Chapter 10

Tiffany

Amber and I were at her locker. I waited for her to take out all her books while I leaned against mine. I blew on my newly polished nails.

''Do you have a back up plan?" she asked

"No" I groaned

"Bella is making progress. It looks like she might win this bet"

"If she does, we have to look for another way to bring her down since leaking her nudes didn't work"

"How annoying is that? It made people love her more"

"I know right. What does she have that I don't?"

"I don't know. You're way more beautiful in my opinion"

"Thank you. At least someone realizes it"

"We have cheer leading captain tryouts today"

"What?!" I exclaimed

How did she know that?

"How come you know?" I asked her

"Well coach Ann and I have gotten closer lately"

"You whore"

She giggled

"I am so gonna win captain" she said "I already pleaded for coach to let me win. It would look good on my student profile for college applications"

"Bella is gonna be so mad"

"At least I'll have a title she doesn't. The bag is secured" she winked

We high fived each other

The sound of a locker behind us caught our attention

It was Leslie

"Tsk tsk tsk. My assumptions were correct. I knew you were the ones who did it" she smirked

"Shut up Leslie" I snapped

"Poor Bella. She thinks she has friends"

''We weren't talking to you'' Amber cut in

'' Of course you weren't" Leslie spoke "Anyway its none of my business"

She walked away

''Do you think she's gonna tell on us?" I whispered to Amber

''One: she has no proof. Two: they don't talk''

''Good''

"I may not like Bella but I enjoy the benefits I get from our friendship. I'm not ready to lose all my club memberships yet"

"Exactly"

Bella

You know that moment when you're in bed. Its 6:05am, you close your eyes for five minutes then suddenly its 7:10am

But in school; 9:30am*closes eyes for ten minutes* its 9:31am

I cannot deal with this. The time seems stuck.

''I don't understand shit'' I said dropping my head on the table

History is an asshole. The teacher kept blabbering about something that happened in ancient Greece.

How do you expect me to know this when I wasn't there?

This was the reason why Drew and I ditched class yesterday

Oh yeah, where is Drew by the way? I scanned through the classroom but I caught no sign of him.

I brought out my phone from my bag and sent him a text.

Me: where are you? Class is boring

It took him a while to respond

Drew: on the roof

Me: getting high?

Drew: you know it

I smiled then dropped my phone back in its former position. At least after this is dance practice

''I hate this class'' Stephanie whined beside me

''You don't say'' I replied sarcastically rolling my eyes

''Don't be such an ass''

I decided to ignore her. I had no physical or mental strength to argue.

My life was complete the moment that bell rang

''Finally!!"

I ran out of the classroom to my locker to drop my books and get my outfit for practice

Fifteen minutes late, we were on the field.

Coach Ann went round to check the attendance

''Bella Martins''

I didn't have to answer. She smiled knowingly

''I don't even have to ask'' she said shaking her head

Everyone laughed.

Its true, I love to dance. Its my passion

''You girls still remember the moves we learned a few weeks ago?"

''Yes ma'am" we replied

"Are you ready?"

''Yes!"

''Hit it''

We started doing our cheer formation as "my first kiss" by 30H ft Ke$ha came on.

We all did our cheer as jocks stopped to stare at us.

Students watching in awe made me proud and want to put in all my energy

I was in front, obviously, with Leslie and Stephanie by my two sides. They are the only people who can match up with me when it comes to dancing.

We did the pyramid formation great too, with me having to do a back flip all the way from the top.

I'll let you know its a pyramid of 10 girls. Yup I'm pretty good

When we were done, we stroke our poses at the end of the song

''Good job ladies" Coach Ann commented "Settle down everyone''

We all sat on the grass, our breaths were heavy.

''Today I'll be choosing team captain''

Whisperings were heard. My heart began to thump. I've been waiting for this moment my entire life.

Never ever has there been a cheer captain in our school. I'm dying to be the first

If I can achieve this, I can get scholarships to multiple colleges. It'll look good on my resume which will be a bonus because I have excellent grades.

"QUIET DOWN!"

Silence

''I never told you beforehand because I knew you would all prepare. I want to see who has talent; dancing is a natural thing. I have a scoreboard where I'll b recording points. Whoever has the most points wins"

If I don't win this, I'll be a disgrace; both to the school and to my family. My mom has been bugging me about this ever since the beginning of senior year.

Everyone has been looking up to me to win this. What if I don't win?

I can't think that way. I have to win!

''I paired you guys up. Tiffany and Amber, Jenny and Minnie, Blake and Ashley, Demi and Stephanie, Mach and Thoni, Lauren and Molly. Lastly, Leslie and Bella"

I rolled my eyes. I can't say I'm surprised though, I expected this.

''I paired you with your friends and equals just to be fair. It doesn't really matter. Its still going to be individually judged. I wanna see how confident you are without caring what your friend thinks. Show your friend how bad you want this. Your points are based on flexibility, strength, passion and facial expression. First up, Tiffany and Amber you're first"

The girls came out one by one as Coach Ann played the music. The competition was tough.

I became scared all of a sudden. I really thought I was the best but seeing these girls put in their energy made me feel sort of inferior. All the girls really wanted this. What made me ever think I could beat them all?

Everybody wanted this. I mean, who wouldn't?

"Leslie and Bella, you're up''

So fast? I was confident but scared at the same time

''Show her the shit you're made of' Tiffany said smacking my butt

''You lesbian'' I teased

''Call me'' she winked

I laughed as I walked forward

''Ready to lose Martins?" Leslie asked, stretching

''Not a chance''

''Bring it on''

I scoffed

''Please what is this? Mean girls?"

The song came on. I gave it my best shot. I did all the jazz moves and stunts I could; an aerial, a pirouette, back hand springs, front walkovers, you name it, I did it

I didn't even break a sweat. By the time we were done people were screaming my name

''Great job girls. Give me some time to combine the results''

''You totally killed it'' Jenny said hugging me

The girls gathered around me saying things like

''You're so gonna win''

''When you're captain, can I be your personal assistant?''

''You're so amazing Bella''

My head swelled with pride. All traces of former insecurities were gone. I'm sure of this.

After a while of chatting and advance congratulations to me, Coach Ann came with a score sheet in her hands.

''Gather round ladies"

We all formed a circle around her

"Drum rolls please"

We made drum noises with our mouths in anticipation. My heart beat got faster by the second.

''Captain goes to Leslie Arnolds while assistant goes to Amber White"

The field went silent as all eyes diverted to me.

What?

Chapter Eleven

I felt all air go out of my lungs after she announced the names.

After the awkward silence, the girls started congratulating them.

''How do you feel Martins?'' Leslie asked me

I felt embarrassed.

I felt disappointed.

I felt ripped off my position

I didn't respond. I just walked away. Amber is my friend and I should be happy for her but I wasn't. Why?

Simply because I'm a way better dancer.

How come?

Well, only one way to find out

I knocked on Coach Ann's office

''Come in''

I entered inside. Coach Ann was seated at her desk, her two legs on top her table as she made a phone call. She dropped her phone as soon as she saw me.

''Good day ma'am" I greeted

''Hello Bella. How are you?"

''Not fine''

''Why's that?"

''I'd like to know why Amber is assistant and not me''