31. Hannah
CHAPTER 31
HANNAH
“ O kay, girls, just a few more squads and we’re up,” Caroline says, motioning the squad over from where we just finished running through our last practice run. “Everything looks great, and you’ve worked so hard for this moment. So go out there, smile, and kill it like I know you can!”
“State champs here we come,” Maggie says, causing the other girls to cheer in agreement.
“Han, do you have anything to add?” Caroline asks once the girls get quiet again.
“Remember to point your toes during the jump sequence and catch high on those basket tosses. And remember, this is supposed to be fun. Springside’s never even placed in regionals, and y’all won the dang thing! So just go have fun and enjoy the experience,” I tell the squad, smiling at their anxious and excited expressions.
Caroline nods in agreement, before saying, “Yes, we’re already so proud of all of you. Now, let’s get ready to do this thing! Does anyone have any questions?”
One of the freshmen raises her hand and asks, “Is it true most of the football team came to watch us?”
Some of the other girls start to talk amongst themselves, and Caroline holds up her hand to quiet them back down. “First of all, it doesn’t matter who’s in the stands. All that matters is the twelve of you on that mat. But, Coach Will did organize for several of the coaches and some of the sports teams on campus to come support us today since we spend so much of the year supporting them.”
Several of the girls squeal at that, and Caroline and I shake our heads at their antics. After making sure no one else has questions, everyone stands and Maggie leans in and puts out her arm, waiting for us to join her in our huddle. Once everyone’s in, she calls, “One, two, three, Saint’s on me! One, two, three…” and we all yell “Saints” as the girls smile and jump around.
“Good luck, girls!” we tell them as one of the announcers calls out that they’re next. Leaving the squad behind, Caroline loops her arm through mine as we walk over to the small area reserved for coaches. While we wait for the girls to be called, I turn around, taking in the crowds of people, and notice Margaret sitting close to the front, waving a pom-pom at Caroline and me. As we both wave to her, I catch the sight of Will behind her, and our gazes meet. He mouths “good luck” in my direction.
I feel a rush run through me at the sight, but I try to remind myself that I do not have time to be distracted right now. Between our extra practices for this weekend and him staying late at school all week to get ready for the playoff game last night, I haven’t seen him in person—other than the game last night in Birmingham, which the Saints won in a landslide victory—since he left my house last week. I feel a rush run through me at the sight, but the sound of the announcer’s voice crackles through the speakers, bringing my attention back to the present.
Despite my best effort, I’m a little lost in my thoughts when Caroline chimes in. “So, call me silly if you want, but is there something going on with you and Will? He didn’t bring the team to watch us last year, and I’m pretty sure he hasn’t taken his eyes off you since we walked out here.”
I freeze, panicked as I try to figure out what to say. Thankfully, I’m saved by the sound of the announcer’s voice crackling through speakers, bringing both of our attention back to the mat in front of us.
“Competing in the small varsity division, please welcome the Springside Saints.”
Caroline grabs my arm as the girls run out cheering and spiriting, and I feel the nerves I’ve been trying to ignore all morning hit me hard.
“Oh my God, why do I feel like I could throw up all of a sudden?” Caroline groans, rubbing her other hand over her eyes.
“Same,” I tell her, pasting on a smile. “But we’ve done everything we can, so we’ve gotta just hope they hit now.”
“You’re right. I really don’t even care that much about placing this year. I just want them to hit zero,” she says, and I place my hand over the one she still has in her grip.
“Me too,” I tell her just as the girls finish getting set.
“Good luck, ladies, your music’s on,” the announcer calls out, and Caroline squeezes my hand hard as everything goes silent.
When the opening to “High Hopes” starts to blast through the speakers, their baskets soaring through the air right on cue; I let out a loud whoop of excitement.
We continue to watch, squeezing hands and counting silently as the music shifts to the pyramid sequence. Maggie flips through the air, and we both squeeze each other harder, refusing to jinx their performance by saying anything.
The music cuts as the girls move to their cheer formation, yelling, “S-A-I-N-T-S! Saints, Saints, Saints” before getting set and starting, “Blue… White… Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready to fight?”
The crowd cheers along, and the energy in the room is so infectious I want to pause and soak it in, but the music starts back, and I’m back to feeling like my heart is in my throat. The first few girls throw their tumbling passes, and I hear the group of Springside fans cheering over the sound of the music when they land their back handsprings, back tucks, and fulls before moving to the last formation.
“Come on, girls, finish it,” Caroline yells, as they load the libs and waterfall down to the inversion handstands.
“I can’t watch,” I mutter, holding my breath and fighting the urge to cover my eyes. Caroline squeezes my hands in agreement just as they pop the girls up to land on their feet for the final pyramid yelling, “Springside…Saints!”
“Oh my God, they did it!” I mutter as Caroline starts jumping up and down, before pulling me into a hug.
“Han, that was incredible! They hit! Our squad hit at state! And I couldn’t have done it without you!” she yells, and I can tell we’re both holding back tears.
Before I can respond, the squad runs over, basically tackling us both with their excitement. “We did it!” they yell, and Caroline and I both smile at their excitement.
“Great job, girls! Despite what the results say, I couldn’t be more proud of you!” Caroline says as we walk back to the waiting area outside.
“Yeah, what she said!” I say before smiling. “But a trophy sure wouldn’t hurt, right?”