Nighty-Night

"I didn't see him again 'till that day at the mall." Zeilia continued, fighting back tears. "We never got any news about him; he probably hated me, like he does now." Tears were flowing freely now.

"Wow." Nikki said, then noticed Zeilia tears. "You okay Zeilia? Want me to drive?"

"No, it's alright. We're at the hotel." She replied, wiping her eyes. She then brightened remembering something. "Before we get out, I have to give you guys you're new cover." She said holding back the urge to burst into hysterics. "We're a cheer squad." Then she couldn't help but laugh, noticing most of the group's faces. Caitlin and Jen were the only ones happy about it.

"You mean, wear a skirt cheerleaders?" Nikki asked.

"Sweaters and tights cheerleaders?" Jonsey asked. Zeilia nodded, forcing back laughter.

"Yup, now let's get you dressed." With a snap of her fingers, they were all wearing appropriate cheer attire with purple and green as the colors.

"Why can't the guys be football players?" Jude asked.

"There are only three of us." Wyatt answered. "What's with the whole cheer squad cover though?"

"Helps two ways. We get a discount on rooms and you're parent's are ok with it." Zeilia said. She looked back to see an even more stricken group of guys.

"So anyone that asks where we are will know that we're…we're…cheerleading!?" Jonsey wailed.

"Pretty much. Now get out before your tears stain my car." Zeilia joked.

"My tears? Just a few seconds ago you were—"

"Jonsey," Caitlin warned, "don't."

"Fine. Nice hotel you picked out Zeil."

"Thanks. Here's the guy's room key. See ya later."

***

With all the girls clad in their various pajamas, Caitlin spoke up. "I feel so isolated." She whined.

"Poor Caitlin, no boys to flirt with." Nikki teased.

"Shhh, guys. My phone is ringing. Hello? Oh, hi Jake what's up? Yea? Mmmm-hmmm. What? Ok, fine. No joke? Dang. Ok, I'll talk to you later. Bye." She hung up the phone, wearing a sullen expression.

"What's wrong Zeilia?" Jen asked.

"We're actually gonna have to cheer. I don't know the first thing about cheerleading."

"Awww, c'mon girls, it can't be that hard….Can it?" Caitlin asked.

"If it was easy don't you think cheerleaders wouldn't be as important, or popular?" Jen replied.

"I'm gonna go tell the boys the news." Zeilia announced.

"Oh, I gotta see this." Nikki said

"Knock knock." Zeilia said. Jonsey answered the door.

"Couldn't keep away from my good looks and winning personality girls?" He teased.

"What personality?" Zeilia replied. "We just came by to say, wait for it…" she pulled out a camera "we're going to have to actually compete in the cheer competition!"

Snap, flash. "Wow Jonsey," she said, looking at his picture "you look like you've seen a ghost. I feel better now. Now let us in so we can practice Casano-brains."

"You shouldn't go complementing me like that. Wyatt might get jealous." He said, smirking.

"Put a pom-pom in it." She said, her cheeks slightly pink.

***

After a brutal all-night practice, and an even more brutal competition, the gang was headed to the bombsite, still miles away, in California. Rrrinng beep beep, rrrrinng beep beep. "Hello?" Zeilia asked as she answered her cell phone. "What's up Jake? New information? Mmmm-Hmmm. What? Ok, ok. Bye. Wait who? Oh, ok, bye."

"Great, more news." Moaned Nikki.

"Yep," Zeilia replied. "I'll give you the good news first. There's no bomb."

"And the bad news?" Asked Jen.

"He has a girl captive. Jake says he can't release her name. The only thing that really bugs me is; why would Daymoor want us all there so much he would go so far as to trick all of us into going?"

"I have a feeling it's not too good." Wyatt said.