Cheerleading, Crushes, and High School Drama

"Ready for the day ahead, champ?" Sarah asked playfully as she and Deliah approached the bus stop. "Got your phone, wallet, and backup clothes for cheer practice?"

Deliah chuckled and playfully swatted at Sarah. "Come on, Sarah. It's just cheer practice, not a survival mission."

Sarah feigned offense, placing a hand on her hip. "Can't a sister worry a little bit?" she grinned. "I'll be waiting for you after cheer, and we'll head on home together."

"No need, Sarah," Deliah replied, shaking her head. "That's a lot of wait time for you."

"Nah, no big deal," Sarah shrugged. "I was planning on hitting the books at home anyway, so it doesn't matter if I do it at home or at school." she handed her wallet to Deliah. "And here, take this. I want you to have it just in case."

Deliah's eyes widened as she accepted the wallet. "Sarah! You're giving me all your money?" she exclaimed. "We bring lunch boxes to school so I don't exactly need it," Sarah shrugged. "I heard you guys need to pay for new notes today, just a little extra in case it gets expensive. You can pay me the remaining after school plus the bus fare."

Deliah sighed and shook her head, bumping shoulders with her sister. "You are the best sister on earth, you know that?"

Sarah smiled half-heartedly and shook her head. "Far from it, Liah."

***********

"Hey, there goes your prince charming," Iris whispered as Alex walked past.

Deliah's head immediately whipped up and her eyes followed where Alex went. Her cheeks instantly flared red and her heart gave a little skip as she licked her dry lips nervously. It was really a turn of events because that was how guys acted around her, and now she was going all soft for this guy who didn't even really pay attention to her.

"Man, he is hot," Yvonne muttered. "He's really good looking, huh, Nancy?" she elbowed her friend.

Nancy looked up from her phone distractedly and blinked. "What are you guys talking about again?"

Iris shook her head in amusement and threw a fry at Nancy, who dodged. "You only care about your Brad and you practically ignore all the other male species in the world."

Nancy grinned and shrugged. "Why bother with them when I have the best out of them?" she giggled. Her phone vibrated and she leaped to unlock it. "Oh look! Brad sent me a text!" she exclaimed happily.

"Surprise, surprise," Yvonne muttered in a bored tone.

She looked at Alex as he threw away his rubbish and walked back to the Aerospace boys.

As Alex walked by, Deliah finally caught his attention with her wide-eyed stare. She quickly collected herself and flashed a sweet smile, to which Alex politely acknowledged before rejoining his group of friends.

"Did you see that? He recognizes you!" Yvonne squealed with excitement. "It's obvious, Deliah, he's into you!"

Deliah played it cool. "I highly doubt it. I don't think he even knows my name." she said with a hint of disappointment.

Iris pondered, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "It's strange that he doesn't seem more interested. Do you think Alex could be gay or maybe he already has a girlfriend?"

All eyes turned to Nancy, who was giggling at a new message from Brad. She looked up and was met with the curious gazes of her friends. "What's the matter?"

"Quick, text Brad and find out if Alex is either playing for the other team or already taken!" Iris urged, eager to solve the mystery.

"We're doing this for Deliah's happiness, after all!"

Nancy scratched her head. "Do I really have to? It seems a bit...strange." "Just do it!" Yvonne hissed. And with a sigh, Nancy reluctantly complied, quickly texting Brad and making sure to mention it was her friends asking, not her.

Brad responded just as swiftly as he always does, and Nancy read out his reply. "Nope, he's not gay. As far as I know, anyway." Nancy said with a shrug. "And attached? Ha! This guy's been single since birth, he doesn't even have a girlfriend!"

Iris and Yvonne erupted in excitement, jumping up and down and shaking Deliah in a fit of giggles. "You've got this, Deliah!" they shouted. "In fact, you're in a better position than any of the other girls out there! Alex will fall for you in no time!"

Deliah cast a nervous glance at Alex, her cheeks turning pink "Really?"

"No doubt."

************

Deliah, the high-flying cheerleader extraordinaire, had just wrapped up her practice and was eager to change into something a bit more comfortable. Known for her beaming smile and her love of flipping through the air, she was a standout on top of the pyramid, eliciting cheers from the crowd with every move she made.

With a spring in her step, Deliah donned a comfortable t-shirt and a pair of cute shorts, tying her hair into a fun bun and giving herself a confident grin in the mirror.

As she stepped out of the restroom, Iris let out a surprised exclamation. "How do you manage to look even cleaner and sweeter after all that exertion?" Iris asked, gesturing to her own sweat-soaked and tired state.

Deliah laughed and shook her head in delight. She caught a glimpse of herself in a nearby window and gave a proud smile. "Well, you guys don't look too bad yourselves!" she teased.

Yvonne rolled her eyes and leaned against the wall with a dramatic sigh. "Please, can we just go home and hit the shower already? I need a nap," she proclaimed.

Nancy let out a yawn and chimed in, "Yeah, let's go! I need my beauty sleep!"

"Let me give you a lift home then, Princess." Nancy was taken aback as she saw Brad approaching her.

"Cupcake" she exclaimed, beaming with delight.

"Hello there," Brad chuckled and tousled her hair affectionately. He picked up her bag and offered to carry it for her, while greeting her friends at the same time. "I'll take my princess home first. See you girls tomorrow."

"Goodbye Cupcake, goodbye Princess," the three friends chorused as they watched their friend comfortably settle into Brad's car and drive away.

Iris couldn't help but feel envious. "I wish I had a senior boyfriend to take me home too. I never want to take a bus again."

"That's life, girls," Yvonne laughed. She nudged Deliah. "We're off. You coming?"

Deliah declined with a shake of her head. "Go ahead, I'm waiting for sissy." she smiled sweetly.

The girls said their goodbyes and walked away, leaving Deliah alone.

Deliah was on her way to meet Sarah at the front gates when she stumbled upon a lit classroom. Curiosity got the better of her, and she peered inside to find someone fast asleep with their head resting on the desk.

As she got closer, Deliah couldn't believe her eyes when she recognized the sleeper as none other than Alex. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in his handsome features.

While admiring the sight, Deliah noticed that Alex was reading her sister's article and making notes. How adorable!

Feeling brave, Deliah gently nudged Alex, whispering, "Wake up, sleepyhead. It's getting late, and you should head home."

Alex stirred and rubbed his eyes tiredly, momentarily confused. Deliah wanted to squeal because he was just too cute and adorable to be true!

"Whoa," Alex checked his watch, his eyes quickly widening in shock as he realized how late it was. He turned to Deliah with a grateful smile, "Thanks for waking me up, Deliah. My mom would have a fit if I were any later."

Efficiently packing his bag and turning off the lights in the classroom, Alex accompanied Deliah to the gate. "Why are you still hanging around school?" Deliah shyly replied, "I had cheerleading practice."

Alex nodded understandingly, unaffected by the fact that Deliah was a cheerleader. As they arrived at his black Audi, he checked his watch again with a frown. "It's really getting late, Deliah. Want to catch a ride home with me?" He gestured towards his car, offering her a ride.

Deliah's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed. He's offering to send me home!! she mentally squealed. But then she thought about her sister and she hesitated. What should she do? "Uhm let me make a call first. One minute." Deliah requested meekly and she quickly darted off to the side to call Sarah. Sarah picked up the call on the first ring.

"Liah? I'm nearing the gates. See you in-" "Sissy." Deliah whispered excitedly. "Guess what! I bumped into Alex after training and he's offering me a ride home!" Sarah stopped in her tracks just as she caught sight of the carpark.

She saw her sister whispering into the phone while another male silhouette waited while Deliah made the call. That must be Alex. Sarah thought. She heard how excited Deliah was and couldn't bear to ruin things for her.

She definitely wasn't going to show herself and make it known that the wonderful Deliah had a wallflower sister.

"I was wondering if there's a way that I can-"

"Liah, accept his ride." Sarah cut in. "I'll meet you at home."

"Really?" Deliah squealed. "But what about you? I have all your money and you can't even take the bus home, sissy!"

"I accidentally chucked five dollars in my jeans so I have that." Sarah fibbed. "Don't worry about me. Go accept the ride before he refuses to wait anymore."

"Thanks a lot sissy! I love you!" Deliah hung up and raced to Alex with a large smile. "Yeah, I'll be taking the ride, Alex. Thanks for the offer."

Alex, looking around at the darkening sky, simply nodded and opened the car door for Deliah. "Better get you home," he said as he drove off without a second thought about anyone still lingering at the now-empty school.

As she watched her sister depart with Alex, Sarah couldn't help but let out a sigh. "If only I had one dollar right now," she thought wistfully.

However, she quickly refocused and gazed at the long road ahead. "Time to get moving, Sarah Johnson!" she declared.

With a determined spirit, she set off on the journey home, on foot.