Cheerleading Can Be Murder (Horror High #1) Read online

  Just like when it was my group’s turn, Coach Davis did a three count and turned the music on. Immediately, I realized that something was very wrong with their routine. Tasha and Genevieve seemed to be doing the steps perfectly, their movements the same as my group had just done and we’d all learned. But Sydney and Ashleigh were in the front, doing their own separate routine. The moves they performed were childlike and unflattering.

  Several girls on the bench snickered. I covered my face with my hands, unable to watch the train wreck unfolding before me. But I couldn’t help it; I had to peek to see what was going on.

  As I watched Sydney perform the wrong motions, it suddenly occurred to me why Genevieve and Tasha had been keeping Sydney and Ashleigh isolated from everyone else. They had obviously been teaching them the wrong routine!

  Obviously, they wanted to sabotage Sydney and Ashleigh’s chances of making the squad. If Sydney and I hadn’t been fighting this week, we would have been practicing at home together, and she would have figured out the routine she had learned was incorrect. Sydney thought that Tasha and her buddies wanted to be her friends, but she was dead wrong.

  At the end of their routine, Genevieve and Tasha grinned at each other mischievously, shooting knowing glances at their pals, Tally and Mariella on the bench. This whole thing was obviously a set up.

  “Sydney and Ashleigh! Is that the routine you were taught by your team leader, Tasha?” Coach Davis jumped to her feet angrily. Sydney’s smile faded, replaced with a look of confusion. I suppose she thought each group had their own version of the group cheer because she still didn’t seem to realize what was going on. She looked around at her team members questioningly.

  “Hey, it’s not my fault those two couldn’t learn the steps! I showed them the routine a million times! And Genevieve mastered the routine just fine,” Tasha whined. She looked over at Genevieve, a devilish grin spreading across her face.

  Coach Davis walked across the floor, stopping inches away from Tasha’s face. “I know you orchestrated this, Tasha. It was your job to lead these girls, not mislead them by teaching them the wrong routine!”

  Everyone on the bench stiffened at the sound of the Coach’s voice. Her face was beet red, and I’d never seen her look so angry. “I’m sorry, Coach,” Tasha said, a sickeningly fake, apologetic smile on her face.

  “I want you out of here! You are cut from the tryouts!” Coach shouted, surprising us all as she pointed a finger at the exit doors of the gym.

  No one was more surprised than Tasha herself. Her jaw nearly hit the floor.

  “But…”

  “No buts. Out!” Coach Davis commanded.

  Tasha looked around at her sidekicks, as though she actually expected someone to come to her defense. Throwing up her hands in disgust, she strolled over to the sidelines to retrieve her bag and stomped noisily out of the gym.

  During the whole ordeal, I hadn’t moved an inch. I was still in shock. The infamous head T of the Triple Ts was no longer in the running for the varsity squad. I didn’t think any of us could have predicted that, not in our wildest dreams! With her out of the running, and Teresa out due to injury, my chances of actually making the team were looking better and better…but I did feel bad for Sydney.

  Everyone on the bench started talking all at once. Coach Davis put an end to that. “Is this a gossip session or do you girls want to try out for this squad?” she shouted, instantly shushing us all. “Next group!”

  Tally, Monika, and Mariella got into position and started their routine when the music sounded. This time, everyone completed the same routine, thankfully. As I watched Monika and Tally walk back to the bench, I realized they were the only two left of the original squad. I honestly couldn’t believe my luck!

  Coach Davis began calling our names one at a time to perform the individual cheer. I was glad not to be first this time. Ashleigh was the first to have a turn. Although I was hoping she would do well because this was her junior year, she did make a few mistakes. Brittani went second and was followed by Tally, Mariella, Amanda, and Monika. Everyone seemed to perform well.

  Then I heard my name. I walked to the center of the floor, facing Coach Davis again. I smiled confidently and performed the cheer without any mistakes. Genevieve and Sydney were the last to go, and their routines were flawless as well. I have absolutely no idea who’s going to make it, I realized.

  “Girls, please take a seat!” Coach Davis called out. Those who were not sitting already quickly made their way to their seats. Coach Davis stood in front of us, her arms clasped behind her back. “I want to congratulate all of you on a job well done. I wish I could choose all of you, but we only have six sets of uniforms and pompoms,” she admitted, sounding nice and apologetic for the first time all week. “I will spend some time thinking about my decision over the weekend. The names of the six girls who make it will be announced over the intercom at some point during the day on Monday. The girls who do make it, please stay after school on Monday and meet me in the gym to pick up your pompoms and get fitted for your cheerleading uniforms. Thanks to all of you for trying out. You are dismissed!”

  Chapter

  Twenty-Five

  I expected the weekend to drag by slowly, because I wanted Monday to get here so badly, but it actually went by rather fast. Mom took me and my little brother out to the movies on Saturday. She was trying to distract me from worrying about making the team, and I loved her for doing so. It was one of those animated movies that were supposed to be for children, but even adults couldn’t help loving them. My dad had to work so he couldn’t join us, but we took baby Vincent. I loved my little brother to death, but he was only a year old, and he was fussy throughout the film. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the family time and distraction from the torture of waiting to find out Coach Davis’s decision.

  On Sunday, Andy called. I was pleased to hear from him. Right off the bat, he asked how the tryouts went. Since I didn’t have many friends to consult with these days, I spilled all of the gossip to him. I told him about Tasha getting kicked out of tryouts for sabotaging her group members, and we discussed my chances of making the team.

  “I have a good feeling you’re going to make it,” he assured me sweetly.

  “Thank you for believing in me.”

  There was a moment of awkward silence, and then he said, “So, I was wondering if you’d like to come over and work on our history project?” His voice was shaky, hesitant. His nervousness was adorable!

  “I’d almost forgotten about Joan of Arc,” I admitted, remembering that it was due in a week. “Let me ask my mom and see if she’ll bring me over,” I offered, setting down my iPhone and calling down to my mom from the top of the stairs. “Mom, can you take me to a friend from school’s house to work on an American History project?” I shouted down to her.

  “Let me get your brother laid down for a nap, and then I’ll take you. Your father will stay here with Vincent,” she offered. I hurried back to my room and told Andy I’d be coming soon. He gave me some simple directions to his house and I wrote them down on a sticky note for my mom.

  I hurriedly changed into jeans and a clean top. I ran a brush through my hair and applied a thin coat of lip gloss. I puckered my lips in the mirror. I’d never been so excited about doing school work on a weekend before!

  Chapter

  Twenty-Six

  Although Andy’s family’s luxury home looked similar to mine, it was located on a private lot surrounded by birch trees. “What is this friend from school’s name again?” my mom asked, pulling into the neatly paved driveway in her Camry.

  “Andy,” I said, trying not to smile. I opened up my passenger side door and stepped out into the muggy heat. It was September, and way too hot for this time of year in Harrow.

  My mother rolled down her window, one of those outdated kind you have to turn with a crank. “Is Andy’s mother or father home?” she asked dubiously, sticking her head out the window and eyeballing the house in front of her. />
  “Yes, of course, Mom. We’re just working on a Joan of Arc project,” I promised.

  By this time next year, I would hopefully have my own car and driver’s license. Until then, I needed to appease my mom. “There’s nothing to worry about, Mom.”

  I could tell by her tight smile that she trusted me, despite her concerns. She always had.

  “I’ll pick you up in…”she leaned in to look at the clock on her dash, “two hours.”

  I nodded and gave her a little wave, climbing the steps to the front door.

  I was nervous as I pressed my finger firmly to the glowing doorbell. A tall, handsome woman with red hair that matched Andy’s opened the door with a smile. My mother was waiting to make sure that I entered safely, and Andy’s mom waved out to her, signaling that it was okay for her to leave. I waved goodbye to her as well.

  “Hi, there! I’m Andy’s mom, Elly,” she greeted me, standing aside to let me into a fancy, wood-paneled foyer. Sitting on a tan leather sofa in a substantially sized, sunken living room, was Andy. Thick reference books were stacked on a glass coffee table in front of him. He smiled at me sheepishly, then stood up, wringing his hands nervously. “I’ll leave you two to your studies.” Elly gave us a little wave. She left the room, her heels clicking against the hard maple floors.

  “Your mom seems nice. Is it just you and her who live here?” I sat down beside him on the sofa.

  “My grandma comes to stay with us often. And my brother Cameron did live here but he just left for college this year. He’s studying psychology at Butler.” He glanced up at a silver-framed photo of an older redheaded boy on the fireplace mantle in front of us. It was obviously a picture of Cameron. His eyes also briefly scanned another picture—a man in a military uniform who was obviously his father. It was plain to see that he missed both his father and brother.

  “Psychology? That’s neat, because my mom is a therapist.” My comment seemed to distract him, which is what I’d been hoping for.

  “Really? That’s a cool coincidence. Does she ever try to psychoanalyze you?” he asked, a serious expression on his face. I couldn’t help but laugh. “No. At least I don’t think she does…” I giggled.

  A big furry Persian cat leapt on my lap, startling me. Andy tried to shoo her away. “Oh, it’s okay. I love cats,” I said, stroking its silky fur.

  Talking to Andy came easy, and that’s how it went for the next two hours…we talked about his father, who was stationed in Afghanistan, and I told him about my father’s work as a radio engineer. Although it felt like I was talking with a friend, it was different somehow, unlike any relationship I’d had. It felt natural, the words flowing out with ease. He told me about all of the places he’d lived, moving around so much due to his father’s work in the service.

  By the time the text alert chimed on my iPhone with my mom’s message saying she was there to pick me up, I realized that we hadn’t gotten any work done on our Joan of Arc project.

  “Oh, no! I can’t believe it’s time to go already!” I jumped up hastily, shoving a handful of notebooks and folders into my bag.

  “It’s okay, Dakota. We still have all week to finish it. Maybe we can try to get some work done again tomorrow?” he suggested hopefully. At the mention of tomorrow, I realized that it was almost Monday and time to find out if I’d made the squad.

  “Okay. Let’s try again tomorrow night. If it’s okay with my mom,” I said, walking toward the door. He followed, walking me out to my mom’s car like a gentleman. Before I could even introduce him, he stuck his hand through the open passenger door and shook my mom’s hand. Boy, he was turning out to be quite the charmer!

  “I’m Andy. I have American History with Dakota. Thanks for letting her come over,” he said politely. My mother was the queen of polite introductions and she seemed to be enjoying this moment.

  On the ride home, she was mostly quiet, but smiling. As we approached our street, she said, “He seems perfect for you, Dakota.” Having conversations with my mom about boys was slightly embarrassing, so I looked away, my cheeks heating up. But I couldn’t help smiling as I stared out the window, watching the rows of houses fly by. I had to agree with my mother. Andy does seem pretty perfect, I thought dreamily.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Seven

  The Sociopath

  I stuffed notebooks and gym wear inside my backpack, all the while balancing a can of Red Bull in my right hand. I needed to hurry, or else I’d be late for first period. Tossing my drink in the trash can by my bed, I quickly tied my shoes and stared at my reflection in the spotted up full length mirror.

  “Today is the day.”

  I opened the closet door and removed the gun. Mossberg 500, that’s what it was called. There was a heat shield over the barrel, with a pistol grip instead of a buttstock. It held eight shells, nine if you counted the one in the chamber…

  A fine piece of American artillery that had belonged to my grandfather. Now it was mine.

  I could hear the hiss of the bus’s air brakes…it was only a few stops away.

  Quickly, I slid the Mossberg into my backpack. It was barely short enough to fit, but I just managed to get the zippers closed around it as I heard the bus screech to a halt outside. I took off running down the steps.

  Today is the day.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Eight

  Dakota

  When I opened my eyes, I knew that the day had arrived. Sunlight streamed through the gap in my curtains, illuminating my entire bedroom. A narrow beam of dust particles floated above my bed. Just like I always did when I was little, I reached up and tried to grab it.

  Today was the day when the names of the new varsity squad members would be announced. I couldn’t wait! I threw the covers off and started getting ready for school. I wasn’t much of a morning person, and even if I had been, I wasn’t one of those girls who took a long time getting ready. I pulled on a pair of stretchy leggings with shiny star patterns and topped it off with a tank top and loose fitting tee. I slipped on a pair of ballet flats, tied my hair in a perky bun, brushed my teeth, and applied a light coat of lip gloss.

  “You look beautiful,” my mother said as I came galloping down the steps, taking two at a time. There was this tiny electric buzz surrounding me; I was so excited! This was going to be a day I’d never forget.

  My mom was feeding Vincent in a highchair, and I leaned down to give him a kiss. His lips were slobbery and stained with juice, but I didn’t care. He was starting to develop a little personality all of his own and he grinned up at me, shaking his little fists in the air. “I’m excited too, little man.” I smiled at him happily.

  “Eggs and bacon on the stove,” my mom offered, but I already knew that based on the rich, smoky aroma filling the air. I rarely saw my dad anymore, as he usually left for work before I got up and worked until late at night at the radio station. I miss him, I realized, chewing on a bacon strip thoughtfully. At least he’s not stationed far away in a foreign country like Andy’s dad, I reminded myself, thinking about our conversation yesterday.

  “I can’t eat anymore. My stomach’s in knots. I think I’ll just grab a banana to go,” I told my mom, digging one out of the fruit bowl on the granite counter. Now that my mom had her own private practice, she could set her own hours by scheduling appointments with her individual clients. She used to work all the time like my dad, but she trimmed down her workload when Vincent was born.

  “Do you have to work today?”

  “Yes. Melody’s going to watch your brother while I go into the office for a few hours this afternoon.” Melody was our neighbor on the other side, and she’s a huge help to my mom.

  “If I make the team, I’ll have to stay after school to get fitted for my uniform. But if not…”

  “Stay positive, sweetheart,” she interrupted me. “I have a good feeling you’re going to make the team. I’m sorry, honey, but you might have to wait around for a bit after your fitting. Text me on my iPhone as so
on as you find out if you make it, that way I can arrange my appointments and come get you from school as soon as I finish at the office.” She offered an unwanted spoonful of scrambled eggs to Vincent. He pushed the eggs away playfully, spilling some on the floor.

  I knew that I should have told my mom sooner about possibly having to stay after school, and I felt bad for always interfering with a career she used to love. “Don’t worry about it, Mom. Sydney’s mom already said she can bring me home tonight,” I lied.

  “Okay, wonderful! Good luck today, honey,” she said, giving me a hug and kiss on top of my head.

  I swung my backpack over my shoulder and headed out to the bus stop. I made it out there just in time to see the taillights of Ronnie’s Trans Am turning the corner at the end of the street. No more walking for Amanda, I thought glumly.

  But then she came running outside, both of us barely reaching the bus on time…

  Chapter

  Twenty-Nine

  When I took a seat in Biology, I realized that I had absolutely no idea when Coach Davis would make her announcement today. It could be minutes away, or hours. It could even be at the end of the day. This wait is tortuous! I thought impatiently.

  There were no announcements during Biology, or throughout my Pre-Algebra class. I was honestly starting to think that it was not going to be until the end of the day, after all. When I got to American History, I was grateful because I knew that Andy would keep me occupied. Our teacher gave us time to work on our group projects, which was good because we hadn’t started ours yet.

  As soon as he and I took seats in the back to start working on it, I heard the unmistakable click of the intercom system overhead. “Attention please, students! I have an important announcement to make! This is Principal Barlow. I have Coach Davis sitting next to me and she’s going to make a quick announcement regarding cheerleading tryouts.”