“Okay,” I sigh. I really want him to come to New York. I want him to be there when I get back. “I’m gonna miss you.” There, I admitted it out loud.
“No, you’re not, because you’re going to call me as soon as you get home,” he says as he puts one foot on his board. I can’t help it. I practically leap into his arms and kiss him again and again and again. I want to absorb his smell, his energy, anything I can remember him by. Porch light! I see a shadow, but I can’t make out who it is; I think someone’s trying to tell me my boyfriend time is up.
“I better get inside,” I say as I hug him one more time, then back away.
Charlie takes one long look at me, then takes off. Right, no good-byes. I watch him until he disappears under the streetlights. Letting out a big sigh helps me get my breathing back to normal again, but my heart? Well, that’s going to take some time.
With the Belles and 4-D meeting for the first time as friends at practice, it feels weird, but cool, I guess. However, for our two coaches, Kirsten and Gabriella, it isn’t smooth sailing right away. I was right when I had a feeling these two had a hatchet to bury.
“Well, well, well,” says Gabriella as she sets eyes on Kirsten.
“Well, well, well, yourself, Gabriella Upton,” Kirsten says with crossed arms.
“Kirsten Dunlap, how have you been?” Gabriella asks as she stretches out her hand. Kirsten looks at us, the new double Dutch team before her, and hesitates. Then she shakes Gabriella’s hand.
“I’ve been well since we last met and my team took home the state championship trophy for best cheer squad,” Kirsten says through gritted teeth.
“Of course you did, after stealing our routine,” Gabriella says, also through gritted teeth. “Of course you did.”
The rest of us girls look at each other like, What? Feeling the thick and familiar tension, I see Sally and Ivy whispering to each other. While Kirsten and Gabriella obviously have flashbacks of their high school rivalry, Sally and Ivy stand up.
“Hey! We have an idea,” Ivy says.
“Yeah, since we’re a new team, why don’t we come up with a new name and start over,” suggests Sally.
“This way we all can have a fresh start,” says Ivy. “You know, like put all the bad stuff behind us and work together?” It’s like Sally and Ivy are attempting to act like adults, telling Kirsten and Gabriella to do the right thing. Not to mention it is weird seeing them be real friends and on the same team again.
“Yeah, there’re going to be a lot of great teams there, and we won’t have a chance unless we really work hard together,” Sally adds.
For whatever it’s worth, Kirsten and Gabriella roll their eyes and look at one another. Kirsten extends her hand first this time.
“Truce?” asks Kirsten.
“Looks like we’ve got our work cut out,” answers Gabriella. Kirsten smiles as they shake hands.
“You heard her, ladies,” Kirsten announces. “On your feet!”
Yes! Finally we get to combine our ideas and collaborate on the best routine we can possibly put together! We have lots of decisions to make…who’s turning, who’s jumping, who can do anything extra, like acrobatics, what music we are going to use, what’s our dance, can they dance, do we do a chant or not, when does the music start and stop and start again, what are our costumes going to look like, and then, most important…who’s going to do a solo? That’s when time seems to slow down.
“Well, let’s think about this one,” suggests Kirsten.
“Count me out,” says Sally. “I don’t want that kind of pressure again. No thank you.”
“Now, wait a minute, Sally,” says Gabriella. “Are you sure? I mean, just because you messed up before doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try again.”
“I don’t know,” Brie chimes in. “I’m all for second chances, but we’re going to be in New York. It’s not an easy crowd.”
“You’ve got a point there,” agrees Kirsten.
“Thanks, Gabriella,” says Sally. “I thought I could do it last time, but I don’t want to mess up again and let everyone down. I vote for Ivy to have the solo.”
“Okay,” says Gabriella. “But there’s nothing like proving to yourself that you can do it.” If I was Sally, I would fight to redeem myself, but as my mother told me, you can’t force people to act the way you want them to act. I know Sally can do it, but I’m not going to pressure her.
“What about Kayla?” suggests Melissa. “It’s her hometown, and she’s good too. I mean really good.” Aw!
“Thanks, Melissa!” I smile wide. “But I think I’ll stick to speed. Maybe Ivy should have the solo this time, like Sally said.” I just don’t want to get on my cousin’s bad side again. It’s bad enough Charlie likes me, not Sally. I don’t want to chance showing her up at double Dutch too. Not a good idea. Besides, Sally is the one who has to see these girls every day at school, so I can see why she would want to keep the peace and hand it over to Ivy. Double Dutch politics, I guess.
“Okay, Ivy, you’re it!” Kirsten confirms. Ivy jumps and cheers for herself. I’ve seen her jump and she’s got talent, but this national competition is going to be on a whole other level, especially since it’s really an international competition. She can talk the talk, but can she walk the walk…in New York?
—
Finally Cameron and I are going home! I am so ready for this! But I’m not sure I’m ready for the verdict from my parents. Are they still together, or are they really going to split up?
