Celine entered the kitchen, finding Regan, Rick, and Rina already enjoying breakfast. "Oh Goodmorning, your the last one to come down today which is surprising, is everything all right?" Regan asked Celine.

Celine responded, "Yeah, I guess I slept in a bit. Sorry for being late." Her words were sincere, though her voice held a hint of tiredness, hinting at a restless night.

Rick sighed at the table, he knew deep down that I was still upset from last night.

"So," Celine says

"Today is tryouts for the cheer team and I'm thinking about joining with Kennedy."

Rick's orange juice sprayed across the kitchen table, drawing looks of surprise from everyone around.
Regan quickly grabbed a napkin and began cleaning the mess, while Rina looked on with confusion.

"You need to stop doing that, it's gross." Rina scoffed.

"The cheer team?" he asked again making sure he heard right.

I responded with a hint of defiance, raising an eyebrow, "Problem?" My words carried a slight challenge.

Rick's gaze locked onto Celine, his tone dismissive as he spoke. "A girl like you, cheerleading? It doesn't seem like a match at all," he declared, skepticism evident in his voice. His words dripped with doubt and maybe a hint of mockery, questioning Celine's suitability for the role.

"Your going to get hurt—

"Hm, I didn't know that you cared that much." I squinted my eye at the boy, trying to figure him out.

Rick's was met with a moment of silence as the others at the table exchanged uneasy glances, clearly sensing the tension in the room.

Regan interjected, attempting to ease the tension at the table between the two. "Rick, wouldn't it be great if Celine were to cheer for your team, given that you play football at the school?"

"Sure mom, it would be a honor for her to cheer for my team just as it would be an honor to see her break her fucking ankles." he stared at his mother.

".. Someone's angry." Rina sipped her juice.

Regan abruptly stood up from the table, her voice firm and authoritative. "Alright, that's enough. It's time for all of you to head to school," she stated, signaling an end to the conversation.

☙❧☙❧

Celine reached for her schoolwork, tucking it into her backpack before closing her locker. Just as she turned to leave, her blonde-haired friend Kennedy appeared in front of her, excitement and enthusiasm.

Kennedy held up a piece of paper, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. showing Celine the flyer for the cheer tryouts scheduled for 10:00am in the gym.

"Looks like someone's happy."

"Are you kidding?— this is someone new for me that I'm excited to try, and if I do make the team I'll be able to see my crush on the field playing." She said

I chuckled, "Oh, so now you got a crush." I shook my head in disbelief.

As Celine and Kennedy walked to class, a slight flush of excitement tinged Kennedy's cheeks, and she giggling a bit. Celine, sensing her friend's eagerness, asked with a playful tone, "So, who's your crush?"

Kennedy's response had a hint of shyness and secrecy as she replied, "You know him."

"Hm, is it that jackass chas—

"It's Rick." She answered for me with a toothy smile.

Celine's eyes widened in shock as she processed the name that Kennedy had just dropped. "Rick?" she asked.

"Yes!— I figured it wouldn't be a problem since you hate him."

"Oh I—

"I hope it's not a problem— right?" Kennedy placed her hand on my shoulder.

Celine forced a smile, attempting to conceal her true emotions as she looked at the oblivious girl beside her. "No, it's totally fine," she responded.

"Good because you're like a best friend to me and I wouldn't ever want to do something that would hurt your feelings."

"And I really like him Celine."

I tried to hide my feelings as I asked casually, "So, why do you like him? Is it because of his looks?" My voice was steady, but my heart rate had quickened.

Kennedy pondered, "Everything." she says.

I forced another smile. "Okay let's get to the gym so we don't be late for tryouts!" Kennedy said pulling me from my wrist.

Celine's eyes widened as a jolt of pain shot through her wrist, and she involuntarily yanked her arm back from Kennedy's grasp.

"Celine?" Kennedy asked, concern etched on her face as she looked at Celine's pained expression.

Kennedy watched me covered my wrist, "Sorry about that, i recently had gotten a shot from the doctors and it's a little sore." I lied

Kennedy nodded her head in understanding, "okay come on."

I sighed and followed after the blonde.

☙❧☙❧

Celine and Kennedy stepped into the gymnasium, their eyes scanning the space. The room was filled with other cheerleaders performing their routines, with a group of judges positioned behind a table nearby. Celine's gaze then shifted to the bleachers, where she noticed the boys who played for the team, their faces watching the tryouts intently.

Celine's eyes involuntarily fixated on Rick as he looked up from his phone upon her arrival. She couldn't help but pick up on the change in his demeanor, as if his mood darkened slightly.

Her mind quickly shifted to a different topic as she spoke to Kennedy. "Wait, why are the football players here? I thought they didn't usually attend cheer tryouts," Celine inquired.

Kennedy explained, rolling her eyes "Because one of the judges is Emma Weasley," she said, her voice tinged with irritation. "She insisted that the football players should be here to watch the tryouts."

"But why though?! They're literally males." I asked

"Because she's a slut," Kennedy added, her dislike for Emma clearly expressed.

"I'm not trying out anymore, that's so embarrassing."

"Celine please!? You said you would do it with me."

"Yeah and that was after the fact I found out that the boys from the football team are watching us."

Kennedy sighs, "I know it's nerve racking but I can't do this without you— so Please would you do this for me?" Kennedy begged.

"Please!?"

I rolled my eyes as I sighed, "fine."

A smile appeared on her lips for a second, "Thank you." She said

Celine followed in Kennedy's footsteps as they approached the table where the judges were located. Celine recognized Emma Weasley, the brunette twins Giselle and Bridget, all of whom were known for their snobbish demeanor.

"We're here to tryout, for the team." Kennedy boldly announced their intention to the judges.

Emma looked Celine up and down with a critical gaze, then replied in a snobbish tone, "You two?" She asked, her expression clearly skeptical.

Kennedy nodded her head for the both of us.

Emma cast a glance at the twins, scoffing as she spoke. "Alright, if you insist," she said, her tone dripping with skepticism. Emma then indicated the bleachers with her eyes, gesturing for Celine and Kennedy to take a seat.

"See that wasn't so bad Celine." Kennedy said sitting down at the bleachers.

"I guess so—

Celine's words were cut short as something made contact with her back. She glanced at Kennedy, sharing a bewildered look, before turning to see what or who had thrown an object in her direction.

Celine's eyes scanned the football team gathered on the bleachers, focusing on Rick who was already staring at her. Rick silently snitched that his friend was the culprit who had thrown the object at her.

Celine couldn't help but roll her eyes in frustration, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. As she turned her attention back to the judges, she already desired nothing more than to be back at home, away from the annoyances of the people around her.

Celine was taken by surprise as Rick squeezed his way in between her and Kennedy, taking a seat. He directed a question at her, asking, "What's wrong with you?" He asked

Rick's hand made an attempt to provide comfort by gently resting on Celine's arm, but she quickly pulled away, distancing herself from his touch.

Celine was keenly aware of Kennedy's watchful gaze, knowing that her friend harbored feelings for Rick now. This added pressure for me to respect her feelings and distance away from him.

"The fuck is your problem Kinsley?" He asked

"Please Leave me alone." I said before walking off. 

Rick's team was witnessing the unfolding scene in the gym. "Is she cool?" One of Rick's friends asked.

"Does she look cool to you bro?" He glared at his friend.