Page 52 of We're At It Again

“Let me take you home,” I told Luna, before turning to Maya. “Do you need a ride?”

She shook her head.

“No thanks. I’ll get a ride with my date.”

I nodded before helping Luna off the tailgate and led her to the passenger side. She waved goodbye to Maya before I closed the door. I rounded the car to my side, stopping as Maya stood with a smirk and her arms folded across her chest.

“What?”

Her smirk widened.

“Nothing.” She said. “Have a good night.”

“You too.”

As we drove away, the night’s events replayed in my mind. I glanced at Luna, wrapped in my hoodie, and felt a warmth spread through me. She was going to let me kiss her. Or she was too shocked to register what I was going to do? But either way, I was going to kiss her.

?

The gym echoed with the rhythmic sound of cheerleaders practicing their routines. Luna stood in line, trying to ignore Cynthia’s mean remarks. She’s still bitter after the Halloween party.

“You call that a jump, Luna?” she asked, her voice carrying over the music. “My grandma can do better.”

Luna bit her lip, focusing on the next move. I rolled my eyes at her. Almost a month ago she was grappling with the girl at the party, and now she’s letting her undermine her every action.

Their coach called for a water break, and I approached Luna on the sidelines. I handed her the water bottle and she thanked me before drinking it as if she’d escaped the desert.

“You know you don’t have to put up with her.” I said, nodding towards Cynthia, who was flipping through a clipboard.

“I need this for college applications.” Luna sighed.

“There are other things you could do for credit.”

“Like what?”

I tucked my hands in my front pockets.

“You could quit cheerleading and get back into photography.”

Her eyes widened.

“I’ve been on this team since freshman year. I can’t just quit.”

“Of course you can. You’ve been miserable.” She hesitated as if my words hit closer to home than she wanted to admit. I saw doubt in her eyes and leaned in with a smirk. “Imagine Cynthia’s face when you tell her off in front of everyone.”

She looked over her shoulder at Cynthia laughing with her pretty committee. Luna turned to me with determination in her eyes.

“You’re right.”

She marched to the center of the court, and I trailed after her, not wanting to miss the action.

“Luna let’s get back to practice. You need it.” Cynthia said, causing her friends to laugh.

“No.”

Their laughter ceased at Luna’s words.

“Excuse me?”

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