crazy, chaotic, busy life (especially around the holidays)!

AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE: *Sigh...I could watch them together all day, everyday. #TeamPaylor

DWTS: OUR BOY IS GOING TO THE FINALS! It's going to be a LIVE ONLINE ONLY VOTE next week...so…BE READY! #TeamWitlo #MiloForTheMirrorball