What I Wish You Knew | ꪜ

Chapter Nineteen

To Jenna,

19. I wish you knew how much you motived me.

Hayley's POV

"Okay but, will you slow down!? You're gonna make me trip!" Landon slipped his hand into mine and tugged me at his side to use me as both a means of stability and to keep me close. Since it was still early in the morning the hallway was currently flooded with students that poured in for class one by one, making it crowded.

"What are you so excited about, anyway?" He inquired as we etched towards the gym room. A white sheet of paper propped up on the wall caught my attention as we arrived at the gym. I rushed towards it, excitement rippling through my body. Landon stood beside me, confusion etched on his face.

"What is this?" He asked.

"It's the list of girls who made it onto the cheer team. I'm too scared to look!" I squealed as I buried my face into his shoulder. "Will you look?" His chest rose and fell as a sigh emitted from his lips. "Since when do you cheer?" I peered up to meet his gaze, "since when my psychiatrist proposed the idea of trying an extracurricular activity."

The look on his face was disapproving or at least that's what I perceived it to be. Since Monday he's been acting weird: coming over to my house early in the morning, preparing breakfast, constantly clinging to my side. . .holding my hand. My eyes travelled down to our intertwined hands as the thought crossed my mind.

"Lan, are you okay?"

His gaze diverted to the list of names, "yeah, peachy. You should probably check if you made it onto the team, class is gonna start in five minutes." He said monotonously. I hesitated to look away, mostly because I can tell he's not truly okay. I'm beginning to suspect something happened between him and Vanessa.

But it's none of my business.

"Oh my god! Is this the list!? The sound of Jenna's shrieking voice enveloped my ears as she came barrelling towards the gym. Without glancing at either of us she lept towards the white sheet of paper and drew her finger down the line.

The passing seconds felt excruciating. I wasn't worried about making the team just because I've come to the realization that I genuinely enjoy cheering; if I don't make the team I'll have to pursue another activity that I'm not guaranteed to be good at.

Jenna pivoted on her heels slowly, the colour from her face suddenly draining as her eyes fought to remain averted from my gaze. "Did we-did we not make the team?" My grip tightened around Landon's hand unintentionally, earning me a longing concerned stare from him.

"Yeah. . .no, we made the team." She whispered softly, her voice dropping low. Does that mean I now have to give up something I actually enjoy? I thought we did so well. I guess when it came down to it, our flips and technique really didn't matter. It's not as if this is a competitive team, we only have a cheer squad for the football team's sake.

"Okay, uhh let's get to class then," I mumbled, preparing to leave before Landon tugged at my hand, halting my footsteps. "Lee, did you not hear her? You made the team!" I turned my attention back towards Jenna who nodded her head vigorously in reassurance, a giddy smile taking place on her lips.

"What!? But you said—"

"We made it! We got in, go check for yourself!" She exclaimed as she ushered me towards the list. I fished for my last name eagerly from the list of girls and nearly stopped breathing as my full name came into view. I made it, I finally put my mind to something and it paid off. It didn't backfire in my face as I expected it to.