15 Beautiful Chaos

Destiny

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It's Saturday night.

Tryouts month is finally over and Saffron and I have successfully chosen this year's cheer team. And by Saffron and I, I mean Saffron. I helped, but she's the expert. I thought everyone was pretty good, to be honest, but If I had chosen the team, I would have enough people to cover the entire field.

Yeah, probably not the best thing.

Saf and I made our way to the all-day diner by the school. Every year, we'd celebrate the end of tryouts and treat the lucky girls to a nice dinner in acknowledgement of their efforts to making the team. Saf and I would usually come an hour earlier than the organized meeting time so that we can celebrate as best friends before celebrating as a squad.

Afterwards, we'd end the night with a group sleepover. It's the best way to bond, with all the secrets shared and the honest laughs. It's how we build connections. My favourite thing about cheer. We build trust, and only then will we start to build on loyalty. Once we have that strong connection, it'll shine through our cheers and that's what makes it special.

"No, Des. I ordered us drinks after you practically begged me. We are not getting food without the girls. Not this time."

"But I won't even take a bite. Not even the smallest nibble. I'll just look at it, I swear."

"Here's a menu. Stare at the pictures."

"But—"

"No, Des. Not after all the other years. I trusted you each time you said, not even a nibble—"

"Not one."

"Yeah, and instead, you ate the whole damn thing!"

"My stomach was calling for it!" I defend, and we laughed.

It's been thirty minutes since Saf and I got to the diner and thirty minutes since we've sat at this reserved table, with nothing but ice waters. Just like every year, I tried convincing Saffron if we could order our food in advance but this time, she wouldn't budge. Just thirty more, and I can finally order some sushi. Oh, and a cheesecake for dessert. I'd down it all by myself. I can't wait.

"You think the girls will have their sleepover things?" Saffron questioned.

"Well yeah, we told them we'd have one. It's tradition," I remind her, and she hides her face in her hands.

We'd usually host sleepovers at Saffron's house but tonight, her parents needed the space for an important dinner meeting. My house, on the other hand, would be too busy for the girls to stay in. It was all work with my mom and my dad. We'd have to make some arrangements when the girls get here.

"I'll try asking my parents again," Saffron stressed, sounding all muffled.

I remove her hands from her face and give her a reassuring smile. "We'll figure something out, we always do."

"Maybe... one plate of sushi won't hurt," Saffron grinned.

She's kidding.

"Saffron!"

"I was just testing you."

We sat, and we talked, and for the remaining time, she got me to tell her what happened that one time, during my spare. I told her how Royal got Sean to hold the door to the equipment room, and how things escalated to the point where we got locked in. It was a pretty funny and memorable moment once I remembered that Royal had gone to the bathroom and not to Mars, so I took the time to dial down my unnecessary freakout and took a breath.

The one thing I didn't mention was the last question I asked Sean. I still don't really understand what happened and that's the only reason why I'm not saying anything. Was it a personal question? I didn't mean to intrude. He probably thinks I'm really nosy. Great.

The rest of the month went by pretty swiftly. Sean was becoming really great company and I enjoyed our little moments during English, and lunch, and just whenever the group got together.

I could tell Saffron was on the verge of exploding into a fit of emotions but before that could happen, the door chimed open and in walked this year's cheer team.

"Hey girls, over here!" Saffron waved.

They moved like a shoal of fish, all heading for the same destination. What I read on their faces, echoed my own. We were excited to start the new journey and hopeful of the results.

"Hey everyone," I greeted with a calm and welcoming smile, as they settled into their seats.

"This is amazing!"

"Thank you so much for having us!"

"I can't wait!"

They were thrilled. It was evident on the surface of their faces and in their tone of voice. This was our first step in getting to know everyone, both personally and professionally. Like I said earlier, we need to build a connection in order for us to get along and show our team spirit, supporting the Knights, and the school.

Saffron stood up.

"Alright, I'm sure everyone is hungry so we can start by passing along the menus and getting to know one another. We can start with names and we'll go from there." Saffron looked towards me.

"Then we can figure out everyone's comfortable positions, whether it's as base, flyer, or back spot," I say, backing her up. "We can finalize on Monday."

The girls agreed and from there, we learned each other's names and added in a few interesting facts as well. We got a chance to hear the girl's reasons for trying out for the team. We also got a chance to hear a little bit of everyone's backgrounds. The girls were nice and for the most part, they gave out positive vibes. I'm not too sure about a few of them but who am I to judge this far in.

The food came and I could tell Saffron was still a little worried. She kept fidgeting with her phone and my guesses were, her parents weren't having it. I tried to help by giving her small talk and reassuring smiles, but that's all. At this point, I don't know what we're going to do. Her parents are great people, I know, but as important cheer is to Saf, that's exactly how they are with their jobs.

"We could always post phone the sleepover. There's still a tomorrow," I remind her, trying to lighten the mood.

"Hey, Saffron? Destiny?" Saf and I turn to the voice, belonging to the girl sitting next to me.

Her hair was lengthy, dark, and painted with blonde highlights that complemented the rays of sunlight in her deep, brown, earthy eyes.

She was one of the two girls who caught my attention. I believe their names were Julianna and Kiara and if I remember correctly, they mentioned being juniors. I'm sure I've seen them around school, I'm just not quite sure where. By the looks of it, they must've known each other for years. They reminded me of Saffron and I, a friendship so strong, I'm sure they'd last forever.

"No Julianna, do not intervene." Kiara fails to whisper. "Sorry, she's a little nosy."

Saffron and I look at each other in awe. Is she thinking what I'm thinking? Yup. They're goals.

"Kiara, shush," Julianna mutters before turning back to us. "I overheard you guys talking and like I shared earlier, I moved here about a month ago and we have a pretty big space. I'm sure my family won't mind if I have the girls over for the night."

"Really? That's so—"

"Oh no, no, we're your captains, you don't need to adjust for us," Saffron implies.

I look at her in confusion.

She can't be serious. Isn't this what she wanted? A solution? Because if she is, then we might as well post phone the sleepover seeing as it is the only option left.

"No, really," Julianna pushes. Kiara and I leave it to the two. "It would be nice. We don't know many people here and we could use the company."

"Saf, she just moved here. If it's helping her and the situation, I think it's a win-win," I tell her.

I didn't want to push it. I just sat back and waited for her to think about it.

"Well... if it's no problem," Saffron smiles. "Thank you, Julianna."

"Anytime," she smiles back. "It's getting pretty late and my twin brother wanted to congratulate me by lighting fireworks. He's kind of extra like that." That's sweet. I wish I had a brother. "Since the girls are coming over, we could watch the fireworks all together." Her eyes shone with content. I could tell she wanted this.

"That would be a perfect way to end the night," I tell her. "Just let your parents know and make sure they're okay with it."

• • • • • •

Saffron and I had taken both our cars, knowing some girls wouldn't have easy access to transit. We thought it'd be easier to travel all together, and didn't want them spending any more money on fares. It worked out just fine considering most girls had their license and were in our year. The other girls, including Julianna and Kiara, had their license but no car. Much to our benefit, we had just enough room.

"The fireworks are about to start!" Julianna beamed, as she stepped out of my car.

Saf and I followed, admiring the beautiful home that towered over us as if it were attempting to intimidate our difference in size. It hid proudly behind tall iron gates and in its threshold stood a delicate marble fountain, pouring water into a basin. Bushes sat on either side of the marble entrance, neatly trimmed and shaped into massive dolphins.

If she isn't the definition of humble, then I don't know what is.

"Saf? Des?"

Wait, what?

"What are you guys doing here?" Saffron asks, looking just as confused as I was.

In this foreign place, ironically, by the entrance, stood the only faces I knew too well.

Royal, Jason, Seth, Carter, and River. This wasn't their entire crew. At least, not anymore. Where were Sean and Kordell?

Julianna took the girls further into the yard and made themselves comfortable under the night sky. She tried to calm everyone down seeing as they weren't able to hide their excited squeals. This crazy huge house and the presence of the guys must've stirred their emotions up.

We greet Royal with a warm hug.

"We're here like every day now," River points out. "Ay, Kordell!" He yells to where the girls were huddled up. "We're ready! Just give us the cue!"

Found one of the brothers.

"Do the rest of us not get hugs?" Seth pretends to pout. Saf and I laugh then reach out to the rest of them.

"No invite?" Saffron accuses.

"They just moved back, remember?" Jason says in a duh tone.

"You guys are friends with Julianna?" I ask.

"Well yeah, she's like family. Her and her brothers." Carter adds. "Alongside you two, of course."

Saffron and I meet gazes, and we let everything sink in. This house belonged to Julianna. Her brothers had prepared fireworks. Julianna's brothers were Sean and Kordell.

Didn't see that one coming.

As if on cue, the iron gates open, allowing for the entrance of a matt black Porsche, and out stepped Sean.

"Now!" Kordell yells.

A loud explosion fills the yard before fiery sparks whip the sky, bursting through the night, and joining the canvas of stars were vibrant inks of light.

Besides the beautiful chaos above me, I had the sudden urge to lower my gaze. I look at Saffron, the guys, and to the rest of the girls. They shared the same expressions, almost as if they were in a trance, so in awe of the vivid colours.

I look at Sean.

His facial expression did not match anyone else's. It looked as if he was trying to overwrite a memory, trying to fight its way back into his head.

It couldn't have been the bright lights above us that shocked him into this state. What was it?

He looked mortified, like one minute his brain was dried out and the next, everything came flooding back with so much pressure. More than he can handle.

I can see the fear in his eyes, and from where I was standing, it was like I could hear the faint sound of his heart rate quickening, beating a million times per second. Fear?

He leaned on his car, relying on it for support. Whatever it was forcing its way back through his mind, he stopped fighting it. He allowed the tsunami of thoughts to flood throughout his mind as if it were punishment. Like he thought he deserved to be drowned in an endless loop of... regret?

And then something out of this world happened. He met my gaze and in an instant, he was calm again. I could hear his heart rate slow down. There was no longer fear in his eyes, no inner battle in his head. He won the war, and he had used me as his lever. He took this second of peace and allowed his waves to steady.

Once he was calm, he tore his gaze away from mine leaving a little bit of a sting, though I'm not quite sure how that was possible. He then took a breath, and left, disappearing behind a pair of sliding glass doors.

• • • • • •

Thanks for reading!