Everything Has Changed - An Emblem3 Story

Chapter One - Peyton

Chapter One - Peyton

Picture of Peyton on the side. Outfit in the external link. 

I woke up at my normal hour of six so I could do yoga with Regan.  It was our Monday ritual because I always had a hard weekend of cheer so it was nice to stretch out my usually sore muscles. My sister always came with me because she was home during the weekend from College so it was the last time I would see her for a week. She was one of my best friends and an even better sister and she was calling me from downstairs so I pulled on my yoga clothes and tied my hair into a neat ponytail before skipping down to her. She greeted me good morning and together we made our way to our yoga session.

I felt good when we got home an hour later; I was feeling refreshed and ready for the day. While Regan made my breakfast, I went up to my bathroom and had a quick shower. Upon getting out, dressing myself was easy seeing as I had already laid out an outfit the previous night. It wasn’t good to stress in the morning before school so I liked to have things organised. I pulled on my fitted skinny jeans and a cream blouse as well as my beige cork wedges. I re-brushed my hair and raked it up into a ponytail before grabbing my French-bought tote bag, my books and car keys and heading downstairs.

Regan already had a bowl of fruit salad and yoghurt waiting for me when I placed myself at the breakfast bar. She quickly gestured to the fridge. “Your wheatgrass shot and lunch is in there. Do you have cheer practice after school?” I nodded as a yes whilst she grabbed her keys and bag. “Okay well Jeffery told me he won’t be home ‘til late so you’re on your own tonight kiddo.”

“No surprises there.” She approached me hurriedly so I smiled and gave her cheek a quick kiss. “Have fun at College, don’t over work yourself and I’ll see you on Friday.”

“Will do, see ya Peyton.”

And then she was gone and I was left to eat my breakfast alone. I took my time eating and when the clock ticked past 7:30, I put my dishes in the dishwasher and went to go freshen up. That didn’t take long so in no time I was grabbing my lunch from the fridge – it was my usual green salad with no-fat, skinless chicken along with a low-fat yoghurt, a whole carrot as well as a beetroot, spinach, pineapple and mango smoothie. I had to watch what I ate because I was a cheerleader and being a cheerleader meant having no body fat, it was all supposed to be muscle and I’d done well, I’d maintained that little requirement since before my Freshman Year.

After shotting my wheatgrass, I grabbed my keys and went out to my white Mini Cooper. It gleamed in the light and I smiled in delight at it, it was my baby and I loved driving in it. I put the keys in the ignition and it purred to life. Then putting it in gear, I drove the short distance to school.

School. Huntington Beach High School; Home of the Oilers. I’ve bled black and orange since as long as I can remember. My older brother JJ was on the Football team when I was still in Middle School and we always used to watch his games. And my sister used to be head cheerleader when she went here. Oh yeah, that’s where I am now. Head cheerleader. Yeah, it was rather predictable considering Regan was the captain but that doesn’t mean I didn’t work my arse off to deserve it.

I parked in my usual spot and got out of the car. The sun was shining high but there was a slight breeze. These were my favourite kinds of days because it made practicing in the afternoon heat somewhat bearable. I was barely out of my car when one of my best friends, Chelsea, came skipping over to me. “Peyton, thank God you’re finally her!.  I’ve been waiting ages! Like freaking five minutes out here alone, I looked like a loser!”

I rolled my eyes at the red-haired girl’s antics. She could be melodramatic at times but she was fiercely loyal, something I appreciated dearly. I wrapped an arm around waist seeing as I was shorter. “I’m sorry Chels, I’m here now though so that’s what matters. How was your weekend?”