First Evil Read Free Page B

added, “and we kind of adapted it.”
    â€œI hope we can get to the state finals,” Jennifer said wistfully.
    â€œWith these two on the squad, it’s a lock,” Miss Green said, smiling one of her rare smiles as she handed the forms to Corky and Bobbi. As she stared at the girls, her expression changed to one of concern.“Uniforms. Uniforms,” she muttered. “This might be a problem. Quick.” She pulled a pad of paper from her top drawer. “Write down your sizes. This will have to be a rush order.”
    A short while later Bobbi and Corky were thanking Jennifer and Miss Green; with the chants of their fellow cheerleaders ringing through the gym, they hurried out of the building, eager to congratulate each other.
    Jennifer and Miss Green continued to confer over the low wooden desk, their expressions serious, concerned. Miss Green spoke heatedly, her eyes turning occasionally to watch the practice on the other side of the glass partition.
    â€œThe squad is supposed to be six,” she told Jennifer. “I suppose we can squeeze one more girl on. But not two. We don’t have the funds for eight cheer-leaders.”
    Lowering their voices, Jennifer and Miss Green continued to discuss the problem.
    â€œHey—what’s going on?”
    Startled by the intrusion, both the captain and the advisor whirled around to see Kimmy standing in the doorway, hands on hips, her cheeks pink, breathing heavily.
    â€œCan you ask Ronnie to come in?” Jennifer asked Kimmy. “We can only make room for one more girl, so Ronnie will have to—”
    â€œHuh? You’re putting those sisters on the squad?” Kimmy demanded, her voice rising several octaves.
    â€œOf course,” Jennifer replied. “You saw how good they were. They’re awesome!”
    â€œBut I thought—” Kimmy stopped, letting the news sink in.
    â€œWe’re very lucky they moved to Shadyside,” Miss Green added with unusual enthusiasm.
    â€œAnd that means—Ronnie’s out?” Kimmy asked, her voice revealing her outrage. “She’s off the squad? Just like that?”
    â€œKimmy—” Jennifer started.
    But Miss Green took over, climbing to her feet as if prepared to fight. “Ronnie is only a freshman,” she said firmly. “She’ll be an alternate. She’ll practice with the squad. And she’ll go on if one of you gets sick or something.”
    â€œOh, she’ll love that,” Kimmy said bitterly. “I really don’t think it’s fair. I mean—”
    â€œKimmy—you saw how good Bobbi and Corky are!” Jennifer cried. “We need them. We really do.”
    Kimmy started to reply, thought better of it, and uttered a sigh of exasperation. Glaring at Jennifer, she turned away from the office and called to Ronnie.
    â€œYou wanted to see me?” Ronnie hesitated in the doorway, nervously pushing back her curly red hair with both hands. She had small brown eyes, a tiny round stub of a nose, and a face full of freckles.
    She almost collapsed when Miss Green told her of her demotion. Angry tears formed in the corners of her eyes, which she quickly wiped away with the backs of her hands.
    â€œWe really don’t have a choice,” Jennifer said softly.
    â€œYes, you do,” Ronnie snapped back, her dark eyes flashing.
    â€œWe have to think of what’s best for the squad,” Miss Green said, twirling a pen nervously between her fingers. “You’ll have plenty of opportunity—”
    â€œYeah. Sure,” Ronnie interrupted, and fled toward the locker room.
    â€œShe feels bad,” Jennifer said, staring through the glass as the other girls stopped their practice to watch Ronnie run off.
    â€œShe’ll get over it,” Miss Green said flatly.
    â™¦ ♦ ♦
    â€œI’ll never forgive them!” Ronnie cried. “Never!”
    Kimmy and Debra huddled around the