Claire
The familiar honk of a car horn causes me to peer out my curtains to see Massie sitting in her custom purple Porsche.
"Claire, hurry up we're gonna be late!" Massie yells, giving the car horn two sharp honks.
I lift the window and poke out my head.
"I'm coming, jeez! Lay off the horn!"
"You better not make us late Goldie locks, this is an important year for us!" She warns.
"You say that about every year," I giggle, and lower the window. I grab my book bag and purse at the door before running downstairs.
"Morning everybody!" I greet my family cheerfully.
"Morning sweetheart." My mom replies with her sunny mom smile. She hands me a bagel with cream cheese. "Looks like Massie's not going to let you eat this morning."
"Yeah, Massie onlybreaks her "fashionably late" rule for first day occasions." I tell my mom.
Then I ruffle my little brother, Todd's, hair.
"What's up fresh meat?"
"G'morninasta." He mutters back through his bite of toast, a monster energy drink serving as his orange juice. Translation: Good morning, now stop!
"You know your brother is a vampire at night and a zombie by morning." Daddy says with a sip of his coffee.
"Well I better be off don't wanna keep Massie waiting."
"Good luck on your first day of school honey." My dad says.
My mom gives me a kiss on the cheek. "Have a great day sweet heart."
"Thanks guys," I smile back at them. "See you at school squirt," I call to Todd, who responds with unintelligible utterances.
"Bout time!" Massie says, revving up the engine before I can even settle into the leather seat good.
"Um, can I get my other foot in the door before you take off please?" I complain.
"And I do not say every year is important for your information." She insists as we pull off.
"I didn't say that about sophomore year."
"You did," I object, "because that was the year we took over the cheer leading squad from Skye."
Massie bops herself on the head. "That's right! How could I forget such a pivotal point in high school history?"
I giggle.
Massie gives me a sly smirk.
We pull up to Alicia's gated mansion first. The exotic beauty swaggers out like a goddess in her gold wedge heels.
"Hola chicas!" She gushes, elegantly lowering herself and her possessions into Massie's car. "Ready for junior year?"
"Born ready." Massie replies giving her an air kiss.
"Hola, Leesh!" I greet her.
Next we pull up to Dylan's modern style home. Dylan walks down the stone drive way and spins giving us a full view of her L.A.M.B jean romper.
"Whose fabulous?" she asks,
"You are bish!" We reply in unison.
Marching up to the car Dylan replies, "And don't you forget it."
Last on our pick up list is Kristen who back hand springs damn near the entire length of her lawn.
"Show off." Dylan mutters to which Alicia replies sarcastically, "Look who the hell's talkin!"
Massie tilts her head back slightly. "That show off is our key to another successful season."
She strides up to the car like she's not even winded, and she probably isn't.
"Hi ladies, ready for junior year?" She asks sliding into the car, with a huge grin.
"Damn right!"
"Woohoo!"
"It may be our junior year," Massie states, cutting us off mid cheer, "but we're gonna rule like seniors!"
We cheer the rest of the way to school.
-o-o-o-
Massie
I pull in to the best spot in the student parking lot, and kill the engine. As if on cue, the unmistakable sound of heels on asphalt can be heard. I sigh. So much for chilling with my girls and boyfriend before class.
"The life of squad captain is not an easy one." I tell my girls.
Alicia leans forward, and smirks, "Well captain, look whose sending out the distress signal."
I follow her manicured pointer finger to see Olivia Ryan, the biggest wannabe slut I've ever met leading the charge with a worried expression on her face.
"Massie we have an emergency!" She remarks running right up to the car.
"Nooo really? I never would've guessed." I reply sarcastically. "Take ten steps back, and tell me what's going on."
"Principal Burns says we may not be able to cheer this year!"
For once, the silly blonde actually has my attention.
"What?"
Allie Rose singer then adds, "she hasn't been able to find us a coach, and if she can't-"
I hold up a palm.
"Where is she?"
-o-o-o-
Principal Burns
Massie slams her hands down on my desk, and leans down. "You really thought you could hide this from us Burns?"
"I-I wasn't trying to hide anything, Massie." I lie.
"Don't lie to me, you know exactly what I'm talking about, what's this shit about you not having us a coach in place this year?"
"W-well you girls do have quite a reputation,"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Massie snaps.
My heart drops. I've stuck my foot in my mouth.
"I-I mean I do have quite a few options lined up-"
"Well then pick one." Massie says gritting her teeth.
I smile nervously. I may be able to save myself yet.
"I will, I just have to review them-"
"Pick one now."
My heart does another slam into dunk into my stomach. Behind her, Massie's evil friends cackle mischievously.
"I can't just choose-"
"Well then let me do it." Massie says with a roll of her neck.
"W-what?" I ask, feeling sweat start to materialize under my arm pits. Massie is going to call me on my bluff!
She cocks a brow, knowing she's got me exactly where she wants me.
"Where's your portfolio on the interviews? I've got ten minutes to spare."
I scratch my neck. "You have to give me time."
"Do you like your job?" Massie asks.
"What?"
"Do you like your job?!" She barks.
I cower in my seat. "Massie please, this job is all I have," I beg, my voice is a hoarse whisper. "Please don't take this away from me, I'll find you a coach, I promise just give me a-"
"Easy P Burns," Massie smirks, holding up a palm, her friends snicker behind her. Shame burns my face.
Mock sympathy fills her face. "I'll tell you what; you have until the end of the week to find us a coach-"
"But, Massie a week is so soon-"
"Well, considering you had all of this summer and couldn't get the job done, I think I'm being pretty lenient, wouldn't you agree girls?"
Massie's friends hum their agreement.
"I could always take the offer off the table if it's too much for you-"
"No!" I shout. "No, I'll do it, I'll find you a coach."
Massie smiles, "I know you will. You better or you can kiss this little piddly ass job of yours good bye." Holding my gaze, she says, "Let's go, I've wasted enough spare time on this dumb shit. Ta ta Burns." She calls over her shoulder.
"Good luck." The rest of her friends tease me over their shoulder, as they walk out Massie taps her designer watch and mouths tick tock tick tock, and with that they're gone.
I quickly lock the door behind them, slide down the door, and cry. How pathetic I am.
From beside me Dylan worriedly asks, "Do you really think P Burns can find us a coach with in the week?"
"Do you really think she has a choice?" I quip back with a smirk. "She'll get it done," I give them a wink. "I don't make idle threats."
They smile back knowingly.
The first bell of the year sounds, and it's time for class.