Dead by Midday

Kayla

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A rhythmic metronome of thumpy footsteps could be heard halfway down the hall. The girls failed to notice until it was too late. Some faster than others. Notepad in hand, whistle bouncing off of her chest, and completely aware that her girls weren't in lines doing their stretches like they needed to be doing. After reaching the gym, Coach Lauren's footsteps rang throughout the gymnasium.

“Listen up ladies, you better start putting your butt into gear because these next few weeks are going to be hell for us.” Coach Lauren made her way in front and center of all twelve of her cheer squad members. Each and every set of glimmering eyes looked up at her with fear and every face asked, ‘why?’.

“The big game is coming up and as I’ve said before there will be recruiters there, so we need to make sure that we’re all in tip-top shape.” Walking past the squad of girls eying them down one by one, coach Lauren went back to her starting position while telling the girls about today's plans to practice on the field.

Kayla’s ears perked up knowing that a certain someone was probably going to be at the nearby student parking lot. Standing up and following the other girls out towards the heavy double doors that led from the gym out towards the football field. Kayla was practically skipping down the way until she heard coach Lauren yell from inside the gymnasium.

“Hustle ladies! Thirty jumping jacks when you line up!” None of the girls responded and only half of them heard, but somehow by the time coach Lauren was done grabbing her things every girl was jumping.

“Psst, hey are you going to Amber’s party tonight?” Kayla was lost in thought when her focus was pulled away by Devan, the girl next to her. Devan had sharp features that were softened by the matte foundation she applied every morning. She had auburn hair that fell softly past her shoulders in feathery layers. She had curves that most would desire and if it hadn’t been for cheer she would’ve been even curvier. Kayla and Devan got along just fine, but they’ve both had their fair share of awkward interactions.

“Yeah, Mason and I are going, are you?” Kayla managed to blurt out a few notches louder than the original message. She didn’t like talking while she was exercising, especially jumping jacks. With the encouraging oooh’s from Devan, who like everyone else on the squad, was well aware of Mason and who he was. With a wink, Devan continued.

“Well, then we’ll see you there. I’m going with Liam, Hailey, and a few others from the squad.” Kayla knew more of these people than knowing them personally, which didn’t bother her any. She did feel reassured that she was going to know a few people there, even if she wasn’t surprised by the almost guaranteed arrival of the cheer squad.

Coach Lauren paced between the girls, eyeing them up and down like a drill sergeant trying to find the tiniest detail out of place. Kayla continued to stay focused on her post-practice meetup. She loved exercising, how mesmerizing it could become. Staring off into space and just repeating the motions. It allowed for her to take a break from everything going on around her.

One by one, one right after the other the girls did their drills. Flying into the air like birds taking flight, kicking their legs up, and coordinating their steps so they fit perfectly like cogs in a well-oiled machine. Spinning, turning, flipping their ways through their routine. Finally, at the very end, the whistle rang throughout the ears of the impressionable young women. They all cheered before running towards the shower room, except for one.

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