Would we have regrets?

After the grueling gym class, the students collapsed onto the benches, exhausted. Lexi settled in beside Rachel, grateful for the reprieve.

As she scanned the field, her gaze landed on Jake, sitting alone at the far end of the bench. His eyes sparkled with amusement as Emily and Megan approached him, their laughter carrying across the field.

Lexi's attention was captivated by Jake's boyish smile, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. She couldn't help but watch, mesmerized, as he chatted with the girls.

But her reverie was shattered when Megan caught her staring. Lexi's cheeks flushed as she swiftly turned away, pretending interest in the nearby trees.

Her heart racing, Lexi felt like she'd been caught with her hand in the cookie jar by no one else but that b*tch. She couldn't explain why Jake's smile affected her so deeply.

Lexi's gaze drifted elsewhere, pretending she hadn't been caught staring at Jake. She focused on Rachel, who was lost in thought, probably still thinking about Liam.

Megan's voice carried across the benches, her laughter mingling with Jake's and Emily's. Lexi's eyes wandered back, despite herself.

Jake's smile faltered for a moment as he caught Lexi's gaze. Their eyes locked, and Lexi felt a flutter in her chest. She swiftly looked away, her heart racing.

Jake settled into the far end of the bench, surveying the field with a casual gaze. His eyes roamed over the students, lingering on nothing in particular, until they found the target.

She sat benches away from him, her back turned against him. Her honey brown hair was tied in a messy bun, a few stray strands framing her face. A bright smile spread across her features as she probably teased her best friend.

Just as Jake was taking in the sight, Emily's voice broke the spell. "Hei Jake."

Jake turned to Emily, who approached with her friend Megan in tow. "Hei," he replied, his smile polite.

Emily plopped down beside him, eyeing his composed appearance. "Look at you, looking like you didn't just participate in gym class."

Jake chuckled. "You should learn to appreciate gym class more."

Emily teased, "Always so eager to show off how athletic you are." Jake smiled, accustomed to her playful jabs.

As Emily continued to chat, Jake's attention drifted back to the girl. He caught her staring at him, her eyes locking onto his for a fleeting moment.

She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. Jake resisted the urge to smirk, intrigued by the brief connection.

Emily noticing Jake's attention else where called out to him. " Are you alright?"

Jake smiled assuring her that he was fine and Emily continued her chatter.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"I'm going to try out for the cheerleading team." Lexi said as she sprang up from the couch, her announcement cutting through the cozy evening atmosphere.

They had been in Lexi's room watching a movie and Rachel stopped munching on the popcorn as if she had heard wrong.

Rachel's eyes widened, her hand frozen mid-air, popcorn suspended. "You what?"

Lexi's determination was evident. "I want to try out for the cheerleading team." She repeated.

Rachel's confusion deepened. "Why? I thought we didn't like cheerleaders."

Lexi settled back beside Rachel, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice. "Yeah, I know that, but it's our last year of high school. I just want to try something new."

Rachel's skepticism lingered. "Join the math club then; you hate attention."

She dismissed the suggestion. "And I hate math too."

Rachel proposed an alternative. "Then the theatre club works."

Lexi's resolve remained unwavering. "Chel, I just wanted you to know; I've made up my mind already."

Rachel's concern softened. "Lex, you can do you. I'm just worried, if this is because of pressure..."

Lexi reassured her. "There's no pressure here. I just want to try out. There's a fifty percent chance I might not make it."

Rachel's expression shifted from worry to acceptance. "Okay."

"Really," Lexi confirmed.

"Yes," Rachel said, "as long as we remain besties."

Lexi's face lit up with a small squeal. "Of course."

Lexi and Rachel lounged on the bed, the abandoned movie forgotten, as they munched on popcorn. Lexi's mind began to wander.

"Where do you want to be nineteen years from now, Chel?" Lexi asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Rachel raised an eyebrow. "What's with the question all of a sudden?"

Lexi's thoughts spilled out. "I'm just curious. Would we achieve all our dreams, would we be happy, would we have regrets? It's all so uncertain."

Rachel's face lit up with a dreamy smile. "Of course, we would be happy. I'd become a designer and marry Liam, you'd be a writer and marry Jake. We'd all live in New York and live happily ever after."

Rachel giggled like a little girl, her eyes sparkling. "That sounded silly, didn't it?"

Lexi chuckled. "Yes, very."

But beneath the laughter, Lexi's question still lingered. Would their lives unfold as they hoped? It hadn't before, for her at least.

Rachel's voice softened. "We would be happy for sure, whatever happens, we have each other."

In that moment, Lexi knew that no matter what life brought, their friendship would remain unshakeable.

As their laughter faded, Lexi's gaze drifted toward the ceiling, her thoughts still wandering. "Do you think we'll stay best friends forever?"

Rachel's voice was filled with conviction. "Of course, we will. Nothing can break our bond, Lex."

Lexi smiled, feeling grateful for their friendship. "You're right. No matter where life takes us, we'll always have each other's backs."

The room fell silent, the only sound the gentle crunching of popcorn. Rachel broke the silence.

"Hey, Lex?"

"Yeah?"

"Even if our lives don't turn out exactly as we planned...even if we don't end up with Liam and Jake..."

Lexi's eyes met Rachel's, understanding the unspoken question.

"We'll still be happy, Chel. We'll make our own happiness, together."

Rachel nodded, a soft smile spreading across her face.

The morning light slipped through Lexi's curtains, and Rachel blinked awake, momentarily disoriented before she remembered she was at her friend's house. Lexi had confessed about her plan of joining the cheerleading team and she had given her full support, even if some other people were going to be… less enthusiastic.

At school, Lexi signed her name confidently on the list for cheerleading tryouts. As she wrote, she suddenly sensed someone behind her. Turning around, she saw Megan and Emily, who were both already on the team. Emily was the head cheerleader, known for her bright smile, while Megan… well, Megan was known for her cutting comments.

"You're signing up for the team?" Megan asked, her voice laced with disbelief and dripping with disdain. She exchanged a smirk with Emily. Megan had never been one to hide her opinions, especially if she thought she was superior to someone.

"Yeah, I am," Lexi said, not missing a beat. She met Megan's gaze evenly as she added, "Do you have a problem with that?" Her pen still poised over the paper.

Megan's smirk twisted into a sneer. "Can you hear that? Even dumbasses think they can be on the cheer team." Her eyes sparking with malice as she snorted.

Lexi's eyes narrowed. She had anticipated pushback, but Megan's attitude was already grating. "Oh, I thought cheerleaders were just a bunch of empty-headed beauties with bad grades." She retorted. The barb hit its mark; Megan's face reddened.

Megan's expression darkened as she stepped forward, looking ready to start a scene. "What did you just say?"

Lexi shrugged, playing it cool. "No offense. I just want to make a difference." Her eyes locked unto Megan's in a silent challenge. She never understood why Megan never liked her but she had decided to return the same energy she was offered.

Megan anger simmered, she opened her mouth, looking almost ready to snap, but Emily placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Megan, it's fine," she said, her tone again surprisingly friendly. She turned to Lexi with a slight smile. "It's nice that you want to join the team. I hope you make it."

Lexi's smile grew, a mix of confidence and defiance. "Thanks." She handed the sign-up sheet to Emily, her eyes never leaving Megan's.

The tension dissipated, but the battle lines were drawn. Lexi had thrown down the gauntlet, and Megan was ready to take her on.

She let her smile linger for just a second longer to show she wasn't intimidated. She was going for it, no matter what anyone said.