The Popularity Project » l.h.

10. Bleacher Boys

S T E L L A

"Luke, I don't think this is necessary."

"What do you mean? It's essential, Stel."

"It's tryouts, you breadstick. I'm not cheering for the Dallas Cowboys."

"Who's the Dallas Cowboys?"

I shielded my eyes from the sun as Luke and I stood in front of the girls locker room of our school gym. For some odd reason, Luke was stuck on the idea that girls wear uniforms to cheerleading tryouts. I was currently cringing as I held the blue, bedazzled two-piece costume in my hands, knowing he had purchased this me for. The fact made me weary yet amused, knowing he went the extra mile to buy the cheerleading outfit.

"You do know I'm able to just wear any shorts and a t-shirt I own, right?" I asked softly, still analyzing the clothing.

"Well I did not but I do now," Luke huffed, grabbing it from my hands and stuffing it into his bag leaned against the wall. "But let's not focus on that right now, you should start stretching before you pull a muscle over there."

An involuntary groan erupted from my throat, rolling my eyes. 

"I'll be fine. They're gonna just ask me to follow along to some moves and see what I'm capable of." 

Our school's cheer team was not out of this world, it was not even the type that is portrayed in movies. Some stunts were not allowed, since our school would have liability over any girls getting injured, so it was mostly groundwork and the occasional flyer. I was neither concerned, nor cared if I did not make the team but it was a part of Luke's intricate plan.

"I know, but I just want to make sure you get on the team." Luke reminded me. I watched him grab my bag from the ground along with his own, throwing mine over his shoulder with ease as we walked to the main field.

"I really don't understand why I'm doing this again." I looked up at him with a questionable look, trying to see past the dark sunglasses he had perched on his face. "Like what's your plan gonna do for me anyway?"

"Stella, this is so simple." Luke turns to me, holding me by my shoulders in his grasp. "You know how every adult or parent says you always have to be yourself?" 

I nodded slowly, about to reply but he continued to speak.

"Well don't. They lie. If I'm going to get you to the top, then you need to be three fourths an irresistible cheerleader with a push-up bra and one fourth you- well sorta you, but cooler."

"This is stupid, Hemmings." I sigh, looking over to the girls warming up for the tryouts. "What ever your strange popularity project is, I know it's not gonna work . I know your all high and mighty up on top of the food chain but-"

"Stella, for God sake. You're hot. So, so hot." Luke tilted his head down so his eyes could connect with mine over the rim of his glasses. "But I'm going to make you hotter. And you'll have guys dropping on their knees. Just let me make you to most talked about girl of the school."

Luke words made my stomach turn and I was unsure if it was in an uncomfortable or admirable way. I hated how much confidence he had to say everything without a filter, but yet I wanted that type of confidence. I knew that Luke was not borderline narcissistic his whole life, as much as it shows in his personality. Being the name that was constantly in everyone's mouth was what shaped him into the person he is now. I knew that all the voices in the back of mind were screaming for me to turn around and go home, however, the words that came out of my mouth were, "Fine. Let's get this over with."

"Now that's the spirit!" Luke pinched one of my cheeks, making me cringe yet again. "C'mon, let's practice that cheer routine one more time and we're golden."