Saved by the Bell: A New Generation

Chapter Five

The following day, Ariana sat along the bleachers of the football field as she watched the girls already members of the squad flaunt themselves prerogatively to show off to the rest of the girls as they eagerly awaited to try out.

After a long and hauling session late last night while lying in bed and then that morning during class, she had finally decided she'd attempt to try out for the squad. She knew it wouldn't do any harm in trying out and like her dad said, perhaps it was the key to fitting into the school and making friends. As much as she hated to admit, she was going to need to make friends because she'd be at this school until she graduated.

"Hey! Are you here to try out too?" a perky brown haired girl said, taking a seat on the bleachers beside Ariana.

Taken by surprise, Ariana swiftly twisted her head to find the girl smiling.

"Hi," Ariana responded politely. "Yeah, I was thinking about trying out."

She carefully watched the blonde girl who had confronted her yesterday as she moved in time with the other girls like she knew she was a goddess who loved to be the centre of attention and obviously knew there were people who were watching her every move.

"So, are you new? You're in my English class aren't you?" the girl asked.

Ariana brought herself back from her daze. "Uh, yeah and I am new," she muttered.

"Oh, sorry, I guess you've heard that one question one too many times already huh?" the girl read Ariana's mind like she was psychic.

Ariana laughed. "Yeah, just a little. But it's alright; I guess I'm going to get it a lot more yet. I'm Ariana."

"I'm Claire," she paused for a moment, watching the live show in front of them. "Where did you move from?"

"San Francisco."

"Were you a cheerleader there?"

Ariana shook her head. "No but I had planned to try out for the squad this year because I knew the cheerleaders. They were my friends."

"So, you were Miss Popular huh?" Claire joked. "That's no surprise, you're really pretty. You've got the package going on with the long brown hair and everything."

Ariana blushed. "I've been told that though it is a hereditary thing because I've seen pictures of my mum when she was sixteen and I look exactly like her. But I don know if I should try out now since I was basically told by one blonde cheerleader that I won't make it because I'm new."

Claire looked serious. "Uh-huh, yeah that was probably Kayla. She tries to undermine people's talent because she thinks she's looking out for her squad which I find demeaning since she's not the captain."

"Well, at least I know her name now, but wait—she's not the captain?"

"No."

"Gee, I just assumed she was considering how she was talking up the squad," Ariana admitted. "This changes so much. Maybe I should try out."

"I would if I were you. The squad needs someone of a different race."

Ariana looked at Claire, slightly confused by her comment, deeming Claire to conclude. "Someone with another choice of hair colour, say brown. I think you should try out. I'm going to try out and since none of my friends are trying out along with me, we should do it together. You seem nice enough to be my friend. What do you think? If we both try out then we're both in for the chance to being a member on the squad."

Ariana smiled. "OK, you're on. We'll do this together."

As she sat on the bench and stared out to the field, she beamed a glimmer of hope. Could it be that she had just found a dear friend for life?

Tossing the football to the other end of the field, Chase Lanyard watched carefully as Sierra (the captain of the cheerleading squad) took charge and led the girls already on the squad along with the new ones eager to show off their talent. In luck as he would have it, he spotted the mystery brunette named Ariana or whom he guessed was her name after she spoke of that name.

Staring intently at her across the other side of the field, he watched her as the group began a routine and missed his shot at catching a pass from his friend and team mate Luke as it flew over his head, causing his coach to call out "Focus Lanyard."

"Dude, what's up? You've never missed an open pass in your life," exclaimed Luke, coming towards him to retrieve the ball and appointing notice to the reason behind his mate's near miss. "Right, I get it now."

"Get what dude?" Chase asked puzzled.

"Why your mind isn't on today's practice session," Luke said, picking up the ball and tossing it towards Chase who immediately caught it without a fumble. And that was why he had been names quarter back and captain of the team. This year, he planned to lead his team and school to victory and be named state champions.

"Luke, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Like you don't already know, the cheerleaders man, the cheerleaders. They're in formation and you can't take your eyes off them," he paused, jogging towards him and catching his breath. "So, which girl are you eyeing this year? Don't tell me—you're finally going to make your move on Kayla after she's spent time and time again vying for your attention. You won't have to work too much to gain her affection."

"Kayla? No dude, I am not into her—no matter how many times she advances onto me, I'll never like her," Chase dismissed, passing the ball back to Luke. He most definitely wasn't interested in Kayla. Sure, he knew that she wanted him.

That she wanted him to like her. The entire school knew that and knew what she was like. She threw herself at guys with a flirtatious smile while she wore the sexiest outfit she owned, but however she dressed, Chase would never be interested in Kayla. Sure, she was hot and sexy but she just wasn't the type of girl he wanted to be with.

"Actually, there's a girl over there with brown hair. I met her in math class yesterday—she's a new student. I'm assuming her name is Ariana because she uttered it to me but I haven't seen her in other classes of mine and I didn't have math today. Have you seen a brown haired girl with brown eyes in any of your classes?"

"Jeez dude, do you even know how many girls there are in my classes that have brown hair and brown eyes that go to this school?" Luke asked.

"OK but how many girls named Ariana can there be in our grade?"

"I don't know and I don't know any girls named Ariana in my classes either. But hey, does it really matter because there are plenty of other girls at school who'd be willing to date you—along with the prospect of including me in your shenanigans," he hinted.

There was no hint necessary though because Chase and Luke had been friends since elementary school and had always included the other in their decisive function of dates and other events.

"Besides, you shouldn't be thinking about this Ariana chick. You need to start thinking about how you're going to try and lead us through to the championship game," Luke continued with a wide grin planted on his face. "What's so great about this one girl? What, do you want to find her because she's a newbie who doesn't know your past history or take a fancy to you?"

"No, maybe, I don't know. I just want to find her. She's different to the other girls I've been with," Chase tried explaining to Luke.

"Lanyard! Ward! Quit the chit chat and get back to practice!" Coach Darcy bellowed to them from the sideline.

Luke flung the ball back to Chase. "C'mon man! Let's play ball."

He paced himself half way down the field waiting for Chase to toss the ball to him, practicing his free throws.

Throwing the ball back to Luke, he caught one last glimpse at the girl. She had changed his whole world in such a short time span of a day but he was sure it wasn't the last she'd change his world—for the better. He was certain that he'd talk to her again.