Simple Sweetness

Chapter 9

"All right kiddies! We are going to start with the basics!" Amelia's shrill voice exploded over the football field. Which lay across the street from the two Cross Road's schools.

It was your typical mid west athletic field, with worn and weathered wood and steel bleacher's lining the side lines. The home side backing the street, with the visitor's bleacher's on the opposing side of the huge natural grass field. A basic black electric score board hovered over the far end behind a set of white painted goal posts. A tin covered booth set at the very top of the Home side bleacher's held all the electronics for the score board, and the speaker system for the field.

The bleacher's simple wood frames along the sides and backs, were filled with advertisements for local businesses. The paint faded and peeling away so severely, from enduring the weather for years one could barely make out more then colours and shapes. Of what was once proud signs proclaiming fine stores and restaurants in this city.

The lime tinted blonde, stalked back and forth before nine other girls, the murky grey sky above her the perfect backdrop to her foul mood. Her hair pulled up in a tight pony tail, tied with a dark blue ribbon. Dressed in the home version of their Cheer uniform, consisting of a deep red, long sleeve leotard with turtle neck. With a mainly white, crop top style vest, with blue accents and with the letters, CRH emblazoned on the front. A white low riding skirt that matched the vest, with double red and blue stripes on the hem. Below the skirt she wore a pair of dark red kick pants, to hide her underwear when stunting. Her two blonde clones stood at attention on the white chalk side line, dressed the same, hair up in matching pony tails. Glowering at the nine girls, dressed in uniform as well, now listening intently to their Cheer Queen. Every girl with long hair had it pinned up in one or two pony tails, each with matching ribbons. The only diversion from that was Serena, who wore her traditional hair style of twin buns and tails, the buns accented with blue streamers that fluttered in the fall wind. The sweet flare she put into her wardrobe made her stand out if unintentionally.

Amelia payed the golden blonde a lingering glare of distaste. She was supposed to be the center of attention. The girls in the squad, merely background eye candy to promote and compliment her perfect cheer routines. But Serena was silently taking away her freshman was naturally captivating, in both looks and personality. Out shining her at every practice, with her grace and beauty. Drawing the attention of the football team away from admiring her. It was a personal slight that would not go unpunished. Amelia would not concede her title as the most beautiful, most graceful and most popular girl at Cross Roads easily. Her envy and jealousy towards the golden blonde quickly turning to anger and resentment.

"All right ladies, I want the offensive and defensive cheers one hundred percent perfect today!" She shouted, bending down to pick up her silver pom pom. Determined to ignore Serena outright. Now was not the time to put her in her place. "The faster you get the dance moves right, the sooner we can start working on our stunting!" She commanded, passing Serena a fake, smile of pride as she walked past. Planning small ways to knock her down a few notches in the eyes of school forming in her mind.

Serena stood excitedly next to Mina, completely unaware of Amelia's seething hatred. Hopping on her toes with a beaming smile so very happy to be on the squad. Mina had applied a fresh layer of cover up to her eyes, so she hoped it would last through practice. The last thing she wanted was to show off Amelia's handy work to the bitch herself. She had already had to endure the woman's fake sympathy over her bruises when practice first started. The rumours of how horrible she looked having spread school wide by now. Amelia tried to seem sullen about it, but deep down Serena picked up how proud and strong she felt at causing her such damage.

It was mid season, coming onto the end of September. The sky was turning grey and dull, filling with heavy clouds that foreshadowed the snow yet to come. By the afternoons after school, the chill winds that started blowing in the mornings were picking up speed and force again. Turning into blustery gusts, that seemed to attack anyone out in the elements.