Captain

She's Back

I skipped into the gym at 6 a.m. for practice on this glorious Wednesday morning. Usually I'd have to drag my body sleepily, but today is different. Holly quit the squad and I can finally feel free of her heinous attitude everyday. 

I opened the large door and saw everyone warming up and stretching. I set my bag down by the bleachers and walked over to them, "Good morning, ladies!"

Oh God.

"Hey, bitch!" Holly waved, happily. But it wasn't a normal happy. Everything felt weird.

"Hey, Holly," I said, not realizing she was back on the squad?

If someone were to quit, there's no way coach would let them right back on.

Last year the cheer captain, Donna, was way too stressed out by cheer and keeping up with her school work and quit. She tried to come back a week later and coach was furious. Coach had already replaced Donna with the co-captain, Elise. It caused lots of drama between the two girls and in the end, Donna lost the cheer scholarship she had gotten and last I heard, she didn't even go to college at all. To be honest, I can see how she lost her cool and gave up. Captain is not easy.

I walked over to Naomi who was sitting and stretching up front.

"So, the bitch is back," she said quietly to me.

I rolled my eyes, "I can see that. She told us she quit. What happened?"

"Come outside with me," she said and we both stood up. She couldn't just tell me here? Must be serious.

We stepped outside of the gym and into the hallway, with the giant doors closing loudly.

"You won't believe this shit," she said, laughing.

Now I was confused. "What happened?"

"Do you know that Coach is Holly's God mother?" She asked me, dead serious.

"What the hell? No!" Well that makes sense. I rubbed my temples and shook my head. I did not mentally prepare myself for this atrocity. All I wanted was a smooth, happy day with no more Holly. Of course I couldn't get that. Why would I?

"Yesterday she told Coach she quit and this morning she got here early to beg her to let her back on the team. Unfortunately Coach gave her one more chance." Naomi said. "But that just means she will be watching her closely. If she messes up at all, she could be kicked off."

"How the hell is she Holly's God mother? And why did she pick me to be Captain when Holly is her family?" I asked, not understanding. Then it hit me. "Wait. That's why she hates me so much. Holly is angry that her God mother didn't choose her."

Naomi's eyes widened. It all made sense now. "Wow, I feel like I'm in the Twilight zone right now. Either that or I'm still half asleep." Nay laughed.

"Naomi, you're a dork, I love you." I smiled at her.

"I love you too."

"And I love you both as well but it's time to start practice," Coach said to us, peaking her head in the doors.

I slipped my clothes on as quickly as possible and ran to the mirrors to put on my makeup. Today will be the first time I'll see Cole since he asked me to Homecoming, and I want to look good. I don't want to make him regret asking me.

"So, Maya," Holly said, coming to do her makeup next to me at the mirror. There were a couple other girls nearby also getting ready for class. "I heard Cole asked you to Homecoming."

Oh God. Why does she have to talk to me?  Do I have to stand up for myself every single day? "Uh, yeah, he did."

"Lucky you. I was literally just going to ask him until I found out. He's so hot," Holly said, almost mocking me.