Free Crushing on the Enemy by Sarah Adams

to everyone of Jake's games as the season went on. She had even skipped cheering at one of the Panthers' games to keep her word. Things had calmed down at school, or at least Alyssa no longer noticed the lingering mean looks from the rest of the squad. She spent most evenings hanging out with Mattie or seeing Jake whenever their schedules allowed.

    Her mother had let Cody move back in, but he left three days later when she told him she didn't love him. Alyssa was beginning to think that he was some sort of long term rebound relationship for her mother, but at least she was finally moving on from it. Her mom seemed much happier now that he was gone for good.

    Mattie was disappointed that they wouldn't be living together, but Alyssa was thankful not to be spending the next few months camping out on the lumpy sofa. She didn't think her back could handle it.

    If the Rattlesnakes won this game they would go to the championship. The only problem was that they were playing against the Panthers'. Alyssa bit her lip every time she thought about the loyalty scruples she is presented with. She didn't feel right about cheering for the Panthers', because she no longer felt like one of them. It wasn't that she felt like a Rattlesnake either, because she didn't. She simply felt like a very confused teenage girl who wanted her boyfriend to have a chance for the sports scholarship he wanted so badly.

    Alyssa decided she would cheer for the Panthers' if the coach allowed it, but she knew her heart wouldn't be in it.

    “I don't know why you just don't quit the squad,” Mattie sighed as they looked through another rack of dresses.

    The homecoming dance at Jake's school was only two days away and Alyssa still hadn't decided on a dress. She wanted to look perfect and every dress seemed to lack something.

    “Because I have a responsibility to them,” she sighed.

    “No, you have the responsibility to make sure you're happy,” Mattie retorted.

    “I am happy though,” Alyssa said.

    “Not about cheering, you're not,” Mattie said.

    “I know, but everything else is going good,” Alyssa sighed.

    “Then why not let go of the one thing that's stressing you out?” Mattie asked.

    “I don't know,” Alyssa said, “I guess I'm just not ready to yet.”

    “Okay, Alyssa,” Mattie sighed, “What about this black one?”

    “I don't want to wear a black dress,” she sighed, “I'm not a grieving widow.”

    “What about this light green one?” Mattie asked.

    “I'm not a blade of grass either,” Alyssa sighed.

    “No, but you're a pain in my butt,” Mattie laughed.

    “I'm sorry, Mattie, I just want to look perfect,” she said, “I'm already going to be nervous enough without worrying about if my dress is awesome enough.”

    “You look awesome in anything,” her friend told her, “and if you don't believe me, just ask Jake. I've seen how he looks at you.”

    “I know,” Alyssa smiled.

    “So what about this silver one?” she asked.

    “Silver?” Alyssa asked her head swerving to see the dress that her friend was holding up.

    It was a beautiful silver knee length dress, complete with the v-neck cut and cinched waist that Alyssa had always loved.

    “It's perfect, Mattie!” she squealed.

    “I know!” Mattie laughed, “Now go try it on.”

    Alyssa took the dress and sprinted to the dressing room. She looked herself over in the mirror before going out to show Mattie.

    “I love it!” Mattie cheered.

    “I know, it's so pretty,” she grinned.

    “I have to get it!” Alyssa said.

    Two nights later she stood in her cheer uniform with trembling hands. She had only been able to see Jake for about five minutes before he had to get into the locker room. He was even more nervous than she was. His hands had actually trembled as they talked. She tried to act calm, but her nerves had gotten the best of her. So much was riding on this one game. Jake had to win!

    The other girls ignored her as they waited to go