WANTING YOU

Juggling

Astrid's POV

From the many practices within a short space of time, it was no mystery as to why I was sore. Everywhere and everything ached.

It was The Game Week and Annalise had called a meeting after learning about the incident at the last practice. Trisha was more worried than the rest of us, she was the one left in charge.

"Annalise, before you say anything, what happened was completely my fault and not that of the squad. It was my idea to tweak your routine just a little bit," she spoke up when Annalise walked into the room.

The tension hung in the air and it started suffocating the rest of us. We looked on with intensity, wondering what Annalise was going to do to her. The silence from her was even more frightening.

"Please say something," Trisha said to her in a whisper but Annalise only cleared her throat and stared at her. Finally, she exhaled loudly, placed her hands on her hips and turned to us.

" Accidents do happen," she said, "And I've already found a replacement." On que, Denise walked in, already full of gloat and dressed in the cheerleading uniform.

"This squad is now untouchable, now that I'm here," she said as she walked up to us and joined in.

"Make no mistake, we've always been untouchable," Annalise corrected her sharply and Denise threw up on hands in surrender mode. Shortly after, the meeting came to an end after a few more discussions about the upcoming game.

~

"We've got to be polished for that game," Keri whined when we found our table in the cafeteria.

"I know. I just hope I don't screw everything up and embarrass everyone out on the field on Friday," I said.

"Don't even think that thought. You'll be perfect."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"You're welcome."

~

After school that day, I had to pick up an afternoon shift at the ice-cream pallor but Annalise stopped me before I made an exit.

"Where do you think you're going?" she asked.

"I have... a... job," I stuttered.

"You're the weakest link and when your focus should be bettering your moves, you're worried about serving ice-cream flavors at a dusty pallor?" she questioned with anger.

I didn't know what to say after that.

"You have ten minutes to get to the gymnasium or you and that friend of yours are off my squad!" she warned and turned on her heel.

I sigh in defeat but did as I was told. I shot Sunshine a quick text, informing her that I was going to be about an hour late due some mandatory school activities.

Luckily for me, I was much more in sync with the others and Annalise flashed me a quick smile and permitted me leave earlier than the others so that I could get to work and get some hours in before the evening came on.

"Need a ride?" his voice came.

"How is it that you're always right there?" I questioned. He flashed his signature smirk and opened the door for me. I got in and he got into his driver's seat.

"Home or work?" he asked.

"Work," I answered.

He started the engine and drove me there.

~

The next day, it was Tuesday and the anticipation was beginning to build for the football game but Annalise appeared to be more relaxed. She wasn't shouting or barking orders at us but she did manage to get the team excused from the last subject so that we had an extra half an hour for the routine.

She singled everyone out and watched as they did their steps. When it was my turn, I started off great but ended poorly when I tripped over my own shoelaces that somehow managed to untied itself.

"That cannot happen on game-day! Do you understand me!" Annalise said sharply.

"Yes," I answered like a scolded child.

"From the top. You're not leaving until you get this right!" Annalise shouted and I felt even more belittled.

I started over and then over again until there weren't any errors. At the end of it, I felt like I ran a marathon.

"Ha! Astrid, you're pathetic. I've only started yesterday and I've nailed the routine so much better than you. Cheerleading isn't even your thing, book are. So what the hell are you even doing here?" Denise asked, walking up to me.

"Back off and leave her alone," Keri jumped to my defense.

"Geez, are you always going to fight her battles?" Denise asked Keri now.

"She's my best friend... that's what friends are for. Leave her alone and walk in another direction."

"Make me."

"I've dog-walked you once before and I have no problem doing it again!" Keri's voice rose.

"Like in middle school. I dare you to try me again!" Denise matched and stepped up to Keri.

"HEY!" Annalise's voice cut through. She appeared between the two, "Whatever beef you have grilling, you better eat it," she said then stepped away, trusting Keri and Denise wouldn't come to blows and indeed, they didn't.

~

That night, after my shift, I was buried in homework and studies. With all I had going on, I barely had time to study. If mom was to find out, she was going to freak out and cancel me from cheerleader and even my job. My grades couldn't slip.

~

I mentally cussed on Wednesday morning when Mr. Blackette, our history teacher, wrote Pop Quiz on the blackboard.

I wrecked my brain for the answers to the questions and I could have tell that I narrowly passed.

~

"Astrid, I need your assistance with my class today. I have a meeting with the principal and superintendent. Can you cover for me?" Mrs. Holloway asked me when she spotted me in the hallway next to my locker, "Thanks, doll," she said without even waiting to hear my response.

I headed to Art class and became the assistant teacher for the period. I didn't mind because I always wanted to give instructions and have someone follow it.

~

After classes, I managed to exit the school building without being spotted by Annalise. Sunshine was ill and I had to get the pallor to fill in for her.

After what felt like the longest and most quiet shift, I locked up and headed home.

~

Thursday came almost instantly as I crawled into bed. My alarm went off and I reached for it, turned it off and stayed in bed for an extra ten minutes until I heard mom calling for me.

"You'll be late," she cautioned.

When I got to school, I was five minutes late for the first period.

"Astrid Beltown, that's a first," Mr. London said when I walked into the room.

"Sorry, Mr. London, I'm having an off-morning," I responded.

"Do you have your assignment ready?" he asked, indicating with his fingers that he was ready to collect it.

"Assignment?" I questioned and looked around the room. All eyes looking right back at me, "What assignment?"

"Last week's assignment, Miss. Beltown. On a suburban neighborhood. You were to either construct and explain or write an essay and summarize it in front of the class," Mr. London explained.

"I'm sorry.. but I've forgotten about that," I said. I felt so trounce and Mr. London's disappointed expression didn't help either, "Can I make it up?"

"No. I'm afraid I'm going to have to fail you," he replied and wrote an F next to my name.