Page 146 of Fraternizing with the Enemy
By the time the bell rang, I had forgotten about the whispers and prying eyes. Everyone began collecting their trash and trays, and I looked around almost in shock that no one’s eyes seemed to linger on our table anymore. “That… that wasn’t bad at all.”
My table seemed to pause, even while the cafeteria began emptying around us. “It was nice,” Maisie agreed, glancing around at everyone. “Wasn’t it?”
Connor gave a soft nod. “Top tier lunch period, I’d say.” And then his eyes found mine.
It was the best lunch period I’d had all year. I returned his nod, the warmth in my chest almost too much. “Top tier,” I agreed. “Let’s do it again tomorrow?”
A part of me had been prepared for someone to object. No one did, though. Everyone seemed to glance around at each other, content looks on their faces. Landon was the first who nodded, followed by Lacey, then Gemma. Hudson gave his head a bob, while Ava and Rachel grinned. Reed and Connor exchanged a look I couldn’t read, but it was Maisie who ultimately patted my hand. With an almost proud expression, she said, “Let’s.”
That day after school, I gripped my backpack strap tightly as I walked outside. The sun was high, but the air was cool. Fall was sweeping in, and the change in the air almost left me giddy, despite what I was walking out to do.
The boys were already out on the football field, congregating before their practice started, and I found where the cheerleaders were all assembling on the other side of the fence. Practice hadn’t started for them either, but they were all sitting on the ground to prepare for their warmups, stretching their legs.
Their heads swiveled up toward me when they noticed my approach, and even though my chest suddenly felt tight, I refused to let my steps falter. Instead, I held my head high and set my sights on Coach, who was looking at something on her phone.
She was seemingly unaware of me at all until I stopped right beside her. My hands were full of something that should’ve been light, but felt like a fifteen-pound weight in my palms. I cleared my throat to speak. “Hi, Coach.”
Coach glanced up, but quickly focused back downon her phone. “Way to grace us with your presence finally, Oliphant.”
Her tone was flat, borderline unfriendly. Totally deserved, though. I had cut practice all week without notice—after I’d been caught with the enemy. I was sure I was public enemy number one in Coach Chelsea’s book.
Which made what I needed to do a bit easier. “I just. Well.” I thrust my hands out, my folded uniform displayed on my palms. “I wanted to return this.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about giving up cheerleading, if I was being honest. It was something that was forced upon me, really, but I’d made peace with it. Sort of. It wasn’t like I could be co-captains with Jade anymore, and honestly, the idea of staying on the squad even though everyone probably hated my guts wasn’t exactly exciting. I didn’t feel relieved to be offering my uniform out, but I didn’t feel heartbroken, either.
I probably shouldn’t have done it in front of the girls, because they all looked on with dropped jaws. If practice hadn’t been about to start, I was sure they’d have run to grab their phones out of their duffels and record it for Babble.
My arms had begun to quiver by the time Coach lifted her gaze again, and she just stared at my outstretched bundle of clothes. “What’s this?”
“Uh, my uniform.”
“Why are you giving it to me?”
I blinked. “Because I’m quitting.” And then, as if she needed clarification, I added, “The squad.”
Coach still didn’t react. “I didn’t approve your request to step down as co-captain.”
Had she not heard what happened last weekend?That her beloved co-captain got fleas from the Bulldogs? “Uh?—”
“In fact, if you hadn’t skipped practice all week, I would’ve told you my decision already.” Coach went as far as to push my uniform back at me. “Request denied.”
Request denied?“Coach?—”
“Now get your butt out of those jeans and into shorts, because practice starts in five minutes.” She turned back to the girls. “Five minutes. Nina, get that class ring off, or so help me?—”
“Coach Chelsea.” I blinked at her again, unable to close my mouth. “I—I can’t be on the squad anymore.”
“Why not? Because you had a fight with Jade? Because you’re making kissy faces at some boy from Jefferson, and everyone at school hates you for it?”
Instinctively, I looked toward the girls, who seemed torn between looking shocked and amused. “I mean, well, that’s part of it?—”
“Do you know why I chose you for co-captain, Madison?”
I mutely shook my head.
“Because you’re a good leader. You have your head on straight, and you keep the girls on task, even when your tank is empty. You’re Miss School Spirit because you love Brentwood, not because you love the spotlight.” Coach lowered her voice so only I could hear her next words. “And because I didn’t want it to be Jade.”
My eyebrows shot up. “But?—”
