Shattered: A Salvation Society Novel by Bella Emy (pdf to ebook reader .TXT) 📕

way she’s strutting her hip out with each step she takes makes it very clear to anyone who is looking… which is everyone in the gymnasium.

Whatever Kalen said to her sure as hell ticked her off. This is just what I needed to get my nerves in check before going out in front of everyone to perform the routine.

I turn around and see the rest of the cheerleaders lining up off to the right. It must be just about time to start.

As if on cue, the sound of feedback coming from the speakers fills the gym. It’s go time.

My nerves begin fumbling around in the pit of my stomach like a damn football being thrown around as the coach introduces this year’s varsity cheerleading squad.

Then it hits me… oh my, God… that’s us… me… It’s now.

I take a deep breath as I follow my teammates out onto the middle of the gymnasium floor. Our uniforms’ blue and gold colors fill the center of the gym; our school colors were chosen to represent the water of the creek. I scan through the crowd once more, and finally, my eyes lock with Kalen. He’s seeing me for the first time, and it’s like a rush of emotions swims through my system. Then he smiles at me, and I feel like a moron, but I can’t stop myself from smiling back. Damn, he’s so fucking beautiful. If the intensity between us is a mere indication of how we feel for one another, then dammit, he’s got to feel as strongly about me as I feel about him. I know I’m just gripping at threads right now, trying to justify how he feels about me, but I can’t help it. I wish he’d just make me his girl more than anything else.

Erin stands next to me as we begin and go through our entire routine. It’s a miracle I don’t fuck up a single step. I thought for sure I’d mess up the last three steps as I’ve done at every single practice.

We jump up and down as our routine finally comes to an end. The coach comes running back out to get the crowd cheering for us, but there is really no need for it. Everyone in the stands is already up on their feet, applauding our performance.

What a fucking relief. I had been so worried for nothing.

I follow the rest of the girls off the court and line up on the sides as the captains pick up the banner we made for the football team. No more than five seconds later, the football coach comes running out, introducing this year’s team. That’s when Jason and the rest of the guys on the team come running through the banner we’re holding up for them. I wish Kalen would have joined so he could have run through the banner as he’d pass by me. But it’s okay because as the team continues racing through the banner, I look up into the bleachers where Kalen is sitting, and his eyes are still glued on me. We keep exchanging glances between us, but he’s so far, it sucks. I wish he could be standing right next to me.

After the pep rally, I find myself with Erin, Jason, and Kalen back at the ice cream parlor. In this small town, we don’t have too many places like it, so they make a ton of money. Especially with the kids from school and people vacationing here.

“You girls did an amazing job,” Jason says after scooping some ice cream into his mouth.

Kalen nods. “You both really did,” he replies, looking from Erin to me.

I shy away, but Erin smiles widely. “Thanks, guys! We’re both looking forward to this year and cheering at all the football games my honey’s going to be playing in.” Erin rises from her seat next to Jason to sit on his lap. He chuckles and then they kiss.

I look over at Kalen, who is currently taking in my image. It seems like he’s still interested in me, but I don’t really know. Maybe the guy is just trying to be nice.

I smile back and hope he knows I’m interested in him.

Jason whispers something in Erin’s ear as her giggles bring both Kalen and I away from our enchanting stares at one another. Erin rises to her feet and says, “Alright, guys. Jay and I are going to his house to watch a movie until I have to be home.”

“You’re both more than welcome to join us, but you’ll have to sit on the floor while we roam around on the couch,” Jason adds as Erin cracks up and punches him in the arm.

Kalen and me chuckle, too. Jason makes it so obvious there’s definitely not going to be much movie watching going on at his place.

Kalen shakes his head at me and then says, “That’s okay, guys. We’re good right here.”

Jason and Erin wave good-bye, and once again, I’m left alone with the only guy I want to be with.

And my heart is pounding harder with each glance he gives me.

And my breath is catching in my throat with every second we’re together.

God, what is he doing to me?

I need to get a grip and cool the fuck down. Trying to distract myself, I dip my pink plastic spoon into my cup and scoop some ice cream onto it. From the corner of my eye, I can see him staring at me. He watches intently as I open my mouth and take in the frosty treat. It causes a wave of emotions to flood through me like I’ve never felt before, and I can’t help but slowly turn my head to face him and lock my gaze with his.

He smiles at me and then bites down onto his lip. Damn, he’s got some nice lips. I want to kiss him so badly.

I wish I had the nerve to ask him if he’d like a taste of my ice cream, but who am I