First Evil by R.L. Stine Page A

squad—not the wrestling team.”
    Bobbi glanced at Jennifer, who had backed up nearly to the wall. Jennifer flashed Bobbi an encouraging smile.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Kimmy said sullenly, and extended her hand.
    Bobbi took her hand. It felt hot and wet. “I’m sorry too,” she said softly.
    â€œThat’s better,” Miss Green said, more than a little relieved. “I’m sure you girls can find a more civilized way to work out your differences.”
    Bobbi and Kimmy both nodded.
    Bobbi let go of Kimmy’s hand. The two eyed each other warily.
    Kimmy will never be my friend, Bobbi realized.
    Her next thought: Will she always be my enemy?
    â€œThis new routine is so tricky,” Miss Green was saying, “so complicated. The timing is split-second. You two girls have to be able to rely on each other. You have to have confidence in each other.” She called the other cheerleaders over to begin the practice.
    Bobbi wasn’t in the mood to work on anything new. She still felt strange, out of sorts. How could Kimmy have attacked her like that? Didn’t she have any pride?
    â€œLet’s try the last part of the routine first,” Miss Green suggested. “Why don’t you explain it again, Bobbi.”
    â€œActually, Corky should explain it,” Bobbi replied, turning to her sister. “Corky invented it. We used it at the state finals last year, and it really got a big reaction.”
    Bobbi saw Kimmy mutter something to Debra. Both girls snickered quietly to themselves.
    â€œIt’s easier to demonstrate it,” Corky said. “Bobbi—do a shoulder stand. We’ll do this now without the rest of the pyramid. But in the real routine, she’d be up much higher. We’ll show you how the pike works. Miss Green, will you catch Bobbi when she dives?”
    Bobbi and Miss Green obediently moved into place as the other girls watched intently. “You’ll be doing this pike, Kimmy,” Miss Green said, “so watch carefully. If you have any questions—”
    â€œI’m watching,” Kimmy said sharply.
    Bobbi stepped behind Corky and grabbed Corky’s hands. Then she placed one sneaker on Corky’s bent knee and, with a boost from Heather, who was standing behind her, raised her other sneaker toCorky’s shoulder, and pulled herself up until she was standing on Corky’s shoulders. Corky brought her hands up to Bobbi’s ankles, gripping them tightly, locking her in place.
    Miss Green moved in front of Corky and readied herself to catch Bobbi as she dove. “Ready, Bobbi?” Corky asked, keeping her shoulders steady, bracing herself.
    â€œHere goes,” Bobbi said. She leapt up off Corky’s shoulders, bringing her feet up, folding her body into a perfect V , and dropped in a sitting position right into Miss Green’s waiting arms.
    Some of the girls burst into enthusiastic applause. “Excellent!” Miss Green cried as Bobbi lowered her feet to the floor. “You really made it look easy.”
    â€œWe’ve practiced it a lot,” Bobbi said modestly.
    â€œKimmy—are you ready to try it?” Miss Green asked.
    â€œI guess so,” Kimmy said reluctantly, eyeing Bobbi.
    â€œBobbi will catch you. Run through it slowly,” Miss Green instructed as Kimmy stepped behind Corky. “Take as long as it takes. Don’t worry about the number of beats. We’ll practice the timing later.”
    The girls who were not involved in this part of the routine stepped back to make room. Ronnie was talking excitedly to two of them, shaking her head, glancing at Bobbi.
    â€œI really don’t believe this. My life is in your hands,” Kimmy told Bobbi dryly.
    â€œNo problem,” Bobbi replied. “I haven’t dropped anyone in weeks.”
    Kimmy didn’t smile at Bobbi’s joke. Corky braced herself. Kimmy pulled herself up quickly into a standingposition on