Her Desire

C h a p t e r N i n e

~ Cheerleaders Are Far from Cheerful ~

Evie

Ten girls performed their routines to the team. They were prim, proper and sweating by the time they each completed their impressive routines, but I was far from being worried. We had a chance to see what we were up against, so I was feeling pretty confident that Liv and I both could make the team if we gave it our all.

I could practically feel Livs' anxiety rolling off in waves, crashing at my side like they would against the rocks along the shoreline. While I took the opportunity of going last as a strategical approach to examining our competition, it just made Liv way more nervous than she already was.

I reached out and took her hand in mine, "stop worrying we'll be fine".

She huffed on the spot and turned to face me, eyes bewildered, "Agnes Wells just did a fucking front hand spring into a backflip. How are you so calm right now?! I should practically kiss my chances goodbye".

We both turned back to face the team as they mumbled to each other, probably discussing the routine that Agnes just executed.

"Just because she did a decent routine doesn't mean that she's going to make the team. There's still another tryout left", I said with confidence as we watched Agnes' beaming figure turn around and walk back into the girl's change room.

I had confidence that our routine would give us a good chance to prove our accuracy and rhythm since Liv and I could keep in sync really well, but we definitely needed to spice up our routines a little more with additional acrobatics. I made a mental note for next time.

"Liv! Evie! You girls are up next!"

We walked to the centre of the gym with our heads held high, a stone cold expression plastered on my face as I regarded Megan. I could see Liv looking up at me through my peripheral vision, a nervous look straining her face. I reached over and squeezed her hand with my own, and tilted my head to her with a small smile, "we got this".

"You guys can start anytime you'd like", Courtney said with an eager smile.

"But preferably now so that I don't have to be late for my date", Megan said with a bored expression, examining her acrylic nails.

I rolled my eyes at her answer. Typical.

"What? And you didn't even bother to tell me!" One of Megan's minions exclaimed while she jumped up and down with excitement. "Who with?"

Megan took the spotlight as an opportunity to flip her hair and spill her intentions, "well it was supposed to be kept on the down low, but it's hard to do that knowing that I'm going to be spoiled by Easton". She fluttered her eyes and squealed in excitement. I couldn't focus on the reactions that applauded from the surrounding cheer team.

All I could feel was my temper rising.

That lying asshole. I should have known that they were still together.

Feeling my inner anger escalate, I used it as a throttle to move forward. I wouldn't let Easton and his pathetic games affect me.

I looked at Liv head on, staring right into her doe-like eyes. They were also confused after hearing about Megan's evening plans, "you ready?"

She was hesitant for a moment, clearly noticing my annoyance and gave me a small smile as she nodded reassuringly, "let's crush this".

I beamed at her reaction, happy that she found confidence to hide her nerves, "you fucking bet we will". I looked up towards Courtney and nodded.