Cheer Choice

by Jake Maddox

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER 1: BIG CHANGES

  CHAPTER 2: BREAKING THE NEWS

  CHAPTER 3: AN UNWELCOME SURPRISE

  CHAPTER 4: SAME OLD, SAME OLD

  CHAPTER 5: THE RIGHT DECISION?

  CHAPTER 6: DOING THE RIGHT THING

  CHAPTER 7: ALL-STARS

  CHAPTER 8: A FRIENDSHIP FIXED

  Chapter 1

  BIG CHANGES

  “Mer! Try the toe-touch jump,” Colleen called. She leaned back on her hands in the grass and squinted to see her best friend in the bright sunshine of the backyard.

  Meredith leaped high in the air, bringing her legs out straight to either side and touching her toes. She landed with her feet shoulder-width apart.

  “Bring your legs together more on the landing,” Colleen suggested.

  Meredith wiped at the sweat beading on her forehead. “Okay,” she said.

  Colleen watched as Meredith bent her knees and launched herself even higher into the air. She flung her feet out to the sides and pointed her toes before snapping her legs together sharply as she landed.

  “That was perfect!” Colleen cried, leaping to her feet. “Let’s try it together.”

  Colleen positioned herself next to her friend and placed her hands on her hips. Both girls stared straight ahead, feet wide apart as they got ready to run through their cheerleading routine.

  “Ready? Go!” Meredith shouted.

  They both jumped high for the toe touch before landing and moving immediately into a back handspring.

  Colleen concentrated on moving her body in rhythm with Meredith’s. Together, they dropped to one knee.

  “And this is where we do the basket toss with a twist,” Meredith said.

  They each mimed a basket toss, since they didn’t have the rest of the squad. They followed that with a cartwheel, then moved directly into splits.

  “Now the spin and arabesque,” Meredith continued. “And then dismount . . .”

  The two girls spaced out and flung themselves into front handsprings, finishing with a roundoff, their arms high in the air.

  “Perfect!” Meredith said.

  Colleen turned and gave her friend a high five. “That was awesome!” she said. “This is seriously the best routine ever.”

  Meredith nodded. The two collapsed onto the grass to catch their breath.

  “I can’t believe how long we’ve been working on this routine,” Colleen said. “It’s taken all summer!”

  “Three months,” Meredith agreed quietly, looking down at the grass.

  “I can’t wait until we present it to the rest of the squad,” Colleen said with a grin. “The two co-captains with the newest, coolest routine.”

  But instead of smiling, Meredith just twirled a blade of grass between her fingers. “I need to tell you something,” she said quietly. Meredith’s voice was so low that Colleen had to lean forward to hear her friend.

  “What’s the matter?” Colleen asked.

  “I’m moving,” Meredith said. She finally looked up, and Colleen saw that her friend had tears in her eyes.

  For a long minute, Colleen just stared at Meredith. “What do you mean you’re moving?” she asked. “Where?”

  “We’re moving to Fenton,” Meredith said, choking up a little. “My parents told me last week. I’ll be going to Fenton Public.”

  Colleen couldn’t believe it. “You’re going to another school?” she said. “But what about the cheer squad? What about being co-captains?”

  Colleen’s throat was thick with tears. She couldn’t imagine not seeing her best friend every day. And even worse, not cheering with her.

  Meredith put her arm around Colleen’s shoulders. “Well . . . we won’t be able to be captains together anymore. But we’ll always be best friends,” she said.

  Colleen nodded and hugged Meredith as she tried to fight back tears. Even though she wanted to believe her friend’s words, she had a feeling that a lot was about to change.

  Chapter 2

  BREAKING THE NEWS

  The following afternoon, Colleen stood outside the cheerleading coach’s office. After Meredith had left, Coach Ryan had called and asked Colleen to come in for a meeting before the squad’s first practice.

  Colleen took a deep breath and knocked softly on the door, pushing it open a crack.

  Coach Ryan looked up from her computer and smiled. “Come on in, Colleen,” she said.

  Colleen walked in and sat down in front of the coach’s desk. For the millionth time, she swiped at her swollen eyes. She felt like she’d been crying since Meredith had told her the news.

  “Well, Meredith’s parents came in to see me a couple days ago,” the coach began. She smiled at Colleen sympathetically. “They told me they’re moving. We’re all really going to miss Meredith.”

  The tears threatened to spill over again, but Colleen fought them back. “Yeah,” she whispered. She didn’t trust her voice to speak any louder than that.

  “Of course, since you and Meredith were co-captains, this leaves us with the problem of leading the squad,” Coach Ryan continued.

  Colleen nodded. “I know,” she said quietly.

  The coach glanced down at a piece of paper in front of her. “I don’t think the squad is ready for a big change this close to the All-Stars Competition,” she said. “Do you think you can captain the squad by yourself?”

  Colleen swallowed. She couldn’t imagine leading the cheers without Meredith, especially at the All-Stars Competition! It was the biggest annual cheerleading event in their district.

  But I don’t want anyone to take Meredith’s place, Colleen thought. I guess it’s better to just do it alone.

  Colleen nodded. “Yeah, I can do it,” she told the coach.

  “I know you can,” Coach Ryan agreed with a smile. “I’m proud of you, Colleen. And I know the squad will appreciate you stepping up too.”

  The coach pushed back her chair and stood up. “The rest of the squad is already waiting in the gym,” she said. “Why don’t you head in and explain what’s happening? I’ll need to finish up a few things, and I’ll meet you there.”

  Slowly, Colleen made her way out to the gym. She didn’t want to face the rest of the squad. No one was going to be happy that Meredith was gone.

  The other cheerleaders were all sitting on the gym floor, chatting and stretching when Colleen came in. She walked to stand in front of them, and everyone fell silent.

  It felt strange standing there alone. Colleen was used to having her co-captain by her side. For a long moment, she couldn’t think of what to say.

  Then, Dani, a tall girl with a long, dark braid, broke the silence. “What’s up, Colleen?” she called out. “Where’s Meredith?”

  Colleen took a deep breath. I just have to tell them and get it over with, she thought.

  “I have some bad news, guys,” she started. “Meredith is moving. She’s leaving the squad and going to Fenton.”

  Several of the girls gasped. The entire squad looked upset.

  “What are we going to do?” Andrea, a freshman, asked. “What about the All-Stars Competition?”

  Colleen looked at the worried faces all around her. The squad is depending on me, she thought. I’m the only captain now, and I have to act that way.

  Colleen took a deep breath. “We’re going to be just fine,” she said. Her voice sounded way more confident than she actually felt. “And I’m not going anywhere, so don’t worry. I’ll just be a solo captain instead of a co-captain.”

  The girls relaxed. A few of them even smiled.

  Colleen forced herself
to smile back at everyone. “Come on, everyone, huddle up,” she said.

  Everyone huddled close and put their hands together in the middle of the circle.

  “On three!” Colleen shouted.

  “One, two, three, cheer!” the squad shouted together, flinging their hands high in the air.

  Colleen made sure she shouted as loud as the rest of the girls. They were depending on her now. And no one could know just how sad and worried she really was.

  Chapter 3

  AN UNWELCOME SURPRISE

  Later that week, Colleen sat in the passenger seat of her mom’s car. They were parked outside Fenton Public, Meredith’s new school.

  Her mother glanced over at her from the driver’s seat. “Are you nervous about visiting Meredith?” Mom asked.

  Colleen glanced at the gymnasium. Even from the parking lot, she could hear the shouts and the squeaking of sneakers.

  “Of course not,” Colleen said, trying to squash the butterflies in her stomach. “Why would I be nervous?”

  Mom gave her a knowing look. “Just checking, sweetie,” she said. “I’ll come back and pick you up in half an hour or so, okay?”

  Colleen nodded as she grabbed her backpack and jumped out of the car. When Meredith had asked her to come see her practice with her new cheer team, Colleen had been so excited to see her friend she’d agreed. But now she was feeling more scared than excited.

  What if it’s weird seeing Meredith cheering with a new squad? Colleen worried. What if she decided she doesn’t really want me hanging around after all?

  Still, she couldn’t stand in the parking lot all afternoon. Colleen tugged open the gym doors and went inside. The Fenton cheer squad was at the far end of the gym. All the girls stood in a line with their hands on their hips and feet apart. They were obviously just about to start a routine.

  Colleen took a seat on the bleachers and balanced her backpack in her lap. It was easy to spot Meredith in the middle of the line. Meredith hadn’t seen her yet, but Colleen wasn’t worried.

  We can talk during a break, Colleen thought, leaning back on the bleachers to watch the team practice. I’m glad I came after all.

  “Ready? Let’s go!” Meredith shouted to the squad.

  The girls brought their hands together with a loud clap and then jumped into a toe-touch split. They repeated the move three times. Then they spread out across the tumbling mats to do their back handsprings.

  The cheerleaders quickly recovered and formed four clusters. They raised the flyers up off the ground. Crouching down slightly, the girls at the bases tossed the flyers into the air. The flyers revolved like spinning sticks before landing.

  Colleen gasped. Toe-touch split three times, back handspring, basket toss with a twist . . .

  This is the routine Meredith and I came up with, Colleen realized in disbelief. Meredith taught it to her new squad.

  Colleen’s heart was pounding as she watched the squad move through the rest of the routine. It was exactly the same, move for move.

  “Great job, guys!” Meredith shouted when they were done.

  “Let’s take five and get some water,” the coach called from her seat.

  Meredith spotted Colleen on the bench and ran toward her. “Colleen! You came!” she called, smiling happily.

  Colleen felt her face flush. How could she teach them our special routine? she thought furiously. It was supposed to be for us!

  Meredith hugged Colleen. “I’ve missed you so much!” she squealed. Then she pulled back and studied her friend’s face. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  “I can’t believe you’re using our routine with your new squad,” Colleen said. “We came up with that together.” She felt tears gathering under her eyelids.

  Meredith looked confused. “I don’t get it,” she said, shaking her head. “I taught it to them because it’s the best one I know. We’re going to do it at the All-Stars Competition. I didn’t know it was just for us and the old team.”

  “Well, we made it up together,” Colleen said. “But obviously, you’ve forgotten all about that. And everything else about your old life, including your old squad and your old friends.”

  I can’t believe Meredith doesn’t even seem sorry! Colleen thought. Her tears had disappeared, and anger had taken over.

  Meredith’s cheeks were bright red. “That routine is just as much mine as it is yours,” she said, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “And I can teach it to anyone I want.”

  Colleen grabbed her backpack from the bleachers. “Actually, you can’t,” she snapped at Meredith. “That routine was created for my squad. That means we should be the ones to use it. After all, you’re the one who left.”

  “You don’t own the routine!” Meredith hollered, glaring at Colleen.

  Just then, Meredith’s new coach came hurrying over to them. “Girls!” she interrupted, looking between them. “What’s all the yelling about? Anything I can help with?”

  Colleen shook head. “Nothing’s wrong,” she replied, still looking at Meredith. “Nothing except people who’ve forgotten everything they left behind.”

  Colleen turned and marched out the door, leaving Meredith staring after her.

  Chapter 4

  SAME OLD, SAME OLD

  Colleen stared out the window silently during the car ride back. As soon as her mother pulled up in front of her own school, Colleen jumped out. She was late for practice.

  Coach Ryan and the rest of the squad were already in the gym when Colleen hurried inside. Coach Ryan glanced up from her clipboard as Colleen took a seat on the floor with the other girls.

  “Oh, good, you’re here, Colleen,” Coach Ryan said. “I was just reminding everyone about the All-Stars Competition next week. The squads from all the local school districts will be there.”

  Colleen nodded. Even after her fight with Meredith, it was impossible to forget about the competition.

  “Why don’t you girls get warmed up and start running through the routine?” Coach Ryan continued. “I have to finish a few things, and then I’ll check in.”

  Coach Ryan left the gym, and the rest of the squad turned to Colleen. She pushed away all the rotten feelings from earlier and forced herself to focus on the practice.

  “Okay, guys!” Colleen said, clapping her hands. “Positions!”

  The girls jumped to their feet and formed a triangle facing the bleachers. Everyone stood in start position with their hands on their hips and their feet together.

  “Ready? Go!” Colleen shouted from her place at the top of the triangle.

  Everyone jumped their legs apart and put their arms in the air before performing a somersault followed by a cartwheel. Then they spread out to do a high split-leg jump.

  Colleen could tell she wasn’t jumping as high as normal, but she couldn’t help it. She didn’t have much energy today.

  The girls moved into three groups. The bases all gathered around their flyers, who stood straight with their arms in the air. The bases tossed the flyers high, caught them, and finished on one knee.

  The squad had been working on their routine for the All-Stars Competition for months. It was a good, solid routine. Sometimes Colleen felt like she could do it in her sleep.

  It might put the judges to sleep too, Colleen thought. It’s kind of boring. But I can’t tell the other girls that.

  Colleen turned to the others, panting a little. “Nice job, guys!” she said, trying to sound enthusiastic. “That’s the way we’ll take it to All-Stars.”

  The rest of the team glanced at each other. Then Dani spoke up. “Listen, Colleen,” she said. “A few of us were talking before practice, and to be honest, we don’t think this routine can win at All-Stars, no matter how well we do it.”

  “It’s not cool enough,” Anna called from the back of the group. “We need more spice!”


  There were murmurs of agreement and nods from the rest of the squad.

  Colleen sighed. “Honestly, guys, I agree with you,” she said. “But what other choice do we have? All-Stars is a week away. And we already know this routine. I think we just have to go with it.”

  “What about that new routine you were working on with Meredith?” Dani suggested. “You guys said you were going to show it to us, but you never did.”

  Colleen pursed her lips. The new routine was probably good enough to win. But . . .

  “I don’t think there’s enough time to learn it,” she said.

  “Oh, come on!” Anna chimed in. “We’ll really practice. We can learn it in a week. You said it’s awesome, right?”

  Colleen nodded slowly. It was awesome. But Meredith’s squad would be using it at the All-Stars Competition too.

  Are we really going to use our own routine against each other? Colleen thought.

  Chapter 5

  THE RIGHT DECISION?

  Colleen could hardly sleep that night. Her mind kept racing. She couldn’t stop thinking about her fight with Meredith and the nervous faces of her squad. She had to make a decision about the new routine.

  Finally, Colleen shoved back her covers and climbed out of bed. The room was hot and stuffy. She opened a window and let cool air in, hoping it would help her clear her mind.

  No matter how mad she was at Meredith, Colleen knew she couldn’t make a decision without talking to her.

  Colleen grabbed her cell phone. Meredith always slept with her phone next to her bed, and she always woke up when it buzzed.

  I need to talk to you. Call me, Colleen texted, her heart pounding

  She waited a few minutes, but there was no reply.

  Mer, this is really important, Colleen wrote. Seriously. Call me!

  Still nothing.

  I can’t believe she’s ignoring me! Colleen thought angrily. She doesn’t even want to talk.