15 || The Game

As much as camping was NOT fun, I'm still a little sad to be back home. However I did miss my pink lounge. My warm bed and even warmer shower.

"I missed you pink!" I flop on my bed and hug my pink stuffed bunny.

"Aubrey!" My mom calls. "Someone's at the door for you!"

I traipse downstairs and open the front door. My mouth drops open.

"Britney?!"

"Get in your practice gear and meet me at the school gym. The game is in two days and fun time is over."

"But-"

"As in like today Aubrey."

Britney Matthews strikes again.

The squad is already stretching when we arrive and Ivy is there being our dedicated bench warmer.

"Why is she here?" Britney asks hands on hips.

"She's an unofficial member of the squad," Nikole replies daring Britney to challenge her.

"Whatever. Formation ladies!"

The routine is pretty simple, some dance moves here, some flips there, some stunts, and then we pose and voila! Finished.

"Again!" Britney yells. "Until it's perfect!"

I'm starting to wonder why Britney's so psycho over this one performance. As it turns out my question is answered at the end of practice.

"As you know I've been a little more intense than usual during practices," Britney starts.

"Try insane," I mutter and she glares at me.

"Anyway the reason for that is because this year is the first year our school may be eligible to enter The National High School Cheerleading Championship."

The girls cheer loudly and my mouth falls open in shock.

"The National High School Cheerleading Championship is the most prestigious cheerleading championship in the country. It's held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, and nationally televised on ESPN and ESPN2 to over 100 million homes and 32 countries nationwide each year."

My brain is frantically trying to absorb this information. When did my life turn into a Bring it on movie?

"Judges from the NHSCC will be at our game. So we have to be at our best. If we impress them we'll be eligible to compete!"

"Hold up!" I stand. "I did not sign up for this!"

"So you're telling me you don't want an all expenses free paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort?" Britney says smugly.  

Damn she got me.

"Come on Aub it's our senior year!" Chanel pleads with me. "Let's go out with a bang!"

"Disney. World. Resort," Nikole enunciates.

"Does Ivy get to come?" I cross my arms. Britney huffs.

"She can be our mascot."

"Then I'm in!"

"YAY!" The girls cheer and we jump up hugging each other.

🏀🏀🏀

So the NHSCC isn't until the spring time but we have to impress the judges tonight or else we're out. Britney is in full bitch mode.

"Fix your posture," she barks at Meghan in the locker room. "Bows straight, makeup flawless, uniforms pressed!"

"I'm almost done," Ivy says concentrating on my face. She applies one last coating of pink glitter to my eyes.

"You guys look fierce," she steps back.

"Go, fight, win!" I say in my perkiest voice. I'm doing this for Disney World. For Disney.

"Huddle!" Britney screeches. We gather around her.

"If anyone messes this up you're off the squad."

Harsh.

She smiles sweetly. "Got it?"

We nod.

We head out to the bleachers and stand in our reserved spots. Right now both teams are just dribbling and shooting. The game doesn't start for another ten minutes.

"I'm so nervous," Nikole says. "I hope we qualify."

"You're nervous," I stretch. "At least you're not performing dangerous stunts that could potentially cause neck or spinal injuries."

"It's not our fault you're one of the tiniest on the team," Chanel says.

"Small but mighty," Carter comes up to us grabbing his water bottle. "She weighed a ton when I pulled her out of that ditch."

"Excuse me!?" I exclaim indignantly. "My weight didn't seem to be a problem when you carried and tossed me into the lake!"

He just winks at me before removing his shirt and changing into his jersey.

"Show off," I mutter.

The game starts and we cheer as Britney keeps a sharp eye on the NHSCC judges. My stomach starts flipping nervously as it nears our performance. To distract myself I watch Carter. He jukes a member of the opposing team before slam dunking. His teammates slap his back hooting and hollering.

"And now for our half time performance, the Santa Cruz High School Cardinals!"

I try to push back my fear as we run out
onto the gymnasium floor. My parents cheer embarrassingly loudly and even hold up a home made sign that says Go Aubrey!

We get into position and the music starts. I feel like my brain isn't functioning, my body is just moving. Left, right, drop, flip.

My muscles strain to hold my position up in the air. I'm relieved when they finally toss me for a flip and let me down. I go up about three more times before the performance is over.

"Give it up for our cheer squad!"

My cheeks hurt from grinning and I spot Ivy in the crowd screaming wildly for us.

"Cardinals!" We cheer waving our pom poms.

It's a close call but we win after Trevor makes a three pointer.

There's so much hype and it's hard not to get swept away in the frenzy. Britney runs up to us out of breath.

"Did we make it?" Emery asks.

"YES!"

"AHHHH!" We scream jumping up.

"Sweetie!" My mom squishes me in a hug.

"You did good kid," my dad ruffles my hair.

Maybe I didn't originally ask for this in the beginning but it feels good to be apart of a team.

👏👏👏

"Guess what's next month!" I announce the next day at breakfast.

"Your period?" Ivy guesses.

"Funny but no. Breast cancer awareness month!"

Or as I like to call it, the month of Pink. What's more better than raising money for a good cause while wearing tons of pink? Nothing that's what!

"I have it all planned out," I begin excitedly. "We're gonna-"

"You're not gonna do anything," Britney interrupts me.

"Can't you just butt out?" Nikole snaps.

"Nope. The cheer squad is using next month as a fundraiser."

"We're supposed to be raising money for breast cancer," I roll my eyes. "Could you get any more selfish?"

"We're raising money for breast cancer and new cheer uniforms."

"And how do we raise enough money for both?" Chanel asks sarcastically. "A sexy car wash?"

"Even better," Britney grins. "We're having a kiss a cheerleader booth." She levels her gaze at Ivy.

"Mascot included."

Next chapter will be funny, I promise😂

QOTD: what's your favorite bring it on movie?

Mine is Bring it on: All or Nothing.

Vote and comment!

Stay pink🎀