Stacey And The Cheerleaders by Ann M. Martin Read Free Book Online Page B

to even think of trying out. The other half thought I should at least get in shape.
    We had a sub in gym that day. We could pretty much do whatever we wanted, as long as it was athletic.
    Cheerleading was definitely athletic, and more interesting than volleyball. Slowly the second half of me won the cheer/leading argument.
    It was time for Operation Physical Fitness.
    Normally I do not like gym class. Let me say that right out. Why? Because they insist on holding it in the middle of the day. You end up sweaty and gross, your hair gets all greasy, and your clothes get wrinkled in the locker. Then you have to go back out and face the whole school.
    Honestly, it's torture.
    But this was an emergency. I needed to rise to the occasion.
    I tried splits. I did jumping jacks. And more splits. I thought my legs were going to fall off.
    But guess what? I could do them. Splits, I mean. Not terrifically, and not superfast, but I was improving.
    By the end of class, I had made my decision. I was going to try out. Two weeks was plenty of time to improve. If I didn't make it, fine. I'd feel much worse if I hadn't given it a shot.
    Besides, the cheerleaders were my friends now. They'd be pulling for me. If I showed any promise at all, I probably had a good chance.
    I left the gym. I was hungry. My muscles were screaming at me. But I felt great.
    Luckily, my next period was lunch. I couldn't wait to feed my poor, starving, aching body. I took a salad, soup, and a cheeseburger (which is more than I usually eat) from the lunch counter, and I went right to my usual spot at the BSC table.
    "Wow," said Kristy, looking at my tray.
    "Is someone joining you?"
    Mary Anne smiled. "Robert?"
    "No," I said. "I'm just hungry."
    "It's love," Claudia remarked. "They say love makes you hungrier."
    "Where did you hear that?" I asked.
    Claudia shrugged. "I read it somewhere. Something to do with, like, hormones or biospheres."
    "Biospheres?" Kristy laughed so hard she practically spit out her food.
    As I was reaching the bottom of my salad, I saw Sheila enter the cafeteria. "Hey, Sheil!" I called out.
    She rushed to our table. "How's it going?" she asked.
    Kristy, Mary Anne, and Claudia remained dead silent. I decided to do the only polite thing. "Have you guys all met?" I asked.
    They hadn't, so I introduced everyone around. Then Sheila sat at the edge of an empty seat across from me. "Did you see our sign?"
    "I did," Claudia piped up.
    "Are any of you trying out?" Sheila said.
    I could see a Look shoot around among the three of them. A you-must-be-joking Look. "I don't think so," Mary Anne answered.
    "I am," I announced.
    Kristy looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. But I figured, what the heck? Now that I'd made my decision, I didn't need to keep it quiet anymore.
    "Great!" Sheila exclaimed, standing up from her chair. "I knew you would! Do you have a routine?"
    "A routine?" I asked. "Am I supposed to have one beforehand?"
    "You need one if you make it to the final cut. You know, something that's athletic but shows your dance ability, too. A lot of girls are great at splits and stuff, but they turn into clods when they try to dance. I'm sure you'll be fine. See you." She began walking to the lunch line, then turned around. "Oh, and don't forget to smile when you practice. It's good training." With her own smile, she walked away.
    " 'Bye!" I called out.
    I looked across the table and came face to face with the Stoneybrook Staring Squad.
    I couldn't help but giggle. "What?" I said.
    "You're trying out for the cheerleaders?" Kristy asked.
    "Well, yeah! Is there anything wrong with that?"
    "Kristy, it's not like she's joining the Marines," Claudia said. "Come on."
    Kristy turned to Claudia. "I know, but I'm surprised, that's all. I mean, aren't you?"
    "I guess." Claudia looked suddenly thoughtful. "Maybe Stacey's having an insulin reaction. Keep an eye on her."
    "Claudia!" I said.
    "Kidding!" Claudia replied with a grin. "Seriously, if that's what you want to do,