Falling for the Cheerleader

Chapter one

The Peasants and the royals of royal crest academy

I unfastened my seat belt, giving a quick kiss to Kirk and grinned at him before he could push me off. My grin widens as he scowled at me. My little brother was growing up and had reached the stage where he didn't want to be hugged, kissed, or carried. Our little cuddle days were officially long gone. I don't want him to grow up, so he can keep being my cuddly little bear. He'd give me one of his cute angry scowls if I told him that though. Kirk was seven years old and had just started school. So my new routine had to include getting him to and from school safely, not that I was complaining about the extra chore or anything like that. I love spending time with Kirk. He was adorable and said the sweetest things.

Before, Mom would give me a ride to school every day. Or my best friend, Chloe, would pick me up. I had finally gotten my new pink Audi this summer. After much begging and emotionally blackmailing mom, of course. Dad had been mad at mom for giving in to me. It lasted for just a few minutes. He could never be mad at mom for too long.

Since Kirk was now going to school and my parents business was expanding and growing bigger and bigger every day, it made their time for extra stuff like dropping Kirk and I off at school smaller. I had finally managed to persuade my parents-I mean mom, to get me a car so at least that burden would be off them.

My parents are rich alright. They are one of the richest folks in town in-fact. We live in a rich neighborhood and have all of the finest things a rich household could have, but my parents didn't like to get us extra luxury items. They grew up poor and So my dad did not like us to 'waste money on unnecessary stuff' as he'd say. Dad wanted us to appreciate stuff and not take anything for granted.

But then how was getting me a car a luxury item? It was a necessity. Transportation.

Mom spoilt us any chance she got though and I love her extra for it.

I turned into my high school, Royal Crest Academy, the most prestigious Academy in royal hills. It was built for the elites among elites and my family was definitely in that category so I got in easily. You had to have wealth and perfect grades to get in.

I was early as usual, I sat in the car and fixed my makeup making sure I was looking as perfect and pristine as possible before getting down. Our school uniform was a white shirt with a red and black checkered tie, a blue black blazer with a red and black checkered skirt with thigh high socks. Plus we had to wear black shoes. The guys wore dark red trousers with white shirts and the checkered tie.

My black designer shoes were looking shiny and sleek in the morning sun. I'd saved all summer to buy them, because again, no wasting of money. But I couldn't afford to wear anything below what was in season so I saved and got myself a few pairs before school. I was Aaliyah Waters after all, captain of the cheer squad, Queen of Royal crest academy. No, I am literally the queen of royal crest academy. I actually won miss Royal for all my years in this school, I had the most TikTok and instagram followers in school, I'm a big time name and all. Every girl hated me or wanted to be, I'm the trend setter. I'm literally 'that' girl.

I just couldn't be caught lacking. Anyways, basically I was what people would call the queen bee. The girl everyone wanted to be.

"Liya! Nice ride !"

I turn around to see who had just called me and smiled.

Not everyone called me by nick name. I was used to miss Waters or Aaliyah. My best friend and co- cheer captain, Chloe was waving and walking towards me. My smile widened turning into a grin as I waved at her too.

"Thank you. I managed to convince mom to get it for me." I say with an eye roll.

"Wow. I can only imagine how you managed" she laughs

"You can say that again, it was quite hectic and stressful. I spent days doing a whole presentation on it." I chuckle and she shakes her head in amusement.

"I miss you so much. How have you been? How is Kirk?" She asks with a cute pout.

"I'm okay. And Kirk is still adorable but a little rascal most days." I say, pouting at her as we greet each other with a cheek kiss and walk into school, catching up.

--- Don't judge the cheek kisses. It's part of the sophisticated manners we were thought. Everyone on our side of town was like that. Growing up, It becomes normal to you once you see elders do it. I only knew people didn't do that when I started going to school and saw that our middle class teachers didn't greet each other like that and it was apparently a rich people thing.---

Chloe had left Royal hills, our town, to stay with her grandma in japan during the vacation so we didn't spend the vacation together and missed each other a lot. My vacation had been really boring without her cheerful self around, making me laugh and going on shopping sprees. She was literally everyone's dream best friend.

People part way for us as we walk in the hallway. They wave and smile trying to make small talk, whilst others just steal glances laced with envy. I would look at me with envy too if I were them. I've been them before but then I decided to fight for this position and now I'm reaping the benefits. Chloe says hi back to a few of them and thanks them for their compliments. She's a lot nicer than me. Maybe it's because she's so nice and a bit distracted at the moment, thanking Glenda Valentine, a classmate and fellow team member, for telling her she loves her necklace that she doesn't see it coming.

We turn into the corner and someone runs into us. Slamming into Chloe first, and spilling their coffee on my shoes at the same time.

My freaking new designer shoes!

Gasps sound around as the girl starts apologizing. I've not seen her before. She must be very unpopular or a new girl. I'm assuming it's the latter as she's not wearing the school uniform and running in the halls. So uncouth and unladylike. I hate those kind of the people the most.

She quickly apologizes, talking over her words and not making sense as she drops down to clean my shoes. I hold my hands for her to halt as I step back from her. I'm still taken aback.

"It's always the weird outcasts. Deal with her." I roll my eyes and tell Chloe before hurrying off to the washroom to see if the shoes my hard earned savings had bought wasn't ruined.

I said before that Chloe was nicer than me, but what I didn't mention was she was a whole lot meaner than me. People don't compliment her because they like her, they do it because they fear her and want to be in our good graces.

People think I boss Chloe around because she is the one always handing punishments out per my order. Even you might be judging me now. Considering I said she's my best friend and I just ordered her around like she's beneath me or something.

But they're wrong and so are you. Chloe is my best friend. I truly care and love her but she's not truly like me. I wasn't always this merciless. In fact to be honest I'm still not really merciless. If I stayed there I might cave in and let her go, understanding that it was an honest mistake plus she was new too, but I had a reputation to keep up And had to set an example for the others. Chloe was used to this she was stronger than me in this matters so I pretend I'm giving her orders whilst in reality, I'm running away from having to play my queen bee roll. She knew this and understood me that's why we were good together and a good match.

I enter the bathroom and find it empty. Thankfully.

People might have rushed out to go catch the drama live. Drama concerning the elites of the school always spread like wildfire and Chloe and I were the elite of elites so it was understandable. I took off the shoes and wet a paper napkin to take out the stains, releasing a breath with relief when I realize it didn't damage the shoe. I open the door and someone nearly runs into me but I'm quick to step back. What is going on today? First the new girl now another person. I turn to scowl at the culprit but it's just the new girl again. Chloe must have punished her already because this time she's crying. She runs into an empty stall, slamming the door shut. It catches onto her skirt, the tearing sound is loud in the silent bathroom. I try not to break into laughter. That must be really frustrating. I almost feel bad for her. Keyword is almost. She yells and releases a string of curses. Most are directed at Chloe. I scoff and turn to leave.

What a loser. You deserve it if you can't stand up for yourself. The nice only get walked on here. There's no space for heroes and good. Only survival of the fittest and villains. If she can't adapt, then the school is not for her.

What use is cursing in the washroom when you'd only get heard and punished more?

What a Coward. I scoff and roll my eyes, making a mental note to deal with this behavior later.

If she had something to say she should have said it to our faces. Trash talking behind our back was not tolerated. That's how governments get overthrown. Through whispers and rumors and then finally a leader emerges, someone brave and stupid enough to challenge the government in power. And I can't have those kind of things happening

Chapter two

Clash of the royals. The king and the queen

"Grandma is ...... Channel and Louis Vuitton....limited edition..... get it..."

It's been a few days since the incident. Three or four days I think. I saw her again that same day in the Principal's office when I'd gone for my schedule. She diverted her eyes and bowed her head once she saw me. I thought it would give my confidence a boost to see her crest fallen but it was the opposite. Guilt clutches my heart but thankfully my pride is stronger and so I don't go to her to do something stupid like apologizing. I flip my blonde strands and match off with head held high. As I said earlier, if she can't handle something small like that, she wouldn't survive a day here. I haven't had another encounter with miss new girl since then. It's either she quit or she's in hiding and avoiding us. I haven't had another encounter with miss new girl since then.

A finger waves in front of me and I blink. Chloe sighs.

"Hello....back to earth." She claps her hands.

"Sorry. You were saying.. " I apologize with a woozy face.

"I said my grandma has VVIP cards with a few luxury brands. She gave them to me since she no longer goes shopping. I wanted us to get the new upcoming channel and Louis Vuitton edition bags. So we can match. It's not yet out but we can go over to place orders for when they finally arrive in the stores. I don't want anyone in school getting their hands on it before we do."

"Omg yes. Let's do that." With the card, we wouldn't have to worry about the bags being out of stock as far as we place an order before it came into the stores.

"The bell has already rung for lunch. Let's eat before we go. There's Chicken salad on today's menu. I don't want to miss it." Chloe says.

"I wouldn't let you miss it even if it was the end of the world. I don't want you turning into grumpy Chloe after you don't get your comfort food." I tease.

"Hey!" she scolds and tries to slap my arm but I dodge and we both end up laughing.

A few heads turn towards us. People are always trying to be in our business. I sigh and pack my stuff into my bag before heading out and towards the cafeteria.

Glenda, Emily, Tiffany, and Maya, A few cheerleaders who sit with us at lunch and are sort of part of our inner circle are at the door. I say 'sort of part of' because it's really for just appearances. We all didn't actually care for each other. It was just to show that we had a United front.

Although I talk and laugh with them, it's all so no one knows I'm a popular loner with only one real friend. They are all lovely people -on the surface- but I just couldn't connect with them the way I do with Chloe. And they don't know my deepest darkest secrets the way Chloe and I know each other's.

"Omg is that the Von Savarin you're wearing, Aaliyah?" Emily asks with a twinkle in her eye. Emily is a cheer leader and part of the 'inner circle'. She's a flyer and really good at double full baskets. She's so good at it she can even give me a run for my money. She has definitely earned her right to be a part of us. And she's got an eye for good stuff. She recognizes the beauty and elegance of the Von savarin shoes. I totally respect that. We both really love Von savarin foot wears. Maybe she might become an actual friend after all. She's also nice and sweet and the other cheer leaders say she defends me when others talk behind my back.

"Yes. I got it during the summer break." I reply with an actual smile as we enter the cafeteria and head to the machines to key in our orders. When it's ready, the waitresses would bring it over to our table

"No wonder it was out of stock. Your followers really are the wildest, fastest, and smartest. I'm sure you posted pictures in it that's why. If I were the marketing manager of Von Savarin, I'd definitely hire you as a spokesperson or an ambassador. So I can gate keep you from other brands."

"Actually, I've already received an offer from them. My lawyer is going through them first. Once it's signed we'd schedule a shoot and then make the official announcement." I whisper to her so other people don't hear. I don't want leaks in the tabloid before the official announcement after all. It's a really big brand and I'm a big time influencer.

The smile on Emily's face falters and her face falls.

"Omg! Really? That's wonderful" Chloe exclaims and hugs me. Pride shining in her eyes.

"And you didn't tell me earlier?" Chloe gives me the stink eye.

"I received the offer yester night. I planned to tell you after school so we could celebrate. I even had reservations made at l' Urbaine Cuisine. They make the best chicken salad."

"I'm already having chicken salad for lunch" She crosses her arms and gives me the stink eye.

"Well, thank God you can never have enough of chicken salad." I poke her arm and grin.

"Well, you're not lying." Chloe laughs and I know my best friend has forgiven me.

"So umm Aaliyah..." Emily draws my attention from Chloe....

"I was thinking. Why don't you film a tiktok with me? I already have an idea that will...." She continues

"No Congratulations, Emily?" Chloe comes in between us

"Well......I ummm....Of Course I'm sorry. It's just that i...I was just excited for the new tiktok idea. You already congratulated her so....I mean....since you"

"Enough Emily. What a clout chaser." Chloe rolls her eyes

"Sorry, Aaliyah." Emily says slowly

And I thought we were building a connection. How naïve of me. I should know better.

"Umm.. Guys, I think someone has taken our table. It says table is taken when I key it in." Glenda, who is keying in our orders at the moment says.

"What? Are you sure?" I ask.

Everyone knows we sit on that table. No one would dare. We always sit at Table Seven. It's right in the middle of the cafeteria and the center of attention along with the basketball table, Table six.

I match towards the table. This was so obvious. Someone wanted to pick a fight with us. Well, they were going to get it.

Not surprisingly it's a bunch of nobodies with the new girl, who is currently in my seat at the head of the table. She's no longer in her good will shopped clothes. She's dressed in the school uniform and it might have come with some sort of false bravado because she's obviously not in her right mind, openly asking for trouble..

There's one girl with green hair dressed in weird clothes, another girl with short black hair and dark makeup and a guy with his tie suffocating his neck and his shirt not well ironed. My nose scrunch up further. When they see us approaching them, they shrink further in their -I mean our seats and give the new girl worried glances. She smiles back at them and I think she's probably trying to encourage them to not be afraid.

"I see you've found your people. You'd fit right in here, newbie." I say to her once I arrive, letting the disgust on my face show.

"Its's Tatum. Tatum Astana ." I'm surprised her voice doesn't waver. I'll give that to her.

"You still don't get it? Do you? I don't care about your stupid name. All I want is for you to get your ugly fat ass up and scanter away to some dark corner, where you really belong."

The other kids at the table grab their dishes and hurriedly leave. Good for them

"Don't go, Guys". She says but they ignore her. They know better.

Her eyes turn moisty and her lower lips quiver but she doesn't budge.

"Your name wasn't on it! Why should we move? It's available to the public! "she yells at me. People gasp, and that's when I realize the cafeteria is silent and everyone is watching our exchange.

"You should move because you don't belong here. I'd only say it nicely once, newbie."

I count in my head.

One... there's no movement, two... no movement, three... it's just pure defiance at this point and that does it. I grab the green healthy drink she was sipping and dump the contents on her face.

Noise erupts in the cafeteria as people run in to catch the drama and murmurs rise, gossiping about the incident to one another.

The new girl clutches her shirt in both hands as the green drink soaks the white material. I don't think it can be saved by cleaners. Our school material is on a whole new quality level. Some cheap washing would just ruin it. She sniffles and tears are streaming down her face in silent defeat, Her body shivers at every inhale.

I don't feel sorry though, she forced me to do this to her. I just obliged. I had no choice.

I need to hammer my point in so she doesn't repeat something like this in the future, and use her as a warning, a scapegoat to others. I grab the beans stew on the table and lift it above her head. Letting her look in my eye to know what's about to happen before I dip the plate. Her eyes widens and unfallen tears shine in them.

A hand locks onto my wrist and twists it back so hard the beans stew slaps me in the face. The cafeteria erupts in laughter. Lights flash in my face as people take pictures and videos of my downfall, relishing it.

I'm too stunned to speak. I lock eyes with Kieran Castles, the King of Royal Crest Academy. His large hand is still keeping mine in an iron grip. His eyes are dark and menacing as ever and he's protecting the new girl. When he lets go of me, I stumble back and twist my ankle falling hard on my ass. Beans stew is drooping from my hair and into my opened mouth as I stare in shock, and what is this strange emotion clutching my whole body? Is this fear? What a strange loathsome emotion. I absolutely detest it.

CHAPTER THREE

COMING BACK TO SCHOOL

Kieran Castles is the king of Royal crest academy. He was equally powerful as I was. If not more.

He was really attractive in a dark and scruffy way that screamed danger. If I were asked to describe him in a few words, dark and mysterious was all that would come to mind. Oh and his eyes were the darkest shade I've ever seen. We stayed out of each other's ways and co-existed in peace.

We actually grew up together but we could never see eye to eye. He was mean to me, so I hated him growing up, but could never stand up to him. He would pull my hair, push me down the swing and, one time, he even cut the heads off all my dolls, which was very creepy, and it still makes me think of him as a sick psychopath till this date. I could never get rid of him though, because he was my neighbor and our parents were always hanging out. We also had the same babysitter growing up. I never knew why he hated me so much. One day, he apologized to me in middle school and stopped being mean to me. We also stopped hanging out even if our parents did. When his family was at our house visiting, we'd go to my room and he'd read a book or text his friends whilst I did my homework or took a nap. I was an only child so I was lonely. If we went over to theirs, I'd also text my friends or take pictures for Instagram and make tiktok videos because his room had cool stuff. I never checked to see what he was doing but it was probably reading. That was when we were younger and I'd started getting popular on social media. But since we got to high school and were old enough to stay by ourselves whilst our parents hang out, we did exactly that.

We weren't really on bad terms since I stopped holding a grudge, he had apologized after all.

So yes I was definitely shocked when he suddenly appeared out of nowhere yesterday and stood up for the new girl, humiliating me in the process. Was she someone he cared about or was he just going back to his picking on me phase ?

If someone had told me a few days ago that I would be sitting in the school parking lot the day after reopening, dreading to go inside, I'd have laughed at that weirdo's face. But here I was, going to school very early to escape the hallway comments. I was a minute away from having an anxiety attack. My hands are all sweaty and my breath is coming out unevenly.

Yesterday, everyone had been talking and there was so much chaos. I'd been so shocked sitting down on my ass and watching Kieran walking away with a sobbing Tatum . Was she crying? After seeing me get what I totally deserved? She had to have a few wires loose. I should be the one crying whilst she celebrated. People had gathered around me, laughing and taking videos till Chloe grabbed my arm and yanked me up from my the messy floor, dragging me to the washroom to clean up. I'd changed to my cheer uniform but the whispers and mocking comments had gotten to me. I'd left school early and gone home planning to come back with enough strength to face everyone and reinstall myself as queen and untouchable.

But here I was. I take deep breaths and switch on my phone. I'd turned it off yesterday because my team members kept calling me and I wasn't in the mood to talk to any of them. There are so many notifications. There are calls from my team mates and Chloe. She'd even come to my place after school but I didn't open the door and pretended to be asleep. A couple of texts are from her.

"Pick up my calls girl."

"Don't be too sad. I know where that little bitch stays. Let's go get her. She needs to face her own battles instead of playing damsel in distress."

"Ps; I'll kill Kieran for you. I swear it. Why would he interfere in our business? Arghh. "

"I'm bringing vanilla ice cream from quakes. I had them add all your favorite toppings. Don't be sad over it. She doesn't deserve to make you feel that way."

Quakes is a near by ice cream parlor. That should ring a bell but it doesn't.

"I want to kill her but, word is Castles took her home already. Can you believe it? She must be fucking him. What a slut. Spreading it wide for her knight in shining armor. I just know people are going to hate her. They are both dead."

My phone starts ringing and it's Chloe. I smile and finally calmed down. I guess bad mouthing and trash talking helps to comfort me. God, I'm sick. I laugh and my breath becomes even. I picked up her call and began walking into the school building.

"OMG liya!! Are you okay? Where are you? "

"I'm fine. I'm about to go inside our first classroom."

"Just stay where you are. I'll come and get you."

"No- don't worry, it's fine. I can do this. It's nothing to put me down. I'm Aaliyah Waters, not some push over or coward." I end the call and go inside with my head held high. The class is already full. Unexpectedly. That would not waver me though. I walk to my usual seat in front of the class. A sharpie has been used to draw on my desk. It says

" Go fuck yourself, beans bitch"

"Die already"

"You're not all that."

I stand frozen and lift my head high, but that's another mistake because there are more hate notes on the board.

"Your Instagram is so cringe and filtered"

"Everyone knows you bought your followers"

"Its either your page is satire or you're really stupid and dumb."

"Serves you right whore."

"The queen has fallen."

I applaud loudly and break into giggles as my classmates look at me like I've gone mad, and maybe I actually have.

"You're just a bunch of cowards, you know. If you can't say it to my face, then you're talking about your mummy and daddy, not me."

The girl seated next to me gets up abruptly, glaring up at me. I remember she had try out for the cheer team in freshman year with me. She wasn't good enough to make the team, but she kept trying every year. She still hasn't made the cut.

"Waters. You're really going too far! Do you have to insult our parents and even all of us just because someone wrote that on your desk?" She says with her hands fisted.

"Why are you so bothered? Did you do it? Or maybe you don't have the balls to admit it." I walked up to her, daring her to admit it so I could drag her ass as an example to others. To remind them that I still owned the place and they are still beneath me. I was glad she stood up. I needed an escape goat. I couldn't handle everyone.

Her courage doesn't waver though as she walks up and stands right in front of me. She's braver than I gave her credit for.

"I didn't do it."

"That's too damn bad. I was beginning to think you did."

I grabbed my desk and shoved it into her so she stumbled and people began laughing as she crashed into someone else and landed flat on her ass. It gave me déjà vu of when I was in that same position, but I shut down that feeling and continued my task, marching to her desk. With a sweep of my hand, her stuff rolled off her table falling onto the floor noisily. The others look and sit up in shock as her macbook crashes onto the floor along with her books and other study materials.

"You won't mind me borrowing yours. Would you?" I asked sweetly before putting her table in my spot and sitting in my seat smugly.

I won this little battle.

Giggles and coughs start to spill out as others try to hide their laughter. I realized a second too late that it was at my expense. I felt something cold and wet slowly hardening beneath me. I've played this prank on others too much to not recognize what was happening.

I've been glued to my sit.