A Year Being the Cheerleader

41.

Wednesday morning
Dear Olivia,

My plan has failed. Like terribly. Once you are in the spotlight, you cannot come out. At least that is for me. Nate and I are friends again. According to him "best friends", but I don't think I can call him that again. He kind of lost my trust. Although it is hard to remember that when I am around him. Rumors are going around, again, about us being together. But it is easier to ignore now which I find weird since I am still considered "popular". Ramona and the minions are still my friends. They are really hard to avoid. I mean, the only reason I even avoided them before was because they were giving me a "break" since being a cheerleader can be so stressful. Especially being given the duty of captain immediately. And I wonder, why did I join again? Parents really are a handful. I mean, this could have all been prevented if they had left me alone. But no, I was too boring. And now I can't go back since no one wants to leave me alone. The stares are still there and people, even adults, greet me where ever I go. I mean anywhere, not just in the school. No joking. And can you believe this, they still consider me a "cheerleader" after I had quit. Don't you think that is ridiculous. Ramona keeps telling me what they are going to do at practices and what is expected like I care. She even asks my opinion on that crap! The only thing I care about right now is soccer. Although it is kind of annoying when Coach D and the other players want to talk or something which they never did before. Personally, it is irritating being popular and all, but I don't think I can live without it. For now anyways. College is another term away. We are already in the rainy month of November. December is so close and so is the new year. Can't wait to forget about high school. God knows I am not going to that future high school reunion. At least not willingly. Anyways, I got to study so later. Can't fail now even if I am popular...for now.

AMBER

"Amber," I hear my mother call my name from downstairs.

With a sigh, I close my textbook and grab a pair of shorts to put on. Going down the stairs, I stop at the second to last step when the man who stands beside my mother comes into view.

"Mom," I say dangerously low. "What is he doing here?"

"Oh, darling, he is your coach," she tells me with a grin. "And Thanksgiving is tomorrow. He just wants to make sure you are okay."

"Why?" I counter back defensively. "He isn't my coach anymore. I quit the cheerleading squad."

He steps forward and I make an instinctively step back. What is he doing here? I cast a what the hell? look my mother's way, while giving him a death glare.

"Amber, you had given your father and I your word that you would join the cheerleading squad," my mother says a little too sweetly for my taste. She is definitely enjoying this. I am going to get back at them for this.

"I did and I quit," I tell her, chin high and voice oozing confidence. "End of story."

"For the entire senior year," my confidence slightly deflated at that.

"What? I can't remember I said that to you." I tell her, still standing my ground and ignoring my English and Literature teacher who is staring at me with heated intensity.

"No, you didn't tell me," she says and I am starting to wish the ground will open up and swallow me. That grin she has isn't killing me fast enough. "You told your father and I."

"I remember she had told me the same thing," Mr. Longmore speaks and I eye him with unambiguous anger. Who do these persons think they are to come up and force me to be a cheerleader. Again. "And Ramona even tells me you miss the squad."

My jaw drops open. That female dog! This is crazy. Why would I ever miss that terrible...boot camp. I don't like to speak much less to cheer. I am not even gifted with the squeaky loud voice like Ramona. She and her minions belong in cheerleading, not me!

"So what are you trying to imply?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at them.

"You join back the cheerleading squad," my mother tells me firmly, her tone leaves no room for argument. "And follow through with your promise so we can continue to believe you as a trustworthy person."

"Then why did you allow me to quit?" I turn to Mr. Longmore now for an answer.

"Because I heard about the rumors and thought you needed a break," he gives me a pathetic attempt of looking sympathetic. "But your break is up and you start practice next week Monday."

"You guys have already decided on the matter?" They both nod, not like I don't know that is the answer before anyways. "Just answer one question, why do you truly want me to join the cheerleading squad so badly?"

Mr. Longmore and my mother look at each other before looking back at me.

"Because I love you," I roll my eyes at that. Liar! "And he is-"

"Your therapist and cousin." Mr. Longmore finishes and I stare at them shell-shocked.

That is why he looks so deadly familiar. He was there at the funeral. He is my cousin from England.

"I liked your British accent," I tell him bravely, surprising me and seemingly surprising my mother. He just looked at me with a bland expression. "It's such a shame you changed it. Your wife probably wouldn't have left you."

I run up the stairs and into my bedroom before anyone could come up with a response fast enough.

"Ex-wife." I hear him ground out as I slam my room door.

A/N: What do you all think about Mr. Longmore being her cousin and therapist? Do you think it is fair for her to be forced to be a cheerleader? What would you have done? Comment and vote.

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