Signing up

The courtyard buzzed with energy. Students crowded around club tables, their excited chatter filling the air. The faint scent of freshly cut grass mixed with the aroma of snacks from the food stand nearby. Kamsi tightened her grip on the strap of her bag as she approached the cheerleading registration table.

Patricia stood behind it, her arms folded like a bouncer guarding an exclusive club. Her perfectly coiffed ponytail and pristine uniform made her look like she belonged on a stage rather than a courtyard. When Patricia spotted Kamsi, her lips curled into a smug smile, her gaze dripping with condescension.

"What are you doing here?" Patricia asked, her voice icy and deliberate.

Kamsi's heart pounded, but she kept her chin high. "I'm here to sign up for cheerleading," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt.

Patricia's smile twisted into something sharp and unpleasant. "Well, it's full," she said, her tone clipped.

Kamsi blinked, her brows knitting together in confusion. Her eyes darted to the registration sheet on the table. There were plenty of open slots, the spaces glaringly obvious. "What do you mean it's full? There's clearly still space," she said, her voice edged with disbelief.

Patricia leaned forward, her smirk widening as she said, "You're not allowed."

The words hit Kamsi like a slap, and for a moment, all she could do was stare. A knot formed in her throat, but she swallowed it down. Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away, her shoulders stiff and her chest tight with frustration.

What was I thinking? Maybe she's right. Maybe I don't belong here.

She hadn't gone far when a familiar voice called out behind her, smooth and confident. "Well, isn't this interesting?"

Kamsi turned to see Xavier strolling toward her, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his jeans. His dark curls caught the sunlight, and his easy grin was both reassuring and infuriatingly self-assured. Behind him were Alexander, Gilbert, and Damon, their presence impossible to ignore as they moved with quiet confidence.

Xavier stopped beside Kamsi, his sharp gaze locking onto Patricia like a spotlight. "What are you up to, Patricia?" he asked, his tone light but firm. "Shouldn't you let her sign up?"

Patricia faltered, her smile slipping for a brief moment. "I... she's not..."

"Not what?" Xavier interrupted, his brow arching. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it now, like a blade wrapped in silk.

Patricia's eyes darted to the others. Gilbert leaned casually against the table, his broad frame casting a shadow over her. "I think she's got the right idea," he said, his tone deceptively casual. Alexander crossed his arms, his piercing gaze daring Patricia to argue. Damon didn't say a word, but his amused smirk was enough to make Patricia shift uncomfortably.

Xavier turned to Kamsi, his expression softening. "Come on, let's get you signed up," he said, placing a gentle hand on her back.

Kamsi hesitated for a moment, glancing at Patricia, whose jaw was clenched so tightly it looked like it might crack. But with Xavier's encouragement and his friends backing her up, Kamsi felt a surge of confidence she hadn't felt before.

She stepped forward, her voice steady. "I want to sign up."

Patricia's lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, it looked like she might argue. But under Xavier's unwavering gaze, she begrudgingly picked up the sign-up sheet and handed it over.

"Thanks," Kamsi said, her smile bright and genuine.

Patricia muttered, "Auditions are on Friday," her tone clipped and cold.

As Kamsi scribbled her name, the tension in her chest finally eased. She handed the notebook back, her head held high.

In the background, Tylee stood with her arms crossed, her perfectly glossed lips pressed into a pout. She muttered something under her breath, her frustration radiating like a storm cloud. Kamsi caught the glare Tylee shot her way but chose to ignore it.

She turned to Xavier, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you," she said softly, the weight of the moment clear in her voice.

Xavier grinned, his usual charm returning. "Anytime," he said.

For the first time all day, Kamsi felt like she belonged—not because she had blended in, but because she had stood up for herself. As she walked away from the table, the breeze tugged gently at her hair, and she felt lighter, like she'd just crossed a bridge she hadn't realized she could.

Xavier's grin lingered in her mind, a quiet reminder that sometimes, having the right people by your side makes all the difference.

Kamsi leaned against her locker, her fingers nervously playing with the zipper on her bag. Her cheeks still carried a faint blush from the adrenaline of signing up earlier. "So," she began, a grin tugging at the corners of her lips, "I finally did it. I signed up for cheerleading."

Her best friend froze mid-step, her jaw dropping theatrically. "Shut up!" she shrieked, drawing a few amused glances from passing students. She bounced on her toes, her energy contagious. "Kamsi! You actually did it! Oh my god, I'm so proud of you!"

Kamsi let out a laugh, but it was tinged with nervousness. "Yeah... but auditions are on Friday," she said, her voice trailing off. Her fingers tightened around her bag strap as she stared at the ground. "And honestly? I'm freaking out. I don't even know where to start with my practice."

Her friend looped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close in a reassuring half-hug. "Good thing you've got me!" she declared, striking a playful superhero pose. "Your personal choreographer-slash-motivational coach is reporting for duty."

Kamsi couldn't help but giggle, some of her tension easing. "Thanks. But, seriously, I don't think I've ever been this nervous. What if I trip? Or forget the routine? Or worse... what if Patricia's there, just waiting to watch me fail?"

Her friend's playful smile softened, and she turned to face Kamsi, placing a hand firmly on her shoulder. "Kams, listen to me. You are going to kill it. Patricia doesn't matter—this is about you. Remember that."

Kamsi swallowed hard, her friend's words settling like a warm weight in her chest. "You're right," she murmured, though doubt still flickered at the edges of her thoughts.

Her friend leaned back against the lockers, her grin returning with full force. "Okay, but seriously—can we talk about Xavier? I would kill to have seen Patricia's face when he stepped in for you! It must've been epic."

At that, Kamsi burst out laughing, the tension in her shoulders melting away. "Oh my god, it was PRICELESS," she said, her eyes sparkling. "She looked like someone just told her finals were canceled. And Xavier—" She paused, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks as she remembered the way he'd smiled at her. "He was so calm, like he knew exactly what he was doing. And the others? Gilbert, Damon, and Alexander? They just stood there, backing him up like a freaking movie scene."

Her friend clapped her hands, practically doubling over with laughter. "I can't believe I missed it. Xavier is such a legend. And honestly? So are you. You walked up to that table and owned it."

Kamsi shook her head, though a small, proud smile tugged at her lips. "I wouldn't have done it without him. Or you."

"Stop," her friend said, throwing an arm dramatically over her forehead. "You're going to make me cry. And we don't have time for that because we've got moves to perfect!"

Kamsi laughed, the sound light and unrestrained. As they started walking toward the practice hall, the muffled buzz of the school corridor faded into the background.

The fluorescent lights hummed softly above them, casting a glow over the posters taped to the walls. Kamsi's nerves still churned, but a new thought took root—one that wasn't fear but something closer to hope. She could almost hear the roar of applause, feel the thrill of nailing the routine under the bright lights.

Her friend nudged her with an elbow. "You know, Friday isn't just about proving Patricia wrong."

Kamsi tilted her head, curious. "Oh?"

Her friend smirked, her voice playful but firm. "It's about proving something to yourself. You've got this, Kams."

Kamsi inhaled deeply, letting the words sink in. For the first time, she believed them. Friday wasn't just an audition—it was her moment to shine.