I tilt my head, remembering Alli mentioning the flashy stunts and tosses she’d added to their routine over the summer. “You mentioned all those fancy basket tosses and stunts. Who’s handling those?”
Alli’s happy and excited face evaporates and she slams her head on the tabletop, groaning as if my question burned her mood.
Puzzled, I poke her head. “What? I thought you were happy just now.”
Alli groans, shaking her head. “It’s not you.”
I turn to Grant with a raised brow. “Care to explain what she’s talking about?”
Grant sighs and puts down his lunch. “Alli isn’t a fan of the girl who’s on basket toss.”
“I fucking hate her.”
“Not very captain like of you.” Priya chimes in, which makes Alli flick her off.
Grant cuts a hand in the air to stop the two from bickering. “The girl who’s doing basket tosses isn’t the best.”
“She’s horrible, stop sugar coating it. You hate her too.”
Grant leans back and shrugs. “Okay, she’s pretty bad.”
Alli gathers herself after her mini breakdown. She switches to a neutral face, what I’ve learned to call her team leader aura. “Cassidy Belmont is a hard worker, but she lacks basic skills in cheer.”
I wave my hand, motioning for her to complete her thoughts. Alli pinches the bridge of her nose and lets out a quiet sigh. “She’s not a flyer, nor a tumbler.”
“Then why is she on your squad?”
High school cheerleading in Charlotte is tough as nails. Most club cheerleaders move up to their school’s varsity squads. And, well, it’s clear that if you’re not a top notch flyer or tumbler, your chances of making varsity aren’t exactly in your favor.
“Coach Miller loves hard workers. She believes Cassidy can do it in due time as long as she puts in hundred and ten percent effort.”
Ah, Coach Miller. In other words, my dear godmother, Tanya.
I nod, understanding Alli’s frustration wholeheartedly. It’s her senior year and her last year of captain after two years. I’m sure she wants to end her reign with a bang. If her top girl is out for the season and she’s recruiting me of all people, I can’t turn my back on her. “Well, I’m sure you and the coach can train her to do the basket tosses. When’s the first competition?”
“In the next couple of months.”
“That’s not a bad timeline. We can do it.”
Alli’s eyes twinkle. “Thanks, chica. It’s just stressful this year.”
I wave a hand. “No problem, I’m here to toss my body across the mat. Just let me know when.”
Alli slaps her hands against Grant’s shoulders, completely ecstatic. “Practice on Monday, after school. I’ll email you our practice video before Imogen broke her leg so you can see the formations.”
The topic shifts afterwards, and I’m half-listening to Grant’s animated stories about the cute guy he met over summer break.I absentmindedly pick at my sad turkey sandwich, my thoughts consumed by the fact I’m back into cheer. There’s a part of me that questions if I made the right call walking away years ago, and now I’m wrestling with the possibility of regret.
Chapter 9
Tyler
I thought after a whole week of downing Thai green tea after Thai green tea, I’d hate it. But all I could think about was exactly the opposite. Or, if I’m being honest, the chance of finding Serena behind the counter again.
I’m nearing the left turn to enter the shopping plaza where Boba Republic is. As I park, I text Jared to see if he’s working and lucky for me, he is. As my best friend since middle school, it’s hard to find time to hang out with the guy, since he’s extremely dedicated to our school’s football team. He’s an all-American football guy. When he’s not playing football, his head is in the books to get into the best schools to fuel his career to make it to the NFL. That’s his end goal after all.
In those rare moments I have to myself, I’m always wondering what do I want after high school? It’s a question that’s always in the back of my mind and something I feel pressured to find the answer to, but I’ve never had the chance toreallyexplore it. My goals were never long-term; they were always about gettingthrough the day, passing the class, and making sure Harper was taken care of.
But watching Jared as we grew up in school together, it’s hard not to feel a pang of envy. He’s driven, focused and knows exactly where he’s headed. Meanwhile, I’m stuck in this cycle of just trying to keep my head above water.
