The cheerleading squad was in the middle of practice on the open field behind the school when the drama started. The girls were in their bright blue and white uniforms, practicing a new routine Amy had insisted on changing. The sun was warm, the grass slightly damp, and the air filled with the sound of claps, stomps, and Amy’s sharp voice barking orders.
“Again!” Amy shouted, hands on her hips. “That was terrible. You’re all moving like you have two left feet. Valerie, your timing is off — again. If you can’t keep up, maybe you shouldn’t be here.”
Valerie, the former captain, wiped sweat from her forehead and stepped forward, clearly fed up.
“Excuse me?” she said, voice rising. “You came from nowhere and completely changed our whole routine. We’ve been practicing the old one for weeks,
