Bring It On Read Free

“Buddha driving a Volkswagen, as my grandmother would say,” Sophie breathed. “Look at that girl go.”
    Emerson didn’t have to ask which girl. It was completely, totally, absolutely obvious. The African American girl who was doing flares with her legs crossed . The whole class was down on the floor doing flares. Standard flares. And they were hard enough—bracing your weight on your hands and swinging your legs through the air and around your body. But doing the move with your legs crossed was hugely more difficult. Emerson could do a flare with her legs together, but that was as far as she’d gotten.
    â€œI’d say she’s had a little too much fun with her Bedazzler. I mean, the T-shirt. But other than that, she’s awesome,” Sophie commented.
    â€œThat’s Devane,” volunteered Leeza, a girl from Sophie and Emerson’s class, not taking her eyes off the window.
    Devane.
    Devane is definitely getting picked for the Performance Group, Emerson thought. How could she not?
    How many girls did the group need? More than just Devane? Did Emerson have a shot? Even the full-on Emerson?

CHAPTER 2
    â€œMeet the newest member of the Performance Group!” Devane called out as she strolled into the locker room, her brown eyes sparkling. “The name’s Devane. But you can call me Divine if you want to,” she went on. “Divine, but not Diva. I’m not gonna be asking anybody to fetch me a wide selection of mineral waters or M&M’s with all the green ones picked out, at least not until I get my first MTV award.”
    Emerson’s heart turned to a big piece of lead in her chest as she pulled on her track pants. She’d expected Devane to make the group. But wouldn’t Maddy at least wait and see everybody in all the classes before she made her choice?
    â€œWait. Back up. Ms. Caulder already told you you’re in?” Sophie asked the question Emerson was afraid to. Sophie wasn’t afraid to say anything.
    Leeza looked up, eager to hear the answer, too.
    I hope Sophie makes it into the Performance Group, Emerson thought. Fearlessness should be rewarded.
    â€œNah. But you saw me in there,” Devane answered with a grin. “Think I didn’t notice all of you with your noses pressed against the window when I did my flare? Are you saying you don’t think I’m a lock?”
    â€œNot saying anything. Just asking,” Sophie told her.
    The muscles in Emerson’s shoulders relaxed a little. The decision to put Devane in the Performance Group wasn’t actually official. At least not yet. Her muscles tensed back up as she bent over to tie her shoes.
    Devane leaned against the closest row of lockers. “So I need some help. Pretty soon I’ll be starring in a music video, then comes the cash.”
    Emerson caught sight of two girls from Devane’s class exchanging a can-you-believe-her? look. Devane had done some amazing dancing. But didn’t she realize that she was basically saying that she was better than everybody else in the room? Didn’t she understand that that was just . . . rude?
    â€œWhat do you think I should get first?” Devane didn’t wait for an answer. “A little dog in a coat, like Paris Hilton’s dog? Or the stretch SUV? Or the movie-star boyfriend?”
    Everybody laughed. It was impossible not to. Devane kept her face completely serious, but it was clear she was just messing with them.
    Emerson pulled the lace of her left sneaker tight, and it snapped. She grimaced. “Sophie. Do you have a safety pin or anything?” she whispered.
    Devane narrowed her eyes and straightened up. “Hey, Blondie. If you’re gonna say something, make it loud enough for the whole class to hear,” she told Emerson.
    â€œI just said I needed a pin,” Emerson answered. She glanced at Sophie, wondering if she was imagining the attitude suddenly radiating off Divine