The Best Friend by Melody Carlson

Author:Melody Carlson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV033200, JUV033220, JUV033240, Best friends—Fiction, Friendship—Fiction, High schools—Fiction, Schools—Fiction, Christian life—Fiction
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Lishia felt like she was going to throw up on Friday afternoon. To kick off basketball season, the school had a big pep assembly. It would be her first time performing as a varsity cheerleader, and she knew she was going to either fall on her face or fall completely apart.

“I can’t do this,” she muttered from the bathroom stall where she was holed up.

“Yes, you can,” Riley hissed at her. “And you will!”

“Come on,” Vanessa urged. “It’s almost time to start.”

“I can’t,” Lishia sobbed. “I’m sick.”

“You are not sick,” Riley snapped. “You’re just a chicken.”

“I’m going out there now,” Vanessa said angrily. “I’ll see if I can get Amanda to stall a couple minutes, but if you’re not there in five minutes, we’re going on without you, Lishia. So get it together!”

“Come on,” Riley commanded. “You’re going to do this, Lishia, even if I have to drag you out myself.”

“I can’t.”

“Stop being such a baby and come on!”

Lishia tore off a long strip of toilet paper and loudly blew her nose. “I wish I were dead,” she mumbled.

“That could be arranged.”

“Thanks.”

“Look, Lishia, it’s just the jitters,” Riley’s voice turned patient. “Everyone gets them. You have to ignore them. You’ve done really great in practice. Everyone says you’re really good. And your jumps have gotten really spectacular. I’ve actually been a little jealous.”

“Really?” Lishia sniffed.

“Yes, so come on. Let’s just do this. You’ll get it over with and you’ll never feel like this again. I promise.”

Lishia unlocked the door, and Riley jerked it open. “Now, come on!” She grabbed Lishia’s arm and dragged her out. “Let’s run.”

Just as they entered the gym, the other cheerleaders from both varsity and JV ran out onto the floor with pom-poms in hand, getting into formation for the opening fight song routine that they were all supposed to perform together. Lishia and Riley ran out with them, and following everyone’s lead, Lishia pasted a confident smile onto her face and took her place, and suddenly the jazz band was blasting out the fight song.

Focus, Lishia told herself as she counted the beats in her head and started in with the initial moves. She knew she wasn’t giving a spectacular performance, but at least she was keeping time—and remembering the routine. A rush of relief swept over her as the song ended and they all did some jumps, trying to generate spirit and enthusiasm from the crowd.

The dance team came to the floor, preparing to do a routine while the JV cheerleaders got ready to do their skit. After the dance routine, the varsity cheerleaders took the floor again. This time Lishia felt a little more confident, but barely into the routine, she hit a slick spot on the gym floor and slipped, landing smack on her bottom, which sent the crowd into laughter. Naturally, the rest of the squad continued without her. She quickly got to her feet and, with a reddening face, attempted to get back into the yell, but she never quite made it.

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