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I pulled away to look at her pretty face again and saw a slightly awkward smile on her lips.

“Hm... ok...” She looked at the surroundings and then turned to me. “We can have lunch together, what do you think?”

“It's a great idea.”

She nodded a little before Karlee demanded that everyone come together on the mat to begin speaking. Kendra sat next to me and Colleen approached her cousin, sitting on the other side.

Only the top twenty would make the main team, and now the moment had come to find out who they would be.

“Good morning, y’all! Is everyone here now?” Karlee began to speak, checking this detail and, after confirming that the entire team was there, she continued: “Well, this is the most difficult moment for us as coaches, because I know the capabilities of each of you. There are thirty-five athletes, but I can only call twenty names. This does not mean that others should not be prepared to take over the role and step onto the stage at any time. Not only because, God forbid, but accidents can happen, as well as changes. Anyone who has been with me for over a year knows that this is completely normal and possible.”

Her greenish eyes peered into each of us before she finally looked at the clipboard.

“As I call out your names, please come forward and stand behind me and Evan.”

I felt like my heart could jump out of my chest at that moment. Karlee's call-up was comparable to any athlete who was chosen to join a team for the Olympics to defend their country. Sure, we were treated like second-tier athletes, so no Olympics for cheerleaders, but the college league's National Cheer Champion was the furthest we'd get from something similar.

Suddenly, my hand was grabbed and fingers intertwined with mine. That's when I noticed I was shaking a little. I stared at Kendra for a moment before turning my attention back to Karlee.

First she called the boys. Logan and Becker qualified without the slightest difficulty, but when the female names started to be called we knew it would be like a bloodbath of bruised egos in the end.

“Colleen, Emily, Jazmine and Veronica, you are the team's top girls and flyers.” Relief washed over me as I stared at Kendra. She smiled at me and Colleen almost had to pull me with her because my body just forgot what it was supposed to do. “Sidney, Zorah, Troian and Kendra, you are my tumblrs.”

Colleen had a smile on her face as Kendra got up to come over to where the rest were.

The two of us had not only made through the best team, but we had also been chosen to go to the biggest cheerleading competition in the country. For a moment I wanted to laugh because deep down I knew we were good, really good, so there was simply no reason for so much competition in our college life. After all, we were both capable of being the best.

Kendra stopped next to me and wanted to kiss her to celebrate that, but I stopped just holding her hand for a moment.

I felt the excitement overflowing between the two of us. I was so happy to be called up, but I was also happy for Colleen, Sid and Jaz. I loved those girls for showing themselves to be true friends when I needed them. And I felt something particular about Veronica also being casted. It was a good feeling that, even with the shitty weekend I faced, my university life was getting better and better.

Veronica and I were already a little far away from everyone and we were enjoying a huge sushi plate.

“I'm so excited for the competition, I don't even know how I'll manage classes until then...” Veronica admitted, and my vibe was the same as hers. I felt happy and electrified with the news we received.

“I feel that way too, but I think everything will be fine. I mean, our university isn't that difficult.”

I adjusted the chopstick in my hand and took another piece of sushi, dunking it to the soy sauce and then putting it my mouth.

“Not really, but it would be good to have good grades so you can go to a better university to specialize in advertising. In my case, of course.”

“Hm, you're a girl with a plan, I see.”

“Of course! Aren't you?”

“I want to say yes, but I would be lying.”

Having plans was never something my parents allowed me to do. I could never think on my own to outline my desires. Probably my most rebellious move in this regard was the pants and blazer fiasco last weekend, but even then, it was such a small thing that I didn't even want to brag about it.

“Well, you can start with small plans…” Roni suggested. “Like a plan for what we can do when we get out of here, from this lunch.”

“I need a shower.” I was honest.

“Okay…” I narrowed my eyes. “I'm not sure if that was an invitation...” She was teasing me. My mouth opened into a big “O”, making it clear how embarrassed she made me. However, I didn't miss the opportunity.

“Oh, that was an invitation. You can come along if you want…”

Roni giggled.