Chapter 27: Game.

Today was a big day for me. Even bigger than a spinster finally getting married. Today was my first day of cheerleading on a game night! Today, the basketball team had their first match of the new season.

I was in the changing room in my cheerleading clothes which was way beyond my comfort zone. It was two times shorter than what I preferred. That alone made me even more nervous. 

"You're on in five minutes." I turned to see Shawn staring at me. What the hell! Why is he in the ladies changing room?

"What the…Why are you here?"

"I was wondering where you were." He was already dressed. He was in a blue basketball jersey with Hawthorne's name and the number 'nine' inscribed onto it. I could see some strange markings on his chest, peeking above his top. It was definitely a tattoo. Was it wrong to say he looked great? The jersey fitted him perfectly, showing off his arm muscles and a nice view of his taut chest. 

 'Oh no, what I'm I thinking!' When I finally shook myself out of my daydream, I realised that Shawn had his infamous smirk. I quickly removed my eyes from his body.

"Checking me out isn't bad gorgeous. You don't need to be shy." He rested against the lockers, his hands folded as he looked me in the eye.

'I wasn't checking him out! I was only analysing. Yes, that's it.' Deep down, I scolded myself for that lame excuse.

"You look better in this." My outfit was like any normal cheerleading outfit. Matching the colours of Shawn's jersey, a skirt that was four inches above my knees and a long sleeved top. Hawthorne high proudly written at the back.

"Now who's checking who out?"

"I was never hiding the fact." I stared at the ground, trying to look everywhere apart from him.

"Are you nervous?" 

"Is it obvious? It's like the whole school that's attending."

"Most of the school and the opposing team too." Did he really have to say that?

"Thanks for cheering me up Anderson." I slammed the door of the mini locker and carried my bag. He tilted my head to stare at him. I unknowingly swallowed a lump.

"Keep your head up high. You'll do great." That was so nice of him to say. I felt all of my worries dissipate. 

"Thanks." Shawn didn't let go of my chin. His gaze was so magnetic that I felt a sudden pull. His eyes seemed to give a passage to his soul. His thumb grazed my cheek, then he finally pulled back. Suddenly, his eyes went hard.

"You'll be late if you don't leave now." He said in a serious tone. A thousand times more different than how he spoke to me earlier.

"Yes." I stepped away from him and walked out of the room, heading over to find my teammates.

I entered the arena which always threw me into a state of awe. The arena was wide enough to fit over five thousand people! And it was the arena of an highschool. 

The arena was packed! Hundreds of Hawthorne and Crenshaw highschool fans filled the arena. If I don't faint out of nervousness today, then my guardian angels must be at work.

"Emily, come on. We're starting soon." 

'You can do this.' 

Stephanie blew a kiss to the audience and with a big smile, she waved at them all. A total contrast of her real character. 

When we started, I felt stiff. Like I was only forcing my body to move. My heart was racing faster than that of a cheetah. But then, I started to move in sync. It was like I found some sort of balance between myself. 

"Fans, are you ready?

Cause it's time to get cranky

Our moment to shine

Is right on time

Hawthorne is the best

We always come first

Crenshaw can try

But they can't fly

So fans come out,

To yell and shout!!" 

After a few more routines, we ended it and the whole arena erupted into a loud cheer. I felt adrenaline pumping through my veins. The sound of my blood rushing through my ears was loud. It was all too much, but it didn't mean that I hated it.

"Give it up for the home team, Hawthorne high!" Practically everyone started to cheer. Including me.

"And for the opposing team, Crenshaw high!" 

Each team got into position. Shawn looked towards my side and then looked away. I felt my stomach churn but not in a good way. He acted so odd before I left and it made me wonder what happened.

"Come on Emily, let's stay on the sidelines. We'll leave after a while." Said Karla. As far as I knew, Crenshaw were our biggest rivals. It was always hard to beat them. A few previous matches had ended in a draw. And we've even been defeated twice during a major stage of the season.

After a few more cheering, we headed to a section that was reserved for us cheerleaders. The game progressed and the scores were 44:50. We could hear our coach yelling to our team, telling them where to go and what to do. 

Most of the time, I had my eyes on Shawn. It's not like it was on purpose, I just found myself stealing glances from him a few times. 

As much as I wanted to deny it, Shawn was an excellent player. His moves were fluid, and he did it with so much elegance and a little bit of taunt that I bet the opposition players were getting cranky. Even though they were ahead of us, we still had the ability to bounce back, and Crenshaw knew it themselves. 

One of Crenshaw's players was on the attack but someone blocked his toss nicely. A few groans sounded in the arena. But when Carl got a hold of the ball, Karla started to cheer for her brother.

'Well that's a first.'

Carl made a clean cross to Mike and he scored. A loud cheer shook the grounds. Basketball was way more fun than I expected.

*****

Somehow, Hawthorne won, although it was a very slim win. 125:123. Crenshaw really put up a fight, but it wasn't enough. 

"How about we celebrate? It's not everyday we beat the Crenshaws." Carl suggested in a very energetic mood. For someone who just finished an intense game, he seemed refreshed.

"Good idea. Hey guys, party at Carl's!" Kevin announced to the rest of the team. Carl's eyes widened

"Hold on, what! I never suggested that part." But no one listened to him. Now he had to go deal with his sister. 

Carl went to the female locker room and knocked.

"Who the hell is that?" He heard a girl yell.

"Ummm, is it safe?"

"Carl!" Karla exclaimed from behind the door. Carl just rocked on his feet nervously, preparing what he was going to say. After a few minutes, Karla appeared with the door open

"Thank God you knocked. What the hell do you want?"

"Just wanted to let you know that we're throwing a party…."

"Sure, I'll be there." Karla was about to shut the door but he held it open.

"You didn't let me finish. The party is at home." Karla's eyes furrowed and then a look of realisation came forth.

"No! No freaking way! Why would you suggest that? Remember what happened the last time we did that?" On hearing the commotion, I peeped to see the Perkin twins arguing.

"It won't be like last time. Trust me."

"That was exactly what you said the last time." I came over to them.

"Senorita. We're having a party at our place. You're invited. In fact, everyone is."

"Oh…"

"You are not throwing a party at our house. I don't care where you're going to throw it, but it's not at our place."

"I'll kick everyone out by 5. Please Karla." Karla sighed tiredly. She was starting to give in. 

"4:30 not a minute after." She then shut the door against his face. 

'My second party! I just hope it won't end like the last time '