At lunch Mia meets up her friends carrying a laptop. "I got great news."
"You finally got the new limited edition Louie Vuitton purse." Payton squealed
"Yes it was on a discount I finally got the purse." Mia cheered
"Congrats Mia." Payton
"You must feel good buying the purse with your own money." Jess smiled
"Thanks I worked so hard to earn the purse myself." Mia smiled. "I got even better new."
"The new limited edition Manolo Blahnik. The new limited edition J'adore." Payton squealed
"Even better I just got some details about our mystery prize from the cheerleading competition!" Payton squealed in delight. Mia opens up her laptop all her friends crowd around Mia as she opens up the email she's just received from the organizers of the cheer camp. "Listen to this. Congratulations, Berry High has won the opportunity to perform your winning cheer routine during the halftime show at a pro-football game in San Diego."
"Whoa, that's amazing!" Jess gasped
"That's great. I'm happy for you guys." Julian smiled
"That means sand, surf, and sun! I'm so so SO excited! They've planned a bunch of activities for us to do! We'll be visiting the zoo."
"I'm so jealous I wish I was in San Diego." Payton sighed
"You should have taken cheerleading. Beside you got a fashion show to put on." Mia pointed
"Eeeee! It gonna be so much fun I got lot of inspiration from Fashion week!" Payton runs off
"Meanwhile the Gamer club competing in the esports tournament the winner will win 10000." Sakura announced.
"That's great Sakura." Nishan smiled
"I'm planning on winning." Sakura smirked balls her hands in a fist."
"The fashion club putting on fashion show, it's been a while, new outfits to design." Payton squeal in delight
"Good for you everyone go in to be busy."
"Is their quarterback going? He has one of the highest completion rates in the entire league!" Julian asked
"All I know is that we're meeting football players, and they're famous." said Mia
"This sounds wonderful, Mia!" Jess smiled
"Hey, Mia… you don't happen to have any room on this awesome San Diego trip for your favorite friend? I've been dying to meet some pro football players!" Julian asked
"Sorry, Julian… only cheerleaders allowed. If you wanted to hobnob with the pros at the arena, you should've taken up cheerleading. Pom pom aren't really your thing." Mia frowned
"You're killing me, Mia. This is the opportunity of a lifetime! The quarterback of my fantasy football team is playing in the game you're cheering at." Julian begged
"Well… we could use one more male cheerleader. Training will the rigorous."
"I know I had to train for hours. I'm an athlete, remember? I bet I can basket split and dance the toe touch as well as any of you!"
"Those aren't real moves…" Jess sighed
"But I appreciate your confidence. Okay, fine, you can try out for the spot." Mia groaned
"Fine by me."
Mia and Julian walk to the football field where the cheerleaders have assembled. "Cheerleaders, listen up! I'm sure you've heard by now that we're heading to San Diego to perform in the halftime show."
"Woo hoo!" Sierra cheered
"And I'm sure you're all anxious to do our routine really well." said Mia
"Anxious? I'm pumped!" Chad cheered
"Yeah, but a pro-football game? Do you think we're ready?" Sierra asked
"Of course we are! We've already proved we're the best! But in case we want some extra support, I want to ask you all about recruiting one more guy. Julian wants to join the squad!" Mia pointed
"Hey guys, what up? I want to join the team." Julian
"Poms Pom aren't your thing." Chad frowned
"That's what I said." said Mia
"Of course not! I mean, it's true that I've wanted to see a pro-game ever since I knew that you COULD be a professional football player, and I'd be able to do that if I joined the team… But it's not just about the tickets. I'd be a great fit for the cheerleading team because. I would be great for the team don't forget I'm an athlete star. I get A in PE." said Julian
"So? There are plenty of athletes in the school. We get A too." Sierra glared
"Yeah, but I'm fit and conditioned. I can keep up with everyone on the squad. And if you're going to pull in a guy cheerleader this close to the trip, I'm your best bet. Don't worry. I'll pull my weight."
"That's all well and good, but we haven't actually seen you do anything. You're going to have to prove you can keep up with us. There's a lot to get through buddy. Let's get started! If you want the honor, the privilege, the right to be called a cheerleader… then you have to pass THE TEST! It's really a set of challenges that we've created to make sure you can keep up with us." Mia explained
"I got this. Bring it on." said Julian
Chad and Sierra lead Julian to a circuit they've set up with a large barbell, a megaphone, and orange cones in a small pattern.
"The first test is strength. We've got to know you can toss our fliers high and support the pyramid. So we're going to need you to shoulder press this weight ten times in ten seconds… ready? Go!" Sierra called
Julian shoulder presses the weight with ease!
"And… time! That was great!" Chad smiled
"Psh, if there's anything I can do, it's a strength training exercise. I eat iron for breakfast!" Julian smirked
"Strength's important, but so is sound. You need to be proud and loud! We want you to do our touchdown cheer." Mia ordered
"You want me to yell into a megaphone?" Julian asked
"Ha ha, no. I'M going to yell into the megaphone. You're going to TRY to be as loud as I am. Ready? Go! Go, team, go… take them to town… they'll never know what hit them… so score that touchdown!"
"GO, TEAM, GO… TAKE THEM TO TOWN… THEY'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT HIT THEM… SO SCORE THAT TOUCHDOWN! LOUD ENOUGH FOR YOU?" Julian yelled
"Not bad, Julian, not bad. You've got strength, you've got sound, but we need to know if you've got style! You're going to dance your way down from this cone to that cone over there!" Mia ordered
"You're kidding me, right?" Julian frowned
"Cheerleading different to football buddy. Do you want to go to a pro football game with us or not?" Mia glared
Julian dances away, you turn to Mia and the male cheerleaders. Julian runs back.
"So… did I pass?" Julian asked
"Does a double cupie involve balancing two girls in the air?" Chad asked
"That means yes!" Sierra
"Julian, welcome to the team!" Amelia smiled
"YES!" Julian smiled
"But you still have to take this seriously. For your homework Nishan always reminding the teacher. I'm giving you a detailed handout of the steps and a YouTube link to the entire routine. Read it, watch it. You've got to study and practice the moves." Mia handed the detailed handout and the YouTube link
"No worries I watched all the football game studied the game." Julian smirked
"Julian! you're not just representing our team, but our entire school! This isn't all fun and games." Mia scolded "Let's take five, okay? Some of us have to pack for our awesome trip!"
"Shopping!!!" Sierra squealed in delight
A short time later, Mia, Julian, and the other cheerleaders enter one of the mall's huge department stores.
"Okay, when you said trip essentials, I thought you meant like travel snacks or new pom-poms or, you know, any of the stuff you actually need to bring… Not… clothes." Julian frowned
"We've already got the travel snacks and pom-poms. Now we need team swimsuits! I always say, be prepared! In this case, we're preparing ourselves for the beautiful, sunny beaches of San diego! I checked the forecast, and the weather's going to be amazing! So we need this! Don't tell me you're 100% packed already." Amelia pointed
"I could use a pair of swim trunks." Julian pointed
Amelia grabs a set of capris off a rack. "So what do you think I should wear on the beach? A sundress or a romper?" Amelia asked
"Don't look at me." said Julian
"You should go with a sunny sundress! You WILL be in the sun, right?" Sierra pointed
"You are SO right. Hee hee! I'm going to try this dress on in the dressing room… Meet you at the outside mirrors in ten?" Amelia giggled
"All right, got my swim trunks. I'm ready to go." said Julian
"Sorry Julian it could take a while. You could always study the cheerleading routine while you're waiting. The YouTube clip will probably help you a lot." said Chad
"Eh, maybe if there's time. They can't be in there forever, can they?"
Some time later, Julian sitting on a bench outside the store, looking intently at his phone.
"How's the studying coming along?" Chad asked
"Now now, Julian… come on, you stupid thing! Flap! Aw, man! Well, that brings my high score to, like, ten. I feel like I've been here for HOURS… what is taking them SO long?"
"I bet that cheerleading video is sounding pretty good now, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I watched the first ten seconds of it. But honestly, I know the routine."
"You do?"
"Yeah, you guys were practicing the entire football season. And it's not like it's football where you have to worry about your opponent's offense or switching strategies between plays… It's the same routine over and over again. Flip, flip, twirl… I get it already."
"Well, it's a little more complicated than that. You see, there's…" Before Chad can say any more, Mia and the cheerleader came out of the store carrying several shopping bags
"FINALLY!" Julian groaned
"It takes time to pick the perfect outfit!" Mia giggles
"And it looks like you picked out several." Chad gasped
"We're having a party at Sierra house."
"Are you kidding me?!" Julian exclaimed
"It's not a house party the cheerleaders need to be ready just like Payton threw a surprise football retreat party." Mia explained
"I remember your throwing a cheer retreat party. Smart."
"We have to keep the word party down otherwise the whole school going to be there. We're running over some last-minute details for the trip."
"Sound good I'm in."
Julian, Mia, and the other cheerleaders meet at Sierra's house, filling her living room while talking about the trip.
Mia goes over the details of the trip "Okay, so guy cheerleaders have their own rooms on a level below the girls' rooms. I've arranged the buses for the zoo, the beach, and the meet-and-greet. And I think that's all the planning!"
"Great, so… we're done?" Julian sighed
"Hey, not so fast! We're all here, aren't we? And for part two of prepping for the San Diego trip, I say we do manicures!" Sierra squealed
Julian groaned
"Great idea! I brought over some classic cheerleading movies to watch while we paint our nails! Bring it on, Bring it On Again, Bring it On: In It To Win It." Mia showed the DVD's
"How many of those are you planning on watching?" Julian asked
"All of them!" Sierra squealed
"Chad, what do you think about all this? You can't possibly want to get your nails done, right?" Julian asked
"Sounds like Julian wants to go first!" Chad pointed
"What?! Traitor!" Julian glared
"Ha ah! You're a cheerleader, Julian! We do everything together, remember?" Mia giggled
Julian tries to bail out "Oh, no… I don't have time to get a manicure. I have to work on the routine, right? Right?"
"Oh fine… as long as you ACTUALLY practice!" Mia glared
"Chad and the guys are going to show me a few moves outside. Aren't you, Chad?" Julian asked
In the backyard…
"Okay, so we're going to run you through the moves at half-speed, so you can get used to the pacing of everything." said Chad
"Sounds great." said Julian
Chad and the other male cheerleaders run Julian through the routine. Julian tosses, lifts, and cheers! After a couple hours.
"So how'd I do?" Julian asked
"Pretty good, I think." Chad nodded
Julian: "See? What'd I tell you? I'm golden. Piece of cake." Julian smirked
"Well, it's looking smooth, but you still need some more practice. The cheers were solid, but some of the timing's off, and it might get harder when you go at full speed. Watch the video a few more times to make sure your moves are in sync with the music." Sierra pointed
"Sure, but I feel good about it, like I know this routine front and back." Julian smiled
A few days later…
Mia announced on the megaphone. "Listen up, everyone! This is the last practice we have before our trip to San Diego tomorrow… I want this last run-through to be perfect! Julian, do you know exactly what you need to do?"
"Of course! I'm ready! I can do this!" Julian nod
"All right. Let's go!"
Amelia, Mia, and the cheerleaders scramble into formation. Julian looks from one side of the lineup to the other.
"Uh… where do I go?" Julian asked
"Pst, Julian! You start over at the other end!" Sierra pointed
Julian stands to the side of Sierra and Chad.
"And five, six, seven, eight!" Mia called
The music starts, and the cheerleaders move to the beat flawlessly.
"Go, team, go!" The cheerleader yelled
"Go, uh, team, go?" Julian yelled
At last, it's time for Amelia and Mia's simultaneous kicktwists! Amelia step onto the supports Sierra and another cheerleader have made for her, while Julian and Chad help Mia up.
"Up you go!"
And just as Amelia and Mia fly into the air.
As Amelia fly into the air, she glimpse Julian's moving out of position from under Mia! Things seem to go by in slow motion, and as Amelia land safely on Sierra shoulders, you see Mia crash hard into Julian and fall to the ground!
Amelia, Sierra, and Chad just saw the cheer captain take a hard fall! Is she okay?!
Amelia run over to Mia who is still lying on the ground. The other cheerleaders crowd around her concerned.
"Okay, everyone, take a huge step back!" Amelia called
Mia tries to get to her feet, but she falls back down. "My ankle… it really hurts…"
Sierra, Julian, and the cheerleaders rush Mia to the nurse's office. A short time later, Mia comes out on crutches, a bandage on her left ankle.
"Oh no, Mia! Are you okay?" Jess asked
"I'm… not great. The nurse says maybe if I ice it a lot and keep off it all night, I'll be okay, but… I won't really know until tomorrow." said Mia
"I'm so sorry…" Julian frowned
"Save it, Julian. I have a few things to say to you first." Mia and Julian step away from the other cheerleaders.
"Hey, Mia, about what happened back there… I'm sorry." Julian sighed sadly
"I don't think sorry is good enough, Julian. You only had one job, and that was to catch me, it's not rocket science. How could you be in the wrong place?" Mia scolded
"I thought I was supposed to be moving toward the other side of the field." Julian frowned
"It was the end of our routine! Didn't you know that?" Mia yelled
"I mostly knew that."
"Yeah, but you told me you had it down pat. I thought the others ran you through the routine."
"Yeah, they did."
"And you said you understood everything."
"Well, I mean, I got MOST everything."
"Didn't you do your homework I assigned to you study the routine at all?"
"Well, I probably could've studied more… or at all."
"Julian, I can't believe I'm about to say this, but…"
"But?"
"You're off the team!"
"What? Wait, Mia, it was ONE mistake…"
"Yeah, well, people get hurt when someone on the cheer team makes a mistake. I trust the cheerleaders with my life I knew you were joining just so you could see some football players, but I thought you'd try to take the cheering more seriously."
"So that's it then? You're really throwing me out?"
"I don't know how I'd even trust you to catch me after that, Julian. You're off the team. And that's FINAL."
Julian meets up with Jess a little later explaining what happened. "Hey, Jess. I feel pretty bad about dropping Mia. I was way off, and it was my fault. I know it."
"Well, maybe it was too hard a routine to learn at the last minute." said Jess
"Even so, it's still on me that Mia fell. And I want to do something. You know, to apologize and make it up to her and the team." said Julian
"That's nice of you. What did you have in mind?" Jess asked
"Well, I thought about baking cupcakes, but I'm no cook. It's just not my thing. You got any ideas?" Julian asked
"Hmm, what do cheerleaders need at a halftime game that they don't already have?" Jess asked
"I've got it! A way of announcing themselves. The football players usually run through a banner when they get on the field. I'll make a banner for the cheerleading squad!"
"I like it!"
"I'll need a long piece of paper, a glue gun, and enough glitter to blind a stadium."
Jess gathers the funding to buy art supplies long piece of paper, glue gun and glitter "I'll help you out."
"Okay, want to hear my vision for this banner?" Julian asked
"Yes, do tell!" said Jess
"Picture this Berry High in red and white." said Julian
"I'm with you." said Jess
"The the phrase, Get pumped! underneath it."
"Uh-huh!"
"And an image of our glittery mascot and a megaphone to one side!"
"I like it."
"Good. So we're going to split this banner into two. You're drawing all the things I described to you. I'm going to add more details to my side. I'll start on this side, and you start on the other. We'll be done in half the time! I think."
Jess write Berry High with red and white.
"Perfect! Our school colors! Next up is the catch phrase, which was… Get pumped! That looks good to me! And last but not least… the image! He wanted our school mascot and a megaphone. Best thing I've ever drawn EVER."
Jess work until Jess and Julian meet in the middle of the banner.
"What do you think?" Jess asked
"You really captured my vision perfectly!" said Julian
"I think of myself as an artist from time to time." Jess smiled
Julian chuckled "Autumn influence must have run on you. Let's show this to Mia. She'll have to forgive me now. And just in time for the ride down!"
"Wait, you didn't make all of this just so you could go to the pro-football game, did you?" Jess asked
"Well, that might be kind of why, yes, but I do really feel bad about Mia falling."
Julian find Mia at Sierra house with all the other cheerleaders.
"All the cheerleaders are convening for one last meeting before the trip. JULIAN. What are you doing here?" Mia explained
"I came here to give you something."
"We're not interested."
"Now hang on, I wanted to show you how bad I felt for missing my cue by giving you guys this…" Julian pulls the rolled-up banner from behind his back. You help him unfurl it, and the cheerleaders gasp when they see it. "It's a banner for you guys to run through when you get on the field at halftime."
The cheerleaders 'ooh' and 'ahh' over" the banner, happy that Julian made it for them. While the cheerleaders admire the poster, Mia gestures to you and Julian. "Did you like it?" Julian asked
"It was sweet." Mia gave a weak smile
Julian frowns "Mia, listen, I want to say that I'm really sorry about what I did today. And you're totally right. I should've paid more attention to the routine, and I should've told you I was shaky on it before I let you do a practice run with me in it. But I swear if you let me come on this trip, I'll study up. I promise. Can I go back to being part of the team?"
"Let me think about it." Mia discuss with the cheerleader team. "Okay, Julian… I have my answer. Look, Julian, you can come with us. Your name's already on the list to go on the trip and since it's too late to change it at this point with all the accommodations settled, you might as well come for moral support. But you're NOT cheering."
"Moral support?"
"You heard me. You can come, but you're not cheering. I get that you feel bad, and it's nice that you made us a banner we can run through, but that doesn't change the fact I'm… disappointed. I know that you're a football player, and you don't really think of cheerleading as a real sport-"
"I never said that."
"Sometimes you don't have to SAY anything. The banner was a nice gesture, but an even better one would've been to learn the routine through and through. And I know you can memorize something like this. When the football team was in the finals, you knew every single play by heart. I expected the same from you when you offered to join the team. So I'm not going to stop you from coming. I know this is important to you, and that's the only reason you were here in the first place. So I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"If I don't cheer, what do I do?"
"Carry the water? I don't know. We'll figure it out." Mia walks back to the cheerleaders, and you put a hand on Julian's shoulder.
The next day, Julian jogs the cheerleading team as you're getting on a bus to the airport!
"So you decided to come to this trip." Jess talks to Julian on the phone
"Yeah… I've been doing some thinking… and I know how I can make things right with Mia."
"I know you can I trust you."
"Get in cheerleaders! Let's keep things moving! Put your luggage away! We leave in five otherwise we're leaving you behind." Mia shouted
"We're going to SAN DIEGO!" Sierra squeal in delight