Cheerleading Can Be Murder (Horror High #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

else.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    Even though Teresa was one of the evil Ts, she turned out to be, much to my delight, quite a terrific teacher. By the time Coach Davis blew her whistle, everyone on my team knew most of the routine by heart. We were competing as individuals, but in order for this group routine to turn out well, we all had to work together and stay in sync.
    Brittani had no problem learning the routine, and Amanda’s skills blew me away. She honestly looked like she’d been cheering for years, instead of the beginner she truly was. She even knew how to do a back handspring, though she’d had no formal gymnastics training. I thought about all the years of classes and practicing I’d invested, and couldn’t help but feel slightly resentful toward her natural abilities.
    “Let’s head out to the track and do a mile!” Coach Davis blew that whistle of hers.
    The school track was located behind the school building. The eleven of us pushed through the heavy steel doors and began our descent to the starting line of the track. Coach Davis assumed her position beside us, and I respected her for running the mile right along with us. She might be tough, but I liked her.
    The whistle sounded and we were off, racing down the long stretch of track, our various types of sneakers pounding against the dirt loudly. I enjoyed the sound of it…it reminded me of being a young girl, racing my friends on the playground at school. I wasn’t the fastest runner, but I did have endurance. I could do this mile, no problem. And I wasn’t worried about out-running the other girls. After all, this was cheerleading, not track.
    I ran at a steady pace, keeping my eyes focused on the lane in front of me. I remembered to control my breathing. By the time I made my way all the way around, I felt exhilarated.
    “As soon as you finish, you’re free to go!” Coach shouted. She was already finished herself, stretching gracefully in the grass next to the track. She didn’t have to tell me twice—I was exhausted.
    Sydney and Amanda caught up with me, and we walked together to the front entrance of the school. Sydney’s dad was parked out front in his silver Mercedes. “Call me tonight. Lots to discuss,” she said breathlessly, jogging off.
    I could see my mother parked several cars back from him, waiting faithfully as always. Not only was my mother always on time, but she was usually early. When I cheered in primary and middle school, she never missed a game. Not that she was one of those crazy cheer moms; quite the contrary. She was simply supportive of everything I did, and she wanted me to make the team because she knew how bad I wanted it myself.
    I smiled at her through the windshield of her beat-up Toyota Camry. Considering the size of our house, you’d think she would drive something fancier, but she doesn’t. She likes her old car just the way it is. I couldn’t wait until I had my driver’s license and could drive myself around, but deep down, I knew that someday when I was thirty, I would miss having her there to pick me up every day.
    Amanda was still standing by my side and I knew she was too proud to ask for a ride. I knew for a fact that her Grandma Mimi wasn’t going to leave the house and come pick her up. “Will you ride home with me? Let’s talk about tryouts.” I opened up the back door of the Camry so she could climb in.
    “Hey, Mom!” I greeted her, climbing in beside Amanda. “You don’t mind taking Amanda home, do you? She lives just next door,” I explained, even though my mom already knew who Amanda was.
    “Sure!” she said, in her usual cheerful voice. I could tell that my mom was dying to ask me about tryouts, but I knew she’d wait until after we dropped Amanda off.
    “Our group routine is fabulous! I definitely think the four of us will make it!” Amanda exclaimed excitedly. Since Amanda was new, she didn’t know much about the four veterans, or Ashleigh’s