Lauren Lopez X Reader One-Shots |Requests Open!!|

A Good Different

"C'mon Hatchetfield! Woo! You're doing great!" I cheered at the bleach blonde and her teammates across the stands as they danced around in their tights and form fitting leotards. The team was synchronized and yet Linda stood out to me. She was so focused, yet her moves were so fluid and beautiful.

Their routine looked amazing, which I expected, considering all the times Linda would turn down my hangout ideas because she had rehearsal. Nonetheless they really worked hard this year. And it showed once they finished. The crowd cheered as they stepped off the stage.

My eyes were on Linda as she sauntered towards me, drinking from a water bottle, a towel hanging around her neck.

"You did great." I smiled warmly at her.

"Thank you! I really think we've got a chance in the top three!" She stated proudly.

"Top three? Psh!" I lightly punched her arm, "You definitely got first!"

"Whatever!" She rolled her eyes at me, scoffing.

There were a few more minutes of mingling among the crowd before the judges came to the microphone, quieting us. One of them, a tall old looking man, spoke into the mic.

"Alright everyone, after a lot of decision making, we've got the winners right here," He gestured toward the paper he was holding, "Now, in third we've got Sycamore Timberwolves!" He paused as everyone cheered for Sycamore. "Next," The judge started again, "We have second place, Verona Area Wildcats!" More cheers erupted before the man continued, "And finally, in first place, with an unprecedented perfect score... Hatchetfield Nighthawks!"

Our little section of the gym turned into a madhouse as everyone jumped around, grabbing each other and hugging. Linda bounced up and down, cheering, before she looked at me and yanked me into a hug.

"Linda!" I laughed out, being squeezed to death in her arms, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were crying!"

"Shut up! Oh my God! We got first!" I let go of her and gripped her shoulders to look her in the eyes, "Linda, you didn't just get first, you got a hundred! A perfect score, Linda!" tears were brimming in her eyes.

"I know!!" She hugged me again, somehow tighter, "Thank you for cheering us on. I couldn't've done it without your support!" She let go when the coach called them into a huddle, probably to congratulate everyone.

When all the celebrations and awards were over, Linda found me waiting outside of the building watching all the anxious parents rushing their kids towards the parking lot to beat the rush.

"Whatcha doing?" She asked, and I jumped at least five feet away from her.

"Geez, Linda, you can't sneak up on me like that!" I laughed, walking back towards her to give her another congratulatory hug.

"Sorry, (y/n), I just saw you out here and I was wondering if you might like to come to the party at Tiffany's house? There's one more seat in Alexandra's car open, so you don't need to worry about getting a ride."

"Really?" I asked, surprised she would think of me, of all people, to invite, "Of course! I'd love to go."

She grabbed my hand and led me back through the crowds of people towards the lower parking lot where the competitors had left their cars and introduced me to the teammates I hadn't met yet.

*****

The car ride to the party was crowded and eardrum-crushingly loud, yet in our little bubble, Linda and I were quiet. I could hear people whispering to those besides them, the pair up front blasting some sort of music and singing along (very poorly). Linda and I were squashed together in the back seat of the large SUV, our thighs pressed together, her hair whipping my face, the wind blowing it every which way.