The Love Game

Back to Myself

The rest of my first day was uneventful. Well, for the most part. Every class went the same. I was asked to come to the front of the room and was introduced to my classmates by the teacher as I just stood there awkwardly. If I'm being honest though, I wasn't paying attention in my classes for the majority of the day, because I only had one thing on my mind - the upcoming cheerleading tryouts.

You see, cheer is my life. I've been cheering since I was 5. At my old school, I had been captain of our squad since freshman year, and not brag or anything, but we were amazing. We were state champions for the past 2 years. Would have been 3 if I didn't have to move... But that's beside the point. It was time for a fresh start.

Thoughts about tryouts raced through my head as I waited for my mom outside of the school. Don't ask why I don't have my license, because it's totally not because I've failed my drivers test...twice.

I could finally breathe when I saw my mom's Tahoe pull up outside. This meant that the first day was officially over. Now that wasn't so bad I guess.

I raced to my mom's car, throwing my backpack in the back and hopping in the front seat. I guess Mom could see that I had a little more pep in my step today, because as we were pulling out of the parking lot, she said,"So I'm assuming your first day went ok." I looked at her, gave a sharp nod, and smiled. I could see relief in her eyes, and she let out a breath as if the weight of a thousand tons had been lifted off of her shoulders. She knew that this time my smile was genuine.

After our ride home filled with laughter and small talk, we pulled into our driveway. All of my pouting and moping around these past couple weeks almost made me forget how much fun my mom and I had together. I was finally starting to feel like myself again.

As we began to walk towards the house, my mom pulled out the key. "So what would you like for dinner tomorrow? I could make your favorite - chicken casserole."

I chuckled,"As tempting as that sounds, I have plans after school tomorrow."

She smirked at me as she unlocked the door,"Is it-"

Oh man. I knew where this was going. "No mom.. it's not a boy. It's cheer tryouts."

"Oh! How exciting! You must be thrilled."

We began walking in the house and I rubbed the back of my neck. "Yeah. Thrilled..and nervous.."

She took my hands and looked me in the eyes. "Honey, I don't worry about you making the squad for one second. You're the best cheerleader that I've ever seen."

I laughed and rolled my eyes. "Ok, Mom. Now you're just trying to feed my ego."

"I'm assuming I'll need to pick you up afterwards tomorrow. Since, well, someone can't seem to pass their drivers test. I'm not going to name names though."

I put a hand over my chest and pretended to be offended. "Mom, you know it's not my fault. It's....the car's fault."

"Oh. Forgive me. I must have forgotten that the car just has a mind of its own."

We shared a laugh, and with that I headed to my room. I had homework that I had absolutely no idea how to do. On second thought, maybe I should have paid more attention in class today.

After googling answers- I mean working tirelessly on my homework for a couple of hours, I realized that it was getting dark outside. There was only one assignment that I had left, and I wasn't particularly thrilled about it. I had to read the first 20 pages of Pride and Prejudice.

I looked at the cover of the book, which was withered and dusty after sitting on the shelf in the school's library for who knows how long. I let out a long sigh as I cracked it open to the first page.

I didn't have a problem with my English class, and I rather enjoy a good book every now and then. It's just books like these that I have a problem with. Romance books. As I matter of fact, I just have a problem with romance in general. I am a firm believer that "true love" doesn't exist. Not for me anyway. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with flirting and anything that doesn't require commitment, but the thoughts of marrying someone and spending the rest of my life with them sends chills up my spine.  Just look at my parents. They thought they were in love so they married young, and just a few years later my dad left without even saying goodbye. Sure sounds like "true love", doesn't it?

Page 20. Finally. I closed the book and laid it on my nightstand as I rubbed my tired eyes. It had been a long day.

I turned out my light and drifted off to sleep; thinking about what tomorrow holds.