Chapter 2 The Tryout

Thursday, 8th of September

Arthur parks in the driveway as I wander down to meet him. He offered to drive me home yesterday, but it didn't feel right until I was stuck on a bus that made too many stops and added hours onto my trip home.

"Thank you so much!" I say, hopping into the front seat.

"You're welcome."

"Let me know if there's anything I can do to return the favour."

"You can pick a song." He tosses his phone onto my lap and grins. I considered a few songs before picking Rapunzel by Drapht.

He cocks his head to the side as I turn the volume up. Arthur taps his fingers to the beat, then nods his head.

"It's interesting."

"You mean amazing," I correct.

"Gee, I'm sorry." Arthur laughs.

I play some of their other music before we arrive at school. He swerves into a parking spot, and we saunter inside.

Arthur hangs with a group of guys while I veer in the opposite direction in search of my locker. I'm getting the hang of this, but it's only taken me two days and three lost maps.

I shove a majority of my books into the small cubicle before rushing to homeroom. My bag is light, which is nice. I hated having to cart my books to classes in Australia.

The bell rings as I wander into the classroom. I find a seat at the back and half listen to the string of announcements. I mostly scribble on the inside of my English notebook.

Once homeroom is over, people scatter, but I remain for English.

Arthur enters the classroom and takes a seat on the other side of the room.

"Christine, over here." Arthur waves to a free spot beside him.

I consider ignoring him because I like my spot at the back of the classroom, but I grab my things and move to the other desk.

The teacher coughs, and some people look at him. He writes our tasks on the chalkboard, then sits behind the desk. I've already read the book, so I fill in the questions and let Arthur copy them.

Arthur grows restless and tosses a pen at the brunette in front of us. She turns around and scowls at Arthur.

"I'm keeping your pen." She glares.

"Have you met Christine?"

"No, but hi." She doesn't look amused, but follows along.

"She's new, so you should invite her to try out for the cheerleading team. You need new faces on that team and last year's intake sucked."

The girl looks at me and asks, "Do you have any experience?"

"I'm sorry about him, but I'm not interested."

"If you change your mind, we're having tryouts after school. We need more people who are athletic."

"Okay, thanks."

She eyes my paper and smiles.

"Have you finished?"

"Yes, do you want the answers?" I slide the paper towards her.

"Thanks." She grins.

* * * * *

Dance is less terrible because we're learning a new routine, math sucks and then lunch rolls by. I skip the cafeteria and head outside to sit with everyone. There are a few familiar faces, but everyone is a blur.

Arthur and a girl called Yvonne sit at the table with me, while Savannah is on the ground shooting daggers at Arthur.

"We're in time out, and she's unhappy."

"Just break up already. I swear you fight more than you date," Yvonne comments.

"Tell her to stop acting crazy, then maybe we wouldn't need to do this."

Yvonne shakes her head and laughs.

"Honest to God, I love her, but we both know crazy is just in her DNA." She laughs.

"You're right." Arthur sighs.

Yvonne turns to me and smiles. I squirm under her gaze, but I manage to tug on a smile.

"What sport do you play, Christine?"

"I used to surf with my mother, but not anymore."

"Damn, you certainly can't surf around here."

"No." I shake my head.

"You have the muscle definition we're looking for, and if you can follow directions, we'd be thrilled to see you try out for the team. You should disregard Arthur's comments; he tries too hard to make people fit."

"I'm sure Arthur means well, besides." I shrug. "I'd be sitting by myself without him."

"You seem cool, Christine."

After lunch, we walk to woodwork. Everyone has started their project while I've been going through tedious paperwork about procedures and safety scenarios inside Blain's office.

The videos and scenarios are gory, not in the images, but in what they imply. I hope I don't cut my fingers off because that would be terrifying.

Blain walks inside and pulls a chair up. He places a new assignment in front of me and smiles.

"I've tweaked it to make the theory weigh more, and I've simplified what you need to demonstrate for the design and overall production. I'll walk you through making the cupboard. Does that sound okay?"

"It's great, thank you." I grin.

"When you've finished the videos, I want you to look at the designs. Draw whatever you like. Can you manage that?"

"Yes." I nod.

"Just use the computer. It's dusty and the t button doesn't work."

"Okay, no worries."

"Great." He claps his hands. "Yell out if you need help."

"Thanks for the help."

Blain returns to help someone, then hurls insults at Arthur because he's throwing wood scraps at someone who's trying to use the bandsaw.

I skip through the videos and search for basic cabinet designs and start on my own.

Blain has no idea what he'd gotten himself into. I shouldn't be allowed near power tools capable of cutting off my limbs, and I can't draw to save myself.

* * * * *

Arms wrap around my waist as I skip out of the office.

"What are you doing?" I shout.

"Just making sure you get to cheerleading tryouts." He laughs.

"I specifically remember making a date with Netflix."

I bet he's rolling his eyes and smiling that stupid goofy grin.

He adjusts his grip and wanders onto the school oval. Instead of fighting, I rest my chin on Arthur's shoulder.

Blain's herds students out of the room before jogging towards us.

"What are you doing, Arthur? Put her down!"

"You heard the teacher." I poke his shoulder.

Arthur ignores us, so I wiggle around until I accidentally kick his leg. He drops me, and I crash into the hard ground. I spring up and bolt towards the school. I peer over my shoulder and scream.

He wrangles me into the air and over his shoulder. Blain laughs as he falls in step with Arthur.

"What are you doing, Arthur?"

"Making Christine try out for cheer."

"You can't force someone to do that."

"How's Christine going to get the full American experience without joining cheerleading?"

Blain shakes his head and walks off.

"Good luck," he yells.

Arthur drops me off at the cheer tryout with a bright smile.

"Christine's bursting with cheer spirit." I shoot him a glare, so he elbows me in the side.

"So much school spirit." I roll my eyes.

"Join the tryout, you might enjoy it. If you don't, then no hard feelings." Yvonne smiles.

"I'm wearing jeans."

"Easy fix, I have some shorts you can borrow."

"Oh, thanks."

Yvonne tosses me a pair of black booty shorts and directs me to the change room, which is across the oval.

I race across the oval and wave the shorts to Arthur, who gives me a thumbs up. As I race around the corner, I walk into a hard chest and fall onto the ground. Blain looks down and frowns.

"Shit, sorry Christine." He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! I thought this was the female toilet."

"It's on the other side, actually." He chuckles.

"Okay."

"So you're actually trying out for cheerleading?"

"Yvonne was really nice, so why not." I nod. "I doubt I'll be accepted because I've never done anything like this before."

"I'm sure you'll do great."

"Cheers." I smile.

I change into the shorts which are tight and cling to my thighs. I can't go back in jeans, so I force myself across the grass.

There's some catcalls which makes my cheeks go red.

Yvonne gives simple moves, then cranks the music.

I don't keep up with the dance, but I slay on the physical side. A few girls leave part way through, but I trooper on. What's a few more bruises after falling down twice today?

The head cheerleaders discuss tryouts, then announce their choice. Yvonne hands me a blue cheer outfit and matching yellow pom poms.

"You don't have to accept me because of Arthur. My audition was shocking, borderline terrifying."

"Arthur has nothing to do with our decision. You have potential and muscle. Plus we like you."

"Oh, okay." I smile. "I think this could be fun."

Savannah glares at me and I look at Yvonne.

"She's just jealous, don't mind her."

"I'll endeavour to try." I laugh.

The cheerleaders pack up their equipment while I watch Arthur race across the field with a smile. I wave the pom poms in the air which makes him smile widen.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"I'm hitting the showers, but do you want a lift home?"

"Sure, thank you! I'll grab my stuff."

"Let's meet at the car?"

"Yes."

As Arthur runs away, Savannah growls at me.

"Arthur is mine!"

"Don't be childish. Arthur isn't a toy and he's just driving me home. If he wants to be with you, I'm all for it." Her mouth drops open, so I use this as my moment to escape.

Once I've got my things, I head to the parking lot. Blain walks around the corner with a smile.

"Did you make it onto the team?"

"Yes." I nod.

"Congratulations! You're one step closer to completing the American experience."

"What are the other steps?"

"Hm." He ponders. "Parties, Halloween, homecoming, prom and Arthur said dating him, but I think that's crap."

"He said that?" I laugh.

"Yes, but he'd kill me if I said anything."

"I pinky promise not to say anything then. I also don't fancy entering a rival with Savannah."

"Pinky promise, hey, that's a strong commitment."

"It is."

His pinky intertwining with mine and we shake on it. I get lost in his olive eyes, which causes my breath to get caught in my throat.

"I should go." He coughs.

Blain leaves and I lust after him in a dreamy state.

I walk to the car and Arthur is crossing the field. I wave to him and we get into the car. I lean back in the chair and sigh.

"What are you thinking about?"

"My bed." I lie. "I'm exhausted."

I peek at Arthur who seems slightly offended.

When he drops me off, I thank him for the lift. It's only inside, I remember Yvonne's shorts.

"What are you wearing?"

"I borrowed them for cheer tryouts."

"Cheer tryouts?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Yes, I'm a cheerleader. Yay, go the Tigers."

"That's a new development."

"I thought I'd give it a try, maybe make some friends."

"I'll come to every game and watch you cheer."

We both know he'll be there for football, but I don't mind, he needs some happiness.