5 Minutes More

Chapter 20

It was that time of season again, where the yearly cheerleading competition takes place in our school because of our spacious grounds, and modern equipment, or whatever. Apparently, our school is the host every year. Good to know.

This morning was a blur. I woke up to find that I was late, and Cameron had already left for school, hence tagging along Kevin's car again.

"Holy shyt. Is it cheer season again? So soon?" Kevin exclaimed in excitement as he saw our school field with cheerleaders from all the different types of schools. 

"Hey! Eyes on your one and only girl!" Skylar punched his side lightly.

"No worries. Don't worry, there could be a thousand damsels but there can only be one princess." He clasped her hand as they walked into school.

Aww.

"Hey Selena." Taylor suddenly appeared in front of me. "I hereby announce you to be cheer captain for day." There was a tone of bitterness in her voice.

"Erm, I'm quite sure I said I wasn't interested." I chuckled nervously.

"No silly. This is no regular cheer competition. This competition is what every high school cheer team dreams of achieving. You can only win through a series of spontaneously cheer routines and a couple more of cheer stunts. In a nut shell, there are no boundaries in this competition, just dreams." She explained.

I looked at her dazed. Did she loose some nuts and bolts in her brain or something? I never signed up for any of this. But I definitely was interested. The dancer inside of me would love to accept the challenge.

"But Cameron told me to tell you no bailing out. He said it was part of 10 days or something." Taylor scrunched her face in confusion. "Seriously don't pass this opportunity off, Cameron spent a decade begging just for me to give up my spot for you."

I nodded hesitantly. "Okay, I guess."

"Great!" She clapped her hands together. "I'll pass you my set of cheer uniform. Our school team is in tent 6. Be there, and the competition will start exactly at 8:30am." She told me the details and we both went into the restroom to pass me he cheer uniform.

I walked down the field. Feeling a bit out of place. Skin tight cheer outfits weren't my thing. Neither was colorful pom poms. But the atmosphere did hype me up. And I never back down from a challenge. I for one am planning to win this.

"Good morning to all the pretty ladies out there!" The announcer started. He gave all the instruction for each obstacle. Basically the last cheer group standing wins.

The first obstacle wasn't too hard. It was to get through a series of of hurdles with only using cheer tactics. Be it using a cartwheel, or building a human pyramid. I wasn't that hard. The last three teams amongst twenty were eliminated.

Successfully we have gotten number 5.

The next was based on creativity. We had 10mins to make up a brand new stunt. The top 10 stunts will be picked and will get to continue with the competition.

Bless the lord for my experienced cheer mates. They came up with something spectacular that included double flips, and scorpion poses.

The following one was tricky. It was the battle amongst head cheer. The head cheers, as in me, had to lead our team with a new cheer routine which we were only shown twice.

Putting my memory to good use, I scurried over to my team, demonstrating the dance routine to them. And hopefully I got it right or else we'd lose because I couldn't remember stuff properly.

As the team's took turn to go perform, each of them were a little different from the other. And now I'm even more confused than before. Oh well, I just lead my team out there, smiles first and everything else next.

If my ballet teacher thought me well. Flashing your smile during any routine could help you go miles.

And to my relieve, we made it. One last stage left. To plan our very own dance routine. 30 mins to plan, practice and coordinate.

I pulled my iPhone from my bag. Scrolling through my "just dance" music playlist. I ran each of the songs to my teammates. And we finally decided on one.

Now, the planning part. My teammates looked at me.

"Girls, focus! Any ideas?" Panting in between words.

"Your the head cheerleader. You set the vision, the dance routine, we just put them to life." One of the told me.

I cocked an eyebrow. Is this how Taylor trained them? What happened to teamwork? I didn't want to turn this to a Selena show. I wanted this performance to be authentic us. I wanted it to represent cheerleading not me.

"You all are way better cheerleaders than I could ever be. I need your help girls." I took deep breaths. The clock was ticking and I was getting more nervous as time went by.

They started to pull in ideas. Each showing off what they've learned or perfected.

And wow, did I have respect for these girls.

After coordinating the dance, we pieced it in one, and practiced. And without time to spare, the whistle blew, and everyone was summoned back to the middle of the field.

For this typical cheer off, the whole school was present. Surrounding us. Giving us support.

Claps, howls, and cheers could be hear loudly. Especially for us. We are the home team after all.

After seeing both of the other two finalist cheer routine, I was more than astounded. Not only that, I couldn't wait to show them what we've got.

Our music - Shower by Becky G played. And we stood in the centre, giving it all we got. The crowd was amazing, the energy throughout the routine was just off the top. Every stunt we made was followed by thunderous claps.

At that particular moment, I realized, what cheerleading is all about. Just pumping up the crowd and having fun.

***

It was already evening when the announced the results. There were lines of plastic chairs lined in the field. The announcer took their time thanking our school for being such a generous host.

Generous because the field was filled with Pom-pom strands, and someone had to pick it up at the end of the day.

They called the second runner up. And then the first runner up. We all had a sudden heart attack when the winner was our team. Like wow! Never would I even think that I could lead our school team to victory.

We ran up stage to receive the enormous trophy. Engulfing each other in a great big group hug.

The last prize was for the best head cheer. It was some girl from Oklahoma State School. And damn was she pretty. The guys in the crowd were practically drooling.

We took some group photos. And each cheer team got on their bus making their way home.

I held the trophy proudly in my hand, giving it one last long look before displaying in at our school's hall of fame wall.

"Hey, Champ."

"Cameron!" I ran over, throwing my arms over his shoulders, hugging him.

I only wished that he saw my performance. I couldn't locate him the entire day.

"I told you I'd surprise you." He beamed.

"Gosh, your the best boyfriend ever."

"In that case, get ready for day two." He cheekily smiled before he smashed his lips with mine.

***********

Hi hi:) day 1 completed ! Who else can't wait to for day 2?:)

On a less important note, I finished my exams! Woohoo. I'll definitely try to update more often before the next exam begins:) thank you so much for everything :)

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