Whispers of Shadowed Hearts

Chapter 5

(I made some changes about Jordan-Summer relationship in this chapter and previous chapter. I recommend you to read the previous chapter one more time) 

Summer Brooks 

I really hated math.

And no, it had nothing to do with the fact that I failed it the previous year. 

Well, maybe a little.

"Who would like to tell us how we can find the values in an exponential function?" If I was questioning the values in an exponential function as much as I was questioning how functions could be exponential, it meant I am completely screwed.

As soon as the bell rang, I packed up my bag and slung it over my shoulder. I was about to leave the classroom when I felt a hand touch my shoulder.

"Summer Brooks?" I looked up at the student at the door. "Coach Howard is asking for you, right now."

I slung my bag over my shoulder and followed the student. We hadn't had a physical education class yet, so I hadn't met the coach. I had a feeling he was calling me about my past with sports, and I was right.

When we got to the coach's office, I knocked on the door. A voice from inside told me to come in, so I opened the door. "Ms. Brooks?"

He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk as I closed the door behind me. "Please, have a seat."

I did as he said. After fiddling with a few folders on his desk, he pulled out a specific document. He quickly skimmed it over his glasses. "I want to talk to you about the sports our school offers."

"I had a chance to review your file a bit—I do this with all new students." When he handed me a paper, I saw it was my sports team records from my previous schools. "And even though you haven't applied for anything here yet, I see you were on the cheerleading team at all your previous schools until last year."

"Yes, I quit last year due to some family issues."

"Our school is very competitive, Ms. Brooks. Since you chose this sport at your previous schools, you're required to choose a sport here as well. That's why I called you in. Do you want to continue with cheerleading, or would you like to do something else?" I frowned. I definitely didn't want to join the cheerleading team again. Yes, I had worked hard at it before, but after my family passed away, I shut myself off. Being on the cheerleading team meant being in the spotlight, and I didn't want that. At least, not anymore.

"Do I have another option? Do I have to choose something?" He nodded.

"If you made a choice at the beginning of high school, our school requires you to continue with that choice. Unless you have a physical condition that prevents you from participating?"

I shook my head no.

"When do I have to start?"

"Let's see." He turned around to look at the calendars on the wall. "Our cheerleading team practices on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I'm afraid you missed the first two practices, but I don't think that'll be a problem."

"I understand. Is that all?"

"Your uniforms will be given to you by Coach White. You may leave now. Her room is the second room. Have a good evening."" I grabbed my bag and walked to the door. I definitely didn't want to be on the team, but if it was mandatory, there was nothing I could do.