Wrong Kind of Girl by Francine Pascal

Author:Francine Pascal
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Six

Annie Whitman would have felt a lot less confident and happy if she could have known what was going on in Jessica Wakefield’s mind.

Somehow, despite Jessica’s best efforts, Easy Annie had made it to the final tryout. She’d even managed to get her grades up, with the help of that sly traitor, Elizabeth Benedict Arnold Wakefield, Jessica thought.

But nothing more would be left to chance. Annie’s flashy first appearance, her show-off exhibition the second time, her grades, her good looks, her dancing ability—none of them meant a thing unless she could get three of the five cheerleaders to vote for her.

Jessica had steered Helen Bradley away from school, avoiding the Dairi Burger, to Casey’s Place over at the mall for this high-level strategy session.

Sipping a diet soda paid for by Jessica, Helen was alert to what was obviously a highly important meeting.

“Helen,” Jessica said sternly, “the image and the very integrity of the cheerleading squad are in terrible danger.”

“What happened?” Helen asked, her eyes widening.

“Annie Whitman. That’s what happened.”

“Oh,” Helen said thoughtfully.

“You know what kind of girl she is. Your own brother won’t have anything to do with her anymore.”

Helen looked into her soda and said nothing.

“You’ve seen her strutting around, haven’t you?” Jessica demanded. “Out with Bruce Patman one night, with that Rick Andover the next. It’s one guy after another.”

“Yes,” said Helen.

“If she gets on the cheering squad, everybody will think we’re just like her!”

“Oh, no!” Helen said.

“They will! Birds of a feather flock together. I just wanted to find out how you feel about it. Who would you like to see on the team?”

“Well…” Helen thought. “Let’s see.”

“Cara Walker has been terrific, don’t you think?”

“Oh, yes,” Helen said. “It would be great to have her back on the team.”

“Well, then, can I count on your vote for Cara?” Jessica asked.

“Oh, sure.” Helen was relieved to find out that was all. Except that it wasn’t.

“OK,” Jessica went on. “Now for the second girl. Who would you like for the second one?”

“Well…”

“Isn’t Sandra Bacon a good choice?”

Yes, Helen agreed, Sandra was great. “Only…”

Jessica frowned. “Only what?”

“Well, Jess, I like Sandy a lot. But do you think she can beat out Annie?”

Jessica let out an exasperated breath. “Helen, of course she can! If three of us vote for her.”

Helen sipped her soda and pondered that. “You mean even if Annie is better, we can vote in Sandra?”

Jessica sat back and let that idea float across the booth and through Helen’s head.

“Whoever gets three votes is in,” Jessica said.

“Yes, that’s true,” Helen mused. “I wonder who the others will vote for?”

Jessica glanced at Helen and decided to set her grand plan in motion. “Helen, the fact is that it’s entirely up to one person. One person can uphold the squad or let it all go down the drain.”

“Really? Who?” Helen asked.

“You. Helen Bradley, that’s who. You have everything in your hands. I hope you won’t let down your squad or your school.”

Helen felt herself tingling with importance and confusion. She’d never expected this!

“But I don’t understand, Jess,” she said, bewildered.

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