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[indent]The football field was home to two tryouts, at the same time. They were very different, too. One of them, of course, was the classic. Football. A bunch of teenage boys running around on a field trying to prove that they were bigger, stronger and faster than their peers. There were fights that broke out almost every time; it was damn near a given due to how pumped up on testosterone they got. The fights were pulled apart by the gruff, angry coach, and they were told to run until they puked. And they did! Because the alternative was to be kicked off the team: the deepest sin in the world.

The other? The other was cheerleading. The cheer tryouts were different. They were different because the people in charge of them, and the people participating, couldn’t get all their feelings out with a few hits to the head. Instead, the cheerleaders were bitchy, backstabbers, verbally abusive, and any other number of things. It was a wonder anyone new wanted to join them!

Of course, part of it had to be that being a cheerleader could be used as a pretty solid jumping off point to get in with the popular kids. Maybe that’s why so many people [i]still[/i] showed up, despite the cheer squads open bitchiness. Or, maybe some of them were just competitive. The BHHS squad was [i]pretty[/i] good, they at least usually placed high in regionals. Maybe they could win, or even go to nationals.

Ophelia didn’t really care about [i]that[/i] part of things. She was on the squad because she liked the uniforms, and flippy shit. This was the only way for her to satiate it — BHHS didn’t have a gymnastics squad, so this was the best she could do. She was seated dead center in the table with the other judges, waiting for things to get underway. [color=eda946][b]“We should have just done this in the gym,”[/b][/color] she muttered to no one in particular, [color=eda946][b]“too much possible drama over with the dudes, since they have to replace Damian.”[/b][/color]

Brynn sat directly to the right of Ophelia, filing her nails whilst admiring the football players as they ran drill after drill. As one of the few remaining seniors on the team, she would have a larger say in which girls would be selected, since after all, they would be the ones replacing her after she graduated. [color=6495ed][b]“I’m not complaining-”[/b][/color] Brynn replied, a small laugh following her words. Almost every single guy on the team was hot as hell, and lucky for the brunette, she’d slept with the majority of them. [color=6495ed][b]“Think of it as motivation for the new girls. If they get on the squad, they’ll get to gawk at them every day for the rest of the year...”[/b][/color] She completed the thought, setting down her file and admiring her work; her nails were now pointy enough to nearly stab someone. 

Sitting to the left of Ophelia was Madison Weaver, the daughter of two former AWE wrestlers. Still, she hadn’t earned her place on the team through money or her lineage. She was genuinely one of the most technically impressive cheerleaders the school had ever seen, and had been in the upper echelons of ‘Cheerleaders with the best body’ for most of her time here. She didn't do it for the popularity, though. She did it for the physical challenge. Though she was a noticeably kind person when not in her cheerleading costume, she took it very seriously. In some ways, the girls who were about to try out for the team would have as much to fear from her as they would from the bitchiness. [color=2eb82e][b]“Don’t encourage them, Brynn,"[/b][/color] she replied to her fellow senior. [color=2eb82e][b]"If they’re just here to be popular and get attention from guys, and aren’t going to put the work into mastering the routines, then they’re not getting in."[/b][/color]

Sitting at the end of the judging panel-like table was Selena Sterling. The blonde was tapping her purple glitter pen against her rosy pink matte lipstick-coated lips. Observing the girls as they filed in a single line to tryout out, Selena did exactly what you were supposed to do when you were on a judging panel — she was judging. As always, Sel could hear the gossip birds chirping alongside her. She paid attention only when she picked Brynn’s voice out of the bunch. Brynn was sleeping with her brother, which meant that Brynn was under all but police surveillance in Selena’s world.  Sel leaned forward and squinted at her not-quite-friend, not-quite-enemy before speaking. [color=ffb5fd][b]“Truly, Brynn, is that all you are capable of thinking about?”[/b][/color] Selena followed up on Madison’s comment with a harsh sneer.

Brynn craned her neck to look over at Madison and [i]Selena[/i]. Things had been shaky between the two of them since the blonde had caught the brunette in bed with her beloved brother, which didn’t make sitting at this table with her any easier than it normally was. Fed up with her cattiness, she threw it right back to her. [color=6495ed][b]“No, I’m also capable of thinking about how hot your brother looked in the Janitor’s closet this morning…”[/b][/color] She replied, a devilish smirk appearing on her face. [color=6495ed][b]“I’m also capable of thinking about how I can ‘accidentally’ make you fall off the top of the pyramid later… Oops.”[/b][/color] Brynn emphasized her words with air quotes, a laugh emitting from her lips.

Ophelia turned her head, leaning forward so that she could take a gander over at Shauna. Without a care in the world, she pointed and said. [color=eda946][b]“Could be worse. They could be hanging around [i]just[/i] to try and hook up with one of the literal children here. Come on, dude, don’t you have drama club?”[/b][/color] Despite the way she spoke to Shauna, Ophelia had been the one to provide the extra chair at the table, like she almost always did.

Whoever came up with cheerleading was likely a saint, and if they weren’t then damn the religion that denied them that honor. What wasn’t there to love about cheerleaders, especially the ones that were young, flexible, and naive enough to assume that someone who sat at the judges table was part of the squad? Shauna Flynn had damn near been a staple at the tryouts despite only ever wearing a uniform after it had been removed from another. That didn’t stop her from occupying a seat at the table, but her judgment was of a different variety; she didn’t much care if they could do a tumble or a handspring or a half tuck. Her presence wasn’t one hundred percent welcomed, but at Ophelia’s comment, Shauna simply shrugged while keeping her eyes firmly planted on the young hopefuls. 

[color=ff6347][b]"This is more important than drama club. They know me there, and no one wears skirts quite this revealing. More to the point, you aren’t going to accept all of them to the squad, and someone has to be there to dry their tears, and I know a thing about that. Don’t worry. I won’t step on your toes, Ophelia. Maybe if you were two years younger and a virgin I might be inclined to step on your toes. Which reminds me, which ones are the Freshmen?”[/b][/color] Shauna clearly had no shame as she settled in to watch the tryouts.

Madison didn’t even turn to look at Shauna, let alone reply. Not because of anything to do with herself, but simply because she constantly reminded Madison of one of her many mistakes here in high school. Once, she had also courted a Freshman in Shiloh Clay. It was an admittedly very fun relationship while it lasted, and both girls had partaken in a lot of casual sex. But then the younger girl began to tell people and gossip spread around, and it all got a bit ugly. Shauna had tried to get with Madison several times since then but how could you say yes to a person who reminds you of an incident like that, especially when, after Madison, Shiloh immediately moved on to Shauna for a while?

Ignoring the conversation going on between Ophelia and the non-cheerleader that wasn’t even supposed to be here, Selena kept her eyes trained Brynn. She didn’t react to the girls words even slightly, not when she mentioned hooking up with Sean, nor when she weakly threatened the queen-to-be. [i]Cute[/i]. Perhaps she had forgotten who she was speaking to? With a calm, regal smile, Selena reminded her. [color=ffb5fd][b]“Oh, why don’t you try that, hmm?”[/b][/color] Sel’s voice was venomous as she tilted her head to the side and continued. [color=ffb5fd][b]“We all know that the only way for someone with your... [i]figure[/i]… to make it to the top is to do so by such a petty move.”[/b][/color]

Ophelia heard her two girls arguing and she shook her head. [color=eda946][b]“Stop being babies,”[/b][/color] she complained, drinking from the red Gatorade she had in front of her. She looked around at the entire judge table, and carried on speaking. [color=eda946][b]“Can’t we just [i]for once[/i] have a good day? Let’s just enjoy ourselves, and be here for our own reasons, right? Shauna’s here to cradle rob. Brynn’s here to stare at the men. Cassie’s here because she’s my bestie and she loves me. Sel’s here because it’s best for business. Madi’s here to win more trophies. I’m here to do flips and stare at other girls in, uh, well I picked pretty slutty outfits, and that was [i]definitely[/i] on purpose.”[/b][/color] Ophelia shrugged her shoulders, as if to say ‘sue me.’ All she wanted was for her friends to chill out and [i]enjoy[/i] each other’s company.

[color=eda946][b]“Brynnie, lovely, maybe you should… shake Sean. He’s makin’ a rift. That’s not okay.”[/b][/color] Ophelia tutted, waving her finger at Brynn. [color=eda946][b]“We have standards and rules, you know? Can’t be dating someone that makes Sel even… well, sorry, Sel: bitchier than normal. Dating, hooking up, whatever. Executive call man, you gotta ditch him.”[/b][/color] She explained, before reaching into her bag and pulling out her clipboard that had the list of the day’s applicants. Upon seeing this, Madison, who had been ignoring the argument entirely, sat up straight. It was almost time to begin, probably.

Brynn sighed, knowing that Ophie had a point. Especially with all of the feelings she had felt today, she knew that she had held onto Sean for too long. [color=6495ed][b]“I surrender,”[/b][/color] She stated, holding up her hands as if she had been caught by the police. Brynn was meeting him after school to talk to him anyway, so she would have to cut ties [i]pronto[/i]. No Payne, no gain, as everyone would say, and she couldn’t deny the rest of the school the chance to get with her any longer than she already had. [color=6495ed][b]“Sel, congratulations, you can have your brother back, but you’d better watch your back or else my [i]figure[/i] may come crashing down on you when you least expect it…”[/b][/color]

[color=2e8b57][b]“Now girls. Remember what I told you.”[/b][/color] On the side of the bleachers, in an open area by the garbage, was a large table with an assortment of makeup and accessories, with the mother of Damian O’Connor and two, small freshmen standing next to it. The students waiting to be freed. Melody was [i]extra[/i], but anything for her baby and baby’s friend! 

Her other baby. Not her son.  

[color=ff682f][b]“If I need to puke, swallow it. The show must go on.”[/b][/color] A [url=https://media.giphy.com/media/2WJrC09TuJTu8/giphy.gif]redhead[/url] with short pigtails and an outfit that spoke 1999 Britney Spears ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ let her mother apply the most glossy of glosses the world had to offer that smelt and tasted like raspberries. ‘Presentation was everything’ her mother would say. Absentmindedly, the young girl’s arms wrapped around her stomach, covering her bare belly. 

[color=2e8b57][b]“Truly Bliss, [i]not[/i] that one.”[/b][/color] Melody tsked. Why couldn’t her daughter use her brain? It wasn’t like she was making her write an essay on everything she’s told her!  

[color=ff682f][b]“Mommmmmmm, call me True at school!”[/b][/color] True was the sister of the captain, err ex captain, of the the football team that everyone seemed to forget. Minus the damn teachers. From the first day onward, they expected her to care about school just as much as her brother and to be just as good as him. It was dumb. She was only fourteen! Why should she try to be perfect when she can have fun? Like spend her school day staring at a certain someone, every chance she had, entertaining the idea of them. Together. Forever.

Melody simply gave her daughter a stern glare, in hopes it would help True recollect one of the thousand tips she gave her while she dolled her and Kit up. [color=ff682f][b]“Can I phone a friend?”[/b][/color] The anxious freshman nervously laughed and nudged Kit to save her. 
 
Kit’s eyes went wide for a second and she looked from Melody to True, and back to Melody, then to True once more! She was a Tekken God. She didn’t have time for things like CHEERLEADING, but this was all part of the plan; and she had to stick to the plan! [i]But[/i], she [i]definitely[/i] had no idea what Melody was talking about… and it wasn’t really her fault! Choosing to do what she’d been doing all day, to great effect, Kit replied. [color=7fc19e][b]“Mrs. True’s mom, to be honest, I’ve been awake for 30 hours straight now, or something dumb like that. It’s probably closer to 35 and if I hadn’t muted Echo she’d be berating me with an exact time down to the [i]nanosecond[/i] but anyway I’m like really tired and I can barely remember how to walk so I don’t think I’m gonna do very good at this thingy do you think it’s too late for me to quit? I should quit.”[/b][/color] Kit didn’t even like wearing lip gloss and all this other stuff. It was confusing! How was [i]she[/i] supposed to remember all of that stuff!?

[color=7fc19e][b]“Being a girl is real tough work… I wish someone would have told me or I never would have tried this.”[/b][/color] Kit, to be honest, was fucking exhausted. Makeup, twice, in one day. Outfit building twice, in one day. Now she had to go do… flips, or something in front of Ophelia and Cassie and SELENA. Stress, stress, stress. Weed, video games, and pizza could not come quickly enough.

[color=2e8b57][b]“You two are impossible…”[/b][/color] Melody muttered in bewilderment before getting things back on track, it was almost time for them to shine! [color=2e8b57][b]“Kit, baby, there is no one way to be a girl. Hasn’t your mom told you anything? She was Belle’s princess, after all... ANYWAYS! You remember the talent show story?”[/b][/color] 

Placing her palm on her face, True grumbled, [color=ff682f][b]“Where you and your friends danced like total  slu---stars in front of dad and his friends and all your dads?”[/b][/color] 

[color=2e8b57][b]“Precisely.”[/b][/color] Melody walked around the table and rested one hand on both True’s and Kit’s shoulders, [color=2e8b57][b]“You absolutely have to make your daddies proud! Everything you got, including your bods, you got it from them—”[/b][/color]  

[color=ff682f][b]“MOM.”[/b][/color]

[color=2e8b57][b]“Flaunt what your daddy gave you. You can have all the skill in the world, but if you don’t have the spirit and aren’t having fun, what’s the point? Be fearless and be spunky. Show those girls you are [i]one of a kind[/i] and I’m sure you’ll win everyone’s hearts. Now run off! I’ll be on the bleachers cheering you both on. I love you both so much!”[/b][/color] Before True could escape, her mother smothered her with kisses causing the freshman to die a little on the inside. Once she slipped out of the anaconda’s grasp, she grabbed Kit’s hand and started sprinting to the line. 

Kit rolled her eyes after Melody showered her daughter with an embarrassing show of affection. [color=7fc19e][b]“That sucked, man. I don’t think this will be [i]that[/i] big of a deal, I hung out like, most of the day with Ophelia and Cassie, so I think we’ll be alright! No worries, easy livin’. Plus if we don’t get on the squad, maybe we can… go get pity donuts with your mom. Then take a nice, long… naaaaaaaap.”[/b][/color] Kit said with a massive yawn, rubbing at her eyes as they stood in line. Here we go!

The excitement that permeated the air around the field seemed to roll off of Cassie as she strolled across the field, fashionably late, unsurprising to anyone who knew her. She turned the end zone into a catwalk, strutting over and taking her seat next to Lia, tying her chestnut locks into a ponytail as she looked around at her fellow judges. [color=f1cbff][b]"Hiya girls! I trust I didn’t miss any excitement? I got held up with some dweeby little freshman who thought I was his one true love,”[/b][/color] Cassie explained. In truth, she’d been on the phone with her mother, tucked away in a janitor’s closet, trying to convince her that a new cheer uniform was definitely necessary. Luckily, she’d agreed, meaning Cassie could actually make an appearance on the field, rather than come up with some excuse as to why she couldn’t cheer this year. She made a mental note to hug her mom when she got home before noticing a blonde haired little devil running across the field. [color=f1cbff][b]"Lia look, it’s our new friend! Hey, Shauna stay away from that one, she’s nice. And she has a friend too! Anyone know the redhead?”[/b][/color]

Lia peered off toward whoever Cassie was talking about, squinting. Whaaaat? [color=eda946][b]“What do you mean? That’s Damian’s little sister, babe. How do you not know that?”[/b][/color] Ophelia was blissfully unaware that Truly’s entire existence was basically ignored by the whole of the school board. She leaned forward and sipped at her juice, [color=eda946][b]“Her name is Truly. Truly Bliss. But she likes to be called True, understandably I think… You seriously don’t know her? She’s Damian’s sister. Damian. The guy with the big biceps that Brynn used to fawn over until she got Sean… Hey that rhymes!”[/b][/color] Ophelia beamed, seemingly pleased  with herself for making such a wonderful thing as a rhyme.

Brynn rolled her eyes,  [color=6495ed][b]“Lia that was one time, and I couldn’t touch him without having him freak the fuck out. I did not [i]fawn[/i] over him. He may have the best arms in the Junior class, but that’s besides the point.”[/b][/color] She gazed over at the redhead,  [color=6495ed][b]“I completely forgot he had a sister… oh well.”[/b][/color]

Cassie wrinkled her nose in confusion. [color=f1cbff][b]"Weird...well, not my problem. If she’s as good at cheering as her brother is at getting kicked off of the football team then this should be a cakewalk for her,”[/b][/color] Cassie said, smirking slightly, turning her head to face the football team’s gladiator show for a moment. She turned back around and clapped her hands, a grin on her face from the quick show she’d just gotten. [color=f1cbff][b]"Let’s get this show on the road, shall we!”[/b][/color] Cassie said, her excitement clear.

Madison, of course, had heard of Damian’s sister, Truly Bliss. You don’t forget a name like that. Her family is known for pushing the kids, and Damian proved that this could yield good results...physically, at least. Madi didn’t care what her personality was like as long as she could perform the maneuvers well, and from her background, she was either going to show promise, or she was going to break right in front of them. There as a high chance of both happening, actually. The girl next to her showed...less promise, but at least she seemed relaxed. Nerves had taken down many a good prospective cheerleader during tryouts, but if they can’t handle performing some maneuvers in front of a panel, they probably won't be able to perform a routine with hundreds of people watching them. Cassie seemed to know the relaxed one, and claimed she was nice. They would see if ‘nice’ would cut it.

The very worst thing to do was to tell Shauna to stay away from someone. As soon as Cassie had said that to the tourist, Shauna’s eyes honed in. Blonde. That was good, blondes certainly were adventurous. Young. She put the girl at a Freshman level, which was always the ideal preference, and judging by the look in the blonde girl’s eyes she was either overwhelmed or on the verge of collapsing once the sugar high ended. It was like she was drunk without having the alcohol - and that meant Shauna could use that to her advantage. And assuming the blonde didn’t work out she kindly brought a red head along for the ride. Two for one special. Buy one get one free. Or just take the one that was cheaper. [color=ff6347][b]“I don’t mind a nice girl, Cassie. She won’t be when I’m done.”[/b][/color] She was trying hard not to leer, but her eyes were taking in the new arrivals like a missile locking on. [color=ff6347][b]“And the other is named True Bliss? Not until she knows me it isn’t. I was almost worried your squad would be lackluster this season but I’m happy to be wrong.”[/b][/color] 

Cassie rolled her eyes at Shauna’s comment but left the matter alone. If there was one thing she’d learned while at BHHS, there was no getting Shauna away from a hunt. Hopefully Kit and her friend could manage to steer clear of the Irish shark, for their own good. Neither of them needed to deal with that mess. Madison, on the other hand, couldn’t ignore Shauna any longer, and turned round to look at her.  [color=2eb82e][b]"If you’re going to stand there ogling the Freshmen and saying really suggestive things within earshot, can you at least tone it down so you don’t make any of them more nervous than they already are? Or, I don’t know, stand back or something?"[/b][/color]

[color=eda946][b]“You know, Shauna, it’s real weird the way you do things. You ever seen Dazed and Confused? It’s a good look into your future, baby girl. You get older, they stay the same age. If in five years, you hover around the high school hotspots and pick up freshmen, you’ll be like… the female version of that guy who’s 26 and dating a 16 year old girl, but it’s [i]totally[/i] chill because like, she’ll [i]totally[/i] be 17 in March.”[/b][/color] Ophelia rolled her eyes in Shauna’s general direction, and flattened out creases on her skirt. She grabbed a handful of Skittles from her bag, and tossed them into her mouth, chewing them up before she whistled loudly, [color=eda946][b]“Alright line it up! Everybody gets two minutes, no more no less. Don’t suck.”[/b][/color] Lia chomped on my Skittles, and smiled at the line of girls who were ready to present themselves to the judges behind the counter.

And the Shark.

Fucking Shauna.

Cassie smirked as the girls lined up, her eyes scanning the group of fresh meat. Some of these girls certainly wouldn’t make it. But others, well, they might get lucky today. Who knew. Cassie’s gaze fell on Kit, the Candies’ newest toy. She grinned, shark-like in nature, or should she say Shauna-like? Pointing to the small blonde, she shouted out a command. [color=f1cbff][b]“Kit! You’re up first!”[/b][/color] Some of the older girls made faces, nothing new. They weren’t pleased to see a freshman get the first tryout. But they could all suck it. Cassie had favorites, better they learn that sooner rather than later. 

Kit hadn’t expected to be called on, but hey. Maybe being friends with the Candies did have benefits? She stepped up, pulling True along with her. [color=7fc19e][b]“Uh, that’s okay with me, but like… I got a thing I’m gonna do? Like, with my friend? So I mean if it’s all the same to you guys… We’re gonna do our thing?”[/b][/color] Kit asked the judges, and Ophelia shrugged her shoulders to indicate that she didn’t care, and Kit nodded, giving an awkward thumbs up. [color=7fc19e][b]“So we made this up yesterday and we practiced it like… once, but I don’t need to practice really anything, on account of… I’m the best. So look out, here we come.”[/b][/color] Ophelia raised her eyebrows, then Kit looked over at True and gave her the same awkward thumbs up. Let’s go.

Truth be told, True was not as timid as she came across. The only reason she was being a [i]little[/i] shy was because of this damn outfit. On a normal basis, she dressed conservative, yet cute and classy. Her mom said you can be fully clothed and still be sexy as hell. So unless she’s home in a tank and shorts, eating whatever food she could find in the fridge, her most important parts were covered and some. She could feel the breeze on her tush and her tummy was out in the open for display! On top of that, there was hardly any mystery. She was completely exposed and there was no fantasy behind the scandalous outfits. Nope. It was what it was. 

Maybe, it wasn’t a bad thing, if [i]he[/i] liked what he saw, but if this was all for not, she’d die. Right here, right now. True absolutely had to make the team. If she made the team, it could potentially get someone’s eyes on her. When a girl from her mother’s side set their eyes on a prize, they could accomplish anything. Driven to the core, it was part of her genetics! 

Oh! 

Kit was giving her a thumbs up. It was go time? It was go time! True was too focused on staring at the hem of her skirt to realize they needed to start. Lifting her wrist up, which had a her customized Oracle watch on it, with the colors of sherbert and a built in Assistant, True cleared her throat, before saying, [color=ff682f][b]“Cupid, bluetooth. Play T-Swift Cheer Remix.”[/b][/color] Her dad loved Taylor Swift, and so did she! This was exactly one minute and 20 seconds. A quick mix made by a Darling. Extremely fast for a routine, but she had faith in her and Kit. 

Before they actually started, Kit took a quick look at her bestie, and silently wondered if she was high enough for this. Probably not.

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB3FQhkqAwU]When the music started to build up[/url], True gave her friend a nod and they both started to back up. All girls around them gave them the space they needed, creating two lines on each side of them, giving them field to the front and back, which caused the two freshmen to really be in the spotlight. True came to a stopping point at what she deemed the center of their ‘stage’ and rolled her shoulders, as her premeditated stretch. Then Taylor Swift began to sing. That’s when the girls started to match each other in dance moves. 

True’s heart accelerated. They were center stage. She was being seen. [i]Finally.[/i] Letting her inhibitions fly away, she started to walk forward with the music, while Kit went backwards. Her arms left her body, from a dagger position to a touchdown, and then quickly, she fanned her stretched arms down like two clock hands going the opposite direction in one quick beat, two quick beats. Her eyes were on fire as she looked straight at the judges and beamed her most attractive smile that yes, her daddy gave her! Her arms went down her body, almost like she was feeling herself and landed at her hips, as she sensually oscillated her waist like nobody was watching. 

This turned into both girls doing a slow backflip, but while Kit continued to go back, even more than she had already gone, steadily, slowly, so she wasn’t the focal point, all eyes fell on True as she dropped to the ground and did some quick contemporary floor work, which was a definite showcase of her flexibility. Like how even did her body bend like that? 

Soon enough, True rolled out and the song immediately sped up. Then, came the part that Kit really liked! Flips. Flips were awesome, and flips worked for her. She’d done gymnastics since forever, and this was her chance to look cool! There was the benefit of Selena watching, but honestly? Kit liked being in the spotlight, always had. A bunch of people behind a table staring at them, the people in line to the sides of them? Also staring. Life was good.

Kit took a second to breathe, just a second — they didn’t have a whole lot of seconds. She launched herself backwards, and did a smooth back handspring, and she turned herself slightly to the side, then did it again. And again. And again. And again. Honestly? She would have done it again! But her shift was over; she’d done an entire circles worth of continuous back handsprings, sticking her feet down after coming out of the last one, and then got ready to get out of the way and wait her turn for round two!

Suddenly, when the song slowed down, Kit ran off revealing True behind her holding a handstand and her legs, as well as her body, going along with the song, like waves, elegant legs dancing in the air, showing True’s strength and control. Her back was facing them, and she leaned her body towards them, still holding the stand… a little bit more, get closer to the ground, keep going…. Don’t give out… 

Phew! She did it! That was [i]intense[/i]. And then she brought her body straight up once more and opened her legs into a wide split for Kit to fly over. 

Kit was of the opinion that she had the easy part of the job. True had to stay balanced and stuff and hold onto core strength… Kit just had to do what she would have done anyway! She positioned herself and did more back handsprings, bringing herself toward her balancing friend, and once she was in range, Kit launched herself extra high, flipping and twisting her body an extra rotation as she soared through the air, so that she stuck the landing facing the judging table.

The music came to an end as Kit grinned at all of the older women, and she raised up a hand and brought it to her shoulder, brushing the dirt off. Get that dirt off your shoulder, that’s what Dad would say.

Ophelia stared at the pair for a second, before looking over at her companions, before shrugging as if to say simply ‘I dunno, lol.’ Then, she did the natural thing: she clapped. There was no doubt these two had synergy together. A dynamic duo. While Kit did her smug thing, True slowly put herself upright and continued to smile, but her stomach was in painnnnnnn. As long as she was in front of the judges, she had to act like she was cool. So cool. Walking up to her friend, True gave Kit a warm embrace and giggled, [color=ff682f][b]“We did it!”[/b][/color] It was so hot. Perhaps short skirts weren’t such a bad idea. 

Kit nodded in agreement as she gave True a kiss on the cheek before looking over at the judges. Kit cleared her throat, trying to catch her breath, [color=7fc19e][b]“hey, uh. Could I get one of those Gatorades? I need to replenish my electrolytes. BeforeIfallasleepwhereIstand.”[/b][/color]

Brynn was a little stunned by what she had just seen, but in the best way possible. These youngins had talent,  there was no denying that, which meant that there was hope for the future of the team. With a smirk, she reached under the table and grabbed two Gatorades, tossing one to each girl. [color=6495ed][b]“Drink up, you certainly earned it.”[/b][/color] She stated, glancing over to the other girls at the table to hear their thoughts.

Cassie was beaming. This was the kind of skill this team needed. [color=f1cbff][b]“That was great! I loved it! That thing you did with your legs and the flips and UGH! It was great,”[/b][/color] Cassie said, bubbly and exuding the pep that one would expect from a cheerleader. [color=f1cbff][b]“Damian’s Little Sister, you were great, Kit you were great, you were both great, long story short, I loved it!”[/b][/color] Cassie exclaimed. Cassie turned to her fellow judges. [color=f1cbff][b]“Anything to add girls?”[/b][/color]

Madison, also beaming, shook her head at Cassie, before looking over at the two girls. She was very happy to have been proven right about True, and wrong about Kit. [color=2eb82e][b]"Not a thing, Cassie. That was indeed some amazing, amazing cheerleading from two rookies. The moves, the presentation, the faces, the planning, the story...I’d have to get incredibly nitpicky to fault it anywhere, but I’m not going to ruin this moment. You two have just made my job a lot harder, because now I’ll need to go away and think of things that I can actually teach you! Great job!"[/b][/color]

Selena quietly kept appraising the younger girls whilst Brynn, Cassie, and Madison shamelessly gushed. [color=ffb5fd][b]“That was surprisingly decent, but there’s always room for improvement. They’re okay with me.”[/b][/color] Sel sounded harsher than her peers, but this was relatively high praise from the silver princess.

If there was one person who was exuberant to a bit of the extreme following the routines, it was Shauna Flynn. She hadn’t kept her eyes off the duo as they did their flips and splits and showed just why the Irish Shark had a thing for Freshmen - doubly so for Freshmen that happened to be so utterly flexible. When the routine finished, Shauna was out of her chair, clapping, the spotlight turning - metaphorically - to her once more. Just as she liked it. Her claps were the loudest. A standing ovation of one. And were it not for the fact that the actual cheerleaders might tackle her (which in its own way was appealing) she would certainly have covered the distance between applicants and judges and thrown her arms around both girls. Shauna knew the benefit of foreplay, though. [color=ff6347][b]“Girls, I think I speak for everyone on this cheer council that you’ve certainly secured a place on the team, if not my heart, and I want you both to know that as something of a professional in the field of vertical and horizontal based routines that my door is always open for anyone who would like a little one on one, two on one, private lesson. In fact, I extend that offer starting now. With me, you’ll be at the top of the pyramid in no time at all.”[/b][/color] The sincerity of her words and tone almost masked the sinister meaning behind every word Shauna spoke. 

Ophelia rolled her eyes. Shauna was too much, far too much, far too often. She cleared her throat, and leaned forward, looking over at Shauna, [color=ead946][b]“babe… you’re not actually on the cheer council. You just show up to try and get sharky on kids. Smooth though, wicked smooth. I’m gonna steal the bit about routines.”[/b][/color] She explained, before looking out at Kit and True, though as she opened her mouth, Kit held up her hand to hold Ophelia off, which was brave. Extremely so, and before Ophelia could even say anything, Kit was launching into one of her tirades.

[color=7fc19e][b]“Two things: firstly basic common sense dictates that I would be at the top of the pyramid anyway on account of I’m very small. Secondly… you’re Shauna right? You’re icky so no thanks! That’s what I’ve been told anyway and I trust the source of said statement so I’m good on that. Can I get another Gatorade?”[/b][/color] She asked, waving around the empty bottle in her hand. Behind the table, Ophelia giggled and looked over at Shauna.

[color=eda946][b]“You heard the girl. You’re [i]icky[/i]. Don’t you have drama club? Go deal with that, or something. You can pick up the sad ones later today. I promise you, there [i]will[/i] be sad ones. Now! That being said! Kit and True, you’re on the squad.”[/b][/color]

[color=7fc19e][b]“Wewwwwww, lad.”[/b][/color]

[color=ff682f][b]“WAIT. You’re Shauna? Like ‘fuck Shauna’ Shauna? You know how to get [i]anyone[/i] you want? Like ANYONE?”[/b][/color] While Kit went the ‘icky’ route, Truly Bliss couldn’t help but see an opportunity to learn from an expert in courting. Her eyes lit up with excitement. Her goal was achieved, she got on the squad (for personal reasons), and now she had someone who wanted to teach her. Teach her, her ways! Maybe she should take her up on this opportunity. But, Shauna’s targets were a specific gender… hmmm…. That might be problematic. 

[color=ff6347][b]"You’ve both heard of me, I’m flattered. And I assure you, there’s nothing icky about me unless you happen to live in the Bible Belt.”[/b][/color] Shauna didn’t even seem to mind the comment. She’d heard worse. She wasn’t giving up on either pursuit - though Ophelia’s remark about the sad ones was true enough; she wasn’t exactly desperate for the prize but Kit and True were fighters. They made the chase worth it. [color=ff6347][b]"However, yes, I am Shauna and yes the goal is to, indeed. ‘Fuck Shauna’ and that is an open invitation, girls. I don’t know about anyone but my black book is rather full of red marks. Just ask one of your cheer leaders here, I’m sure one of them has had their world changed. But I’d love to tell you all about my technique. Perhaps over dinner. I’ll even be sure to make you breakfast.”[/b][/color] 

As intriguing as the offer sounded and as much as the inexperienced girl wanted [i]experience[/i], True’s mind went elsewhere, as her gaze turned to the bleachers, where her mother was waiting. It wasn’t like she’d agree to the invitation anyways. Her heart belonged to someone else. [color=ff682f][b]“Uh, maybe some other time. I have somewhere to be.”[/b][/color] Nowhere in particular. More like she had an [i]engagement[/i] with someone. 

She looked at Shauna with a pleasant smile, before turning to Ophelia, [color=ff682f][b]“Thank you for the opportunity! As much as I’d like to stay and hang out with the girls, tonight isn’t going to be a good night for the O’Connor house… I don’t think… man, it’s going to be terrible.”[/b][/color] The daunting realization of how much tonight would suck, having no idea Damian was going to make it ten times worse by avoiding their house all together, was settling in. [color=ff682f][b]“I could catch you later? My digits are on that form thingy you had us sign.”[/b][/color] Actually, True was going to find a way out of this mess no matter what and maybe track down a certain someone. Now that she got on the team, she could focus on what was more important. Her heart’s desire. Priorities. 

Melody wasn’t hard to convince either, especially since Truly Bliss wasn’t the one on the hot seat. For once, her brother was the one in trouble, a lot of trouble, and not her. Honestly, her mother would probably prefer having a private conversation with her son, so yes, True had a chance to escape and do what she wanted. So, she’d take it.  

Turning her body to her bestie and putting her hands on her shoulders, True’s expression turned serious. Super serious. [color=ff682f][b]“Are you going to stay with them or do you need a ride home? You. Need. Sleep”[/b][/color]

[color=7fc19e][b]“Whaaaat? No, I’m okay. I got Red Bull, in my bag.”[/b][/color] Kit said with a dumb smile and a wink, before she leaned in further. [color=7fc19e][b]“You’re coming with me,”[/b][/color] she hissed in a low voice, before pulling True behind the table and toward Ophelia, their first class ticket to Candyland. Were there beds in Candyland? She certainly hoped so…

Ophelia shrugged her shoulders, and then went back to directing traffic. Only one spot left on the squad now! And together, the council waded through the oncoming girls, each more desperate than the last, but none of them really having what they were looking for (Shauna notwithstanding). Unfortunately, they went through almost the entire line, before [i]someone[/i] (coincidentally, another freshman) did something impressive.

Ophelia clapped her hands and smiled, [color=eda946][b]“That was awesome! I think you’re the — wait, hold up.”[/b][/color] Ophelia looked down at her phone, reading a text from Hailey. [color=eda946][b]“...who’s Hana park? Does anyone know who that is? No? You know what? It doesn’t matter. Sorry kid, you’re out, Hana’s in. Hailey’s call.”[/b][/color]

The younger girl’s eyes went wide as if Ophelia had ripped away her favorite toy, and she opened her mouth to protest, before Ophelia held up a hand. [color=eda946][b]“Are [i]you[/i] gonna tell [i]Hailey[/i] no?”[/b][/color] The girl froze, before shaking her head slowly and Ophelia shrugged her shoulders. [color=eda946][b]“That’s what I thought. Maybe next time, kid.”[/b][/color] The girl’s eyes started to water, but Ophelia just gave her an apologetic shrug.

With that, she turned to the others in the group. [color=eda946][b]“Okay~ Let’s go to Candyland.”[/b][/color] She said happily, and Kit gave a thumbs up. Then Ophelia looked at Shauna and pointed at the crying freshman. [color=eda946][b]“Enjoy.”[/b][/color][/indent]