CHAPTER 11

When Dylan finally settled in her class for the first time,her mind went on and on wondering what it would be like being the new kid amongst a bunch of sophomores.That was always the most notorious class in almost every high school.The principal saying that the school was a no bully or violence zone wasn't going to assure her of her safety and not that she was scared,no.

   After she had been introduced to the class and settled down,she finally breathed.The reception was fairly warm.None of the  students in the back benches cracked a joke like most did.That was always the case at her former school whenever a new kid came.She guessed that the school would be nice but decided to lay low for a while,just see how things would go for the first week.But not basket ball,that couldn't wait and she knew it would at least keep her busy once she was accepted.The schedule said that practice was always on Tuesdays,Thursdays and Fridays.That's where she needed to be so that she could be assessed by her new coach who she was yet to meet.And she would be there first thing after the next day's classes.

    She did one last sweep around the classroom before focusing on the history teacher in the front.That's when she first saw her.Slim but not too slim.She could see that even though the other girl was seated.She had thick dark hair,she was in a cheerleader uniform but unlike the others who had their hair either in a pony tail or long and straight,her hair was tamed in a loose bun while some strands fell over her face covering her tanned skin.Or was it her natural skin tone?Since she was seated a few desks across from her,she could see her legs under the desk;perfectly shaped and quite attractive worn under the short cheerleader skirt.She was swaying one in a constant rhythmic motion which captured her eyes.She found herself staring at the motion which was almost hypnotic until she realized what she was doing and shook the spell off cursing herself.It was so unlike her.Up until now,this was a part of herself she hadn't really come to terms with.It all started in middle school.While all the other girls were busy crushing on boys and fighting over them,she only wanted to play with them,become friends.In fact most of her friends in her former school were boys.Whenever she wasn't playing basket ball,she was in the soccer pitch cheering her friends on.When she was first attracted to a girl,she was scared and she fought it.But the feeling was now returning,and it was no match compared to this one. 

    When she looked up,she found the other girl looking at her.Had she caught her staring at her leg?Their eyes met briefly and the girl offered a warm smile.Dylan smiled in return then swallowed dryly after the girl faced back in front.She slowly took her history book out and started working with her pen but really,she was just making ridiculous drawings on the book.

 "Ms Lewis?"

She looked up abruptly and answered with a little hesitation.

 "Y...yeah."

 "I hope you were not behind the syllabus in your former school?"

 She quickly glanced at the topic the teacher had been discussing."We were actually two chapters ahead," she replied and somehow felt calmer. 

 "Nice.That means you can answer any question from what we are discussing?"

She hesitated for a while before answering.She looked around the classroom and found several students looking at her,including the raven haired girl.

 "I believe I can,"she replied.

 "Good,because we have a test tomorrow.I don't want you to feel alienated or have a terrible first week." Just then,the bell to end the session rang. "Anyway,I hope you have a good start," she then turned to the whole class."I'll see you all tomorrow for the test at the same time,come prepared."

         The class ended and she sat waiting even after everyone rose up to go to their next classes.It was what Chelsea had instructed.She was a sophomore but she wasn't taking history so she had to wait for her until she was through with her class.She didn't have to wait for long because in the next minute,Chelsea was standing by the classroom door waiting for her,a full smile on her face.

If it wasn't for her very talkative nature that was slightly annoying,Dylan would have liked her much more than she did then.The unending chatter made her wish for the week to be over so she could get rid of her because if she did right then,it would seem rude and  she didn't want to create that impression.So she just went with the flow,smiling whenever necessary and answering questions politely and accordingly.Somehow,she felt she would survive the week without bruises,both physically and emotionally.

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

    Tuesday afternoon found her waiting in the gym.Since she was yet to know any of the team members,she sat on a bench near a corner waiting for the coach.The cheerleaders had the other side of the gym.It was large enough to accommodate both teams for practice.She didn't know what it was,impulse? Maybe,but she found herself scanning through the group of very attractive girls who were almost the same size,as if there was some kind of measurement used to make sure that they bodies were equal.One thing she knew for sure was that they must have been strictly restricted to a particular diet.How else would they maintain such uniformity.And that must have been hard,too hard for some than others.

      She was still looking when the leader clapped her hands twice to get their attention.Emily,she already knew her name because,who wouldn't?She was as obnoxious as they came.Too pretty for her own good with her perfectly developed body but contrasted by the fact that she was ignorant,dismissive and overly controlling like she was doing just then.The girls seemed so afraid of her and she felt sorry for them.

'Couldn't I have gotten a better neighbor?' She thought silently as her eyes moved from one girl to another.Sadly,the one she was looking for was nowhere in sight.Several questions collided in her head out of nowhere and they surprised her.Was she okay?Why had she missed practice?Was she sick or something?

In the next minute,the coach came into the gym all dressed up in a track suit.The others immediately stood up  and started racing from one side of the gym to the other.He noticed her almost immediately and called her.He began the instructions almost immediately even without any form of greeting. The first harsh staff member she had seen.

         "So,here we go by surnames,you are Lewis I am coach Ferguson.I talk you listen.No coming late even for a second.If I arrive here before you,you are out!And I mean permanently out.No negotiations.Collect your uniform in my office later. I'm only allowing you whatever you are wearing today just because you are new," he finally paused for effect.Dylan looked at him wondering if she was now allowed to talk. "Got it?"

 "Yes coach Ferguson,"she nodded firmly.

 "And Lewis,I get that you were the deputy captain of your team in your former school.You can get that spot or even captain but you will have to really work for it.I don't do favors.You being on the team without working for it was more than what I normally do.So,don't disappoint me."

 "I won't coach.And thank you for the opportunity to be on the team."

He was quiet for a while looking at her until she felt uncomfortable.She shifted and looked away just in time to see the girl joining the cheerleaders team.She felt her heart lighten even under the scrutiny of her coach who seemed more of a police officer than a high school basket ball coach.

 "Now,go join the others.Let's see what you've got."

Dylan obediently moved and was determined to change her coach's view.So,she promised herself  silently that she would not just make him proud.She would do everything in her power to earn both the position she had easily gotten and even more.She would make sure she was his best player.Even if it meant practicing double.

That day actually turned out to be a good start.She had no trouble scoring or dribbling the ball past her opponents.Not that she was expecting trouble,the scoring part especially was her strong field.Her prowess helped her gain friends but she also made enemies.Some of the members who had been there before her and were also fighting for the captain spot saw her as a threat.Their jealous and warning eyes didn't escape her.They scared her;the first time she had been since she got there.But her determination didn't let it take control of her.Whatever they posed,she would face it head on.She needed all the positive things to help her fit in and she felt she would only feel that here,in that gym,doing what she loved best.No one was going to scare her away from it so,bring it on West Dale high!