Preparations for State

Brandi, the captain of the cheerleading team, paced back and forth in the practice room, her long legs eating up the distance between the two mats. Her team, a mix of high school girls with bouncy curls and bright smiles, were working on their latest routine, their voices rising and falling in a chorus of "Go Beavers!" Coach Cassidy, a tall, muscular woman with a no nonsense demeanor, watched from the sidelines, her eyes never leaving the girls.

She'd been a cheerleader herself in her day, and she knew the pressure they were under. They'd just won Regionals, but State was a whole different ball game. "Brandi, can I talk to you for a moment?" Coach Cassidy asked, her voice low and even.

Brandi, who'd been watching her team intently, nodded and approached her coach. "Yes, Coach?"

"You seem a bit distracted today," Coach Cassidy said, her brow furrowing. "Is everything alright?"

Brandi, the cheer captain, **** a smile. "I'm fine, Coach. Just a lot on my mind, that's all."

Coach Cassidy studied her for a moment, her gaze intense. "We need to be at the top of our game for State, Brandi. You know that. If you're not feeling up to it, you need to let me know."

Brandi shook her head, her smile growing more genuine. "I'm good, Coach. Just need to focus. We've got some new tricks to add to the routine, right?"

Coach Cassidy nodded, her face softening. "That's right. I want to make sure we have an edge over the other teams. We'll need to work on those in the next few practices."

Brandi, feeling a sense of relief, clenched her fists. "I'm ready, Coach. Let's do this."

Coach Cassidy, satisfied, gave her a firm nod. "Good. Let's get back to the team, then. We've got a State title to win." As they rejoined the team, Brandi couldn't help but her thoughts drift to the secret she'd been harboring. She needed to focus on the team, on winning State, and on keeping her secret hidden.

Brandi took a deep breath and joined the team, her voice loud and clear as she called out the next move. "Alright, ladies, let's run through the routine one more time before we break for the day. On three, everyone. One, two, three!" In addition, he cheerleading team, led by Brandi and Coach Cassidy, set up a fundraiser for State.

The team, dressed in their uniforms, were armed with order forms for five gallon buckets of detergent, ready to sell to anyone interested. Brandi, with a megaphone in hand, began to rally the team. "Alright, ladies, listen up! We've got this fundraiser to get us to State, and we're going to make it happen. Remember, we're selling these five-gallon buckets of detergent. Let's show the community how dedicated we are to our goal."

The team, eager to prove themselves, fanned out, going door to door. "Hey, need some detergent? We've got a great deal on these five gallon buckets, and all the proceeds go to our cheerleading team so we can go to State!" The first few days were slow, but as the week wore on, the sales began to pick up. The team, led by Brandi and Coach Cassidy, worked tirelessly, their smiles never faltering. They chatted with parents, teachers, and people in the community.

By the end of the fundraiser, the amount the team had raised was more than enough to cover their expenses for State. Coach Cassidy, a proud smile on her face, clapped her hands together. "Alright, team, you did it. We're going to State, and it's all thanks to your hard work and dedication. Now, let's go celebrate with some well deserved pizza."

The team, exhausted but overjoyed, cheered, their excitement contagious. They'd done it. They'd earned their spot at State, and nothing could stop them now. As they made their way to the pizza place, Brandi couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards her team and her coach.