(Alyssa)

Cocoa's POV

"Alyssa, sorry but there is no chance of us happening, period. This is Cocoa, my girlfriend."

"You're what?!" She was mad, but do I care? No. And, she didn't even shake my hand when I stuck it out.

The crew came over to where Landry and I were standing. They were just as surprised. Heather seemed rather irritated though.

"Alyssa, what are you doing here?" Heather asked.

"I realized it was stupid of me to leave, so my parents enrolled me back at Copper Grove."

Why doesn't she tell them the real reason she came back?

"She wants to rekindle a flame that died a while ago for me. Cocoa Baker is my girlfriend. And, I am not giving her up for anyone. It was good to see you though. See you guys tomorrow."

Landry and I walked over to my Mercedes.

"I'll follow you to your house so we can work on our project."

"Okay." I proceeded to get in my Mercedes, and Landry got in his Escalade. Then, we were off.

Heather's POV

She was pissed, but who cares? Landry is happy with Cocoa.

"Alyssa, you need to stay away from Landry and Cocoa. They are happy and that is all that matters. Nobody liked you then, and the feeling is the same. We don't even know what Landry saw in you anyway."

"I don't have to listen to any of you. I came back to this University for one reason, and I will get it."

"We'll see about that."

Cocoa's POV

When we arrived home. I pulled into the garage, and Landry pulled right behind me, on the driveway.

Lei and Lalita were watching television when we entered the house.

"Hey ladies, I have a huge favor to ask for Saturday. Will you do a cheer with me on Saturday to help me make the team?"

They both said. "Yes."

"Now, right after the tryouts, I'm going to watch the tryouts for the football team."

"Oh yeah, count me in to watch cute, college boys," Leilani then says.

That girl is a trip!

"Cocoa, mom, and dad are both going to be late. Mom said she left money for us to order food for dinner. And, Michail, Alise, Leigh, and Myshea are coming this weekend."

"Okay. Thanks for letting me know. Landry, do you have any plans for this weekend?"

As we entered the study room, he answered, "My father was able to get tickets to the Ravens game against the Steelers for Sunday. But, I'm free after tryouts on Saturday. I would love to meet your family. And, I meant what I said earlier - I am not giving you up for anybody."

"Good. Now, let's get to studying."

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Thursday, September 18th, 2014

While talking and laughing at lunch, Ms. Alyssa entered the cafeteria and made a beeline to our table. Landry wrapped his arms around me. And, of course, she plopped next to Landry. Heather and everyone else sucked their teeth as she sat down.

"Hi, everyone," She annoyingly says. Why can't she see that nobody wants her around?

"I'm heading to class. See you all later in the parking lot." Heather got up and left the cafeteria.

"We are heading to class too." The rest of the crew too, leaving me, Landry, and Alyssa. None of them don't have class until 2:30 pm. It's only 1:45 pm. Thank goodness I see Tosca and the girls coming this way.

"Hey, Cocoa and Landry. You two are so cute together." I know why Tosca said that. I texted her last night about Alyssa trying to come back to Copper Grove and take Landry away from me.

"Hey, ladies, and thanks. Girls, this is Alyssa. She came back to Copper Grove."

They nonchalantly said, "Hello."

She rolled her eyes.

"Well ladies, it's time for Cocoa and me to roll. See you soon." Landry and I headed to our next class.

Tosca's POV

"Listen up, Alyssa and listen good. Stay away from Landry Miller. He belongs to Cocoa. You had your shot last year but left the University."

"Just like I told Heather yesterday, I came back to reclaim what is mine, and she is in my way."

"Landry made it pretty clear he doesn't want you. So, back off."

"Whatever."

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Saturday, September 20th, 2014

Cocoa's POV

We had a great time with Michail, Alise, Leigh, and Myshea. And, he even promised to be nice to Landry tonight at dinner.

They all are actually coming to watch me, Lei, and Lalita cheer, so they will meet Landry today. I have Shea, Leigh, Leilani, and Lalita in my Mercedes. We are on our way to University. Landry is going to meet us there.

As we pulled into the parking lot, I saw several spots next to his Escalade. As soon as I parked, Michail parked next to me, and mom and dad did the same.

Landry then walked over to my Mercedes.

"Landry, I want you to meet my brother, Michail. And, standing next to him is Alise, my sis-in-law. And, my nephew and niece, Leigh and Myshea."

"It's nice to meet everyone."

Michail was making me nervous. He didn't say anything for a few minutes. "Make sure you take care of my sister."

"Yeah, take care of my auntie," Leigh says with his arms crossed.

Alise elbowed Michail. "Don't pay them no mind, Landry. It's nice to meet you too."

"Trust me, I absolutely will."

Shea walked over to Landry and let him pick her up. Now, that is a surprise.

"Let's head to the field." As we walked to the field, I saw mom walking over to Coach Taylor and Heather. Uh-oh, don't tell me my mom is a judge?

"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the Final cut for the 2014-2015 cheer team. First, we have a special judge with us today. Please give Mrs. Alyshea Baker a Copper Grove welcome."

Bryce was the first one to cut a glance my way.

"Before we go any further, leave her daughter alone. No favoritism will be given to anyone, got it? If Cocoa makes the team, it will be because she earned it. Now, when I call your name please follow Mrs. Baker to the portion of the field where she will be judging."

Coach Taylor called the names and they followed mom. Thankfully, I am not in that group.

"The next group will follow Heather." Coach again called the names, and they followed Heather.

"I will be judging the students who are left. Good luck to everyone."

Coach then called the names in the order they are going to cheer. I was last, which I didn't mind.

Leilani, Lalita and I did stretches while we waited for our turn.

The facial expression on coach's face for some of the cheers was of pure displeasure. She smacked her head several times. The coach even stopped one of the girl's routine and told her she didn't make the cut.

Lei and Lalita laughed a couple of times. "Cocoa, you definitely will have a spot on the cheer team. You have nothing to worry about." Leilani says.

Out of the corner of my eye, I just happen to see Alyssa standing next to Landry. He isn't paying her any attention at all.

After 45 minutes, "Okay, Cocoa, take it away with your routine."

Lei, Lalita and I positioned ourselves in front of the coach. We created a routine that goes with the lyrics to....

(1, 2 Step - Ciara)

Cam's POV

I came to support Tosca, and she has a good chance to make the team. I can't help but to watch Cocoa perform her routine with Leilani and Lalita. She is going to make the team too.

Cheerleading is a part of her family. I definitely saw it the homecoming game against Lakeside. She kept the fans in the game for four quarters.

After they were finished, Coach Taylor gathered everyone together.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the list of who made the team will be posted in the cheer team building on Monday. For those who made the team, the first practice will be Wednesday. Two Saturdays from today is our first home game of the football season. Good luck and enjoy the rest of your Saturday."

Tosca ran over to where me, mom, and dad were standing.

"I'm going to shower and change. Then, I'll be over to watch you, Cam. Thanks for coming."

"You're welcome. We may not always get along, but we have to support each other. I'll see you guys over at the football field."

As I was walking to the field, I heard someone calling my name. It was Landry Miller.

"A word of warning, you saw the girl that was standing next to me, right?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Don't go anywhere near her. She is trying to get her hooks in anybody she can. Her name is Alyssa. One of my friends overheard her talking to someone about breaking me and Cocoa up. And, that is not happening. Good luck with your tryouts."

"Thanks." Well, at least he is faithful, unlike Channing was with Cocoa. Speaking of, I don't see him with Wendy anymore. Frankly, I could care less.

The coaching staff was already on the field.

"Gentlemen, just like the cheer team, the players who made the team will be posted on the board right near the locker room. The coaches are set up by what position you want to try out for. Please head to those coaches, now," Coach Peterson announced.

I just followed Landry to the linebacker's coaches. When you have Ray Lewis and Ed Reed on your favorite team, how can one not want to be a defensive player?

"These will be your coaches for the day. Please follow their instructions. In about an hour, we will have a mini-game to showcase your talent. That mini-game will determine who will make the team."

"Okay gentlemen, first things first - strength and conditioning. Then, time to tackle the dummies."

"I know which dummy I want to tackle, and his name is Channing." Everybody chuckled as Landry said that. Frankly, I feel the same way.

After strengthening and conditioning, we tackled the dummies until it was time for the mini-game.

Cocoa's POV

The guys finished the strengthening and conditioning. Now, they are going to play a quick game. And, it looks like Landry has not missed a step from last year. Granted, I was in high school and didn't watch him play last year. But he seems fired up.

He even tackled Channing, very hard and yelled, "Welcome to Copper Grove!" He did tell me he couldn't wait to tackle Channing. Well in Landry's words, he said, "Put the wood to Channing."

Looks like Cam came to play too. Sucks for Channing because he is getting sacked pretty bad.

The mini-game lasted for an hour. The coach blew the whistle, signaling that the game was over. He gave the guys a speech about Monday, then concluded the tryouts.

Landry ran to where I was standing. "I'm going to shower and change. I'll be right back." While waiting for him to come back, Tosca, Lei, Lalita, and I chatted with each other.

"Cocoa, who does that Alyssa chick think she is waiting for?" Tosca asked.

"Well, I know who she isn't waiting for."

"How are things with you and Landry?"

"Things are going great. I am very happy."

"Good for you. Did you hear that Channing is no longer with Wendy? She dumped him."

"Serves him right."

After about 20 minutes, we started seeing the players come from the boys' locker room. I saw Cam, and I want us to bury the hatchet. Staying angry at each other the rest of our lives would be stupid.

"Tosca, I'll be back." I walked over to Landry first.

"Do you mind if I talk to Cam, alone for a few minutes?"

"No, I don't mind. I'll go stand with your friend and sisters."

He was surprised when he saw me coming his way.

"Good mini-game you had there, Cam. Hope you make the team."

"Thanks, Cocoa."

"The reason I want to speak with you is that I want us to put our hurt feelings in the past. What good will it do to be always angry with each other forever? We both expressed our feelings. What's done is done. All I wanted was for us to be friends again when I came back from North Carolina. So, friends again?"

"Yeah, friends again." Cam and I shook hands. Then, we went to join Landry and the guys.

"Let's go have a celebratory lunch to welcome Calabro to the football team. And, Cocoa, along with her friend to the cheer team. I can feel it." Landry then say.

"Lunch with college boys?! Woo hoo!!"

Oh boy, wait until Leilani starts dating.

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