Page 123 of Stealing for Keeps
“But I missed tryouts. Do they let people join this late? You don’t.”
“Hundreds of people try out for cheerleading every year, babe. The hockey cheer squad gets far less interest.”
That’s true. Despite our hockey team having a good record each year, the hockey cheerleading squad is small.
“Is it even worth asking Jenn?” The thought makes me slightly nauseous. Austin said they were just friends, but she could be into him. And even if all she feels for him is friendship, she might not be my biggest fan right now or want to do me any favors.
“Yes, definitely. New members are at the team’s discretion, and you are a goddess on skates.” Her smile dims ever so slightly. “Are you sure you want to do this? You’ve thought it through and everything? You’re not usually one to rush into something this quick.”
“I am.” I nod. “I can’t explain it, but I really think it’ll be good for me. I have missed skating so much, and I know it won’t be the same, but maybe it’ll allow me to hold on toa small piece of the person I was before, while pushing me to do something new.”
“The outfits are cute,” she says.
“They are.” I laugh lightly. “So you don’t think it’s dumb?”
“No, I absolutely do not. Is that what your mom said?” She narrows her gaze.
“I haven’t told her yet.” I know she’s going to freak if I manage to make it on to the team. I’ll deal with that when and if it happens. “Okay, well, will you help me figure out what to say? I see Jenn right after lunch on my way to the east building.”
“Yeah, of course.” Lacey leans forward on her elbows, and we spend the rest of lunch coming up with a script.
I’m dizzy with excitement at the idea of it. I think it could be really fun.
“Wish me luck,” I say when the bell rings. I won’t see Lacey again until after school.
“You don’t need it. If she doesn’t want you, she’s an idiot.”
“Says the girl who won’t let me on her squad,” I call, walking backward, smiling. It’s the lightest I’ve felt in days.
And the feeling completely evaporates when I spot Austin. He’s standing with Jenn at her locker. They’re only talking, but it feels like someone ripped my heart out. There’s no way I can approach her now.
I find my escape by ducking into the library. I wait a few seconds, then peek out to see if he’s still there. The past two days have been torture. I miss all his cute texts and glances between class, and the way he’d so casually hand me his sketchbook and I’d open it up to see he drew something for me.
Yesterday, I only saw him in art, and he had this sad, broody look on his face that nearly broke me.
But now he looks…better. He’s smiling as he and Jenn talk. It’s not like I think he’s suddenly hooking up with her two days after we ended things, but eventually he will. He’s a good guy, and he deserves to be happy.
“Who are you hiding from?” The deep voice catches me by surprise and makes me jump. I turn and spot Vaughn sitting at a table in the library. His laptop and books are spread out in front of him.
Forgetting Austin and Jenn, I walk over to my ex.
“What are you doing in here?” I ask, even though it’s obvious. But Vaughn being in the library studying is more surprising than me deciding to try out for the hockey cheerleading squad.
“Trying not to fail Algebra II.”
I wince. “Still not going great, huh?”
“That would be an understatement.” He closes his laptop and puts it and his books in his backpack. “I spent all day Sunday studying and somehow did worse on yesterday’s test than any of the others. I think I actually made myself dumber. So,” he says when he’s done and I haven’t moved. “Still hiding from Austin?”
“How’d you know?”
“He’s been wearing a permanent frown, and I haven’t seen you two together all week.”
I bite the corner of my lip. Confiding in my ex about my heartbreak feels strange.
“I ended things,” I confirm. “He has a lot on the line with soccer, and I’m still figuring out what I want.”
“He said that?” Vaughn asks. “Sounds more like somethingIsaid.”
