Nothing is picture perfect

Chapter 7

36

It was four o'clock and the cheer team was stretching in the gymnasium. 

Kylie came in late holding a note from Mr. Ebberson, a science teacher. 

"Kylie, can I talk to you?" Coach Rockwaller called out.

Kylie came over. "What's up, Coach?" She handed the note over. 

Coach Rockwaller's eyes bore into hers. "We need to have a chat in my office." She looked at the note and sighed. 

Sammi stood up from her spot on the floor. She watched as Kylie followed the coach toward the locker room. 

Kylie whipped around feeling eyes on her. She stopped cold. "Why is SHE here?" She yelled out loudly. 

"Because she's on the team," Coach Rockwaller said with a hard look.

"What?" Kylie's smug look vanished. "That's impossible!"

"Your actions are unacceptable, Kylie," Coach Rockwaller said firmly. "Tampering with the team list is a serious offense. I expect better from a team captain."

"I didn't do anything!"

"We have video footage of you switching out the list, Kylie. I know how competitive you are, but this kind of behavior is not tolerated on this team." Coach Rockwaller's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Who would rat me out?! She thought.

Kylie's eyes narrowed. "So what? You're going to kick me off the team because of some nobody?"

37

"Watch your tone with me! I'm gonna have to call Kim!" 

Kylie's heart stopped for a beat. "You wouldn't."

"I don't want to, but I will if you don't start showing some respect and sportsmanship." Coach Rockwaller warned. "Be nice to Sammi or else."

Kylie clenched her fists, she started to cry. She ran off, rage flooding her. She couldn't even be here right now. 

Meanwhile, Sammi waited, her stomach in knots. Coach Rockwaller gestured to her. "Sammi, come over here." She spoke again, "The rest of you can either stay or go home. I just can't deal with all of this today." 

Sammi went to grab her things and walked over to her. 

"Take a seat." Coach Rockwaller said, gesturing bleacher seats. Sammi sat down, her legs shaking slightly. Her things all on the floor beside her. 

"I know this isn't easy, but I need you to understand that we take these kinds of things seriously. You're on the team. Your skills and determination earned you that spot."

Sammi's eyes filled with tears of relief. "Thank you, Coach. I'll work hard to prove I belong."

"May I ask where you've been training?"

Sammi hesitated, unsure if she should reveal her secret. "I've just been practicing at home and with some friends. I've got a trampoline. That's really helpful."

Coach Rockwaller nodded. "Well, it shows. Your form is excellent and your spirit is unmatched."

Sammi felt a warmth spread through her chest. "Thank you, Coach." She went home with a smile on her face. 

38

The next Monday Kylie was still angry.

The cheer practice was intense, but Sammi felt a strange sense of belonging. Despite Kylie's cold shoulder, the other girls were welcoming. They saw her dedication and skill and knew she was an asset to the team.

After practice Sammi was about to leave when Kylie stopped her in the locker room.

"What do you think you're doing?" Kylie's voice was ice cold.

Sammi turned around, her heart racing. "I'm just leaving."

Kylie grabbed Sammi's arm, pulling her closer. "You think you're so clever, don't you?" She hissed. "But you don't know what you're getting into."

Sammi pulled her arm free, standing tall. "I know exactly what I'm doing." She said, her voice firm. "I'm joining the cheer team because I love it, not because of you."

Kylie's grip tightened. "You're just trying to take my place! She spat. "But you'll never be like me."

Sammi's eyes flashed with anger. "I don't want to be like you!" She said, her voice steady. "I want to be myself and I want to be part of this team. I worked my butt off to get a spot." 

"Sure." Kylie said, still gripping her arm. "If I find out that my mother encouraged coach to put you on this team then you're going down!" 

"Your mother isn't involved now let me go."

Kylie's grip on Sammi's arm tightened, her nails digging into the fabric of her sweatshirt. And now her skin.

"What's your problem?" Sammi demanded, trying to pull away. "You're hurting me!" 

"You of course! You need to pack your bags and leave Middleton."

Sammi felt an explosive rush of anger. "I'm not going anywhere, Stoppable!" 

Kylie let her go and let out a scream and shoved her hard.

39

Sammi stumbled back, catching herself before she fell. "You can't control everything, Kylie," She said, her voice steady. "And you can't control me."

"I can make your life a living hell!" Kylie threatened, stepping closer.

Sammi's eyes narrowed. "Is that supposed to scare me?"

Kylie was triggered and struck Sammi.

Sammi didn't see it coming. The slap echoed through the locker room, leaving a stinging imprint on her cheek. She tasted copper and her eyes watered. She felt it happen. She allowed it. Her hands flared up. "Get away from me!" Green light lit up the locker room. 

Ooh this was new. "I knew it you are a freak!"

It was then when Kylie saw the resemblance. The way Sammi was ready for her next move. The look in her eyes. She thought about all the stories her mom had told her. Her mother always mentioned that Shego's hands could flare up in green. Hot damn! "You . . . you've been lying. You're not Sammi Smarty."

"Yes, I am! That is my given name." She  shouted, still holding her ground. 

Kylie laughed now circling her. "Sure your father might be the owner of Smarty Mart, but you've never mentioned your mother."

Sammi clenched her fists, her hands still glowing faintly. "My mother is none of your business."

Kylie took a step back, her eyes wide with excitement. "This is something to tell the whole school. Shego is your mother." She circled Sammi once more. "How very interesting." She said with a gotcha kind of smirk and then walked away.

Sammi stood there, trembling with anger. "This isn't over!" She called after Kylie.

Later that night at the Possible-Stoppable house.

Kylie shoved her pasta around her plate. Her face held so much tension. 

"What's wrong, dear?" Her mother asked.

Kylie looked up at her mother. "There is this girl that wants to ruin my life."

Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's her name?"

"Sammi." Kylie said, trying to keep the anger from her voice.

"I don't understand. Sammi the new girl?" 

Kylie sat back and crossed her arms. "She's not who you think she is."