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She laughed weakly and ignored what I was saying.

“I don't want to be a bad bitch here, but...”

“Then don't be!” I interrupted her, watching her mouth open and close a few times before she forced a smile.

“Look, Veronica…” She crouched down in front of me. “I'm really sorry, no one deserves to feel betrayed, but it's been a week and our team needs you.”

I sighed.

“Kendra, get out of my sight!” I requested.

“You need a party…”

I laughed.

“The last time I attended one, I ended up finding my boyfriend cheating on me.” I realized in her eyes, she already knew about it. Of course, everyone knew about it. “So no, I don't think I need a fucking party.”

It was incredible how tactless Kendra could be. She got on my nerves. God, I just wanted to be by myself and cry a little, but that bastard didn't even let me do that.

“Ok, do what you want... Just don't cry when you're not selected to go to the championship.”

And then she finally left me, went back in and I could cry in peace.

Why wasn't I enough?, that was the question on my mind. My self-esteem was completely shaken. My confidence was destroyed, and my heart was shattered into a thousand pieces.

I woke up another day with my head bursting. I had cried so much that my swollen eyes barely wanted to open; Even so, I forced them to face the world around me. Even with the heavy saturation of a bright sun, it all seemed like a depressive winter just like in the movieNew Moon, when Edward left Bella.

I rolled onto the mattress and grabbed my cell phone, then jumped up.

It was already noon.I overslept!

I picked up my things along the way, stumbled out, and grabbed what I needed for training, even though I knew I’d missed it all by now. My self-hatred grew to stratospheric proportions, and my burning eyes stung even worse as more tears came. I left the room determined to go to the gym anyway. Practice would be done by the time I got there, but I neededto go. I had worked hard to come to Belinda and be on the Venenum team, so it was the least I could do.

I arrived as the team was getting ready to leave and go to lunch. As soon as I stepped foot inside, Karlee's green eyes captured me in a mix of disappointment and anger. I was in the wrong, I knew that.

“You are all dismissed!” Shouted the coach.

All my teammates, covered in sweat and fatigue, walked by me and their looks were not at all kind either. It was as if I was being tried for murder and not for sleeping too much.

“Veronica, in my office!” Requested the woman with her high heeled boots clicking on the floor.

I left my bag near the gym door and followed Karlee. Her hard steps already indicated what was to come and all of this only made me feel even worse. I didn't want to be in that situation.

I walked into the office and heard Karlee close the door behind me. I went to sit on one of the chairs in front of the table, but she stopped me.

“No, don't sit down.”

An unpleasant shiver came over me, but I didn't move a muscle.

“What do you think of my cheerleading program, Veronica?” She stood in front of me, crossing her arms. I kept quiet, still embarrassed about my late arrival. “You’re supposed to answer me.”

“It’s the best in the country, I think it’s fantastic.”

“Hm… And do you know why it’s so good?” It was a trap, I knew it, there was no answer that would get me out of trouble at that moment.

“Because of dedication?!”

Karlee smiled sadly.