Like girls who belong here. Girls who understand the essence of this school. I understand perfectly. Zara adjusted her backstrap. This school is about excellence, academics, and representing our community with pride.
That is precisely what I intend to do. Jake's smile faltered for a fleeting moment before returning. We shall see about that. Football season is a long journey with many games and considerable pressure. Not everyone is cut out for it.
Good thing I am. She moved past them without another word, feeling their stairs burning into her back. Meanwhile, the three young men watched her depart, their expressions darkening as other students dispersed toward the parking lot. "Are you serious right now?" Jake's voice dropped to a low murmur intended only for his companions. "They actually put her on the squad." Tyler spat toward a nearby trash can.
"This is precisely the kind of detritus that is degrading our school. What's next? Are they going to make us kneel for the anthem too, man? What if she's one of those girls who believes she's superior to everyone? Brandon finally interjected, his voice uncertain, but attempting to echo their sentiments.
Like she acts all intelligent and whatnot. Oh, she most certainly believes she's something special, Jake retorted, his jaw clenched. Did you observe her demeanor? As if we were the issue. Tyler's face contorted with distaste.
I'm not cheering next to that. My father is going to be furious when he discovers they've placed some token diversity hire on the squad instead of Ashley Martinez. Ashley has been anticipating this for 2 years. It's simply not right, man. Jake shook his head.
Our fans do not wish to see that representing our school. They desire genuine eagle girls, not some He left the sentence unfinished, but his implication was clear to his friends. Brandon nodded eagerly, desperate to fit in. "Yeah, precisely, like, what will people think when they see our cheerleaders? This isn't that kind of school." "Well, she's about to discover what kind of school this truly is," Tyler declared, cracking his knuckles.
"Football season will be quite educational for her." Jake's smile returned cold and calculating. Oh yes, exceptionally educational. The harassment commenced suddenly, almost innocently, easily dismissed as mere coincidence. On Monday morning, Zara arrived at her locker to find it slightly a jar. Her combination lock hung open, and her books had been rearranged.
Nothing was missing, merely disturbed. She glanced around the hallway, catching Jake Morrison's eye three lockers down. He was engaged in conversation with a sophomore girl, but his attention repeatedly drifted toward Zara. "Strange," she murmured, reorganizing her textbooks. By third period, news of the new cheer roster had circulated.
Zara felt the stairs in every hallway heard the whispered conversations that abruptly ceased as she passed. Some students offered encouraging smiles, but others appeared perplexed as if she were an unsolvable enigma. Hey, Zara. Madison Clark, one of the senior cheerleaders, approached her after English class. I'm so thrilled you made the team.