I'm A Big Bad Tiger

Cheer

Audrey starts to talk to me.

"Me and the team have decided to let you join the team." Audrey hands me a dress. I look at it.

"Seriously?" I smile.

"Yes. Rehearsals for the big game will be tomorrow at lunch. Please meet us here."

"I mean, I have friends-"

"You have to commit yourself to us. You're a part of the Auradon cheer squad. Put the dress on." Audrey smiles.

"Oh, no. I'm good." I smile sweetly.

"Do it." Audrey demands. I run to the locker rooms, change, and run back out to the field. Audrey smiles. "Very nice."

"This is a little bit too much." I sigh.

"It's fine." Audrey walks away.

"Wow." I look at the dress properly. It's ugly, but whatever. Why did I ever sign up? It's the little things in life. I look back at the bleachers to see Jay talking to the coach. He runs away, then he comes back to me. "Look at you." I smile at his jersey.

"Not so bad yourself, Stripes." Jay looks at my dress.

"Do you think I look nice?" I put my hand over my mouth.

"Why?" Jay asks.

"Sorry. That slipped out." My face turns red.

"Don't be ashamed." Jay tells me.

"I'm just saying. I'm so skinny that I'm literally a stick with rib cages. This dress makes me look fatter than Deux." I straighten the dress. Jay chuckles and we start to walk back to Mal and Evie's dorm.

"How I wish to spend some time alone with him for just a second." I think as I swing my bag back and forth. Jay runs into the dorm. I stay outside. I can hear the others talk.

"Hi." Ben taps me on my shoulder. I feel like growling, but I don't. I just look at him then look away. "What's up?"

"I'm in a cheerleading dress that makes me look fat and ugly. Plus, I'm homesick."

"I don't think you look ugly." Ben smiles at me.

"Thanks. You're the first." I sigh.

"Do Islers not have deep conversations?" Is he really that stupid?

"No. I mean, me, Mal, Jay, Evie, and Carlos are best mates. We wouldn't survive without each other. It's hard to talk about feelings." I look at my scar. Ben sees it. "My papa walked out on my mama when I was young. My mama was Sasha the tiger, Red Jessica's pet. She lost my unborn brother, she caught a disease and now she's dead. My papa grew abusive and hard, but he loves me. He's told me that he loves me many times."

"Thanks for telling me." He smiles at me.

"Thank you for listening." I look away. Ben knocks on the door. Mal answers it.

"Hey, Mal. I didn't see you guys today. I was just wondering If you had any questions or anything...that... you needed. Also." Ben pulls me to Mal.

"Are you ok?" She hugs me.

"Nice dress." Carlos whistles.

"I'm not in a good mood." I sit next to him.

"Do you guys have any questions?" Ben asks.

Mal looks at us then shakes her head. "Not that I know of."

"Okay. All right. Well, uh, If you need anything, just, uh-"

"Oh, wait! Um, is it true that we all get to go to your coronation?" Mal asks. I sit up at that word. Coronation. What would my coronation be like? What if I was crowned queen of the Jungle?