it open. “You’re not that person anymore. Anyone can see that.”
As she starts reading over the equations in front of her, muttering something to herself as she pulls out her calculator, I feel a weight lift from me that I didn’t even know was there.
Hallie’s right. I’m not the same person I was.
And that’s probably the nicest thing she could ever say to me.
21
The senior pep rally is actually the most fun I think I’ve ever had at a pep rally—which I get isn’t really saying much, but for one whole hour, I manage to put all the stress of my grades and graduating out of my mind, and I actually enjoy the moment and appreciate everything that’s happened over the last four years.
The pep rally is supposed to be the beginning of the end for us seniors. It’s the start of the goodbye events the school puts on, culminating in prom and graduation, and I try not to think about the fact that this pep rally means my tests are only three weeks away and instead try to just enjoy today for what it is.
To celebrate all the sports teams and everything they’ve achieved during our time at Grove Valley High.
Our principal and the various coaches are leading the pep rally, introducing the teams and spelling out their achievements. Nobody gets a bigger cheer than when Chase comes out, the all-conquering soccer player, although Livy comes pretty close when Hallie takes the microphone and gives Livy props for scoring the winning goal in the final that won the girls soccer team our first ever state championship.
She goes bright red of course and tries to step back, but Chase is there, throwing his arm around her and stepping forward with her, and as I watch them, I don’t actually feel jealous. I look at them and, for the first time, see what everyone else sees: one seriously good-looking, soccer-playing power couple who are nice to everyone and who really do adore each other.
It’s a nice realization to have.
Then Coach Dyson steps up to the microphone to introduce the cheerleaders, and we jump up. We’re in our uniforms, which we’ve had on all day, and I’ve actually enjoyed wearing them to school. We go through our finale, the newly choreographed routine by Sasha, and I put everything I have into it. I don’t stumble in my tumbles, my arms are straight, and my steps are neat, and when the music Sasha has prepared remixes to Drake’s “Toosie Slide”, everyone goes wild. All the students on the floor stand and join in while everyone else sings along, and I can feel myself grinning from ear to ear. It might just be the best feeling I’ve had at school this year.
There’s thunderous applause at the end as we all rush together in a group hug, laughing and cheering for ourselves, the relief, excitement, and sheer emotion pouring out of us at the end of our final performance together, and when I look around, I see a couple of tears in the eyes of more than one of my fellow cheerleaders.
It really is the beginning of the end.
We’re interrupted from our love-fest by Coach Dyson taking the microphone again. “And our final captain that we have to speak today is Abigail Baker.”
There’s more applause as I’m pushed away from the group and toward the microphone, and I look at Coach in a panic. I had no idea I would be expected to speak, but she doesn’t bail me out and instead shoves the microphone in my hands then steps back.
What am I supposed to say to the people in this gym? I can hardly say something about moving on to the next stages of our life and what’s in store when everyone in here knows I might not be able to move on with the rest of them.
“Um…go Bobcats!” I start, eliciting a sprinkling of applause as I look out at the entirety of the senior class.
I look back at the cheerleaders, who have spread out behind me, smiling and waiting for what I have to say.
Sasha nods and smiles encouragingly, sending me a thumbs-up.
Sasha.
Right.
I turn back to the crowd. “I have loved every second of being a cheerleader for Grove Valley High. I’ve loved the games, I’ve loved the spirit, even if I haven’t always loved Coach Dyson’s practices.” I grin over at her as she looks at me in amusement. “I can assure you all that they’re every bit as brutal as