#Chapter 56: Second Best

Elena didn’t elaborate about what she meant, but what else could she mean but that she knew I had spent the night in Asher’s room? She didn’t seem jealous this time, though, which was odd. If anything she was delighted. I didn’t dare risk pressing her in front of Coach, so I had to just stand there, stewing in my own perplexed thoughts. “I’ll leave you two alone,” she said, winking at me, before she returned to her room. Coach just shook his head. “Be ready at seven,” he said to me and continued down the corridor. I quickly hid inside of my room. The cheerleading competition took place in an arena, with mats laid down on the center floor, and the stands littered with family and friends of the contestants. I couldn’t see Asher but I knew he was there. I gained comfort from his presence. We waited patiently for our turn out on the concourse. Then the assistants brought us down to the mats and we were set to begin. Above us, the lights burned bright and hot, shining down direct