Part 21 me dears....
Sorry for the delay... I literally fell asleep hugging the laptop last night and today I have been procrastinating; whilst typing up this part I've been distracted by random youtube clips, dancing to music, etc... etc.... I'm really bad for it, I do the same when I'm writing essays or when I have loads of paperwork at work - I need someone here screaming at me to focus
Update on my neighbour for those who want to know: she's fine and she gave me a card and a box of chocolates to say thank you for being there.
Lol some people were confused about the "Oooooer" at the end of chapter 20.... when I write I usually use phrase/ sentences/ words that I use myself and "Oooooer" is one of them.... like for instance if somebody said to me "Omg I just checked and I have 6 toes" I'd probably go "Oooooer" - maybe it's an English thing?
Also, somebody messaged me on chat asking me to promote their story for the wttpad awards.... I clicked off the page so could you message me again so I can have a read of it?
The cheerleading routine song from the start is: http://youtu.be/_aWiXHRQs0U so have a listen!
I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY AND PLEASE COMMENT/ VOTE XXX
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"Okay - let's try again! 1,2....1,2,3,4!" I called out.
Lacey and Janey were lifted up so that they were now on top of three of the girls in my squads shoulders.
"1,2.... 1,2,3,4..."
Alicia was propelled upwards and with minimal support she was able to land and stand with one foot on Janeys shoulder and one foot on Laceys.
"Okay, now do a somersault and keep your body folded as you fall" I instructed Alicia.
She did as I said and Chelsea and Tamsine caught her easily.
Janey and Lacey then did the same but landed on their feet.
I love making Janey and Lacey do parts of the routines together as the whole twin senses thing makes for a really tight routine.
Candice was with another group from our squad teaching them the basic moves to a routine she was working on.
"Let's run through one of the routines and then call it a night" I called over to her.
We'd been practising for the last two hours and I was tired; our sessions always became more intense when we knew that we would have nationals coming up.
"Okay girls, Domino!" Candice shouted.
We all got into our positions and the song Domino by Jessie J started - it was a routine we were still working on but had more or less finished choreographing, just little bits needed tightening up or changing here and there.
We did the whole routine through to the end.
"We'll maybe test peoples reactions to this at the game on Friday" I told them after we'd finished.
Everybody began gathering their belongings to leave.
"Erm, we have company" Chelsea said, appearing beside me.
I looked up and saw TJ sat on the mats again.
That sneaky thing... was spying on my cheer squad his new hobby?
It surprised me to see that Liam was with him.
I walked over to where they were both sat.
"So I agree to join your dance crew and you still come here trying to steal our routines?" I teased, with my hands on my hips, "How long have you been here?"
"About 20 minutes" TJ grinned, "Nice routine by the way"
"Thanks"
I looked at Liam waiting to hear his comments on it.
"What?" he asked.
"What did you think?" I prompted him.
He blatantly must have thought it was amazing seeing as he was trying to pretend that he didn't know what I was on about.
"It was alright" he shrugged.
Pffft, I knew for a fact that it was much better than just alright.....
"Why are you actually here?" I asked.
TJ pulled a face.
"I came to tell Alicia that I can't hang out tonight" he told me, looking sad.
I glanced over to where Alicia was collecting her stuff. She kept "discreetly" looking over at us.
"TJ!" I protested.
Alicia had been really excited about hanging out with him.... okay at first she'd been stressing over it but once we'd helped her to decide what to wear and what not to say she'd been really excited...
Candice had tried to put a downer on it by mocking TJ... apparently he's not "cool enough to date a cheerleader"
A sharp comment from Chelsea had shut her up.
"I can't help it!" he exclaimed, "My mum rang me while I was at the gym with Liam to say that she's picking up another extra shift"
Geeeez his mum worked a lot!
"So I need to be home in a bit to watch my sisters" he said before adding sarcastically, "Unless you know a free babysitter?"
His shoulders sagged and I could tell that he genuinely hadn't wanted to cancel.
I bit my lip, my mind whirring in overtime.
"Right TJ, you owe me" I declared, "I will look after them while you go out with Alicia"
TJ frowned.
"What?"
"I said, I'll watch them and you can go out and have fun with Alicia"
I could tell that he was tempted.
"But they don't know you..." he mumbled - more to himself than me.
Another lightbulb went off in my head.
"Liam can help" I said brightly, "They must know him"
I looked at Liam who did not look impressed at all with my suggestion.
"Have you even met his sisters? Multiply TJ's hyperness and overexcitement by a million and you're still not even close to what they are like"
Oh dear!
"I'm sure they're not that bad" I said, my tone unsure.
TJ and Liam shared a knowing look.
"It's okay" TJ said sounding miserable, "I'll just rearrange with Alicia"
"No way"" I replied, "Liam and I will watch your sisters for you"
Liam went to say something but I held my hand up to him.
"I'm running myself ragged by doing my cheerleading, dancing with your crew and staying on top of all of my homework so I think you can do me this teeny weeny favour"
It wasn't even technically a favour for me, he was helping his best friend out.
I narrowed my eyes at him so that he knew that I was serious.
TJ was giving him a hopeful look.
"Come on Liam, help a brother out!"
This made Liam laugh.
"Fine!" he gave in, sounding exasperated, "I'll do it, but don't blame me when you're sat in the corner crying while the pair of them are running around like crazy animals"
What an exaggeration....
TJ started bouncing around.
"You guys are the best" he grinned, before running over to Alicia.
Aaaaw it was so sweet how excited he was.
"Do you always have to be such a Barbie Do-Gooder?" Liam asked me, shaking his head.
I could tell by his tone that he wasn't saying it to be horrible, but rather to tease me.
"Are you always such a Grumpy McGrump?" I retaliated.
*********
"Jada and Izzy this is my friend Kaydie" TJ introduced me.
"Hi" I smiled.
The smallest of the two bounded over and grabbed my hand, pulling me further into their house.
"I'm Izzy and I'm five years old!" she exclaimed, grinning at me and holding up her other hand to demonstrate the number five.
She was adorable - she had long black hair and a gap in her teeth where she'd lost her two front teeth.
She pulled me over to the sofa and I sat down.
"Kaydie and Liam are going to stay here with you tonight while I go out" TJ explained.
Izzy let out an excited squeal and Jada blushed, she kept glancing at Liam.
"Jada wants to marry Liam one day!" Izzy giggled.
Jada turned the colour of a tomato.
"I do not!" she shouted, rushing over and pushing Izzy so that she fell off the sofa.
TJ quickly broke up the mini fight and Liam gave me a look that said "I told you so"
I rolled my eyes at him.
"Why don't you girls put on your pyjamas and we can watch a movie" I suggested, smiling at them. both, "I've brought some snacks with me"
Izzy ran off up the stairs instantly.
"Any movie we want?" Jada asked, eying me suspiciously, "TJ won't watch our films with us, he say's they are too girly. And Liam always puts the sports chanels on and watches fighting shows"
Jada just looked like an older version of Izzy, except she didn't have a gap in her teeth.
"Well that's because they are boys" I told her, "But I happen to love girly films and I can promise you that Liam won't be watching any sports shows tonight"
He mumbled something to himself but I couldn't tell what he'd said.
Jadas face brightened.
"Okay cool" she said happily, running up the stairs like Izzy had.
I stood up to face TJ.
"I know my house isn't much, it would probably fit into your house three times..." he started, shifting on the spot uncomfortably.
I actually felt slightly hurt that he thought I'd been looking around and judging it.
Well I actually had been taking in my surroundings - but not in a negative way.
"TJ your house rocks" I told him honestly.
He pulled a face, clearly not believing me.
"I mean it. Your house is so cosy and lived in, I wish mine was like this. My house is so superficial, I only have to breathe near one of my mums precious vases and she disinfects it"
Well... she gets the cleaner to do it.
My house was more of a show home where my mum and dad showed off how rich and stylish they were, rather than a lived in home.
TJ let out a long breath.
"Just go" I told him pointing to the door.
I turned him round and pushed him off in that direction.
"If you need anything just call me and I'll rush back" he called out over his shoulder.
I'm pretty sure he'd overlooked the fact that I had a younger brother and wasn't a complete novice.
The door closed leaving an awkward silence between Liam and me.
"You really prefer this house to yours?" Liam asked, raising an eyebrow as if I was going to suddenly confess that I'd lied.
"Yup" I replied, staring at him defiantly as if I was daring him to call me a liar.
His features softened.
"I like TJ's house too" he said simply, plopping himself down on the sofa.
He picked up the TV remote and turned over to one of the sports channels - there was a documentary on about UFC fighters.
Um, not on my watch buddy!
Izzy and Jada came bounding back downstairs in their pyjamas as I snatched the remote away from him.
"I promised these girls a movie night and that's what they're gonna get" I said, flashing him a cheesetastic grin.
He groaned and rolled his eyes while Izzy and Jada cheered.
*********
"Oh my gosh I love the film Tangled!" I squealed, "Rapunzel is my second favourite Disney princess ever"
I was well impressed with their film choice.
Liam, not so much.
"Who's your number one favourite?" Izzy asked, climbing up to sit on my knee, "Mine's Cinderella"
"Mine's Mulan, she kicks serious butt" Jada added, making karate chopping actions.
"Ariel from The Little Mermaid" I answered, "She's been my favourite since I was little"
We all looked at Liam.
He frowned at us.
"I don't have a favourite?" he said, his tone suggesting that he was dsgusted that we would even think to ask him such a question.
"Kaydie looks like Rapunzel, do you like Rapunzel?" Izzy asked in a sing song voice.
I could have sworn that I saw his cheeks turn the faintest shade of pink.
"I hate all Disney princesses" he said gruffly, standing up, "I'm going to go and sort the snacks"
He left the room and I pulled a face at the girls, making them both giggle.
"Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed today" I laughed, causing them to break out in fresh giggles.
"I think Liam likes Rapunzel" Izzy whispered in my ear.
She then ran off upstairs, calling out that she would be right back.
Jada handed me the DVD and I put it on, pausing it at the start so that Izzy and Liam wouldn't miss any of it.... obviously Liam would be devastated to miss any of the film...
Izzy rang back downstairs carrying what looked like a childs vanity case.
"Can I please brush your hair?" she asked loudly.
You could so tell that she was TJ's little sister - neither of them seemed capable of speaking at a normal volume.
She was already opening the case and taking out the brush so it wasn't like she was really giving me a choice.
Liam reappeared in the doorway, carrying bowls full of the crisps and popcorn that I'd picked up on the way there.
"Woody" he said randomly.
We all looked towards him, confused.
"Woody is my favourite Disney character" he explained, "I don't have a favourite princess, but my favourite character is Woody. He rocks. Buzz Lightyear is okay too, but he's no Woody"
I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
It was sort of sweet that he'd decided to admit that he had a favourite Disney character.
"I think we should play a few games before we watch the movie" he said, putting the bowls down on the coffee table.
His eyes met mine and I knew what he really meant was "Let's get these kids tired so that they actually sleep tonight".
I nodded at him.
"Hide and seek, hide and seek!" Izzy cried out, bouncing on the spot.
I looked at Jada and she nodded.
"Okay hide and seek" I agreed, "I'l count to thirty and then I'll come and find you all"
Liam sat down on the sofa again.
"I'll come and find you ALL" I said, emphasising the fact the he was going to play too.
He sighed but got up.
"You won't be able to find me" he smirked.
I rolled my eyes and turned to face the wall...
"I, 2, 3......"
I heard a scramble of feet as they all ran off to hide.
".....30!"
From their heavy footsteps I knew that they'd all ran upstairs so that was the first place that I went.
"I'm coming to find you whether you're ready or not...." I called out to them.
I heard giggling coming from the room that had 'bathroom' written on the door.
"I'm not in the bathroom!" a voice called out, making me laugh.
Max used to do that when I played with him... shout out the place he was but claim that he wasn't there.
I decided to humour Izzy and leave her where she was so that she'd think that I couldn't find her.
A door with 'Izzy and Jada' written on it was open slightly so I decided to look in there.
Their bedroom was as bright and vibrant as their personalities.
I looked around the room trying to find Liam or Jada, I was about to leave when I noticed that the giant teddy bear in the corner was moving.
Smiling to myself, I tiptoed forward and grabbed it.
"GOTCHA!"
Jada squealed, laughing loudly.
She helped me to search for Liam but we couldn't find him anywhere, we even searched downstairs.
I gave up and decided to "find" Izzy first, thinking that then maybe she could help.
"GOTCHA!" I shouted, throwing open the bathroom door.
She squealed like her sister had.
"How did you find me?" she asked, shocked.
I shrugged.
"You were really hard to find" I lied.
The three of us stood in the upstairs hallway, discussing a plan of action.
I was briefing them on tactics we could use to find Liam.
I frowned when I noticed that they weren't listening and were instead looking at something above my head.
Spinning round, I screamed my head off as I saw Liam dangling from the ceiling - he let go and landed in front of me, grabbing me.
Even though I knew it was him I still kept screaming, just because he'd surprised me - it's not every day that somebody just appears through the ceiling!
Looking up I realised he hadn't magically jumped from the ceiling and that TJ had a loft.
"Told you that you wouldn't find me" he grinned cockily, releasing his hold on me.
Jada and Izzy were rolling around on the floor laughing their little heads off while I clutched my chest.
"You scared me half to death" I spluttered out, whacking Liam on his arm.
Annoyingly, he didn't even flinch.
Damn him and his toughness!
"Game over" I declared, "Let's go and watch Tangled"
******************
"I could go running and racing and dancing and chasing and leaping and bounding..... hair flying, heart pounding and splashing and reeling and finally feeling... That's when my lfe beginssssssss" we all sang along.
Well, all of us except Liam did.
In fact every time we did start singing he'd tut and shake his head at me.
"It's really sad that you know all the words" he told me.
I just stuck my tongue out at him.
Jada was dancing round the room to the songs, singing loudly - she'd come out of her shell now and had lost all traces of shyness.
Izzy was singing loudly while brushing my hair for the gazillionth time.
"I wish I had hair like yours" she told me after she'd finished brushing it.
"Are you mad, I'm totally jealous of your hair Izzy, it's so shiny and glossy" I told her soothingly, "I bet all the girls at school wish they had your hair"
I patted my lap and she sat down while I brushed her hair for her.
Later on in the film I was sat on the sofa next to Liam, with a sleeping Izzy sprawled across our laps; Jada was curled up asleep on the chair across the room.
"Wow, we should actually become full time babysitters - we're amazing" I said quietly, so as not to wake them.
"Babysitting is exhausting" Liam yawned.
"Oh pur-leaseee" I replied, pulling a face, "I'm the one who did everything. I had my hair brushed and styled more times than I care to remember, my nails have been painted a rainbow of colours and I've sang along with them to the film while you've been sat having a manly sulk"
"I wasn't sulking, I just don't spend my spare time watching crappy films and learning all the words to the rubbish songs like a loser" he protested.
I blew out a sigh of frustration.
"You're so annoying" I told him.
"No, you're annoying"
"How am I annoying?" I demanded in a hushed tone.
He thought for a moment.
"You wear pink converse" he said, nodding in the direction of my feet.
I loved my pink converse! What the frick was wrong with them?!
"You're wearing converse too" I argued, pointing to the black converse that he was wearing.
"Black converse are the best" he replied, "Only a barbie doll would wear pink ones"
I silently picked up the cushion next to me and whacked it in his face.
It was funny because he couldn't call out or retaliate for fear of waking up the "hyper mini monster" (his description of Izzy).
"You're dead meat" he whispered, shaking his head as a small smile formed on his face.
"Uh huh?" I mocked him, "Name a time and a place and we'll fight it out"
He started laughing, his body shaking causing Izzy to stir.
"Keep still!" I hissed but he continued his silent laughter.
"I could fight you just using my little finger and I'd still win" he laughed.
This was probably true...
"You're stronger than me" I admitted, "But I'm pretty sure one of my high kicks in my pink converse could knock you out"
This made him start laughing again.
"I'll check my diary and see when I can schedule in this fight"
"Yeah you do that" I nodded.
I'd better start working on my high kicks more....
I turned my focus back to the TV when I heard my favourite Tangled song playing.
"And at last I see the light.... and it's like the fog has lifted..." I sang along softly to the song, letting out a wistful sigh.
I could feel Liams eyes on me.
"What?" I frowned.
"Are you really going to get all soppy over a Disney film?" he asked, looking at me like I was a three-headed alien.
"It's romantic" I said, blushing slightly, "You wouldn't understand"
He chuckled to himself.
"Go on then explain it to me" he said, as if he had nothing better to do and was doing me a favour letting me talk to him about it.
"Well he was a thief and a bad boy but now he's with Rapunzel he's becoming his true self and she's the same - she's not letting her mum walk all over her anymore" I explained, gesturing towards the screen, "And look, now they've realised they love each other. Like I said, it's romantic"
He looked like he was struggling to not start laughing again.
Stuuuupid Liam.
I shouldn't have bothered explaining it to him.
"I don't trust him" he said bluntly, pointing at the screen where the male character Eugene was now singing, "What kind of a guy just bursts into song?"
"Erm a Disney one..." I said in a "duhhhh" tone.
"I think he just wants to get into her pants"
My mouth fell open.
"What kind of a guy jumps around in a cage attacking people?" I asked him.
He held up his hands.
"No need to get personal just because I questioned your precious Eugenes motives" he smirked
His smirk was beginning to annoy me...
"You always have such a negative outlook on things. Especially with me" I pointed out, "The first time you spoke to me you treated me like I was a bimbo, I thought you'd got to know me but even today you acted like I was stuck up when you questioned whether I really like this house. It's like you want me to be a horrible person"
I folded my arms across my chest, content that I'd finally had my say.
Although, I wasn't sure how a Tangled discussion had turned into me lecturing him.
I could tell that he was studying my face but I purposely didn't look at him.
"Have I really offended you?" he asked, sounding a little surprised.
I still didn't look at him but nodded my head.
He let out a sigh.
"Look I'm sorry okay?" he said eventually, "I don't want to make you feel like that"
I finally looked at him, his face was quite close to mine.
He did look genuinely sorry.
"Apology accepted" I said softly, giving him a small smile to show that I meant it.
He returned the smile and then began chewing on his lip nervously, keeping eye contact with me.
"What?" I asked, puzzled.
He shook his head as if clearing his thoughts.
"Nothing"
He turned away from me and I frowned.
"Actually one thing" he said turning to look at me again, "How did you jump from me bad mouthing the film to you calling me out on that stuff?"
I knew how ridiculous it had been and I started laughing at the absurdity of it.
His mouth spread into a smile.
***********
"Wakey wakey" somebody said giving me a little shake.
I opened my eyes sleepily.
When I lifted my head, something fell on to my shoulder.
I squinted at whatever it was.
As my eyes began to focus more I saw that it was Liams head and he was fast asleep.... his head must have been resting on top of mine and when I'd moved mine it had fallen on to my shoulder.
I looked up to see Alicia and TJ stood in front of me, suspicious smiles on their faces.
I jumped, realising that Izzy and Jada were nowhere to be seen.
Oh my god, the award for the worst babysitters ever goes to...
"WHERE ARE THE KIDS?" I exclaimed, jumping in my seat.
This woke Liam up and he sat up straight, rubbing his eyes.
"Chill your beans" TJ laughed, "I just carried them up to bed"
I let out a sigh of relief and sank back into the sofa.
I moved again when I realised that I'd accidentally snuggled up to Liam who was still properly waking up.
"We must have dozed off" I said, stating the obvious.
Alicia grinned at me.
"You two looked so adorable" she cooed, "I didn't want to wake you up but I need a lift home so I had to"
I couldn't believe that I'd fallen asleep on Liam!
The only good thing was that he couldn't tease me because technically he'd fallen asleep on me as well.
I stood up, yawning loudly and stretching my arms out above my head.
"Your sisters were great" I told TJ, "If ever you're stuck for somebody to watch them give me a call"
He smiled at me gratefully.
Liam stood up now as well.
"I'm gonna crash here if that's okay?" he asked TJ, who said yes, "I'm crazy tired"
"I'm going to get going" I said, looking at Alicia who nodded to say that she was ready.
TJ and Liam both walked over to the door with Alicia and me as we left.
"Thank you Kaydie" TJ called out as I walked towrds my car, "And see you tomorrow Alicia!"
Alicia gave him a small wave and I did the same.
"Bye Alicia" Liam said loudly, "And bye Barbie, I promise not to mock any of the men in any of your girly films ever again! And don't forget about our fight!"
TJ gave him a questioning look and Alicia did the same to me.
"Don't ask" I mumbled, smiling to myself as I got in to the car.
******
Let me know what you think :)