I never expected to be accepted as one of the Hot Shot members when I applied for senior year. I had the physical ability and the appearance to join, but not the height. I'm 5 feet 2 inches, and I fear it would have hindered me since I wasn't as tall as the members. I'm glad my height didn't ruin my dream.
I and seven other girls stand gleefully in the school's gymnasium. Amber, a blonde with blue eyes, sits before us. At each side of the desk stands the co-captain, Sookie, a short-haired blonde, and Katniss, a dark-haired member, holding the uniform.
I'm eager to wear my uniform for the first time, but I'm confused why there is only one when there are eight of us. I ignored the thought and tuned into Amber speaking to us.
"You've all done an amazing job; that's why you're here," Amber says.
My face hurts from smiling excessively.
"I love your outfit," Amber halts to compliment me.
"Thank you," I giggle.
At Effney High, it is a great honor to receive a compliment from Amber or any of the Hot Shot team members, for it is quite rare for them to compliment anyone.
I can't stop smiling.
Amber returns my smile, and her face becomes sober, resuming what she was saying. I, too, did.
"You must be wondering why there's only one suit," says Amber.
We, along with the girls who are desperate for our uniform attention, are fixated on the uniform in Katniss's hand.
Our attention returns to Amber.
"Don't worry, there's more, but I've decided to test you with another challenge, and I'm not sure how many of you will succeed."
We look at each other's reactions before turning back to Amber. Were stun.
I'm not going to chicken out, and so were they.
A deceitful look appears on Amber's face, and I wish I'd known that it wasn't going to be easy to be a part of her squad. The cheerleaders are popular at Effney High. They had a reputation to protect, and they would never allow a nobody like me or others to ruin it.
"So what is the new challenge?" Davie, standing beside me, asked.
I studied her length; she towered above me, and there was no way they were going to not choose her.
"A dare," Amber says boldly.
My gaze flutters toward her.
She smiles, amused at my appall look.
I know what a dare is, and I know that with Amber, who is seen as a bully for looking down on others, it isn't anything good.
"So are you guys ready for your single dare?" her voice lilting.
Worriedly, I nod.
"Gloria, you first," Amber chose.
I observe Gloria's body quaking in nervousness.
"What am I dare to do?" she asks, anxious. Her voice also quakes.
"You are dare to walk into the boys locker room now, while they're changing into your bra and undies."
Gloria's eyes flashed with shock and widening, as did mine.
"I'm sorry, I can't do that. My mom will ground me for life. Please give me something else that doesn't involve being half naked," Gloria pleads.
"No," Amber says firmly. "If you cannot do what I dare you to, then you're unfit for this team."
Realizing Amber is adamant about her dare. Gloria walks away.
I wanted to walk away as well, for I could never do that, but my feet seemed as if they were glued to the floor.
The dare was to move on to another. They, too, failed to attempt the dare. Soon it was Davie and I standing before Amber and her teammates.
My heart races as Amber decides who to choose for her spine-chilling dare.
"Who should I choose next?" A red lollipop unwraps from its sheath and waves from Davie to me.
My heart almost stops when it pauses on Davie, and I'm thankful it isn't me.
Regrettably, I wanted Davie to accept the dare to avoid being asked to do it.
I'm terror-struck when Davie walks away, too afraid to take on the dare. As the door closes behind her. I exchange an awkward look with Amber. I'm desperate to be a part of the cheerleading team; however, degrading myself for it, I will never do that.
I swerved, leaving.
"Jaylee," Amber calls.
I halt, and my back faces her.
"You're the type of girl this team needs," says Amber.
I take my turn to face her.
"The dare I've given was just a ruse to exclude the wannabes who think they're suited for this squad." "I'm glad you're still here." Amber beams.
"So, I'm free from the dare, then?" I'm bemused.
"No quite."
"A Hot Shot cheerleader must be fearless but also self-respectable. I see that you possess self-respect. But are you fearless?" Amber says.
Still baffled, I ask, "If the other had taken the dare. You would have never accepted them, right?"
She smirked, and my eyes dilated.
"So are you brave enough to take on this dare, Jaylee?" Amber ask.
I say nothing, waiting for her to tell me what it is.
"I dare you, Jaylee Simpson, to kiss the first male you see outside this gymnasium." Her blue eyes focus attentively on me, and her tongue seductively moves with each word.
"Does a teacher count?" I'm nervous.The chair pulls back, drawing against the brown vinyl floor as Amber stands up."Are you chickening out with such a simple dare, Jaylee?" Amber asks."Or are you too much of a virgin to do so?"Honestly, I am, and I didn't want them to know. A member can never be a virgin in their squad. For them, if you aren't hitting it with anyone, then you're a loser."I'm not a virgin," I fib.They all laugh, not believing."Don't worry, you can't get pregnant by kissing a boy." Amber jeer.I take a deep breath and exhale. "I accept your dare, Amber Frost," I say, attempting to be brave, but my feet shaking exposes me to being afraid."Then do my dare now." Amber's arms fold and her face is sober.I find myself swerving around. What was I doing?My heart thuds while striding from the gymnasium. Amber and his two team members clack against the floor, trailing behind me to ensure I'd done the dare.I push the door open and stand in the corridor. It's empty. I di
I'm in the bathroom stall, changing into my cheerleading gear. "Jaylee, you've been in there for more than 5 minutes now. I'm hungry; I need lunch." Samantha hits the stall door. "Give me one more minute. I promise I'll be out very soon," I say, making sure everything is perfect before I leave the bathroom stall. Samantha tuts in annoyance. I came out to see her sitting on the countertop, her back reclined against the wall. Her blase face morphs into astonishment. I'm chuffed by her reaction. Samantha leaps from the countertop and walks over to me. "You look amazing, Jaylee," she compliments. I redden, and both of my hands run down the mini skirt that clings perfectly to my body. My glazed, hair-free, slender leg appears long in my mini skirt. "New sneakers?" Samantha asks. "Yeah." I fixed the tank top. It snaps against my skin, being mostly made of elastic material. My old PE sneaker wasn't white enough to go with my gear. I needed something new. I go to the mirror to tou
In the last class, I hurriedly left and texted Samantha that I had a late practice.I'm afraid to tell her I can't be seen with her. Amber words. She'd ask me to choose between her and being a Hot Shot member. I love Samantha, but I always dreamed of being a part of the team, and now I am. I can't drop it so easily.Amber is a devoted cheerleader and, as a nerd, obsessed with receiving high grades in every subject. Practice goes on for 4 hours. I was breathless on the gymnasium floor when we were finally through."You did great." Amber extended a hand to help me up.I smiled while taking it.We take a quick shower in the girl's locker room and arrange to meet again at the same time tomorrow.The place is almost dark when I go outside.Without asking if I needed a ride, everyone got into a car with their partner and drove off, leaving me alone.I try calling my mom, but it goes straight to voicemail.I guess I'd have to take a taxi. I go from the school compound to the bank of the road
I park the car in the garage and remove my glasses before heading inside.When I entered the house, Mom was in the living room watching television, a favorite drama series of hers."You're late; what happened?" she asked, worried."My car broke down, and I had to repair it two times before coming home," I say.A sad look appears on her face."I'm sorry, I cannot get you a new car like your dad can," she says disappointedly."Mom, it's okay." I go to hug her."Let's not speak about him while you're here. Remember, we came here for a new start, away from him," I tell her.In my arms, her forehead gently hits my chest as she nods."I know you want an ordinary life and to focus on your studies, but I think you should try out for the swimming team at your new school. Right now, it's your only hope to go to college." Her arms leave me."Mom, I can't.""I understand, Nate, that you feel you'll betray your team by competing against them with their opponent. But you have to. No one wants a nur
Dear new cheerleaders out there, when given your first gear, ask for another; one is not enough.I had to wash my cheerleading uniform before going to bed last night."You're finally a Hot Shot cheerleader. I'm happy for you." I meet Mom in the kitchen.I smile.She breathes in relief. "You have no idea how much torture it was to hear you go on and on about wanting to be one. It's such a joy that it's over."My smile disappears, and I roll my eyes.She giggles.I grab a banana. "Can you take me to school, mom?" I ask."I thought you never wanted me to drive to school anymore and wanted Samantha to only," she says."Please, mom," I beg."Okay.""Now," I say."So early?""Yeah, mom, I'm a cheerleader now. I have to be at school early to meet with the other." I fib.I was only eager to leave because I didn't want to ride with Samantha after what Amber said.While I waited for my mom, I texted Samantha.Already at school; see you around.I edited the message before sending GM. I'm already
Amber wants us to meet up at the gym during our free session.I go in to see everyone who is already there.They sat down while Amber stood before them next to a small whiteboard with a red marker in her hand."You're late," Amber says, disappointed."I'm sorry, Ms. Dwinkle wanted to talk before class," I explain."Try to let us know when you're running late again," Amber says.I nod and go to sit at the back.What's written in the marker on the whiteboard intrigues me. Nate Skylar.Amber sees the bemused expression on my face and, therefore, gives me a brief on what I've missed out on so far. I'm startled that at the first session, they managed to find out who Nate is already. Did they even bother to go to class?I'm informed that Nate is from Canada and is an excellent swimmer. He was the captain of his swimming team, and his former school is the one that keeps winning our school in the swimming competition.I wasn't surprised that he's athletic; his sculpted body says so."You were
As I've depicted. It would be a piece of cake to get on the Effney High swim team.The moment I entered Mr. Brimworth's office, the swim team coach. He recognized me, and I was asked to be a part of his team without having to ask.He is on cloud nine to have me; any school would."My sole desire to be a part of your team is to receive a scholarship." Soberly, I say."And you will receive that scholarship in full if you bring me home that trophy this year," Brimworth says wildly, with a pounce behind his desk.It's hard to control his excitement; gaining the one he's confident in will take his team to victory.Brimworth scurries from his desk to stand at my side. One of his hands touched my right shoulder while bursting with joy, telling me how glad he was that I was part of his team.I wasn't.I'm oblivious to whatever else he's saying, lost in my thoughts. I was only there to secure a college scholarship."Your former team is coming in second place this year." No longer absent-minded
"Stop," Amber brought to a halt our practice.Everyone looks around, wondering who ruined the dance routine once more.When my name is called, I'm surprised."Come to me, Jaylee," says Amber curtly.Fidgety, I walk to her.As I stand before her, she gives me an intense stare."I'm sorry-" I'm about to apologize. But Amber raises a hand, halting me."Are you a virgin?" she asks."What!" I'm bemused.I glance back as everyone begins to laugh, and my head lowers, humiliated."Shut up!" Ambers silenced them."Are you?" Amber asks again.My gaze returns to hers. "No," I con."Then why are you moving your hips so stiffly and out of tune as if you are?""Probably she hasn't had some hanky-panky in a while and is a bit rusty," Sookie jokes, followed by everyone laughing.Amber smiles, and I blink excessively to not cry."Pay close attention to my waist," Amber says.I'm extremely focused as she reels her waist as if it had no bone.I smiled and was impressed."Now you try it?" she says.I sta