Chapter 29: Chapter 29

So, because I am such a stickler for rules, immediately after the final bell rang I was off to the coach’s office to seek permission for a one-hour training. He granted it no questions asked.

Lunch was quick, at least for we seniors who were eager to get out on the field. With the permission to train granted, Aaron and I were able to convince the Senior Class 2 students to take charge during the Prep. We wasted no time going back to the seniors' quarters to get ready. As cheerleaders, we have two uniforms, skirts and shorts. Choosing the shorts, the other teammates pooled together all the tights we could find and gave them to the boys who eagerly wore them under their shorts. They came out way too excited about what we had planned for them.

Sharing secretive smiles we girls led them out to the field. It was a nice cool evening and the sky was somewhat bright. The grass was soft and slightly wet from the sprinklers.

The boys were still too pumped with just too much energy, talking about how we girls were exaggerating about how hard cheer is. When we got to the center of the field Siobhan dropped the equipment she was carrying and turned to the boys all of them looking eager for their first order.

“Give it to us, Hayes,” Dan said rubbing his hands together.

“Okay boys, hold your horses, your first lesson starts with a little bit of warm-up. 3 laps around the field for starters.”

They roared with laughter. “That one is easy,” they said.

“Oh yeah?” Eva said with sarcasm. “Get on with it then!”

They took off in high spirits, the loose ends of their shorts jumping high to expose strong thighs and calves encased in tights. I know, I couldn't help but stare! But I wasn't the only one staring. Siobhan was nudging me with a silly smile as she watched them go.

And of course, the boys laughed and jeered as they went to the starting line to begin the first lap, talking and bunching up their arm muscles to compare them.

I turned to Siobhan. “They are enjoying this far too much.”

“This is just the beginning, by the time we are done with them we will probably only have one boy to convince to join the team.”

We watched them jog easily around the tracks. In no time they completed the three rounds and even did two extras. When they came back they were looking too smug as fuck.

“If that’s the hard part, we are done here,” Andre said. They were barely breathing heavily. I wonder what training they have to endure in the basketball and football team.

“Easy tiger,” Siobhan laughed. “That was the warm-ups. Now let’s get started shall we.”

Us girls stood in front of them and started with the basic stretches which they copied, stretching to the sides, backward, forward, leg raises up to the chin…all the simple stuff.

When we began with the toe touches these silly boys had the audacity to laugh and look smug.

“Shouldn’t you girls have your backs toward us?”

I rolled my eyes. Of course, boys will always be boys. “Come on, you boys, we are not here to show you our butts so you can look up our shorts.”

Aaron raised his hands laughing. “Hey, it was just a suggestion.”

“How about this suggestion? We girls help you boys stretch. Here’s how it’s done.” I signaled to the other girls. We went over to the boys and pressed their backs so that their fingers were touching the grass blades. Almost immediately they started to scream as we wickedly applied more pressure.

“Argh! Let me up!” some of them cried.

Laughing at their pleas we pressed harder. Aaron suddenly reached back and grabbed my leg, I lost my balance and we both tumbled to the grass. He rubbed his sore back groaning and laughing at the same time.

“What the hell was that?!”

“That was the first stretch you silly boy,” I responded. Next, we had them hold a child’s pose to relieve their backs. When we got to the splits and backbends they were positively begging to be released. Aaron slipped out of his half splits, grabbing my leg as he fell and I lost balance again. He was rubbing his thighs, laughing through the pain.

“You are going to be the death of me,” he cried.

I raised my hands. “Hey, you guys said cheering is easy. It’s not my fault you boys are so weak. Besides this is just the stretches.”

“I’m done, I’m done!”

“You are saying you’re not joining the squad?”

He gave me a dubious look. Around us, the other boys had either fallen or were begging for mercy. I gotta say we girls were enjoying it way too much!

“As much as I would love to join to be with you,” he responded, raising my chin, “I think I will love it better if you stayed on the sidelines cheering for me.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “God, Aaron you are full of mush.”

Eventually, he got the strength to stand and when he did he held out a hand to help me up. Hooking his arm around my shoulder we called the rest of the group.

“I think that’s enough suffering for one day, I learned my lesson, I’ll just stick to basketball.”

Some of the other boys agreed. Dan and Gideon on the other hand were having the time of their lives.

“Seriously Gideon’s splitting game is hot.”

Gideon laughed. “My mom made me take ballet lessons as a kid so forgive me if I am not whining like these weaklings here.”

“Same here. Looks like we are the new additions to the team,” Dan said.

“Well glad to be out, can’t imagine splitting my balls just to cheer.”

We laughed. The evening was drawing near, in 30 minutes the siren would ring for dinner. We went back to the apartments to get ready.

“Hey,” Aaron said, holding me back. “Do you want me to come over tonight? Or do you want to come over? I know I said we can take things slow but I really enjoyed sleeping next to you last night. But I’m not going to force you into anything you don’t want, okay?”

My throat tightened at his gentleness very much in contrast to Andre's last night.

I hate Andre.

I know I do. He pisses me off with his arrogance. He is crude and rude.

Yet, why does my head keep replaying the kiss from yesterday? Why didn’t I fight him off?

“Bianca?”

His voice jerked my attention back to him. Can I lie while staring into those sweet green eyes? What am I even lying about? I don’t like Andre, I want to give Aaron a chance. I know I am not lying to myself about anything.

Think about Aaron. He is sweet, he’s respectful, he’s willing to wait and it’s not just about words. His actions speak louder. He wants you.

I smiled at Aaron, somewhere inside me something is blossoming for him. “I will come over. I’ll get my things after dinner. I want to see what your room looks like anyway.”

He grinned, obviously pleased with my response. “You will love it.” He took my hand and kissed the back of it. “I will see you after dinner then.”

I watched him go to his apartment, a smile on my face, my heart convinced that he is the one for me. Nothing can convince me otherwise.

I pushed my key into the lock and opened the door to an unpleasant surprise. Andre waiting for me.