𝑳𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑺 & 𝑳𝑨𝒀𝑼𝑷𝑺

𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑬𝑻𝑬𝑬𝑵; 𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑾𝑰𝑵𝑮

Sloane felt the familiar rush of adrenaline as she stepped onto the turf field for morning practice. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and the faint echo of crickets. Today was a big day. The cheer team was gearing up for the season's first game since winter break, and every half time routine had to be flawless.

"Alright, let's go from the top!" Coach Harper clapped her hands, her voice cutting through the chatter. Sloane quickly moved into position, her muscles taut with concentration. Her ponytail swung in rhythm with her movements as she took a deep breath, feeling the thrum of excitement in her chest. The rest of the cheerleaders lined up in a tight formation, each girl focusing on her own role but aware of the collective effort it would take to pull this off perfectly.

They started the routine with a quick count: "Five, six, seven, eight!" Sloane kicked high, her leg slicing through the air with precision, her face a mask of concentration. She moved seamlessly into a series of jumps, feeling the satisfying burn in her thighs as she pushed herself higher, faster. Each leap seemed to defy gravity, her body weightless for a moment before she landed back on the turf with a light thud. Her teammates followed in perfect synchronization, creating a wave of movement that rolled across the field like a well-choreographed dance.

The music blared from the speakers, a fast beat that matched their quick movements. Sloane focused on every step, every twist, her eyes darting to her feet , checking her form, her lines, her spacing. The team was in sync, each cheerleader moving like a cog in a well-oiled machine. She could feel the power of their unity, the way they came together to form a single, powerful entity. The routine needed to be tight; there was no room for error.

"Sharp arms! Sharper!" Coach Daniels shouted, her voice ringing with authority. Sloane immediately tightened her motions, exaggerating every move with the precision and strength she knew Coach was looking for. She felt the slight strain in her muscles but pushed through it, knowing that pain was just part of the process. Practice was about perfecting those small details that would make the difference between a good performance and a great one.

They transitioned into the stunts section, where the flyers prepared to soar. Sloane crouched low, ready to get hoisted up. She felt the pressure of weight as her foot pressed against Alicias shoulder, and then the exhilaration as they lifted her into the air, their arms strong and steady. Sloane held her pose at the peak, smiling confidently, and the rest of her pyramid kept their grip firm, focusing on the stability of her base.

"Great job, girls!" Coach Harper praised. "But remember, we're not just practicing for ourselves; we're the energy on the sidelines. I want to see that enthusiasm!"

Sloane nodded, the sweat trickling down her temples. She knew how much today meant not only to her but to Paige, who would be on the court later. She felt a surge of excitement, imagining Paige dribbling past the defenders, her intense gaze locked on the basket. Paige was unstoppable, and Sloane wanted her cheers to match that energy.

Finally, practice ended, and they huddled together, their breaths coming in ragged bursts, faces flushed but determined. "Make sure we're on 10 tonight," Coach Harper reminded them. "I wanna hear yall out there."

Sloane took a quick shower in the locker room, washing away the sweat and preparing herself mentally for the game. She pulled on her cheer uniform—a crisp white top with navy and white accents, paired with a pleated skirt that flared when she moved. She tied her hair up again, this time with a ribbon in school colors.

The gym was packed with students,parents and some teachers by the time the game started. The cheer squad took their place on the sidelines, their pom-poms shaking with every chant, every cheer. Sloane scanned the bench for Paige, who was already on the court, focused and intense, her ponytail bouncing with each quick move. The whistle blew, and the game was on.

Paige was in her element, effortlessly dribbling past everyone , making sharp passes, and sinking shot after shot. The crowd roared as she scored another layup, and Sloane could feel the energy in the air. She cheered louder, her voice cutting through the noise, motivating Paige to keep going, to keep pushing. Every time Paige scored, Sloane felt a burst of pride that made her cheer even louder.

As the game progressed, to say Paige was on fire was an understatement.  She was racking up points with a series of jump shots and blocks, her movements purposeful. Sloane found herself on the edge of her seat, her cheers becoming more animated, more heartfelt with each basket.

Then, as the clock ticked down to the final minute of the game, Paige found herself just beyond the three-point line. The defense closed in around her, but she remained unfazed. Paige squared her shoulders, eyes focused, and took a perfect half court shot, her it perfectly sailing through the air. The ball swished through the net with a satisfying swoosh, and the crowd erupted.

Without missing a beat, Paige looked over to the sidelines, searching for Sloane's face. Sloane, already on her feet, was jumping up and down, her cheers louder than anyone else's, her smile wide and bright. She didn't care who saw; she was cheering for her girl. The energy was contagious as everyone on the sidelines was doing the same.

One of the commentators noticed the scene. "And there's Bueckers with a half court shot! Check out the sidelines—looks like Paige's got a superfan in Sloane Oceni! That cheer is way more than just noise; it's definitely got something else behind it!"

The big screen above the court zoomed in on Paige and Sloane, capturing the moment perfectly. Paige's face flushed with a mix of excitement and embarrassment as she saw herself on the screen, her gaze locked with Sloane's. A different commentator continued,
" There's definitely passion on the court, but off it? That's a whole different level. Seems like these two have been pretty close all night!"
"I wonder what that's about" The one from before finished before changing the subject.

The final buzzer sounded, and Paige's team won by a hefty margin. The cheer squad rushed to congratulate them, and Sloane made a beeline for Paige. They exchanged a hug as Paige spun her around in her arms, and Sloane couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness.

They decided to return to , Sloane's dorm, as they settled in for a sleepover. They changed into comfy clothes—Sloane in one of Paige's oversized sweatshirts and Paige in a pair of Sloane's shorts. They snuggled under a pile of blankets, the soft glow of the fairy lights around Sloane's room casting light over their faces.

Paige leaned in, brushing her lips against Sloane's cheek. "You did so good out there," Sloane whispered, her voice soft, her hand finding Paige's check.

Paige smiled, her eyes crinkling. "I think you were the loudest cheerleader I've ever heard," she teased, her lips meeting Sloane's in a slow, lingering kiss.

They spent the rest of the night in each other's arms, exchanging kisses and soft, flirty whispers, savoring the quiet moments that were just for them.

A/N: hope this was goooddd i've literally been sick all day bro the second i got home from school i threw up for like 5 minutes straight and i had a migraine for like 4 hours😣😣😣

but i feel sm better now

lets hope i passed this science test yall....

also this is just a filler before it gets a lil juicy next chapter and then i have something else planned 😈😈

ALSO TYSM FOR 7K READSSSSS
bye!!!

love u all

-lea

sept 9