School starts at 7:30, on the dot for me. Of course, that means I have to get up at like 5am to get ready, but you know what they say: beauty is a pain. Or something like that. My routine is the same every morning. Wake up, lather rinse repeat in the shower with my special conditioner that promises it’ll “enhance” my new blonde highlights. Then I blow dry and straighten my hair. Then the makeup, of course, and you really can’t rush that.

Then it’s off to school. Our school doesn’t officially start until 8:30, but all athletes have to come at 7:30, you know, to squeeze that extra practice in. I’m finally a senior, so I’m one of the big girls on the team, which basically means practice doesn’t start until I get there. We stretch and work on our craft.

Then, around 8:30, we all go into the locker room to refresh our makeup, and re-do our hair. The we change from our workouts clothes in to regular outfits. At 8:30, we’re ready.

Life as a Arkansas High Cheerleader isn’t all fun and games, you know.