KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!!
The sharp banging on the front door startled Jess out of her cozy haze. She jolted up slightly, the blanket slipping from her shoulder as she exchanged a confused look with Ryan.
“Who the heck…?” she murmured, brushing her hair out of her face.
Ryan peeked out the window, then smirked. “Looks like your overly chipper bestie tracked you down.”
Before Jess could respond, Macy’s voice rang out loud and clear through the door.
“Jess!! I know you’re in there! Billy gave me the address! Hurry up, we’re gonna be late for cheer practice!!”
Jess blinked, groaning as her memories caught up. Cheer practice. Right. Because of course that’s a thing now. She slipped out of bed and grabbed a T-shirt to throw over herself.
Ryan chuckled from across the room, clearly entertained. “So… you girls have actual cheer obligations now as in right now?”
Jess gave him a playful glare. “Apparently.”
She padded over to the front door and cracked it open, peeking out to see Macy standing there in a matching cropped hoodie and cheer shorts, blonde hair done up in an effortlessly perfect ponytail, sipping a pink iced drink and grinning like she’d just come from a teen rom-com montage.
“OMG you look like you just rolled out of bed with your boyfriend or something,” Macy said, eyes twinkling.
Jess opened the door a little wider, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe because I did?”
Macy squealed in delight and practically jumped up and down on the porch. “Eee! I knew it!! You didn’t text much, so I figured it must’ve been good. And girl, you are glowing!”
Jess couldn’t help but blush again, rolling her eyes as she motioned for Macy to chill. “Keep your voice down! His neighbors probably don’t need the details.”
Macy waved a hand. “Please. Details are for besties after practice. But seriously, we gotta go. Coach is gonna kill us if we’re late again, and I’m not getting benched because you were too busy making out.”
Jess sighed and glanced over her shoulder at Ryan, who leaned in the doorway watching them with amused interest. “I’ll grab my stuff,” she said to Macy.
Ryan pulled her gently by the wrist before she walked away. “Hey,” he murmured. “You sure you’re good?”
Jess paused, meeting his gaze. She smiled. “I’m good. Just… ya know, cheerleader stuff.”
He kissed her forehead and let her go. “I’ll be here.”
Jess grabbed her purse—still unaware the device was no longer inside—threw on her jacket, and met Macy on the porch. Ryan watched surprised She didn't check her purse or worry about the device, so much so that his suspicions about her were lessoned
As the two girls headed down the sidewalk, Macy leaned in and whispered, “So, I wasn’t imagining things. You really like him, huh?”
Jess glanced over, smiling despite herself. “Yeah… I think I do.”
“Same,” Macy giggled, kicking her sneaker as they walked. “Is it weird that were both dating the two most popular football stars as cheerleaders you don't find that a bit cliché?”
Jess didn’t answer right away. The breeze blew gently through her hair as they walked side by side, the cheer practice looming ahead feeling more real than whatever her old life used to be.
“Not weird at all,” she finally said. “Not one bit.”