Page 88 of Bad for Me

I was certainly a brat, but Ava knew how to put me in my placeandmade me happy.

“You ready, biotch!?” Rebecca yelled, running past me and jumping on the back of another cheerleader who started jumping up and down in glee as well.

I pulled my bag over my shoulder, following others to the changing rooms. I was already wearing my uniform, but I needed to drop off this big bag before heading out onto the field.

Coach Kelly drove here separately, and I scanned the crowd for her bright blue eyes and halo of blonde hair. After setting my things down, I made my way to the field and crossed my arms, trying to make myself as invisible as possible. This was not my idea of fun. In fact, I could feel my chest tightening and my heart pounding so hard I felt nauseas.

“How you holding up? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Her voice was like a gentle swipe across my brow, and I turned to see Ava’s perfectly arched eyebrows and kissable lips.

Not now, Mary. This is the day she has been training us for.

“I’m…good…”

She leaned into me, but stood behind me, and her breath on my neck was like taking a shot of vodka. “You can do this, Mary. I know it. Be a good girl and do your best. Cheer for me…. make me proud.”

Chills ran down my spine, and I wanted nothing more than to make her proud. It was the driving force behind this entire thing, and I wanted to do this to prove to myself that I could.

Ava led the way, and all the cheerleaders followed her onto the field, thousands of eyes resting on us.

Holy shit…that’s a lot of people.

“We got this, girls! Places! Enthusiasm!” Ava’s words sent adrenaline through me. Regardless of the turnout tonight, I wouldn’t give up on her. I had already decided what I’d do to shove things into my favor.

Many knew Mr. Kelly for his Lothario ways, and I had a feeling that he cheated just as much as Ava did. I didn’t have proof, but if I set up a little trap for him…

It may just be as easy as that.

The music beat pumped through the speakers, and as we started our routine, I noticed Ava’s eyes trained on me. I made it through every step without missing a beat, my voice loud and as peppy as I could manage.

She smiled at me, and as she watched her team come together and outperform themselves, I felt her beaming. Her smile was contagious, and I returned it to her with a genuine feeling of pride.

The dark sky was a rose gold color, and the football field’s lights illuminated everyone like a concert. This must be the high people talk about when they play sports and compete. The rush, the excitement, I’d never even known…

This must be what it felt like to belong…

* * *

After I retrievedmy bag and my adrenaline had finally calmed down, I felt her approach me from behind again. I closed my eyes, waiting for her words,prayingit would be something more than a little encouragement from a coach to her student.

I knew what I did that night at the faculty dinner was stupid, and lying to her all this time had me feeling a sliver of guilt. I needed to face her eventually, and I wished with all my might they maybe she’d forgive me.

“Want a ride home?”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but goosebumps raised along my skin, and I bit my lip to keep from screaming, ‘YES!’

I turned, and although she was slightly shorter than me, her gaze commanded presence, and I knew that before the end of the night I’d be on my knees for her. Excitement bubbled up inside of me, and I clenched my walls.

“That would be awesome.”

I followed her to her car, glancing over my shoulder now and again, but no one seemed interested in where I went. The remaining cheerleaders loaded up into the bus with squeals of delight and celebration.

I was proud of them, too. We had come together and did it and did it well.

Her car smelled familiar to me now, and my legs shook a little after the four full sets of routines we performed.

I guess if I was honest, the expectation of what could happen had me shaking too.

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