A Tide of The Affairs || LUCAS SCOTT [1]

17 // The Classics

2003 ― Tree Hill, North Carolina

Aurora James was standing in the gym waiting for cheer practice to start. They had the Weekend Classic coming up, so Brooke was being more overbearing than usual, but Aurora loved this week because it was when she got to showcase her skills. Brooke was captain, and Aurora was co-captain and choreographer. Since Brooke knew Aurora had been in dance and tumbling for years, she's always left choreography up to her.

She walked over to Nathan and Haley when Lucas finally walked away from them. "Hey guys, how's it going?" Aurora asked. Nathan and Haley turned around and smiled at her.

"Well, I have news that'll make both of you happy. It looks like I will be joining you guys at the Classic." Haley said, which made Aurora smile. Now she knew who her roommate would be. The guys get paired up in the hotel alphabetically, the cheerleaders don't, but Aurora wasn't going to room with anyone else.

"You and me in the same hotel? This weekend just got interesting." Nathan said with a smirk, making the twins laugh, and Haley rolled her eyes playfully.

"Down, boy. Plus, it's probably better if I don't leave you with all those cheerleaders." Haley said, and Aurora pretended to be offended.

"Hey, this is our third year doing this, and he's been fine the last two years," Aurora said, and Haley looked at her sister and smiled.

"But anyways, how did it go?" Haley asked. Aurora remembered that Nathan told them he was going apartment hunting, but he hadn't given an update yet.

"I got the apartment," Nathan said, which made both girls smile.

"Nate, that's great!" Aurora exclaimed.

"I drained my savings, paid first and last month's rent. It's mine on Saturday." Nathan said, and they nodded their heads.

"So cool!" Haley exclaimed.

"Okay, well, I have practice. I'll see you guys around." Aurora gave both of them hugs before running back to the girls. Brooke let her lead in practice since Aurora came up with their choreography. Aurora observed as the girls went through the cheer, and at the end, the girls held their positions.

"Okay, Theresa, terrible posture. Pinch that penny. Bevin, you need... a breath mint. Brooke, as always, nice form. Peyton, good form and excellent betrayal of a best friend." Aurora said as she walked in front of all the girls to give feedback.

"Wrong, wrong, wrong. You guys! This weekend is the Classic. It's our biggest cheer competition. Aren't you sick of Claire Young and the Bear Creek Warriors taking home the trophy every year? Because I am. We need to get it together here, and I'm not just talking about our routine. I'm talking hair, nails, underarms... Theresa." Brooke said as she turned to her.

"Brooke, cheerleading is supposed to be fun," Bevin said, and Brooke turned to her.

"Yeah? Well, winning is funner." Brooke snapped.

"More fun is grammatically correct," Aurora whispered to her. Brooke gave her a look, and Aurora only laughed in response.

"And if you don't like it, you can go cheer for the wrestling team. Take five." Brooke said. As the team dispersed away, Peyton approached the girls, and she looked at Aurora.

"Aurora, I know you hate me, and that's fine. But don't take it out on our squad." Peyton said, and Aurora rolled her eyes.

"Not everything is about you, you know?" Aurora said.

"And did you ever think that maybe the reason I'm being a psycho-hoe-beast is because I want us to do well this weekend?" Brooke said to her.

"Yeah, those judges aren't going to be as forgiving as I am," Aurora said.