𝐵𝐸 𝑌𝑂𝑈𝑅 𝐺𝐼𝑅𝐿 | A.R

03

SHARE THE COURT
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Thursday 6:30 pm

AS OF LATELY, we've been practicing simultaneously with the girls' basketball team, meaning we have to share the court with them. I didn't know if I should be upset or not since I got to see Angel, but what if I fell or tripped when she was looking?

"Earth to Lunaaa," Scarlet snaps her fingers in front of my face. " Girl, did you even hear anything I said?"

I looked down at my cheer shoes that needed to be washed, "No.."

Scarlet made a dramatic sigh before putting her arm around me. " For as much as you stare at Angel, I'm surprised she hasn't filed a restraining order from you," I said, rolling my eyes. Pushing Scarlet away, I said, "That's because she doesn't know who I am," sticking my tongue out at her.

"Oh, real mature." She laughed.

"Okay, everyone, huddle up!" our coach said, calling us over to her. I want you guys to work on your back tucks and basket tosses. Last game, we were looking a little shaky."

We all nodded and said we understood before Yaslin and the Captain led our dynamic stretches. "Do you need a ride home again?" Scarlet asked as we did a middle stretch

"No," I shook my head, "Yaslin is gonna take me home. We're watching Dexter."

"Ouu, what season are yall on?"

"Mmm," I thought for a second as I copied Yaslin's stretches, "season four, but we're almost done with it." 

"Okay! Let's get started," Yaslin smiled brightly. We all stood up on our feet and were split into
two groups: flyers and tumblers. Scarlet and I were in the Flyers group that Yaslin led while the captain led the Tumblers.

"Since coach said the baskets were shaky, we're gonna be focusing on the technique we're using to lift our flyers up," Yaslin says as she gets the male cheerleaders in groups of 3-4 and a flyer for each group. "Luna's group, I want you to do a simple barrel roll. Yall need to keep her high and tight; if you're behind her, your hands need to be close to her armpits. Let's try it." 

I did the barrel roll with my spotters, and everything seemed to be right. I felt supported and stable. Yaslin made us and the other groups do that a few more times until we moved on to the actual basket tosses. "Luna, I'm going to use your group again as an example. When the spotter tosses you up, do whatever feels right. I'm trying to see where coach sees the shakiness," Yaslin ordered. The cheerleaders positioned themselves around me as they tossed me up in the air; since they tossed me slightly higher, I just did a double backflip.

Yaslin continued to critique each group and where the spotter's weaknesses were. I felt like a damn volleyball being tossed up in the air like this. I was doing every stunt I could think of until I just started doing twists. Finally, Yaslin had us in extensions, having the spotters get used to the new techniques of holding us in the air.

I felt more eyes on me than usual. When I turned my head slightly, I saw Flau'jae and a few other girls on the basketball team looking at me and the other flyers.

Okay, I want down now. If I see Angel looking at me, I'll probably throw up my lunch, and at that point, I would have to transfer schools and never cheer again.

"Okay! Time is up," Yaslin yelled, and the spotters graciously put us back on the floor where we belonged. That was the longest two minutes of my life.

"Take a break, guys," our captain said. She didn't have to tell me twice; I was getting a wedge from my spandex, and I needed water.

Quietly, I made my way to the sidelines and sat down where my bag was. My water was still cold and felt refreshing. I took a few more sips until my thirst was quenched, as Scarlet and Yaslin came over to me with idiotic-looking smiles on their faces. I stared at my two friends with confusion: " Why do you all look like Ed and Eddie?"

"I wasn't gonna tell you until after practice, but Angel was looking at you," Yaslin grinned, sitting beside me as Scarlet stood.

My heart dropped as I froze, looking at them. I thought she wasn't looking at me. When did she look? I only saw Flau'jae and some other girls. "W-when?" I asked, my mouth slightly open, feeling confused and nervous simultaneously. Was I doing good?"

"Luna," Scarlet gave me a 'be for real' look, "You ALWAYS do good."

"Are you sure?" I looked at Yaslin, who was nodding her head to agree with Scarlet as she drank her water. My anxiety started to make itself known, and I started fidgeting with my nails and the hem of my shorts. "Don't worry; you were killing those stunts," Yaslin reassured me as she got up. She and Scarlet helped me up so we could finish practice, which I wanted to be over immediately.

9:00 pm

Our practice ended at the same time as the basketball teams, and I wanted nothing more than to go home and be with Sugar. I already had my things together but was waiting for Yaslin to be done talking to our coach. While standing near the exit, I looked up and made eye contact with Flau'jae, who waved at me.

Again, I started to fidget with my shorts. I smiled at her but quickly looked away after seeing Angel walk towards Flau'jae. Eventually, Yaslin was free from the shackles our coach had in her, and she came over to me. "Ready?" she asked with a smile.

I nodded and left the gym. Scarlet left five minutes earlier since Naomi came to pick her up. "You did good today," Yaslin says as we walk to her car.

I didn't do anything special today, but I still smiled, "thanks," I said quietly.

Yaslin and I made it to her car and unlocked it. Before getting in the car, we both put our cheer bags in the back seats. "I need a shower," I muttered as I rested my head on the window.

"You can in a few seconds when we get to your dorm."

"Are you gonna take a shower?" I asked, looking at her. "Well, that was the plan, yeah," Yaslin laughed a little. It was kinda a stupid question, but I'm sleepy.

Moments later, we pulled up to my building, and Yaslin parked in front. We got our bags from
the back, and she locked the car as I opened the door for us. "It always smells sterile in here," Yaslin jokes, walking inside the building so I could close the door.

"I like it; it reminds me of my childhood doctor's office" I smiled to myself as I remembered getting suckers after my shots. I unlocked my dorm door and walked in, letting Yaslin shut it and lock the door behind us.

"I'm gonna shower," I announced before closing my bedroom door. Was Angel really looking at me, or were they lying? They're my friends, though, so they wouldn't lie to me.