Videos for this chapter:

Guns N' Roses - "Welcome To The Jungle"
Nelly - "Hot In Herre"
Missy Elliot - "Get Ur Freak On
DMX - "Party Up"
Snoop Dogg - "Drop It Like It's Hot"

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Today is the day that Tosca and I find out if we made the team. And, yes! My Ravens beat the Steelers yesterday, 26 - 6. (This was the actual score of the game from 2014. The game was actually played on a Thursday night. But, for this chapter I put it on a Sunday.)

We were all in the cafeteria talking about The Ravens victory. Then all of a sudden Alyssa entered with Bryce and her crew.

"What are they up to?" Heather asked.

"I have no idea, but I don't have time to worry about it. It's almost time to go to class anyway."

I got up to put my trash in the trash can. I could sense trouble coming, so then I felt a pair of arms snake around my waist and whisper in my ears, "I saw Alyssa and Bryce coming your way."

I turned around and Landry was standing behind me.

"Thanks." We walked back to our table.

"I'll wait for you, Cocoa in front of your building after my class so we can go to the cheer team building after school," Tosca says.

"Cool. We'll see you guys later." Landry carried my backpack as we exited the cafeteria.

**************************************

After my class, I exited the room and waited for Landry. He came about 5 minutes later, then we made our way downstairs. Tosca was waiting for us.

"Here come the nerves."

"Cocoa, you have nothing to worry about. Now, me on the other hand, my stomach is in knots," Tosca says.

"Where's Chen?"

"He's already at the cheer team building."

As soon as we approached the building, Chen was right there. We immediately went inside the building and saw a group of girls crowded around the board in the hallway.

"Uh, I think Chen and I will stay back here, ladies," Landry says.

"I agree," Chen added.

"Scaredy cats." Tosca and I approached the group of girls. They suddenly started congratulating me. Well, except Bryce.

"It's bad enough you stole Landry from me. But now you suddenly get the co-captain spot on the cheer team?!"

I didn't say not one word to Bryce because it is not worth it. Tosca and I checked the list. Both of us made the team. Yes!! We traded a high-five.

Bryce just had to keep running her mouth. "We know why she is a captain. How much did your mother pay for you to be the co-captain?!"

"Bryce, shut up! Cocoa earned that spot and you know it! And, what part of what Landry has told you numerous times - he doesn't want you - don't you understand?!" Heather was pissed. "If I was you, I would be careful of the words that come out of your mouth because Cocoa and I can kick you off the team!"

"Thank you, ladies. I promise not to let you down."

"Hey Cocoa, can you teach us the cheer you did with your sisters? I'm Jaylin."

"I would love to show you all. I'll have to check with Heather and Coach first."

"Cocoa, that is what we were hoping to talk to you about. We would love to have you and Heather show the group that cheer for our first game, two Saturdays from today," Coach says as she exits her office. "Bryce, if I hear you berating anyone again, consider yourself done as a cheerleader on my team, understand?"

"Yes, coach," Bryce answered.

"Wednesday it is."

"Ladies, we also need your sizes for uniforms. They will be in the locker room on Friday. I already have what the guys need. Heather is passing out an order form to each of you. Give them immediately back to her once you have finished completing them. See you all on Wednesday. For Wednesday's practice, wear a pair of blue shorts and a white tank top." Coach stepped back into her office.

"Hey Cocoa, can you help me with ordering the uniforms? And, because we are the captains, you and I get to choose which ones to wear."

"That's cool. And, I would be glad to help."

"Do you have time tonight?"

"Sure. If you want, you can come over to my house after we leave here."

"Sounds like a plan. Let's go to see if the boys made the team for this year."

Once the girls finished their forms, they gave them to Heather. Then we joined the boys.

Landry's POV

"Judging by the big smile on your face, you and Tosca made the team."

"We sure did."

"And, guess what? Cocoa is my co-captain. We are going to have a blast cheering this season." Heather and Cocoa then traded a high-five.

I had to steal a kiss. "I told you there was nothing to worry about."

"There is something to worry about. This will be my first time cheering in college. And, college is way different than high school."

"Girl, do you want me to 'tickle torture' you?" I said after crossing my arms.

"Uh, Cocoa, you do not want Landry's tickle torture. He is going to tickle you until you can't take it anymore. I've seen him tickle the guys once. It was hilarious!" Heather then says.

"No, you absolutely will not 'tickle torture' me."

"That's my girl. Let's head to the football building."

As soon as we made it over to the building, Cocoa says, "Uh, Tosca and I will wait for you guys right here."

"It's okay to go inside Cocoa. I do all the time. I just sit in the waiting area for Mike and the boys," Heather says.

"Scaredy cat. The building looks exactly like the cheer team, except it's for the football team. We'll be in the hallway, I promise."

"Fine." All five of us went inside. There were a few guys checking out the list. The girls went into the waiting room. Mike, CJ, Joe, Lukas, Nick, and even Cam entered the building.

We all checked the list. I know I made it, but I looked at it anyway.

"Looks like we all made it this year, fellas. And, welcome to the linebackers' crew, Cam."

"Thanks, man."

"We need to go to the coach about additional uniforms and equipment."

"Hey y'all, looks like that Channing fella made the team too - on offense," Mike then says.

"Who cares? Our side is the defense. Let's go to Coach."

We walked into his office. "Gentlemen, you know the drill. And, welcome to the team Cam. The guys will fill you in."

"Thank you, Coach."

Coach Peterson's office is huge. He as an office inside the office where he has computers set up for us to use. So, we all went to the computers to input our orders. It only took us a few minutes each. Then, we went to meet up with the girls.

"You all are welcome to come to my house after this. We can order pizza and wings. And, I'll introduce you to my dad, mom, and sisters. I have to warn you about my youngest sister, Leilani. She may stare at you all night," Cocoa said which made the guys chuckle.

"To Cocoa's house, we go."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Narrator's POV

Before leaving the university, Cocoa texted her mom that some of her friends were coming over. Alyshea said it would be okay. So, everyone jumped in their vehicles and followed Cocoa to her home.

As promised, Cocoa introduced everyone to her family. Alyshea was glad to see that Cocoa and Cam were friends again. Leilani sure did giggle the whole time everyone was at the house.

Heather and Cocoa ordered the cheer team uniforms, then joined the group for pizza and wings. They had a great time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Up until the day before the game, Cocoa, Heather, and the cheer team practiced the routines they wanted to do during the game.

Cam and the guys also practiced, and he caught on quick with the plays they were going to run as well.

The night before the game, the school held a pep rally to get the students pumped about the game. This was the first time that Cocoa and Heather cheered together. They enjoyed it and couldn't wait until the game.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday, October 4th, 2014

Cocoa's POV

The team's colors are blue and gray. I just hope my dad doesn't flip when he sees it.

The guys uniforms are cool too.

My family is here for the game - mom, dad, Lei, Lalita, Michail, Alise, Leigh, Myshea and my grandparents. They all have front row seats behind our side of the field.

The stadium is packed to capacity and we can hear the cheering from the locker room. Now, we hear boos, so Silver Valley University was just announced. Both the cheer team and football team took our positions near the tunnel.

Coach Peterson and Coach Taylor are about to address each group. Coach Taylor spoke first.

Coach Taylor - "Ladies and Gentlemen, let's show Panther fans what we are all about. Gentlemen, we will have the fans rocking the whole game. Bring home win boys!"

Coach Peterson - "Gentlemen, today starts our run to win a tournament bowl game. Let's knock those Bulldogs out!! Now, before we go onto the field, Coach Taylor and I picked our new Co-captain of the cheer team to give us a victory speech. Cocoa, we are all ears."

Everyone started cheering and clapping. My stomach was in knots. I stood on the little stage that was set up.

"I couldn't wait for this day to finally come - cheering in college. The team and I are going to make you proud. Thank you for this chance, Coach Taylor. We promise not to let any of you down. Now, let's punch Josh and Silver Valley in the mouth, and show them what Copper Grove is all about!!!"

We heard the stadium playing the team's theme.

After stepping off the stage, I joined Heather at the front of the cheer team.

"Listen up, the cheer team will run out first, followed by the football team. Let's do this!!"

We heard the announcer say, "Ladies and gentlemen, your 2014-2015 Copper Grove Panthers!!!"

Heather and I led the charge out to the field. We ran through smoke to the loudest cheer I have ever heard. Heather and I both did cartwheels, then we took our positions to form a path for the football team to run through.

The offensive team ran through first - bumping their chest and pumping their fist in the air. Then, each defensive player was announced. When it came to Landry, he got the loudest cheer. As he ran through the path, he glanced over to me and winked. After the last player was announced, we went to where we would be cheering throughout the game.

Three players from each team were announced for the coin toss, which was held at the center of the field. It was announced that Copper Grove won the toss. So, our team got the ball first.

Cam's POV

Just glancing around the stadium, it was electrifying. The stadium was packed and on its feet. My family was sitting near Cocoa's family. Even my grandparents flew from Italy to come to my first game.

The offense is now on the field after the kickoff was returned to about the 20-yard line.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"After the first quarter, the score is Silver Valley 7 and Copper Grove 7."

The cheer team ran onto the field for their cheer. The fans have been on their feet the whole game.

Silver Valley was fielding the kickoff. "Fumble!!" Our kick return team recovered the ball, so our offense ran onto the field. Yes!!!

The offense then marched down the field and scored.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"That's the end of the first half. Silver Valley 10 and Copper Grove 14."

Both football teams then headed for the lockers.

Cocoa's POV

"Ladies and gentlemen, your Copper Grove Panthers cheer team!!!" The announcer said.

As we ran onto the field, the stadium cheered. So far, I am loving my first game experience. Our first cheer was to Nelly's "Hot In Herre." 

Heather and I came up with this cheer super-fast. Dad will probably want to chat after the game. It sure did get the crowd pumped up.

After 20 minutes, the teams just came out of the tunnel for the second half and ran to their sidelines. I just happened to glance at Landry, and he winked. He had me blushing big time.

Our next song was Missy Elliot "Get You're Freak On."

I could see mom, Michail, Alise, Lalita, and Leilani were dancing. Even my grandparents were too. I couldn't gauge my dad's expression.

We did one more cheer. Heather taught me the cheer to DMX "Party Up."

"Ladies and gentlemen, The Copper Grove Cheer team!!" We then exited the field to the sidelines for the second half. We definitely got the crowd pumped.

Silver Valley received the kickoff and returned it to the 35-yard line. They got within scoring position, but....

"Interception by Calabro!!!" Was announced. The stadium went wild that Cam picked off the ball.

Three throws later, we scored a touchdown. Yes!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"After three quarters, Silver Valley 13 and Copper Grove 28."

"Hey Cocoa, let's do this one. Josh and his crew will get the meaning when the song comes on." She showed me the song. We told the coach who got in contact with the video booth. During a time-out, we ran to the center of the field.

I just happen to glance at their sideline as we cheered. Ewww, that Josh idiot blew me a kiss. Gross. We ran back to our area.

The rest of the game wasn't even a challenge for our team.

"Final score - Silver Valley 20 and Copper Grove 37!!"

The panther roar was played throughout the stadium. We went to greet the Silver Valley cheer team. Some of them didn't even say anything. Rude.

We saw the guys greeting each other. But I saw Josh trying to instigate a fight with Landry. I ran over to put a stop to it.

"Don't do it. That is what he wants you to do. Let's go celebrate with the team." After giving him a kiss on his cheek, I took his arm and wrapped it around my waist. Then, we walked away. He did shake hands with some of the other players as we exited the field.

"We have a press conference first. Then, after showering, I'll meet you back on the field. By the way, you were looking very sexy in that cheer outfit."

"Says the one with the tight football pants. See you later. I'll be talking to my family." He ran to his locker room, and I ran to mine. After showering and changing into my clothes, I went to find my family. They were now on the field, waiting for me. They started cheering as I made my way to them.

"That was an amazing game, Cocoa. Not just for the football team, but for the cheer team as well. Good job."

"Thanks, Grandma Nina."

"Where was the rest of your shorts?" My dad asked. My mom elbowed him.

"Richard, leave Cocoa alone. She looked cute in her uniform."

"Thank you, Grandma Connie."

After about 15 minutes, I saw Landry running my way. Cam and Tosca came too.

"Landry, I want to introduce you to my grandparents - my grandma Nina and Connie. And, grandpa Marvin and Alfred."

"It's nice to meet everyone." He went to shake each of their hands.

Tosca's family came over to us too. I gave all of them hugs. "Nonno Luc and Emiliano!!" Then, I went to the ladies. "Nonna Aida and Donatella!! It is so good to see you all." I went to my second parents as well. "Hi, Mrs. Eli and Daddy Dominic." That is what he said for me to call him.

"Did you girls really wear those extra, short shorts?" He asked.

"Dad!" Tosca screamed.

"I was thinking the same thing, Dominic." My father then said.

"Hey guys, we are about to leave for the celebration," Mike came over and said.

"Okay. See everyone later." Landry, Cam, Tosca, and I ran to meet the rest of the team. Then, we got into our vehicles and went to celebrate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Narrator's POV

Throughout the year, the football team made its way to a major college bowl game and won.

Cocoa passed her classes with ease, but that was not the issue. Cocoa started spending most of her weekends with Landry and her friends, and not with her sisters.

Alyshea, Richard, and Cocoa had numerous conversations about it. She made a promise but didn't keep it. Richard had to threaten to take her Mercedes for Cocoa to spend time with her sisters.

Cocoa and Landry came close to doing the deed several times, but they didn't.

Cocoa once again made the cheer team for the year. Cam also made the football team. Copper Grove won the opening game.

Cocoa and Richard had several disagreements to begin the year - about her partying, absence from family gatherings, etc.

Come time for the biggest party of the year, Richard and Cocoa had a big disagreement about it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday, October 17th, 2015

Cocoa's POV

"But daddy, why can't I go to the party? This is the biggest party of the year."

"Because I said so. You have not been keeping your promise of spending time with your sisters. And, I almost caught you and Landry doing something only grown folks should be doing. Thankfully, you are smart enough to keep up your grades."

"But we didn't do that. We both promised to wait."

"You sure are. You will not be bringing any out of wedlock children in this house. Speaking of Landry, you need to cut down your time with him."

"I'll start next week. I promise."

"No, you will start this week, meaning no party."

"But my friends are all going to be there! It's not fair!"

"And, it's not fair to your sisters neither. I said no party! You'll see your friends on Monday at school. Now, I need to get ready for bed soon because I have to work at the hospital tomorrow."

My dad left my room. That is so not fair that I can't go to the party tonight. Well, that is what my dad thinks. I am going to that party tonight. I just need to wait until he goes to sleep. So, I'm going to take a shower, and plan how I am going to leave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dang. Daddy didn't go to bed until 9:00 pm. I told Landry to meet me around the corner in 15 minutes. I stuffed some clothes in my bed to look like a body.

I am only going to stay for a couple of hours, then come home. Mom was on the phone talking to Mrs. Eli, so I was able to sneak past her quickly. Then, I left out the kitchen door that led to the garage. Thankfully we have a door that leads to the parking pad. After leaving and locking the door, I darted quickly around the corner. Landry was waiting for me.

"I would have been out sooner, but my dad took his time going to bed. Now, let's get out of here and go to the party."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cocoa's cheerleading outfit is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / magdan

Cam's football uniform is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / betochagas

Will Cocoa make it home from the party without getting caught?