Louboutin to Ariat

~ Chapter 22 ~

The score is 21 to 21 with three seconds left on the clock.

Our opponents have the ball at our thirty yard line.

The crowd is going ballistic, urging the defense to hold their ground for just three more seconds.

I watch as the ball is put into play but I immediately loose sight of it amongst the mess of players.

Looking up at the clock, we are down to less than a second when the referee blows his whistle, ending the first half and causing the crowd to go wild.

Each team runs off the field, signifying the time for our halftime performance.

Turning to the crowd, I find Cash's gaze. He gives me a smile and a thumbs up, making me smile. I continue my scan, searching for my parents.

"Liberty, ready to head out?" Rachel comes up next to me.

I pull my gaze away from the stands and force a smile, "Let's go!"

Grabbing our pompoms, we take our spots on the field.

Looking across our formation, I make eye contact with Rachel.

As the music starts, I begin shouting out numbers, making sure Rachel and I are on the same count.

Shouting out counts, hitting our marks, nailing the stunts and finally dazzling the crowd with our smiles.

Every single moment replays itself in my mind as the crowd cheers for us as we walk off the field.

The girls are ecstatic. They haven't stopped bouncing and talking.

Me? It feels unreal.

"We did it! Liberty, we did it!" Rachel runs up to me, practically tackling me in a hug.

Snapping out of my fog, I laugh and hug her back, "We did! You guys killed it!"

"That routine was amazing though! The crowd loved it!" Rachel squeals.

I looking away from her, I find Frankie and Sue Ellen jumping up and down and cheering still. I feared for their life but I was glad to see that they liked it.

"I guess they did." I smile back at Rachel. Something behind her catches my attention and I look to see Sterling walking our way.

"Hey Sterling!" I call out.

"Hey!" He answers. "Liberty, that routine was awesome!"

I've been smiling so much, my cheeks feel like they are about to bust, "Thanks! But these girls really did an amazing job bringing it to reality, especially Rachel here, she worked extra hard and did --"

"Amazing." Sterling cuts me off, meeting Rachel's eyes. Even in the shadowy lights, I can see her blushing at his compliment.

Proud of myself, I slip away and walk towards the stands, still looking for my parents.

"Hey Lib!"

I turn to see Cash at the railing, calling my name.

Walking over to him, he swings under the railing and lands on the dirt around the field like it was the most natural thing.

"You did great out there." He says as soon as I stand in front of him.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach at his words. "Thank you!" I answer, chewing at my lip.

"Did you really choreograph that?" He asks.

I nod, not meeting his eyes for fear of the butterflies erupting again.