Cheerleaders: The New Evil by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online

She raised one foot to stare at a hole in the toe of her white sock.
    â€œDid you feel an evil presence?” Debra demanded, ignoring Gorky’s demand.
    â€œIt was an accident,” Corky insisted. “An unbelievable, tragic accident. I—I just feel so bad for Rochelle. She’ll probably miss weeks of school.”
    They sat in Corky’s living room. Golden afternoonsunlight streamed into the front window. Outside, the snow had begun to melt.
    â€œYou don’t think the evil is back?” Debra persisted. Her sky blue eyes locked on Gorky’s.
    Corky shook her head. “It’s too frightening to think about. Please—let’s try not to talk about yesterday. Talk about something else.”
    â€œI wonder how long they’ll keep the gym closed,” Debra said, toying with the fringe on one of the pillows. “How are we supposed to practice for the tournament?”
    â€œIt’s probably just closed for today,” Corky replied. She took a long drink from the can of diet Coke she held in one hand. “The police have to do whatever they do.”
    â€œThey have counselors at school,” Debra added. “For kids who want to talk about the accident. You know. Talk about how they feel.” She dropped the pillow onto her lap. “Think you should go? You seem really stressed out.”
    Corky sighed. “I don’t need to talk to a counselor,” she replied, squeezing the soda can. “I need to talk to Alex. I can’t believe Lauren said that to me! I can’t believe that Alex—”
    â€œLauren was just trying to say the meanest thing she could think of,” Debra suggested. She ran a hand back through her short blond hair. “She was upset that Ivy won. So she said the first thing that came into her head.”
    â€œThink so?” Corky lowered the soda to her lap, her expression thoughtful. “I don’t know, Debra. Laurenand Ivy have been friends for a long time. I don’t think Lauren would be angry with Ivy—”
    â€œShe’s angry with you— not Ivy,” Debra replied.
    The phone rang. Corky jumped to her feet, nearly spilling the soda. “Maybe that’s Alex. I’ve called his house twelve times. I left twelve messages for him to call!”
    She hurried to the kitchen phone and grabbed the receiver. “Hello?” she asked breathlessly.
    â€œHi. It’s me!”
    â€œAlex—where’ve you been?” Corky cried, not meaning to sound so frantic.
    â€œUh—I had some stuff to do. How are you doing, Corky? Are you okay? I heard what happened after school yesterday. To Rochelle.”
    â€œI—I guess I’m okay,” Corky replied uncertainly. She took a deep breath. “Listen, Alex, there’s something I’ve got to ask you. I’m just going to be blunt and come right to the point, okay?”
    He hesitated. “Yeah. Sure. What’s the problem?”
    â€œWhat’s with you and Lauren?” Corky blurted out.
    â€œHuh? Lauren?” She couldn’t tell if Alex was genuinely confused by the question, or if he was stalling for time.
    â€œYeah. You and Lauren,” she insisted. “Lauren told me that you and she—”
    â€œWhoa!” Alex interrupted. “If she said that we went out or anything, it’s a lie.”
    â€œYou didn’t go out with Lauren?” Corky demanded. “What did you do—stay in with her?”
    Alex let out an uncomfortable laugh. “No. No way,Corky. I helped her one night last week with her government project. That’s all. Maybe she got the wrong idea.”
    â€œMaybe—” Corky replied. “Listen, Alex, do you want to come over tonight? We could study together. Maybe you could help me with my government project.”
    â€œSorry,” he answered reluctantly. “I can’t. I—uh—just can’t tonight, Corky.”
    Couldn’t he