❤️❤️Does anybody know why the line "1980 something" is ringing such a bell for me?❤️❤️

In the car ride to the movie theater, Thomas was acting strange. He seemed distant and he wasn't making any effort at conversation. It was getting kind of awkward so I turned on the radio. Oooo I love this song, Redbone by Childish Gambino!

Daylight!

I wake up feeling like you won't play right

It's so good, and Thomas seems to be in a better mood now.

If you want it, yeah

You can have it, oh, oh, oh

If you need it, oooh

We can make it, oh

By now, I'm singing and I don't even notice.

Now stay woke

Oh dear god, did I just scream-sing that? I mean it is my favorite part but still I'm not alone. Thomas probably thinks I'm a little creep with an ugly voice and he's gonna hate me forever. Great job James! You're just so....

Hold up a minute, is he.. laughing. Obviously at me, but that's better than the anxiety induced scenario going on in my head just now.

Wow, Thomas is really cracking up. Was I that bad?

"I'm-I'm so sorry! It's just- that you're like," he got that far before erupting into another fit of giggles. "You sing- like my grandma- in church."

"Was your grandma that bad?" I tease.

"No, she was much worse, your voice is actually pretty cute." Thomas finally seems to have calmed himself down, but he still has an amused smirk plastered onto his face. "We're here!" He announces.

"Do you mind me asking what movie we are going to see?" I ask, really hoping it's something funny and not a horror film.

He still has that mischievous smirk plastered on his face when he, nonchalantly, says, "The Mummy." He stops talking long enough to see the look of doom on my face then he says, "Herc and Laf are going to meet us at the snack bar."

That got my attention, "Wait, you mean to tell me, that when I was getting ready you failed to mention that Hercules Mulligan the 4th defensive linebacker in the nation was coming." Thomas looks disappointed that I was gushing about Hercules, but I decide to brush it off.

"I'm sorry I didn't think you would care so much," he mumbled with his eyes glued to his shoes.

We bought our tickets when I see Hercules and you can bet that I was definitely freaking out. I grabbed Thomas's arm and he's acting surprised and possibly... happy? "Thomas pinch me! Is that Hercules Mulligan standing less than twenty feet away from me? I can't believe that this is happening!"

Any trace of a smile that he had on before was erased by my previous statement. Well he should learn to share the spotlight and not be so self centered. The quarterback is only one member of a team. At least, that's what I think he's moping about.

As we approach Thomas's friends, I begin to notice the taller of the two. He looks a lot like Thomas, but with a shaved face and his hair tied back. He also seems to have enough arm strength to be a base for some pretty extreme stunts. This must be Laf, Thomas's cousin on the cheer squad.

"Hey," Thomas says with that same fragile mumble. "I want you guys to meet my new roommate, James Madison. Laf he'll be trying out for cheer tomorrow."

Laf looks me up and down and then he looks at Thomas who still looks oddly disappointed. He motions for Thomas to come to the bathroom with him and silently tells Hercules to stay with me.

"I'm sorry this is awkward, but you're an amazing defensive linebacker and I'm really sorry that I'm word gushing and wow Thomas says I'll be at your games and I can't wait because usually I'm stuck watching you guys play on an old crappy tv. And now I'm word vomiting Jesus Christ, is it true that you used to eat raw eggs when you conditioned?" That all came out of my mouth in less than 5 seconds. Total, complete word vomit.

"Uh, thanks, cool and yes on the egg thing."

And now I was smiling like an idiot and Hercules looked like he'd rather be anywhere else right now.

"Ahem." That was Laf looking at me like he was going to tear my head off. Hercules immediately latched himself onto his boyfriend. Damn I wasn't trying to hit on anybody's man I just really like football, like almost as much as cheerleading.

"So," that was Laf, "I hear you're trying out for cheer?" He said as more of a question than a statement. And he didn't give me time to answer. "That's nice, but I wouldn't even think I've trying out without being able to tumble."

"Oh that's no problem," I say with my cheer smile, "I've tumbled since I was eight and I already have a layout and several backups planned for tryouts!" I beam. Laf does not.

"Roundoff double back handspring full twist."

I'm taken aback, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, Roundoff double back handspring full twist. Or you won't be making cheer, I'll be sure of it." He says in the same cold tone of voice.

Wow I wonder what his problem with me is, but cheer is too important to me to not do what he says. I look down the hallway leading to the different theaters and see that's it's pretty much empty. I take a deep breath and launch my body into that round off. Feel the my hands connect with the ground on those back handsprings and put all of my trust in that final full twist. I land without taking a step, do a rebound immediately, and finish it off with spirit including my famous toe touch.

Thomas had been overly quiet since Laf and he had gone to the bathroom. And now he's staring at me jaw dropped saying nothing. And the same goes for Hercules, but Laf seems unimpressed.

"Standing double-back handspring half twist to double pike."

Thomas and Hercules both look at him like he's crazy, but I get the drill now. He has some beef with me so he's seeing if he can find a reason to mess up my chances of ever getting on the squad. I take a deep breath and walk back to where I began the last layout. I stand facing them ready to begin when Laf adds, "This time, no spirit. Nobody likes a show off." I nod showing that I understand and prepare to take off once again.

I throw myself back felling my feet leave the floor right as my hands touch it, then repeat the motion trying to get enough power for my half twist. I do and now I have enough momentum to do that double-pike. I stick it, bending a little to avoid stumbling. Rebound, no spirit, but smile! I did it!

Again, Thomas and Hercules are amazed. This time I get a nod from Laf. I'll take it.

"Good, I guess. Last one, don't fuck it up. Round off double straight double straight triple tuck." He clicks the k on tuck like he's finally beat me.

Wrong

I walk back farther than before, take a deep breath and take a running start before I can psych myself out. Deep breaths.

My hands connect with the floor as my feet fly over my head, hitting the ground briefly before I hurl my entire body into that double straight. Take a breath, but don't stop. I repeat the motions this time searching for more height and power. I find it. I'm in the air, knees tucked, core tight. First tuck. Second. Third. My feet hit the floor with so much force and I take a step back. Crap.

Hercules and Thomas don't understand what just happened, they're just amazed by my tumbling. But Laf knows. And now he has his excuse to keep me off his squad.

All I've ever been good at is cheerleading. That's all I am. And now Laf is going to make sure that my cheerleading days are over. Before I know it I feel the pressure on my chest travel up to my face and come out my eyes in hot tears. They all seem to notice and Laf's expression changes immediately. He seems.... ashamed. I don't stop and stare anymore. I just run to the bathroom.

I'm sitting on the dirty bathroom floor with my knees up to my chest, when the door swings open.

"Hey, James can we talk?" It was Laf. I didn't say anything, but he continued talking anyways. "Listen, your tumbling was amazing I'm just being a jerk for unfair reasons. Don't worry about cheer because you brought it just then okay? Just show up on Saturday, be yourself and you'll make it, I'm sure of it!"

I sniffle, "Why do you hate me? I mean we just met and I didn't mean to do anything wrong. Please just tell me what to fix."

"Okay, it's silly, but I didn't like how you were looking at Herc."

"W-wait, that's the problem?!" I choke out, "I would never, really you have to believe me. I just like football and he's like one of the best but of course you know that it's jus-"

"Hey, I don't think you would try and steal my man and I know my Hercules would never cheat. The problem with you staring at Herc was how that made my cousin, and good friend, feel."

"What do you-"

He cuts me off again, pressing a finger to my lips, "Sh, I'm not done yet. Thomas has a secret crush on you. That's why he doesn't like you ogling at Herc." He says all this with a sneaky little smirk.

I remove his finger from my lips before practically shouting, "O MY GOODNESS YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT the THOMAS JEFFERSON HAS A CRUSH ON me."

Now Laf's whole hand is over my mouth. "Hey! Shut it! Did I not say a secret crush?"

"Sorry, it's just why would he like me? He could have anyone he wants."

"And he wants you. C'mon the movie's starting."

I don't know how he expects me to act normal after this news, but somehow I pull myself together.

We return to Hercules and Thomas and we all walk towards the theater, together. My mind is still racing, and I'm not really thinking when I grab Thomas's arm.

OMYGOD I'm holding Thomas's arm, but he hasn't pulled it away. Whatever it's warm and muscly and big so i guess this is okay.

We get to our seats and I realize that this is the type of theater with recliners that you can put the arm rest up on. Thomas pulls ours up without hesitation and I don't protest.

After the previews and the opening credits, Thomas fake yawns and stretches putting his arm around me.

I laugh, loud enough that Laf and Herc look at us. When Laf sees our position, he smiles and gives me an over-exaggerated wink. I just roll my eyes.

Now my attention is back on Thomas who's staring down at me.

"Seriously, I mean I know it's an old move, but at least I made one. And you just laugh at me, hurtful!" He puts his free hand to his chest mocking shock. I just giggled and cuddle closer to him. Now that shuts him up.

Remember how I said I was hoping the movie was anything but horror. That's because I'm a huge wimp. I get embarrassingly scared.

Though Thomas doesn't mind. At all. At the jumpscares, I just kept getting closer and closer to Thomas. Towards the end I'm literally in his lap and all he does is wrap his arms around me. And I know it sounds weird, but it makes me feel safer.

O my goodness, I literally just met him a few hours ago. But Laf did say that he has a crush on me too. And I've had a crush on him before we met so I'm gonna say that this is fine.

"Aww the movie is over, I don't want to get up~"

Thomas laughed, "Then you don't have to~"

"Wha-"

And now I'm in the air. Wait, what? Oh my goodness, he's holding me, deadlift arms straight, the heck. And he complained about my coconut oil? Oh I'm moving again and now everything's upside down. He's carrying me fireman style, holy crap he's so hot.

Laf just winked at me, AGAIN. Herc just looked at him and picked him up, bridal style though because Laf is too tall for fireman. They definitely enjoying themselves.

"Put me down! Now!" I yell.

"Let me think about it. No. And stop screaming people are going to think I'm kidnapping you!"

"Well this is against my will," I mumble half-jokingly. He just scoffs.

I wave goodbye, still upside down, to Laf and Herc. Then Thomas swings me around his body in an actually impressive matter. Now I'm in his arms with mine around his neck, staring into his eyes. Wow those are pretty eyes they're like two cups of coffee.

"Uh, I'm gonna set you down now, okay?"

I can't speak so I just nod.

He sets me down only to dramatically open my door for me, bowing like an idiot. A cute idiot. He then runs around to the driver's side and gets in the car.

"You can put something on the radio if you want, I don't mind."

"Okie doke, artichoke"

I start scrolling through the channels when a certain beat catches my attention. This time I'm singing on purpose.

I don't know if you could take it

Know you wanna see me nakey, nakey, naked

I grab my elbows and shake my shoulders, looking straight at Thomas

I wanna be your baby, baby, baby

Spinning and it's wet just like it came from Maytag

Now I'm really singing, like the kind I usually only do in the shower.

"You are seriously adorable."

"McSqueeze me?"

"Will do."

What the crap. Oo the chorus!! I turn the volume up to 30 with 40 being the highest volume.

Wild, wild, wild

Wild, wild, wild thoughts

Wild, wild, wild

When I'm with you, all I get is wild thoughts

Wild, wild, wild

When I'm with you, all I get is wild thoughts

"Let's go!"

Wait that wasn't me, hold up are we dueting?! Wow we're so cute, too bad we aren't a couple, yet~

We finish the song and by the time we get back to our dorms it's almost 1 am. I'm not tired though. All I can think about is Thomas. He didn't even try to get in my pants. Usually guys would-

But this isn't usual. You're in a new place, He doesn't know where I am and I don't have THAT reputation anymore. 

#####%%% I tried super hard on this one  luv ya