Beautiful Demons

29. This Week Is Going To Be Tough

Monday afternoon, I joined eight other sophomore girls in the gym for cheerleading tryouts. Never in my life had I even considered being friends with a cheerleader, much less actually trying to become one. Until Peachville. Everything was different here. Ever since I lost my adoptive family and was put into the foster care system, I'd been looking for a place where I could fit in. All I ever wanted was to belong somewhere. To have a family who truly cared about me and wanted me in their lives. From the way Brooke and the others interacted, they seemed like a family. And if I could become a part of that, it might be the closest I'd ever come to my dream. At least while I was still in high school.

If I didn't make the squad, I wasn't sure what would happen to my friendship with the other girls. They had become my friends before Mrs. King ever mentioned the tryouts, so I wanted to believe that win or lose, they would still be my friends. But at the same time, being a part of the team would mean daily practices, special trips, away games, and all kinds of time spent together. I wanted it bad.

When Agnes walked into the gym and saw me already sitting on the shiny floor with my loaner pom poms, my stomach tensed. A scowl crossed her face and she took a deep breath, then shaking it off, she smiled and walked straight over to me.

"Hey," she said, grabbing some blue pom poms from the pile and sitting down next to me. "Look, I know I've been really weird about this whole cheerleading thing. But I don't like not being able to be friends with you. And I know I can't expect you not to make friends here at PHS or want to be a part of such an awesome squad. Besides, I was thinking that it would suck if we were mad at each other over this forever. One of us might make the squad now and the other one might audition for next year's squad."

'"I guess that's true," I said. I hadn't thought about next year's auditions yet. I wasn't in the habit of thinking so far ahead at a new school. "I'm glad you came over to talk to me. I hate not being able to talk to you like we used to."

"I know, me too." Her smile seemed genuine. "Let's just try to forget about any kind of jealousy and try to have fun this week."

"Sounds good to me," I said.

Mrs. King walked through the door and clapped a few times. "Girls, I'm so happy you all came out today. We never anticipate having to replace a member of our squad like this, and what happened is a terrible tragedy for our entire school. At the same time, I know Tori would have wanted us to move on and compete in the state cheerleading competitions this winter and next spring. In order to do that, we have to have one more girl, so that's why we're all here today.

"As you know, I've only asked sophomores to come out today. That's because I want to keep the current squad balanced and make sure there are enough experienced members to move up next year. With that said, this week is going to be tough. I expect you to be here every afternoon this week from three to five. If you are late, you'll be automatically disqualified. Any questions?"

Agnes raised her hand.

"Yes, Agnes?"

"I was wondering if there are any extra rehearsals planned for those of us who want to put in more time and make sure we've really got them down?"

"As a matter of fact, there will be an extended practice at my house on Wednesday afternoon with the current squad. All of you are invited to attend, but it's not mandatory. It will be a good opportunity to spend time with the squad and see how you fit in and to watch the more experienced girls do the routines," she said. "That will be from five to six-thirty or so."

She glanced around the room. No one else had any questions.

"Let's get started, then."

For the next two hours, Mrs. King and some of the other cheerleaders took us through the routines and cheers I learned Friday night. Some of these girls were serious competition. Including Agnes. She obviously knew her stuff.

I didn't do too badly, but I was still struggling with a few of the routines, especially the long dance.

"Don't worry," Agnes said after practice while we were waiting for Ella Mae to pick us up. "You'll get the hang of it. It's the same dance we learned at last year's tryouts, so I already knew it, but you've almost got it down already. If you want to practice some at home this week, just come and get me."

"Thanks. I'm really glad we're talking again. I would hate to lose you as a friend."

"I know, me too." She looked at me with a smile, then her eyes traveled down toward my neck and her face fell. Confusion flashed across her features.

I touched my pendant self-consciously. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head slightly. "Nothing," she said. "I thought you lost that."

"What? My pendant?" I looked toward the ground, trying to remember. "I don't think so."

A distant memory threatened to rise to the surface, but was lost in a sea of mist. The cut on my hand began to throb.