Chapter Twelve

❀

I thought I'm gonna faint because of the crowd but I'm glad that I was able to remain calm and composed as I stood in front of the huge crowd, cheering for their own bets. Five cheerleading groups will be competing in this cheerleading tournament and the theme they put on is nature theme with the categories air, water and fire.

The group I joined, pretending to be this Quila girl, have chosen "fire". No wonder they were hyped with their steps and we wore cheerleading attire that has printed flames on the skirt as well as on the boots.

And for the first time, I wore a top that shows my belly. Honestly, I am a little bit uncomfortable with my attire, but I can manage.

"Please, let me survive this competition," I anxiously whispered to myself. I am pretty good at pretending that I am confident, that's why I'm sure that no one would notice my anxious mind.

I just didn't expect that I would be the first one to enter the scene. I wasn't prepared for that, obviously. I was able to memorize the dance steps but unfortunately, not everything.

And so now, I am on my own.

The only solution I could think of is to dance using my own steps. What choice do I have? Creating your own dance step is better than freezing in front of the huge audiences and making yourself look stupid. I was shamed enough to mess up and feel ashamed again. Besides, I am not presenting as Beauty Smith. I am presenting Quila's image and performance.

Oh, that girl. I don't know who you are, but I am gonna make you pay for this unexpected event.

Literally pay. I need cash.

On the bright side, I never got to experience something unfair. That's the least of the things I'd like to happen. Maybe this is my anxious mind speaking, but this world is unfair and sometimes, justice just doesn't come to you.

Anyway, if only I knew their dance steps, I would follow but unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch and join in the full practice. Me, being here is a mistake after all. I am presenting as Quila and they completely thought that I am that girl. I wonder if we have a splitting image, for them to completely mistaken me as Quila and insist that I am her.

Whatever. I better stop pondering and focus on this cheerleading game.

When I heard the intro song played, I made my entrance towards the center of the school grounds.

With a hand on my right hip and baton on my left hand, I began walking and spinning the baton on my hand. As soon as I got in the middle, I kept on spinning my baton in my front, raising upwards, then to my left, right and down. I kept on repeating that pattern, making a circular motion.

I tiptoed my left foot while my right foot was stepping flat on the ground. Then I placed my left foot down as I tiptoed my right foot. I repeated that pattern five times before switching into the next dance step.

The same count goes to the spinning of my baton so after five counts, I settled down my feet and had the baton pointing upwards and swung it in a swift, gentle motion, making the red lace swayed.

While doing that step, the other cheerleaders in my team (temporarily) made their way towards the center of the ground, settling the formation they practiced.

As they settled, it was my turn to begin walking backwards with my baton still swirling upwards. I walked backwards while two girls with their pom poms walked in front, making the two girls my replacement.

When I got behind, I walked sidewards, specifically the right side and switched to the next step. I then threw the baton up in the air and caught it. As soon as it fell on my hand, I began spinning it again. And now, I am dancing along with the whole team.

Although I don't know every single one of them, I began having so much fun. Not because of being out of the spotlight, but because I was able to dance as a cheerleader. I really don't want to be in the spotlight. Please, give me a break! I only enjoy dancing. This is the first time I've danced as a temporary cheerleader out of mistaken identity.

When I was 13, I liked watching cheerleaders and the way they threw their batons up the air. It looked fun to me so I tried following the dance steps on youtube. That's how I learned.

I am pretty lucky that I learned cheerleader dancing because if I didn't, I would probably make a fool out of myself in front of the audiences. Sure, I'm pretty resilient with all those bullies who seems to think of themselves so high and mighty but this is an important event to these cheerleaders who have been doing their best to win so obviously, I couldn't afford to make myself look stupid. I'm representing Quila, remember?

We kept on dancing until the end of the music.

Our dance ended with four girls making a pyramid formation.

❀

Our team lost but it's okay because we knew to ourselves that we gave it all. Besides, I had fun playing in the cheerleading competition. I doubt I'd experience it again.

We returned to the classroom and while they are busy changing clothes, I sneaked out of their classroom with my usual outfit now and my eyeglass.

I'm glad that I am pretty good at sneaking.

While walking down the hallway, I bumped into NJ.

"Where the hell have you -" he trailed off and began scanning my face.

"W-what now? Stop staring. It's creepy!" I said.

"Is that makeup I am seeing?" He confirmed. "Give me that" he said as he removed my eyeglass.

"W-well, yeah. Just a light one." I answered. "What's it to you?"

"Why don't you wear light makeup?" He suggested. "And your lipstick suits you well."

"Creep!" I answered. "There is no way I am putting makeup on again. This will be the last, I swear!" I snatched my eyeglass back from him and wore it.

"It's such a shame. You're pretty, but you'll even look more beautiful with light makeup." He said.

I could feel my face heat up at that. "Shut up! I said no! And a no is a no!"

He laughed at me and said, "Fine, fine. I hope you would reconsider my suggestion though," then shrugged. "Changing isn't that bad."

"I know, but I just don't want to wear makeup," I said.

"You say that, but I can see you wearing one," he pointed out. "Seriously, where and what have you been doing? You skipped two classes in a row."

"Can you keep this as a secret? If you can keep a secret, I'll tell you the reason." I said. I don't want other people knowing that I danced. As much as possible, I wanna keep a low profile but seeing things as they were in the present time, I don't know anymore. I wanna keep Beauty Smith in her hiding spot.

"Alright, sure," he answered and lifted his right hand, raising his pinky finger. "Let's make a pinky swear. I promise."

As we made a pinky swear, I began telling him what I was up to while we were walking down the hallway. After telling him my story, he looked surprised and said, "I never thought that you could dance and I thought you hated the spotlight?"

"You should never judge a book by its cover, remember?" I said at his first remark. "And you're right. I really don't like being in the spotlight. And when I say NO, it'll be a total no for me," I said then continued. "I was forced because of a mistaken identity but even though I was forced, I couldn't afford to mess up. I'm representing Quila's image and the whole team, remember?"

"You've got a point there," he said. "If you've got guts, which you were able to prove, then why don't you join the team?"

Sighing in exasperation, I said, "I am not interested, you know?"

"I wish I got a chance to watch you dancing out the spotlight." He said in a hopeful manner. At least that's what I caught from his vibes.

"You sound hopeful," I said. "Don't be too hopeful. It could be scary too, you know?" And now, I am hoping that he'll stop bugging me about joining the cheerleading team.

"Don't you want to try something new? Come on, it'll be fun!" He encouraged me. "Imagine you, cheering for our basketball team at a tournament."

"It won't happen, I swear," I said.

"Didn't I tell you, I am going to transform you into a better person?" He said. "If you don't want to, I'll make you."

"Yeah, sure you can," I responded in a sarcastic way.

"Wanna bet on it?" He challenged. "Watch me."

Bet huh?

Then suddenly, I remembered finding out that people have been betting on the guy I am going to choose. NJ or Tom?

Please, give me a break.

Are they for real?

Choose who?

They are wasting their time.

Rumors are rumors. None of those rumors are true.

We kept on walking while chatting until we got in the classroom for today's last class. Ah, finally! It's the last class. My nightmare for today is almost over. All I gotta do is to endure in our last class. Honestly, I am itching to go home. Main reason is because I felt exhausted because of the unexpected dance.

It was exhausting and yet, fun.

As I settled down on my chair near the window, I saw other cheerleaders outside the grounds. The competition is already over, but I can still see some of them wearing their outfits and some are even still dancing.

"Those girls are pretty passionate about cheerleading, huh?" I muttered to myself. Our professor is not here yet and I hope he won't come to class. So while sitting, I continued watching the cheerleaders dance.

I saw them dancing steps that I haven't seen yet even on youtube. It caught my attention and interest. Suddenly, I've got this great urge to try doing the steps they have been dancing.

I watched them closely and began memorizing their steps.

Maybe I'll dance their steps at home later.

❀