It Comes In Three's

Chapter 12

Lottie’s POV

“Anna I can’t wear this!” I sigh, as she holds up the small and revealing cheer practice uniform consisting of some booty shorts and a bra top…

It was now Thursday afternoon and I had successfully managed to complete a full day at my new school – and for the first time in my life it was completely hassle free!

The cheer audition was tomorrow, and Anna insisted that we both had to come back to the mall in order to find the most perfect outfits for it… Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

It wasn’t until we got here, that I realised I was truly f**ked when I saw just how revealing the small sets were as they hung up on the rails – bright and preppy and all organised in colour.

“You’ll look amazing in this are you kidding?! You have the perfect figure for it!” Anna compliments me, not understanding the real reason why I didn’t want to show off my legs and my stomach…

Those were the areas that usually suffered the abuse from the three boys back home… areas that they knew people wouldn’t see I suppose.

My stomach scars weren’t as noticeable, but my thighs were very much still raw and fresh…

From afar, it would maybe look like the marks were self inflicted… which wasn’t true… but the three of them always knew what they were doing.

I believed that they must have planned each and every attack since they always seemed to be well executed as though they had been following a step by step on how to abuse someone!

“Is there anything else?” I gulp down my triggering thoughts warily, as Anna sighs with a nod.

“Well some girls wear leggings and a sports bra? They don’t usually like it when you cover up completely so that might be the best option as opposed to the crop top and booty shorts! What do you think?” Anna asks aloud as she moves around the shop, knowing where to find different things as I follow behind her.

She shuffles through a rack, finding a light blue leggings and sports bra set before holding the colour up to me.

“Yes this! This would look great on you!” She grins, as I force a smile back – not wanting to look so ‘nervous about the outfit.

“Let’s try these on!” She grabs me another similar set in a lime green colour, before grabbing some choices for herself on the way to the changing rooms.

“Come out and show me once you’re ready!” Anna smiles, as I nod and head into the small mirrored room–locking the door behind me.

Here it goes…

I take my time stripping out of my current outfit which consisted of a grey tracksuit with light pink detailing – comfy yet fresh looking for school.

glance at my exposed stomach, grimacing at the faded marks along my abdomen… thankfully they could probably pass for stretch marks now… at least I think they can!

I then shimmy out of my joggers, throwing my head back in shame after catching a glimpse of the deep red slashes painted around the upper parts of my thighs.

They looked dreadful… there was no denying that….

–

I fumble with the blue leggings, rushing to put them on to cover my insicurities pleased to find that Anna had also picked out my right size from the rack.

I smile slightly once they are on, seeing that they sat slightly high waisted, making me feel a whole lot better as they covered the majority of the scars across my stomach too.

I pair the set off with the matching sports bra, turning to check myself out in the full length mirror to ensure that nothing major could be seen… this one is perfect!

The leggings seemed to leave only a small gap of my stomach as they sat just below the sports bra which was longer on than I thought it would be!

I unlock the door, to meet Anna who was already out and showing off her lilac shorts and crop top set.

“Oh I love it! That colour will stand out!” She claps on my entrance, allowing for her eyes to study me over as I squirm under her gaze…

“That one is really nice for you too!” I nod, grinning at how happy she looked in the outfit as she spun around in–front of the mirrors.

“I mean… all of this effort and I probably won’t even get on the damn squad!” She suddenly grumbles, as I watch her shoulders slump in sudden defeat.

“You never know! Maybe we could trick her into going easy on you until after the trials?” I tell her my idea, as she cocks a brow at me curiously.

“I’m listening…” She encourages me to continue as I giggle slightly.

“Well maybe if you ask Jace… he could pretend to be interested in Brianna… and he could put in a good word for you at the same time… she would have to let you join the team just to make him happy!” I throw my hands out and state, feeling that the idea was fool proof.

Anna pauses, tapping her chin in thought as her smile slowly grows…

“Oh yes! You are an absolute genius! That would probably work as long as we can get Jace on board!” She suddenly jumps up and down, clapping excitedly at my plan while laughing.

“We need Jace in on it… and what if Brianna decides to just kick you off the team after realising that Jace isn’t actually interested in her?” I throw out the sudden downside to the plan, realising that it might only work out for so long…

“No she can’t do that! Once you make the team – you’re contracted for the whole of the school year! As for Jace, if I annoy him enough then surely he will give in right? He knows that if I make it on the team – I’ll be preoccupied for most of the school year and I won’t annoy him!” She explains with a dark laugh, as I can’t control the sincere giggle that leaves my own lips.

“I love it! What a great plan!” I state confidently.

“Let’s change, buy our outfits, and then I’ll call him!” Anna recites our plan of action, as I salute her and head back into the changing

room.

quickly try on the lime green set, showing Anna briefly who insists that we buy both colours, before I change back and meet her outside.

1

We head to the till, as I pull out some of the money from my backpack causing Anna to push me away insisting on paying for my things yet again.

*Please let me pay for one thing! I feel really bad!” I whine, knowing that I didn’t have much but could hopefully cover our outfits today with there being a 20% off sale on the whole store…

“None sense! I’m the damn reason you’re even trying out for cheer Lottie! The least I can do is pay for yours!” She laughs, tapping

her card on the reader as the lady bags our items.

“Thank you!” I tell her, as she hands me my bag smiling.

“Of course!” She grins back, as we both exit the store – before she fishes for her phone in her bag.

“Let’s call Jace and get him on board shall we?” Anna laughs, as we head towards a bench to sit down briefly.

Is this how teenagers are supposed to be… was I now considered normal? Worrying over simple things like making it on a cheer team?

It all felt too good to be true…