CLMO 10

Chapter 10

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Under Victoria’s command, the cheerleaders split into two groups.

The existing members began learning the new routine first, while the new recruits started with the basics under the coach’s guidance.

The first person to collapse from exhaustion during practice was Janice.

The second was Sian.

“No need to overdo it on the first day. You two should focus on gradually building up your stamina.”

The coach spoke above the two girls who lay sprawled out on the mat.

Sian, honestly, was just glad she wasn’t the only one down. She felt sorry for Janice but still—what a relief.

“You okay?”

Once she’d caught her breath a little, Sian turned to check on Janice.

Janice still looked pale.

“…I think I’m going to throw up.”

Yikes. There were already rumors about Janice having an eating disorder—if she ended up vomiting here, she’d definitely be ostracized by the others.

“Can you sit up for a bit? Try drinking some water.”

Sian carefully helped her up and handed over a water bottle.

Only after drinking did Janice look somewhat alive again.

“Thanks. Not that I had anything to throw up, anyway.”

Nothing to throw up? Had Janice been starving herself again all day?

Starving wasn’t exactly a healthy weight loss plan.

As Sian watched her with concern, a sharp voice cut in.

“Why don’t you just quit?”

It was Victoria.

Her voice was cold, totally different from the soft look she had while smiling at Blay earlier.

“You two don’t belong on a cheer team.”

It was a harsh thing to say, but Sian wasn’t particularly hurt.

In fact, she even smiled brightly at Victoria.

“We’ve only just joined the team today. We’ll work hard.”

Victoria snorted and walked over to the coach.

Surprisingly, the atmosphere between them didn’t seem all that tense.

“That’s a relief. Looks like we won’t need to find a new coach.”

Sian turned to Janice and joked.

But Janice looked at her like she was a bizarre creature.

“You’re not mad after hearing that?”

She’d nearly snapped and gone off on Victoria. If Sian hadn’t been there, there might’ve been hair-pulling involved.

Sian blinked.

“Well… it’s true we’re not quite there yet.”

“Who said ‘we’?”

Janice narrowed her eyes, but she wasn’t scary at all.

Sian giggled.

“You’re the only one who dropped out before me.”

That was a fact, and Janice couldn’t deny it—just moved her lips in silent frustration.

So this is why Aaron hangs out with her, she thought.

Janice had known Aaron. Back in middle school, when teasing was rampant, people often paired them as a couple.

As fellow targets, she’d occasionally bumped into him and could clearly feel how much he hated people.

Then in high school, suddenly he was hanging around a girl. She had been shocked.

“Hey, wanna practice together sometime?”

Maybe now she understood why.

That bright, guileless face that approached without hesitation—it was impossible to push away.

“…Are you being nice to me because you feel sorry for me?”

“Huh?”

“You’re nice to Aaron too. Do you feel superior by being around people worse than you?”

Janice asked, not really expecting an answer.

There was no right one.

If Sian denied it, she wouldn’t believe her.

If she confirmed it, that would hurt too.

Janice nervously picked at a hangnail.

Sian slowly spoke.

“Well, first of all, I don’t feel sorry for Aaron. He’s really smart.”

“That’s true.”

Janice agreed instantly. No argument there.

“But you… I mean, maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m being nice because I feel sorry for you.”

Sian gave a small smile, her nose scrunching slightly.

It almost looked like she was about to cry… or maybe just shy.

“I used to be really sick. I was as thin as you are now.”

Janice stared at her in disbelief.

There were no traces of illness in Sian’s current appearance.

Her long hair shone with health, and her clear skin glowed with life.

“Seeing you reminds me of how I used to be. I guess that’s why I can’t help but worry about you.”

“…”

“I just… want you to be healthy and not in pain anymore.”

Sian gave a sheepish smile.

“Kind of a weird reason to ask someone to be friends, huh?”

Was she serious?

Janice’s heart pounded.

No one had ever tried to be her friend before—not since the days when she was teased as “Fatty Janice” or “Barf Queen Janice.”

She had always been alone.

Now, suddenly, someone wanted to be her friend.

Janice hesitated, unable to believe her luck.

“You two over there! If you’re done resting, quit chatting and get back to practice!”

“Yes, Coach!”

The coach’s sharp yell cut the conversation short.

But Janice’s heart kept pounding for the rest of practice.

“Bye. See you tomorrow!”

After practice ended, Sian waved goodbye. Janice quickly grabbed her.

“Practice… when should we do it?”

Sian turned to her with a bright smile.

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The Next Day, Lunchtime

Aaron crossed his arms and looked at the two people across from him.

His usually unreadable face was filled with irritation.

“So why is she here?”

His sharp, interrogating tone didn’t faze Sian at all. She just smiled brightly.

Janice sat beside her.

“I told you—she’s my new friend.”

Aaron pressed his forehead.

“And what does that have to do with me?”

“Everything. My friend is your friend too.”

So much for peaceful reading time.

Aaron let out a deep sigh.

He should’ve known—ever since letting Sian into his life, peace had gone out the window.

He glanced between Sian and Janice.

Sian, despite dragging Janice here herself, kept nervously watching his expression.

That annoyed him.

Sian only ever got this nervous in front of Ian Morgan.

Don’t act like Ian Morgan.

Aaron remembered how sharply his opinion of Ian had dropped lately and tried to calm down.

“Janice Perry.”

Janice flinched when Aaron said her name.

She had too many bad memories of boys teasing her.

“I’m sorry.”

Janice looked up, surprised.

Sian was just as stunned.

Aaron, now under both their gazes, shrugged.

“For not stepping in when people teased you. I knew it was wrong but stayed silent. I’m sorry.”

Janice blinked like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

She hadn’t even gotten an apology from the bullies themselves—but now this, from Aaron?

She suddenly burst out laughing.

“Look at you. We were both in the same boat.”

Aaron didn’t deny it.

He had been just like her—a target.

But being a victim didn’t erase the fact that he had stood by and done nothing.

He had cut himself off from others and avoided the truth.

But facing Janice made him realize something: he owed her.

If not for Sian, he might’ve never realized it—not even after graduation.

“Still… getting an apology feels pretty good.”

Janice, who always had a sharp edge to her voice, actually looked happy.

Watching her, Sian felt conflicted.

She had seen the way everyone jeered at Janice when they entered the cafeteria.

---

Ugh.

Smells like puke.

Why is she even here? She’s just gonna throw up again.

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The insults weren’t directed at her, but Sian felt like she’d been the one hit.

“They’re so awful…”

Sian fumed, taking it personally.

But Janice remained calm.

“School’s a jungle. The weak get eaten.”

Such a harsh self-assessment.

Did my brother struggle this much in school too? Sian wondered.

She glanced around.

She had gently told him to eat lunch properly—but whether he listened was another matter.

He’s not here today either…

Neither Ian nor Blay were in sight.

Skipping lunch only hurts him.

She tried to think strictly—but it wasn’t working.

Maybe I should go check on him. Not the clubroom, but maybe the library…

She picked up her fork deep in thought. First, she needed to eat well herself.

Janice was a different matter.

“Janice, just eat as much as you want.”

Sian twirled her pasta while speaking.

Janice’s tray only had a tiny bit of salad.

As she reluctantly picked up her fork, Aaron added,

“What’s important is not forcing yourself to throw up afterward.”

Janice flinched.

After eating, she always felt the urge to vomit.

Ever since rumors about her throwing up in the school bathroom spread, she’d just stopped eating lunch.

Aaron spoke again, gently but firmly.

“Changing overnight is hard. But for now, try making it your goal to not throw up at school.”

“Yeah. And since we’re staying after for cheer practice, there’s no reason to feel guilty about eating.”

If only it were that easy.

Janice forced a bitter smile and picked at her salad.

But she liked that neither of them stared at her plate or tried to force her to eat.

She liked listening to their easy conversations.

“I thought American kids threw parties every day, but I guess not.”

“Only on TV dramas,” Aaron replied with a dry tone.

Despite his annoyance, he still answered her.

“Maybe we’re just losers who don’t get invited.”

Janice chimed in, and Aaron frowned—but didn’t deny it.

“Then we should throw our own loser party. Want to come over to my place sometime?”

 

Sian smiled and invited them both.