Ever Since Middle School

Chap 1

Ari's POV
My alarm started ringing at 7am. I woke up and turned it off. I showered and got dressed in the cheer outfit my mom had put at the foot of my bed. Dad walked in and looked at me. "Hey Dad," I smiled warmly at him.
"It's that time of year again?" Dad asked. I nodded. "Oh boy."
Dad walked out of the room. "Dad," I called after him. I grabbed my gym bag and followed him down the stairs. "Why are you like this?"
"Ari, you tried out how many times and you never made the team," Dad replied as he turned around and faced me. I tied my hair up in a high pony tail. "How many times are you going to face rejection?"
"You're my father," I replied. "You're the one who's supposed to be telling me to follow my dreams, not give up on them."
"Knock, knock," BB said opening the door. She looked at me. "I thought you talked her out of it."
"My best friend is it this too?" I asked. "That's just really great." I pushed pass BB at the door and made my way to school. "I don't have time for this."
"Ari, wait up," BB called after me.
I turned around and started walking backwards. "I don't have time for this BB," I nodded. "I have to get to practice." I got to practice and started practicing. "I think the coach hates me."
"Why would you say ---"
"Ari, I hate you," Coach cut BB off. "Why are you here?"
"Ohhh," BB said in understanding.
"I'm here for the team and this year, I'm going to blow you away," I replied.
"There's thirteen of you and I just need twelve," Coach replies. "Ari, why not make this easy and just leave so we don't have to continue?"
"Not happening, Coach," I nodded.
"Alright," Coach said as BB sat in the waiting area. "Ari, you're up first." I did everything she asked for except for one: the front tuck. I made it midway until the gravity pulled me down on my butt. BB put a pack of ice beside her. "Sit it off and you'll go last on tumbling."
"Yes ma'am," I nodded. I sat next to BB. Blake and Drew walked in. "Hey guys."
"Why are you ---" Blake pointed at the ice pack as he sat down next to me. I looked at him. "Ohh, never mind."
"Yeah," I sighed.
"Ari, you're the last one up," Coach nodded. I got up and nodded. She held up a bell. "If you want to, you can quit. Just ring this bell."
"I'm never ringing that bell," I smiled. I did three cartwheels. "There we go." BB rang the bell. "BB?"
"I don't want to go home and see my best friend in a body cast," BB replied. "Plus, that Ari wouldn't be as much fun anyways."
I nodded as I got in place. Blake rang the bell. "Blake?" I questioned.
"I'm all for going about your dreams, but watching you get hurt in the process isn't what I want you to do," Blake replied. "I don't want you to hurt yourself and regret ever trying out in the first place."
"Not quitting guys," I smiled. Drew rang the bell. "Now what?"
"Ari, you're my friend and I love you but please," Drew begged. "I hate seeing you hurt."
"I'll be fine," I assured. I got in place. I did a round off, backhand spring, round off, and I managed to do a full twist layout, but, instead, I landed on my butt again. "This was not the outcome I had expected."
"Let's get you home and rested up for the last part of the tryout that's at 4, this afternoon," BB nodded as her and Blake helped me up.
"Make it easier for us and don't come at all," Coach insisted.
"Not happening," I replied. "I'll be back."
"Blake, Drew, why don't you meet me at her place at 3:30 so we could walk with her to practice?" BB suggested. "You guys go on and get something to eat and I'll take her home."
"See you in a few hours," Blake smiled. "Get some rest."
"I'll make sure she gets it," BB nodded. The boys left. "Come on, Ari." We started walking back to my place. "Why do you do this to yourself? You have three amazing friends who like you for you."
"BB, you don't get it," I nodded. "With you guys, I'm me, I'm Ari, but when I'm not with you guys, I'm invisible. No one notices me."
"Ari, you're never invisible," BB replied.
"Because you don't know how it feels," I replied. "People notice you for the amazing artwork you do in art class and it's displayed all over the school. Blake, he helps in the theatre department where the best musical performances are performed." I looked at BB. "Drew, he's brought the choir a whole new image and gave them a title. I haven't done a single thing."
"That doesn't mean your invisible," BB replied.
"Yes, it does," I nodded. "Everywhere we go, it's Hi BB, Hi Blake, or Hi Drew. Never once do I hear Hi Ari." I looked at BB. "I don't want to be in the shadows anymore."
"Ari, there are better things you can do than hurt yourself," BB nodded. "I just hate seeing you do this to yourself."
"No, I'm not giving up," I nodded. "You go home and get me at 3:30." I looked at my house. I ran up to my room and sat my alarm for 2:30. "Okay."
"How was practice?" Mom asked walking in.
"It was okay," I nodded. "I have to go back at four for the last part of tryouts."
"Honey, I know you'll do great," Mom smiled.
"Thanks," I replied but in my head, "I know you're lying through your teeth." Mom left the room. "Operation: Break Coach Kelly is in full swing."