Practice Makes Perfect by Melanie Spring

Author:Melanie Spring
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women, Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / Adolescence, Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / General
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2014-09-01T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

“Hey, cheer people! Thanks for stopping by!”

Willow opened the front door and waved everyone inside. She wore a big, colorful hat shaped like a birthday cake and several strands of light-up Mardi Gras beads.

“Hey, Willow. Are we early?” Kate asked.

“Nah, you’re right on time.”

Kate made introductions all around. She, Emily, Chloe, and Devin were dressed in matching blue shell tops with NORTHSIDE embroidered across their chests in cursive and A-line skirts trimmed with white and gold. Jasmyn and Beatrice wore cheer T-shirts and camp shorts that they’d borrowed from Chloe. All six girls had pulled their hair back in neat ponytails with ribbons. Emily and Devin carried canvas bags filled with pom-pons.

The six of them followed Willow through the Zelinski family’s ultramodern home. Kate loved the pristine, all-white décor. If this had been her house, there would be strawberry jam handprints all over the furniture, courtesy of her younger siblings. Vintage movie posters covered the walls, and hundreds of books filled the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

In the kitchen, Willow introduced her parents, who were both architects. Kate recognized Molly the cat and their golden retriever, Oliver, from Willow’s sonnet.

Willow eventually led everyone to the backyard, where the party was taking place. Her eight-year-old sister, Sabrina, bounced up and down on a trampoline along with a few other kids. More kids played on the swing set. Several picnic tables were laden with pitchers of lemonade and platters of fresh fruit, bagels, and cupcakes. A bouquet of brightly colored balloons bobbed in the breeze.

Adam reclined on a lawn chair, blowing bubbles and watching over the younger children. He scrambled to his feet when he saw Kate and the others.

“Hey, Lady Kate!” He rushed up to her and gave her a big, warm hug. “I’m so happy to see you. My parents might stop by later.”

Kate hugged him back. Adam and his family lived next door in a large Tudor-style brick house. “I’m happy to see you, too. This is my cheer crew. We’re the entertainment!”

Emily, Devin, Chloe, Jasmyn, and Beatrice waved to Adam.

Adam punched his arm in the air. “Go, Northside!”

Jasmyn and Beatrice followed suit. “Go, Northside!” they shouted together. Chloe gave them an approving nod.

Sabrina and her friends stopped what they were doing and came running up to Kate and the others.

“Are you the cheerleaders?” Sabrina asked eagerly.

Kate grinned. “Yes, we are! Who’s ready to learn some motions and jumps?”

All seven kids raised their hands. “Me! Me! Me!” they cried out in unison.

Kate glanced over her shoulder at Chloe and Devin. It was a habit; they were her captains, and she was used to following their lead, not the other way around.

Chloe understood immediately. “Go ahead, Kate. You’re the boss,” she said with a smile. Devin nodded in agreement.

Kate smiled and nodded back. Then she turned to face the kids.

“All right, all right! Let’s line up in a row. Birthday girl, you’re in the center. We’re going to begin with some basic motions and jumps. Then we’ll put it all together and perform a cheer.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.