Chapter Five

Jelly Anderson was laughing loudly, thumping her fork on the table. I was just drinking my fruit juice, Luke was eating his burger and the fat guy beside me was astonished by his friend's laughter. 

"What's your name?" I whispered to the guy beside me while Jelly is still busy laughing so hard.

"Nate," he whispered back.

"Nice to meet you, Nate,"

I smiled at him in a beaming manner and continued drinking watching Jelly laugh, her hands on her stomach. Our eyes looked so serious as if we are watching a tv show.

"I'm sorry, can't help it," Jelly said then laughed again.

Everyone was looking at us. Maybe because the popular girl sat beside the ordinary ones but most probably it's because Jelly's laughter was really intimidating and distracting.

Jelly caught her breath and drank her water, "It's just funny," she smiled with her teeth with neon orange braces was showing. She was wearing an orange graphic vintage t-shirt and grey pants and to complete and match the look she went with a white sneaker wrapping her feet with colorful striped socks. 

"Come on, you're both kidding, right?"

Luke and I both shook our heads, "You're not kidding?!" She yelled and we replied with a nod. Jelly looked too frustrated as if she's the one who will be the tutor. 

"You don't need a tutor, Carly. You're running for valedictorian, smart ass. And now you have my friend who's good with video games as your tutor?" She shook her head, trying to prove her point.

"Sorry, Carly, but our friend here is not suitable for tutoring you," Jelly added.

"Why?" Luke asked. "It's as if I can refuse, Mrs. Scarlet assigned me."

"Yeah, why, Jelly? Luke is smarter than us. He gets higher grades," Nate defended.

Luke gave Jelly a cocky look, "Still. It'll go the other way around. It will be Carly tutoring our friend here,"

Nate asked with an agitated tone, "Why? Can't you believe that Luke will tutor Carly?"

"No, I don't believe that Carly needs a tutor!" She yelled then folded her arms together over her chest, giving me a doubtful look. Okay, is this the part where I act dramatically, it will work, right? Damn it, I should try at least.

"I was in a coma for five days," I told them then slowly bowed my head. I gently munched on my cheesecake as I listen to their reactions. 

"Coma?!" Nate asked loudly.

"Shhh!" I shot him an arched brows to tell him it's a private matter.

"Coma?!" He repeated with a low voice, a quiet yell.

"Yes, that's why I need a tutor," 

"Unbelievable," Jelly whispered under her breath. She still can't believe I need a tutor. Well, I took Mrs. Scarlet's advice because even if I'm running for Valedictorian I am not that confident since I was gone for five days. And five days is not a joke, imagine the loads of school works I missed?!

"She said she was, believe her," Luke said.

"I just can't believe her that instant, she stuck a bubble gum on my hair!" Jelly rolled her eyes.

"Move on, Jelly! It was an accident, geez!" I exclaimed. 

It was a long long time ago, I know she's still blaming me but I did not see it coming since we're seniors now., It was once upon a time, I'm going to have my happy ending soon. Once I finish this freaking my mission. We were little kids and until now she's holding a grudge against me because of the freaking bubble gum.

"Accident?!---" She was about to defend her statement when Nate cut her off.

"Did you see the stairs to heaven? The light?! You flat-lined?" Nate asked.

Well, I actually can't remember any of that. I was asleep and voices are buzzing around me. I can't even remember what happened when I had the accident. If there was blood if the ambulance came. I didn't feel the impact of the car crushing me. It was just black and I think it's better that I can't remember any of those things because if I do, then I wouldn't be here right now. 

"Move on, Nate! She's alive now!" Luke yelled with no emotions. He's not angry or whatever, he just wants to shout at Nate, I think.

"When do we start?" I asked.

"After my training," He said coldly.

"Training for what?"

Jelly and Nate looked at me.

"You guys rarely cheer for Wolves at the basketball games, always at the field," Jelly says as she munches her salad leaf.

So, Luke Lewis is a sporty type of guy? oh, interesting!

"We really think the cheerleading squad has favorites," Nate supported Jelly's statement.

"We don't---" I tried to defend my squad but also realized their point. It's not that we have favorites, it's just that we never cheered for the basketball team.

I've never realized that until this moment. Some teams are being left behind because we only cheer for the football team, it should be fair right?

"Your ex-boyfriend's coming," Jelly warned me.

"I don't care,"

I wanted to look at Finn, even take a glance. Just a second. But I need to maintain my attitude of not being soft. I don't want to look pathetic and lonely because my boyfriend broke up with me. Yes, I said that I will make him crawl back but Cupid came so that problem is about to be solved. It's a lifetime!

"Oh really? Your not the type of girl like I'm-gonna-make-him-crawl-back-to-me?" I nodded. I was just almost that type of girl. "Good, then. Let's watch your fake best friend take your leftovers,"

Everyone was looking at me when I looked at Finn at the counter. He got his favorite sandwich and iced tea. The only difference is I am not with him, he was not alone either, Vanessa was with him.

Maybe it was just a coincidence that they went to the cafeteria together. The three of us always eat snacks together, it's nothing new. But I'm, not with them right now. 

"She's not my fake best friend, she's just busy," I defended Vanessa. I wonder if she does the same with me?

"If you say so," We continued eating.

**

I was the first one to leave the table. It was not that bad actually, meeting new friends and talking to them. I was so used to only having Vanessa, she hates it when I meet others. People around us say that she wants me to herself.

Lunch and classes were over.  I get to take the quizzes I missed the first day when I was in a coma. I had the lesson so I was able to answer it.

"Hey!" Carla, one of the cheer dancers walked towards me.

"Hey,"

Carla and I are not close but she helps me make the steps, stunts, and chants. She's a big help and a nice person. Everyone in our squad is great. They are all very hardworking and dedicated. I wish I can join them, if we win, we will go to the Nationals. 

"Come on, let's go to the gym. We'll show you what we've finished!" She exclaimed with joy.

"You already finished?" I asked with excitement.

"Nope, but we're halfway. Vanessa was not hands-on, unlike you. She's really the substitute cheerleader in everyone's eyes." I pursed my lips. Deep inside I am smiling and jumping in joy. "I am sorry, I know she's your best friend," she apologized.

"No, I'm glad you guys missed me!" I said. I felt guilty but it gave me assurance and happiness that Vanessa didn't win over the squad's trust and love. It means that even if Vanessa leads them now, I still have them. Oh, I love these people!

Did I sound so selfish in that part? Well, I invested a lot in cheerleading. This is what I love and sometimes I think, I need to be selfish with the things I love or else it will be taken or stolen away from me. 

"Let's go," she said. We walked to the gym and it was getting dark since it's four in the afternoon already. The door was closed and Carla opened it.

"Welcome back, our Cheerleader!" Everyone cheered with their yellow and red pompoms.

I was surprised, really! I got my hands covering my mouth, which is wide opened, "Oh My Gosh, you guys!" My eyes are getting wet.

"Don't cry, Carly!" One shouted from the back.

"Y'all so sweet!" There were balloons taped on the wall with letters saying, We missed you!

"How are you? Vanessa said you've been in a coma. We didn't get to visit you. Vanessa was pushing a different style of practicing," Carla said.

"It's fine, I am fine. And where is Vanessa? Did she plan all these?" I asked and looked around, trying to find her.

Maybe that's why she didn't meet me today because she's been planning this. And maybe the reason why she was shocked to know I am going to school today. Oh My God, I love my best friend!

Awww, my best friend!

"She's not here, said there's a party at Chester's so she left," Carla explained.

"This was Lily's idea, actually," Roni said. The guy who does all the lifting in the squad.

"Oh!" I was surprised and walked to Lily and hugged her, "Thank you, Lily," Luke's other half, the soulmate, and my target.

I felt sad, I was expecting it to be her, of all people. But I did my best to look genuinely happy because these people made me happy today. After all, I am really really happy, without my best friend.

"Squad hug!" And we all hugged.

"Thank you, really! Love you guys!"

After the heartwarming surprise for me, we all left the gym. Carla and Lily helped me take the balloons off the wall. I won't be taking it home, I want to give it to the kids, I will be walking home, anyway.

When I left the gym, I saw Luke seating on the bench, waiting for me.

"Oh my gosh, I totally forgot! I am sorry!" I apologized.

"Nope, it's fine. My training just finished, I didn't' really waited that long," he said coldly.

"How'd you know I'm here anyway?" I asked.

"I got the memo," Luke said.

"They surprised me! It is so sweet of them, don't you think?" I asked with my high pitched voice.

"Whatever you think," he says.

"Where do we go to? Café?" I asked. He doesn't really talk much and he replies in a limit. Maybe he's shy. Anyway, I'll work this out.

"Sure,"

"I know a place!" I held his hand and walked fast. He was behind me, it looks like I am dragging him. But this is my job so, I'm sorry Luke!

Mission: Making Luke Lewis Believe in Love in Exchange of a Lifetime with Finn Evans

Now on the operation!