บท 8: THE TRYOUT
The next day being Wednesday, I got to school a bit late. Isabel and I had stayed up pass midnight watching our favorite barbie collection, the twelve dancing princess and princess charm school. While I was groggily walking down the hallway, Lily ran towards me, standing in front of me.
"You came to school pretty late and why do you look like a zombie?" Lily asked, peering closely at my face.
I yawned. "I stayed up late with my kid sis, Isabel watching some movies."
"Yesterday you came to school with eye bags and today, you came looking like a zombie. Hope you haven't forgotten that today is the cheerleading tryouts?" Lily asked eyeing me up and down.
"No, I haven't. Lily, during the gymnastic class, are we all supposed to swim? I couldn't help but notice it on the time table." I said as we continued walking down to class.
"Yes, swimming is a compulsory sport because of it, the school is recognized both locally and internationally. Do you know Bella Reek, one of the best female swimmers?"
"Yes, she has won four gold medals," I answered enthusiastically.
"Exactly. Her roots started from this school. Not just her, even Steven Qin and many others. This school has helped produce many star athletes," Lily said.
"No way!" I couldn't believe it. Bella Reek was my role model. I didn't even know she graduated from this school.
"I'm serious. You get why this school is renowned and why Ms. Sophie has so much power."
While contemplating on all Lily has said, a question suddenly struck me, "what if you can't swim?"
Lily smiled. "Coach harris, one of the best recognized coach out there, will make sure you learn. Bella didn't know her potential until she tried it out. The only time you are not allowed to swim is if you are allergic to chlorine or your doctor's report stipulates you can't swim because of one condition or the other. As long as you are free from any of these and you are a good swimmer, a stellar career is surely guaranteed."
Lily paused and turned to face me."But... can't you swim?" She asked suspiciously.
I gave a cheeky smile. "I can. I'm pretty good at it."
I'm not trying to brag here but I'm a good swimmer although, I might not be as good as Bella Reek.
"Then, you don't need to worry," Lily concluded.
At that moment we got to the classroom. After a few morning classes, it was finally time for the tryout. Lily and I hurriedly went to the girls changing room to change out of our sportswear into the cheerleading uniform.
Lily was dressed in white and red outfit. The white top had a cheetah print at the chest region and the red skirt had a little side split and the outfit went with a cute red headband with a bow while I, on the other hand, wore the newbie outfit of a simple black t-shirt and red short. I was a little jealous of Lily in her uniform, hoping I pass the tryout so that I can get a uniform just like hers.
We then went ahead to the basketball court where the tryout would be taking place. I got there to see swarms of student warming up and some leisurely sitting and discussing. The basketball players were also part of them and my eyes fell on Mr rude sitting amongst them. At that moment, he noticed me and then his nonchalant gaze turned into that of surprise, and another expression I couldn't read. I quickly looked away.
"Why are the basketball players here?" I asked Lily.
"Today is also their tryout to choose new team players," she explained.
I nodded. My eyes drifted back to Mr rude who was still staring at me with that same expression of his that I couldn't read.
Lily caught my gaze. "Just ignore him. You got this and make sure you give it your best."
I nodded and Lily trotted off to join the other cheerleaders, who had been beckoning on her for sometime now. I slightly moved to a part of the basketball court where I know Mr rudes piercing gaze would be limited and began stretching out.
In the middle of my stretch out, a girl found a spot close to me and also began her warm up.
"I need to calm down. I need to calm down." She kept on repeating those words.
I looked at her and saw she was a nervous wreck. "You don't have to be nervous. Take deep breaths, that should work and just give it your best," I advised.
"Of course, I need to be nervous because if I don't make it to the top five, I'm nothing but a failure. So, I'm obviously here to do nothing but my best."
I was a little bit taken aback by her outburst. Lily had earlier explained to me about what being among the top five entails but this girl right here was making it look as if it is such a big deal. Maybe it was for her but not for me.
When I was about opening my mouth, she continued, "being among the top five means I get to wear the majestic cheerleading uniform immediately and not wait it out in this horrid garbage till the captain notices me. It also means I get more recognition by representing the school in any outside competition."
After saying that, she huffed and walked off. What the heck just happened? What just spurted was nothing but facts but she was being narcissistic by putting it that way.
The coach soon announced that the cheerleaders would like to open the tryouts with one of their routines. After minutes of flinging and jumping about in the air by the cheerleaders, accompanied by loud thunderous applaud by all students, the cheerleaders ended their routine and the tryout officially began.
Halfway through the tryout, I started wondering why some students signed up when they can't even do a simple cartwheel. Clowns! While watching the activity, I saw Mr rude talking with the girl I spoke with earlier and then my attention was pulled away because it had gotten to my turn.
I walked up to the padded mat and after giving it much thought, I decided to do a cartwheel, a black flip and end it off with an aerial flip. Not too simple but not also excessive, just enough to get me in. I took long deep breaths and then started with a mild run giving myself momentum before diving into the cartwheel.
In mid air, I saw the same girl I talked to earlier, falling onto the mat I was currently doing my drill on. I panicked because I knew if I completed my cartwheel, I would surely fall on her and we might end up injured and if I decided to twist my body the other way, I was bound to fall and get injured. Either way, the injury can't be avoided. I was caught between a rock and a hard place.
Well, I chose the later option and diverted my landing so that I wouldn't fall on her. All these thoughts and actions happened within a split second. I landed hard on my side with my head hitting the court.
Ouch! That was a pretty hard fall!
P.S: An image below
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