New Team, New Dream

Chapter 12

"You know what Peyton, maybe this was a mistake." I say, grabbing my purse and slinging it over my shoulders.

"Wait! What do you mean?" Peyton asked, tapping me on the shoulder. I turned to look at her innocent face and my heart hurts a little. Was I really going to say this to Peyton? She had grown to be my best friend in Texas. The only one who cared about me.

"Coming to Texas. Joining Cheetahs. Befriending you." I snapped, my head spinning. Before Peyton could reply, I thrust open the door and ran to my car. Tears were streaming down my face, but at this point I didn't even care.

I was kind of surprised to see that familiar blonde head of hair sitting in her own car and bawling into somebody's shoulder. But I was even more surprised when I saw that the person supporting Jamie was... Matt.

I completely regretting yelling at Peyton. Now I had nobody to confess my secrets to and go to for advice. I opened the car door and walked back into Starbucks, hoping that Peyton would be right where I had left her. But to my surprise, Peyton's seat was empty.

I ran into the public bathrooms and locked myself in a stall. I grabbed some toilet paper from the roll and blew my nose into it. My cries echoed throughout the room, but I didn't even care. I was just collapsed against the walls dreading practice on Tuesday.

A knock sounded softly on the door and I grew quiet. "P-Peyton?" I asked, peering through the crack. The girl stepped back and let me unlock the stall.

"No sorry. I'm not Peyton." She tucked a piece of auburn hair behind her ears and smiled softly.

"I'm Eliza. Don't you cheer at Cheer Athletics now? I've seen your Instagram," she blushes and waits for me to reply. I nod.

"I just had a big fight with my friends..." I say, trailing off. Eliza reaches out to give me a hug. I accept and she lets me cry into her shoulders for a little bit.

"I cheer at Spirit of Texas. Just because our gyms are rivals, doesn't mean we have to be right?" She asks carefully. I nod my head yes again. Eliza certainly is pretty. She has delicate green eyes and a slim figure.

"Thank you Eliza. I really needed a friend right now." I say with a smile.

"Of course. Here's my phone number. Why don't you text me sometime, and maybe we could hang out. I may not be a level five cheerleader but-"

I smile and take the slip of paper she hands me and tuck it in my pocket.

"It doesn't matter what level you're on Eliza. Level one athletes work just as hard as level five ones." I say as I slip out of the bathroom with a wave. Eliza waves back and remains in the bathroom. Her complexion was really pale, almost like she was a ghost. Was I just imagining her? I feel for the slip of paper and it's still there. Nope. Eliza was real.