Red & SmartAss

Chapter 1 The New Kid

August 1964

School felt normal like every other day. All the students on the schools front yard waiting till the bell to rings so they can get inside like they always do.
Claire Dearing didn't expect much ,  school was still the same way it was ever since Claire quit being cheer captain .
She walked up to her friends who were standing near the stairs.
Her best friend Zara , a black hair former exchange student from England, was the one of the cheerleaders who spotted her first.
"Claire!" She cried out in her heavy British accent. She runs toward her and practicality attack her with a hug. The other cheerleaders follow her , circling around them like they used to when Claire was cheer captain.
She never hated being cheer captain, in fact she loved it. The people were nice and it was fun performing at prep rallies and other school sports events. But being a cheerleader meant there were rarely any time to study.In Yates North High, a private high school were only the rich and smart could attend, grades were a treated like a big deal compared. If a student grades are below 80 percent they will be banned from school  , unless they're able to pay the school aleast $20000 million dollars the students can still be in role without any charges against the student.
Through her grades weren't really bad , they became much lower than before. She wanted to play safe, and felt the best way to raised her grades up was to quit and let someone else be cheer captain . It was much easier that way, she felt like it was the right thing to do.
Even after all that ,things were still were pretty much the same like it was back then . She still hangs out with her cheerleaders friends and some members from the football team ,like she always had when she was still part of the team. There were even times were she watch her cheer friends practice and hang out afterwards like before.
"I miss you Claire " , Zara said as she loosen her gripe. Claire scoffs at her. "You came over to my house yesterday", she said, causing the cheerleaders around them to giggle. Zaire shook her head.
"Still it felt like years Claire , I was practically dieing."
Claire rolls her eyes. "Oh Zara still overly dramatic as always I see ."
Zara laugh and so did the others  cheerleaders. "You know it", she chuckles out, Claire laugh besides her.
Claire smiles at the British goofball .
"What is happening over here?!"A voice was heard from behind, interrupting their laughter.
Claire let out a groan. She knows exactly who's that voice belong to . The cheerleaders and Claire turn their attention to the voice revealing a blonde girl standing with her arms folded wearing a red dress with a matching bow on top of her head.
Payton Smith.
Daughter of the mayor and Claire replacement as team captain.
"Nice to see you Payton", Claire said , forcing a smile .
Out of all cheerleaders Payton Smith was one who hated Claire with a passion .
She envy Claire , never believed she should have been cheer captain.  Through she always act kind to her face , when Claire not around is when she let her true colors show.
Expedite all this nonsense about Payton hatred towards her , Claire still treated her that same way she did with the others.
"Oh Claire , I'm sorry  I didn't know it was you", Payton said , faking a smile.
Claire just shrug off. "It's was a simple mistake Payton."
Payton didn't reply back, only moving her bangs out of the way of eyes.Claire hold on a groan.
"Will we be seeing you at our cheer practice,Claire?" Vivian, one of the newest member of the cheer team, spoke up receiving a angry glare from Payton.
Claire smiles at the newbie . "Probably." She answers, the cheerleaders squeals in excitement.
"Oh, but Claire I thought you had that book reported  for Mr. Grante , we wouldn't like to be the cause that you didn't work on your assignment." Payton said try to sound reasonable  , a small smirk appearing on her lips .
"Oh ya she's right. Oh, what ashamed. Dang it ."  The cheerleader said around them in disappointed.
Claire press her lips together firmly, she was really starting getting on her nerves.
"Thanks you for your concern Payton, it's nice knowing that you care, but Mr. Grant let me did my book report during the weekend, which means that I'm able to go to cheer practice after all."  She answer back.
The cheerleaders cheers once again, as Payton become furious at Claire. "Yippee " , she said trying to contain the anger boiling inside her.
The bell finally rang ,  the students rush inside like stampede of wild buffalo.
"Well I guess that our que, see you later Claire", Payton said as she storms off. The cheerleaders follow, leaving Claire and Zara.
Zara let out a frustrated sigh. "What is that girl problem." Claire chuckles softly. "Don't know  Zara, but we better head in ." She said as she walks off.
"Wait for me !" Zara cried out for her, as she chase after her.