The Secret The Cheerleader Doesn't... - Chapter 74: Chapter 74

Jakob POV
"So there is Mark, Ryan, and Tomas. Mark and Ryan are in your grade and Tomas is in seventh. Then there is Kehlani, Amaya, Makenzie and Dylan. Kehlani is in your grade while Amaya and Dylan are in seventh, and Makenzie is in sixth," mom named off as mama was driving us to practice. Today all the parents come and make burgers for us.... This is mom's first time. "Okay, there is also Hakeem, Orion, and Felipe. All of them are in seventh. Elena, Josefina, Jedda, Maali, and Aisha are the last ones. All of them except Maali are in your grade. Maali is a sixth grade," she looked at us with validation. Both Jessika and I gave her thumbs up and watched her clap in happiness.
"Tell your mom some stuff not to ask or say," Mama said.
"For Felipe, don't ask about his mom. His mom died last year from cancer and he gets really sensitive and angry when it's brought up," I said.
"For Hakeem, don't make it obvious that you're staring at his face," Jessika said, "he has a birthmark that makes half of his face white."
"Kehlani doesn't like it when people bring up her parents. They're getting a divorce because her dad cheated and her is sleeping with her dad's brother," I said. Mom's mouth dropped but she quickly regained herself.
Same mom... same.
"Maali is very shy so don't jump into a conversation with her so quickly. She has extreme anxiety and can faint or puke because of it," Jessika said, "best thing to do is just smile and wave at her."
Mama was pearling the car as I quickly said the last thing, "Jedda doesn't go by she or her pronouns.  They goes by they and them, so try not to misgendering them... see you on the field!"  We both jumped out with our stuff and rushed over.
The smell of the burgers made my stomach growl.  Why does practice last for two hours?
~
Mom got along great with the other parents.  She made everyone laugh and was actually interested in them.  Mama was helping out with the cooking and organization.  I was amazed by how normal they were acting.  It was as if they weren't having issues at all.
Then Jessika slapped me, "Stop staring at them.  We have drills."
"Do you have to be so aggressive?" I followed after her.
"I got your attention, didn't I?" She joked as I rolled my eyes.  In the parking lot I could see the orchestra kids getting off the buses.  My eyes searched for her in the crowd.  "Are you two actually dating?" Jessika asked.
Glancing over at her, I nodded, "Please don't tell our parents."
"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked as we jogged together.  We had all the drills memorized, so we didn't need to exactly pay attention.
"She can't date until high school," I said, running to my position and doing the exercise, then came back to Jessika, "and I was scared that if I told you, you would tell our parents and they would disagree with me and her hiding our relationship ship."
"I wouldn't have told them if you told me not to," she went and did her exercise - then came back, "do you really not trust me?"
"It's not that I don't trust you," I said, huffing, "I just... I really like her and I don't wanna mess it up."  She looked over at me for a moment.
"Yeah... I can tell," she said.
"Thirty push ups, then get lunch!" Coach yelled.
We quickly dropped and started.  I was on twenty-four when she finished, sitting there and waiting for me... what I thought she was doing.  When I finished, I dropped to the floor, but Jessika smacked my back, "Ow!  What was that for?"
"She's right there!"  She pointed.  I quickly got up and saw her.  Genesis's hair was braided back and she was wearing the orchestra dress - blue and black.  I smiled as I watched her laugh with some friends.  For a couple of seconds she didn't see me but when she did, she smiled and waved.  Jessika stood in front of me and whispered, "Wave back lover boy... they can't see you."
Glancing past Jessika, I saw how our moms couldn't see me so I waved back at Genesis... with the biggest smile on my face.
Jessika stayed in place as I watched Genesis go to the band room.  When I couldn't see her anymore, I got up, "Thanks."
"Yeah, whatever... I may not like how she stood by when her friends bullied me... but she makes you happy," she rubbed her neck, looking away, "really happy... it's kinda gross."
I shoved her a little and she shoved me back.  I was pushed her harder while she pushed me back.  We were about to get into a play fight when mom came over, "Are you two going eat or not?"
We stared at her... just admiring her.  Mom had her hair pulled back in a ponytail, causal clothes on, red in the face from the sun... we've never seen her like that.  Mama came running over.  Her blonde hair flying around... grease stains on her shirt.  When she got over to us, she whined at mom, "Ugh!  Look!"
Mom laughed... like truly laughed.  She went into her tiny bag and pulled out the stain pens and helped mama get it out.  Then they both turned to smile at us... sweaty and red.  "Come on!  I'm starving!" Mom said, her white teeth on display.
Jessika stepped towards her, taking three steps and hugged her.  Mama and I were so surprised... but not like mom.  She was so shocked that she held her hands up and was gawking at her.  I choked on my laughter and rushed at her, wrapping my arms around Jessika and her, "Me too... I'm hungry too."  Little tears came from my eyes as I squeezed them.
Mama just watched us with a little smile, "Let's eat... my loves."