“Are you in trouble?” Mary asked.
“Don’t think so. Probably just a new student to shadow me or something.” I swallowed hard, remembering the last time a new student came to this school. He ended up with his tongue in my mouth. Gross. “But I’d love to catch up,” I added into the phone, shaking the uncomfortable memory.
“For sure,” Mary said. “It’s…no big deal. I just wanted to touch base. I’ve missed you girls and I couldn’t get through on the SOS phone, so I thought I’d try your cell.”
My heart skipped a beat. None of us had told Mary that we’d dissolved SOS. When she went to school here, she’d put her all into SOS. In fact, nearly every detail of the society came from her. She might freak if she found out we stopped without consulting her, and, well, we didn’t want to disappoint her.
“Sounds great,” I said, gnawing at the corner of my bottom lip. “The squad will be stoked to talk to you.” And they would. I’d just have to make sure they kept it short and sweet. I wouldn’t want Mary’s college workload to be impaired by stress. And I certainly didn’t want her getting wind of this copy-Kitten nonsense. After all, her rep was on the line too.
“Talk soon,” she sang.
I took a deep breath and shoved my phone back into my pocket. This was a very delicate situation, one I’d have to take charge of. Whatever we did, we’d have to act fast. And most importantly, we’d need to keep it quiet.
When I entered the front office, the smell of paper and potpourri immediately struck me. The dark-haired, middle-aged secretary behind the desk waved. She was great like that. Total spirit addict.
“Morning, Tessa. How are you?” Her desk tag said Mrs. Lambert, but she let all of the students call her Peggy. Unfortunately a few people called her Piggy behind her back, but I always made sure to correct them. There was no excuse for unwarranted rude behavior.
“I’m doing very well,” I said, smiling. “Thanks for asking. Principal Pelli sent for me?” I handed her the note and reached up to adjust the ribbon of my ponytail, stopping when I realized that the ribbon wasn’t there. I instead smoothed out my hair in one nervous movement.
“Oh, right.” Peggy snapped her fingers. “He wanted to talk to you about homecoming.”
“Homecoming?” Perspiration was beginning to gather under my arms, which was a disturbing development. I’d never had perspiration problems before. “Why me?”
“Because you’re head of the Washington High welcoming committee. If it’s a problem, I’m sure he can call Kira—”
“No,” I interrupted. “I’m still the president of the homecoming committee. He’s right. Sorry.” I didn’t want to burden Kira with anything more and hey, at least I was still in charge of something. “He’s expecting me?” I asked.
Peggy reached up to put the end of her pen between her teeth. “Yeah, you can go in.” She nodded toward his door.
“Thanks,” I tried to sound perky. I walked across the carpet, and just before I opened his glass door, Peggy called out to me.
“Tessa?”
“Yes?”
“The squad’s not quite the same without you.” She looked nostalgic. I remembered her at the games last year, front row, painted face. My cheeks warmed as I met her small eyes.
“Thanks,” I murmured, dropping my head as I turned to walk into the principal’s office.
SOS NEW POLITICIES
Dear Clients,
As a matter of safety, SOS has decided to take our investigations public. In the past, our services have always been confidential, but we do not feel that exposing infidelity privately has been an effective deterrent to cheaters.
For the protection of all girls, the Naughty List will now be released to the public. It will be posted on our new blog at xxx-com. There will also be updates, pictures, and videos available for viewing.
Although our identities are still confidential, our services are not. So spread the word. SOS is stomping out heartbreaking countywide.
And remember, cheaters never win. Especially with SOS on the case!
Keep kicking ass,
Text: 555-1863
Exposing Cheaters for Over Three Years
CHAPTER SIX
“HAVE A SEAT, TESSA.” PRINCIPAL PELLI MOTIONED to the boxy wooden chair in front of his desk. I’d been a little nervous before, but now, actually being in his office made me very uneasy. The return of SOS had frayed my nerves.
“What’s going on?” I asked, sounding guilty even though I was sure I’d done nothing wrong. At least, nothing lately.
“It’s about the squad.” The principal took off his glasses and began cleaning them with the white handkerchief from his desk. “We have a problem.”
Lucy in the sky with diamonds! Did he know about the copy-Kitten? Did he know what we’d been doing for the past two years? “Problem?” I squeaked.
Principal Pelli nodded, slipping his glasses back on his nose. “I’ve sat in on a few of the Smitten Kittens’ practices, Tessa. Things are not looking good. Coach Taylor is concerned.”
“He shouldn’t be. Kira is completely capable and—”
“I know she’s your friend.” Principal Pelli held up his hand to stop me. “But last routine, they had to call an ambulance after Izzie fell during a lift.”
“Human pyramid,” I corrected.
He raised his eyebrows.
“Sorry. You were saying?” I wasn’t sure what exactly Principal Pelli wanted from me. I wasn’t the captain.
“Listen, Tessa,” he said in a quiet voice. “The squad has been very popular over the last few years, bringing in tons of revenue from the games. Lord knows the team wasn’t attracting the crowds,” he mumbled.
The Wildcats had been on a three-year losing streak until they’d made Aiden point guard for his senior year. I smiled. He was so athletically gifted.
“But after last season’s playoff debacle,” Principal Pelli continued, “things haven’t been the same. The Smitten Kittens don’t inspire the image we want for the school, and they definitely aren’t preselling many tickets. Part of that is due to your hasty exit, and part is due to Kira’s inexperience. If I don’t see some changes quickly, I’m going to have to ask her to step down.” He paused before delivering the final blow. “I need your help.”
My face grew hot as embarrassment washed over me. It was one thing for my personal trainer and hairdresser to know about my meltdown in center court last year, but it was something completely different for the principal—the education chief of staff—to call what happened a debacle. I mean, he was right. But it still stung.