Twinning

Chapter 31

I got home from detention and went straight to bed. Mom didn't ask very many questions, I'm sure by now she's figured out that I've been having some issues, but because everyone is accusing me of sleeping around with everyone, I don't really know how to bring it up to her. So anyway, I make it into the car lot the next morning and Alyssa immediately walks up to me, she doesn't look herself. She isn't happy or smug or anything, she simply states information she had to tell me,

"Hey, Jen. Coach Cummings needs to see you in her office immediately." I'm taken by surprise but I just nod my head and walk inside. I slowly knock on the door to her office and she waves me inside.

"Good morning, coach." I say with a slight smile.

"Sit. We have some things to talk about." She demands. My chest immediately tightens and I nod and take a seat. "First off, where did you get that bruise? It has stopped you from coming to three practices." I take a deep breath and look around her office.

"I got in a bit of a disagreement with someone..."

"Jennifer. Fighting is prohibited." I nod. I feel like crying a bit, but of course, I hold back all emotions. "Who with?"

"Ma'am I don't feel comfortable-"

"Who. With?" She says sternly,

"I'm sorry coach, I just-"

"Was it on school property?" I don't even blink before answering this one,

"No." I lie. She rolls her eyes and leans back in her chair.

"Okay. Do you know why else I called you in here?" I shake my head, no. "You have 7 tardy's, 6 absences. Unexcused. And yesterday afternoon you got sent to detention. Is this correct?" I close my eyes and nod my head. I think I know where this is going. "And I have been hearing some nasty things about you, Jennifer. Someone like you brings down the entire squads reputation and I cannot have that." I immediately shake my head,

"Coach, please let me explain!"

"Fine. Explain." I sigh and look down at my hands.

"I uh... For all my years on this squad someone has been constantly harassing me. And I've just been ignoring it but recently she's been making up horrible rumors about me and confronting me and... Uh... I just want you to know that the things you hear are not true."

"I would like to believe that. But these things being said about you are hurting our entire squad and it is downright impossible to ignore the situation." I shake my head again. I know where this is headed and I can't bear to hear it, "Jennifer. Do you know the full reason why I called you in here now?" I take a deep breath and look down. My whole life is cheer. I've spent so many hours practicing stunts and dances and cheers. Cheer is my passion and it's about to be stripped away from me. I can't seem to feel anything right now and I just sigh. This is it. It's all gone. Because of Alyssa.

"Yes, ma'am." There's a lump in my throat and I can't really say any more, but I have to, "can't you at least give me a warning?" She shakes her head.

"Three tardies is enough. Much less one detention. And skipping is just unacceptable. I'm sorry Jennifer but I'm going to have to ask you to turn in your uniform." I cover my face with my hands so she won't see me crying and I just sit there, silent, in the chair. I can hear all the cheerleaders file into the dressing room for practice as I sit in her office and I finally stand up, give Coach Cummings a nod, and walk out of her office and to my locker. I collect my things and turn to Sage who gives me a concerned look.

"I uh... It was nice cheering with you..." I give her a smile and immediately pull her in for a hug.

"What happened?" She asks as she pulls away,