[center][url=https://fontmeme.com/fonts/cheerscript-font/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/191205/709ed30e27d9b8c461a22d821d0943a8.png[/img][/url]

[img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3id-_eVhyg/UBbX9zEDAWI/AAAAAAAAECA/EwUGNfq0g40/s1600/30+sasha+pieterse+alison+dilaurentis+pretty+little+liars+gifs+%25281%2529.gif[/img][/center]

[hr]

[indent][indent][color=darkgray]

There was electricity in the air. There always was on game day. It was a part of the experience that was always humbling to feel that low hum of the crowd as over 100,000 people voiced their combined anticipation for the heroes soon to emerge from the tunnels of Ohio Stadium. Sure, the opponent may not have the allure of some of the Ohio State University's Big Ten rivals, but the first game of the season still carried that same buzz. Even for the prospect of putting a smackdown on Akron. Heck, especially for the prospect of putting a smackdown on Akron.

It was that buzz that carried Melissa Elliott through all those practices in the baking summer sun that the Buckeye State loved to offer. It's why for the moment she set aside the late-night parties to get another yoga session or another set of weights in. It's why she busted her ass to make sure she stood out in the crowd enough to make the OSU cheerleading squad as a freshman. Besides, how else was she supposed to keep tabs on which guys on the football team had the best potential partnerships to offer?

Of course, she did have a backup plan. Just in case the coach had a grudge or a long-standing tradition of ignoring freshman talent. She appreciated the fact that she had at least one person she knew make it to the big school with her. It was always nice to have that fallback option. As the blonde looked over at the linebacker assigned number 44, that million-dollar smile flashed through the visor. She remembered when DeShawn Marcus first arrived at Rosefell, and her thoughts that he had a shot at making it to this stage. More than some of the other guys she knew. He didn't fall short of those expectations.

[color=CB8DEB]"What you thinking, Queen? Don't tell me you're shakin'?[/color]

Melissa ruffled at the thought, ponytail shaking slightly as she gave a soft laugh. [color=CE0F3D]"Not shaking, just savoring. It feels like I'm finally where I'm supposed to be. I'm so ready for this."[/color]

[color=CB8DEB]"Hah, was gonna say, a little late to do the old pre-game psych-up routine."[/color]

That earned DeShawn a smirk from the cheerleader. [color=CE0F3D]"Who said I didn't?[/color]

The linebacker gave an eyebrow raise. [color=CB8DEB]"Seriously? You seriously did that right before the game? With who?"[/color]

Melissa just laughed. [color=CE0F3D]"J.K., Dee, J.K."[/color]

[color=CB8DEB]"You're just kidding?"[/color]

[color=CE0F3D]"No! J.K., hun,"[/color] Melissa nodded to the player wearing #2 near the start of the lineup of Buckeyes. [color=CE0F3D]"You know I'll do my best to help get the star running back ready for the game. Even if it is against MAC-level bad players. Hope Hunter's ready for what's gonna hit him."[/color]

Deshawn just shook his head. If there was a response coming, it was drowned out by the roar of the crowd. Time to roll out. 

As the players and cheerleaders streamed onto the field, the bright red sky above held but a few purple clouds. The Akron players looked like a bunch of lost lambs. Seriously, the wool was poking out from the helmets. Aside from Hunter. Poor Hunter. 

Melissa thought she could make out the coach yelling. [b]"Are you ready?!?"[/b]

[color=CE0F3D]"Yes!"[/color]

[b]"Melissa, are you awake?[/b]

[color=CE0F3D][i]Weirdly specific?[/i] "Yes!"[/color]

[b][color=ff00ff]"Good! You're still driving me to school today, right?"[/color][/b] [color=CE0F3D][i]Wait, wha?[/i][/color]

That was what awakened Melissa from her red-sky dream. There was no Ohio State. No Dee. No J.K. Dobbins. Just her familiar bedroom. Her familiar laptop. Her familiar view of the other row houses along the street. The familiar call of Zoey Elliott, reminding her that today was the first day of her last ride at Rosefell. The End of the Knights' Watch. 

[color=CE0F3D]"Right..."[/color] she muttered to herself.

[hr]

It was a rather effortless process for Melissa to get herself ready for the average school day. Granted, she had taken liberties to prepare for such a momentous occasion. Especially with Libertys showing up uninvited in her realm for the last year of high school. She wasn't thrilled about the whole merger between the schools, but it did prove that even with the relative lack of money, Rosefell was the better school. At least it was still standing. There were rumors about what had happened, but Melissa liked to believe that the principal had bet all his money betting on the Clippers to win the NBA title. What a dumbass.

Her outfit had been laid out on her bench for the last two days. Nothing was to disturb the cheerleader outfit now that it had been properly pressed and detailed. The scarlet red with the silver shimmer outlines was her beacon to the small world of Rosefell of her status as Queen. It was only fitting of the head cheerleader. Sure, her coronation would be a bit delayed with this shuffling of the schools together, but soon enough of the new students would know where they needed to be in line with her.

The thought of such assimilation made going through the motions to make herself look presentable rather enjoyable for Melissa. Of course, she still had to be on point. She was supposed to be the grand marshall looking after all the poor little Liberty kids. Along with Spike. There could be worse fates. Spike had at least learned his lesson about trying to ask her out on a date after the 19th rejection. There was always the chance he could go for an even 20. And who could blame him? Melissa's hair was on point after a shower and quick hit with the blow dryer. Her waves didn't need to look their best, given they would be up in a ponytail secured with a bright silver scrunchie her mom had picked out from the bin at work that was destined for the outlet store, but they would still be bouncing. A brief touch of makeup was all she needed. Didn't have to do much to near-perfection, after all. After that, her outfit slipped on with ease and Melissa gathered her stuff for the day.

In all, from rising out of sleep to descending down the stairs of the townhouse, the process took about 15 minutes. Melissa spent two of those minutes texting her best friend and second-in-command of the social kingdom she had built for herself at Rosefell, [url=https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KBdUMFMh3bk/Xxpee7Hg3NI/AAAAAAAAUEg/hS2KM2V4DJADNatutWJTyS1RKXtdDPAxACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/20066627_245126375993076_5750578562117664768_n.jpg]Alycia Collins[/url]. Alycia would be handling the driving today, after a quick confirmation via text that Melissa's car would have to sit in the driveway for the moment. The preparations for opening day had obviously led her to overlook some things, and it was only upon arriving back at home, fresh off her most recent social call to the home of DeShawn Marcus, that she realized how low her old Sentra was on gas. So given the closure of local gas stations and the lack of time this morning, the Nissan was on the sidelines. Melissa desperately wanted to avoid arriving for her big day in Alycia's beat-up old minivan, a vehicle more fit to serve as an artificial coral reef in Lake Erie as opposed to a chariot of someone of such stature. Seriously, the only redeeming feature was that it had rusted so badly, it contrasted perfectly with the gray paint in Rosefell colors. Maybe it was appropriate.

As she emerged in the kitchen, her mother [url=http://celebshotattoos.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Ashley-Johnson-Makeup-Pics.jpg]Jessica[/url] was there, struggling to balance coffee and bagel in one hand and keys and purse in the other. [color=CE0F3D]"Hey mom... No breakfast, I'm guessing?"[/color]

Jessica stopped and shook her head. [color=800020]"Sorry, dear,"[/color] she confirmed. [color=800020]"Have to run to the mall to open up the store. That damn Vanessa called in absent again."[/color]

Melissa shook her head. [color=CE0F3D]"What is that, seven grandparents she's had die in the past year?"[/color]

[color=800020]"Well, this time she's claiming she has a dental appointment, so at least she's learning some new excuses. Although it sounded like she was at a Starbucks drive-thru when she was making the call. I just don't want to be looking to fill that position at this point though. So, you'll survive, right? And you can take Zoey to school with you?"[/color]

[color=CE0F3D]"Yeah, she can hitch a ride with me and Alycia. We can probably stop at McDonald's or something for breakfast."[/color] Melissa looked into the living room where [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/thethundermans/images/9/93/AddieR.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20191113070314]her sister[/url] sat, bag at the ready, but appearance not nearly as perfected as Miss Elliott would approve of. She still needed a lot of work if she was going to take over the top spot on the social chain while Melissa was off at university. Zoey was on her sixth rewatch of 13 Reasons Why. Melissa shook her head again as she checked her phone. [color=CE0F3D]"C'mon Zoey. Our tetanus-encrusted lift is here."[/color]

The younger Elliott sibling hoisted herself up from the couch and headed towards the door. [color=800020]"Bye honey! Be nice to those rich kids, will you? Some of them are good customers!"[/color]

[color=CE0F3D][i]Yeah, that's not happening.[/i][/color]

[hr]

Alycia sat in wait, her bag with her cheap Chromebook and various notepads and other supplies tossed in the backseat. She was unaware she would be picking up more than one blonde today, but that wouldn't matter. She had known Zoey for a decade, back when she first met Melissa at a gymnastics class back in the day. Her mother was convinced she was going to be another Simone Biles, but that never materialized the way she wanted. Still, at least she got a gold medal friendship that day. Or so Melissa told her.

They had proved their loyalty to each other over the years, well before Melissa's calculated rise to the top of the social pyramid at Rosefell. So it made sense that Alycia was the one that Melissa trusted with most of her secrets. Of her latest conquests among the football team, of who was slipping in their style choices, of that weird dream that one time that Melissa swore her to never bring up again. It was a sisterly bond, something Alycia appreciated as an only child. In a way, that protection extended to Zoey too, although she did worry Melissa was being a little to hard on her at times.

[color=CE0F3D]"No. Taco Bell is gross. Especially for breakfast! Who wants throw up in a tortilla at 9am?"[/color] It was clear that Zoey's wish of "Mexican" food for breakfast would not be entertained.

[color=ff00ff]"Well, Aly is driving, so she can decide!"[/color] Zoey huffed as she hopped into the backseat.

[color=CE0F3D]"Sorry about that,"[/color] Melissa apologized as she placed herself in the front. [color=CE0F3D]"Mom didn't have time to make breakfast. Can we stop somewhere on the way to school?"[/color] She looked in the backseat. [color=CE0F3D]"As long as it isn't Taco freaking Bell!"[/color] Zoey just stuck her tongue out in response.

Alycia just laughed at the antics. [color=c45508]"If you don't play nice, I'm going stop at the convenience store and get you both apples!"[/color] That got the Elliotts to calm down. [color=c45508]"I'm feeling some McDonald's anyway. And you can get a breakfast burrito there, Zoey. It'll be kinda like Taco Bell, just better for you."[/color]

The look Melissa gave Alycia was one of relief. 

The trip through the drive-thru was relatively short. Egg McMuffins and breakfast burritos were enjoyed by the respective occupants of the 2004 Caravan en route to the old familiar building. There was already a crowd, as well there should be. The star of the day was here. Sure, Melissa had heard through the grapevine that there would be partnerships between Liberty and Rosefell students for the purposes of guided tours of their new school, but Melissa was clearly not meant to beam brighter for just one Liberty student at a time.

[color=c45508]"So, you going to be able to handle everyone staring at you all day for guidance? Or should I get you a neon sign so they know they are supposed to be staring at you?"[/color] Alycia punctuated this offer with a look that screamed sarcasm.

[color=CE0F3D]"I dunno. Some of these poor rich kids might need the help,"[/color] Melissa conceded. [color=CE0F3D]"Seriously, we better be getting a ton of money from these kids' parents or something. Who'd you end up assigned with?"[/color]

Alycia thought for a second, trying to remember the name she got in the email. Melissa also got a name late in the process, but of course, she didn't read that email. There were more important things to focus on. [color=c45508]"Ummmm, think his name was... Payton Merrill? I dunno. Better not be a nerd or anything. Least you'll get to see the whole that Liberty has to offer, right?"[/color]

Melissa scoffed. [color=CE0F3D]"If anything. I'm not keeping my hopes up. Spike is there to be goofy and kind. I'm there to show them who is in charge. I'm not expecting things to change."[/color] She looked back, then looked out of the van as she spotted her sister dashing off to the school. [color=CE0F3D]"Least my sister hasn't changed. Anyway, best of luck, bestie. I'll talk to you in class? Or during? I don't know the schedule."[/color]

[color=c45508]"Sounds good. I'm going to go park. I'll see you in a few seconds."[/color]

As Melissa got out of the van, Alycia willed it towards the parking lot. Meanwhile, the head cheerleader looked around for her tour sidekick for the day. The mascot for the Rosefell Knights appeared to be holding court, sans armor but equipped with a bevy of sweets. She didn't recognize the majority of the girls surrounding the mascot. [color=CE0F3D][i]Spikey must be in heaven with this much attention on him. When was the last time he had three girls this close to him that weren't doing some pep rally trick?[/i][/color] There was a redhead, and what looked like a biker girl, although neither of them looked too impressed. She recognized Lilith, although she wasn't used to seeing her without a ready bag of weed awaiting her when she needed a bit of stress relief, or her football-playing partner du nuit needed some performance enhancement. [color=CE0F3D][i]Going to have to ask her for her hookup for another bag soon.[/i][/color] And, of course, Minty Goh. Her reputation around Rosefell was similar to Melissa's, only somewhat less selective. There were a few people who had experienced both women, and while she hadn't bothered to do some sort of survey comparison, Melissa was confident she was more skilled. Although it was clear who had Spike more under their thumb. Spike clearly had no latte waiting for Melissa. Shame. He would pay a far higher price then a lollipop.

[color=CE0F3D]"Well hello, fellow Roses!"[/color] she said, announcing her presence as she strolled up to the growing crowd. [color=CE0F3D]"I hope everyone is ready for this year! I know I am. ...Or I would be if I had a Plouf latte in front of me."[/color] She gave Spike a decided look. In all honesty, she knew she couldn't have expected such. However, it was clear that the Libertys were already starting to trickle in, and dominance had to be shown. She would make it up to Spike later. [color=CE0F3D]"But we can't have everything we want, right? You never feel like you've earned anything if it's just given to you! Anyway, I see you new ladies have met Spike! Don't tell me he's causing too much trouble already! He and I are here to help you on your first day at Rosefell! So any questions you have, or if you get lost, just find me, or the comically oversized knight helmet that this blonde bombshell should be wearing right now. Right, Spike?"[/color]

[/color][/indent][/indent]