Chapter 1: Jaylee

I rise from the bed as the alarm clock goes off, stopping it.

"It is time." I stretch with an excited smile.

I shove the blanket aside and get out of bed.

Today is a big day for me. I'll officially be known as a member of the Hot Shot cheerleading team. I've been drafting for it to happen since I started Effney High. However, a few setbacks extended it to five years.

Yeah, I wanted to join the team the first year I started, but dolefully, I began to wear glasses. The squad would never accept a four-eye to cheer with them.

After pleading desperately with my mom to let me wear eye contact in the eighth grade, she finally decided to let me. I was overjoyed for a short period until I discovered from an appointment with my dentist that I would wear braces for two years. The news hit me like a bolt of lightning. I would never have a chance with the Hot Shot cheerleading squad. Eye contact could hide glasses. What could hide braces? Nothing.

I was happy; two years had passed, and my teeth were free from the tight bondage. I tried out for the team that day, giving an excellent performance. I flip, split, and shake my butt as if my life depends on it, and in the end, I receive a standing ovation from the captain, Amber.

"Jaylee, breakfast is ready!" Mom yells downstairs as I style my black hair in a high pony hairstyle.

"Okay, mom!" I yell back, topping my hairdo off with a big red bow.

The colors suit the squad's red, black, and white uniforms. I make sure to wear bright red lipstick as well.

Beaming, I checked myself in the mirror before going downstairs; I looked hot.

When I get downstairs, Mom is washing dishes with her back turned.

My mom is blonde. I have my dad's hair; however, I have her amber eyes.

I grab a banana without any appetite for breakfast.

"Oh, no. There's no way; I'm letting you leave the house dressed like that." Mom turns to see me.

She observes my black tank top and blue mini skirt.

I watch her eyes lower to my black high-heeled boot.

"You look like a stripper," she says.

"Mom. I'm a cheerleader now. I can't afford to dress like a nobody," I grumble.

"Go upstairs and change now, or I won't allow you to be a part of that cheerleading team!" Soberly, she says as her hand points upstairs.

I throw the banana on the kitchen counter and stomp my feet hard, returning to my room.

"And remove some of that makeup as well!" Mom yells.

I roll my eyes.

There was no way I was going to let Mom stop me from wearing my new clothes. The clothes signify a new me. Today, I will be known as Jaylee, a member of the HotShot squad. The most popular girls in the school. I can never wear clothes from my old, boring, and not-so-popular self.

I wear a dress over the new clothes.

As I descend the stairs, Mom waits for me, ensuring that I'm changed.

"Here you go," she says, giving me the banana.

"Thanks, goodbye, mom." I snatch it from her and run to the door.

"Goodbye honey."

My best friend Samantha's car shows up as I lock the door. She's stout and has red hair with a bang. We've been friends since kindergarten.

The car drives off as I get in. I take off the dress when we're far from the house, shoving the dress into my backpack.

"You look hot." Samantha looks at me for a minute before setting her eyes back on the road.

"I know, right?"

We laugh, and Samantha turns on the radio.

We sing loudly to our favorite song.