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My biggest hate was understanding how I could be so unlucky to have her at the same college, on the same team and in the same dorm as me. The other part of the hatred was directed at trying to understand how that nasty girl managed to look so perfect when it wasn't even eight o'clock yet.

I walked, almost marching, to my room and, when I got there, I came across Emily with wet hair as she brushed it, sitting on the couch with an IPad on her legs. There was no sign of Troian yet.

“Good morning…” Emily greeted me with an almost obligatory smile hovering on her lips.

“Good morning…” I closed the door behind me and walked to the door of my bedroom. “I'm going to take a shower” I said to her, but it wasn't like I needed to give any explanation. She just nodded silently, returning her attention to the electronic device.

I felt some boys' eyes on me and my roommates as we walked to the training center together. I would partly blame this on the tight leggings we were wearing and therefore accept that we were three pretty girls who deserved some attention.

I preferred to believe more in the second statement.

“What do you think we're going to do today?” Troian was the one who asked, curious.

“She'll probably try to get us to practice in groups, to test our chemistry” Emily replied.

Of the three of us, she seemed the most detailed in techniques. And for a moment, I searched my mind for information about last year's regionals, but I remembered that her team lost, despite having won every previous year, and the information that she wasn't on the team resonated in my head. However, I couldn't be sure if that was true. I would have to research it later.

“Hey, do you guys have any social media? Put it in here!” I declared, extending my cell phone to them, trying to be friendly.

Troian seemed excited about this, while I felt like it made no difference to Emily whatsoever. Even so, she added herself into all my socials.

We arrived for practice and Karlee was already there chatting with Evans, the co-trainer, in the corner. The two of them looked around all of us and smiled every now and then at whoever passed in front of them.

I left my bag along with Emily and Troian's, then we joined together to start stretching.

I couldn't stop my eyes from catching Kendra when she stepped into the room, but the girl didn't seem to make an effort to ignore me either. Her blue eyes locked onto me, and I felt as if she could simply burn me, like a witch at the stake. It was slightly terrifying for those who were not familiar with that plague, but for me it was like another ordinary day. Kendra and her hate were fuel for me to be better and better. It was like that for years, and I really doubted that it would change now.

“Team, on the stage!” Karlee's voice resonated with everyone about fifteen minutes later. Apparently, everyone had already arrived, and they all did as told. “I was very happy and pleased to meet, or see, you again yesterday. However, now I need to make sure you have chemistry as a team. You will be one and I need you to show harmony.” Her green eyes looked like lynx’s, watching us, measuring, and I knew at that very moment that she would bring out the best in us. “I'm going to call your names and I want you to come to the center. Evans and I will ask and help you with some things and the rest of you can continue stretching.”

As soon as the order was given, we left the middle of the stage. First, a guy named Logan was called with Colleen. He was a stun and atumbler, I had seen a video of him at some point in the past.

“He's handsome... “I heard Emily sigh, looking at the boy with the green t-shirt with the logo of Belinda Stone and the Venenum team. He was a veteran too. Troian and I looked at her, curious. “What? Can't I find him handsome?”

“Of course you can!” I defended myself and Troian.

“It's just that most of them are gay, you know that” our other roommate added. And she was right.

“He's not. “A voice came from our right, catching the attention of the three of us.

The boy next to us had his curly hair pulled back with a headband and he had a nice smile too.

“How do you know?” Troian was curious.

“Because Logan and Becker are the only straight ones on the team and my job as a gay man is to know that these two will never fall for my charm.” He shrugged. “I'm Solomon.”

“I'm Troian, this is Veronica and Emily.”

“Torres and McGabree, right?”

I looked at Emily and then at Solomon, the blonde confirmed it for me.

“I saw your audition to join the team” he commented. “Unfortunately, I didn't see yours, Troian. But, based on what you did yesterday, I know you're one of the best around here. Of course, after Zorah and the powerhouse of Kendra Winfrey.”

Zorah was a veteran too. And just the mention of Kendra made my nerves almost come to a head.

“You two were rivals, right?” Solomon questioned me and I only bothered to nod my head. He laughed. “Look, if I were you, one of two things: either you become better than her, or you learn to get along, because Karlee has a limit for divas, good behavior is also something she valuesa lot.”

“That is true! “Another girl sat next to Solomon. Her black hair was tied back in a ponytail, but her tight curls rested on top of her head while a headband helped hold them up. “I'm Brianna!” introduced himself. “It's not enough to be talented, this is a team, so sportsmanship needs to prevail. In short: either you're part of the team, or you can be a diva elsewhere.”