Disclaimer: I do not own any character, idea, etc. relevant to the television series, One Tree Hill.
Thanks for the reviews! Who doesn't love a good review? I hope I satisfy your hunger for some One Tree Hill drama! This one was updated fast because I was all anxious to write it. I just hope it doesn't seemed rushed and sloppy. Let me know what you think! xoxo
PS: Nothing in this chapter happened to me.
Haley could have sworn she had misheard Brooke.
"A replacement?"
"Yeah, you know, for the squad?"
But she hadn't and suddenly she felt the oncoming of a tremendous headache. Luke's girlfriend was certainly full of surprises.
Haley could only scoff back. The thought of her shaking her pom-poms and whatever else to cheer for the jock strap crew? Brooke must have lost her mind.
"Oh, I don't think so. But, I can definitely help you out with some tutoring sessions... although, the school year is about to end," Haley offered.
"Exactly! The school's almost out. We only have like what?—Less than a month! We just need you for the rest of the school year. I promise we'll have someone replace Rach-whore come next year!" Brooke pleaded.
"Brooke, I have absolutely, no eye-hand coordination. I'm just not cut out for your team. I really don't want to be responsible for ruining anything,"
"Please... all we have is a pep rally. And the routine calls for 11 girls, not 10! You swear that I'd ask you to come for a competition or something... I'm crazy but not retarded,"
Haley looked at her phone with a bit of a puzzled scowl.
"Thanks, Brooke," she replied sarcastically.
"For what? For allowing you to participate in the last cheerleading event for the school year? No problem. In fact, Tutorgirl, thank you for the generous offer. I'll take it! Bye!"
"What?! Wait!"
But it was too late. She heard the click of the other girl's phone hanging up. Haley groaned out loud while she fell backwards into her bed, allowing the comforter to catch her small frame.
It was impossible but entertaining to think about just because she would be taking over Rach-whore's spot. Hah! She loved Brooke's nickname for the evil redhead. Instead, images of her falling off of a human pyramid and the entire student body laughing at the no-name-cheerleader filled her mind. But she didn't agree with it. It was against everything she stood for; well, not really. She didn't really stand for anything. But, Haley James chanting, 'BE AGRESSIVE, BE, BE AGGRESIVE!' didn't exactly work.
'When Lucas finds out... he'll back me up!' she thought in satisfaction.
--
"What the hell are you talking about? Where did my friend, Lucas, go? Are you an alien?"
Haley could be so overdramatic and equally weird at times.
"All I'm saying is that, it's just one time. You're not going to be cheering for a game or anything so technically, you aren't supporting those assholes," he mentioned, referring to the basketball team.
"But, I don't know want to!" she whined.
"So, I hear your dress is pretty. When are you going to show it to me?"
"Lucas!"
"Hales, you're not going to die from doing one dumb dance with the cheerleaders. It'll be fun,"
"Then why don't you do it. You could really make a statement. The first male cheerleader for the Ravens cheerleading team," Haley mockingly suggested.
He rolled his eyes at her smart remark.
"It's for one day, for like a 10-minute dance. What's the big deal?"
"The fact that I have to dance, maybe? Have you ever seen me dance?!"
"Uh..."
He was having trouble recalling any memories of his best friend dancing.
"See, I told you so,"
"Hey, actually, I do remember that one time you thought I wasn't looking and you did this weird—"
"That is personal and private information and if I ever hear you mention that in public again... I can dig deep in your drawers, buddy, and pull out... oh, I don't know, maybe headgear!" she threatened.
He held his hands up in surrender without another word, giving her the you-win-let's-stop-talking-about-headgear-look.
She narrowed her eyes at him, observing him like a science experiment and then frowning horribly.
"Brooke has got you so wound up around her finger that you've completely lost control of yourself. I thought guys had balls... you have proved me so wrong,"
"Haley, stop exaggerating and don't be mean to me because my girlfriend did you a nice favor and is asking for something so small in return,"
"You know what? I don't need your approval. I just thought that as my best friend, you would care if I get exploited in some stupid, skimpy cheerleading outfit for all of Tree Hill High to see."
The goofy smile on Lucas' face instantly died and molded into pure mortification.
"What?!" he screamed.
--
"What?!"
"Did I stutter, Gattina?" Brooke asked coolly.
"Who the fuck died and made you Queen Bitch? You can't kick me off the team just because you kiss ass better than I do and made it to head cheerleader," she seethed.
She ignored the heated girl's comments because it didn't change the fact that she didn't belong to the cheer team, anymore. Rachel's act of bitter sweetness towards Brooke, Peyton, and a lot of the other cheerleaders had ended on the day of the incident during their practice session.
"For your information, no one died and I really think you kiss ass better than anyone around here. Oh yeah, and suck dick just as well or else why would anyone acknowledge you?"
"Fuck you," she replied as if in defiance.
Brooke sighed impatiently before continuing,
"Your behavior and total lack of respect not just to me but your fellow peers is disgusting and not school-spirited, Ravens-worthy material. You shame everyone else on the cheerleading squad so, you're out."
"We only have a pep rally left. You chose a really lame time to kick me off. I'll be seeing you at try-outs next year,"
"Good luck; you'll need it. The school board has been notified of your inappropriate behavior and has suspended you from the Tree Hill High school cheerleading team, indefinitely."
Rachel was fuming. She wanted to grab the brunette standing in front her and slam her face against the wall behind her. She was smarter than that, though. She didn't need a school suspension along with her cheerleading suspension. But, she stood quietly still trying to calm herself down. The small duffel bag that contained her outfit had caused her knuckles to turn white from gripping it so tightly. She shoved the bag at Brooke with what looked like complete nonchalance and said closely to her ear,
"Oh well, I'll just have to share my cheering capabilities with someone who needs his own private cheerleader since he's not on the basketball team, anyway,"
Just as she was about to prance off, she was caught by the last two cents of the magnificent Brooke Davis.
"You remember Haley James, don't you? Just thought you'd like to know who is replacing you, although you really weren't that much of a loss in the first place,"
She watched in utter joy as the two-faced redheaded bimbo stalks out of the gym and wipes her hands together as if she had just taken out the trash.
Author's note: Which, she did! Ah a hahaha... Rachel haters, UNITE! Sorry.
With that, she watched her lovely team began to file in for their practice session.
"Where is Rachel going and why does she look like she's about to kill someone?" Bevin asked, worry evident in her tone.
She was one of the cheerleaders with a lot of skills but, not the brightest bulb in the package. She was extremely kind and caring, which Brooke loved about her.
"Actually, I'll explain that in a few seconds, okay, babe?"
She shrugged with an innocent smile on her face.
As the rest of the girls came in, several players from the basketball team came striding in from behind, to shoot a few hoops, which included Nathan, Tim, Jake, and Skills. Brooke frowned noticing that her someone special was not there. Not Lucas, but the new addition to their cheerleading squad.
"Ladies, I'll be right back!" she gracefully excused herself, motioning Peyton to take over.
Peyton nodded, knowingly and gathered the team to start out with their warm-up stretches.
Tim took notice of this and couldn't help but to take advantage of the situation or in his case, doing the usual.
"Looking deliciously fine, girls!" he yelled approvingly.
Peyton swiveled around, glaring at her friend and his typical rude and obnoxious demeanor.
"Ball!" she shouted demandingly at him.
All three boys watched as Tim rolled the ball her way with a dumb smile on his face. As it came her way she fetched it and slung it right back at him, hitting him in the shin.
"Ow!!!" he cried out in pain.
The guys broke out in the fits of laughter as the girls watched in astonishment.
"Don't talk to us!" Peyton declared.
"Damn, girl, why you hatin'? Can't a brotha show ya some love?"
Skills gawked at him with distaste and warned him, "Don't you ever, ever talk like that again, in my presence, okay?"
Tim looked down the floor with a bit of fear and answered, "Yes, sir,"
By now, Jake and Nathan were having a hard time breathing as they roared with laughter along with all the girls that had been watching in amusement.
Suddenly, Brooke came in, dragging an unknown individual along with her.
"I'm back!" she announced.
As she tried to straighten out her clothing and fix her hair, the person tried to run off again.
"I'll take back the dress!" she threatened, not budging from her position.
The figure came stomping back and as the person noticed that everyone had been watching she began to follow timidly behind Brooke.
"Ladies, I have an announcement to make!"
All the girls stood up as excitement began buzzing through the air. Even the four boys that had been horsing around stood still to listen on.
"Rachel Gattina will no longer be on the Raven's cheerleading squad due to behavioral issues and misconduct. So, since we do have one more event to perform at, this upcoming pep rally, I would like to introduce our new and temporary team member, Haley James!"
She pulled the girl, who had been standing solemnly beside her, up front and hissed,
"Smile!"
Haley looked up nervously at everyone and did as told.
'When did I become Brooke's puppy?' she thought with disgust.
Peyton started clapping, followed by the other girl's applause as well and they all swarmed her, wanting to introduce themselves, as well.
Nathan looked on with shock and great interest. She was clad in short, shorts and a fitted sports bra that showed a lot more than he had ever seen before. The boys continued throwing the ball around while Nathan excused himself and jogged over to all the excitement.
"Why, hello, Nathan. And what do we owe the pleasure?" Brooke asked, with her devious smirk planted on her face.
He looked over quickly at Haley, who hadn't noticed him there, due to the distraction of girls still shaking hands with her.
"Just came over to congratulate the new addition to your team. How's it going with Puke, by the way?"
She scowled at him with a dirty look.
"I'm kidding, Brooke,"
But she ignored him and sauntered away to join the girls who were stretching out on the floor.
Haley sighed with relief after the last girl had left her but turned to meet eyes with yet again, Nathan Scott.
"So, I guess a congratulations is in order," he cockily stated.
"Not really, but thanks. I'm fulfilling a favor,"
"Well, aren't you the people-pleaser. You still have to do me a favor, too,"
"Don't remind me," she replied with a bite.
Despite her demeanor he spoke with good nature.
"Nice job at kicking Rachel off the team too," He chuckled.
"Yeah, I'm sure you loved that," sarcasm dripped from her lips.
Nathan eyed her carefully. This girl sure was moody today. But, it was motivating in a way as if testing him to see how far he'd have to work just to get her to smile.
"I'm pretty sure everybody loved that," he joked back.
The strange look on her face never faltered but she asked him curiously,
"Not to be nosy but, isn't she your prom date?"
"Hell, no,"
"Oh," she softly answered.
They stood there in silence, briefly, while Brooke and Peyton looked on.
"She's already asked me and did all this shit to my locker. It was pretty ridiculous but, I said 'no',"
Haley could only nod as she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"I better get—" She began.
"Actually, about that favor..."