A Year Being the Cheerleader

32.

"You've reached the voicemail of..."

I furrow my eyebrows at the phone in my hand. Not even the latest Apple phone can get pass the voicemail. Why doesn't he just answer his phone? This game he is playing is not fun. Well, that's what losers say, but in this case, I would be neither. I mean, at least tell me what's wrong. I am just as confused as my mother was this morning searching for her handbag. The wildlife really did enjoy it. I start to smile remembering the horrified look on her face as she saw her bag outside before I quickly slipped out of the house. This morning was fun. Right now? Not even a little.

The screen of my phone lights up unexpectedly causing me to be blind for a minute. Blinking away the blurred spots swimming in my vision, I then realize my phone is ringing. Without thinking twice, I slide the screen and put it to my ear.

"Hello?" I answer, my mind still on the fact that Nate won't answer my calls.

"Hey girl! Want to go to another party?" Ramona shrieks into my ear causing me to cringe.

I am definitely not in the mood for this. I just hang up the phone without answering. Ramona must really love me.

Looking back down at my phone, I will Nate to call me back. The phone then vibrates frightening me out of my reverie, but it isn't Nate. Actually the last person I want to hear from- Ramona. Can't the girl get a hint? She can't be that desperate. I mean, she has the other girls. Oh wait! I'm the captain!

Great.

Sometimes I wonder whose stupid idea was that anyway. I can only imagine how that came up. The coach twirling a pencil between his fingers and looking down at the list of cheerleaders. Ramona burst in with a wide smile, panting heavily.

"Let's make Kayla's sister the captain." She says, eyes wide with enthusiasm.

"Good idea. A consolation gift for her sister's death."

Best consolation gift ever.

The phone then vibrates again. Great, I am daydreaming now. I look down to see Ramona's face. Again. Does this girl ever give up?
I end the call and call Nate one more time.

It keeps ringing until it reaches voicemail. I let out a huff. This is so frustrating. I am not a person who gets what she wants all the time, but for once, I actually care enough to wish that was not the case. Probably this isn't something that he wants to talk about over the phone. It reminds me of me and Ramona. Me being Ramona, and he being me, but at least I answered, even if it was one word. This is really not good. Ramon calls again and this time I shut off the phone.

Shrugging on a jacket, I go downstairs with my keys in hand. I make it to the door. As soon as my hand envelopes the cold gold door knob, I hear my father's voice from the living room in front of the ridiculously large flat screen television. He is probably watching sports or some cop show.

"Where are you going, Amber darling?" He asks, his voice clear now since he muted the volume on the television.

"I'm going to Nate's." I answer honestly.

"Okay, be safe," he says and I can feel the weight of his gaze on my back. "And don't be gone too long."

"I have a curfew now?" I snap. They never really cared before.

He sighs, exasperated I think.

"Be home as early as possible," he says. "That's all I ask for."

Silence.

I open the front door and walk out without a glance behind, but I know he is watching me. I close the door and inhale a breath of fresh air.

I better hurry up, I have a test tomorrow morning bright and early.

>¢<

I stand in front of the large familiar door of this grand mansion contemplating whether or not to ring the bell. They know I am here. He knows I am here. I had to be cleared by the security at the front gate for crying out loud!

You can do this. You can do this. Act as if everything is okay.

With that, I press the bell which makes a resounding ring through the house that somehow makes me even more nervous. This is normal. He won't talk to me and I do the same at school, but this is killing me. What did I do wrong? That's the question I will ask.

What.

Did.

I.

Do.

Wrong?

I nod my head, convinced that I will remember to ask him that and then get out immediately.

"Amber? How may I help you dear?"
I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn't even realize someone came to the door. I am really slacking in paying attention, according to my English teacher.

I look up to see those two bright blue oasis that I know on a boy who inherited those eyes perfectly. But instead of amusement in them as I am use to, it's surprise and confusion.

"Hi," I smile shyly, hoping she doesn't pick up that I am nervous. "Could I please speak to Nathan?"

She frowns and I wonder if she is going to let me inside, but she doesn't get to answer as I hear his voice.

"No."

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