Five, five, six, seven, eight. Those were the words that I lived and breathed.

Nothing in the world could ever feel better than being under those Friday Night Lights. The fans roaring, stunts flying, students chanting, and a smile that you just couldn't seem to wipe off your face. It's something that you never want to end, but unfortunately one day it will.

And you will be Ok when it does.

I joined cheerleading my sophomore year in high school when my upperclassmen friends begged me to try out due to my gymnastics background. I agreed, came to tryouts, and made varsity. I was so excited, I knew that the road that lied ahead would be beautiful.

That it was.

I wrapped up my senior year football season as Varsity captain, but I decided not to continue it throughout the winter. Not because I didn't love the sport, but becaue there comes a point in time where things don't work out as they should, but rather how they're suppose to.

My coach and I clashed a lot. I wanted to do a stunt my way, while she wanted it another way. She was a little on the serious side, while I was someone who was sensitive, but spoke my mind when need be. She didn't like to be challenged, and a challenge was what I gave her.

Choosing not to continue cheer was a decision that broke my heart. I was restless for weeks prior to the decision, trying to figure out what would be right for me. Mainly, I couldn’t imagine my life without cheerleading. I practiced cheers around my house, dreamed about stunts, and would sit in class and imagine chants for future games.

My decision to not cheer broke my heart. I dreaded the first time during winter season where I would see them out on the court

Without me.

But, I sucked it up, and went anyways. I watched them, and yes of course I missed it, but I didn't want to go back. My coach approached me that night and told me that practices just weren't the same without me, and that she wanted to grant me with the opportunity to come back if I choose so. I politely declined, as I had learned that there's life beyond cheerleading.

I was able to spend time doing other things that I love such as figure skating, attending my siblings hockey games, babysitting, getting back into the groove of gymnastics, and being able to spend more time with the people that I love. Sure, I still get sad sometimes. It still pains me when people ask, “why aren't you a cheerleader anymore?" Or “what happened?" But, I will always answer with a smile, that things just didn't work out. It hurts when I see the team stunting and chanting without me, knowing that easily I could be out there with them, but it just wasn't my place.

Every night, I pray to God that this isn't the end of my cheerleading experience, and there's more in store for me than just high school sports.

As much as it breaks your heart now, you will be Ok without it, you will survive, and you will find better.

And I can promise you that.