36 || Round one

"Ouch!"

"Stay still," Ivy snapped reaching forward again to apply more glittery pink eyeshadow. 

"Seriously Ivy how much glitter do I need?"

"However much I say you need," she replied leaning back. "There you big baby."

I flipped her off and stood pulling down my cheer skirt.

Today was the first round of the NHSCC elimination round. It was being held at the community center, which for the day had been turned into a gymnasium for cheer. I'd say there where about twenty different cheer teams here from different schools. The bathroom, hallways, and rooms were packed with girls getting ready. They main gym had the metal seats pulled out and families were arriving filling them up.

"I'm so nervous," Chanel came up to us with Nikole in tow. At her words my own stomach started to bubble with nerves.

Britney had made us practice two routines. One routine was called 'the non all out routine.' Since we were one of the last teams to perform she came up with this routine in case the other squads sucked badly. That way our routine would be good but not too try hard since the other teams were bad. Then we had an all out routine in case the teams ahead of us were good.

She made us learn two routines. Two. I was surprised I was still able to function after her boot cheer camp.

The girls and I went to observe the gymnasium. It was crowded but I spotted my parents with Carter's near the foot of the bleachers. Olivia and Sophia were chatting excitedly and pointing to every little thing they saw. Carter was talking with Ryan and Trevor.

"There's our star!" Mom announced as we approached. I realized with great horror they'd made a humongous sign for me. "You look lovely."

Then to everyone's surprise Sophia and Olivia started crying.

"What's wrong?" Her mom asked panicked.

"They're so pretty!" Sofia sniffles pointing at Nikole, Chanel, and I.

"We wanna be cheerleaders too!" Olivia cried.

I bit my lip to keep laughing. Carter groaned and rolled his eyes. His mom gave him a look.

"Don't worry," Ivy knelt next to them. "Once you're older you can be whatever you want. And that includes a cheerleader."

"Really?" Sophia said in a small voice.

"Really."

Nikole, Chanel, and Ivy's parents came over. All the adults talked while us teenagers gathered around.

"So I guess now I should say break a leg," Trevor spoke.

"That's the worst thing you could possibly say," Nikole said.

"Especially since it's quite possible I could break a leg," I chimed in. "Or an arm. My neck."

"My neck, my back, lick my pu-"

Immediately Ivy slapped a hand over Chanel's mouth and we all laughed.

"Team meeting!" We heard Britney's unmistakeable bark and I sighed.

"Catch you guys afterwards," Chanel said still laughing.

"Go, fight, win!" Carter said in a high pitched voice. Trevor and Ryan burst into another fit of laughter while I rolled my eyes.

Nikole was reluctant to part from Ryan but we managed to pry them apart. It wouldn't be long before she completed her New Years resolution. Then only Ivy and Chanel would be left.

There was a section specifically for cheer teams only. We sat huddled together as the competition started. For now we were competing against local high schools in our area but since the NHSCC was world wide soon we'd be traveling to different cities to compete.

Harbor high school was up first. Not to be mean or anything but their school generally sucked at everything. They hadn't won a single event, academic or sporting, in over seven years. I could tell their cheer team gave it their all but even then it didn't seem like enough and I glanced over at the judges table. They were whispering among themselves and writing notes. None of them were smiling.

Britney clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Poor girls." Her voice managed to be pitying but condescending at the same time. Did all mean girls posses the power to sound sincere yet sound so un-sincere at the same time?

Cypress high school was next. They were our biggest competitors in everything. I would say we were evenly matched which was why our schools were mortal enemies. There was only room for one winner and both schools wanted to be in that place.

Britney scowled during their entire performance and I hated to admit it but they were great. Really great. After they finished there was enormous applause and the captain shot us a smug look. If looks could kill she'd be six feet under because Britney was glaring lasers at her. The rest of us frowned at them.

"We're doing the all out routine," Britney snapped.

My stomach flipped with nerves and Nikole squeezed my hand.

The rest of the teams went. Some were good, some were bad. Some were just plain average. Finally it was our turn.

"And last but not least we have the Santa Cruz Cardinals!"

"Let's rock this," Britney stood and the rest of us followed yelling, "Yeah!"

I pushed aside my nerves and got into cheer mode. We ran out onto the floor doing flips and I could distinctly hear my mom screaming, "Go Aubrey!"

Quickly we assumed position and the music started.

Britney had specifically picked this mix because of the Barbie girl song. She'd centered the dance for that around me and had me in the spotlight. I briefly glanced at the judges. They were smiling.

Everything else went pretty good. We hit all the notes and no one stumbled or got lost. There was loud applause for us but I couldn't tell if it was louder for us than for Cypress high school.

"Cardinals!" We screamed kicking our legs out. All the teams gathered on the floor while the judges decided who would be moving on.

"I'm so nervous," Chanel whispered clutching my arm. "Do you think we made it?"

"Of course we made it," Britney said and I jumped. I had no idea she'd been standing so close to us.

"Do you know how to not butt into people's conversations?" Nikole crossed her arms.

Britney ignored her. "Like I said we definitely made the cut."

"But what if we didn't?" Chanel pressed.

"We did," Britney snapped looking ready to bite Chanel's head off and Chanel closed her mouth.

"Ignore her," Nikole pulled us away. "I think she's just anxious like the rest of us."

I nodded but didn't say anything. Chanel squeezed my arm tighter. I was beginning to think winning wouldn't be such a good thing. Could we all really handle the stress? This was only round one. There were still four other rounds left. And then the final competition in Florida.

Hopefully I didn't die of stress before then.

"We have the winners," A judge finally spoke. He looked to be in his mid forties, and wore corduroy pants and a tweed jacket. With his fashion sense I wasn't sure he qualified to be judging a national cheerleading competition. The other judge was female with fiery red hair slicked back in a low ponytail at the base of her head. She had on bright red lipstick and her eyes were green, rimmed with thick winged eyeliner. She reminded me of a cat. The last judge was another man, younger than the first with a buttoned up dress shirt and slacks.

I barely heard him announce the winners. Then there was screaming right in my ear and I snapped out of my daze.

"What?" I asked as my team jumped around me.

"We made it to the second round!" Nikole screeched and squeezed me in a hug.

I screamed along with her and jumped up and down.

Afterwards people came pouring down from the stands. My parents were the first to reach me.

"Oh Aubrey I'm so proud," my mom hugged me tightly.

"We haven't even won yet."

"But you're one step closer;" she replied.

"Good job kid," my dad ruffled my hair. "Although I must admit watching you out there was painful. I was afraid you would snap something."

"You can't think like that," my mom chided him. "It's bad karma. If you think it, it could come true."

I exited that conversation and went to go find Carter. I spotted him and made my way over then stopped.

What the hell was Vanessa doing here?

Before I could even process anything I sped over just as she was about to put a hand
on his shoulder. My sudden appearance made her drop her arm.

"Hi Vanessa," I gave her a wide smile.

"Aubrey," she replied in her saccharine tone. "Congratulations. You guys were good."

"Thanks," I smiled wider. Fake smiles were so painful.

We stood smiling at each other until Carter finally spoke.

"Okay cut the smiling out. It's creepy how unnaturally wide your smiles are."

"I was just about to leave anyway," Vanessa took a step back. "See you later," she turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Carter turned to me and raised a brow. "Is there something I need to know?"

"Of course not. I'm just so happy we won!"

He looked dubious for a moment before shaking his head, thankfully dropping the subject. "Yeah you guys were good. Hopefully you can perform just as well for the next rounds."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I said sarcastically.

He smirks. "Just keeping it real love."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, we all know how much you like to keep things 'real.'"

I head back to change into my regular clothes and scrub off my makeup. While we change Britney clears her throat. Everyone pauses and turns to her.

"I just want to say you all did awesome out there."

My mouth drops open in shock and Chanel audibly gasps. Did Britney actually just say something nice?

Of course her bout of niceness is short lived.

"But this, this is only the first battle. There are still many more to come. And then, the war. So remember to stay out of danger, keep in tip top shape, and no junk food," she looks at me directly when she says that.

"Practice on Monday at 6:30am sharp. Be there or be dead."

I sigh as I pack up my stuff. Things are only going to get harder from here.

Hey guys!

Sorry for the late update but I have something that might make up for it.

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Alright I think that's about it. Next update will probably be by the end of this week or sooner depending on my writing mood, and I'll think you'll like it😉

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