Afraid

Ch. 15 - Cheerleader down

V heavy Sebastián/ Violet chapter! You're welcome. I love them so much. Let me know what you think. This is def my longest ch thus far (I think). Thanks!

P.S. Massive panic attack scene, in detail so warning if that might trigger you.

Violet

I hate Wednesdays, such a fucking tease. Dead set in the middle, yet not close enough to feel the sliver of joy that Friday brings. All because of horrible, unbearable, torturous concept of time. And I hate it. But this particular Wednesday, I loathe the most. It's spirit week and today is our annual pep rally assembly.

Kill me, am I right?

An insufferable event filled with glitter and cheer that the entire senior class is forced to attend. Sitting us all together on the cold, hard bleachers of our football stadium. The only good thing about this pep rally is that at least it excuses us from our respective 6th period classes. And for me, that's government with Eleanor and Sebastián. So lucky me, here I am, dreadfully miserable as I sit wedged right between them.

Our teacher, Mr. Bratton, basically shoved us into these seats, yelling at us to hurry up so he could get out of the cold and sneak back to his classroom. Only reappearing until after this is all over. Lucky bastard. It's his fault I'm in this predicament in the first place. Well him and Eleanor, who didn't let me childishly shove her in front of me when I noticed I was going to end up sitting next to Sebastián. So yeah, definitely both their faults.

But so far, it's not so bad. I made sure to invade El's personal space and basically press myself against her in order to create some space between him and I. And luckily, he hasn't bothered with small talk or even really acknowledging me. Just staring straight ahead, towards the field where the cheerleaders are warming up for their performance. Maybe he's fantasizing about fucking one of them. Honestly, whatever keeps him busy. I'm grateful either way.

The cheerleaders kick off the rally, announcing the big football game happening this Friday against our school's rival, Carter high. Everyone cheers, expressing their excitement. I refrain from fake retching. Definitely not going to that. After the rest of the announcements are made, the cheerleaders start their routine. I zone most of it out, waiting for them to end with their signature pyramid. I watch as they finish. Aliyah, the squad's captain, prepares to gracefully leap off from the top as she always does. But this time she slips. One of the girls at the bottom stumbling, making everyone else lose their footing and Aliyah falls. Landing horribly on her shoulder, directly onto the grainy, dirt track.

Everyone gasps, completely stunned and it's dead silent as everyone waits to see the damage. I peer at her, still laying on the ground. Now on her back, having rolled over, clutching her left arm to her chest. And before I could stop it, a loud snort escapes. Followed by helpless giggles. My eyes widen, horrified as everyone in hearing distance turns to glare at me, shaming me. Even a couple of teachers are glaring, shushing me loudly. I smack my hand over my mouth, mortified as I attempt to muffle my laughter.

Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck.

I duck my head, using my long, dark hair as a heavy curtain between me and the rest of the world. But then, I hear a quiet chuckle to my left. I peer through my curtain, wide eyed and still drowning in embarrassment. It's Sebastián. He grins, bumping his shoulder lightly with mine, reassuringly. A few chuckles still escaping as he unsuccessfully attempts to cover it up with a cough. I smile back sheepishly, biting my lip.