Third-Person POV
Practice went smoothly, but Betty couldn’t shake off Stacey’s warning about Ivy, and her nerves stayed on edge throughout each drill. Later that day, she was talking with Sasha and Carlos during a break between classes. Suddenly Sasha nudged her. “Oh, great. Here come the Golden Eagles”.
Betty got her first glimpse of Ivy and her teamThey were striding confidently across the grass in matching golden and black tracksuits like celebrities walking a red carpet.. At the front was Ivy herself, her blonde ponytail swinging, a smirk on her face as she led her team through the quad, seemingly without a care in the world Her gaze locked onto Betty. “So this is the famous Unseen squad I’ve heard so much about.”
“Didn’t realize we were so interesting to you.”
Ivy laughed. Her teammates mirrored her stance with perfect precision.. “Interesting? No. Amusing, maybe. I was just wondering what kind of team relies on… the ‘leftovers’ of the cheer world to make it to nationals.”
Betty felt a flush of anger creep up her neck, but she kept her expression calm. “Well, we’ll see if those ‘leftovers’ can beat you. You’d better focus on your team instead of watching ours.”
Ivy’s smile didn’t waver. “Oh, don’t worry, dear. I’m focused on winning. I just think it’s cute that you think you’re actually competition.”
Betty watched her turn, leading her team away; her fists clenched, her mind buzzing with the sting of Ivy’s words. But as she looked at Sasha and Carlos, who were both watching her with encouragement, she felt a wave of determination wash over her and was already making a mental list of ways to tighten their routine. Ivy might have confidence, but Betty was ready to show her that the Unseen were no joke.
“We’ve got work to do,” she muttered..