Her sharp gaze darted between them, noting their subtle cues -the quick exchange of glances, the slight smirks playing on their lips, the almost imperceptible nod from Jacky to Nicky. A whole conversation in milliseconds, developed over years of friendship. Ash instinctively focused on the olive-skinned one, Jacky, the clear leader of the duo. Her eyes were calculating, assessing Ash like a chess piece she hadn't decided whether to capture or use.
Ash extended her hand, her smile disarmingly genuine. "Hi! My name's Ashleigh, but you can call me Ash. What's yours?" Playing the friendly new girl while mentally cataloging every detail about them -multitasking at its finest.
She maintained her innocent expression, waiting for their introduction as if she hadn't already memorized their class schedules and social media profiles.
Jacky took Ash's hand, her grip firm but deliberately measured, as if testing Ash's confidence. "I'm Jacky, and this is Nicky," she said with a smooth smile that didn't quite reach her eyes -eyes that were busy scanning Ash for weaknesses.
Ash turned to Nicky, offering her hand once again. Nicky accepted it after a brief hesitation, her grin playful but with a hint of assessment. "Wonderful to meet you, Nicky and Jacky. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company on this fine morning?" Ash's tone was honey-sweet, her posture relaxed yet alert, like a cat pretending to nap while tracking a mouse.
Jacky's smooth, practiced exterior faltered as Nicky jumped in with too much enthusiasm, bouncing slightly on her toes. "Umm, actually we were wondering if you might be interested in joi-"
A swift jab from Jacky's elbow cut her off mid-sentence, the movement so subtle it would have been missed by anyone not trained to notice. Ash bit back a smirk as she caught the quick exchange of annoyance between the two -Jacky's narrowed eyes, Nicky's apologetic grimace. A well-worn dynamic playing out in real time.
"What my friend here was trying to say was," Jacky continued, her voice regaining its smooth control, "have you ever done cheer before? We saw you on the field earlier and you were-"
"-amazing," Nicky finished, undeterred by the jab, her eyes sparkling with genuine admiration.
Jacky shot her a sharp look before turning back to Ash. "Right, you were amazing." Her tone was smoother now, more controlled, her gaze assessing as it flicked over Ash's athletic attire -tight running shorts that showcased her muscular legs, sneakers with just enough scuff to prove they were actually used for athletics, and a sports bra beneath a loose gray off-the-shoulder t-shirt that had slipped down to reveal one lightly-tanned shoulder.
Ash shrugged nonchalantly, as if her impressive display had been nothing special. "Sure have. I was on the squad at my last school. I was a flyer." She intentionally didn't elaborate on where that school was or why she'd left. Mystery was currency in high school. "I would have tried out for the team here, but I figured it was too late in the season for tryouts." She left the bait dangling, watching to see if they'd take it.
The two exchanged another glance, this one more measured - calculated. It was like watching a silent movie where all the dialogue was in the eyebrows. Jacky's demeanor shifted, her smile taking on a hint of strategy. "Walk with me?"
Ash fell into step beside her, Nicky flanking her other side. The trio made their way across the field toward the school in a formation that felt less like casual conversation and more like a negotiation, or possibly a very polite kidnapping.
As they walked, Jacky finally broke the silence, her voice low and businesslike. "You're right, it is too late for tryouts. But the thing is, we may have a way around that." She spoke with the confidence of someone used to bending rules until they snapped.
Ash turned her head slightly, her expression a mix of polite curiosity and quiet calculation. From the corner of her eye, she caught Nicky watching her, a knowing smirk tugging at the girl's lips, her green eyes gleaming with mischief.
Whatever game they were playing, Ash was ready to play it, too. She'd come prepared for a chess match, only to find they were setting up checkers. Time to collect some queens.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
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She tilted her head, her expression a mask of polite curiosity, like a fox pretending it wasn't eyeing the henhouse.
"Oh? Please, enlighten me." Her voice carried just the right balance of interest and skepticism -the perfect lure.
Jacky's lips curved into a sly smile, her tone smooth and calculated. "See, the thing is, one of our teammates had a… tragic accident." The pause before "tragic" was just long enough to suggest the accident might have had assistance. "And while she's recovering, we find ourselves in something of a dilemma. You see, we've got a major competition coming up, and we could really use someone with your skill set to help us win it. If you were interested, of course." Her words were casual but her eyes were sharp, like stilettos wrapped in silk.
“We would have asked our friend, D-” but Nicky was cut off by a sharp look from Jacky before she could finish the sentence.
Ash raised an eyebrow, pretending to mull over the offer. "You want me to replace one of your cheerleaders? This late in the season?" She gestured vaguely with one hand, as if the very idea was preposterous. "What if I can't learn the routines in time?" She knew damn well she could learn their routines blindfolded and backwards if needed, but letting them think they had the upper hand was part of the game.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll be fine." Nicky piped in, her voice filled with an overeager enthusiasm that reminded Ash of a golden retriever who'd found a new friend. She shot Ash an encouraging smile, her freckles scrunching adorably. "Once you've learned a dozen routines, you've learned them all, am I right?"
Nicky laughed nervously, her energy faltering as she coughed into an awkward silence that fell like an Acme anvil. Jacky shot her a look that could have frozen lava, a flicker of irritation crossing her otherwise confident demeanor. The dynamic between them was fascinating -Jacky the calculated strategist, Nicky the enthusiastic but occasionally loose-lipped wingwoman.
"Yeah, but that still doesn't explain how I'm supposed to get accepted onto the team with no tryout," Ash said, narrowing her eyes slightly as she studied their expressions. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the gesture casual but calculated. "There's no way the captain will allow it." The bait was set; now to see if they'd bite.
"Actually, we've got that covered," Jacky replied smoothly, her voice brimming with unshakable confidence, like someone who'd never heard the word "no" and wouldn't recognize it if it slapped her in the face. She gave a sly wink, and Nicky giggled beside her like a conspirator in on a grand scheme, practically vibrating with excitement.
"You have it covered -how?" Ash crossed her arms, her skepticism feigned but convincing. Her stance widened slightly, grounding her. "It's not like you're the captain or something." She knew perfectly well they were, but watching them reveal their power was part of her strategy.
"'Or something' is right," Jacky said, her grin widening, a glint of mischief lighting up her dark eyes. The sunlight caught her hair, turning it into a glossy black curtain as she tossed it over one shoulder with practiced casualness.
"We're co-captains of the team," Nicky chimed in, her grin a mirror of Jacky's but somehow more genuine, her excitement less controlled and more infectious. A strategically placed beauty mark near the corner of her mouth danced as she spoke.
"So," Jacky continued, her tone silky, like expensive chocolate melting on your tongue, "we can pretty much do whatever we want. Sure, the other girls might bitch about it at first, but once they see you in action? They'll agree it's for the best. Trust me." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper, her perfume -something expensive and French- enveloping Ash momentarily. "So what do you say? Are you in?"
Ash let the question hang in the air, pretending to hesitate as she studied them. Their eagerness was almost palpable, and Ash fought to suppress a smirk. These two didn't know it yet, but they were playing right into her hands. With Nile already in her corner and these two falling over themselves to recruit her, there was no way Dom could avoid her. Whether Dom liked it or not, Ash was positioning herself to have eyes and ears in every corner of her life. It was like watching dominos fall in slow motion, each one perfectly placed.
"I'm in," Ash said at last, her smile confident. The decision appeared spontaneous, as if she'd just made up her mind, rather than having planned for this exact scenario.
Jacky extended her hand, and they shook on it, a business deal sealed. Nicky clapped her hands together, bouncing slightly on her toes like she was already practicing a cheer routine.
Ash had taken note of more than a few seemingly casual glances being cast their way by wayward students, both male and female alike. And while she wouldn’t necessarily place herself in the upper strata, the three of them together was definitely more than the student body could handle.
"Great! Be here after school for practice," Nicky said, practically buzzing with excitement, her words tumbling out in a rush. "We've got to get you caught up ASAP."
Jacky nodded, her composure perfect once more. "Don't be late," she added with a sharp smile before they turned to leave, their departure as synchronized as their arrival.
As they walked away, Ash watched them go, her mind already spinning with strategies. The morning sun highlighted the contours of their retreating figures against the backdrop of the school building, casting long shadows across the dewy grass. She had what she needed -an in. Now, she just had to make it count.
Game on.