I rise from the bed as the alarm clock goes off, stopping it.
"It is time." I stretch with an excited smile.
I shove the blanket aside and get out of bed.
Today is a big day for me. I'll officially be known as a member of the Hot Shot cheerleading team. I've been drafting for it to happen since I started Effney High. However, a few setbacks extended it to five years.
Yeah, I wanted to join the team the first year I started, but dolefully, I began to wear glasses. The squad would never accept a four-eye to cheer with them.
After pleading desperately with my mom to let me wear eye contact in the eighth grade, she finally decided to let me. I was overjoyed for a short period until I discovered from an appointment with my dentist that I would wear braces for two years. The news hit me like a bolt of lightning. I would never have a chance with the Hot Shot cheerleading squad. Eye contact could hide glasses. What could hide braces? Nothing.
I was happy; two years had passed, and my teeth were free from the tight bondage. I tried out for the team that day, giving an excellent performance. I flip, split, and shake my butt as if my life depends on it, and in the end, I receive a standing ovation from the captain, Amber.
"Jaylee, breakfast is ready!" Mom yells downstairs as I style my black hair in a high pony hairstyle.
"Okay, mom!" I yell back, topping my hairdo off with a big red bow.
The colors suit the squad's red, black, and white uniforms. I make sure to wear bright red lipstick as well.
Beaming, I checked myself in the mirror before going downstairs; I looked hot.
When I get downstairs, Mom is washing dishes with her back turned.
My mom is blonde. I have my dad's hair; however, I have her amber eyes.
I grab a banana without any appetite for breakfast.
"Oh, no. There's no way; I'm letting you leave the house dressed like that." Mom turns to see me.
She observes my black tank top and blue mini skirt.
I watch her eyes lower to my black high-heeled boot.
"You look like a stripper," she says.
"Mom. I'm a cheerleader now. I can't afford to dress like a nobody," I grumble.
"Go upstairs and change now, or I won't allow you to be a part of that cheerleading team!" Soberly, she says as her hand points upstairs.
I throw the banana on the kitchen counter and stomp my feet hard, returning to my room.
"And remove some of that makeup as well!" Mom yells.
I roll my eyes.
There was no way I was going to let Mom stop me from wearing my new clothes. The clothes signify a new me. Today, I will be known as Jaylee, a member of the HotShot squad. The most popular girls in the school. I can never wear clothes from my old, boring, and not-so-popular self.
I wear a dress over the new clothes.
As I descend the stairs, Mom waits for me, ensuring that I'm changed.
"Here you go," she says, giving me the banana.
"Thanks, goodbye, mom." I snatch it from her and run to the door.
"Goodbye honey."
My best friend Samantha's car shows up as I lock the door. She's stout and has red hair with a bang. We've been friends since kindergarten.
The car drives off as I get in. I take off the dress when we're far from the house, shoving the dress into my backpack.
"You look hot." Samantha looks at me for a minute before setting her eyes back on the road.
"I know, right?"
We laugh, and Samantha turns on the radio.
We sing loudly to our favorite song.
As I'm about to put on my glasses, the reflection of my mom, a petite woman with shoulder-length hazel hair, appears in the mirror.She leans onto the open door, and her eyes, which are as dark as mine, gleam with sadness."I'm sorry my life has affected you," her hands fold, and her head drops."Mom, it didn't." Immediately, I go to her.Her head rises. Tears saturate her eyes."You should be at your former school, carrying the title of captain of the swim team, and with your girlfriend and your friends."Tears flow from her eyes. She hastily wipes it away before it can reach her cheeks.I take her hand and look deeply into her eyes to avoid her black eye and the bruise on her right cheek. That is almost healed."I'm right where I belong, here with you." I say.She smiles right before hugging me; my arms envelop her."I don't want to be the reason why you're late." She pulls away."Do you have all the documents?" she asks."Yes."Her hand extends to my glass to remove it, and I hold
I never expected to be accepted as one of the Hot Shot members when I applied for senior year. I had the physical ability and the appearance to join, but not the height. I'm 5 feet 2 inches, and I fear it would have hindered me since I wasn't as tall as the members. I'm glad my height didn't ruin my dream.I and seven other girls stand gleefully in the school's gymnasium. Amber, a blonde with blue eyes, sits before us. At each side of the desk stands the co-captain, Sookie, a short-haired blonde, and Katniss, a dark-haired member, holding the uniform.I'm eager to wear my uniform for the first time, but I'm confused why there is only one when there are eight of us. I ignored the thought and tuned into Amber speaking to us."You've all done an amazing job; that's why you're here," Amber says.My face hurts from smiling excessively."I love your outfit," Amber halts to compliment me."Thank you," I giggle.At Effney High, it is a great honor to receive a compliment from Amber or any of
"Does a teacher count?" I'm nervous.The chair pulls back, drawing against the brown vinyl floor as Amber stands up."Are you chickening out with such a simple dare, Jaylee?" Amber asks."Or are you too much of a virgin to do so?"Honestly, I am, and I didn't want them to know. A member can never be a virgin in their squad. For them, if you aren't hitting it with anyone, then you're a loser."I'm not a virgin," I fib.They all laugh, not believing."Don't worry, you can't get pregnant by kissing a boy." Amber jeer.I take a deep breath and exhale. "I accept your dare, Amber Frost," I say, attempting to be brave, but my feet shaking exposes me to being afraid."Then do my dare now." Amber's arms fold and her face is sober.I find myself swerving around. What was I doing?My heart thuds while striding from the gymnasium. Amber and his two team members clack against the floor, trailing behind me to ensure I'd done the dare.I push the door open and stand in the corridor. It's empty. I di
I'm in the bathroom stall, changing into my cheerleading gear. "Jaylee, you've been in there for more than 5 minutes now. I'm hungry; I need lunch." Samantha hits the stall door. "Give me one more minute. I promise I'll be out very soon," I say, making sure everything is perfect before I leave the bathroom stall. Samantha tuts in annoyance. I came out to see her sitting on the countertop, her back reclined against the wall. Her blase face morphs into astonishment. I'm chuffed by her reaction. Samantha leaps from the countertop and walks over to me. "You look amazing, Jaylee," she compliments. I redden, and both of my hands run down the mini skirt that clings perfectly to my body. My glazed, hair-free, slender leg appears long in my mini skirt. "New sneakers?" Samantha asks. "Yeah." I fixed the tank top. It snaps against my skin, being mostly made of elastic material. My old PE sneaker wasn't white enough to go with my gear. I needed something new. I go to the mirror to tou
In the last class, I hurriedly left and texted Samantha that I had a late practice.I'm afraid to tell her I can't be seen with her. Amber words. She'd ask me to choose between her and being a Hot Shot member. I love Samantha, but I always dreamed of being a part of the team, and now I am. I can't drop it so easily.Amber is a devoted cheerleader and, as a nerd, obsessed with receiving high grades in every subject. Practice goes on for 4 hours. I was breathless on the gymnasium floor when we were finally through."You did great." Amber extended a hand to help me up.I smiled while taking it.We take a quick shower in the girl's locker room and arrange to meet again at the same time tomorrow.The place is almost dark when I go outside.Without asking if I needed a ride, everyone got into a car with their partner and drove off, leaving me alone.I try calling my mom, but it goes straight to voicemail.I guess I'd have to take a taxi. I go from the school compound to the bank of the road
I park the car in the garage and remove my glasses before heading inside.When I entered the house, Mom was in the living room watching television, a favorite drama series of hers."You're late; what happened?" she asked, worried."My car broke down, and I had to repair it two times before coming home," I say.A sad look appears on her face."I'm sorry, I cannot get you a new car like your dad can," she says disappointedly."Mom, it's okay." I go to hug her."Let's not speak about him while you're here. Remember, we came here for a new start, away from him," I tell her.In my arms, her forehead gently hits my chest as she nods."I know you want an ordinary life and to focus on your studies, but I think you should try out for the swimming team at your new school. Right now, it's your only hope to go to college." Her arms leave me."Mom, I can't.""I understand, Nate, that you feel you'll betray your team by competing against them with their opponent. But you have to. No one wants a nur
Dear new cheerleaders out there, when given your first gear, ask for another; one is not enough.I had to wash my cheerleading uniform before going to bed last night."You're finally a Hot Shot cheerleader. I'm happy for you." I meet Mom in the kitchen.I smile.She breathes in relief. "You have no idea how much torture it was to hear you go on and on about wanting to be one. It's such a joy that it's over."My smile disappears, and I roll my eyes.She giggles.I grab a banana. "Can you take me to school, mom?" I ask."I thought you never wanted me to drive to school anymore and wanted Samantha to only," she says."Please, mom," I beg."Okay.""Now," I say."So early?""Yeah, mom, I'm a cheerleader now. I have to be at school early to meet with the other." I fib.I was only eager to leave because I didn't want to ride with Samantha after what Amber said.While I waited for my mom, I texted Samantha.Already at school; see you around.I edited the message before sending GM. I'm already
Amber wants us to meet up at the gym during our free session.I go in to see everyone who is already there.They sat down while Amber stood before them next to a small whiteboard with a red marker in her hand."You're late," Amber says, disappointed."I'm sorry, Ms. Dwinkle wanted to talk before class," I explain."Try to let us know when you're running late again," Amber says.I nod and go to sit at the back.What's written in the marker on the whiteboard intrigues me. Nate Skylar.Amber sees the bemused expression on my face and, therefore, gives me a brief on what I've missed out on so far. I'm startled that at the first session, they managed to find out who Nate is already. Did they even bother to go to class?I'm informed that Nate is from Canada and is an excellent swimmer. He was the captain of his swimming team, and his former school is the one that keeps winning our school in the swimming competition.I wasn't surprised that he's athletic; his sculpted body says so."You were
Tristan had been my biggest crush since the first time I laid eyes on him in class during our first year at Effney High. I recall stealing glances at him when his attention was glued to his book, wishing it was me he was so focused on. I used to be overwhelmed with wonderous feelings whenever he walked past me in the school's corridor, until he no longer had that same effect after sharing my first kiss with Nate.Tristan's head remained lowered as I walked over to him.Even when he's drunk, I still get nervous around him."Tristan," I call as I stand before him.He slowly raises his head, and as he does, he rakes a handful of hair from his face, brushing them backward, like a hot character from a teenage romance movie—making my heart skip a beat, which I find attractive, despite the fact that he was extremely intoxicated."What do you want?" His bewitching blue eyes looked at me for a second before drifting all over the place, unable to stay focused.I never had a conversation with hi
It's the weekend; I should be hanging out with a friend instead of laying in bed mulling over a guy who doesn't want me. It's almost evening, and I'm still in my pajamas.Forcing myself out of bed, I go to stand before the mirror. Combing a handful of hair out of my face, I notice myself in the mirror.Why didn't Nate fall for me instead of Sophia? I think downheartedly.Weren't I beautiful enough for him? Walking away from the mirror, I fall backward on the bed.I believed being a HotShot cheerleader and walking among the popular ones would give me the privilege to get any guy I wanted, but it didn't. If Sophia hadn't gotten in the way of Nate and me, things might have turned out differently for us.What am I thinking? I reach for the pillow covering my head.Nate had admitted he had no feelings for me, so there was no hope of us getting together if Sophia wasn't in the picture.But why Sophia, though?Out of all the girls at school, he had to choose her. I wish it was someone else,
I'm coming from Mom's car when Amber shouts my name. Amber is at the side of the school building; her phone is at her right ear; she is talking to someone; and Sookie stands beside her.I approach her, and she hangs up the phone. Amber smiles at me, and it doesn't feel right. She's up to something, and I know it."How is everything about getting Nate to be your boyfriend?" She asks, then places an arm around my shoulder, drawing me to her side.I caught Sookie with a smug on her face, and I was certain that Amber was up to no good.The aching memory of Nate turning me down after I had confessed my true feelings to him struck my mind, and I lowered my head."He has a girlfriend," I tell Amber."And so, you decide to give up," says Amber.Keeping my head lowered, I give a sad nod."Well, his relationship didn't stop Sophia from chasing after him," Amber says, maintaining a straight gaze.I lift my head to see what she's looking at, and my eyes widen to see Sophia sitting in the front se
It's Saturday, and I'm outside mowing the lawn when Mom pops up with a cup of water.Stopping, I turn to her and take it, quenching my thirst."Thanks," I say, handing her back the cup.She takes it and starts to play with the end of her hair, twisting it around a finger, and her eyes, as dark as mine, scrutinize the areas I'd mowed.She does this when she's nervous, and I find out she wasn't just there to give me a cup of water; there was more to it."Mom, is there something you want to tell me?" interestedly, I ask.Quickly, her eyes jump to me, and worries mixed with fear take over.Finding out what she wanted to say, I angrily resumed mowing, refusing to hear anything.She runs in front of the lawn mower. I stop, almost running her over."I could have hurt you," I growl."We have to talk about this, Nate," she says, standing firmly before me."I don't want to hear anything you have to say about that man!" I'm walking away."Nate," she chases me down."How long have you been talkin
For an hour, I had Sophia in my arms; she'd fallen asleep.My phone vibrates. I retrieved it from my pocket.Training late, Mom texted.No, I'm with a friend; I'll be there soon. I texted back.Okay, come home soon.I put my phone down and watched Sophia sleep. She's beautiful when she sleeps, and I find myself developing feelings for her.I wish I could let her sleep more in my arms, but I must go."Sophia." I gently touch her shoulder."Hmm," she moans, her eyes open."I'm sorry, but my mom needs me," I say."It's okay," she says, sitting up and rubs her eyes."Should I take you home or leave you at the gas station?" I ask.I'd hate to cause any more trouble for her and her mother."At the gas station," she says.I nod.As we arrive at her stop, she says, "Thank you, Nate, for being here for me.""My pleasure, and feel free to call me whenever you need someone to talk to again," I say with a smile.She's about to open the car door to leave."When are you coming back to school?" I as
It's Tuesday, and I'm at swimming practice. Brimworth, the coach, approaches me as I get out of the pool."Nate, your phone has been ringing like crazy for about an hour. Go and see who it is. It must be something very important for someone to be calling like that," he says, walking off.I was worried something might have gone wrong with Mom like Dad finding out where we lived. I ran to the locker room and burst open my locker with the wildest thought that Dad had her lying on the floor, choking her.There's a possibility it can happen. I left her at home, not feeling too well, and she probably heard him at the door, though it was me.Fishing my phone from my backpack, the worries fade away when I see it was Sophia calling thirty times, and no missed call from mom, which means she's okay.I return Sophia's call. After the incident with the sex buyer, I haven't heard from her, nor has she been at school. It's good to hear from her now."Hey Nate, I'm sorry I haven't answered any of you
"Jaylee, it's time for us to leave," I hear mom call downstairs.I remained to sit on the bed, not wanting to go."Jaylee, I said I'm ready!"With an ache in my heart, I get up, stamping my feet angrily, and leave the room.Mom looks at the top of the stare, and she's furious.I stop."Can't I go to the school at Dad?" I say."Jaylee, I don't have time for your childish behavior anymore. I'm late for work, and we need to leave now," she says, walking to the front door to open it.I sigh and start running down the stairs.On the road, all I can think about is not seeing Nate at school.When I arrive, I look around for his car. Thankfully, there was no sight of his car. Which means he wasn't here yet. I remove my seatbelt and dash from the car."Goodbye," I heard my mom say as I did."Yeah," I say.After confessing my feelings for Nate, I plan to hide him whenever I see him. I am still humiliated after he turned me down.The first session of school is going great until the second class.
It's Saturday, and Sophia still hasn't replied to my Instagram message. I'm worried something might be wrong with her. The guy may have come back and hurt her.Exchanging numbers before I left her house yesterday, I called her. The phone kept ringing and went straight to voice messaging.Thinking she may be busy with some Saturday chores, I decided not to call her again. After all, I was going to pick her up at her house this evening. She was supposed to show me around town since I'm new here.Hours have passed, and it's almost time for me to pick her up, and she still hasn't returned my missed call. The worries grow."Where are you going?" As I'm coming down the stairs, Mom asks."I'm going out.""With whom, a girl or a boy?" She studies my outfit. A blue long-sleeve shirt, black pants, and a grey and white Jordan.Playfully, she sniffed my Calvin Klein cologne, and I laughed.Her face then turns serious as she finds out for herself that it's a girl."You know I don't like cheating m
Pulling up into the driveway, I spot my mom's car.She's here early, I thought.I park the car and go to the front door, opening it. I hear Mom in the kitchen, and I go to see her with some papers while she uses the calculator."Hey honey, swimming practice kept you late at school today?" She turns to ask as she senses me."No, I was out for a while," I say, and my attention is kept on the papers as I approach her.Mom gathers the papers, along with the calculator, before I can see what they are."I bought your favorite chicken pizza for dinner; it's in the oven," she says as she walks out of the kitchen."Mom, what are those papers?" I stop her, and she turns around."Nothing I can't handle, son. Just focus on your school and swimming," she says with a smile, and I spot worries in her eyes.I nod, and she hurriedly walks away.My mom has never had to worry about money because my dad is wealthy. I know it's going to be hard for her to learn how to handle everything on her own. I need