Page 4 of Sunshine

I pull a long red ribbon out of my cheer bag and head for the bathrooms. Just as I’m pulling it into a bow, another girl walks in and smiles hesitantly at me through the mirror.

She looks nervous, so I decide to extend her a bit ofkindness. “I love your shorts,” I say, eyeing the sparkly red spandex that wraps tightly around her thighs. They’re a little over-the-top for tryouts, but I do love them.

She hooks her thumbs into her waistband and juts out a hip. “Thanks, do you think they’re too much?”

“Not if your confidence can match them,” I tell her, smiling.

Determination sets deep in her brow, and my smile widens. “Thank you—I’ve been so nervous all day. I think I needed to hear that.” She grins. “I’m Regan.”

I stretch out my hand and she takes it in hers. “I’m Layla. Are you a freshman?”

“Yeah, is it that obvious?”

“Nah. I’m a freshman, too.” I wave a hand. “Stay close? Maybe we can partner up on some drills.”

Her eyes widen and she nods. “Yes!”

“Okay cool. I’ll see you out there!”

I sneak one last glance in the mirror and head back toward the lockers where my gym bag rests on a bench. I pull my bright white sneakers out and quickly pull them on before tucking both my things away and making my way out into the gym.

CHAPTER THREE

THEN

After a long, torturous week of cheer tryouts, everyone gathers inside the gym and settles in the bleachers facing the head coach of the varsity team. I’m sitting between Regan and David, the only boy who’s trying out for the squad. He’s a sophomore and made the JV team last year, and I can tell he wants varsity just as much as I do.

Coach West is a tiny woman with bright blonde hair who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. She’s an undeniable hard-ass, but with the ultimate say over which Saddlebrook Falls High cheer team I’m going to make, I’ve been working hard to impress her all week.

I’m not worried I won’t make a team, it just might not be varsity. Of the sixty students who tried out, sixteen will make each of the squad levels, which means only a dozen of us won’t make a team at all.

What becomes trickier is how hard it is for afreshmanto make the varsity team. According to school policy, at least halfof the varsity team must be made up of seniors, which leaves eight spots open for the rest of us—and there are plenty of juniors and sophomores like David who have paid their dues and are vying for one of those spots.

Twenty-five freshmen are trying out, and most will make the freshman team. A few will likely make JV . . . but making it on varsity despite the rest of the competition would be a serious feat. Still, though, I feel good about my performance this week—a lifetime of gymnastics training prepared me for all of the tumbling and choreography that we worked through together.

Flying is my only area of concern . . . it’s the one skill that we didn’t learn in middle school.

“Listen up,” Coach West booms. “I want to thank you all for showing an interest in making the Saddlebrook Falls High cheer squad. We have a tremendous cheer family here full of deeply rooted Mustang pride, and ours is a squad made up of incredible talent.” Her brows rise and it lifts the red visor she’s wearing over her face. “While we’re blown away by the talent this year, some of you won’t make the cut.”

Regan tenses, and I reach out to grab her hand as I scan the sea of faces around me. Most are bunched tight in concern.

“The other coaches and I will be convening this evening to make decisions for all three squad levels. On Monday, a final roster will be posted on the bulletin board in the cafeteria.” She takes a long pause to sweep her gaze across the bleachers. “Are there any questions?”

David sighs beside me, and Regan is shaking her head. “Hey,” I whisper, forcing her to look at me with those wide, nerve-filled eyes. “You had a great week, Regan, and you looked amazing on the mat. Don’t stress, okay?”

Her mouth pulls up slightly, but it does nothing to wipe the worry in her expression. “Yeah?”

I click my tongue, squeezing against her arm. “Would I lie to you?” The truth is Regan is good. She needs to work on her confidence, but she has a great technical foundation and hit her marks all week. She’s probably good enough to make the varsity team, but I have a hunch her lack of confidence will keep her on JV.

Her smile grows. “I guess we’ll know for sure on Monday.”

I nod. “Yeah—only three days of torture.”

She laughs. David leans over me, his eyes fastened on Regan. “You have nothing to worry about,” he says in a low voice just for us. “Trust me, based on the way Coach was watching you today, it’s obvious she’s impressed.”

My gaze snaps to him. I hadn’t noticed Coach West watching her . . . maybe she will make varsity. I suddenly wonder, if it were between her and me, who Coach would choose.

But then I snuff out the thought. Regan is a genuinely nice girl and I’m not going to let my nerves or competitive drive ruin a good thing between us.

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