Been You

Chapter 71: Prepare With Me

ELYSANDRA'S POV:

I've been up since six a.m. practicing the routine for practice tonight. I've been doing this everyday since the spa day in order to prepare. I only practice this early because it's the only time that I can fit practice in where Justin won't catch me, considering he usually likes to sleep in late. I know that I probably should've told him about me possibly joining cheer by now, but I can't. It'd be too much pressure. What if I'm not good enough? What if it's too hard for me? What if they decide they don't like me after all? What if I completely embarrass myself? If I tell Justin that I'm trying out, I'd have to also tell him if I don't make it. That'd be so embarrassing. At least this way, if it doesn't go well, I can just pretend like it never happened. I'd just have to avoid Atifa, which would suck because I freaking love her. But at least I wouldn't have to avoid Justin.

So hear I am, headphones on, running through the routine again in Justin's room while he sleeps peacefully. And five, six, seven, eight, I count in my head. Yes, I finally got through the entire dance without faltering. Maybe this won't be as bad as I'm anticipating. The only thing that I could use some more preparation for is my stunts. Justin's bedroom isn't exactly the ideal location for cartwheeling. Anxiety building in my body, I set my headphones on the nightstand and head towards the door. I can probably squeeze in about 15 minutes of stunt practice out back and still make it back before Justin wakes up, right? I grab the doorknob, but suddenly I'm startled by a voice.

"Where ya going, mamí? I was enjoying the view," Justin says, making me jump about twenty feet in the air. Once I catch my breath, I turn to see Justin in bed, his hands behind his head. He's smirking at me pleasantly. "I don't know what that was, but it was damn sexy. Hell of a way to wake up," he grins devilishly. I feel heat beneath my skin. What do I say? What do I do?

"Oh, you liked that," I tease, walking towards him as sexily as I can muster.

"Hell, yeah," he answers. "What were you doing exactly?" He asks, intrigued.

"Just showing off for my man," I lie as I straddle him, hoping it's enough of a distraction.

"You see, normally I'd believe that. Except, you nearly had a heart attack when I spoke. You clearly thought I was sleeping. Lie better, El," Justin deduces. I let out a sigh, rolling over to lay next to him.

"It's my tryout routine," I answer, as vague as possible.

"Tryout for...?"

"Cheer squad?" I grimace, afraid of his reaction. He sits up on his side, immediately turning to face me.

"What? Ely! Oh my God, why didn't you tell me?" He exclaims excitedly.

"I'm so nervous," I answer honestly. "What if I don't m -" I start before I'm cut off.

"Are you kidding me? Don't even start, E. If you dance half as well as you just did just now... Ely you've got this in the bag, I'm so happy for you!" Justin rambles, exactly what I was afraid of, yet oddly comforting. Was I really that good?

"Even if I do have my dancing together, I still need to practice my stunts. And even if I get all my solo stunts down, there's no way for me to practice the group stunts. I have never done a pyramid, and I'd much rather not do my first one at tryouts."

"Okay, first: you do have the dancing down, I can tell you that. I've seen my fair share of cheerleaders, and trust me; you've got it. Second: I think I might have an idea about the whole stunt thing. Do you have your music?" I hold up my phone, which has been playing the mix for the routine nonstop all morning. "Good. I'll meet you outback," Justin says, getting up to pull on some shorts and a shirt. Before I can ask questions, he's gone. What the hell? What does he have in mind? Was I really that good? My mind can't get past this. My head is starting to get big so I head out to meet Justin and whatever he has planned. Oh, boy.