Warmth (Cheer Legacy Trilogy #1)

9.

I think I died and went to heaven. 

I stare at the dress I'm wearing. It's a deep maroon, with the flair in sheer glittering rose petal-shaped layers. The top bodice fits me like a glove, and there's an intricate design running down the neckline and back-line. The back is bare in a deep V, and the front is a smaller V. This is my dress! 

I love the way it makes my eyes pop, and I can see the golden flecks in my emerald eyes so clearly. Done! Deal! I want!

I change back out of the dress, and come out from the fitting room. Jenny and Jill have already found their dresses, and they're helping the rest of us. They look super disappointed when I come out without the dress. 

"Another no?" Jenny looks down. 

I laugh in delight. "This is it. This is my dress. I want you guys to get the full impact on Homecoming night, so wait for it."

Jill jumps up and down and squeals, then she pulls Jenny up and they both jump up and down and squeal. I leave them to it and go over to the counter to pay. 

"Hey," Destiny says beside me. I blink at her in surprise. She's talking to me? And not snidely? She rolls her eyes at my reaction. "I know, I know. I haven't been the nicest person to you." Uh, try super duper far from it, but basic human kindness keeps my mouth shut, and my head nodding.

The cashier rings up the bill and I pass her my card. I turn back to Destiny. "So... why the change of heart?"

Destiny shakes her head and laughs. "I like you, kid. I've been tougher on you than everyone else because I think you'd make a great captain one day."

My jaw drops. Have I really died, then? Destiny rolls her eyes at me again. 

"I'm telling you the truth, you dork," she sighs. "And what's with all the jock sports you play?"

I close my mouth as the cashier hands me the paper bag and my card and receipt. "Uh, it's in my blood. My dad used to be a football player. But I'm not that into football. I like soccer and basketball, though."

Destiny smiles and nods. Wow, so she was just being tough on me. She can smile. "I used to play women's rugby, but it honestly gets you nowhere and a big bunch of pain. So I decided on cheer since cheerleaders are popular and after rugby, it's a breeze. I ended up actually liking it," she giggles delicately. 

Women's rugby? Her? Never. "No way," I grin. Turns out we're more alike than I'd thought. 

I think this shopping trip is a good idea. Over a meal of sushi and salad, we bond better than we ever have sweating it out in the gym. We garner so much attention that some of the girls joke that we need a bodyguard each. Then boyfriends start to appear to do just that. Well, that and carry bags. 

As we exit the sushi place, the PA system sounds. 

"Miss Pippy of Mountain View Academy," the clear, professional voice says. "Calling Miss Pippy of Mountain View Academy. Your loyal servant begs you to go to the second floor and look down at Central Atrium ground floor. I repeat, your loyal servant begs you to go to the second floor and look down at Central Atrium ground floor."

Then the voice stops, and Iggy Azalea's Goddess starts playing. My hands fly to my mouth in total shock, and the girls giggle and pull me, running to the Central Atrium. We're already on the second floor. 

We reach the wide railing and look down. There, in the middle of the ground floor, in golden glitter, is a banner saying 'HOMECOMING?' I gasp. And the crew! They're dressed in tuxes and the girls in black and white, and they're slow dancing. I laugh and can't stop. Then from the midst of them, Jesse steps out right above the words, and he dips into a deep bow. When he straightens up, he waves at me and yells: "WILL YOU BE MY HOMECOMING DATE?"