Things Are Strange, I Like It Like That.

Chapter Thirteen

"Kay! You're doing a great job!" I hear Coach Andrea call out as we practice.

I smile and nod as I cartwheel across the gym.

"Keep moving, keep moving! Kelly, leg higher!" She calls again.

I hear Kelly sigh and I end my cartwheels in the correct position.

"Great job girls! I'll see you same time tomorrow!" And with that, we all grab our bags and head to the showers.

"Hey, Kaleigh! Wait up!" I hear a voice call from behind me and I spin around to see Cloe Britain waving at me.

I smile and walk over to her. "Hi."

"You did really great today. How many cartwheels in a row was that? Six? Seven?"

I laugh. "I'm not exactly sure. I don't count them."

She nods and heads to her locker. I've been getting a lot of compliments lately about my cheer leading skills. In fact, I don't think I've been told that I was doing something wrong once.

"Kay! Awesome job today!" Jamie Cortez smiles and I nod.

"Thanks." I walk to the showers and rinse off when I suddenly hear my phone ringing.

I grab a towel and walk out. "Hello?"

"Hey, babe." Louis' voice came from the other end.

"Hey. I just got done with practice. What do you need?"

"Oh, just wanted to see if you wanted me to come and pick you up."

"Actually, sure. Kelly gave me a ride here and I haven't seen her since practice was over."

"Great! See you soon."

"Bye, love you."

"Love you too." He hangs up and I smile.

"Kay." Kelly says and I turn to her.

"Hi!" I smile but her face stays solemn.

"I don't know if you forgot, but I'm the head cheerleader. Not you. I don't know if you think that just because you're good at gymnastics that you're head cheerleader material, but you aren't. I'm head cheerleader and no one is going to take that away from me. Especially not you."

I sit there in shock and just stare at her. "What?"

"You heard me. I can see you are making so many friends. So, obviously, it won't hurt when I say this; we are no longer best friends. Hell, we're no longer friends."  She glares at me and walks away.

I look at her with my jaw dropped and watch her storm off. No, my best friend did not just tell me we were no longer friends. Over something as stupid as cheer leading.

"Kay! Louis is here for you!" A girl screams.

I snap back into reality and run outside, towel still on, with my bag. Tears were streaming down my face, I get into the car.

"Kay, what's wrong?" Louis asks, sounding concerned.

I just sit there. Saying nothing and crying. 

"Kay Marie Tompson. Tell me what's wrong right now." He unbuckles and turns towards me.

"Kelly...just...s..said we weren't friends anymore..." I sob and he hugs me.

"Oh my God, Kay, what happened?" He whispers in my ear.

"I don't know..she just..she thought I was trying to steal her spot as head cheerleader. I wouldn't do that! I'm not even that good!"

"Shh, let's not get hysterical." He kisses my forehead and I calm down a bit.

"I..she's my best friend, Louis.." I breathe.

"Obviously not. She isn't a very good friend if she does something like that."

"Well, I officially have four best friends and one boyfriend." I sigh and lay my head back.

"What about Austin?" He starts the car and looks at me.

"He kissed me, remember? That'd just be sort of awkward."

He nods and drives home. 

Kelly was no longer my best friend. We weren't friends. How could my life get any worse?

Uh oh! And Kay, life can always get worse. (Hint, hint! Hmm, what's the next chapter going to be about??)

Answer the question correctly and I'll dedicate a chapter to you!

What were the two girls' names that told Kay that she did a good job? (not including the coach!)