Page 24 of Raise 'Em Up

“Okay, that’s it for today. Get some water. We will reconvene practices once Rylee returns. In the meantime, don’t slack on workouts.”

I’m turning to leave when Felicia and Fatima run up to us. “We don’t need to host auditions. My cousin is here this year and she’s more than qualified to replace Missi. She was on a competitive team back home, and has been for the last ten years.”

Colt crosses his arms, listening, and I nudge him. “Auditions will take up a lot of time. I say we see what she has, and if she’s not a good fit, then we can put posters up.”

Teo and Len agree, and Colt sighs. “Have her meet us tomorrow afternoon and we can see what she’s got.”

Serenity walks over and she gives Felicia a smile. “Did you want to help me decorate Rylee’s room?” she asks her, and they walk off talking about color schemes and pillows or something.

“That went better than I thought,” I say when we are the only ones left. Len laughs, shaking his head.

“Missi has a lot more enemies than she knows. People fear her because of who her dad is, but now that he’s being removed, they will start showing their claws.”

Tipping my head back, I roar with laughter, then groan, rubbing my empty stomach.

“Okay, now that our evil planning is done, it’s time for food.”

It took a few days, but Len’s dad came through in the end. The school board decided to remove Dean Kondum once and for all. Len’s mom called to give us a heads up, and after making some snacks and popcorn, we set up on the lawn, waiting for the show to begin.

“I can’t believe you made popcorn,” Alex says with a laugh, grabbing a handful.

“One thing you should know about me… I always need popcorn during a show,” I mumble with my mouth full.

The front doors open and the former Dean is being escorted off the campus by two security guards, as his former assistant races after him with a box full of his crap. He glances over in our direction and I give him a saucy wink, watching his nostrils flare.

He shouldn’t have fucked with my Cherry.

“So, what about Missi?” Trevor asks, then sips on the Italian sodas I brought. I give him a vicious smile.

“Oh, she’s going to get hers really soon,” I say with a wink, and he raises an eyebrow. Len points toward the ex-Dean and his daughter, who are having a screaming match in the parking lot. She has packed bags in front of her and tears running down her cheeks.

“Fuck around and find out,” Teo grunts, and Alex nods in agreement.

“Getting her removed from the team was a lot easier than we thought it would be. Turns out, she’s failing most of her classes, and her good old daddy Dean was boosting her grades. The school board was alerted of this favoritism, so she’s on a suspension under investigation.”

“Remind me not to piss you guys off,” Trevor mumbles under his breath and I laugh, clapping my hands.

“The witch is gone… Well, at least for a few weeks, so I say we get some food and celebrate. Rylee will be back where she belongs now. With us.”

Walking into the Cheer house, you would expect some tears or sadness, at least from Ursula, not a full blown celebration. The music is blasting and the drinks are flowing.

“Ding dong, the witch is dead!” I shout, and my team follows my cheer.

“God, I couldn’t stand her. Is she really gone?” Felicia asks and I nod.

“She’s like a cockroach. She will be back,” Fatima adds.

“Who gets her room? Because I think as co-captain, it should be mine,” Ursula states with her hands on her hips.

Rolling my eyes, I leave them to fight it out and walk into the kitchen to grab us some sealed beers. Alex and Serenity are grinding in the living room to a slow song, and I pass them to go to our apartment.

Trevor is sitting in a chair as Len makes us some snacks when I enter.

I hand out the drinks and take a seat on the floor. Peaches is still here with us, and races out of my bedroom to cuddle up with me. Me and her have a bond.

“We need to get you a friend,” I coo to the kitten and Teo scoffs, exiting his room freshly showered.

“If you bring in any more strays, Donny, you will be moving out,” he growls and I roll my eyes. He can fight it all he wants, but he loves the little fluffy fuck. I even caught him cuddling her on the couch last night when he thought he was alone.

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