Bittersweet Affection[COMPLETED]

First cheer practice

WINTER

As I was hoisted on the platform consisting of four girls clasping each other's left wrist to form a square. My hips were over my toes, feet a little more than my shoulder-width apart. My back straightened, and I bent my knees, slightly matching with the bases.

Anticipating for them to thrust me up in the air, any minute from now, as I readied my mind for the exhilarating sensation, then it happened.

I landed on my butt with a loud thud and everyone in the gymnasium swivelled to see what was happening.

Dazed, I sat down on the ground for some moments before the hazy feeling began to wash off.

"I told you guys she wasn't fit." Alyssa giggled.

"Oh, my God, Winty. Are you okay?" Lee sprinted to my side, her eyes wide open as she surveyed my body for any bruise.

"mmmhff ." I let out since that was the only word my mouth and mind could come up with.

Precisely, my brain was only muddled and I wasn't bruised, which I was grateful for, save for the throbbing on my butt.

I knew what I had signed for. It wasn't just about dancing with pom-poms, pretty outfits or cute faces that people associate it with. It was pure gymnastics without the safeguards.

Despite the hazard that came with it, I loved it and I had dreamt of this very moment, standing in the gym. Not just standing but being with them, doing their training.

I had successfully done all the routines for today, however, one of Alyssa's sidekicks was one of the bases. Either her grip was too loose or she didn't do anything at all because I kept sliding off the platform falling flat on my bum.

"She is talentless." Alyssa declared.

"Enough, Alyssa." Carlie, the gym instructor snapped. "Everyone hit the locker. Time out!"

"Yeah, whatever." Alyssa high-fived Dania, before walking out.

Lee assisted me up, groaning. I rubbed my sore bottom as we moved to the locker room.

"Are you sure you are fine?" Lee brows furrowed as she asked again.

"I'm good. I only need to kill that bitch."

"She did this?" She snorted, narrowing her eyes.

"Of course. You didn't notice?" I scowled at some students in the hallway, wolf-whistling whilst glancing at the hand resting on my butt.

"I was part of another base, remember?" She said.

Even if she wasn't, I was sure she would not have noticed, as others didn't, because Alyssa didn't technically do her dirty work. Her sidekick did it for her. I was sure the same thing happened yesterday during the peanut butter incident. Why was I the only one noticing the evil b***h handiwork?

I wondered why she was after me because I wasn't even the one with Rey.

Yesterday she had accused me of coating Lee's banana, landing her in hospital in the process, and today she was doing everything to get me not to fly.

At least she didn't succeed in making me twist an ankle or my wrist for I was sure she wanted that.

I pushed the iron door to the locker room open, and different fragrances of body sprays floated into my nostrils, choking me.

"Geez, is this how it always reeks here?" I gasped.

"I'm used to it," Lee answered.

I would probably never get used to it as I didn't plan or sign up to gag every day whenever I use the room, but I had no alternative except I wished to go home or move about the school in a sticky cheer dress.

"I'm not sure I can." I peeled my clothes off my body leaving only my sports bra and spankies on. I was comfortable in dressing in the presence of other females, I mean what was I even hiding since we were of the same species?

Most girls were not comfortable... Like Lee. She had a towel wrapped around her chest down to her midriff as she changed into her clothes.

"You need to put ice on that butt," Lee said as I bent to peel off the shoes I donned on.

Thankfully, the locker room was equipped with full-length mirrors. I moved to the one close by, faced my back to it and twisted to see. Pink bruises slashed the skin, it was as if I had a butt struggle with someone. My hand went to touch the tender skin and I winced.

"Yeah. I probably won't attend the party tonight."

"It's your first party!" "If you used ice when you got home as there's still time, I'm sure it would have lessened." Lee reasoned.

"I'll try," I said.

"If you don't, you'll be missing out on the boys. They are all so friggin cute." Stars appeared in her eyes as she gushed.

"But you have Rey now." I reminded her.

"Yep. And he seemed sorta moody yesterday." Lee pouted.

He sure was and the aggression turned over to the next morning. He kept assaulting the goalkeeper as I passed by the pitch today with shots.

I had giggled when it got to a time, the goalkeeper ran away from the goal post as he kept on delivering it. I then glanced at him to see he had activated his moody b***h mood which usually switched as if he was suffering from PMS.

"Do you know anything wrong?" I asked as I stared at her uptight face.

"Daddy issues, that's all I know from Kellen anyways. I went to ask Rey but he refused to say anything." She shrugged as we got to the lot.

Several questions ran into my head. Nora looks perfect, like the child born into a loved family while Rey was just exhibiting the moodiness of a teenage boy which was normal. So I had assumed, I never knew it was this deep or probably not.

Wow.

I was here thinking everyone had the perfect family, it seems it was a ruse after all. They all come out with a smile on their faces, pretending nothing was wrong but on the inside, they were all burning with secrets to tell.

I wished I could know more and all about him.

I waved to Lee as the chauffeur drove off and proceeded to do my routine by walking home. Not like I couldn't go with her, I always did when I didn't feel like walking or stressed. My preference was still walking as it gives me a clear head to think about whatever was bothering me.

I smiled as the cool hair slapped my face as soon as I stepped out of the gate.

"So refreshing," I murmured, looking at the empty street.

The sun shone, giving the sky a brilliant blue colour. Tall trees waved as the air blew them, the different flowers I passed by released their lovely scent and I inhaled deeply. I jolted out of the way as a crazy driver in a black Cadillac swerved, almost ramming into me.

"i***t," I yelled at the speeding car, shaking my fist.

Another car skidded to a stop right in front of me. What was with people speeding along the road as if they owned it?

There was no way to know who was driving it as the glass of the car was tinted and I was stupid enough to wait for the driver to kill the engine.

What if he or she is a serial killer! My brain yelled but my stupid legs refused to move.

I wanted to see who was driving it and I pray it was someone I know. Then, I would lecture him or her on how to drive and never exceed the speed limit.

Brown, damp hair sticking in different directions appeared first before the face. I promptly recognized him despite the glasses he was sporting.

"i***t, were you trying to kill me or yourself?" I screeched, marched to his face and poked my index finger in his chest.

"I told you not to call me an i***t again." He scrunched up his nose, assessing me. "What do you care if I die or not?"

The urge to slap him immediately that statement left his mouth gripped me but I clenched my hands into a fist.

Why do I care?

The i***t was asking why I cared! He wouldn't understand even if I explained to him. He was used to girls running after him and I wasn't those girls.

I inhaled deeply, releasing it slowly as I calmly said, "I care because you are my friend and I care about myself too. I'm not ready to die."

"Darn it. Just get in." He ordered.

Then, I asked the question that had been running in my head since he kept on appearing from nowhere whenever I decided to stroll home. It was now looking more than a coincidence as if he was keeping tabs on me.

"For the last time, I'm not following or stalking you." He gripped his hair, releasing his pent up frustration on me.

"If you don't want a ride, that's fine. Go on and walk so you'll be nabbed." He said entering his car.

"I'm not going anywhere with you until you tell me why you keep appearing out of nowhere." I shot back. I wanted to go with him but at the same time know why he was helping me.

Maybe he likes you, my mind jeered. Maybe he felt like helping but Rey wasn't too keen about helping girls. The only people that I have seen who arrived in his car to school were Kellen and some other jocks and me.

I went on as I received no reply. He kept on blaring the horn but I ignored him, using my earbuds.

My legs were sore matching the pain in my butt as I got home. I wished I had followed without questioning him.

My throat was parched since I took little during and after cheer practice. I surged to the kitchen, swung the fridge open, and took out one chilled, sealed plastic water.

I hastily opened it, brought it to my mouth and I gulped the content down. Some of it skidded down my mouth to my throat. My eyes swivelled, enjoying the sensation of the chilled liquid down my throat.

I threw the empty container in the trash can, moving towards my room. Without discarding my clothes, I hopped on the bed, drifting off in the process.

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

I jolted awake exactly at six o'clock. I trudged out of bed to freshen up for the party. A sore bum would never stop me from attending my first party, I murmured to myself as I sat down on the chair in front of the vanity mirror.

I scrubbed my face with a wipe, carefully did my shadows giving it a smoky feel. A touch of mascara to my already long and voluptuous lashes and applied pink lip gloss to make me look simple and not overdressed. I released the ribbon from my hair, curling it. Striding to the closet, I grabbed a black, chiffon sleeveless dress reaching above my knees. I donned it with red kitten heels.

I moved to the full-length mirror to assess if I had overdressed. Convinced I hadn't, I gave myself a thumbs-up.

The only problem was I didn't know Owen's house and I had been trying to contact Lee but her number wasn't accessible. I didn't bother calling Rey. After our little argument, if you could call it that, I was sure he wouldn't bother picking my call because he had looked rather pissed.

I called Kellen, the only option left and he answered right away. Though he was at the party, he pledged to come to pick me up.

If only I had crushed on him instead.

He was such a gentleman and never gave a reason for girls to hate him. Neither do Rey but Kellen was better. He wasn't a grumpy pant as Rey was.