The Pink Lady & The T-Bird

Chapter Three: Good News Really Travels Fast

August 9

After her unpleasant first day of school, Amber finally felt happy.

During the week, she was embraced by the cheerleaders, with whom they conversed as Susan observed from the sidelines wearing a glare that seemed permanently stuck on her face.

The sun settled into the calm of night and it was now time for the pep rally where they continued perfecting Amber's new routine after they had spent the whole week practicing it. The atmosphere was lively as everyone began piling in: the soft breeze was pleasant and blew just slightly over the girls' red poplin skirts.

As usual, the T-Birds caused trouble when they strolled in unexpectedly, and shock crossed Amber's face as she excused herself from the secretly mischievous girls to march over to Cynthia and the rowdy boys.

"Hey," Amber dismissed them after catching Cynthia declare they would ruin the evening.

"Calm down," Richie taunted her, shrugging confidently as he drew near, "You'll get to stack your clique first, mama."

She held her head high, her brows pinched as she prepared to tell him off, but the look was not as intimidating as she envisioned. In fact, Richie nearly laughed but not in a mocking manner; rather, because he found it to be the cutest thing he had ever seen. He could hardly downplay a grin.

However, Amber did not notice his reaction as she instead spotted his sister perched on Gil's car, with her nose in a book, so she disregarded the smug boy and hurriedly approached his sister. Her ponytail as well as the ribbon, and her skirt swayed with the fervor of the jog.

Olivia hesitated, merely looking up before setting the book down on her lap to shift up, "Don't you have some cheerleaders to stack in a pyramid or something?" Her voice was nearly mocking, and as it brought to mind Richie's similar words from just seconds ago, Amber was amused at the apparent twin telepathy.

"Thank you for what you did on Monday." She then blurted out, "As always, you came to my rescue."

Olivia's features softened, taken aback by the cheerleader's sincerity that warmed her chest.

"I should've done that for you. I'm sorry." Amber's voice was quieter, yet utterly sincere as guilt washed over her and shadowed her features for not shutting down the hostility the girl before her experienced the previous year.

Olivia swallowed and kept her guard up, observing the eager cheerleaders, with narrowed eyes as she could see right through them.

"Want more déjà vu?" Her voice was much softer as she prepared to quote herself, motioning to the girls, "Careful with them."

Amber turned her head to find them waving, "I believe I finally have them figured out." She assured her with optimism in her voice.

Olivia sighed and shrugged it off, the gesture bearing that familiar, cynical whatever you say look.

Then, a grinning Rosemary skipped toward the pair, calling out for Amber, "Everyone's hopelessly confused about their cues. Help us!"

Amber melted, the corners of her mouth quirked up, feeling relieved that they were finally trusting her and opening up. Meanwhile, Olivia creased her forehead, sensing the phony kindness even more as her chest tightened.