1.Flyer.AerinAfter school, at cheerleading practice, something big goes down.Bigger than usual, I mean. We are cheerleaders, after all.At the end of sixth period, the last class of the day, everyonesprings from their uncomfortable molded plastic chairs and pours outinto the hallway. The halls fill with the dull roar of conversationsrestarting; shrieking freshmen; calm, focused seniors; comfortablysettled sophomores and juniors. We all know where we’re supposed tobe. Some head to basketball practice; some to National Honor Societymeetings; but me?I head to the locker rooms, to change for cheer practice.When I was kid, my mom enrolled me in every tumbling classand cheer clinic she could find. I could do a roundoff-back handspringby the age of nine. My parents wanted me to be the perfect all-American girl. So far, I guess I’ve done pretty well. Good grades, prettyface, great boyfriend, cheer captain. But who knows if I’m everythingmy parents want me to be? They’re never at home. Most days, I havethe entire enormous Virginia house to myself. I’m free to do whatever Ilike, provided what I like is school, cheer, Preston, and hanging out withgood, wholesome, other all-American kids. And for the most part, thoseare the things I like.In the locker room, I pull off my cream-colored t-shirt and jeans,put my sports bra on and pull the regular one out from underneath,and I’m about to pull on my spankies when I hear voices from aroundthe next bank of lockers. One thing you should know is that in mostsituations, every rumor you hear about cheerleaders is, somewhere,far back in its past though it may be, grounded in truth. We are dramaqueens. We are perky and concerned about our weights. We haveschool spirit and we sometimes get annoying.And we like to gossip.Usually, though, we’re not the ones being gossiped about. Sowhen I tune into Lauren and Maya’s conversation and I hear my ownname, I’m shocked.“Man, I feel so sorry for Aeri,” Maya’s sultry voice croons,accompanied by the soft swish of warm-up pants.“Seriously. I cannot believe Preston had the nerve to be evendancing with Josie at that club last night, let alone be kissing her!” That’s Lauren, blonde and tiny and perfect.“Preston doesn’t even deserve to be with her. Aeri’s way too cool—and pretty—for him. He’s not even that cute—just popular, so peoplehave started thinking he’s sooo sexy.” Maya’s tone is mocking. I stand,stunned, in my underwear, breathing heavily.Preston cheating on me? I’m totally stunned. I can’t breathe. Ohmy God I can’t breathe. The very atmosphere is crushing me, forcingmy knees to buckle. I slide down the lockers, scratching my spine onthe rough vents, but I don’t even feel it. All I am aware of is the cloying
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