The Other Side of Me

Chapter 3: Fitting In

Chapter 3: Fitting In

It was Friday, two weeks later, which meant cheer tryouts were this evening. I grinned as I packed my bag with everything I needed for cheer before I finished getting ready.

I wore light washed denim high waisted shorts, a maroon shirt tucked in, and a cute kimono cardigan. I added heeled brown ankle boots, and a few necklaces and rings. After I finished putting my outfit together, I checked my hair to make sure my soft curls hadn't fallen yet and then rushed downstairs, cheer bag in hand.

I said goodbye to my parents, grabbing my backpack and skipped out to my car.

Today was going to be a good day.

****

"Are you excited for tryouts, Lilli?" Veronica asked, giggling as her new boyfriend, James, took a fry off of her tray.

If I were her, I would've cut him.

"Of course! I just really hope I make the team," I stated nervously.

"Oh don't be silly, Lilli! I have absolute faith that you'll make the team. You're better than all three of us and we've made the team every year," Lindsey consoled, giving me a grin.

"Thanks, Linds. But come on, you guys are amazing. No way am I better than you."

"Shut up, you know it's true," Jas said, smacking my arm playfully. I just shook my head, finishing up my salad.

"So, Colton, when are lacrosse tryouts?" I asked, looking over at him. He swallowed his food before turning toward me.

"They're this evening, just like cheer tryouts. They're always the same day. Not sure why, though," he responded.

"I know why. Because it gives us a great view of a bunch of girls in little skirts flipping and flying around," Patrick said, winking at me. I scoffed.

"You're an animal," I joked.

"You love it." I rolled my eyes, stealing a fry from Colton.

I never said I didn't do it to other people.

"Hey! If you wanted fries you should've gotten your own," he whined. I just smirked and stole another one. "Jerk." He turned away from me, a pout on his lips. I wrapped my arms around his torso, trying to get him to look at me.

"I'm sorry for stealing your fries, Colton. Please forgive me," I begged. He turned to look at me slightly and I gave him the puppy dog eyes. He sighed, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"Fine. You're forgiven."

"Ugh, enough with the PDA, guys," Patrick joked. I laughed nervously, unwrapping myself from him, but allowing his arm to remain on my shoulders.

****

"And 5,6,7,8!" Coach J called out and we moved into formation, following the cheer we just learned as well as we could.

She called out names of multiple girls, meaning they were cut immediately. They walked inside, sad looks on their faces. We finished the cheer and she stayed silent for a moment, writing on her clipboard.

"How many tumblers do we have?" she asked, looking around at the 30 remaining girls. They could only have 20 altogether, and we wouldn't find out who got spots until tomorrow morning. That meant we had to come to school on a Saturday. Gross, right? They'd be posted on the bulletin board in the main hallway. We would also find out who cheer captain and co-captain would be.

I raised my hand with about five other girls, including Ashley, the reigning cheer captain. Coach J had us six line up, giving us a simple tumbling combination. Ashley went first and I rolled my eyes when she added in a back tuck at the end.