Cheer for Me

Haerin is a certified bookworm and nerd who gets the job of tutoring the most popular girl in High School. Danielle Marsh; the cheer captain.
Despite their differences, the two girls form a bond much stronger than friendship.
‘Friends kiss each other, right?’ Haerin has no idea because Danielle is her first ever friend.

Notes:

This is going to be a series set in High School featuring all the other girls. My inspiration was chick flicks and the scene in Ditto where Haerin is sitting in the library.
Hope you enjoy. It’s my first time writing Haerin/Danielle.

Fanarts/ covers of this fic created by me on instagram @minapyeee (I promise they’re good)
Have you read my other works? You should totally check them (be aware of the ratings).

Chapter 1: Cheer for Us

Chapter Text

It was a Monday afternoon and Haerin Kang was sitting in the library for lunch. She flipped through a novel she’d been reading for the last fifteen minutes, smiling to herself. Haerin didn’t usually read romance books. She found them too corny. In fact, she’d only picked this one up because the cover was cute. But the content didn’t disappoint either. She didn’t know how many times she’d kicked her feet or bit her lip when something exciting happened.

The only thing that pulled her out of her trance were loud heels clacking toward her. It was Mrs Park, the history teacher. Haerin sat up, surprised. Had she done something wrong? Why was Mrs Park approaching her?

“It was told I’d find you here.” The old woman smiled, her eyes tracing Haerin’s hunched form and the book in her hands.

“Is there a problem?” Haerin asked, blinking slowly. That feline blink that made it seem like she didn’t mind missing the world for a second. She stood, shaking her numb legs out.

“Well…” Mrs Park clasped her hands together. “I need your help. I’m going to make this quick because I really have no time at all. A girl I teach has been doing pretty poorly and I thought you’d be the perfect person to tutor them. You’ve had straight As since the ninth grade.”

Haerin frowned. She’d never tutored anyone before. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ll be right for the job.”

“Nonsense!” Mrs Park swished her hand through the air as if erasing all doubt. “You’ll be perfect. Nobody grasps History quite like you. And Danielle would be grateful.”

“Danielle Marsh?” Haerin squeaked. There wasn’t another Danielle in the school but she had to make sure.

Ban Heesoo High operated on a hierarchy system. Haerin was one rung above the bottom. That meant she was saved from being bullied but also that she had no friends. It was a solitary life where she focused on books as much as she could. Danielle Marsh on the other hand…she was at the top of the school pyramid. She was the cheer captain while being extremely pretty and kind. There was nothing to not like about her but she was so different from Haerin that it scared her to even imagine an interaction together. Untouchable Danielle Marsh. Haerin was surprised that she wasn’t perfect at something. The realisation first made her happy then sympathetic.

“Yes, that’s her. Will you tell me when you’re available?”

Mrs Park was making it seem like Haerin had already agreed. And while she wasn’t a pushover, she found herself telling Mrs Park her schedule and when she’d be able to tutor Danielle. Their first session would already be that afternoon.

When it was all sorted and Mrs Park sauntered out, she collapsed onto the floor again, an anxiety tearing through her stomach so viciously that she could barely pick up her book. Why did she agree? She hated meeting people for the first time. Especially popular people who wouldn’t care if she lived or died.

Swallowing her fears as best she could, she took herself through the day, counting the hours then minutes to the event anxiously.

———

Choosing an empty classroom for their first lesson, Haerin sat patiently at a desk by the windows. She usually avoided windows because she got distracted but she figured it was fine this time. Five minutes late, Danielle burst through the open door, dropping her heavy looking bags onto the floor.

“I’m sooooo sorry!” The girl said as she made the brisk walk to the desk beside Haerin.

Haerin was taken aback. Not by Danielle’s lateness but her beauty. She had a big bright smile, cheery hazel eyes, long wavy hair, and she made the blue and white cheer uniforms look like something off the runway. Haerin was transfixed, unable to utter a single word.

“I got caught up at practice and didn’t realise the time.” Danielle sat down gracefully, facing Haerin. “I’m Danielle by the way.”

Haerin wanted to say she already knew. “I’m Haerin.”

“Haerin.” Danielle repeated carefully. Obviously the name was unfamiliar to her. “That’s a pretty name. Even just looking at you I feel like you’ll be a great help.”

Haerin didn’t know whether to be offended. Was it because she looked like a nerd? She had her circular reading glasses on with her hair tied back, and her white shirt was matched with a pleated black skirt that she wore grey sweatpants under. Haerin didn’t take her uniform seriously, always opting to be as comfortable as possible. “Thank you?”

Danielle smiled. “You know, I won’t be able to participate in cheer regionals if my marks drop any more. So I’m really grateful you’re doing this for me. You’re literally amazing!”

Haerin shrugged sheepishly. She didn’t know her help was that crucial. Even as someone who didn’t attend games she knew Danielle was the backbone of the cheer squad. “We can start immediately. Do you have your textbook?”

Danlielle cringed. “I didn’t have history today so I didn’t bring it.”

“It’s fine.” Haerin took her own textbook out then moved her desk closer so she could lay it in the space between them.

Danielle’s scent invaded her. Flowery and fresh. Haerin wanted to ask what brand it was but didn’t bother. It was probably expensive anyway.

The session went…semi-smoothly. It wasn't too awkward. Contrastingly, she felt a strange sense of comfort around Danielle. It was like they were…friends? The girl was also eager to learn but she got distracted easily, leading Haerin on tangents about things that had nothing to do with the material. Haerin had been too scared to stop her so she’d listen intently until Danielle slapped her forehead. “I’m rambling again aren’t I?”

Then Danielle would get so confused that she’d ask the same question a billion times just to grasp it then forget again when Haerin tested her.

But her smile was so contagious that it reflected onto Haerin’s lips as she biked home.

Maybe Danielle was a bit difficult to teach but tutoring the popular girl wasn’t as bad as she’d expected it to be.

———

“Danielle, Haerin’s here!”

Hearing her mom call her name, Danielle raced downstairs, only stopping at the mirror in the hallway to adjust her hair. She was wearing a plain T-shirt and track shorts. A casual summer outfit.

Haerin was standing by the kitchen when she got there, holding her backpack in front of her legs. She had on an oversized T-shirt and a midi jersey skirt. So that was her style? Danielle had only ever seen her in uniform. She wondered why she’d never really noticed Haerin before. Maybe it was because she always sat at the back of the class and didn’t talk to anyone. Danielle didn’t want to believe the rumours that Haerin hated everyone or that she was rude. Judging from her willingness to help, Danielle knew the girl had a kind heart. People had probably just misunderstood her.

Danielle told Haerin to put her bags on the couch.

“Do you want something to drink? We’ve got iced tea and lemonade.”

“Iced tea, please.” Haerin replied.

Danielle watched her from the corner of her eye as she filled two glasses with ice then poured the sweet brown liquid into them. Haerin sat on the very edge of the ‘L’ shaped couch, staring at the blank tv screen. Danielle hadn’t been able to put her finger on it before but Haerin reminded her of a cat! From her big eyes to her sharp teeth, the feline resemblance was uncanny. She even acted like a cat. A little standoffish but cute nonetheless. Danielle was sure she’d have Haerin warming up to her in no time. She took it as a challenge.

As she returned the jug of iced tea to the fridge, her phone dinged.