At The Top

My gut warned me something wasn't right, or that I ate way too many nachos. Either way, I couldn't bear standing around any longer. My dad just did not want to let Jennifer go. I mean, she was coming back in a couple of weeks. What's the big deal? Sometimes I'd hope the plane would never land, that she'd be stuck citcling the air forever. "Tell me all about how it is over there! I'm sure Bree here..." I feel a slightly painful nudge with his elbow on my arm. "Would love to see Texas sometime." Dad smiles wide like she's his hard earned trophy he wants me to be proud of him for.

"It's breanne! And no. I'm good, thank you very much. You can stay there."

"Aww." I back up into the Sedan as Jennifer tried to hug me. Some of the dark blue paint might've even fell off, but I didn't care. It was old anyway.

"She'll come down. Just gotta pass a hormonal stone. You know, she's going through a tough time and all that." I snorted as the two once again, agreed and stalled. There'd be a point where I'd think she would never get in the stupid car and just get the heck out of here, but this is the trip they'd only been nagging about for the past month. My poor ears couldn't take another word. Why did he make me watch the most boring, tedious, process ever in the first place?

Finally, we were on our way to the airport. I forgot we'd have to get the car back, so we'd have to be ger own personal taxi crew. The ride was hot and chatterful, as I had expected. Usually, it's not like me to say I hate the ride. Fake smiles and bugging questions weren't going to ruin it for me. I plugged in my earbuds to my phone and sat back as I enjoyed my music.

Security staff were everywhere. I mean, I learned about this whole thing in history class, and people constantly complain to me like I can change the world. For a moment, I dreamed. I imagined my first time being so high up in the sky with my dad and my cheer team. Us going to nationals. The big sparkly moment. I wouldn't even complain about the security checks. Dad saw me staring at the window. "I know. Cool right? Maybe someday you will. You. Me. Jennifer. We'll all go somewhere together." That's just it. He didn't understand what it is that I wanted. Still caught up by the planes on the runway, I walk alongside my dad.

Relief set in. Except the several missed calls on my phone. She's only been away for like, three days. Today was the retryouts. I was determined not to let any ounce of negativity dismiss my spitit and ruin my day. I was going to fly at the nationals!

As I jogged downstairs, dad was sitting at the table. He didn't glance up once. "Eagles, let's go! We are here to stop the show!" I paused. Finally, he set his eye on something other than his cereal. For a while I was getting kind of concerned. His smile would surely win the first in spirit award. "How was that? What'd you think?"

"Great, honey. Why haven't you returned any of Jennifer's calls?" I shrugged, not caring.

"She calls all the time. I figured if it's not important... I've got to focus on my... let's show 'em how it's done! 'Cuz we are having fun!" I couldn't help but to smile as Dad's smile grew with pride and true spirit. My day was undefeated as my team! Nothing could take stop ke from flying of the top of the pyramid.

"We're moving." Okay. That was like trying to fly and then nobody were catch me.

"Well... then I might as well make my legacy while I can. We're going to go to the nationals this year!" On my tip toes, I reached high for my box of cereal from the highest shelf in the cabinet.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure you'll find another team and you'll do great."

"Wait! What do you mean?" Wheat cereal pieces fell all over the counter. The box tumbled down, but I caught it.

"Next month. You. Me. Jennifer. We'll all be living in Texas, and it'll all be great."

"No! It won't! You think everything will be oh-so-perfect. but it won't. Nothing will."

"Honey! The town will be even smaller than this one. Don't you ever get tired of living in this big city? What more could you want?"

"Uhhh, how 'bout my team? How 'bout my life? I don't want to live where kids have this long list of chores. And where I have to wear some 'good ol' jeans and country tops'. Or where everything is an hour away and kids ride horses to get places!"

"But-"

"Can't I stay at least until after this year? I mean, why does it have to be so quick? What's the rush?"

"No. We like it over there. We just bought a brand new house. You'll be in an airplane! Just like you wanted!"

"You think that's what I want. But did you take the time to listen to what I've been talking about in like, forever?" I slammed the door before he could give me a kiss. Of course he was upset, but oh well. Somehow, dad still thought I was going to come down. Come down from where? Heaven? Because I never got to taste anything close to heaven, and how I'm being kicked out of 'life's not great, but still somewhat happy'.

A very small part of me still hoped. Maybe if I eatned that flyer spot like a high flying Eagle I am, they'll let me stay. Maybe I could stay with a friend until the year is up. If I told someone, they'd probably inform the cheer captain right away. And then, they wouldn't recognize me any importance because they'd know there's no point.

I waited, nervously, as the names were called. Julian Andrews as base. Ariel Fitgold as flyer. Breanne Cherry as flyer! I did it! My hard work paid off! Now, my freshman year is bright. I just know it.

Night time came. It was time. I finally told him. "There is no way."

"What if I stayed with a friend?"

"No. I don't trust them enough. You know that." I lay in bed, not packing anything. Pep music is playing in the background. With grains of tears in my throat, I still recite the cheers, but with no motions. A soft knock, and my door opens. I was expecting dad. Instead I got the case of the heart-stealing, spoiled, Jennifer.

"Hey." I try to hide my tears. Even though it's childish to ignore someone, they treat me like a child they can pull around on a leash anyway. She lost my last ounce of respect. "I know, I know."

"No you don't. Don't even say that."

"Aww. Alright. But I used to say that when I was your age, too." The bed wabbles and creaks a little as she sits on the covers against me.

"But were you the same person I am? Do you know what it feels like? To be pulled away from a team you love... just as you achieve your dream, you don't get to live your dream, 'cuz now you gotta start all over? To not even have the option to live with mom? To not even have a voice... and be taken seriously? Do you really know what that's like, because if you say you loved it, you are wrong!"

"No. I don't. But I can imagine. You know what? I'm sure we can work it out. How about? If you make it to state, and you know, you make it to nationals, you can stay?"

"How do you know I'll make it to state?"

"I know. I have confidence in you. Now get some rest, high flying eagle."