I still hadn’t decided what to do, even by the night before the qualifying exam. I skipped all of the cheerleading practices, taking time to rest as Nancy had suggested. She hadn’t been pleased by my lack of commitment to quitting the qualifying exam. Neither had Asher, though he hadn’t openly sai
I stumbled. “Cynthia…” Lilith warned, but didn’t say stop. “Keep going,” I said, and pushed onward. I had to test the limits, to see if this was definitely impossible or not. I kicked and twirled. I even jumped and landed without issue. Everything seemed to be going fine, until I stretched a t
The next morning, I woke only slightly groggy. The doctor at the urgent care didn’t suspect a concussion, but Asher continued to wake me every few hours through the night just to be sure. My head did ache something fierce though, and a look in the mirror showed a nasty bruise on my forehead. Ash
As soon as I shouted, “Stop!” the music cut out. For the length of a few unsteady heartbeats, silence filled the auditorium. Then one of the judges clicked on her microphone. “Cynthia. Do you intend to start again? We will have to penalize you this time.” “I-I can’t do this,” I said, my voice sh
“It doesn’t matter. No one here will be able to use that against you for much longer.” I supposed he was right. Once I dropped out, I wouldn’t have to face any of them again. And though I’d likely be the hot topic of gossip for a while, they’d soon forget all about me when the next scandal popped
Asher waited for me outside while I joined the faculty advisor in his office. He was behind his desk, typing on a computer, while I sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs facing him. “Let me get this straight,” he said, after asking three times for me to spell my name. “You have failed your qualif
After asking Asher if he believed I could pass the transfer exam, I waited for his answer. One moment passed. Then another. He still wasn’t looking at me and his frown was only growing deeper. My own self-doubt began to swirl around, unwelcome in my thoughts. Meanwhile, my heart ached as if it h
“You alright?” Aimee asked, startling me from my thoughts. “You were making the strangest face just now.” I cleared my throat. “It’s nothing.” She shrugged and didn’t press. The professor soon took command of the classroom and the day’s lesson began. After class, as the room grouped together