Staying Afloat

Chapter 8

I woke up in the morning feeling extremely nervous. I had barely gotten any sleep because I was so excited for today. It was our first home game!

My team has been practicing endlessly for the past two weeks, and our routine was now nearly perfected. It took me a few practices to get used to being tossed in the air in a graceful way, but I trust my teammates so much now!

It's a tradition at our school that the cheerleaders wear their ribbons on game days, so I neatly braided my hair back and tied it off before getting dressed.

"Are you nervous for today?" I asked Benny as I popped a piece of bread in the toaster.

"Not really. I've been playing football for years. If I were you, I'd be nervous though. This is your first time, and we still don't know if you'll fall on your face." He chuckled.

"Thank you, Benny. Very helpful." I retorted before grabbing my backpack and heading to the car. Him and August were both wearing their jerseys, which was another tradition.

During my classes, I could feel people looking at me. If they didn't know that I was a cheerleader already, they would now. Honestly, it made me feel kinda cool.

"Alright, class. We are starting our unit on the revolutionary war, so you will be doing presentations with a partner." Mrs. Webber announced to us at the end of our history lecture. She displayed the list of our partners and assigned topics up on the smart board. My partner was somebody named Payton Bishop, and we were assigned to present about the intolerable acts.

"Cece?" I snapped my head behind me, seeing a really cute guy. He was tall, blonde, and wearing a football jersey. Great, he probably knows my brothers.

"Payton?" I asked and he nodded in response. "Hi, it's nice to meet you!"

"You too, you're August and Benny's sister, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes." I giggled a little bit as he sat down beside me.

"They didn't mention you were a cheerleader." He smirked at me and I tried my best not to blush.

"Well I'm guessing they probably don't talk much about me at football."

"Well, Benny has said that you're a nerd a couple of times." He chuckled and I internally groaned. Of course Benny would say something dumb like that. "Although, he didn't say that you were extremely pretty."

Woah. He is being extremely forward. I do not understand why a cute football player is flirting with me but, hey, I'll take it.

"Oh, thank you." I blush completely as the bell rang. I gathered my things and walked out the door, only for Payton to follow me out the door and walk beside me.

"Can I have your number?" I glanced at him, confused. "You know, for the project?"

"Yeah of course." I gave it to him, and we continued walking. "Where are you headed?"

"Biology. You?"

"Precalc."

"Wow, you have to be smart. I guess this project will be easy." We both laughed and we arrived at my classroom.

"Well maybe we should hang out this weekend?" I asked him, and he raised an eyebrow at me. "You know, for the project." I smirked.

"Good idea. I'll text you." He winked as he walked off to class. I entered my room and took my seat.

"So, Cece, who's your boyfriend?" Dylan teased. Great, clearly he saw me and Payton.

"He's my partner for a history project." I glared. "And do not tell my brothers. I do not need them freaking out again." I warned.