And I find it highly offensive that Mr. Jimenez would call for the dissolution of the Smitten Kittens when he knows perfectly well that they are the most successful Washington High sports team. And, yes, cheerleading is a sport.
I think the real problem here is not that SOS investigates cheaters. The problem is that cheaters exist in the first place.
By the way, be sure to check out the Smitten Kitten’s new halftime routine. Word is out that the Guinness World Records will be there to document it. Apparently, it is the highest, twistiest, and most dangerous cheer ever attempted.
Keep smiling!
An anonymous, concerned student
Chapter 20
Outside, it was darker than I’d anticipated, and when I climbed out of Chloe’s passenger seat, I noticed that the sequins and sparkles on my crutches weren’t exactly subtle. I wished I had a cane. Hm … something cute. Maybe rosewood?
“Tessa, are you coming?” Chloe whispered harshly from behind her car. Right.
I tossed one crutch into the backseat and used the other to lean on for my bad ankle. Running would be impossible, but at this point, they already knew we were spies. How much escaping would I really have to do?
“I have the equipment,” Chloe said before zipping closed a black backpack and putting it over her shoulders. “Did we want to record or just do reconnaissance?”
“No recording. This is personal.”
My face stung. I’d just kissed Joel the other night. And it had been … nice. He was nice. I had to believe this was a setup, just like all the other times I’d suspected my boyfriends of things. I wouldn’t be so naive this time. I would get proof.
“Let’s go.” I limped ahead, careful to stick to the darkened, out-of-bounds area of the field. My entire body was humming with adrenaline. I’d find out the truth tonight, and then I could focus on what was left of my high school career.
When we paused just outside the door, I reached to pull down my black cap, tucking my hair underneath. It wasn’t exactly necessary, but it made me feel a little more professional to dress the part.
Chloe stood next to me, but as I took a loud breath, she touched my arm. “I can do this alone.”
I looked sideways, meeting her carefully lined brown eyes. Chef Boyardee! She really did want to help. I sort of felt like a heel for being so mean to her these past few weeks. But it also made me think of something else.
“Do you think people can change?” I asked her suddenly. Because it was clear to me now that this wasn’t the same girl that had attacked me last year.
She dropped her arm and stepped back, seeming to think about it. Then she looked at me. “Yeah. I do. Is this about me … or Aiden?”
I smiled and glanced toward the grass. “I guess it’s about Aiden.”
“Can I tell you something?”
Uh-oh. Never a good start to a question. “Sure.”
“Aiden’s a good guy.” She pressed her lips together, looking nostalgic. “In fact, he’s the perfect guy. For you. You may not care what I think, but I’m saying this from a place of cynicism. Aiden has tried to move on—I read his e-mails, too.”
I snorted. “You really have to stop doing that.”
“I will. But the point is, he couldn’t move on. You should see his draft folder. All messages to you. All saying he’s sorry. All saying he misses you. It’s a little Pathetic Wholesale Club in there. A bit of a turnoff.”
“Aiden sends me e-mails,” I said. “I know that he’s sorry.” I tried to sound matter-of-fact, but I just sounded sad. It made me melancholy to think of Aiden spending so much time on the internet torturing himself.
“He sends you some,” she agreed. “But what you haven’t seen is what he does when you’re not around. He told Mary—very politely, if that helps—that he was in love with you and would spend his life trying to win you back. He threatened nearly every guy in school that if they tried to hurt you in any way, he and his college buddies would make a stop in Redmond to kick some ass. He’s transferring schools because he’s hoping you’ll go to U of O and be closer to him.” Chloe threw back her head and laughed, a deep throaty sound. “He even made you a freaking presentation!”
“A what?”
“Presentation! The Top Ten reason why Tessa Crimson should go out with me.”
“That’s how he got me to date him in the first place!” Just thinking about that moment during my freshman year made tears spring to my eyes. He had gotten up onstage in front of everyone at the assembly, and instead of giving a speech on recycling, he recited the ‘Top Ten Reasons Tessa Crimson Should Go Out with Me.’ He had handouts.” I covered my mouth, not sure whether I wanted to cry or laugh.
“Yeah?” Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Romantic. Anyway, it was probably one of the stupidest things I’ve ever read—I mean, seriously? You’re like a ball of sunshine? How is that a reason to date?” She waved her hand. “So here’s my unsolicited advice: Even if Joel didn’t rat you out. Even if he’s the nicest guy you’ve ever met. He didn’t write you an effing presentation, and he certainly isn’t ruining his life for you. You belong with Aiden. And trust me, a good boy is hard to find.”
I stood there in disbelief. Did Chloe just read me the riot act? Did she just shrink my entire dilemma down to one simplified paragraph of dialogue? How did she get so dang good at spying and relationship advice?
“Crap!” Chloe grabbed my arm and pulled me sideways around the corner, backing us up against the wall. I nearly dropped my crutch!
“What—”
“Shhh …” Just then I heard the sound of male voices close by. I held my breath and pushed my back against the brick. It was time.
The locks of the field house door clicked as it opened. To avoid being seen, Chloe and I slunk around the back of the building, just as the inside lights flicked on. We found the window near the showers, and luckily it was still ajar.
“You first,” Chloe said. I looked back at her with my lip curled. She rolled her eyes. “Because I can give you a boost. You have a broken bone, remember?”
“Of course.” She had me there. There was rustling inside, what sounded like a chair screeching across the floor, and I knew that the coast in the shower room was clear.
Carefully, Chloe bent her knee so that I could stand on it with my good foot. When I got up high enough, I peered in. Perfectly empty. On my belly, I slid into the room, taking special precautions not to injure my foot as I climbed through. My crutch would have to wait outside.