The gym smelled like sweat-soaked rubber, floor polish, and teenage adrenaline.
Tessan and I burst through the doors just as Coach Marlene's voice sliced the air.
"You're late."
Calm. Deadly calm.
"Sorry, Coach," Tessan panted.
"Warm up. Now."
We scrambled to the back row, dropping into stretches while the rest of the squad eyed us with smirks. Coach clapped once sharp enough to kill chatter.
"Game day is tomorrow night. Ridgewood versus Whitmire SC. The entire stadium will be watching. If anyone plans on embarrassing this team, leave now."
Silence.
"Good. Positions!"
We snapped into formation. Bases locked hands. Flyers climbed. Tumblers lined up.
"Five... six... seven... eight!"
Pom-poms sliced the air. Chants exploded.
"Ridgewood! Fight! Win tonight!"
I moved on autopilot,
