Chris and Kamaal

Chapter 27: Work Hard, Play Hard

Chapter 27: Work Hard, Play Hard

*Chris's POV*

We are 30 minutes into step team practice, and my co captain and I are going through a few basic movements with the team, along with teaching material with new members.

"Now if your arms are going up towards the right, your head should follow it. Your head should follow each of your arm movements. Tiara, check the left side and make sure they're doing it right."

Tiara walks over to the left side of the team and stands in front of them.

"The arm movements for this part in the step go like this. Arms up toward the right, arms down toward the left, arms down toward the right, and arms up toward the left. Let's try that now. 5, 6, 7, 8."

The team moves their arms they way I told them to and continue with the rest of the step.

"Shay, make sure your arms are straight and not slack when you get to that part."

I walk over to her and adjust her arms to the way they are supposed to be for that part in the step.

"Aight y'all, run that whole step from the beginning. After that we're gonna run the whole show."

I count them off, and as soon as they start it sounds a hot mess. Tiara stops them before I did.

"Woah!!!! Try again!!!"

The team does the step again and it sounds 100% better.

"Aight, lets run the whole thing, full out with energy."

*Kamaals POV*

After bumpin that fuck nigga on his shoulder, he gives me a "nigga do that shit again" look. It's takin a lot of will power for me not to place my fist against his face a few times. I'm tryin so hard to keep my cool. While everyone is still signin the roster, I look over where the cheerleaders are and I see Myra. Damn, shorty got a bangin ass body. Chris wasn't lyin about that. She looks over at me and runs towards me.

"Kamaaaaaaal....you made it!"

"Yeah, y'all convinced me so here am."

"You're gonna do fine. I've seen these boys play before. I'm pretty sure you'll make it"

"Well what about Jamal?"

"What about him?" Myra asks me

"Is he any good? Can he ball?"

"He made the varsity team his freshman year. But don't worry about him boo. Just do your thing, and you'll be good."

Coach Briggs blows his whistle and everyone lines up against the wall.

"Alright, go get em tiger!" She says as she smacks my ass

I run towards the back wall where everyone is standing and prepare myself for the tryout.

*Chris's POV*

After running the show halfway through, I am not impressed at all. The words aren't being said loud enough, the energy is weak, and it just sounds horrific. After we complete the step we were on, I step out and stand in front of them.

"Lock up y'all. Real talk, I'm not feeling the energy. I don't believe y'all are giving it your all. Squat!"

The team groans and gets down in a squat position with their hands out in front of them.

"I don't know what the problem is. Y'all know the moves and transitions, but y'all act like y'all never stepped before. We have a competition next weekend, and we're not even prepared. Until I get some energy from y'all, we're gonna keep going at it. I don't care, we'll be here all night if that's the case."

After 5 minutes of squatting the team gets back up.

"Now, we're gonna run the show from the beginning. If I see laziness, no energy, or not hear the words, we will start all the way over. First positions, get there in 5, 4, 3-"

I count down, and the rest of the team scurries fearing more disciplinary action. This team has a record of being undefeated. I refuse to settle for anything less than first place.

*KAMAAL'S POV*

"Ok fellas, welcome to tryouts. This tryout will be tough, since it's only going to be two days. We will go over fundamentals, do a little conditioning, and have a couple of pickup games. Here are the rules for your tryout. First of all, I am not your damn brother. You will refer to me as Coach, Coach Briggs, or Sir. Second, bullshit will not be tolerated. If your grades are less than a C-, you will be put on academic probation and will be required to fill out a progress report from all your teacher. Third, my time is my time. If you have more than 3 unexcused absences-"

The fuck is this, the army? I didn't sign up for this shit at all.

"Practice starts at 3:00. As of 2:55 you will be considered late. If you do not oblige to the rules, there's a door to your, left, right, and right behind you. Feel free to pick any one of them. Now lets start with suicides." Coach Briggs says as he blows his whistle. 

I jump at the sound of his whistle, and start running. I pace myself because I have no idea what this man has in store for us. As I'm running toward the next line, Jamal comes back, mean muggin the hell out of me.

*Chris's POV*

We're halfway through the show until the team gets lazy with saying the words.

"Aight y'all from the top!" I say damn near out of breath

The team moans, groans, and sucks their teeth because they had to start over.

"Don't whine...this is what happens when you don't practice like you're about to compete. I'ma give y'all a five minute water break."

Half the team runs out the cafeteria and heads to the water fountain, while the other half rests at the tables.

"Damn nigga, you tryin to kill us or something?" Trey asks me

"No, not at all."

"You shittin me. You're workin us too hard." Trey says as he laughs

"Well isn't this what you wanted? To get back in competition mode?"

"Yeah but-"

"But nothing. Tell your Dynasty brothers and sisters to get their shit together, and I wouldn't be so hard on y'all." I say with a serious look on my face

After taking to Trey, I call the team to attention, and they gather around the middle of the floor.

"Let's try this from the top. Y'all better bring the heat this time"

We get in our first positions, and get ready to go through the entire show.