CHAPTER 62: get it, girl!

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The music started and I began my routine. I smiled to the crowd, moving my arms around in sharp moves whilst adding some of my own sass. Beth used to say I was one of fiercest girls on the team a few years back. No point in disappointing her now. I wound my hand through my ponytail as I strutted a few steps to the right. Now, it's the jumps and I can't mess this up. Most of my cheer knowledge came back to me when I started practising again so I should be fine with this.

I performed a pike, followed by a toe touch and followed by another toe touch. The first round was always based on energy and sass. People with more sass and confidence move onto the second round and people who've never attempted cheer before but did gymnastics or dance were less likely to move onto the next round unless they had sass.

I performed a cartwheel followed by a roundoff back handspring. Landing on two feet, I raised my hands to the crowd and smiled. People cheered and clapped as I continued my routine. Bethany always told me to smile to the audience. Always smile. She taught me the majority of my tricks and even taught me some moves I never knew I could even do.

The other students on the bleachers were cheering me on as I swung my hips around and moved them from side to side. I could hear my friends cheering and my eyes glided up to them in the audience. Giving them a small smirk, I winked, lifting my leg up for a heel stretch before tugging my leg closer to me and moving my arm in front for the bow and arrow.

"Go, Brielle! You got it, girl!" I heard Cassidy shout as the others cheered loudly. My confidence rose through my performance and I completely forgot Owen and Ivy were even here, to be honest. I was having the time of my life to even notice or care and I missed it. I missed feeling so happy and getting away from my problems by doing what I loved to do.

My last trick was the scorpion and I looked to the crowd, tugging my leg higher as for the finale, I sunk to the ground, one leg out on the side as I propped myself up on the other before raising my arms in the air with a smile. My chest was heaving up and down heavily as I bowed for the audience and headed back to my seat. The coach had a bright smile on her face, probably happy that I was getting back into cheer again.

"You were amazing out there," Isabelle told me as I drank down some of my water. Now I didn't have to worry about anything for now. Ivy performed after me and I didn't know if it was because she hadn't done gymnastics for years or if getting kicked off the previous cheer squad caused her to quit everything, but she certainly wasn't flexible. Some of her jumps were effortless, but it was her flexibility that let her down slightly.

As much as I didn't want her to be on the team for the sake of the others, flexibility wasn't really an obstacle to stop someone from getting on the team. You had to have experience with tumbling and at least be slightly flexible because it can be built up over time. Ivy's tricks are good so she might be through to the second round.

I didn't know whether I made the second round or not, but at least I tried. Ivy made herself look pretty for the majority of the routine. Me, Isabelle and Bridget spoke to each other whilst the results were being decided. The girls who didn't make the team would leave immediately so we could get on with the second round. I looked over at Kelly, Nicole and the others on the team as they spoke about each performance in a huddle.

"Right, guys, have we decided on who's moving onto the next round?" the coach exclaimed as Nicole's head snapped up, Kelly's following after. They both nodded and the clipboard was given to Nicole. She stood up from her seat, carrying the clipboard under one arm as she walked in front of all of us girls and gave a sense of superiority to us.

"Okay, guys, well done to all of you. It was a really hard decision, but these are the girls heading into round two which will be the tumbling round, okay? Georgia Parsons, Bridget Wallis, Ivy Beverly, Brielle Thomson..."

Oh my God. I made the next round. Quickly, I looked up behind me and saw the others giving me the thumbs up and clapping as the other names were being called out. Elation swam through me as a small smile settled upon my lips. God, Bethany would be proud right about now, I thought, I hope you are, Beth.

"If your name wasn't called out, I'm so sorry you guys didn't make the team. Please collect your belongings and leave so we can start the next round," Nicole spoke with a serious tone before walking off back to the others. Isabelle also made the next round so we all chose to practice and stretch where we were stood.

When I looked over at the cheer squad, my eyes furrowed slightly in confusion. Nicole was there, but where did Kelly go? I looked around, trying not to make myself look suspicious, but I noticed a streak of blue out of the corner of my eyes. When I looked back, Kelly's leg was hooked around Darren's legs as he leaned down to kiss her—oop, wasn't expecting that, I thought.

It seemed coach noticed Kelly wasn't there as well and looked around before spotting her arms snaked around Darren's neck as his lips ran down her neck. Those two are going to end up with loads of babies if they don't stop that. I shook my head, getting back to stretching as. We were allowed on the field to focus on our tumbling skills. Beth helped me with tumbling back in 2016 and even before that. I was always excited to learn new tricks due to her teaching me.

We were all busy with out conversations when I felt someone push into me. I fell forward in shock and Bridget broke my fall because she was stood in front of me. Instead, she felt back and landed flat on her ass. Immediately, I reached down to help her up, but she was busy glaring at the person behind me.

"What the fuck?" she retorted as she grabbed my hand and I pulled her up. I had no idea who pushed into me, but they didn't even apologise. Bridget passed me and I turned to see Ivy stood there glaring at us as she rubbed her head, which she must've hit when she crashed into me, "when you're tumbling, you have to watch your surroundings."

"Excuse me—hey, you're Owen's ex, aren't you?" she turned to look at me. How cunning of her. She damn well knew I was his ex because she was the one who kicked me out of his house, but she didn't need to remind me, did she?

"Yes, do you remember me from when I left Owen's place or do you have short term memory?" I spoke, my voice bland like regular bread on its own. She looked taken aback by my statement, but she soon glared at me through gritted teeth, "we knew that when we took this space, it was at least three metres away from other people so we wouldn't injure others so how did you manage to find yourself here?"

"You do realise it's not just your space. You should've been watching because there are other people in this space other than you. I should've known Owen got himself a dumb blonde. You really aren't any better than his last girl." this time, it was me who was taken aback. Did she forget that she herself is blonde? It looks like I'm not the only dumb blonde around here, "how sneaky of you, trying out for the cheer squad just to make him jealous—well, he doesn't need you and he definitely doesn't miss you. Just like everyone else, you're just a rebound. You were nothing special to him unlike me."

"Oh, hang on one second. You? Special? Special's one word to describe you, but not in the way you're thinking of. You were just like every other girl Owen fucked and left behind. If anything, you're more shallow and stupid to even think about talking to Brielle like that." Bridget was properly going for it, angry as hell as Isabelle pulled her back before standing in front of both of us.

"If I were you, I'd step back a bit and piss off," Isabelle mumbled as she stared down at Ivy. Her friends soon came up to her as she threateningly put her hands on her hips.

"Or what?" Ivy whispered sharply. Isabelle smirked slightly before standing back. I let my guard down slightly as I stepped forward, my arms folded over my chest. I'm not going to let some amateur version of me talk to me like that.

"I don't know who you are, but if you think you can talk to me like that and get away with it then you're wrong. Just because Owen's let you back in his life doesn't mean shit to me. You're a shoulder to cry on, temporary comfort so don't come at me and say I wasn't worth his time when I gave him the best few months I offered." she looked a me in shock before standing her ground and staring at me with as strong of a look as she could muster, "I've learnt to be tough in this school and at least I'm not achingly desperate for the limelight. You come into the inner circle, clinging onto Owen as if your life depended on it, but in reality, he's not going to protect you from everyone else, particularly people like my friends. If I were you, I'd get off your high horse and actually start respecting people if you want to get anywhere in this place. Anyhow, good luck."

I walked off, Bridget and Isabelle following after me. Seriously, who does this bitch think she is? I was shaking from what she said and of the impact of everything she said. No, I can't let the shit that comes out of her mouth affect me like this. She knows absolutely nothing and let's be honest, I've never heard of her until Jaxon told me about her and I already knew she was a bitch.

I had stormed back to the bench and chugged down some more water when everyone was called back to the bench. Five people chosen at random would show off their tumbling skills and be asked to perform certain moves and then the final people chosen would be announced at the billboard on Friday.

Anger coursed through my body as the first five people chosen went up. Ivy, Ivy, Ivy. How long until you realise bitches don't last long in this school if you mess with the wrong person? I shook my head simply and laid back, trying to calm my nerves. I needed to remember what I was here to do and who I was doing it for.

Bethany would've never let me perform if I was going through shit and didn't talk it out with someone. She always asked if I was okay before tryouts or competition so I didn't go out there and not perform my very best. I only wish she was still around now.

Me, Bridget and Ivy were the last girls to do the tumbling and we ourselves out in front of the judges. The crowds had slightly dispersed to head back inside, but my friends were still there, including Owen who was now joined with Jaxon and Darren. I heard respectful clapping and cheering from them as I stood between Bridg and Ivy. It's like being glued into a tension sandwich because even though they didn't look at each other, I could sense the anger radiating off of both of them.

"Okay, Bridget, you'll start," Nicole spoke and Bridget let out a breath and nodded. She stepped back a few times before performing a back flip followed by a roundoff and a front tuck. I gave a small clap to her as she smiled at me. Nicole gave me a small smile and pointed at me. I grinned back and began my tumbling. Stepping back a few times, I performed my tricks.

I landed on my two feet and sighed, relieved that I didn't trip, fall or land on my ass in any way. We were asked to perform a few flips, the final one catching all of us off guard. Me and Bridget got taught just about everything with Bethany and I remember she mentioned the flip we were supposed to do.

'This is the hardest trick. Not a lot of people in the group can do it, but one day, I know you guys could do it. You do everything to the best of your abilities. Who's to say you can't do this?'

That was what Bethany said to us before showing us the trick. She was one of the only people on the team who could do it, but I knew that somewhere up there, she was cheering me on to do my very best. I wasn't going to let her down nor was I going to ruin her legacy. Even if I was doing this for me, I have to do it for Beth as well.

"Okay, Brielle, you'll go first," Nicole spoke and I nodded. My heart picked up as I took the first step back. Back, back, flip. That's all, I thought.

I took another step back before falling into the tricks, effortlessly pulling off each flip as if I was born to do this. In the end, I landed on both my feet and stood up straight, a surprised look on my face. Oh...my...did I just—did I just do that?

Bridget grinned widely and clapped in response. I smiled back before the next person did their tricks. I can't believe I actually did that, I thought. Beth definitely taught me well and she's proud of me. I can imagine her up there cheering me on as if she were still here. 

Once the tryouts were over, I tucked into my sandwich that I packed for lunch today. My friends were still talking and I noticed Owen was with them. Their conversation didn't last long because Kelly stormed past between Owen and Darren down the bleacher steps.

I grabbed my stuff quickly, swinging my bag over my shoulder as Kelly made her way down the steps to me. She grabbed a hold of my arm and pulled me aside and as I shifted my gaze behind her, I noticed the other girls making their way down as well. Okay, I feel bad now.

Just because me and Owen broke up doesn't mean my friends can't be friends with him. Of course, they can. They're their own people so they can do what they want and if they want to hang with Owen then they can hang with him.

"K-Kelly," I mumbled as she walked us inside the school building. I couldn't tell what look she had on her face, but I could tell she wasn't happy. Owen certainly had a lot of explaining to do when it came to her and as to why he hurt me, but I didn't need to know. I already knew everything, "please slow down."

We slowed down and came to a halt before Kels turned around to face me, her expression full of worry and hurt for me.

"I—sorry, I'm just so annoyed. I don't like seeing you so torn up about that guy. I fucking hate the fact he hurt you when he promised not to. Brielle—I just—I'm sick of seeing you like this." her words were messed up as she tried to explain to me how she felt. I understood because she's grown up with me. She's seen me at my best and my very worst and to see me at my worst, hurt and upset—she hates that. I've shared my experiences with her as she's done with me so we felt each other's pain.

I squeezed her hands in return and smiled at her. She was always worried about me and how I was feeling. That's what a best friend is and even if she made drunken decisions, she's my other half. I don't know what I'd do without her.

"You don't need to worry about me. I'm doing fine," I told her as she nodded slowly, pursing her lips before bringing me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around her, rubbing her back as I closed my eyes in content.

"Are you sure? I can tell what expression you pull when you're sad. Owen doesn't know what he's missing," she muttered and I could sense the smile on her face. I pursued my lips before nodding, "I am dead serious. Please tell me if you're upset—actually, tell all of us because we'll be there for you, trust me. I just can't stand him coming up there just to spread lies to my face."

Me and Kelly have known Owen since we were in kindergarten. Kelly specifically knows when he lies, knew something was up when he was leaving with Jaxon a few years ago. She knows what he says and how he puts it to make him seem sympathetic, but she really wasn't having it with him and I knew it.

"It's fine, really. You don't need to get involved with my problems and also because as much as I would love for you to punch him, I wouldn't want Darren to be pissed with you," I explained, my arm over her shoulders as we headed to the changing rooms that afternoon.

I don't even think my problem is Owen right now. People like Ivy always came for me and it was like I was a magnet for those people. I just want a break for five bloody minutes, christ, I thought, letting out a sigh before shaking my head. 

I wasn't worried on whether those two end up in a relationship because I wanted him to be happy, but I was worried about Ivy gaining toxic control over the school and we definitely didn't need that on our last year. Rumours around the school about Ivy being exactly like Miranda or that she was the one fling Owen had who stuck around gave her an advantage. 

She was associated with Owen and that gave her popularity, but also because she controlled how he felt. If Ivy was one of the only girls who stuck around as emotional support, she was going to be here a while especially around Owen. 

Sooner or later, the stress is going to kill me, I thought. 

END OF CHAPTER 62

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[btw, guys, cheer isn't my first sport and actually, i've never done it. however, i tried my best for you guys :)

- J]