by Jake Maddox
Chapter 7
Making Changes
Over the next two weeks, the team worked hard at perfecting their routine. But Amanda felt like it wasn’t quite right yet.
“Okay, everyone line up and get in Ready Stand position. Let’s go again, from the top,” Coach Wall said.
“Why do we have to start in Ready Stand?” asked Chloe, frowning.
“All routines start like that at this school,” said Ruby.
“Well, what if we all started in Clean position? That would be cool,” said Amanda. “Instead of hands on our hips, we’d have straight arms at our sides.”
Chloe shook her head. “Actually, I was thinking of something a little different,” she said. “We always start standing in two boring lines.”
“That’s because we’re one squad. We should all look the same,” said Amanda. “We need to look polished. That’s what the judges look for.”
Chloe frowned and said, “We look polished when we start moving through the routine. The changes we’ve made are really fresh. I think it’s almost perfect. But it does seem like something is missing.” She looked at Amanda. “It came to me last night,” she said. “I think I know what we need.”
“What?” asked Amanda.
“I think we should start the routine as individuals!” Chloe explained.
“Isn’t it getting a little late for changes?” said Rachel. “The competition is less than two weeks away. Plus, we have to cheer at three more games between now and then. We have enough to worry about without making more changes.”
“I agree,” Amanda said.
“Let me show you what I mean. Then decide if it’s too much, okay?” Chloe asked.
Coach Wall said, “Go ahead, Chloe.”
“Picture this,” Chloe said. “We’re all standing out here, before the music starts. Only, instead of standing in lines, we’re standing in a circle.”
“With our backs to the judges? I don’t like that,” Rachel said, crossing her arms and frowning.
Chloe sighed. “No,” she explained. “We stand facing out. And instead of arms down or hands at our hips, everyone’s arms are a little bit different.”
Ruby said, “That sounds sloppy!”
“Yeah, it does,” Anna said.
Amanda stood up and turned to face the other girls. “We all agreed to work together on this and to think creatively,” she said, putting her hands on her hips. “That means listening to each other’s ideas.”
She sat back down and looked to Chloe. “Go ahead. We’re listening,” Amanda said. “Tell us your idea.
Chloe gave her a little smile.
Then Chloe took a deep breath. She explained, “Okay, so we’re in a circle, facing out, and the girl in the very back has her arms in an open High V. Each girl next to her has her arms in a V, but not as high. The girl at the front of the circle has her arms down, in a Low V.”
“The girl in the very back could have straight knees, and the girl in the front could have bent knees,” said Anna. “We would look like a sun, like our arms were the rays!”
“Hey, I like that,” said Coach Wall.
“So, we’re all a little different, but we come together to make one thing,” said Amanda. “I get it.” She smiled.
Chapter 8
A Little Glitch
Everything was going perfectly. The new opening to the routine was awesome. All the girls agreed that it would really impress the judges.
By the time the competition was less than a week away, the routine was almost perfect. Four more days of practice would do it. They would be flawless. Every detail would be just right.
Amanda couldn’t wait.
On the Tuesday before the competition, Amanda was hurrying to practice when Rachel ran up to her.
“Amanda, I have a favor to ask you,” Rachel said. She gave Amanda her sweetest smile.
“What’s up? Let’s walk and talk or we’ll be late to practice,” Amanda told her.
“Here’s the deal,” said Rachel. “My aunt is coming to visit. Her flight comes in on Friday.”
“That’s the day before the competition,” added Amanda.
“Right,” Rachel said. “The day before. It’s not a huge problem, just a tiny little glitch.”
“Glitch?” Amanda asked. She stopped walking and looked at Rachel.
“Yeah,” Rachel said. “A tiny one. See, I found these awesome boots online and my mom said I could get them if I saved up enough money to pay half.”
“Okay,” Amanda said.
Rachel smiled. “Well, I finally saved up enough money. And there’s a mall by the airport that has those boots.”
Amanda sighed. “Get to the point, Rach!” she said with a laugh.
Rachel laughed too. “Okay, okay. Anyway, my mom said we could stop at the mall before we pick up my aunt. I really want to, but that would mean I’d miss the last practice.”
Amanda felt shocked. She said, “Rachel, you know you can’t miss practice and still compete.”
Rachel looked away from her. “Yeah, I know,” she said.
Amanda asked, “Are you saying those boots are more important than the squad?”
“Of course not!” Rachel exclaimed. “The squad is way more important.”
“Then what are you saying?” asked Amanda.
Rachel rolled her eyes. “I’m saying that as my best friend, you could excuse me from practice and tell everyone that I had a doctor’s appointment,” she said quietly.
Amanda gasped. “You’re asking me to lie for you?”
Rachel said, “It’s just a tiny lie. Besides, it’s not like we’ll need another practice. We have the routine down.”
“I can’t do that, Rachel,” said Amanda.
Rachel frowned. Then she said, “It’s just about you being able to boss everyone around, isn’t it?”
Amanda felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. She stared at Rachel. Finally, Amanda asked quietly, “Is that what you really think?”
Rachel shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re different. You don’t listen to me. It’s like all you care about is winning the competition. You don’t care about our friendship.”
Amanda thought she might start crying. “Rachel, I do listen to you. You’re my best friend,” she said.
Rachel said, “Then listen to me now! Just do this tiny favor for me. After all, I helped you get elected as captain.”
“I can’t,” Amanda said quietly. “I’m sorry, Rachel. I just can’t.”
Rachel stared at her. “Fine. Well, I guess that shows me how much you care about our friendship.” Then she stomped down the hall.
* * *
Rachel and Amanda didn’t talk for the rest of the week.
On Friday before practice, Amanda waited by Rachel’s locker, hoping her friend would show up. But she never did.
Amanda slowly walked to the locker room alone. She changed without talking to anyone else and went into the gym. Everyone was already there, except Rachel.
Coach Wall handed her the attendance sheet. Amanda stared down at it.
It had been almost perfect. Chloe had an important dentist appointment one afternoon, but she had gotten a note from her doctor. Besides that, every girl had attended every practice.
Until today.
Amanda glanced at the clock, hoping there would still be time for Rachel to come, but it was already 3:40. Practice had officially started ten minutes ago.
“Where’s Rachel?” Ruby asked.
Amanda sighed. “I guess she’s not coming,” she said.
Coach Wall looked worried. “Do you think she’ll get a doctor’s note?” she asked.
Amanda stared at the ground. “No,” she said sadly. “They don’t give out doctor’s notes when you go to the mall.”
“This is serious,” Coach Wall said. “If Rachel’s not coming, she can’t compete on Saturday.”
“I know,” Amanda said. “She’s not coming.” She looked at the other girls. They all looked worried.
Chapter 9
The Big Day
On Saturday morning, the girls piled into a school van. Coach Wall drove them to the competition.
The competition was being held at a college that was only a few towns away. When they arrived, the huge stadium where the performances would be was full of cheerleaders of all ages. The littlest cheerleaders were only five years old. Amanda thought they were so cute.
Her squad was scheduled to perform fourth. They nervously watched as the first three squads performed their routines.
As the third routine ended, Amanda’s stomach felt like it was tied in a million small knots. It was time.
The girls huddled up before they were called out to the floor.
“Okay, girls, this is it!” Coach Wall yelled over the sound of the crowd. She smiled and said, “You have all worked really hard.”
She paused to look around the circle at each girl. Amanda tried to stop feeling nervous.
Finally, Coach Wall said, “I want you to know that, no matter what happens today, I am proud of you. Every one of you.”
Amanda thought their coach did look really proud. She smiled at Coach Wall.
The girls squeezed together for a group hug. Just then, Amanda felt someone grab her arm and wiggle into the huddle.
It was Rachel.
Frowning, Coach Wall said, “I’m sorry, Rachel, but rules are rules. You can’t compete with us.”
Rachel looked down at the floor. “I know,” she said quietly. “I’m not here to compete. And I’m really sorry. It was a stupid decision to make.”
Amanda didn’t know what to think. What was Rachel doing?
Rachel looked up and went on, “I just wanted to be here. I woke up this morning and I felt terrible.”
She looked at Amanda and smiled nervously. “I wanted to come cheer you on,” Rachel finished.
Amanda smiled and gave her a squeeze.
“So, you’re here to cheer on the cheerleaders?” asked Chloe.
The girls all laughed. Rachel laughed too. “Yeah. I guess that’s the reason I’m here. Everyone needs a cheerleader, right?” she said.
“Right!” said Coach Wall. “You can watch from the sidelines with me, Rachel.”
Then the announcer’s voice blared over the loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Cougars!”
The girls put their hands together and shouted, “One! Two! Three! I have you, and you have me!”
Before she could break the huddle, Rachel put her arms around Amanda. She whispered into Amanda’s ear. “Go get ‘em, captain. You rock!”
Amanda felt the knots in her stomach relax. She had her best friend back.
The girls headed out to the floor. They formed their starting pose.
Amanda’s heart was beating really hard. She took a deep breath in and then slowly let it out.
The music began.
The crowd was just a blur to Amanda. She hardly realized that they were there.
Instead, she felt the energy of the squad. Their arms moved together. Their legs kicked up to the exact same height and at the exact same angle.
It was almost magical.
Their hard work had all come to this. Amanda felt proud.
When the music ended, the girls held their ending position. The crowd exploded with clapping and cheers.
Amanda’s heart was pounding and she was sweating. All she cared about was that she could see Coach Wall and Rachel on the sidelines, screaming happily and jumping up and down.
And when the results were announced later that day, the team pushed Amanda forward to receive the trophy for first place.
About the Author
Ronda Redmond lives in a small town in Minnesota with her husband, Jim, her sons, Sam and Charlie, and her dogs, Georgie and Frank. She studied creative writing in college and now works in the business world as an analyst and writer. She loves to read, cook, and make pottery.
About the Illustrator
When Tuesday Mourning was a little girl, she knew she wanted to be an artist when she grew up. Now, she is an illustrator who lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. She especially loves illustrating books for kids and teenagers. When she isn’t illustrating, Tuesday loves spending time with her husband, who is an actor, and their son, Atticus.
Glossary
announce (uh-NOUNSS)—to say something officially or publicly
captain (KAP-tuhn)—the leader of a team
challenge (CHAL-uhnj)—something that is difficult to do. Challenge can also have another meaning: if you challenge someone, you invite them to try to do something difficult.
competition (kom-puh-TISH-uhn)—a contest
flawless (FLAW-liss)—perfect
glitch (GLICH)—a sudden problem
inspiration (in-spur-AY-shuhn)—if someone is an inspiration to another person, they inspire, or make the other person want to do better
position (puh-ZISH-uhn)—the way in which someone is standing
qualities (KWAHL-uh-teez)—characteristics, or ways of being
routine (roo-TEEN)—a set performance
yoga (YOH-guh)—a system of exercises, stretches, and meditation that helps people become relaxed and physically fit
Cool Tips for Cheerleading Competitions
When You Arrive At the Competition
• Stay calm! Competitions are fun, exciting, and stressful.
• Look over the facilities so everyone knows where everything is.
• Check the schedule and make sure all squad members know where they are suppose to be and when.
• Be polite! Your behavior reflects not only on you but on the whole squad.
• Be supportive of other squads.
• Make mental notes or even jot down things you think might help your squad next time.
• Be positive.
• Have fun.
When You Get Back From a Competition
• Have a squad meeting and critique your performance. Talk about what worked and what didn’t.
• Look at any videos or pictures that were taken. Learn from them.
• Make sure all criticism is helpful. Remember, you’re a team and you’re only as good as your weakest member. Your goal should be to improve as a squad, not to alienate people or make them feel bad.
• Once you’ve rehashed the competition and learned from it, put it behind you and move on to your next one.
Discussion Questions
1. There were good things and bad things about being captain of the cheerleading squad. What were the hardest things for Amanda? What were some of the positive things about being captain?
2. Rachel asks Amanda to make an exception for her to get out of practice. What would you do if you were in Amanda’s position? Talk about ways that Amanda could have responded to Rachel.
3. In the beginning of this book, Amanda has to decide if she’s going to to vote for herself for captain. What would you have done? Talk about it.
Writing Prompts
1. Are you on any teams or squads with your friends? If you and a friend have an argument, how does it affect your team? Write about a time an argument with a friend affected your team. What did you do to solve the problem?
2. At the end of this book, Amanda and her squad have a successful competition. Write about a success you have had in your favorite sport. What happened? How did it make you feel?
3. Coach Wall tells Amanda that she needs to find a way to inspire her teammates. Can you think of any other ideas Amanda could have had to inspire her team? Write about some ideas.
Other Books By Jake Maddox
Ella and Laura can’t believe it when two of the meanest girls from a rival volleyball team switch to their team. They decide to give the new girls a chance, but before long it’s clear that Beth and Gretchen don’t plan to be good teammates.
Annie’s been practicin
g her heart out in order to make the basketball team this year. But as she tries out, things keep going wrong. Can she take the pressure, do her best, and make the team? Annie won’t let anything stand in her way!
Internet Sites
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Jake Maddox Books are published by Stone Arch Books,
A Capstone Imprint
1710 Roe Crest Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
www.capstonepub.com
Copyright © 2008 by Stone Arch Books
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Maddox, Jake.
Cheer Challenge / by Jake Maddox; illustrated by Tuesday Mourning.
p. cm. — (Impact Books — A Jake Maddox Sports Story)
ISBN 978-1-4342-0468-4 (library binding)
ISBN 978-1-4342-0518-6 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-4342-8897-4 (ebook)
[1. Cheerleading—Fiction. 2. Leadership—Fiction.] I. Mourning, Tuesday, ill. II. Title.
