31 || One, two, three, cheer!

My uber can not pick me up for school today.

Well...Ivy's not my uber but then again she kind of is. I pay her with my friendship!

"You're just going to have to find a ride," my mom says on her way out the door. "Your father already left for work and I have a
client I need to meet with today."

I may or may not have mentioned this but my mom is a social worker. Meaning she helps people and families with things like poverty, abuse, addiction, and mental illness.

"Like who?" I cross my arms. "Nikole can't drive because she's grounded and Chanel's parents drove her to school already!"

"I'm already running short on time as it is," she kisses my forehead. "Use that brain of yours and figure out a way to get to school." She dashes out the door. "And don't be late!"

How could Ivy get sick at a time like this?

I'd ask Jason for a ride except he already left for L.A. shortly after New Years. Trevor lives within walking distance and Ryan doesn't have a car. He uses his skateboard to get to school. And my parents took both cars!

This leaves me with only one option.

I dial Carter and wait for him to pick up. He answers on the fifth ring.

"What can I do for you love?" He purrs.

"I need a ride."

"Woah slow down! We haven't even got to second base!"

I roll my eyes. "I meant a ride to school."

"Ah you secretly like Lucille don't you?"

"Who?"

"My motorcycle."

"You named your motorcycle?"

"Is that a problem?"

"It's weird."

"You know what's weird blondie, the fact that you think naming a motorcycle is weird."

I sigh. "Can you pick me up or not."

"So demanding. Fine I'll be there in twenty. And you better be ready or Lucille and I are leaving your ass."

He hangs up and I go upstairs to get ready. As promised twenty minutes later I hear a loud engine revving. I grab my bag and keys before jogging out the door.

He hands me the helmet and I put it over my head before I get on, wrapping my arms around him. He doesn't have a jacket on which I don't understand because it's still pretty cold outside but I'm not complaining because now I can spend the ride feeling the hardness of his abs.

Carter takes off without warning and it's like when you first ride a roller coaster. Scary at first but then you get used to it. The wind whips through my hair and I lay my head against his back enjoying the ride.

When we arrive at school I'm reluctant to get off.

"You got me," I say sliding off. "I secretly love Lucile."

"She's a good one," he pats it fondly. I check my watch. Crap.

"Gotta go I have a cheer team meeting!" I rush off before he can respond.

🏍🏍🏍

"The time has come," Britney walks in front of the team. "It's NHSCC season. We proved we were good enough to get in, now we have to prove we're good enough to win."

She scans the bleachers where we're sitting. "Where's our mascot?" She barks.

"Ivy is sick," I say. Britney stops in front of me.

"We can't afford sickness at a crucial time like this," she snaps at me. What the hell, it's not my fault Ivy got sick. It's still the cold season anyway so it's not that unusual.

Chill out, it's a cheer competition, not war.

"There will be five elimination rounds, each held at a different school in a different location.  So we'll be traveling quite a lot. Some trips will be overnight. The cheer coach and I have organized hotels for the places we'll be staying overnight. If we make it past all five elimination rounds we make it to finals in Florida."

"At Disney world resort!" Emery cheers.

Britney rolls her eyes. "At Disney world resort yes."

Knowing Britney she's going to work us until we're stretched thin and at our limits. Who knows what dangerous stunts she'll want us to try to impress the judges. New dance moves would have to be choreographed.

I was getting a headache thinking about it.

Britney dismissed us and Chanel, Nikole, and I gathered our stuff for class. Nikole had to stop at her locker on the way.

"I hate physics," she grouches. "Mr. Pear always makes us lug around this heavy ass book."

"At least you don't have chemistry with Britney."

"Trust me, I'd switch with you any day."

"Ok both of you have it easy. I have to take biology. We're dissecting a pigs heart!" Chanel makes a disgusted face. "And my partner is Jason Dunce!"

"Ohh you do have it pretty bad," I pat her back in sympathy.

The bell rings.

"See you guys!" I blow them a kiss before heading off to class. Luckily for me Mr. Radish doesn't have any experiments planned out for the week but I almost wish he did because he has a lesson plan that will last all week and includes a thirty minute lecture each day.

Kms.

I'm so glad the bell rings because I was literally dying of boredom from hearing him go on and on about the periodic table and all the stupid elements.

I stop at the vending machine for some sour patch watermelon. I'm about to open the package when it's ripped from my hand by Britney.

"Um excuse me," I try to take it back but she holds it out of reach.

"Sorry Aubrey but I can't have you eating so much sugar and carbs," she says in a fake sweet voice. "You need to be in shape for the competition."

"I'm perfectly healthy," I reach for it again and she steps backs.

"Can't take any chances," she opens the package and shakes out the candy into the garbage. My mouth drops open.

"As much as I hate to admit it you're one of our best fliers Aubrey. If you can't compete we're screwed. So stay away from anything unhealthy."

"That's practically everything!" I yell fuming.

She smiles and pats my cheek. "See you at practice."

As she's walking off I call out, "I want my dollar back!"

I angrily start towards second period. As I'm walking Vanessa pops up next to me. Ugh. So not in the mood for her right now.

"That was intense," she says referring to what happened between me and Britney.

"Yeah well," I spare her a quick glance.

"So you're on the cheer team with her? What's the deal, I thought you didn't like her?"

Damn girl mind ya biz! Always up in everyone's bees-knees!

That's what I want to yell but I don't.

"It's a long story," I say instead.

We reach English and manage to slide into our seats just as the bell rings.

As I'm getting out my book or more accurately my dads book I realize I'll need a ride home too. Damnit Ivy. I really need to get a car. Maybe I'll get one for my eighteenth birthday.  

Ms. Faye is still getting ready and the class is milling about so I get out of my seat and go over to Carters. 

"Can I help you?" He looks up from his book.

"You're actually reading?" I ask shocked.

"I'm deeply offended by your low opinion of me."

"It's just.."

"To kill a mockingbird was one of the first books I read when I was younger," he explains. "Pretty interesting. And deep."

"I'm surprised you can be deep. As far as I knew you were as shallow as a puddle."

"You say I always insult you but I'm pretty sure you do the exact same."

"Alright alright whatever. Anyway I kinda need a ride home."

"Don't you have cheer practice after school?"

"Yep we pretty much run the same time as basketball. So I'll be done by the time you're done."

He seems to be thinking. "Sure. As long you don't mind a pit stop."

"A pit stop where?"

"You'll see."

Ms. Faye claps. "Alright class have a seat!"

I return back to my shared table and Vanessa is frowning.

"Something wrong?" I ask. She shakes her head.

"Nothing."

Good.

🎀🎀🎀

I was right. Cheer practice is brutal. Our first elimination round is in two week and Britney is in full on bitch mode. The only thing she's missing now is a whip.

After practice I meet Carter outside the school doors.

"So where's this pit stop?" I ask getting on the back and putting on the helmet.

"Just need to pick up something real quick."

Even though he can't see I narrow my eyes. "Is it drugs?"

"No," he laughs. "Rest assured it's nothing illegal."

I breathe out a sigh of relief. Good.

He takes off and I'm feeling brave enough that I don't need to wrap my arms around him. Instead I just rest my hands on his shoulder. We pull up to a auto shop.

"Wait right here," he gets off and goes to talk to one of the men working. The man disappears and comes back with a plastic bag which he hands to Carter. They talk some more before Carter comes back.

Of course my first question is: "What's in the bag?"

And of course he answers: "Nothing you need to know about."

He's the most frustrating person on the planet ever.

After dropping me off at home I immediately go upstairs and crash.

What a tiring day.

Sorry this chapter was a bit boring but I wanted to give you guys something relaxing before I hit you with all the drama that will surely have you pulling your hair out.

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