The Pom-Pom Wars by Pascal Francine

The Pom-Pom Wars by Pascal Francine

Author:Pascal, Francine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-01-25T16:00:00+00:00


Chapter 8

At the start of lunch period on Monday, Jessica hurried straight to the principal's office. As usual, Rosemary, Mr. Cooper's secretary, was barricading the door like a dragon guarding a treasure trove. Like anyone actually wants to go in there! Jessica thought.

Rosemary peered at Jessica through her bifocals. "Do you have an appointment, dear?"

"No, but I need to speak to . . ." Jessica caught herself just in time from saying "Chrome Dome," the student body's irreverent nickname for the bald principal. " . . . to Mr. Cooper as soon as possible. Make that immediately, as in right now. It's extremely urgent!"

Rosemary raised her wispy, overplucked eyebrows. "Well, let me see if he can squeeze you in before his appointment in the faculty lunch room," she offered in a grudging tone, as if she were doing Jessica the biggest favor in the history of the world.

Rosemary buzzed Mr. Cooper and mumbled something incoherent. Then she looked at Jessica, her head bobbing on her skinny neck. "The principal will see you now," she said formally.

Circling Rosemary's desk, Jessica pushed open the door to Chrome Dome Cooper's office. "Hi, Mr. Cooper," she said cheerfully.

"Jessica, it's good to see you." The round-faced principal stood up and waved her into a chair facing his desk. "What can I do for you today?"

Jessica sat down, folding her hands on her lap. "It's about cheerleading, sir."

"Ah." Seated again, Chrome Dome propped his elbows on the desk and tented his fingers under his double chin. "Cheerleading."

"As you may know, I quit the varsity squad about ten days ago because of . . . personality differences with Heather Mallone, the new cocaptain," Jessica explained. "I decided to form my own squad, and all last week we practiced like crazy. We knew the old squad—Heather's squad—was going to regionals, and we thought we could go, too. But it turns out that only one team per school can go."

"Oh, that's too bad, too bad," clucked Chrome Dome.

"The thing is, Mr. Cooper," said Jessica, leaning forward in her chair. Suddenly her eyes were blazing. "It's not fair that Heather's squad should automatically get to go to regionals. The cheerleading competition is about school spirit, and I think my squad has more of that. She formed her team by kicking people out—I formed mine by inviting people in. And I just know that if the student body could vote on which squad they want to represent them at regionals, mine would win hands down!"

It was a stirring speech and Chrome Dome was clearly affected. "Well, I'll tell you, Jessica," he said, nibbing his bald head until it was shinier than ever, "I was at the game on Saturday, and I thought your squad was terrific, just terrific. Now, that's not to say I approved of your just bursting onto the scene without getting permission first, but on the other hand, the fans loved it, they definitely loved it. The team loved it—they turned the tables on El Carro and pulled off a victory.



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