James POV

"WESTERBORG UNI STOLE OUR ROUTINE?!"

"James, mon ami, calm down."

"Calm down!? You want me to calm down?! Nationals are in two weeks. Two weeks, Laf!! How on earth are we going to choreograph a whole new fucking routine in two weeks!!!"

I am currently rubbing my temples in an attempt to chill down at least slightly. The faster we get started, the sooner we'll be ready. I grab a megaphone out of somebody's hand.

"Okay panic time is over people! I wanna hear some fucking ideas! A song, a move, a hairdo, right now it is all on the table!"

"Let's do despa-"

"If you say fucking despacito I'm going to die your genitals in a bow around your neck. Only good suggestions from now on."

"Take a Xanax!"

"Suck my dick! Peggy I see a hand raise gimme some!"

"Ok so how about 'Deepthroat' and we make it really smooth and droppy and fun!"

"Perfect! For when we have to become strippers to pay for student debt loans!" I groan. "Laf do we have anything that would be slightly acceptable at nationals."

"It'll take some hard work, late practices and a lot of tumbling chalk, but I just might have something..."

At this point everyone is on the edge of their seats.

Laf rolls out a whiteboard and starts marking formations. "It goes something like this,"

••••TIMESKIP••••

"That routine is impossible! We would be in here from sun up to sun down."

"So we will!" I try to remain optimistic but all these negative Nancies are bringing me down.

I think everyone needs to remember what we're in this gym for. "Why are you guys here? I mean don't try and tell me you didn't fall in love with your first bow or your own flexibility when you were going to mini cheer camp. Or how your friends always seemed to catch you as you moved up to more complicated stunts. What about the countless football games and your first trophy? Isn't that why we're all here now? Do you just not care if we're the best anymore?"

"But if you do care and you still get that feeling when you're out there dancing and yelling your heart out, put in the effort now. Not just for you, but for your squad! Now who's with me?"

The whole gym is erupting with cheers and applause. I mean I know that was inspirational but I thought it was a little cliche.

We've got work to do.

* • timeskip💃🏽💃🏽

"Hey baby, I'm gonna be late again"

I hear Thomas groan on the other line. "Again, jem? I miss you~"

"I miss you too, but nationals are so close. I promise I'll be home more often after."

"Where did you say they're being held this year?"

"Richmond, Virginia."

"And aren't nationals only the first weekend of fall break?"

"Yup, why?"

"Uhhhh, no reason. But Jemmy, pack your bags for a week when we go to Richmond, sound good?"

"Thomas Jefferson, you are such a mysterious goof ball. That sounds amazing. I will see you later okay?"

"Okay, kisses!"

"And hugs, don't forget my hugs. Goodbye for realz this time."

Click.

I feel guilty about leaving Thomas alone for so long but as soon as nationals are over things will be a lot less hectic.

I can't be distracted. I'll make it up to him during fall break, if you know what i mean.

••••• timeskip •••••

"Thomas, you know I usually think it is very cute when you get jealous, but I HAVE to wear my lucky shorts at least once around the arena. It's a cheerleading competition, all the men there are either creepy or GAY. AND SO MANY JUDGES ARE GAY. Thomas I've done this at every cheerleading competition since the ninth grade and I have won every single one of them. Please let me use my ASS-ets. Haha get it?"

I asked Thomas to help me pack for wherever he's taking me after nationals, NOT try and ruin the squad's chances at first place.

"Fine. But you're taking me with you, I don't want them getting any ideas."

I just roll my eyes because he's acting all macho but he totally just lost that argument! He is so impossible sometimes..... impossibly adorable!

••••to the day they fly to Richmond••••

I wake up to a blaring alarm and a fully dressed Thomas standing right next to the door.

"Why are you up so early?" I groan

"Get up, wouldn't want to be late for the competition now would we?"

With that he has me bolting to the bathroom to get ready.

On the plane I can't help but feel myself droop onto Thomas's shoulder and drift off. He's just so soft and relaxing. We spend the rest of the plane ride like that. I am so gonna kick some ass at nationals!