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sdchanel
  • 13 minutes ago
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00:00Noah shoved me into the equipment room, his hands still clapped around my wrist.
00:05Eve, take half an hour to calm down.
00:08I would like to do it for you. I'll let you out.
00:11I stared at him. I even forgot to fight back.
00:14He said nothing.
00:16When I was six, a community center worker locked me in a crate.
00:21Little Noah smashed a window and it turned me through.
00:24His knees were bleeding, but he smiled as he carried me out.
00:29But, knights are supposed to save princesses.
00:32Anyone messes with you again, I'll beat them up.
00:35Now Noah Kane, captain of the St. Austin High baseball team, was shutting me in the dark for another girl.
00:45I didn't steal Victoria's bracelet.
00:48Victoria Grant, cheer captain and daughter of school board member Mr. Grant, stood beside him.
00:52Her voice was sickeningly sweet.
00:54Evelyn, just admit what you did, okay?
00:56She gave Bella a look.
00:58Bella snatched my backpack and made a show of searching it.
01:01My headphones, my text book, even an unwrapped pad, it was a cure.
01:05Then a diamond bracelet caught the light.
01:08Found it!
01:09Bella shrieked.
01:10A $9,800 bracelet.
01:12You've got some nerve, Edson.
01:14I went cold.
01:15That's impossible.
01:16I didn't take it.
01:18Pretty mouthy for 240 pound feet.
01:20Fell in the sky.
01:22Lassa broke out around me.
01:24You can't run 50 meters without wheezing like a bear.
01:26And now she's...
01:27No!
01:30Victoria put it in my bag!
01:32I turned to Noah.
01:33You know I wouldn't steal!
01:35Victoria tucked herself against his chest.
01:37Her eyes filled on Hugh.
01:39Stealing my grandma's bracelet wasn't enough?
01:41Now she's blaming me?
01:43Noah waited two seconds before he finally spoke.
01:47Eve, apologize to Victoria.
01:50The last bit of hope in my chest went cold.
01:52I stepped back.
01:53He caught my arm and pushed me into the foot.
01:55The door shut in my face.
01:58Victoria's smug voice came through from the other side.
02:00Noah told me you're scared of the dark.
02:02Let's see if you're faking.
02:04The darkness closed in.
02:05I pounded on the door.
02:07Help!
02:08Let me out!
02:09I heard Tyler, one of Noah's teammates outside.
02:13Noah, come on.
02:14Something's wrong with her.
02:16Noah's answer was cold.
02:17Steal something, learn a lesson.
02:20Their footsteps faded.
02:21It wasn't the dark that hurt most.
02:23It was the boy who'd once broken a window to save me.
02:26Locking me back in.
02:29A dark shape suddenly shifted in the corner.
02:32Two striking green eyes caught the light above a black half-mask.
02:37He was tall.
02:38His black hoodie almost lost in the shadows.
02:41I grabbed a wooden stick and pointed it at him.
02:44My voice choked.
02:46Who's there?
02:52He leaned against a pile of old mats.
02:54Apparently too comfortable to get up.
02:56I'd been crying in the dark for what felt like forever.
02:59When an irritated king, sigh came from the corner.
03:03Miss, could you cry a little quiet?
03:04You woke me up.
03:06Green eyes glipped above a black half-mask.
03:08He was tall.
03:09His black hoodie almost blending into the shadows.
03:12Ethan Reed.
03:13He switched on his phone flashlight.
03:15Then dimmed it.
03:17Resident school feek.
03:18A pleasure.
03:19I knew who he was.
03:21He transferred two months ago and never took that mask off.
03:24The football team called him the masked monster.
03:26The cheerleaders said he must be hideous underneath.
03:29He held out a crumpled tissue, staying an arm's length away.
03:32Crying over a guy who locked you in the dark?
03:34Your taste is a disaster.
03:35I'll make him regret it.
03:37I wiped my eyes and lunged for the door.
03:40It still wouldn't open.
03:41Ethan came over and tapped my shoulder.
03:43Move.
03:44A second later, he kicked the equipment room.
03:47I turned to thank him.
03:48If this was the school freak, he was already miles better than Noah and his friends.
03:52Furious, I went to find Victoria and the others.
03:55In the hallway, she put on a surprised face.
03:58Evelyn.
03:59I heard you and Ethan spent quite a while alone in the equipment room.
04:02People might get the wrong idea.
04:04Bella raised her phone.
04:06I saw them myself.
04:07Who knows what the fat girl did to land the freak?
04:10I stopped explaining myself.
04:12I held my hand out to Victoria.
04:14That bracelet isn't mine.
04:16Do you dare tell everyone when it ended up in my bag?
04:19Her eyes filled immediately.
04:21I just want you to own up to it.
04:23You've been under a lot of stress.
04:24I understand.
04:25You don't understand a damn thing.
04:27Victoria spotted Noah coming and suddenly shrunk away from me.
04:30I'm only trying to help.
04:31And you slapped me while Noah wasn't here.
04:34My palm landed across her face.
04:36The hallway went silent.
04:37Victoria held her reddening cheek.
04:39Stunned, I shook out my stinging hand.
04:43Now that's a slap.
04:44Noah's cold stare found me through the crowd.
04:50How dare you?
04:51Noah walked over, his expression hardening.
04:53Apologize.
04:54Growing up together doesn't mean I'll take your side, no matter what.
04:57Fine.
04:58I looked at him.
04:59Whatever hope I'd still been clinging to was gone.
05:01Then stop using the fact that we grew up together to tell me what to do.
05:04I turned to leave.
05:05Victoria deliberately dropped a letter.
05:07And Bella scooped it up, grinning as she read it aloud.
05:09Ethan, I know everyone thinks you're ugly, but I don't care.
05:13Please go out with me.
05:14Love, Evelyn.
05:16I didn't write that!
05:17The crowd burst out laughing.
05:19Now I was a thief with a thing for the freak.
05:21I snatched the letter.
05:22Someone had copied my handwriting.
05:24Even creached the paper to make it look like I'd carried it around for days.
05:27Victoria stood in the crowd, hiding a smile.
05:29She was waiting for me to deny it so they could call me a liar again.
05:33Noah frowned.
05:34Ethan, what are you doing?
05:34Suddenly, I was exhausted.
05:36Whatever I said, he'd just wait for Victoria to decide I was guilty.
05:39I lifted my head.
05:40My voice carried down the hallway.
05:42Yes, I wrote it.
05:43I'm crazy about Ethan.
05:44The laughter stopped.
05:45Everyone stared over my shoulder.
05:47Ethan had appeared behind me.
05:48He read the letter and raised an eyebrow.
05:50Did you all hear that wrong?
05:52I asked her out first.
05:53Ethan, she's just...
05:54Try saying one more word.
05:55He led me away, letting go at the stairwell.
05:57Don't set yourself on fire just to beat them.
05:59Then why did you help me?
06:00I caught him looking at my dimples.
06:02He smiled.
06:02He leaned against the wall, looking annoyingly pleased with himself.
06:06One, you need a reason for Noah to stop assuming you'll always come back.
06:09Two, my dad thinks I'm a hermit.
06:11If I don't start talking to people, he's shipping me off to boarding school.
06:14I'd rather stay, but I won't make your decisions for you.
06:16He looked at me.
06:17We start when you want.
06:18We stop when you want.
06:20I remembered the sound of Noah locking the door and nodded.
06:23Deal.
06:24We pretend to date until winter formal is over.
06:26At the far end of the hallway, Noah was still standing there, staring at our joined hands.
06:31Victoria soon sent an apology invitation.
06:34A pool party on Saturday.
06:36She wanted to clear the air.
06:37Ethan offered to come with me.
06:39Every eye followed us when I walked in on his arm.
06:42We split up for a few minutes, as we'd agreed.
06:45I'd barely reached the drinks table when Victoria and Bella cornered me.
06:49That bikini is brave.
06:51Not everyone would dare show that much of themselves.
06:53She smiled sweetly.
06:54So is your face.
06:56Not everyone would dare pile on that when you fake lashes.
06:58Her smile dropped.
07:01She shoved me.
07:03I fell into the deep end.
07:05The second the water closed over my ears, I was back in that dark equipment room.
07:09Something crushing my chest.
07:11I thrashed.
07:12All I could see above me were laughing faces and phone cameras.
07:16My head broke the surface.
07:17Victoria aimed a cup of soda straight at me.
07:19Oops.
07:20Flipped.
07:21The cup hit my head.
07:23Pain flashed, and I went under again.
07:25I reached up, screaming for help.
07:27Noah rushed over.
07:29Victoria caught his arm, crying.
07:31She tried to shove me and fell in.
07:33She has a boyfriend.
07:34Ethan can save her.
07:35He actually hesitated.
07:36Ethan came running and jumped straight in.
07:38His soaked shirt clung to his stomach.
07:40He didn't turn it into some heroic performance.
07:43He just supported my back.
07:45Oh my god, that's true love.
07:47The freak jumped in for fat heat.
07:49I coughed until tears streamed down my face.
07:52Against Ethan's chest, I finally felt safe.
07:55Look!
07:55The freak's mask is coming off!
07:57As Ethan rose out of the water, the strap snapped.
08:01His mask fell into the pool.
08:03Everyone went quiet.
08:04Water ran from his brow.
08:05His face was almost unfairly beautiful.
08:07Pale skin, sharp features, those impossibly deep green eyes.
08:11Oh my god, the freak is hot.
08:15Victoria looked at Ethan differently now, like he was a prize that should never have ended up with me.
08:19Ethan told me to relax and got me safely onto the deck.
08:21The same people who'd called him a freak crowded around him.
08:23Oh my god, why wear a mask when you look like that?
08:25Ethan ignored them.
08:26He was still holding me securely.
08:28I didn't want him getting tired.
08:29Then I saw Victoria.
08:30I asked him to put me down.
08:31He let go immediately, steadying my waist only until my footwork and kicked her in the waist.
08:35She screamed as she toppled into the pool.
08:37Water splashed over Bella's phone camera.
08:38You were right.
08:39I looked at her, still catching my breath.
08:41The deep end's lovely.
08:42Noah straped my name.
08:43I looked at him.
08:44Evelyn!
08:45You stood there when she pushed me in.
08:47Want to be a hero now?
08:48Jump!
08:49Ethan didn't laugh or try to stop me.
08:51He just draped the towel over, over my shoulders again.
08:54We turned to leave.
08:55Behind us, Noah hauled Victoria out of the water.
08:57She was shaking with rage.
08:59Evelyn, want to make a bet?
09:00The public spirit showcase at halftime of the homecoming football game.
09:03Think you can handle it?
09:04Score 85 or higher and I'll drop out of next semester's cheer captain election.
09:08But if you lose, you crawl around the entire campus in a fat pig costume.
09:12With a big sign on your chest, I'm a fat pig and nobody loves me.
09:16You're betting your shot at captain?
09:18Madison frowned.
09:19She won't win.
09:20She hasn't danced since she started high school.
09:22And look at her.
09:23How's she getting back on time?
09:24Everyone laughed.
09:25Eve weighs 240 pounds.
09:26No way she wins.
09:27No way she even takes the bet.
09:28If she does, I'm live streaming the whole thing.
09:30A betting link spread across everyone's phones.
09:32The odds climbed fast.
09:34They all thought I'd lose.
09:35Noah frowned.
09:36Stop this, Eve.
09:36You'll make yourself and the school a joke.
09:38You're not worried I'll get hurt.
09:39I looked at him.
09:41You're worried I'll embarrass you.
09:43Ethan stood just behind my shoulder without touching me.
09:46If you don't want this, we leave right now.
09:50I looked at all the people waiting for me to fail.
09:52After dad died, food got me through the worst nights.
09:55My weight climbed to 240 pounds and I shoved my dance shoes under the bed.
09:59But I was done deciding I'd lost before I even tried.
10:03I took the microphone.
10:04You're on.
10:07As we were leaving, Noah offered to take me home.
10:12I have a boyfriend.
10:14Noah glanced at Ethan, then back at me.
10:17Taking that bet was a really stupid decision.
10:20Get over yourself, Noah.
10:21Noah, I slipped my arm through Ethan's and walked away.
10:25On the way home, I asked Ethan why he wore a mask when he was so good looking.
10:29He raised an eyebrow.
10:31Can't have people fighting over me.
10:32I knew it wasn't the real answer.
10:34I rolled my eyes anyway.
10:35On the first day of summer break, I started training.
10:38I couldn't make it half a lap before I was doubled over.
10:41Dry heaving beside the track.
10:43When dad was alive, he took me to dance class every Wednesday.
10:46He sat in the back row and always clapped first.
10:49After he died, I shoved my jazz shoes under the bed.
10:53The girl who'd loved dancing went with them.
10:55Ethan watched me train.
10:57My family works with a trainer, Marcus.
10:59He does sports rehabilitation.
11:01His job isn't to starve you or turn you into Victoria.
11:05I thanked him and asked why he was being so good to me.
11:08Because little Eve is adorable.
11:14Look at little Eve spinning like a top with a death wish.
11:17I aimed a kick at him.
11:18He laughed and dodged.
11:20After a month, I ran a full mile for the first time.
11:24After two, I could finish a whole set of strength exercises for lifts.
11:28For three months, I worked on my core, my landings,
11:33and not calling myself names whenever I ran out of breath.
11:39Whenever I was too winded to do anything but swear, he'd say,
11:42Don't die next to me.
11:43I don't want to be on the news.
11:45I cried and collapsed onto the floor more times than I could count.
11:48But I gritted me teeth and kept telling myself one thing.
11:51Evelyn, you can do this.
11:53I finally looked in the mirror and saw a slim version of myself.
11:57The night before school started,
11:59Victoria sent a golden-graced invitation
12:01to her birthday dance at the Grants Lakeside Clubhouse.
12:04The last line on the card said,
12:06Everyone missed the old me.
12:08Ethan read it and snit.
12:10Translation, she wants a room full of people to confirm you haven't changed.
12:13Then I definitely need to go.
12:16The B-Own.
12:18Victoria posted videos every day,
12:20ready to make that pig costume the first livestream of the school year.
12:23Before going in, I watched Bella's livestream.
12:26Huge photos of Victoria covered the clubhouse.
12:28The cheerleaders wore white and gold,
12:30and Noah had been ushered to her side.
12:32Bella raised her glass.
12:33Happy birthday to our beautiful, kind-hearted Victoria!
12:36Victoria linked her arm through Noah's
12:37and smiled so sweetly it felt sticky.
12:40One more thing.
12:41Noah Kane is officially my boyfriend.
12:43Noah stood beside her and smiled gently.
12:46The applause almost tore the roof off.
12:48Is Evelyn coming?
12:49Don't put her on the spot.
12:51Some people aren't made for dances or for being seen.
12:55Victoria sighed.
12:56She pointed to the only widened chair in the corner.
12:58An old XXL gown hung over the back,
13:01and the place card read,
13:02Evelyn's comfort seat.
13:03At least she'll have somewhere to sit if she actually shows.
13:07Noah did not argue.
13:09Evelyn won't dare come.
13:10Even if she does, she won't fit in the pig suit.
13:13Coward.
13:13If she isn't here in ten seconds,
13:15I'll make sure the whole school roasts her.
13:17Bella smiled at the camera.
13:19Ten, nine, three, two...
13:21Ethan stood outside the lakeside clubhouse.
13:24Today he wasn't wearing a mask.
13:25He did not push the door for me.
13:26He only held out his hand beside me.
13:28Ready?
13:29I looked into his eyes.
13:31Ready.
13:32One!
13:32At that moment,
13:33I pushed open the clubhouse doors.
13:36Stood under the lights in a deep red ground.
13:38Everyone went quiet.
13:40Bella's glass slipped from her hand.
13:41Who is she?
13:42I raised my head and looked at Victoria in the center of the dance stage.
13:46Evelyn Harper.
13:49The clubhouse stayed silent for three full seconds.
13:51Everyone stared.
13:52Then someone listened.
13:54Who's that?
13:55She's hotter than Victoria.
13:56Definitely not Evelyn Harper.
13:57I looked up at the pig costume on the stage.
13:59Victoria's smile froze.
14:01Bella's livestream wobbled.
14:03Noah stared in shock,
14:04then started moving through the crowd towards him.
14:06Victoria laughed first.
14:08Nice actress.
14:09Since when can Evelyn afford a body double?
14:12I walked onto the dance floor and accepted a glass of water from a server.
14:16I took my time drinking it.
14:17First, I stole your bracelet.
14:19Then I wrote a love letter and seduced the freak.
14:21Now I've hired someone.
14:23Victoria,
14:24why do you only use your imagination to smear other girls?
14:28Bella stared.
14:28No way.
14:30Evelyn,
14:30isn't this not how you remember me?
14:32I took the microphone.
14:33Sorry to disappoint.
14:35People change.
14:37Noah finally reached me.
14:39He stared at my dimples,
14:40his voice rough.
14:42Eve,
14:42it is you.
14:44Yes.
14:45I looked at him.
14:47The same girl you locked in the dark and never came back for.
14:50He went pale.
14:52Victoria immediately clung to him.
14:54She's ruining my birthday on purpose.
14:56Noah,
14:56ignore her.
14:58I turned away from them.
15:00May I have this dance?
15:01You can dance?
15:02I can stand there and look very good.
15:07He led me onto the floor.
15:09People kept talking,
15:11but for once,
15:12I couldn't hear them.
15:13Ethan leaned down.
15:14Who'd you wear that dress for?
15:16Me.
15:17He smiled.
15:18Right answer.
15:20When the song ended,
15:22he didn't let go.
15:23I almost forgot how to breathe when you walked in.
15:26Even someone as full of himself as you gets nervous?
15:29Only around someone I really like.
15:31His voice dropped,
15:32his fingers curling around mine.
15:33My pulse picked up.
15:35Did he really like me?
15:36Victoria tightened her grip on her champagne glass.
15:38Five days until the homecoming spirit showcase.
15:40A new face won't win you that bet.
15:42I turned and met her eyes.
15:44Don't worry.
15:45I'll be there.
15:46Victoria stared at my hand,
15:48still in Ethan's.
15:49Her smile slowly turned cold.
15:53Ethan and I had been spending all our time together.
15:56Noah cornered me beside the baseball field.
15:58Do you actually like him?
15:59How is that your business?
16:01I'm trying to protect you.
16:02You don't know him.
16:03Victoria was watching from a distance.
16:05Noah suddenly smoothed my windblown hair.
16:07For a second,
16:08I almost believed he'd found a conscience.
16:10Stay still.
16:11Then he leaned close to my ear.
16:14Victoria's into Ethan, too.
16:15I need her to figure out who she really wants.
16:17I shoved him away.
16:19Even protecting me is just another way to manipulate a girl.
16:23I headed for the cafeteria.
16:25As I approached,
16:27the whole long table went quiet.
16:29Bella thrust her phone in my face.
16:31Who hired you?
16:32Aren't you tired of Victoria's body-duble game?
16:36Someone laughed.
16:38Remember Evelyn Harper?
16:39The girl who needed two chairs everywhere she sat last year?
16:42Can't be her.
16:43She couldn't run half a lap last year.
16:45How would she fit into that red dress?
16:47Victoria put my old cafeteria photo on the big screen.
16:50I was holding a burger.
16:52She'd blown up my face beside a screenshot from the dance.
16:55Leave this pretty girl alone.
16:56Evelyn can't afford a double,
16:57and she'd never have the nerve to come to a dance.
16:59She put on a kind expression.
17:01They spotted me, froze,
17:02then looked back at the photo of my old body
17:04and burst out laughing.
17:05After a brief silence,
17:07the mockery got louder.
17:08A boy whistled.
17:09A hundred pounds in three months?
17:11Lapo?
17:11Starving yourself?
17:12Or did you just get a whole new head?
17:14Bella put on a worried face.
17:15Don't lose any more.
17:17You'll look even worse when it all comes back.
17:19Two guys chasing you.
17:21Proud of yourself, fat bitch?
17:23Compared to picking a baseball captain who lies for you?
17:25Nothing special.
17:27Victoria threw her whole drink over my white t-shirt.
17:31Bella raised her phone.
17:32Look, Evelyn's playing the victim again.
17:37I wiped blue soda off my face,
17:39took Victoria's empty cups,
17:40and filled it at the dispenser.
17:45Maybe I am.
17:47But you two always hit first and cry second.
17:49I'm starting to recognize the routine.
17:54I poured the blue soda over Victoria's head.
17:56Her white and gold uniform was soaked.
17:59Her fake lashes stuck to her face.
18:02I apologized.
18:04Oops.
18:04Slipped.
18:05The cafeteria finally went quiet.
18:08Victoria's smile had frozen.
18:10She wiped blue soda off her face and stared at me.
18:1285.
18:13One point less.
18:14One point less and you crawl in that pig suit.
18:17I picked up my folder.
18:20We'll see.
18:23The football stadium was packed on Homecoming Friday.
18:26The Lions were playing their old rivals.
18:28The band warmed up below the stands,
18:30and gold cheer pom-poms shimmered under the lights.
18:33At halftime, it would be our turn.
18:36The public spirit showcase.
18:38Victoria set the pig costume beside the stage,
18:40smiling like she already knew the result.
18:44Can't wait to hear you squeal as you crawl out of here.
18:47The vice principal stopped me,
18:48holding a complaint from Victoria's father.
18:50Someone reported that you hired a professional coach.
18:53That may make you ineligible for the student open division.
18:56I handed over Mrs. Ortea's summer training logs,
18:59my childhood dance school records,
19:00and rehearsal videos.
19:02She's my teacher, not someone dancing for me.
19:05Please make your findings public when you're done.
19:09Ethan stepped in front of me and tightened my hair ribbon.
19:13You're not here to prove you lost weight.
19:15You're here to get your dancing back.
19:18The first half ended with the Lions down by two.
19:20Over the crowd's boos, the announcer called my name.
19:23Fat girl's going down!
19:24Bella aimed her live stream at me.
19:28The music started.
19:30Someone had swapped it for a faster remix.
19:31Victoria acted surprised on the sideline.
19:33I froze for a beat.
19:35Then I remembered Dad clapping in the audience
19:37and Mrs. Ortea's counting me through the steps.
19:39I kept going.
19:40I tightened the routine into sharper jazz moves.
19:42On the fourth eight count,
19:44I brought the two nervous freshmen in.
19:45The stands went quiet, then erupted.
19:47The judges held up the score, 91.
19:54The Lions went on to win.
19:55Fans rushed the railings, cheering.
19:58The stadium screen replayed my final pose.
20:00Victoria looked paler than the scoreboard.
20:02I took the microphone and looked at her.
20:05I won.
20:07When are you keeping your end of the bet?
20:12When are you dropping out of next semester's captain election?
20:15Victoria froze for two seconds.
20:17Then her eyes filled.
20:19Evelyn, everyone was messing around.
20:20It was a joke.
20:21Are you really going to ruin my future over one performance?
20:24When you wanted me crawling around campus
20:26in a pig costume on a live stream?
20:28Why wasn't it a joke then?
20:29Every phone in the stands pointed at her.
20:32Noah hurried in front of Victoria
20:33as if I might force her to sign something on the spot.
20:36Enough, Eve.
20:36You won.
20:37What else do you want?
20:39For her to keep the bet.
20:40She was angry.
20:41You know what cheer means to her.
20:43You're really holding her to something she said in the heat of the moment?
20:46Is this about proving yourself?
20:47Or getting back at her?
20:49So if I lose, I deserve it?
20:51If she loses, she was just angry?
20:53Victoria clutched Noah's arm, her voice trembling.
20:56I'll apologize.
20:57But I can't drop out.
20:59Noah, I've worked so hard.
21:01He immediately put an arm around her.
21:03She's willing to apologize.
21:05That's enough.
21:06Don't make yourself the bully here.
21:08I tightened my grip on the microphone.
21:09No.
21:10An apology means admitting you hurt me.
21:12Keeping the bet means accepting the consequences.
21:15You don't get to pretend they're the same thing.
21:17People started murmuring.
21:19Victoria's tears finally dried up.
21:21She lifted her head and stared at me.
21:22I'll apologize.
21:24I'm not dropping out.
21:25She turned and left.
21:26And don't think 91 points make you good enough for this squad.
21:29You won one showcase.
21:30That doesn't mean you belong with us.
21:35The following Monday at lunch,
21:37she held a Spirit Showcase victory rally in the gym.
21:40The moment I walked in,
21:41Bella planted a plastic crown on my head.
21:43A gold sash slid down my shoulder.
21:45Printed across it was a title.
21:48Someone in the crowd whistled.
21:50Hey, Miracle, give us a spin.
21:51She belongs in a weight loss ad, not on the cheer squad.
21:54Victoria took the microphone,
21:55smiling sweetly.
21:58I'm so happy for Evelyn,
22:00but fitting into a red dress doesn't get you onto the squad.
22:03Advanced lifts take strength,
22:05stability, and good health.
22:07She's changed so much in three months.
22:09Who's responsible if she passes out in the air?
22:12Bella immediately held up a purple folder.
22:15Someone filed an anonymous report
22:16that she's been using prohibited weight loss drugs.
22:19Shouldn't we review her eligibility
22:20and medical clearance?
22:25The gym went silent.
22:27The coach's expression heartened.
22:29An anonymous accusation isn't proof.
22:31Everyone trying out needs training records
22:33and medical clearance before they step onto the floor,
22:35Evelyn included.
22:37Victoria took my hand, pretending to be concerned.
22:39Don't take this the wrong way.
22:41We're trying to protect you.
22:42You've worked hard.
22:43Don't ruin your health just to prove a point.
22:46I pulled my hand away,
22:47took off the plastic crown,
22:49and set it at her feet.
22:50I looked around at them.
22:51You aren't worried about me getting hurt.
22:53I don't need your fake concern.
22:55She finished her whole homecoming routine.
22:58How can you condemn her over an anonymous accusation?
23:01Because we all saw what she used to look like.
23:04Yes, you did.
23:05But you don't get to use who I was
23:07to decide I should quit today.
23:09The coach spoke up from the floor.
23:10Sign-up forms for the Fall Spirit Crow
23:12open tryouts are available today.
23:14I looked down at the poster and tore off a sign-up.
23:17I get to be myself.
23:19The night before tryouts,
23:20I practiced until my legs shook.
23:22Ethan sat on the rug, counting me in.
23:25Five, six, seven, eight.
23:27That was great.
23:28You're gonna nail it tomorrow.
23:30I was still breathing hard.
23:31Thanks.
23:33The next day, I put on the red tryout dress
23:35the school had issued.
23:36Just before I went on,
23:37Bella bumped into me from behind.
23:38Good luck.
23:39The music started.
23:40My childhood jazz training
23:42carried me through the first two eight counts.
23:44When I landed a jump in the third,
23:46cold air hit my side.
23:47The side seemed split from my waist to my thigh,
23:50exposing my athletic shorts and a strip of skin.
23:53Laughter burst from the stands.
23:55Every phone turned toward me.
23:56Oh my God, her dress ripped!
23:58I told you she didn't belong in our uniform.
24:01Bella laughed and raised her phone.
24:06Oh my God, Evelyn.
24:09Did you burst out of it?
24:10Do you need to get off the floor?
24:11My ears rang, but when I looked down,
24:13the threads had clean, straight cuts.
24:15They hadn't snapped.
24:16I didn't cover myself and run.
24:17I grabbed my warm-up jacket from the edge of the floor
24:19and tied it around my waist,
24:21securing the torn skirt.
24:22Start at the chorus.
24:23Then I raised a hand to the sound operator.
24:25You're still going to dance?
24:27Bella stared.
24:28You cut my dress, not my legs.
24:30I counted the other two starled freshmen back in.
24:32The moves were simpler, but every landing was solid.
24:36On the final pose,
24:37the coach was the first to stand and clap.
24:39I stepped off the floor,
24:40sealed the dress in an evidence bag
24:42and handed it to the coach.
24:45Please preserve the cut seams,
24:46the backstage hallway footage
24:48and the video of Bella touching me.
24:50The roster went up.
24:52I'd made the reserve squad.
24:53Victoria sneered.
24:54You're celebrating being a reserve?
24:57I accepted the strawberry milkshake Ethan handed me.
25:00I earned that spot.
25:02Of course I'm celebrating.
25:04After the fall football semifinal,
25:05I'd just finished practice
25:06and Ethan was putting my knee pads back in my bag.
25:10Victoria waited at the field exit
25:11with her arm through Noah's.
25:13She waved her phone.
25:14Noah, have we booked our winter formal couples photo?
25:18Wouldn't want anyone thinking,
25:20losing weight means they can steal
25:22somebody else's boyfriend.
25:24Eve, will you take the photo with me?
25:27Victoria's smile froze.
25:28What did you say?
25:30I shouldn't have lied for you.
25:31I shouldn't have locked her in.
25:33And I shouldn't have stood there
25:34while you humiliated her.
25:36He pulled his arm free.
25:37The baseball players nearby stopped.
25:39I choose Evelyn.
25:40She's the one I want.
25:40Victoria went bail,
25:42then grabbed him,
25:42her eyes filling.
25:43How could you do this to me for her?
25:45I finally understood where her hatred came from.
25:48I hadn't stolen Noah.
25:49She'd taken his indecision and her jealousy
25:51and dumped them on me,
25:52making me pay for both.
25:54I only did those things
25:55because you kept looking at her!
25:57Eve, give me one chance.
25:59I'll protect you.
26:00I'll never let anyone...
26:01Stop!
26:01I raised a hand.
26:03Everyone watched me.
26:04I didn't hide.
26:05I didn't cry.
26:06When I was six,
26:08I really thought you were my knight.
26:10But when I needed you,
26:12you had the key
26:13and you locked me in.
26:15Choosing me in front of Victoria now
26:16isn't about me.
26:18It's about making yourself feel better.
26:21I don't need protection that comes too late.
26:24And I don't need anyone treating me like a prize.
26:30At lunch,
26:31the school gossip account posted a grainy audio tip.
26:34It was from our conversation before the pool party.
26:36Victoria had cut everything except that one line.
26:39The headline claimed the fat girl
26:40had tricked every boy at school
26:42to get onto the cheer squad.
26:43The hallway exprupted.
26:44So it really was fake.
26:46She used Ethan to get ahead.
26:47Victoria stood outside the coach's office,
26:49eyes red.
26:50I'm just worried about the spirit squad's reputation.
26:52Everyone thought Evelyn earned her place.
26:54She's been manipulating people this whole time.
26:59The coach didn't declare me guilty,
27:00but suspended my training privileges
27:02until the school could verify
27:03where the recording came from.
27:05Ethan stood beside me.
27:06He started to reach for my hand,
27:07then stopped.
27:08Victoria shoved a withdrawal fine at me.
27:10Sign it.
27:11If you don't,
27:12I'll send the scandal
27:13about Ethan's mother to his father.
27:15And I'll tell the school board
27:16you used him to get that uniform.
27:19Leave her alone.
27:20Noah snatched the paper.
27:21I took it from him and tore it in half.
27:23It's easy to be a hero now.
27:25If you really want to help,
27:26tell the hearing exactly how you locked that door.
27:29Ethan looked at me.
27:30I can tell everyone right now.
27:32His voice low.
27:33From the moment I backed you up about that letter,
27:35it wasn't fake for me.
27:36But it started that way.
27:37I can't keep letting someone else
27:38cover up the truth for me.
27:40He was quiet for a few seconds.
27:42Then what do you want to do?
27:43Find out who recorded us.
27:45And what else she's done.
27:47First, I asked the gossip accounts administrator
27:49to check the original upload device in time.
27:50Then I requested that the hallway footage be preserved.
27:53The earliest repost came from Bella's tablet.
27:55The editing software was registered
27:56to Victoria's group account.
27:57I took the screenshots to Madison.
27:59She gave a short laugh.
28:00You think I'll help you?
28:01You don't have to help me.
28:03Just think about who Victoria will blame
28:05the next time she needs a scapegoat.
28:07Her expression changed.
28:09That evening, she found me in the empty bleachers
28:11and handed me an old flash drive.
28:13I don't like you.
28:14But I like being treated like her dog even less.
28:18What's on it?
28:19Enough to stop her crying her way out of this.
28:22I closed my hand around the drive.
28:26I laid out the drive's original files,
28:28the confirmation of my footage request,
28:31Bella's upload timestamps,
28:32and the tryout sound logs.
28:34No single piece was enough.
28:37Together, they told a clear story.
28:46Fat girl, freak boy.
28:48Nobody will question it.
28:50In the video,
28:52Victoria stood by the equipment room.
28:54While I took a call about Dad's old necklace,
28:56she slipped the bracelet into my open bag.
28:59In another clip,
29:00she read the forged letter from Bella's phone and laughed.
29:03The last clip stopped my breath.
29:05She was talking to Noah.
29:07Just lock her in for half an hour.
29:09The more scared she gets,
29:11the sooner she'll confess.
29:13Noah spoke from off camera.
29:15She's scared of the dark.
29:17Even better.
29:19Madison edited those to frame me.
29:21She's jealous.
29:23At the student disciplinary hearing,
29:25Victoria cried prettily.
29:26A few student videos.
29:28Her father stood up.
29:29Cannot be allowed to destroy my daughter's future.
29:33I pushed the files toward him.
29:35It isn't a few videos.
29:36It's surveillance footage,
29:38upload records,
29:39audio,
29:39and testimony.
29:41Every lie has a timeline.
29:44Madison didn't flinch.
29:45She produced the original files and time starts.
29:48I kept backups.
29:50Because I knew she'd throw me under the bus.
29:53Eventually.
29:54Noah stood,
29:55his face gray.
29:57The videos are real.
29:59I locked Evelyn in.
30:00I didn't see who put the bracelet in her bag.
30:03I chose to believe Victoria.
30:05For once,
30:06he didn't shift the blame.
30:08My hand was steady
30:09on the microphone.
30:10I don't need him
30:11to become a good person
30:12for me today.
30:13I need him to admit
30:14that he hurt me.
30:16Victoria tried to rush toward me.
30:17A teacher stopped her.
30:19She was suspended
30:20from her captain's duties
30:21pending a final disciplinary decision.
30:23The coach put my reserve squad badge
30:24back in my palm.
30:26You can return to practice tomorrow.
30:28What about Madison?
30:29She's agreed to testify.
30:30She'll keep her vice captain position.
30:32I nodded.
30:33I used to want nothing more
30:34than to see my enemies fall.
30:36Now I wanted to see someone brave enough
30:38to walk away from her.
30:40As Victoria was let out,
30:41she gared back at me
30:43as though I'd stolen everything from her.
30:45This isn't over.
30:46She called past the teacher's arm.
30:48I didn't follow her to explain.
30:50None of what she'd lost
30:51had ever been mine to steal.
30:56Evelyn, can you help?
30:57There's a freshman hiding inside.
30:59She won't come out.
30:59For the Halloween carnival,
31:01the old Arvatorium
31:02had become a haunted maze.
31:03A younger student
31:04working on the set stopped me.
31:06I'll go.
31:08They pressured her into going in.
31:09She's scared of the dark.
31:11Ethan frowned immediately.
31:13I looked down the corridor
31:14draped in black fabric.
31:16I know what to say to her.
31:18Ten minutes earlier,
31:19Lucy had forwarded me
31:20an anonymous voice message.
31:21It dared her to enter
31:22the haunted house alone
31:23to prove she wasn't
31:24the next fat girl.
31:25I gave the recording
31:26a number to the supervising teacher
31:28before going in.
31:29This time,
31:30I wouldn't let anyone hide
31:31what they'd done
31:32behind someone else's fear.
31:34It was dark inside.
31:35I could hear pounding
31:37further down the corridor.
31:38My heart raced,
31:39but I kept going.
31:42I found Lucy behind
31:43a storage trunk,
31:44hugging her knees.
31:45There was still frosting
31:46on her face.
31:47They locked me in
31:48and said I wasn't even
31:49good enough to play a ghost.
31:50She sobbed.
31:51I crouched beside her.
31:53I didn't tell her
31:54to stop being scared.
31:55Do you want to walk out yourself?
31:56Or should we count to ten?
31:58Together?
31:59Together.
32:00She looked at me.
32:01I switched on my phone flashlight.
32:03We counted as we walked.
32:05At four,
32:06she tightened her grip on me.
32:07By seven,
32:08my own hand was shaking.
32:10But I told her,
32:11being scared doesn't mean you lose.
32:13We just take one more step.
32:15When light finally reached us
32:17from the exit,
32:18Ethan was waiting
32:19with two hot chocolates.
32:21Lucy hurried outside.
32:23Ethan didn't make a speech
32:24about how brave I was.
32:26He just handed me a cup.
32:27He paused,
32:28his voice quieter than usual.
32:30I nodded.
32:32He touched his forehead to mine
32:33before kissing me,
32:35gentle and unhurried.
32:37The screams,
32:38lights,
32:38and phones around us
32:39seemed very far away.
32:42Then he handed me
32:43an old photograph.
32:44Before I transferred,
32:45photos of my mom
32:46having an affair got out.
32:48Reporters camped
32:49outside our house.
32:50At first,
32:51the mask was for the cameras.
32:52Then I liked being left alone.
32:54If people thought I was weird,
32:55I let them.
32:56Then why did you help me?
32:57Because you came
32:58into that room terrified.
32:59And you still tried
33:00to open the door yourself.
33:01I know what that feels like.
33:03I handed back the photo.
33:05Ethan,
33:06are we still pretending?
33:08Contract's not up yet, ma'am.
33:10His ears went pink,
33:11but he lifted his chin.
33:14The Monday after Halloween,
33:16a red notice appeared
33:17on the training hall door.
33:18The Grant Foundation
33:19had booked the space
33:20for its youth program.
33:21All our evening practices
33:22were canceled
33:23for the rest of the semester.
33:25The coach had barely hung up
33:26the phone
33:26when the uniform supplier called.
33:28I'm sorry.
33:29A rush order took
33:30the red and gold
33:31performance outfits
33:32you requested.
33:33The next shipment
33:34is at least six weeks away.
33:36In six weeks,
33:37the winter spirit pokés
33:38would already be over.
33:39Victoria stood down the hall,
33:41waving a foundation brochure
33:42and looking innocent.
33:44My dad's just
33:45supporting the community.
33:46How are we supposed
33:47to know you needed the space?
33:49Bella held a strip
33:50of red speekled fabric
33:51against my shoulder.
33:52No gym,
33:53no uniforms.
33:54Going Stunjace
33:55in your pajamas?
33:56The reserve girls
33:57looked stricken.
33:58Lucy spoke quietly.
33:59Does that mean
34:00we have to drop out?
34:01I looked at the locked
34:02training hall,
34:02then at the parking lot
34:03beyond the field.
34:04Who says we need
34:05one particular building
34:06to practice?
34:06That evening,
34:07I gathered the team
34:09beside the baseball field.
34:10We used parking lines
34:11to mark formations
34:12and borrowed training mats
34:14on the soccer field
34:15for lifts.
34:17Nobody was risking
34:18a stunt on concrete.
34:21All the difficult moves
34:22stayed on the mats,
34:23with everyone
34:24taking turns spotting.
34:26What about uniforms?
34:30I dug old white
34:32practice tees
34:32out of a locker
34:33and cut red wristbands
34:34into ribbons.
34:35Crop them,
34:36not them.
34:37Stitch these
34:37onto the shoulders.
34:39If we can't get
34:39matching outfits,
34:40we'll make a set
34:41nobody can buy out
34:42from under us.
34:45Ethan arrived
34:46with sewing supplies
34:47and energy bars.
34:48I can't sew,
34:50but I can hand you
34:51the wrong thread.
34:52Then stay away
34:53from the needles.
34:56That night,
34:57headlights lit our shadows.
34:59Victoria filmed
35:00through the window
35:01of a passing car.
35:02Parking lot cheerleaders?
35:04Way to drag down
35:05the school.
35:07I kept the count going.
35:09Five, six, seven, eight.
35:12Our feet hit the white lines
35:14in sync.
35:17Lucy completed
35:18her first successful lift
35:19and Madison smiled
35:20as she tied a red ribbon
35:21around her wrist.
35:22They could buy up the space.
35:23They couldn't buy our legs
35:24or decide whether we'd
35:24stand outrage together.
35:26On our fourth day
35:26of parking lot practice,
35:28the Grant Foundation
35:29held a winter charity preview.
35:30Victoria was suspended
35:31from her captain's duties
35:32and couldn't perform
35:33as St. Austin's captain.
35:35So she appeared
35:36through her father's foundation
35:38with an outside
35:39all-star exhibition team.
35:44The music started.
35:53My teammates and I froze.
35:57That's our routine.
36:00The opening folded wing turn,
36:02the crossing formation
36:03in the second section,
36:05even the half-beat pause
36:06I'd added for Lucy.
36:07Every move was ours.
36:09Lucy had an old injury
36:10in her left knee.
36:11I'd changed the turn
36:12so she could land safely
36:13in her bass's hands.
36:15Victoria finished
36:15and took the microphone
36:16from the host.
36:17Sorry,
36:18but I submitted
36:19the original plan
36:20for this routine
36:21to the foundation last night.
36:22First,
36:23the big screen lit up.
36:24There was her name
36:25on the program
36:26and the submission receipt,
36:27followed by pages
36:28of choreography sketches.
36:30Every sheet had VG
36:31in the corner.
36:32Even the folded wing turn
36:34was diagrammed.
36:35Bella stepped forward
36:36immediately.
36:37I can vouch for her.
36:38She raised a hand.
36:39Victoria showed me
36:40those sketches last night.
36:41Evelyn only took her team
36:42to practice
36:43in the parking lot afterward.
36:44The event coordinator
36:46frowned at the receipt.
36:47The foundation account
36:48did upload these files
36:49last night.
36:49The audience started muttering.
36:51She stole again?
36:52The bracelet,
36:53the letter,
36:54now choreography.
36:55Does she think
36:56losing weight
36:56makes us forget?
36:57No wonder she suddenly
36:58knows how to dance.
36:59She stole it from Victoria.
37:01Lucy went pale.
37:03Evelyn,
37:03are they going
37:04to disqualify us?
37:05Madison stared
37:06at the sketches,
37:07her voice tight.
37:08This is the routine
37:09you reworked
37:10on Monday night,
37:11right?
37:11Before I could answer,
37:13Victoria walked up to me.
37:14I didn't want a scene.
37:16She lowered her voice
37:17just enough
37:17for everyone nearby
37:18to hear.
37:19But you don't get
37:20to steal from me
37:21and sell yourself
37:22as some inspiring
37:23success story.
37:24Ethan stood up
37:25in the audience.
37:26He didn't shout,
37:27but his voice
37:27cut through the room.
37:28Getting to the microphone
37:29first doesn't mean
37:30you wrote the routine first.
37:32And it doesn't mean
37:32you get to call her
37:33a thief again.
37:34I touched his hand,
37:36then walked onto
37:37the stage myself.
37:38I'll prove it.
37:42Victoria gave
37:42a little laugh
37:43and handed the sketches
37:44to the coordinator.
37:45Of course she'd say that.
37:46Playing the victim
37:47is what she does best.
37:49Everyone looked at me.
37:50Even my own team
37:51was starting to panic.
37:53The coordinator's
37:54expression hardened.
37:55Evelyn,
37:55your team's performance
37:56eligibility is suspended
37:58until we verify
37:59who created the routine.
38:01Victoria watched me
38:02as though she'd been
38:02waiting for this moment
38:03all along.
38:05So,
38:07she raised the microphone.
38:09You're the thief.
38:13Every camera
38:14in the audience
38:15turned towards me,
38:16waiting for me to cry
38:17and give up again.
38:20If they disqualify us,
38:22will everyone say
38:23our whole team
38:24is built on something
38:24we stole?
38:27How the hell
38:27did Victoria get it?
38:29Eve,
38:30I can help.
38:31I know people
38:31on the Foundation's
38:32event committee.
38:32Shut up.
38:33I don't need
38:34your connections.
38:35and your guilt
38:36isn't evidence.
38:43I shouldn't need
38:44a man who never
38:44believed me
38:45to prove I'm innocent.
38:48Victoria uploaded
38:49her files last night.
38:51My video backed up
38:52automatically
38:52three days ago.
38:54My notes have
38:55Mrs. Ortega's comments.
38:56Madison has
38:57attendance records.
38:58Lucy was there
38:59in that knee pad.
39:01Evelyn changed
39:02that half beat.
39:03My knee hurt so much
39:04I could barely stand.
39:05She said I didn't
39:06have to wreck it
39:06for one move.
39:07Victoria doesn't even
39:08know why we turn left.
39:09Monday, Tuesday,
39:11Wednesday.
39:12Place, time,
39:12and signatures
39:13for every practice.
39:14Want to check all of them?
39:15Ask the whole team.
39:16Please provide
39:17your original
39:18choreography files.
39:19Not scans.
39:20Not submission receipts.
39:21I need the creation history,
39:23the revisions,
39:23and where the moves
39:24came from.
39:25I...
39:26My computer's at home.
39:28These aren't
39:29original choreography files.
39:31They're photos imported
39:31from Bella's tablet.
39:33Taken early Tuesday morning.
39:34You photographed
39:35my notebook.
39:38Say something!
39:39Victoria told me
39:40to take them.
39:41I thought we were
39:41just scaring you.
39:42I am withdrawing
39:43Victoria's complaint.
39:44The team led by
39:45Tess Kingston
39:46is hereby reinstated
39:47and qualified
39:47for the showcase.
39:49This wasn't luck.
39:51I kept a record
39:52every time I practiced.
39:57Noah still hadn't learned
39:58when to shut up.
39:59After I rejected him
40:00in public,
40:01he'd rather trash me
40:02in front of his teammates
40:03than admit he'd lost me.
40:05Before the school's
40:06winter baseball training camp,
40:07I heard his teammates
40:09asking about Ethan and I
40:10through the clubhouse door.
40:11Noah must have thought
40:12I'd never find out.
40:13He laughed.
40:14She used to follow me
40:15everywhere.
40:16Now she's dropped
40:17a little weight
40:17and thinks she can
40:18play everybody.
40:19What about the fake
40:20relationship?
40:21Someone asked.
40:22Noah paused,
40:23then deliberately
40:23raised his voice.
40:25Of course she can act.
40:26Playing the victim
40:27is her specialty.
40:29He couldn't admit
40:30he'd been wrong
40:31in front of the baseball team,
40:32so he blamed me again.
40:34I pushed the door open.
40:36The room went silent.
40:37His smile froze
40:38when he saw me.
40:39Eve, that's not
40:40what I meant.
40:41Then what did you mean?
40:42I walked up to him.
40:44That I planned
40:45getting locked in the dark,
40:47shoved into a pool,
40:48and forced to apologize
40:49by you?
40:56His mouth opened.
40:57Nothing came out.
40:59I didn't slap him.
41:01Before,
41:02every time I fought back,
41:03I wanted everyone
41:04to see how much it hurt.
41:05this time,
41:06I just set my phone
41:07on the bench.
41:08Tyler,
41:10coach is outside.
41:11Will you tell him
41:12what you just heard?
41:14Tyler looked at Noah,
41:15then nodded.
41:16When the coach came in,
41:18Noah tried again.
41:19I was just in a bad mood.
41:20A bad mood
41:21doesn't give you permission
41:22to humiliate teammates
41:24or classmates,
41:25and it sure as hell
41:27doesn't excuse
41:28locking a girl
41:28in a school equipment room.
41:38The coach removed
41:39Noah's captain's patch.
41:41Noah was barred
41:41from team games
41:42for two weeks.
41:43He also lost
41:44the captainship.
41:45Nobody in the clubhouse
41:46applauded him.
41:48Nobody said
41:48he was a good guy
41:49deep down.
41:50They used to be afraid
41:51of their captain.
41:52Now Tyler just looked away,
41:53as though he finally saw
41:55who he'd been following.
41:56Noah caught up with me
41:57outside the field.
41:59I saved you
42:00when we were kids.
42:05I stopped.
42:06You did.
42:08Saving me once
42:09doesn't buy you
42:10the right to hurt me
42:11forever.
42:14His eyes redginged
42:15as he followed me
42:16another two steps.
42:17Every day,
42:18I think about
42:19what would have happened
42:19if I'd opened the door.
42:20Then you're thinking
42:21about whether you'd
42:22have lost me.
42:22I looked back,
42:23not how scared
42:24I was in there.
42:26Noah, regret isn't love.
42:27He stopped.
42:29This time,
42:30he didn't call after me.
42:32Before the Winter Spirit
42:34showcase,
42:34the coach gave me
42:35the center spot.
42:36The finale was
42:37a three-level pyramid.
42:39I'd turn at the top
42:40with the spotlight
42:41on me alone.
42:44stick that section
42:46and you're pretty much
42:47a lock for Captain Nominee.
42:49Madison tied my hair ribbon.
43:00Just before we went on,
43:01Emma suddenly dropped
43:02to the floor.
43:03Her ankle was badly swollen.
43:07That's it.
43:08We're done.
43:12The countdown
43:13outside the stands
43:14hit two minutes.
43:17Just ice it.
43:22We can't pull out.
43:23We'll lose at least
43:24eight points
43:25without that lift.
43:26Someone spoke up anxiously.
43:28Evelyn, take center.
43:29This is our shot
43:30at the title
43:30and yours at Captain.
43:34I crouched
43:35and checked the torn mat.
43:36Emma's old injury,
43:38the damaged surface,
43:39the three-level pyramid.
43:40None of it was worth
43:41gambling with a teammate.
43:43No.
43:43Nobody goes on like this.
43:47Then we'll lose.
43:48We can lose points.
43:49We can't lose a teammate.
43:53Emma sits out
43:54and ices that ankle.
43:55Albase,
43:56drop the top turn.
43:57Group three stays on the ground.
43:58The team went silent.
43:59That was the section
44:00I wanted to jump most.
44:01My best chance
44:02to prove myself.
44:03The assistant coach
44:04flipped through our backup plans.
44:05Voice shaking.
44:06There's no time to rework it.
44:07I grabbed a marker,
44:09crossed out the top route
44:10on the floor plan
44:11and rewrote everyone's positions.
44:15There's enough.
44:16One person doesn't have
44:17to fly the highest
44:18for us to be a team.
44:20You heard the captain.
44:21One minute to walk it through.
44:32Look at me.
44:34Not the score.
44:36When the music started,
44:38I didn't stand under the lights.
44:39I used my shoulder
44:40to hold the base of the lift.
44:42It was the new teammate's
44:43first time on stage
44:44and her hands were shaking.
44:49We finished the simplified routine
44:51and placed second.
44:52A few girls cried
44:53with disappointment.
44:54Backstage,
44:55the coach handed me her whistle.
44:57You just saved this whole team.
44:59Today, I saw someone
45:00who knows when to protect her team.
45:01That matters more
45:02than knowing how to steal the spotlight.
45:04Before I let myself enjoy the applause,
45:06I checked that Emma
45:07was icing her ankle
45:07and had the student stage assistant
45:09secure our backup files in the system.
45:10Leading wasn't doing everything myself.
45:12It was making sure
45:12everyone knew what to do next.
45:13I didn't know it yet,
45:14but the anonymous school count
45:15had pushed another video to me.
45:19Someone had recut the old scandal
45:21about Ethan's mother
45:22into a short video
45:23and posted it to the school account.
45:24At lunch,
45:25a student enlarged
45:26the headline on their screen.
45:28That evening,
45:29I found Ethan
45:30in the old equipment room.
45:31His mask was back on.
45:32I sat beside him.
45:34Do you want me to leave
45:35or stay with you?
45:36He was quiet for a long time.
45:38Then he pulled a worn,
45:39folded photograph
45:39from the back of his wallet.
45:41A round-faced boy
45:41stood outside
45:42an elementary school restroom.
45:43Lunch sauce stained his uniform.
45:45His eyes were red.
45:47I went still.
45:49Ethan?
45:50They called me Muffin Reed back then.
45:52He looked down with a small smile.
45:55Fat, quiet,
45:56an easy target.
45:57I remembered.
45:59Second grade.
46:01A few boys locked him
46:03in a bathroom stall
46:03and dumped lunch over his head.
46:13I'd kicked the door open
46:15and handed him
46:16and handed him my jacket.
46:20What did I say to him?
46:21You have nice dimples.
46:23I said softly.
46:24Ethan looked up at me.
46:25So on my first day here,
46:26I saw you from the other end
46:28of the hallway.
46:30I knew that dimple
46:31in your left cheek.
46:32My breath caught.
46:33You knew it was me
46:34all along?
46:35When you weighed 240 pounds
46:36and when you walked into
46:37that birthday dance
46:38in the red dress?
46:39I didn't tell you because...
46:40He paused.
46:41I didn't want you to feel like
46:42you owed me a thank you
46:43or a relationship.
46:44I looked at the old photo
46:46in his hand.
46:47Suddenly, I understood
46:48why he'd never pushed me,
46:50why he'd always let me choose.
46:52So you didn't start liking me
46:53because I lost weight?
46:54No.
46:55His ears went pink.
46:57A long time ago,
46:58I thought the girl
46:58who kicked that door open
46:59was pretty cool.
47:00I kept my hands to myself
47:01and asked,
47:03can I see you now?
47:06He looked at me
47:07for a few seconds,
47:08then unfustled
47:09the strap himself
47:10and lowered the mask
47:12into his palm.
47:13That girl is still here.
47:14We just left the equipment room
47:16when Madison ran up
47:17with a document.
47:23You two need to see this.
47:24It was an appeal
47:25from Victoria's father.
47:27He claimed the hearing evidence
47:28had been obtained improperly
47:30and demanded that
47:31Victoria's eligibility
47:32be restored.
47:33She's back.
47:35I folded the paper.
47:37Let her come.
47:38She isn't facing
47:39the old Evelyn this time.
47:43Before winter formal,
47:44Victoria's father
47:45appealed to the school board.
47:47The school granted
47:48only part of his request.
47:50She could remain
47:51an individual candidate
47:52in the final captain's showcase,
47:54but she couldn't return
47:56as captain,
47:57attend regular practices,
47:59or lead our cheer squad
48:01in competition.
48:02On formal night,
48:03the coach asked me
48:04to bring in the freshman,
48:05dress,
48:05and kept asking nervously.
48:07What if they laugh at me again?
48:08I fastened her brooch.
48:10Then look at me.
48:11You aren't here
48:12to make everyone like you.
48:13Ethan waited
48:14at the auditorium doors
48:15in a black suit
48:16without his mask.
48:17He held a card
48:18covered in writing.
48:20Rehearsing your lines?
48:21I like to prepare
48:22for important occasions.
48:24He cleared his throat.
48:26Like admitting I'm nervous.
48:27When the music started,
48:29he didn't pull me
48:30into the crowd.
48:31He offered his hand.
48:32Evelyn,
48:33our fake dating contract
48:35ends tonight.
48:36My heart skipped.
48:38So?
48:39So I'd like to ask you out again.
48:40Not because you need me
48:41to shut down rumors.
48:42Not because I saved you.
48:44His ears were pink,
48:45but he kept that cocky tone.
48:46Because I like you.
48:48You're vicious when you swear,
48:50stubborn when you dance,
48:51and you'll walk into the dark
48:52to bring someone out,
48:53even when you're scared.
48:54I smiled.
48:56Is this your big confession?
48:57I can make it soppier.
48:59Don't.
49:00I caught his tie
49:01and kissed him.
49:02The crowd shrieked.
49:03Ethan froze for half a second,
49:04then settled his hands
49:06at my waist
49:06and kissed me back.
49:07He rested his forehead
49:08against mine.
49:09Does this make our fake contract
49:11look unprofessional?
49:12It's fine.
49:13We can sign a new one.
49:15Terms?
49:16Honesty.
49:16Respect.
49:17And no deciding
49:18how I get to live my life.
49:19He nodded solemnly.
49:21That last one's not negotiated.
49:22Before spring regionals,
49:24the coach named Madison and me
49:25interim co-captains.
49:27One girl folded her arms.
49:31Evelyn's only been here
49:32a few months.
49:32She isn't good enough.
49:36It stung.
49:38But she had a point.
49:40I still couldn't jump
49:41as high as Madison.
49:43And I didn't have
49:44Victoria's competition record.
49:45After practice,
49:46I stayed in the gym
49:47instead of going to Ethan
49:48for comfort.
49:49I watched footage,
49:50took notes,
49:51and drilled the landings
49:52again and again.
50:00Marcus adjusted
50:01my strength training.
50:03The coach corrected
50:04how I used my weight.
50:05I learned to schedule
50:06water breaks
50:07and remember who's old knee injury
50:09and remember who's old knee injury
50:09might flare up.
50:10Before,
50:10all I watched was the number
50:12on the scale.
50:13Now I cared about what my body
50:14could safely do for me
50:15and my teammates.
50:16Ethan leaned over the bluster railing.
50:18This would be a great time
50:19to say how romantic I am
50:20for staying late with you.
50:21You're here to steal my energy bars.
50:22Still counts as quality time.
50:33At regionals,
50:35another team's captain
50:36deliberately knocked over
50:37our equipment box.
50:38One of our freshmen tripped
50:39and sprained her ankle.
50:41She cried,
50:42saying she couldn't perform.
50:51I asked an event official
50:52to review venue footage.
50:54I asked an event official
50:55to review the venue footage.
50:58The other captain
50:58received a penalty
50:59and the official report
51:00preserved our grounds to appeal.
51:04You don't have to push through this.
51:06Emma can take your second section.
51:08Sit in the front row
51:09and count with us.
51:13What about the missing person
51:14in the lift?
51:15Someone asked.
51:16We changed the formation.
51:17I'll fill in as a base.
51:30I used almost everything I had
51:33to keep the last lift steady.
51:41When the music stopped,
51:43we all fell into a pit.
51:48I'm afraid you haven't placed first.
51:50The girls held one another up,
51:51looking disappointed.
51:53The official smiled
51:54and turned over the result sheet.
51:56Stay in Austin High.
51:57Third place.
51:58The top three advanced to state.
52:04He paused
52:05and raised another medal.
52:06You've also won
52:07the best teamwork award.
52:10Evelyn, we did it!
52:12You're a great captain!
52:19I took the medal off
52:20and passed it around
52:21so every teammate could hold it.
52:26Sweaty and exhausted,
52:28I caught my reflection
52:29in the mirror and smile.
52:30State and the school's
52:32final captain's showcase
52:33fell in the last week
52:34of the spring semester.
52:35Victoria's appeal
52:36had preserved one last chance
52:37to appear in the school showcase.
52:39Before state,
52:41she waited alone
52:41outside the training hall.
52:43You're a makeover story.
52:46She looked at me.
52:47When the lights go out,
52:49people will still remember
52:50what you needed.
52:52Then watch.
52:55The school's communications advisor
52:57brought me a transformation poster.
52:59My old photo
53:00beside the red dress shot.
53:01I pushed it back.
53:04I'm not a weight loss ad.
53:06If you want my help,
53:07set up anonymous reporting,
53:08ban secret filming
53:09used to humiliate students,
53:10and give freshmen
53:11safe training
53:12and mental health support.
53:13Otherwise,
53:13don't use my face
53:14to cover up
53:15what the school failed to do.
53:17The principal nodded
53:18and added those commitments
53:19to next year's guidelines.
53:20At the final school showcase,
53:22Victoria chose
53:23the hardest,
53:24flashiest routine.
53:25Victoria chose
53:26the hardest,
53:26flashiest routine.
53:27Everything for you, you need.
53:29Listen up!
53:30Everything comes down to this!
53:35Victoria danced beautifully,
53:36but she chased the spotlight.
53:40By the end,
53:41even the girls behind her
53:42didn't applaud.
53:43When our turn came,
53:45we changed the routine.
53:46Instead of the dangerous
53:47two-level lift,
53:48we used a three-person
53:49crossing formation.
53:50I gave my center spot
53:51to Maya for her tumbling pass.
53:52I was the first to reach out
53:54and steady her as she landed.
53:55Lucy greeted her teeth
53:56and held firm as a base.
53:57Leah moved forward
53:58to fill the gap.
53:58On the last eight count,
53:59all six of us
54:00hit our final pose together.
54:01Nobody was sacrificed.
54:02The room went quiet,
54:03then the applause
54:04came in a wave.
54:06The head of the school
54:06judging panel
54:07revealed the combined scores.
54:08My total, 102.1.
54:09Victoria's, 100.4.
54:11The judge announced.
54:11Evelyn is our next cheer captain.
54:14Victoria stared at the scoreboard,
54:15white-faced.
54:16No!
54:16The Victoria was permanently
54:17barred from the captainship.
54:19Bella was suspended
54:20from composition.
54:21Mr. Grant was placed
54:21under investigation
54:22for interfering in student
54:23disciplinary from comp seedings.
54:25Ethan waited backstage,
54:27his eyes bright.
54:28You're as beautiful
54:28as a princess,
54:29just not one who's
54:30waiting to be rescued.
54:31I'm my own knight, too.
54:33Can't argue with that.
54:34I held up
54:35my gold captain's badge.
54:38But I can be your boyfriend?
54:41Noah came to see me
54:42one last time,
54:43carrying flowers.
54:44Noah came to see me
54:44one last time,
54:45carrying flowers.
54:46I still regret it.
54:46I'll let it go.
54:47Forgiving you
54:47doesn't mean coming back.
54:48He nodded and left
54:48without blocking my way again.
54:49Sweat ran down my face.
54:50I wasn't the girl
54:50trapped in the dark.
54:51I'd earned something
54:51that was mine.
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