Page 2

CHAPTER 2

ALL FALLS DOWN BY LIZZY MCALPINE

Brianne Archer:

I count in my head and keep a smile on my face. Today is our first official practice as the cheer team and I am more than ready for it. At least that’s what I keep telling myself even though I’m sweating buckets right now. It’s not that hot in Seattle despite it being the end of July—I’m just freaking out. Leah Ashley is the cheer captain, and a female vulture, ready to pick the skin off your bones if you fail. Not only that but she’s also my brother's ex-girlfriend. According to him, and Kamryn, his current girlfriend, they’ve smoothed everything over and they’re cool. I, on the other hand, think she can smell my freaking fear. I’ve been scared since I made the team that she would be harder on me than everyone else. Today will be the telltale sign.

“Deep breath.” I feel Dakota’s hands on my bare waist, and his words are soft in my ear.

He was right last night at the bar. We were paired to be stunt partners for the season. It makes sense why.

Last night, I learned that Dakota is a year older than me. He’s 19 and turns 20 on August 27th. I’m 18 and turn 19 on August 29th. We’re almost twins. That’s what I said at the bar last night. He took a gap year in his learning so that he could figure out what exactly he wanted to do before he came to SPU. So we’re officially the only two freshmen who made the cheer team this year. I’ve never clicked so easily with someone like I did with Dakota last night. It’s like the minute we met we had that thing people talk about—like you’ve known someone forever even though you just met.

We’re basically the same person in different forms. We both love Tate McRae and Taylor Swift. We have the same favorite color. When I asked what his favorite Barbie movie was he said Princess and The Pauper, just like me. Our lucky number is 13 which definitely took me by surprise. We both prefer tequila.

I focus back in, and do what he says. I take a deep breath, ignoring the slight headache I have from my very subtle hangover. Bellamy still has no idea that I went out to the campus bars last night. I don’t think my brother has any idea what he’s gotten himself into in wanting me to come to the same college as him. Honestly, I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into. I’ve got a reputation of my own solely because of him. That’s how it’s always been, though. Bellamy is the star of the football team and I’m his baby sister. Always the baby. It was the same in high school as well. Even after he graduated, I was his legacy.

Leah captures my attention by clapping her hands and counting us down out loud. I nod my head, and Dakota’s hands tighten around my waist. He lifts, and hoists me up, making me feel absolutely weightless as I fly over him. I tighten every muscle in my body as Dakota’s hands stabilize my foot. I smile, pom poms in the air, and feel completely secure in his grasp. I’ve never done much solo stunting, only during stunt lessons, but even then, it wasn’t frequent. So the fact that it’s seamless for Dakota and me makes me feel a lot better about this pairing and our friendship. We just work.

“Tighter!” Leah walks past each stunt duo. “Sloppy.”

She moves on and looks up at all of us, but I keep my eyes straight forward, ignoring her completely as if she’s not there, even as she approaches slowly. She can smell my fear, like a shark. Like a scary shark with blonde hair and a perfect manicure.

”Danvers, you’re going to kill my flier if you don’t fix yourself as base! Stable, grounded. You are her foundation,” I hear her say.

She’s in front of me now, I know she is. I can sense her below. I hear nothing and know that she won't attack if I just don’t make eye contact.

“Good job Baby B, and Daks for not sucking. Drop ‘em!” she shouts, and I swear my heart stutters for only a second.

Thank god. I prepare for my dismount, and Dak is perfect in the way he moves. I press my poms tight to my sides and double down until I’m safely in Dakota’s arms and my feet are touching the ground. I stay standing close to Dakota, my back pressed to his chest as we watch Leah closely.

“You good, Baby?” he whispers in my ear, and I’m still not used to the nickname.

It makes sense and I love it, considering I am the youngest on the team. Still, it’s normally romantic, but with my teammates, it’s obviously not. Leah started it this morning and it’s already sticking.

“All good,” I whisper back, trying to catch my breath.

“We start scrimmages in about two weeks so I need all of you to be on your A-game! Do you understand?” she asks us.

We all reply in a form of yes, and she goes on, “We are going to be practicing three times a week. I don’t care how perfect you think you are, you’re not. The calendar is in the group chat. And as for all of you, you’re hot, you’re fit, you’re perfect. Stay hydrated please, and keep your protein and calorie intake up. I don’t need any of you weak, or falling apart on the field. Don’t make me have to worry about you.”

She barks orders like it’s second nature. For her, I’m sure it is.

“She needs to get laid,” Dakota whispers beside me, only loud enough for me to hear.

I smirk, holding my laughter in, and I feel his breath whisper past me, and his chest moves like he’s silently laughing.

“You’re all dismissed! Except you two!” Leah snaps her attention to Dakota and me.

My lips instantly shut and the smirk wipes off of my face. I take back the shark comment. She’s scarier than a shark. I’d rather face a Great White than Leah when she’s in cheer coach mode.

“You are the only freshman on the team. These are your rules,” she tells me, and I stare at her. She looks back at us and shakes her head. “Well, what are you waiting for? Write them down.”

She motions and I scramble for something to write with. There’s a notepad on the bench with a pen, both branded with SPU Athletics. I write a messy rule list.

“Number 1. If you drink, you better be absolutely careful. I’m not an idiot, I was a freshman once. If you ever get into any trouble call one of the upperclassmen. Not me unless you’re severely in trouble or potentially dying. If you’re not either of those things, I might kill you myself..” she tells us.

“Number 2. If you fuck a football player, you keep it to your damn self. Don’t bring that shit onto the field or into practice, understood?”

“Yes sir,” I speak quickly before I can think about what I’m saying, and then I panic. “I mean, yes ma’am. Captain. Miss… Leah.” I stumble through the words.

I wish the field would turn into a hole and suck me in. Dakota squeezes my side, and I bite my lip. I wish I knew when to close my mouth.

“God, you need help,” she sighs, and I groan internally. Yes, yes I do.

“Sorry,” I mumble.

“Last thing on that list is to remember that we take care of people. That was a big problem last year, the girls were out to get each other, and the guys on the team were not involved because they didn’t want to know the drama. The team was a mess and we struggled. We cleaned all of that up. Cheerleaders and football players alike are a family. We lean on them, they lean on us. Don’t fuck that up,” Leah snaps, and I nod.

“Anything else?” Dakota asks.

“Yeah, don’t get Baby B pregnant. I see you two…” She nods between us and my cheeks burn.

“We’re not—”

“Ah, Uh huh… I don’t care. I don’t want to know. Don’t include me in your drama, I’m not doing the drama thing anymore, no,” she silences me.

“Wait.” Leah stops me again and I raise my eyebrows. “You dance. I know that, and I know how cutthroat our dance program is. Do not burn yourself out. If you need a slight break or leniency, you tell me or coach,” she instructs and walks away, not even letting me reply.

I wasn’t expecting that from her. She’s right, though. I am a dance major here, and my professor is cutthroat, which is perfect for my career and my goals. I turn with Dakota, walking away from our practice spot.

“One person already thinks we’re together, should we keep a tally?” I joke.

“People are going to believe what they want to,” Dakota taps his hand on my side and then walks around me.

“Can I come to your place tonight, maybe your brother will be home… And his friend, what’s his name? Lawson?” he asks, and I scoff.

“Stop objectifying my brother and his friends,” I laugh.

I know he’s joking, but it is funny seeing him fawn over my brother.

“What else are they good for?” he asks, which only makes me laugh.

“I actually have plans with Bellamy so I can’t hang out but I can take you back to your apartment,” I tell him, and he nods.

We both grab our things and make our way out of the stadium, and into the parking lot that’s starting to clear out. My white Jeep has the top off currently, and she’s sitting pretty in front of us right now. Dakota places his hand on the door and hoists himself up and into my car without even opening it. I roll my eyes at the boyish movement.

“You’re such a guy,” I groan.

“Considering I’m a man I’ll take that as a compliment, I guess,” he chuckles as I climb in.

“Wait, what are you doing tomorrow night?” I ask him, and he shakes his head.

“Whatever you’re about to invite me to,” he smirks, and I smile too.

“My brother is throwing a going away party for his roommate Griffin, he’s going to the NFL. We’re all going to Haven, it’s a bar near campus. You should come with me,” I tell him.

“Your brother invited you to Haven?” Dakota asks.

It’s a fair question. I am very much an underage college student. But, I have a fake ID, just like Bellamy did when he was my age.

“No, he actually told me not to come because I’m underage, but I laughed in his face,” I smile, and Dakota rolls his eyes.

“I’ll be there if you are. And the entire football team…” He wiggles his eyebrows at me, and now I’m the one rolling my eyes.

I turn on my playlist and Dakota groans as the sound of country music hits my speakers.

“I honestly don’t think there’s anything wrong with you, Baby. You’re physically perfect, so hot. Drop dead gorgeous. You’re a dancer, you’re smart, and you’re funny. But dear God, please stop listening to country music. It’s your downfall,” he tells me, and all I do is turn the Rascal Flatts song up.

I don’t care who hates it. The country twang makes me more than happy.