I couldn’t hide my confusion Aren’t all-star teams for cheerleaders I asked her I of course knew all about the competitive cheer teams that were independent from schools or sports teams But dance all-star teams Never heard of them Well yeah there’s a cheer team at my gym too said Marisa shrugging like it was no big deal But all-star dance teams are becoming really popular We go to competitions and train just like the cheerleaders No way I said squatting into a plié It sounded so cool Believe it or not I’m actually a cheerleader Just for Greenview Middle School not an all-star team What gym do you go to It’s called Energy Xtreme said Marisa Have you ever heard of it I hadn’t But before I could ask more our teacher Olivia walked into the room She clapped her hands
to quiet everyone down I gave Marisa an apologetic look and mouthed Let’s talk later I knew Olivia would flip out if we were whispering It may have been a rock-and-roll ballet class but it was still ballet Okay is everyone fully stretched asked Olivia As we all nodded she turned on some warm-up music It was time to start across-the-floor exercises Everyone get in lines of three We’ll begin with chaîné turns she instructed An old Eurythmics song filled the room I loved this class because it had the upbeat feel of a jazz or hip-hop class but it allowed us to practice our ballet moves To me basic ballet was kind of a snoozefest but I couldn’t deny that knowing the fundamentals definitely made me a better all-around dancer and cheerleader Don’t forget to spot Gaby called Olivia as I
took my turn across the floor I often got dizzy during turns Spotting was an art in itself I had a hard time keeping focused on a single spot while I made my spins Marisa took her turn a few lines after mine I watched in awe She was really really good We continued going back and forth practicing jetés pas de bourrés and some other moves Marisa continued to impress me with her elegant powerful form The class flew by At the end I noticed my friend Brooke watching through the observation window We were supposed to grab some lunch so I guess she’d come early to check out my class Who’s that asked Marisa coming up behind me as I packed my dance bag
Oh that’s my friend Brooke I said with a smile We’re co-captains of our cheer squad We’re going to get some grub this class always makes me so hungry Our plan is to try this new vegan place a few doors down I’ve been there it’s delish said Marisa She seemed so hip I should have realized she’d already know about anything new and cool Are you vegetarian I laughed Not even a little bit I said I’m obsessed with all kinds of food especially candy and desserts Brooke’s the health nut but I agreed to go because they supposedly have to-die-for cashew cheese fries and carob-chip smoothies Do you wanna join us
