Cheerleading Can Be Murder (Horror High #1) Page 8

  Without realizing it, I reached across the desk and took Andy’s hand in mine. My heart and stomach were fluttering like crazy!

  “Good morning, students!” Coach Davis said brightly, and I could hear her shuffling papers noisily overhead.

  “The six girls who made the team are…Brittani Barlow, Dakota Densford, Tally Johannsen, Amanda Loxx, Genevieve McDermott, and Monika Rutherford.” At the sound of my name, I could finally breathe again. I made it! I fought the urge to jump up and start squealing.

  Coach Davis continued, “Additionally, I have decided to select two alternate squad members. These two girls will practice with the team so they’ll know the cheers, but they are not required to stay after school for the fitting today. The primary alternate is Sydney Hargreaves. The secondary alternate is Ashleigh Westerfield. Congratulations, girls! I will see the six squad members after school to get your uniforms and pompoms!”

  At the end of her announcement, I slipped my iPhone out of my bag, and although I was not supposed to use it during class per school rules, I sent a quick text to my mom. It simply said:

  I did it!

  I knew she would know exactly what I meant. Andy patted me on the back and several other classmates congratulated me as well. I was so happy! It was a dream come true!

  Chapter Thirty

  The rest of the day breezed by, my stomach swirling in excitement. Ever since I learned that I made the squad, I’d been flying high on pure exhilaration. I was happy that the two former squad members, Monika and Tally, made the team for their senior year. I was also pleased that Amanda made the squad, even if she still wasn’t talking to me. I wasn’t thrilled about being on a team with Genevieve and Brittani, but I was so content with making it myself that I didn’t really care about the two of them right now.

  Amanda passed me in the lunch room as I was carrying my tray over to sit with Andy. Even though I was pretty sure she was still mad at me, I said, “Congratulations!” She smiled slightly and said, “You too, Dakota.”

  I was shocked that Sydney and Ashleigh were chosen as alternates instead of team members. I might have been pissed off at Sydney, but I knew how much she wanted to make it. Even though being an alternate was better than not making it at all, I knew she’d be heartbroken. Ashleigh was chosen as a second alternate. She’d tried out unsuccessfully the past two years, and I’d thought for sure Coach Davis would let her join the team this time. But remembering her mistakes at tryouts, I realized that it did make sense. I still felt bad for her.

  I looked around for Sydney all day, but never saw her. I was starting to wonder if she was out sick from school today. I did, however, see Ashleigh in between my last two classes while I was standing at my locker. I expected her to look upset about being chosen as an alternate, but it was quite the contrary. She seemed to be glowing.

  “Good job at making the team, Dakota!” she said sweetly, leaning against the locker beside me while I switched out text books. I wasn’t sure what to say back to her, but then finally I said, “I wish you would have made it too. But I’m glad you were chosen as an alternate, Ashleigh.”

  “After two years of not making the squad, I’m just happy I get to be a part of it this year. I’ll get to come to games and practice with you guys, and I may even get to fill in sometimes!” she said ecstatically. I was astounded and impressed by her positive outlook. I could only hope that Sydney shared her views when it came to being an alternate.

  Genevieve’s pal, Mariella, didn’t make the team at all, and I wasn’t surprised by the dirty look she gave me when I passed by her later in the day. I noticed that she was hanging out by Tasha’s locker. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see those two teaming up now since they didn’t make the team. I decided not to worry about it. Today was a happy day and I planned on enjoying every minute of it! I couldn’t wait to check out my uniform and pompoms after school.

  Chapter

  Thirty-One

  At the end of the day, I followed Brittani Barlow to the gymnasium for our meeting with Coach Davis. I hadn’t planned on walking with her, but she followed me out of Study Hall, leaving me no choice.

  “I’m so excited about making the team! Aren’t you?” She was beaming from ear to ear.

  “I still haven’t forgotten what you did to get on the team, Brittani. If you hadn’t intentionally dropped Teresa, you may not have made it.” I narrowed my eyes at her.

  Normally, I wouldn’t be so harsh, but I was not going to be friends with someone who could do something so evil to someone else. “It’s you, not me, who wouldn’t have made the team if I hadn’t done what I did. You should be thanking me, Dakota,” she remarked, pushing past me and skipping on over to the entrance of the gym.

  Forgetting about Brittani’s insanity, I headed into the gym. Coach Davis was already waiting for us. When everyone arrived, she used a measuring tape to calculate our body measurements, and she also had each of us write down our shoe size. She scribbled down our sizes speedily, moving from one of us to the other.

  “Okay, girls! Some of you will have to wait for your uniforms to be altered a bit to suit your size, but some of you can take yours home today. She unzipped a large black bag that, oddly enough, resembled one of those bags they put dead people in on TV. It was filled with a stack of crisp red and gold uniforms. The top of the uniform was a half-top with the word ‘Dragons’ scrawled across the chest for our team mascot. The bottom was a short, pleated skirt. They were the most awesome uniforms I’d ever seen, and I couldn’t wait to try mine on!

  Coach Davis also had a stack of bodysuits to wear under the uniform top and a bag filled to the brim with pompoms. Considering the fact that I was a little chunky and short, I’d assumed that I’d definitely have to wait for alterations to my uniform. I was pleasantly surprised when she called my name first, and handed me my uniform, bodysuit, and pompoms to take home with me.

  As much as I wanted to control my emotions, I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face as I accepted my items and returned to the bleachers with the other team members. Tally and Brittani received their uniforms, but the other girls only got pompoms and body suits.

  “Practice will begin tomorrow after school. Our first game of the season is next week, so we must get ready. Tomorrow, I’ll give each of you a game and practice schedule so you’ll know the dates and times for both.

  “Also, after careful consideration, I have decided that Brittani and Amanda will be the main bases for our stunts. Monika and Genevieve, since you’re both the tallest on the team, you will bring up the rear. Tally, you’re our best tumbler, so you will stay in the front and tumble during most of the lifts. And for the top of the stunts, Dakota is the shortest, so she will be our designated flyer.”

  Never in a million years could I have imagined that I’d get to be the one on top of the stunts. It was all so much to take in, and almost hard to believe. I had to pinch myself to make sure the moment was real.

  Chapter

  Thirty-Two

  Lying to my mother this morning wasn’t a good idea. Not only did I have to walk several miles to get home now, but I had to walk in the rain. Without an umbrella. And with a brand new cheerleading uniform, body suit, and pompoms in tow. I’d told my mom I was riding with Sydney even though that was a lie. However, if Sydney really were here I would ask her mom to take me home in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, she didn’t make the team, so that wasn’t even an option.

  I looked down at my awesome new cheerleading gear. I couldn’t wait to get home and try it all on in my bedroom. And I couldn’t wait to show my mom!

  The last thing I wanted or needed to do was damage my brand new uniform and the rest of my stuff by taking it out in the rain.

  The hallways of the school were eerily deserted. I used the girls’ restroom, listening intently for the psycho-breather, and then paced around the front entranceway, hoping the rain would die down a bit. It didn’t.

  From the deserted entranceway, I watched Ronnie and Amanda pul
ling away in his Trans Am. I didn’t miss Ronnie, but I did miss having Amanda as my friend. I guess my mom was right after all, I thought drearily. I waited around for a few more minutes, unsure what to do. It wasn’t getting wet that I worried about; it was the idea of tearing up my uniform.

  I pulled out my iPhone, and dialed the number to my mom’s office. I recognized the voice of the girl who answered. It was Phoebe, my mom’s faithful secretary. “Hey, it’s Dakota. Is my mom available?” I tried to hide the impatience in my voice.

  “She’s in session with a client right now. Her ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign is on the door, but if it’s important, sweetheart, I’ll be more than happy to interrupt her.”

  “No, that’s okay. Just tell her I’ll see her at home tonight. Bye.” I hung up before I let her talk me into it.

  I suddenly realized that I could simply just leave my uniform stuff in my locker until tomorrow. I wanted more than anything to take it home with me, but it was worth waiting so I didn’t damage it. I jogged back down the hallway, stuffed it all inside my locker, and headed out into the gloomy weather, holding a thin windbreaker over my head to shield the rain.

  Chapter

  Thirty-Three

  Running through a downpour, I was hit with a brilliant idea. Andy only lived a few blocks from school, and we’d discussed the possibility of getting together to work on Joan of Arc today. Would he think it was weird if I just showed up? I wondered. I could have stopped and called, but I doubted I could hear anything with this rainfall, and I didn’t want to stop running.

  I ran as fast as I could, feeling happy and alive despite the chill in the air. I had a guy that I liked and I actually made the varsity cheerleading team! Who could ask for anything better?

  I rounded the corner of Emery Lane, and I was relieved to see his house just a few yards away. There was a sporty blue Celica parked in front of his house on the street. I stopped and bent down to catch my breath, resting my hands on my knees as I drew in deep gulps of air.

  Just as I was getting ready to walk that way, the passenger door to the Celica swung open and Andy stepped out of it. A girl stepped out of the driver’s side. She was pretty, with wavy white-blonde hair and a trim figure. She walked around the side of the car, and draped her arms over his shoulders. A seductive gesture.

  They stood there kissing in the rain.

  This was the part when I should have run away crying, but instead, I curled my fingers into fists and let out a frustrated scream. I’m so sick of people hurting me, and not being the people I think they are! I thought angrily.

  The sound of my scream caught their attention, and they both turned to look my way, stunned. “Dakota?” Andy called out, and he walked toward me. That’s when I turned around and ran.

  Rain was still falling as I made my way home, but I barely even noticed. I was thinking about Andy, Sydney, and Amanda. I was thinking about what Brittani did and how I didn’t tell anyone about it. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling down my cheeks even if I wanted to. I let the water from my tears and the rain flow freely down my face as I kept moving.

  A pair of headlights glowed from behind me, and I heard a car screech to a halt. I turned around to see Mom’s Camry, and I’d never been so relieved to see my mother and take a ride with her. She didn’t ask any questions. She just patted my leg and drove me home.

  “Thanks, Mom,” I told her, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “How did you know that I needed a ride?” I finally asked.

  “After Phoebe told me you called, and I couldn’t reach you on your phone, I just had a feeling that I should come,” she explained, softly. Leave it to my mom to be the only one in the world who understands me.

  She fixed my favorite: Gorgonzola pasta. I told her everything over dinner, the good parts of the day and the bad. She listened sympathetically and encouraged me to focus on my cheerleading practice, and let the other stuff work itself out. All I could do was try.

  Chapter

  Thirty-Four

  The Sociopath

  Yesterday was not the day. I carried the gun from class to class, waiting for just the right moment…but it never came. Although the element of surprise is exciting, I think I’ll torture my sheep a little bit…toy with their minds.

  I opened the closet. Stared at the gun.

  I considered packing it again, but instead I went to the fridge. My specimen was still intact. Well, I don’t know if intact is the right choice of words…

  I lifted the plastic container, the cat’s fluids sloshing around inside. Carefully, I slid the container inside my backpack.

  Today’s going to be fun.

  Chapter

  Thirty-Five

  Dakota

  My mother had this uncanny ability to cheer me up with only a few simple words. Despite last night’s disappointment, I woke up in a better mood. Andy was not my boyfriend, and if he wanted to date someone else that was his business. I honestly had no idea who that girl was he was hanging out with, but I was not going to waste my time worrying about it today. I was going to focus on what was most important to me: Cheerleading.

  Yanking a pale pink, knee-length dress that I’d never worn before off its hanger, I pulled it down over my head. I slid on a pair of white Keds and dabbed some pink lipstick on to match my dress.

  Amanda was standing at the bus stop, actually looking at me as though she wanted to talk. “Are you okay?” she asked, giving me a sympathetic look. I realized then that she must have been talking about what happened with Andy, but I had no idea how she could know.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, sounding a little defensive.

  “Well, I was sitting outside under the awning when you came home with your mom last night. You were soaking wet and crying. I was just wondering if you’re all right.” She carefully adjusted her bag on her shoulder. “I know we haven’t been talking, but I still care about your well-being.”

  “I’m okay now. There was this boy I thought I liked, but as it turns out, he didn’t feel the same way about me.” I looked anxiously up the street for the bus to arrive.

  “I’m sorry, Dakota.” She searched my eyes, waiting for more of the story.

  “I’m sorry too. And I would never be a part of what those girls did to your grandma’s house and I’d never write a note like that, I swear. I did tell Sydney that you and Ronnie were kissing outside, and I’m sorry for that. I wasn’t trying to be malicious when I told her, and I never expected Sydney to go behind my back and cause so much trouble with those other girls.”

  “I know you didn’t do it. And I’m sorry about dating your ex. It’s just…he’s the first boy that’s paid any attention to me since I moved to Harrow Hill, and I jumped on the opportunity to have a boyfriend. I can’t help who I like, but I do want to be friends again. I’m so happy we both made the team. Can we be friends again, please?” she asked hopefully.

  “Of course.” I smiled and leaned forward to give her a hug. “Did you rehearse that whole spiel ahead of time?” I teased.

  “Only a hundred times…” she admitted, smiling back. I realized then how much I’d really missed having her around to talk to.

  “Are you ready for our first real practice tonight?” I raised my eyebrows in challenge.

  “As ready as I’m going to be! Are you so excited about being the flyer?”

  “I’m excited, but also nervous. I’ve never been on the top of a stunt before,” I admitted. “I always thought I was too chubby to be the girl on top.” I stared down at my Keds.

  “You are perfect, Dakota!” Amanda said, nudging me playfully.

  “Thanks. And thanks for making up with me,” I said, happy to have my friend back. I was glad that she’d be one of the people lifting me in the stunts because I trusted her completely.

  It suddenly dawned on me who the other base was: Brittani. After what she did to Teresa, how could I trust her not to do the same to me? Now I really do have a reason to be nervous when it comes to being the flyer! I
realized.

  Amanda and I talked about cheerleading the whole way to school. When we got there, I made a beeline for my locker, eager to catch a glimpse of my new uniform again. I turned the dial back and forth, remembering the combination with ease now that I’d opened it so many times. I swung open the thin metal door, and immediately screamed in horror. My uniform, body suit, and pompoms had been ripped to shreds.

  Chapter

  Thirty-Six

  I wish I could say that I played it cool, but in truth, I bawled like a baby right there in the hall. Amanda was only a few paces away, and she ran to my side, wrapping her arms around me. “What is it, Dakota?” she asked, her voice trembling with fear. I pointed at the locker and she looked for herself.

  I couldn’t look again. People in the hallway were forming a crowd, excited to see what all of the commotion was about. Could this get any worse? I wondered, trying to wipe the tears off my face with the back of my hand.

  I couldn’t believe it. Why would somebody do this to me? “It looks like someone sliced through it with a knife, and there’s red sticky stuff all over the pompoms.” Amanda winced.

  “Hey, it looks like blood!” a sophomore boy yelled, causing laughter to erupt among several other students. “I think someone is out to get you,” a strange redheaded boy said behind me. Another round of sarcastic “oooooh” noises. I wanted to punch all of their lights out.