The cheerdance squad resumed their practices for the interschool competition. The basketball team also did theirs.
Dan and Midori were then used to coming home riding the same car for their after school practices coincide with one another.
In the gymnasium, the squad were trying out their stunts.
Clap-clap! "Okay! Let's try it with music! Doings!" Midori was leading the routine.
-Starships instrumental mixed with techno sounds to signal stunts started playing-
Midori and 3 others made a shoulder stand, then shifted to steppers form. Then they formed 2 bases wherein each will take up a smaller flyer to do a thigh stand.
After their dismount, jumps in different blockings were done. Roundoffs, front handspring, back handspring and cartwheels followed. Then 4 flyers made succeeding basket toss.
Then three flyers were lifted into liberty, shifting to bow and arrow before dismounting.
Finally, the pyramid was done safely. Afterwards, they gathered around the coach for evaluation.
"It was good...just needing some polishing." The coach looked at Mei. "Your basket toss is delayed. You went up the same time as the next to you." Then she looked around. "Overall, it was okay, but can still improve. You can have a 5-minute break."
The squad dispersed.
Midori and Mei went to their belongings and grabbed their tumblers. Rushi and the smaller girl, Wang Fei, walked towards them.
"How can you even trust someone who hesitates because of a petty injury to do a decent stunt?" Rushi said mockingly.
Wang Fei sneered, then added, "Money can't make us win."
Midori stood to face them back.
"If we lose because of Mei's stunt, I will take full responsibility." Her stance was as sturdy as her words.
"We'll remember that, Captain." Rushi answered disdainfully.
"Just make sure no foul play is involved, or some people will pay for the consequences." Midori dragged Mei away, making their way to the restrooms.
The two girls' eyes glared at them.
"But Rushi, I want that flyer spot." Wang Fei complained like a spoiled brat.
"You already had it in the opening games. You're irritating!" Rushi stomped away from her.
Meanwhile, in the restroom...
"You didn't have to do that, Midori..." Mei pouted feeling guilty.
"It's okay. I know I made the right decision." Midori smiled reassuringly.
"But it's true that my toss was delayed because I hesitated! Maybe I should step down and let someone else do it..." Mei was teary-eyed.
"I will choke on my words then." Midori's lips curved up.
"Wha..?"
"Mei, you are one of the most hardworking people that I know. Once you are given a stunt, you never back down, and you don't step on the mat without knowing that you will have the perfect execution. I believe in you. Please don't let me down this time."
"Midori...whaaaaaaaaaaahhh!" Mei hugged her as she cried.
When her crying was reduced to sniffles, Midori cupped her shoulders.
"Feeling better?"
Mei nodded, wiping the tears from her face.
"Let's go back then."
______
In the indoor basketball court...
The team just finished training. They were talking amongst themselves. Dan came from the restroom. He then tried to join the conversation.
"Tch...you should not be here, pretty boy!" A senior told him jokingly.
Dan flashed a shy grin. Here they go again.
"We're comparing beauties! Since you got together with the cheer captain, you don't have any business here!" Long Yun chuckled.
"Let him be." Another senior calmly said.
"So, you were the goddess Rushi's ex you say?!"
Apparently, they were interrogating the junior.
"I...I am...back in middle school." He was sweating buckets in front of them.
"Fufufu...so did you do it?"
"What?!"
A senior hit him at the back of his head, hard enough to make him wince, but soft enough not to cause injury.
"Why? Were you lacking shooting accuracy back then?"
The seniors guffawed and everybody else laughed on it.
"We...." he sighed. "Just once." He felt so embarassed that he wanted the earth to split and swallow him whole.
"Oh!!! Just once? Then maybe you did not perform well! Hahahahaha!" Long Yun mocked.
Laughter filled the court once again.
Dan was laughing at them for show. He is not quite comfortable with the topic, lacking in experience himself.
He messaged Midori, [You done with practice?]
When he got a reply, he bid them farewell and went straight to the car.