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

agreed.
    Lauren worked out with the cheerleaders too, staying at the end of the line, concentrating hard on the others, trying to pick up the moves and learn the words. She and Corky avoided each other’s eyes. Corky couldn’t forget what Lauren had said about Alex.
    â€œCorky? Kimmy? Come help me,” Ms. Closter instructed. The three of them rolled the large cannons to the middle of the gym floor and pointed them at the empty bleachers.
    â€œHope these work,” Ms. Closter muttered. “We borrowed them from the college. They use them at pep rallies all the time.”
    The cheerleaders huddled around as Ms. Closter explained how the cannons worked. “They’re loaded,” she told them. “Filled with confetti. You just aim them at the bleachers, pull the string, and— boom! The confetti flies all over everyone.”
    â€œWe’re not going to fire them off tonight, are we?” Naomi asked.
    â€œYes, I think we have to,” Ms. Closter replied. “To make sure they’re working. They’re only half loaded. The custodian promised to clean it up tomorrow morning and fill the cannons up all the way.”
    Ms. Closter probably had to promise the custodianfree tickets to the tournament, Corky thought. He’d never agree to do all that work for nothing.
    â€œNow I want three girls doing handsprings and three girls handling the cannons,” Ms. Closter instructed. She pointed to three girls—Kimmy, Debra, and Ivy. “You’re handsprings. The others are cannons.”
    Corky heard disappointed groans. Everyone wanted to fire the cannons.
    â€œNow we’ll start with the Hoop cheer,” Ms. Closter continued. “Do it twice. Then instead of the usual ending, go into the handsprings. Pull the cords as soon as they finish their handsprings. The confetti will shoot out then.”
    â€œThis is hard!” Debra complained. “I mean, the timing—”
    â€œWait! Nobody move!” Naomi shouted, raising both hands. “I dropped a contact! Don’t move!”
    Everyone groaned. The lenses were constantly popping out of Naomi’s eyes!
    â€œThere it is. Right beside your sneaker,” Lauren told Naomi, pointing to the floor.
    â€œHey—thanks!” Naomi bent and retrieved the contact lens. “You’ve got good eyes!” She struggled to replace the lens. “I’ve really got to get new ones. These just don’t fit.”
    â€œLet’s try to get the timing down,” Ms. Closter told them, tossing her whistle behind her. “It’s not as hard as it sounds. It’s just a matter of pulling the strings as soon as the cheer ends.”
    Corky turned when she heard angry voices behind her. Ivy and Heather, she saw, seemed to be having an argument. “How can I?” Heather was saying. “My leg is still sore from that cramp.”
    Kimmy moved quickly, stepping between them. “What’s the problem, Heather?”
    â€œI really think I should handle the cannon,” Ivy broke in before Heather could reply. “My handsprings aren’t that sharp. I’m going to look like a total klutz.”
    Heather shook her head. “No way, Ivy. I really want to do the cannon. I’m sorry, but—”
    Ivy tossed up her hands and let out an exasperated groan. “Okay, okay. If you’re going to make a big deal about it!” she fumed. She stomped away from Heather.
    Temper, temper, Corky thought, surprised by Ivy’s outburst.
    She’s the new girl, Corky thought, watching Ivy’s angry expression. She’s not going to impress anyone by going nuts over something like this.
    â€œAre we ready now?” Ms. Closter asked quietly, raising her eyes to the scoreboard clock. The adviser always stayed out of these arguments, letting the cheerleaders settle them themselves. “It’s getting late. I know you all have homework to do when you get