“Yeah, yeah.”
Minutes later, the other cheerleaders crowded into the locker room alongside Kendra and me. Andrew parted ways with us, heading to the boys’ locker room before offering one last—“See you on the other side bitches.”
As I stepped inside, everything blurred into a haze. My eyes glossed over as I watched the girls around me frantically getting ready—layering on pounds of makeup, dousing themselves in perfume, and obsessively brushing single strands of hair.
Everyone was lost in their own world.
Luna let out a shriek when she noticed the lace on her favorite bow was frayed.
Meredith snapped at a freshman for stepping on her blindingly white sneakers.
Even Kendra stood in front of the mirror overanalyzing her appearance as her gaze flicked up and down her figure.
In an instant, my eyes were wide open—the rose-colored glasses ripped from my face. These were the people I had been trying to impress. And for what?
My sister?
A Prom Queen title?
To reclaim my identity to hurt my past bullies?
There were so many other ways to prove myself. I just wish I had realized it sooner. The lines dividing the cliques at our school only existed because we let them. And as it turned out, thepeople sitting at the top of the hierarchy were probably the ones who deserved to be at the bottom. As I looked around, reality finally sank in—this would be my last performance as a Honey Bee cheerleader. I couldn’t help but think back to freshman year, when I performed at my first football game.
My nerves had been through the roof; I hadn’t slept at all the night before. As Meredith had put it, that was my first chance to make a name for myself. She had even created a list of do’s and don’ts to help boost my social standing.
Do command attention. Don’t beg for it.
Do smile like a model on the cover ofVogue. Don’t show every tooth in your mouth.
Do act confident. Don’t be overeager.
Do tastefully show some skin and highlight your figure. Don’t go overboard by being too slutty.
But today…today would be different. No more rules.
I plucked my black and white uniform out of my bag, pulling the fabric over my head. My chest rose as I drew in a deep breath, bracing myself to face the entire school for the first time since my downfall. My fingers trembled as I fidgeted with the zipper on the side of my skirt, a surge of anxiety threatening to crash over me.
Kendra gently placed her hand over mine. With one swift motion, she pulled the zipper up, fastening the skirt securely.
I gave her a small smile.
Once everyone was ready and lined up by the door, I found my voice. “Listen up! Just because this is our last performance of the year doesn’t mean we get to slack off. Now, are you all ready?”
Their quiet murmurs said it all.
The uncertainty in their eyes cut straight through me. They doubted me—questioned my leadership. I saw it in the way they challenged me during practice, the skeptical glances as I walked in, the barely concealed laughter when I gave orders.
I exhaled, wetting my lips.
Everyone loves to judge—until they’re the ones in the spotlight. I wanted to disappear, to curl up in the corner of my room and shut out their piercing stares. But that wasn’t an option. Not anymore. People had a way of twisting the truth, shaping a story to fit their own version of reality. It was time for me to take back control. I pushed the anxiety down, letting determination rise in its place.I didn’t want to do this, but if there’s one thing that can bring people together, it’s a well-timed, sentimental speech…
“Look, I know you’ve all seen what was posted about me, but that needs to stay outside those doors. Right now, it’s not about me, and it’s not about you—it’s about us. It doesn’t matter if you’re popular or an outcast, black or white, girl or boy. We’reallHoney Bees, and that’s what matters. So, are we ready to do this or not?”
I sighed at the silence that filled the air.
At least, I had tried.
Kendra squeezed my hand as we lined up before the double doors, gearing up for our final pep rally cheer. Within seconds, we had burst into the gymnasium, our arms high in the air as we shook our pom-poms. The students erupted into applause as we entered.
