Pretty When She Cries - Black Mountain Academy

I’ve already overcome the biggest hurdle. It’s the end of my first day back, and I’ve managed to survive the angry whispers and death glares directed my way at every turn. True to Audrey’s decree, nobody dared to speak directly to me apart from Courtney. To everyone else, I’m insignificant, and they want me to know it. So much so that when I returned to my locker at lunch, there were another twenty insults etched into the metal. There were also two handwritten notes warning me I’d better leave now before something really bad happens. You’d think for a bunch of trust fund kids with nothing else to do, they could be more creative.

I meet Coach Lopez in the locker room with a bright, indestructible smile. Fake it till you make it, or whatever.

“You ready for this?” She studies me as though she’s looking for cracks.

“I was born ready.” More accurately, I was reborn in the flames of my destruction.

Coach nods. “You’ve earned this, Kail. You’re the best dancer in the class, and I have faith in you. Just be careful, okay?”

“You’re probably not allowed to tell me they’re vultures who will eat me alive the first chance they get, are you?”

She chuckles softly and shakes her head. “No, but I’m allowed to think it.”

I shake out the rest of my nervous energy through my fingertips and glance at the door leading to the rec field. While the weather is still nice, Coach Lopez said she’ll let us practice outside to enjoy it as long as we can. Everyone is out there right now. The cheer team. The footballers. All the people from the party who laughed and shared photos of the worst night of my life. The keyboard warriors and bullies, and worst of all, Landon. I already know he’ll be just across the field while his girlfriend and her gang of devoted followers stare me down directly.

This moment is everything I’ve been working toward for the past two years while I’ve quietly rebuilt my crumbled foundation. It’s not quite rock solid, but this is the only chance I’ll have. It’s senior year, and if I want revenge, it’s now or never.

“I’ll follow your lead,” I tell coach.

We walk to the door together. When she pushes it open, sunshine blasts in from the other side, warming my skin under the red skirt and black leotard. But sunlight can’t touch the glacier beneath my rib cage. That landscape froze over the night I met the real Landon Blackwood.

All of my enemies are lined up like a firing squad, ready to take aim as I march toward them. At the head of the pack, Audrey’s mouth literally drops when she sees me in the dance uniform, her brows pinching together in disgust.

“What in the fresh hell—” she begins to protest.

Coach Lopez holds up her hand and cuts her off. “Not now, Audrey. Listen up, ladies. Here’s the deal. It’s a new season, and big things are happening this year. I know you’ve all been waiting to hear the announcement for captain, so we’ll start there.”

My eyes lock with Audrey’s. We’re like two rams, ready to throw down. She steps forward, prepared to snatch the crown she’s convinced is already hers. In her universe, nobody holds the power to dismantle her throne. Nobody would ever dare. History has proven it to be a fact, but history’s about to rewrite itself.

“This year’s captain is new to the Cougarettes, but she’s not new to the sport,” coach begins. “She’s a three-time champion at both the regional and national level with over a decade of experience in a variety of genres. Please give a warm welcome to your new cheer captain, Kailani Hale.”

“Hey.” I offer them a sweet smile. “Remember me?”

There are quiet gasps all around, and everyone’s eyes fall on Audrey, waiting for her reaction. Her pale cheeks are on fire, fists curled at her side, and her ugly is showing. She has ruled this school since the day she stepped foot through the overpriced doors. But I have one thing that Audrey doesn’t. And that’s a hell of a lot more experience when it comes to dance.

“Coach, this must be a mistake.” Her head rattles back and forth. “She wasn’t even here for tryouts!”

“There’s no mistake.” Coach stands her ground, something I respect her for since not all of Audrey’s teachers will. “Kailani tried out just like everybody else, and she’s earned this position fair and square. If you’d like to air a grievance, you can make an appointment with me later to do so.”

“You better believe I’m going to air my grievances,” Audrey snarls. “Wait until my mother hears about this. She will tear this—”

“Kailani, the floor is yours.” Coach Lopez ends Audrey’s tirade with a firm voice, and the rest of the dance team watches me nervously as I step forward. The energy in the air is frenetic, and I know my future at Black Mountain Academy hangs in the balance. I’m here to show them I’m not the same girl they ran off two years ago. It’s time to establish my place at the top of the food chain.