I looked for a bush that I could quickly dive behind, but there wasn't any. I thought about doing a quick bit of hocus pocus and a disappearing act but he was too close. He would notice and it might cause him to stack his bike and face plant onto the road. Actually maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea. I would have to administer CPR; the lifesaving kiss where you lock lips and blow in recycled air. That would be an interesting way to experience 'the first kiss'.
But it was too late. By the time I over-analysed the situation, Craig, the football hero rode past me, lifted his hand and waved calling out, "Hey Lily."
"Hi," I said, gobsmacked. He knew my name. HE KNEW MY NAME. I couldn't believe it. I stood there with my mouth drooping on the ground letting the flies swarm inside to have a party as he whizzed by. I quickly ran home and face timed Mishy.
"Oh Cool," she said. "I was just about to face time you. Great minds think alike. I have lots to tell you."
"Ok but you'll never guess who just rode down my street past me."
"Well you're never going to guess what I just heard."
"No me first before I pee myself. Guess who rode past me and actually had a conversation with me."
"Santa Claus?"
"Mishy!"
"Easter Bunny?"
"Yeah right, as if Easter Bunny would ride a bike," I laughed
"I don't know, just tell me."
"Craig!"
"Craig Cameron from the tenth grade?"
"The one and only and, wait for it, he was wearing bike shorts."
"Eewghhh!" We both screamed in girlie hysterics. "Could you see anything?" she whispered.
"What do you mean?"
"You know."
"Oh Mishy stop! Eewgh that's gross."
"And he talked to you? What did he say?"
"Hi. And that's not all. He said 'Hi Lily'."
"And that's it? That was the conversation?"
"Well it's a start Mishy. So are you jealous or what?"
"Then what happened?"
"He kept riding."
"Well you should have fallen over or something so he would have had to stop and help you."
"Oh yeah right, and make a complete idiot of myself. No thank you. I'd rather bask in the glory of having him speak two words to me and keep my dignity in tact thank you very much. So what were you going to tell me?"
"Well you know how you've been worried about Kaitlyn lately?" My ears pricked up like a bunny rabbit. "Alex went skating yesterday with his big sister who is in the eighth grade, and he overheard some of the girls talking about Kaitlyn. Apparently she was going out with Connor but Connor broke up with her because he found out she had kissed someone else."
"Kaitlyn? I don't think she'd?.."
"Hang on. You'll never believe who she cheated with. That nerdy guy in ninth grade Nigel."
"Nigel! Nerdy Nigel? No way! I really don't think Kaitlyn is the type to two time, and if she was, it wouldn't be with Nigel. He's so?.well let's just say, he's not Kaitlyn's type."
Mishy laughed. "Let's just say he's not really anyone's type. And now Connor is back with Chantelle. He was going out with her in the sixth grade, but she had to move overseas for a year so they broke up. And now she's back, and she's best friends with Tiffany and Krystal again."
"So you think that's why Kaitlyn has been acting weird and upset lately? Because her boyfriend dumped her?"
"Well it makes sense," Mishy replied.
"M'mmm, maybe. I gotta go. Mom's calling me. See you at school tomorrow."
"Hey you know that photo we put on Instagram of you and me doing a love heart in the sand, it's got 150 likes."
"Mishey, so what? If it gets one like, I'm happy. If it gets a million likes I'm happy. If it gets no likes, I'm still happy. I'm happy because it was fun doing it with you, and I'm happy I have a friend like you to do things with. We don't need other people's approval and likes."
"Ok! Well let's see if we can get to 200."
"Mishy! See you tomoz." I ended the connection. So Mishy thought Kaitlyn was having boyfriend troubles. Maybe she was right. But I was not convinced. There was more probing for me to do.
10. It's Finally Here
When I got to school on Monday morning, I was ready to put on my private detective hat for a day of investigation following Kaitlyn the whole day if it killed me. But when Mishy, Maddy and Sarah greeted me at the front gate with over excited looks on their faces, my mind started to boggle with curiosity.
Mishy had a huge smile that wrapped from one side of her petite face to the other. She was jumping up and down on the spot like a little girl with her ponytail flying through the air. Sarah was standing, keeping her cool as usual while Maddy beamed with childish excitement. As I walked closer, Mishy started to run toward me flinging her arms around animatedly.
"Don't tell her Mishy," Maddy ordered. "Let her see for herself."
"Let me see what for myself?" They looked around at each other. "Common guys, let me see what? What's happening? Have you made another loom band or something Maddy?" Maddy always got so excited when she mastered a different style. When she created the confetti crisscross design, she posted so many photos on Instagram and Facebook, it was ridiculous.
"Yeah right," said Sarah coolly. "As if that's something we'd get excited about." Sarah wasn't really into making loom bands. She was always training for one sport or another or practicing her violin. "Just come this way and follow us," she said. They began walking quickly towards the gym. We had to go past the eighth grade area.
"Can't we go the long way?" Maddy asked.
"Why?" said Sarah.
"You know why. They always stare at us when we go past."
"Don't be such a baby," Sarah replied.
"Maddy, if they're staring, it's because we're worth staring at. We're hot, we're gorgeous, we're beautiful. Why wouldn't they want to stare at us? Just stare back!" I offered.
"What planet are you from Lily?" asked Maddy.
"I'm not sure actually."
We all laughed as we approached a large group of eighth graders. Right in the centre was Tiffany holding everyone captive with her good looks and popular status. On the edge of the circle was Kaitlyn looking a little more comfortable than she had previously. As we walked past the group, Kaitlyn's eyes connected with mine briefly and she started to open her mouth to speak. She glanced back at Tiffany and immediately lowered her eyes and looked away.
"Hi Kaitlyn," I said as we kept walking. It made me laugh to think how some girls acted. They talk to you one minute and even call you a friend, and then, when they are in the company of others, they zip their mouths as if you're totally invisible. It also made me sad; sad for them.
"See," Maddy said. "Did you hear them whispering when we walked past?" I did hear them, and I heard the spiteful laughter that followed. "No, I didn't hear any whispering. They're just talking softly to each other."
"Yeah right!" Maddy retorted. "It just makes me feel so uncomfortable walking past that group."
"Maddy, you only need to feel uncomfortable if you let yourself feel uncomfortable. If you walk past with your head held high, and think nice thoughts about something else, you won't even know they are there." Oh dear, I sounded just like my mother. SCARY!
"And what am I going to think about?"
"Ice-cream?" I suggested.
"Oh right!"
"Craig Cameron," giggled Mishy.
"Yuk, I don't want to think about boys," Maddy replied in mock disgust.
"Think about where we're walking to right now," Sarah added.
"Ok yep, that's sort of working," Maddy started to grin after a few moments.
"So shall we walk past them again and you can practice it over?" I asked.
"NOOOO!" Maddy and Mishy both automatically replied together.
By the time we arrived at the gym, there was a swarm of girls around the front buzzing around excitedly like hungry bees.
"Over there, have a look," Mishy said to me excitedly.
r />
"What is it?"
"Go and have a look for yourself."
I went over and tried to gently ease myself into the crowd so I could see what they were looking at. My heart started drumming an energetic beat as I read the colorful notice. I couldn't believe it. It was finally here. We had waited so long for this and the day had finally arrived.
Monday 3rd November
Dear Debbie Diary
OMG! OMG! OMG!
I am so nervous. Wednesday is the big day. Mishy keeps face timing me to show me what she's going to wear. She keeps changing her mind. I really don't think it matters whether she wears an elephant onesie or a polka dot bikini.
Wednesday 5th November 8a.m
Ok Debbie, here goes. Wish me luck. This could be the biggest day of my life. It's days like these I really wish I could use my divination and black magic stars and use the powers within. But I can't.
I've already had to go pee like 3 times. Mom calls them nervous pees. REALLY! Is she serious?
Ok here I go.
Whoops, I forgot to clean my teeth.
11. The First Cheeroff
It had been such a long wait leading up to the Wednesday, the day of the first heat. From the moment that I read the sign on Monday morning, I could think of nothing else but the cheerleading tryouts. It was every girl's dream at my school to get into the cheerleading team. Well, nearly every girl. There were a couple who didn't really care, like Dorky Doreen. I'm sure she just sits at home playing with her dolls and reading her books. And of course there's absolutely nothing wrong with that either. My mom always says, "Everybody has different interests in life." My mom thinks she knows everything, but I suppose she's right. It's Doreen's choice if she wants to read boring books and not do any sport. She'll probably grow up to be really rich one day in some highly paid intellectual job and we'll all be jealous.
I don't mind reading occasionally, but cheerleading is my thing. Sarah and I have been going to cheerleading classes for five years. Mishy joined two years ago. She's so good because she's light and petite which makes it easy to throw her on top in a pyramid. Maddy unfortunately broke her elbow a few months before, doing a cartwheel and can't compete in anything physical this year. This was the first year that we were able to try out for the junior high team. We were against all the eighth graders but that didn't matter as we'd been doing it for longer than some of them. Mishy and I had the same try out time which we were very happy about.
We changed quickly during first break and put a little bit of makeup on. Mishy still kept stressing over whether she'd worn the right outfit or not. It was a blue and white short suit with a crop top showing off her petite belly.
There were about fifteen other girls in our heat and a panel of judges including the head gymnastics coach Mr Gordon. We call him Mr Gorgeous because he definitely is. Mrs Carmichael who is the cheerleading coach and Miss Cranski the English teacher sat either side of him. We call Miss Cranski, Miss Cranky Pants because she's always wearing hers. That's probably why she's still a 'Miss'. She's too cranky for anyone to want to marry her.
They sat wide eyed at the front of the gym while fifteen girls jumped and shimmied to the beat trying to impress in five brief minutes. I thought Mishy and I both grooved well but the other girls were fantastic too, except one. I think Candy was her name. She wasn't disastrous, just a little slow, and she didn't keep up with the moves very well. She was also a little bit on the plump side with a couple of muffins popping out over her high waisted shorts. Actually it was more like a whole tray of muffins but I'm trying not to be too brutal in my description. Not that size means everything, but it is possible Candy might eat a little too much candy sometimes.
On the way out, the girls were abuzz with excitement, chatting eagerly and squealing together, including Mishy and me. Miss Cranky Pants had said that we would find out at the end of the day or first thing the next morning who was called back from each heat.
The next group were waiting in the foyer stretching and chatting, waiting to be called in. Most of the girls were from the eighth grade but there were a few seventh graders also, including Sarah. We gave her a big hug and wished her good luck. Sarah was sure to get in. She was super athletic and could dance better than Beyonc?. But we wanted the whole three of us to get in together.
The cheerleading teams were travelling to some awesome places this year and we would get to stay away for the weekend in motels. Not to mention that there were a few hot looking players on the team. Not that we were interested in boys?????..much! Well maybe just a little bit, secretly.
The girls were called in as we dawdled back to our class, chatting excitedly, quietly eliminating who we thought would get through from our group and who wouldn't. Mishy and I decided there were at least seven other girls who were as good as us. I wondered cheekily if there was some permissible spell I could use to gently persuade the judge's mind. But even if I could find one that was allowed, I really wanted to make it on my own. It would be unreal to be selected, but if I thought I had to cheat to get us in, it just wouldn't have the same electrifying feel. And my 'know it all mom' always says that 'honesty is the best policy', and I kinda think she's right. Though sometimes when I'm honest and tell the truth about taking the last three cookies out of the jar, I get punished. I don't know how that can be good for you.
The cheerleading tryouts were so exciting, I hadn't even thought about Kaitlyn and her illusive problem for days until I saw her warming up with the other girls. Krystal and Tiffany were with Chantelle huddled closely together. They looked sensational in their outfits and golden blonde hair tied high above their heads. I looked down at my own simply designed red two piece outfit with the big L across the front and compared it to Krystal's stunning outfit and gloriously tanned legs. HO HUM! Oh Well! I knew my legs didn't compare but I also knew that it wasn't the outfit that was being judged. It was the moves and grooves from the body inside. I was happy with me in my plain red costume. There's nothing cool about being jealous and wishing and wanting for more. "Be happy with what you've got," my mom always says, like over and over, like a scratched CD.
I wished Kaitlyn good luck thinking she would probably look away, but to my surprise she quietly said, "thanks." She then quickly glanced over towards Tiffany. "How did you go?" she asked.
"Oh great, I think. Let's just say I didn't trip over my big feet or embarrass myself anyway," I replied, dumbfounded that she'd initiated a conversation with me in front of the Princess gang.
"Good Luck," Mishy said to her.
"Thanks," Kaitlyn said, as she reclined back against the wall by herself. I could see out of the corner of my eye that Tiffany and Krystal were looking towards us whispering to each other.
"Did you see Tiffany staring at us?" Mishy said as we walked to class.
"Not really," I lied.
"What do you think they were saying?"
"Probably how gorgeous we looked in our outfits compared to them, and how we posed a threat to them getting on the team."
"Do you think they'll stir Kaitlyn because she was talking to us?"
"No of course not. That would be teasing. Actually that would be a sort of bullying, and only mean girls do that."
"Well they are mean girls," Mishy retorted.
"Mishy! They're not necessarily mean." I tried to look on the bright side of everything. My over informative Mother always told me that it was better for the world in general if we could look for the good in every bad, which is pretty hard sometimes in my profession. I've met some pretty evil witches in my time and I could hunt high and low in every nook and cranny of their decrepit bodies, and there definitely wasn't any good to be found!
"Maybe they were wondering if we were good competition for them." I knew that wasn't true, but it didn't really bother me. If girls wanted to be mean, it was their problem and I felt sorry for them that they had nothing more interesting to talk about.
At the end of the day we raced up to the gym to see if the list w
as up. Maddy came with us for moral support. As we got closer Mishy said, "Let's close our eyes so it will be a surprise when we get there."
"Yeah right!" said Maddy. "How many poles do you think we'll take out along the way? You're such a kid Mishy. Knowing my luck I'd probably bump right into Tiffany."
"Oh no. That would be just devastating," Sarah said sarcastically. "You might mess up her perfect hair."
"I doubt it. She uses a bottle of hairspray every morning to hold it in place," I smirked.
"Can we just get this over with?" said Sarah impatiently. I guess she wasn't as excited as we were. Not on the surface anyway. "Can we just walk there using our eyes and feet?"
"Well alright, but be careful you don't squish your eyes," I interjected.
"WHAT?" They all looked at me dumbly.
"With your feet. Don't squish your eyes with your feet. I've seen it happen before."
"Oh Lily, you are so weird at times."
"I know. That's why you love me. Hee hee."
By the time we'd finished our crazy discussion on how we were going to get there, we'd arrived at the front of the gym. Maddy said, "Ok girls, I'll lead you up to the notice board with your eyes closed." This was it. Had I made it through the Cheer offs to the next heat? My heart started to pound like there was a little green gremlin racing through my blood stream playing the bongo drums a million miles per hour.
Wednesday 5th November 8pm
Dear Diary
AGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
NOOOOOO call backs posted today! Now I have to endure a sleepless night worrying about whether I got in or not. This is torture. SO UNFAIR!! I bet it was Cranky Pants' fault. The list is probably ready. She probably just said, "let them stew all night."
Well I wish I could make her into a stew, with bat's poo, dog's doo and cat's spew. Eewghhh!