Chapter 53: Chapter 53

“Welcome Edwin and Co. basketball team to the court!” The announcer said over the speakers.

Cheers resonated through the court as the boys ran proudly into the court pumping their fists in the air.

“Gooooo EAC!” We cheerleaders cheered. Shewa was on the court taking pictures of our formation as we waved our pompoms in the air.

“That’s a lot of fanfare,” the announcer continued. “Let’s see if EAC can keep up this spirit when the game begins. Now welcome on court St. Patrick’s boys!”

“Tigers! We are Champions!” their cheerleaders cheered as the boys ran into the court to join our school boys. The boys showed a spirit of camaraderie, slapping hands with other and patting backs even though they were supposed to be rivals. Unlike we cheerleaders who were shooting evil glares at our rivals. It’s crazy to see how much enmity one game can cause. St. Patrick and Edwin and Co. aren’t always enemies but since both schools wanted to win it was inevitable that we should be at loggerheads.

“That cheer sounded way better than ours,” Adeline commented, her lips turned down.

“We’ve barely even shown half of what we have got!”

Jessica Underwood came back to join us. “Is it just me or is St. Patrick’s cheerleading squad a whole lot more competitive than yours? What happened to the cheer squad? I know Heather would have created a better routine than whatever you guys have planned.”

Heather Greene was a former cheer captain and she was strict about who made cheer…well that’s partially because she was sort of an asshole. I’m surprised Jess and she got to be best friends after everything Heather did to her. But then again, we juniors at the time never got to hear the whole story about what really went down to stop their enmity.

“Heather Greene was a tyrant,” Siobhan laughed. “She only let stick, anorexic figures into the cheer squad. Remember how mean she was to her cousin Helen because she was plus size? I changed that as cheer captain, Jessica, you can be a cheerleader if you want to as long as you put in the effort to deserve the spot and you’re not weird,” she cut an oblivious Carla a sharp glance.

Jessica seemed to be thinking about what she said. God, I can’t get over how beautiful she is. She even got hotter. Her heeled boots snuggling her calves, her black dress hugging her full-toned curves…she’s perfection.

“Hmm, I can’t deny that Heather was a pussy sometimes,” she laughed. “She is not a terrible person though so I won’t have you talking about my friend like that. That being said, I understand there’s more inclusivity but that shouldn’t bring down Edwin and Co’s cheer standards. You want to get the boys fired up for the game. Do you have something that might get them moving?”

“Well, we promised that the highest scorer gets to kiss three girls of his choice.”

“That’s an excellent one so we want to remind them while they are in the heat of the game. Can you come up with a cheer that will remind them of the kisses?”

We cheerleaders looked at each other trying to brainstorm. We all respect Jessica Underwood so whatever she says we can definitely respect her ideas.

Eva suddenly snapped her fingers.

“I think I’ve got one!”

“Let’s hear it!”

“We could call the boys names when they are with the ball and say something like ‘Watcha looking for? We got watcha looking for!’”

“Oohh that sounds good. Kinda passive-aggressive when we add that to our cheer!” we had to lower our voices to prevent the nosy St. Patrick from hearing our plans.

“And then,” Siobhan chipped in. I know she doesn’t want to be bested by Eva. I rolled my eyes at her competitiveness. “We should get Gideon and Dan to say ‘What?!’ and then we girls can respond 'Three kisses one champion!’”

“Ooohhh!” we all gasped simultaneously. Even Jessica was impressed.

“Wow, now that is competitive. That’s the spirit!”

“And while you are doing that you can rhythmically slap our hands and feet and sway our hips to the beat and repeat the chant in between the other one you guys initially planned to do then the climax will be Siobhan, Eva and Bianca getting on Dan, Gideon and Janet’s shoulders with their left legs held high in the air,” Shewa suggested.

When we all turned, impressed, to look at her she raised her hands and smiled. “What? Surprised I got many talents?”

“You haven’t changed,” Jessica laughed. She pulled Shewa close and tugged playfully at her hair. “But that was a very good suggestion. Do you guys think you can add that to your routine or is it too late?”

“Never too late!” Siobhan declared. “Girls let’s find a place to practice this new one before the game starts.”

“What about us boys?” Gideon and Dan asked pretending to be hurt.

“Come on!” Siobhan rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean, come on.”

Luckily we found an empty dressing room and in the next 10 minutes successfully added the new cheer to our routine. When we returned to the court high-fiving each other the boys were taking their places and the game was about to begin.

As soon as I was seated beside Jessica the commentator came over the speakers again.

“The game starts in 3…2…1!”

The whistle blew and the ball began to bounce. Both teams were quickly on their top games, sneakers squeaking on the vinyl floor. Cheers and hoots were coming from the spectators eagerly watching the game. I looked up and noted with surprise that every seat was occupied. I recognized a few stars seated among the spectators, some of them parents to some of my classmates and some parents of the Class 2 seniors who had come to spectate and support. I hadn’t told Dad about the game since I knew he would be working late and Mom would have her hands busy too. There was no sign of Siobhan’s parents. I know she hadn’t called them but there’s no way they wouldn’t have heard about the game. There were cameras, scouts, and news crews all here to catch glimpses of the next basketball stars.

Suddenly I looked at the center aisle and saw Zack Pratt, the one and only legendary Oscar-winning actor – Aaron’s dad.

Without warning I started to panic. Oh my God, the most important game ever for EAC, what if we mess it up? What if we lose? What if our cheers aren’t enough motivation for the boys? What if…?

“Hey, there,” I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Jessica Underwood. She had a huge smile on her face which faded when she saw the look on my face. “Are you alright?”

“How do you do it?”

“Do what?” she asked as she shifted closer and handed me a chocolate bar but I couldn’t eat it so I set it aside.

“Play under so much pressure. You play for a major league, do you feel scared when you play? I’m worried about the boys, I’m worried for them,” especially those to whom this game means so much. “I am worried our cheers are not good enough.”

To my surprise, Jessica laughed. “I don’t think the boys are worrying about that now, they are currently drunk on adrenaline doing the best they can. You’re only worrying because you are not out there on the court.” She chewed a bit of chocolate then continued. “When I’m on the court I don’t think about the cameras, the spectators, or anything, I only care about winning and I think that’s what the boys are thinking about now. What you can do instead of worrying is cheer them on. It helps them to know people are believing in them while they do the best they can.”

“Is that how it is with you and Christian Ward?” I asked smiling. “Does he watch all your games?”

Her smile looked sad. “Ah, you and I need to have a former Head girl and present Head girl talk. But first of all, I'm curious, who are you hoping would kiss you tonight?”