Forget Me Not

Chapter 1: A Little Too Late

⚠️ Yep, right off the bat! This chapter does contain a significant part of the story, the cheer stunt that goes wrong. If injury is a sensitive topic for you, I suggest to take the chapter lightly, or skip it all together. Thanks for reading. ⚠️

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The entire crowd was hyped and things were looking good for the Auradon Knights. With a minute left until halftime, the Knights called a time out. Coach Barney collected his players, the team gathering into a circle with their backs toward the Sherwood Falcons.

"Defense, defense, defense. I want one of you posted at each Falcon, alright? Jay and Charming, take those two brawny centers and keep a good eye on 'em. Stay one step ahead and catch their every move. Knights on three?" Coach Barney said, with force.

"One, two, three, Knights!" The team said in unison, running back to the field to match up against the Falcons. A few seconds later, the clock began again.

With the crowd cheering and the pressure on, at an attempt to run the clock, Chad tried to intercept a pass. His attempt failed as the player was pressured to pass the ball to another Falcon in the kill zone. From a distance, junior Carlos ran toward the guy, teaming up with Jay to pressure him. Just as the Falcon set up to shoot the ball in the net, the clock ran out. The Auradon Knights fans in the bleachers boomed with excitement.

Below the bleachers on the track stood seven cheerleaders, pom-poms in all. The 3 blondes, 2 brunettes, single ginger and single blunette waved their poms as they all jumped in the air performing perfect herkies.

After deciding to try out for a sport for the bettering of her transcript, Evie joined the Auradon Knights Cheer Squad. Alongside gradual friends Jane and Audrey, Evie only cheered for the Tourney season while her pseudo-brothers were on the field and her boyfriend was in the marching band. As it was the last game of the season in the Regional Tournament, there was quite a history for the Isle students. This was the game that Jay and Carlos first played in and the last one the two-time MVP Jay Sultan would play in. In respect for the heat of the game and it's importance, the cheer squad per the usual tradition was going to perform in a stunt show with the marching band.

Nervous, but also excited, Evie waved her pom-poms for the last time following the cheer captain who happened to be Audrey. The crowd turned to chattering, many fans leaving the stands to grab concessions. She turned to Jane who waved at Carlos, the boy waving back before disappearing into the locker room tunnel.

The blue haired girl's heart warmed thinking of the adorable couple. That prompted her to look around for her own special someone.

With arms wrapping around her shoulders from behind her, Evie smiled and held onto his hands.

"Hi," he said, letting go as she turned to face him. Clad in his band uniform and brass headwear, he looked as dashing as ever.

"Hey. What do you think of the game?" Evie asked as they walked the track together.

"They're playing really well, not to my surprise, of course. I do wonder how they can be so athletic," Doug laughed.

She giggled and clung to his arm. "Well you might not be a tourney player, but count me out to carrying an instrument and marching in rhythm without losing the beat. You guys never give yourselves enough credit," Evie said referencing the marching band. They were musical geniuses and to Evie, more than enough recognition should be given to them as their activity was just as grueling as a sport.

"Huh, I guess we really don't. Still nervous about the stunt show?"

In immediate response, her hands began to produce sweat and she sighed. Nodding her head reluctantly, she met his kind eyes. "Yeah. It's just very nerve wracking, you know? I mean what happens if something goes wrong?"