The girls of Hollingsworth

Selena rolled over just as the alarm went off. Damn, I just got to sleep! she sighed. She starred angrily at the alarm for a minute before punching it, to make it stop whining. She sat up and glanced at herself in the large antique mirror that hung over her dresser. She looked nothing like a pretty teenager in the morning. In fact, she looked like hell right now. Dragging her tired body from bed, Selena made her way down the hall toward the bathroom. Her mom grace was just coming out. She took one look at Selena and laughed out loud. "You look like an old woman in the morning, instead of a young girl!" She giggled again, then quickly stifled it as Selena glared at her. "Oh honey, come on- mornings aren't that bad! Besides, don't you pick the new cheerleaders today?" At the mention of cheer leading practice Selena suddenly snapped to life. She as Co-caption would get to help Melody the team captain, pick 4 new cheerleaders. She absolutely loved cheer leading, but she loved making those girls squirm and beg to get on the team even more. To Selena power was the world's greatest resource. She fairly flew into the bathroom to get ready. "Don't wait up for me mom, we'll probably go to the diner after the picks to get something to eat" she called behind her. Grace Thomas made a face. "Selena," she called through the door. "Your father is not going to like that! You know he likes us all to eat as a family!" On the other side of the door, Selena started the shower, and ignored her. Everyone in the family, including her brother David, her sister Megan, and her father Joe, all catered to her. Everyone treated her like she was the star. And as far as she was concerned, that was the way it should be. She took a super fast shower and then headed toward her room. Just then, Megan rounded the corner. "Sis, can I catch a ride with you to school?" She seemed to be holding her breath, as she stared up at her big sister. Megan was tall like Selena, and had their mother's carefree good looks (like Selena), but she was on the shy side and rather quiet. Selena shook her head at her. "Not today Megan, I've got to get there early- Isn't your friend Tamekia coming for you? "She grimaced even saying the name, she hated anything that reeked of Ghetto-and that name screamed Ghetto. "Um...it's Tameka, Selena. She's not going today, she has a dental appointment-so I guess I'll have to take the bus" She looked forlornly at her big sister, as she moved into the bathroom. Selena shrugged, and started on her way, but as she turned, she ran smack into her father, and he was not smiling. In fact he looked pissed. "Selena, if you think for one minute that I'm going to spend my hard earned money buying you girls a car that you commandeer for yourself, you have another thing coming! If Megan cannot ride with you, then she'll take the car and you'll get there however you can!" Selena stared at him in shock. "But daddy, I've got to get there early so I can-" He held up his big black hand and cut her off. "I don't give a damn Selena! " I'm tired of you wrapping this family around your finger and making fools of us all! Either you wait for her, or she takes the car! -And here's a thought. If you don't like it, get a job and buy one for yourself-or get that dumb-ass boy to buy you one! Selena felt tears sting her eyes. It was not fair! But by the set of her father's face, she knew he was not going to change his mind. He strode roughly away from her, and headed downstairs. It was obvious he was angry about alot more than the car, but she could not worry about it right now. Megan peeked out meekly at her. Of course she'd heard everything. "Hurry up and meet me downstairs or I'll leave you! " Selena snapped at her. But Megan met her eyes, and for once didn't seem intimidated. "I'll be ready by 8, and I suspect you'll be there waiting." She said evenly. She slammed the door, as Selena tried to punch her. What the hell was wrong with her family today? Everyone was suddenly treating her like she was common! She flounced angrily away and stormed off to finish getting ready for school. Suddenly, even the thought of harassing the junior girls at squad practice didn't get her as excited as it should have... At practice, Selena took her place next to Melody to watch the new girls work their butts off trying to get one of the coveted 4 spots. Her boyfriend Mike, and 4 of his friend hung in the back watching the girls get ready to compete. Dammit! Selena thought to herself. I told that fool not to bring his dumb friends to watch the girls. The faculty was complaining about the girls being exploited. Something stupid about the guys looking-and making remarks about their behinds or something. It's all so stupid-but never the less they didn't need the hassle. She sighed. The school seemed to be on a no sexual harassment tip, but Isn't that what guys did- look at girls butts? She moved over as Heather, and Angel took seats beside her . Angel flung her long blond hair and looked around. "Where's Cami? " she asked, breezily. Selena shrugged. Heather leaned back and looked at Selena. Her dark skin was smooth and tight. Selena looked at them, and stifled a laugh. They looked like double fudge and triple vanilla. They were both tall and very attractive but Heather was very dark with short curly hair, and Angel was very fair, and blond. They had been friends since they were little and were very close-almost like sisters. And to have one angry at you, was to deal with them both. The funniest part though was that Angel was 3 times more aggressive than Heather, and was far more hood. Heather in fact was on the quiet side, and the only time she'd seen Heather get aggressive, was when someone messed with Angel. They had lived in Hollingsworth all their lives, just like Selena. It was a pretty little town in West Cali, and considered quite creme de la creme. It had an Ethnic Majority of well off Black and Spanish people with a sprinkling of white/other. Most of the kids had known each other for years, and did not take kindly to outsiders. "What do you think of that one?" Selena pointed out a tall red headed girl with an amazing back flip. Melody shook her permed hair. "No, not the white girl! " she snapped. "We already have 2 or 3 of them!" Angel and Heather both turned to glare at her. "What the hell is this-tokenism?" Angel snapped at her. "If she's one of the best, she's going to make the team, and I dare anyone to tell me different!" Her mouth was set in a hard line as she glared at Melody. She was leaning forward as if daring Melody to say more. Selena leaned forward, and looked at Heather. Sure enough, Heather's body almost perfectly mirrored Angel's and her mouth was set in a hard line too, as she too, glared at Melody. Selena stifled a laugh. Those two cracked her up! Melody shrugged. She wasn't in the mood to take on Angel or her attack dog, as she secretly called Heather. So she turned and continued to watch the cheering girls vie for her attention. Selena studied Melody. Melody hated alot of stuff -especially Angel. She really didn't seem too crazy about non-black people at all except Cami. (who was Hispanic.) But everyone loved Cami. Melody seemed to tolerate people rather than actually like them. Selena wasn't even sure she liked her, although she said she did. She also didn't seem to like black people who had no money or who did not drive nice cars and who could not speak perfect English and on and on... Melody had a whole list of reasons to hate people and a very small list to like them. Selena had to laugh to herself. And to think people thought she was a bitch! They had not met Melody! Just then, Camilla came through the gym doors and motioned the sitting girls to get up. They happily complied. She made her way up the bleachers, and joined the group to watch the performances. "You're late. " Selena told her. "Yeah, sorry- I had to get help with my math or I'm gonna fail" Camilla turned back to the show. "Who's the white boy?" she asked suddenly, pointing across the gym. Selena followed her finger. Laughing with Mike and the guys was a white boy she had never seen before. He stood about 6.2, had dark hair, and athletic build and what looked like a dark patch creeping beneath the sleeve of his gym shirt. But as he drew closer, she saw it was part of a hidden tattoo on one of his muscled biceps. Cami drew in a sharp breath. "I lika trade my man fo hem!" she exclaimed. they laughed. Cami's accent always peeked through when she got excited. But Selena could not help staring herself. He was fine! Even Melody was looking, and this caused Heather and Angel to look at each other and burst out laughing. To see Melody looking at a white boy was too funny! Coach Manning glared at them, and blew her whistle-hard. "Girls, I realize the young men are a major attraction, but do you think you could help me choose the new cheerleaders before game time!" They turned back sheepishly and tried to concentrate on the new picks. The two girls who really stood out were the red headed white girl, Selena had pointed out earlier, and her friend. A pretty brown haired black girl with a big chest. She seemed rather shy, but on the floor she was dynamite and she knew it. She and the red headed girl dominated the competition and then then moved off together, to let the next pair try out. They moved confidently off toward the bottom of the bleachers. Selena stared at them. She knew the black one from 'somewhere'-but she couldn't remember where. They seemed quite aware that everyone was whispering excitedly about them, as they took their seats. Coach manning happily put their names on the definite side of her roster. "Wait a minute!" Melody exclaimed, as she realized what she was doing. " We didn't vote them in!" Coach Manning turned to her. "Why would they not be in Melody? They're the best I've seen in ages, and they can do all the flips effortlessly!" Melody pursed her lips and looked at the rest of them for back up. "I don't like them! " she announced, angrily. "They look ridiculous! The white girl is too... well.. too white! And the black one well lets face it, her titties are too big-she's going to make the uniform look ridiculous!" Angel faced her angrily. "I am soooo sick of your racism Melody! What the hell does that mean she's too white? You're too bitchy but you made the team!" Heather nodded in agreement behind her. "And what's wrong with big boobs? " Camilla asked, looking down at her own well-endowed chest. My uniform fits just fine!" Coach Manning held up her hand, and looked pointedly at Melody. "Get over yourself fast Mel,-or you'll find your own spot in jeopardy. I have already chosen those two. You girls can argue amongst yourselves about the other two. But Samantha and Madison are on the team-now have a good night, because I'm leaving." "You can't leave! " Selena burst out. "I don't want those two either! I don't like that Madison-she thinks she so cute!" She'd just remembered where she'd seen Madison. It was at the summer club and Madison, had been with a really cute white boy. And when Selena had glanced at him, she had grabbed him close like she was going to steal him! She had not known her name then, only that she did not like her. "Tough!" coach Manning yelled behind her as she made her way toward the door. "I said they're on the team- now deal with it!" With that, she was gone, leaving the girls to fight it out amongst themselves. Selena glanced down at Madison and Samantha. They both had smug looks on their faces. Although they were too far away to hear the words, they seemed to know instinctively the argument was about them, and that they had won.... 2 hours later, at They arrived at Teen Steam, the local hang out. Cami couldn't be there. She had to get home, but the rest of the group made it, although both Selena and Melody were not in the best mood. Selena slid angrily into the booth beside Mike. "She said we could pick them and then she picks them" Selena burst out. Melody waved it away. "Let it go Sel, nothing we can do about it." She accepted a hug from her boyfriend Keith then glared off in space. "Well, I think they'll be a good addition" Heather shrugged. "Me too, and the other two are good too, so we should have a good team this year" Angel agreed. "You would feel that way," Melody looked her up and down. "Everybody knows white people stick together!" she moved behind her boyfriend in case Angel got violent. "They do not!" Angel shot back at her. "Cool people stick with cool people, so I don't know why we bother with you!" "Yeah!" Heather echoed, nodding in agreement as usual. "And we're sick of you Melody, I'll just say what everyone is thinking: You're a bitch!" Melody gasped and choked on her coke. "You.. you can't talk to me like that Heather!" She turned to her boyfriend. "Tell her about herself Keith!" Keith looked like a salmon caught in a trap. "Oh look, here comes Banks!" He said quickly. The same handsome white boy from the gym was walking toward them. He was handsome across the room, but breathtaking up close with a shock of dark hair and sea green eyes. Selena drew in her breath so sharply, Mike cast her a weird glance. Even Melody forgot how angry she was and stared in fastination. The boys stood up and slapped hands with him. Mike turned to Selena. John man, this is my girl Selena. Selena meet John Michael Banks" Yes, his father is the one who owns Banks and Banks, the investment firm. A few years from now, my man'll be taking the lead!" He slapped John on the back, smiling. Selena was so impressed she had to force herself to act normal. The one thing she loved and respected was money! And this guy smelled of it! She smiled warmly as he shook her hand. He was polite, but seemed distracted -and not by her. Selena fought the irritation creeping into her face as his eyes scanned the room for someone. "Nice to meet you, didn't y'all put my girl through today?" "Who's your girl? Angel asked. Glancing at Selena with an amused look on her face. She had seen the clear attraction on Selena's face, the moment Mike mentioned who John was. Selena's just like Melody. She thought to herself. A gold digging tramp who'd cut her mother's throat to get what she wants! "Madison Williams. John answered proudly. Keith looked confused. "Madison, the cute black girl that's built like a brick house? .... " He held his hands in front of his shirt to signify large breasts. John chuckled. "Yeah, that's her. She was scared to death she wouldn't make it because girls sometimes get so jealous of her" Melody snorted rudely, then cough-laughed to cover it up. jealous of what? she wondered. Those ridiculously large cow utters! She glanced at Selena who was hiding behind her napkin, to cover her malicious laughter. He paused and looked at them closely. "I promised her y'all wouldn't treat her like that, and she'd get a fair shot. Thanks for giving it to her, it means a lot to us" He seemed confused by their amusement, but he didn't say anything more. He simply turned and strode away. Selena took a bite of her french fry and tried to swallow the feelings of anger churning in her stomach. She watched John head from the counter with two plates and toward a table in the back corner. Madison waited for him at the table. Her brown hair was freshly washed and brushed into a pony tail, and her make up free face was brown and pretty. She smiled as John slid into the booth beside her. He kissed her cheek, and pulled her close. They looked so happy! Suddenly, Selena lost her appetite. Mike gave her a quizzical look. "Honey what's wrong?" "I'm not hungry-that's what's wrong! " she snapped at him, looking over his wide shoulder to where Madison sat happily eating, while John nuzzled her neck and whispered softly in her ear. Melody looked over at them, then back at Selena. She didn't seem upset at all, in fact she seemed... well, calculating, like she had a plan. She smiled crytically at Selena, and sipped her coke. Selena knew what Melody was thinking. Mel hated anything too perfect, or anyone too happy. She knew without asking, Mel would help her break them up. Melody looked at her, as if reading her mind, and nodded. Mel loved to cause trouble. She would do it just for fun, but Selena had something much more important in mind-and his name was John. She watched as he laughed softly at something the cow-titted girl was saying. His green eyes met Selena's for a second, and her heart began to flutter. Suddenly she could not wait to get Corny Madison out of the way. She'd never had white chocolate before, but suddenly she could not wait to try it! ....... Will Selena and Melody be able to get rid of Madison and throw her off the team? Will Selena be able to take what she REALLY wants? Find out in our next chapter of The girls of Hollingsworth.....