9781250209153

It’s the first time I’ve been asked in a while, and I’m shocked to realize
the answer now.
“Yeah.” I smile, unable to keep from laughing. “Yeah, I really am.”
Honey-Belle grins. “Then it’s time we win back your girl. What do we
need to do?”
“You and I wear the same size. Do you happen to have an extra
cheerleading uniform?”
We have less than a week to pull everything together. First, I have to
convince the cheerleading squad behind Irene’s back. They’re
understandably wary of me, but with Honey-Belle making my case, we’re
able to get them on board. They agree to help even though it means extra
practice on top of their regular practice time. Next, I enlist my friends. I’ll
need both Kevin and Gunther’s help to pull this off. Danielle even gives me
her blessing to sit out the first half of the Candlehawk game. She says it
with the authority of an official coach.
I sprint through the next few days on pure adrenaline and anxiety.
School, then basketball practice, then secret cheerleading practice after
Irene leaves each day. There’s one evening where I’m convinced none of
this will come together, but Honey-Belle hugs me and assures me the
universe is working in our favor.
On the day before the district championship game against Candlehawk, I
don’t set foot in the gym. Instead, I leave school at the regular dismissal
time and drive to the middle of town. Grandma Earl Eye Associates sits
next door to the karate studio where I used to come when I was younger. No
wonder the name sounded so familiar.
The receptionist greets me and asks for my appointment time. When I
tell her that’s not why I’m here, she frowns dramatically and says, “Oooh,
honey, we don’t need any more Girl Scout cookies. Dr. Abraham already
bought twenty boxes.” She looks seriously at me and recites the next part.
“Dr. Abraham cares very deeply about supporting young women.”
“Um—yeah. Funny you should mention that. I’m here to talk about
Irene.”