Don't Read the Last Page (ARC Copy) by Catherine Downen

Author:Catherine Downen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Everyone in the room is on their feet, and for a moment, I forget that this was only the qualifiers for finals. The relief in my chest is short lived when I remember they have to do it all again tomorrow, but I relish in the brief moment of success, of cheering for the team I know has put hours into getting to this very moment.

* * *

The next day, I’m standing shoulder to shoulder in the foyer of the Denver Civic Center, the Rayou cheer team surrounding me and Coach Violet, as the other hopeful cheer squads cram in around us, waiting for the tournament officials to post the list of teams that have qualified for finals.

I know we’ll get through. The team was perfect yesterday, but I still clasp my hands and hold them to my chest, my breaths thin with anticipation. Dressed in their yellow and black training suits, the team links hands as two state tournament workers enter the foyer, posters in hand.

There’s a total of five, one for each division. We’re already stationed the furthest to the left so we’ll be right in front of the 2A posting, and as the list nears, time slows, making the moments in my past where I stood right here mold with the present.

They pin the corners of the rolled poster up first and, at the same time, unclip the document, letting it unroll to reveal the list of qualifying names. My eyes fly down the poster, reading the seven teams who qualified in the 2A

division, and I exhale when I see a large R printed at the bottom.

Rayou High School is written in thick, black sharpie ink, not only saying we qualified for finals, but we’re also performing last. In my opinion, that’s the best time to perform. No matter what, the team will finish in the top seven!

I flinch at the explosion of screams around me; the team noticing what I just understood. I’m sure they felt as confident as I did with their performance yesterday, but it’s still incredible to see your school’s name on that poster.

As the foyer clears out—teams either going to get into uniform or pack up their hotel rooms—I pull out my phone, the text messages between Christopher and me from last night coming right up.

Penelope: WE QUALIFIED FOR FINALS!!!

I send the text without any hesitation, knowing he asked me to let him know the night before. He also told me that he felt really good about his Art History exam, giving complete credit for his success to me.

Christopher: I knew you would! Congratulations!

Penelope: But now we have to perform again Christopher: They’re going to do amazing, Penny.

“You coming, Penelope?”

I look up from my phone and see that Coach Violet is watching me, slipping her own phone back into her pocket.

I nod, tucking mine away, and we trail behind our skipping team toward the hotel that’s connected to the Civic Center to get ready for finals. We’ll have about two hours until

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