The Cheer captain

Before the two-day anniversary celebration, Vi had kept her try-out day a secret, not wanting to worry Erik, she had attended in secret, wanting to keep expectations realistic.

When she walked into the gym, wearing a simple, practical outfit consisting of leggings and a sports bra, she was feeling good, nervous but good.

But any confidence she had evaporated when she saw the head cheerleader; Ophelia Chang.

Vi knows she’s hot, of course, but the way her eyes pierce through her, sends butterflies into Vi. She’s bisexual, Vi that is. She’s known for a long time, but her crushes never really went that way. Barring celebrities, all of her real-life crushes were men.

But Ophelia hits Vi in almost the same way Erik hit her when she first saw him.

She’s so hot, just pure hotness radiating from her, her eyes, her lips, her smell, her aura, her body, Vi is absolutely smitten by this woman.

When Vi walked into that day, she was sitting on the edge of the pop-up table, wearing a cropped shirt, her cheer skirts, an iced tea in hand.

Ophelia had given her a once-over, smirking at the jittering Vi. She instructed her to do a simple routine, some dancing, basic tumbling. Ophelia hadn’t let her face betray how she felt while watching her, but, clearly, at the end of it, she was satisfied with what she saw. Complimenting her on her general fitness levels, but criticising the obvious lack of technique, which can be taught. She ultimately accepted her into the squad, as a probationary substitute.

Vi had frozen up, finally understanding how Erik felt when she came up to him that first time, frozen and nervous with Ophelia within arm's reach, her delicate fingernails grazing her shoulder and walking circles around her.

Vi had gone home that night and touched herself in the shower.

—-

Now it’s time for the first full practice. With the team, with… Ophelia. Vi sighs as she waits by a bench near the gym, 60 minutes early… She’s always been a bit neurotic. She stands up, she decides to try and get a leg up, get some basic practice in. So she makes her way in, changing in the empty locker room, she walks out into the gym and moves to the small dance studio area, practising the most basic of steps.

Vi pauses after some time, a thin layer of sweat having built up. She checks the time.

“Impressive.”

Vi turns, and her already hard-beating heart triples in pace, Ophelia leans against the wall, arms crossed under her chest. “Good. Keep working hard. I’m impressed. Prove to me I made a good choice.” She grins.

“Ah.. Ahahah.” Vi chuckles awkwardly, feeling heat rush into her cheeks. “Thanks. I was early so…”

“I know. I saw you walk in. I’ve been watching.” She says.

Vi bites her lip nervously. “You did? Ahahaha… For how long?”

Ophelia purses her lips, smiling through it. “Fifteen or so minutes.”

Vi laughs. “That’s so embarrassing, I can’t believe I didn’t notice you.”

Ophelia scoffs. “Don’t be. Can’t cheer if you get embarrassed that easily.” She pushes off the wall. “Go to the field. Some of the squads already out there. Introduce yourself.” Ophelia turns and enters the locker room.

It takes a lot of mental resilience from Vi to not find an excuse to follow her new crush into the changing room, instead picking up her phone and water bottle and heading out to the football field.

Vi can barely focus. The mix of pretty hard routines, the main squad executing almost perfectly, seeming never out of stamina, the overwhelming amount of introductions and names flooding her brain, and the main source of her distraction… Ophelia. The captain and vice captain put on their cheer outfits even in practice, to make it easier for everyone to follow their lead. But for Vi, the small skirt, the skin-tight top, Vi was almost salivating staring at the Asian cheer captain. She had many reasons to be drinking water during this practice.

The coach and captains clap at the end of practice, congratulating everyone on their effort. The girls mingle for a while, chatting before dispersing, some having classes to get to, some just heading home. Vi had done her best to properly introduce herself to some of the others she didn’t get a chance to the first time around.

“Vi! Don’t leave yet.” Ophelia says, not even looking her way, pausing her conversation with a fellow cheerleader to address Vi.

“Yes ma’am.” Vi replies in her head, stopping in her tracks and waiting obediently for Ophelia to be ready for her.

She finally turns around and looks at Vi. “Good job today. You’re a few steps behind. But you looked impressive.”

Jane, the strawberry blonde-haired vice captain looks over at Vi. “Agreed. A bit of time and you’ll fit right in. We can see the effort.”

Ophelia mumours in agreement. Vi feels incredibly small standing in front of these two towering girls. “Ahaaa. Thank you.”

Vi has to mentally kick herself, why is she speaking so awkwardly??

Jane bids them farewell. Leaving Vi alone with Ophelia.

“You’re still on probation,” Ophelia states. “You’ve got potential. Like we said. But, if you coast or plateau, we’ll say goodbye.”

“I know. I understand.” Vi responds, shifting on the balls of her feet.

“Good.” Ophelia looks her up and down, smirking, she asks. “You single?”

Vi’s heart thunders in her chest. What? Is she interested in her like that? Surely not? What about Erik? WHAT ABOUT Erik!? She roars inside her mind. She loves Erik, obviously, Ophelia is a crush, silly. Vi swallows her nerves and shakes her head. “No… I have a boyfriend. We just passed one year. Why do you ask?”

Ophelia smirks, studying her, she looks away. “Cute. You’re welcome to quit at any time as well. Just so you know. Ciao.”

Ophelia doesn’t take another look, walking away. Vi is left standing confused.