Third Wheel | EDITING

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Looking through the viewfinder, I hoped to get a clean crisp shot but my lenses choose not to focus. Groaning, I adjust them hoping to not lose the perfect picture of the first win of our last season as Clearwater Colts with everyone celebrating in joy and the chants broke out. 

One! We are the Mustangs!
Two! A little bit louder!
Three! We still can't hear you!
We! Are! Number! One!

I said hey!
Hey! (bleachers)
I said hey!
Hey! (bleachers)
Hey hey, move aside
Today we'll take you for a ride
Mustangs fight, Mustangs win
We know you won't be back again!

Desperately, I finally managed to get my lens before it got all dark. Thinking I had forgotten to take the lens cap again despite taking it off earlier, I lowered the camera to fix it. 

Except something else was taking up the viewfinder this time.

I rolled my eyes before attempting to move in the opposite direction, only to have the figure childishly try to block me and my camera choosing to focus on the man standing in front of me. None other than Grayson.

"Hey! Move out of my shot!" I yelled pushing him to the side. I wasn't about to let some idiotic football kid ruin one of the most iconic pictures in our memory book.

Our school worshipped football, dedicating 5 pages in the senior memory book and 4 in the yearbook. Trust me, it was more than just a little pigskin.

"Okay, okay—" He chucked before throwing his hands up in surrender.

I skillfully snapped a couple of shots that I knew would look great and put my camera back down into the bag I had carried out. In exchange, I picked up my pom-poms and made my way over to the huddle.

"Okay good job today." Coach Taylor told us as she smiled, "For the first game back, I have to stay you guys impressed me. I'll see you guys next week for practice. Remember professionalism." 

The team groaned at the mention of practice and but nodded.

"Good game today guys!" I told the team as everyone was beginning to get antsy to leave, "Make sure you stretch and ice to make sure none of the injuries you have or might potentially have get worse! Stay safe and let's go home. Hailey want to call the break?" 

Hailey nodded, probably dying to get to the party as was everyone else, "Mustangs on me! Ready Mustangs on three! One! Two Three!" 

"MUSTANGS!" The team called out before immediately dispersing.

I prayed that none of the teammates would get caught doing anything stupid at Coach's mention of professionalism.

With the idea that cheerleaders were meant to be the face of the school and role models and representatives for the student body, it wasn't exactly a good look when team members posted pictures of them drinking or smoking on social media. Coach often warned us saying that it would reflect the whole team and she had been strict about it since an incident in my freshman year. But of course, I knew they wouldn't care less and just do it without getting caught. 

"Coming to the party?" He asked, following me around with teammates congratulating him left and right.

"Not sure, doubt it." I replied, groaning, "I'm tired and my bed is the only thing I want to go to right now."  I made my way to the exit where the students started piling out.

"Goodnight Colts! Don't party too much!" I warned, earning laughter from some of the already tipsy teens.

As a school, we were all close-knit. Nearly everyone knowing everyone, whether it be because of mutual classes or friend groups. 

Sure, the stereotypes existed, but not to the extent that the average "coming of age" movies made it out to be. 

No doubt everyone was headed to Christensen's party. It was a known fact that his parties were filled with fun and excitement; especially after a couple of drinks.

The guys who had passed on their way out made it an obvious to scan over my body, leaving slight remarks and whistles here and there.

"Ain't no one want no cold Colts out." Grayson said, catching up to me and draping his varsity jacket over my shoulders, covering my small cheer jacket that barely covered my midriff.

Before I could even return it, he headed to his group of friends who sounded as if they were ready for a night of partying and underage drinking.

The jacket smelled of sweat and pine but weirdly, I had no urgency to take it off. It wasn't like a little extra warmth never done a cheerleader wrong. The long-sleeved bra and skirt under my cheer jacket showed just a little more than what was needed and Grayson's varsity jacket reached just above my knees.

Still, I couldn't comprehend his sudden urge to talk to me. In the last 3 years of high school, we stayed clear of each other's paths, maybe a nod and slight acknowledgment here and there.

As we were both captains of a sport that shared a season, it was surprising to many that we never really talked. Take it that my co-captain counterpart did enough socializing with our football players for me and the rest of our team as well.

To me, my sports showed passion and a ticket to a good university. It was simple. Do well and succeed. Plus, being stuck around to babysit a grown couple was kind of a sad life when I already had to do that at home. 

What were your extracurricular activities?

Oh yea, I spent all four years of high school watching my best friends built a relationship and babysitting them so that they could keep it on the down-low from their parents.

Almost half of the stands had cleared out from both schools and I made it back to the locker room to change out.

"Isn't that Grayson's jacket?"

"Woah, I knew he would choose her for his first jacket pass."

"She actually looks cute in it."

The whispered started from the team as soon as I walked in.

"Hey, Lana! Why are you wearing #1's jacket??" Denni questioned. I shrugged and took it off.

"He handed it to me but I'm bout to return it," I told her, dropping my pom-poms by my locker and walking back to the door.

"Don't bother, he left for the party already." Hailey bugged in, sighing in the process. "I'll give you a ride if you want."

"Actually, I think I'm going to wa—" Before I could finish, a dm flashed on my screen.

grayson_chris: turns out I need the jacket ;) return it at the party :D

I rolled my eyes and looked up.

"Never mind, looks like I'll be needing a ride after all."

That son of a bitch.

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This is a pre-written chapter :) The last chapter was pretty long for my standards (1100+) but y'all know by know I tend to have short chapters. My finals don't start till this Wednesday but as a stupid person I must start studying :D Anyways comment, vote, and share! I'm keeping it short <3

-Anne

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Updated: 12•18•17
Edited: 10•11•20