Free Radiate by Marley Gibson Page A

me in the snarkiest way imaginable Sunday afternoon at Madison’s house. Mrs. Ingram and my mom called a special meeting so I could inform the team of what’s going on with me.
    “Um... yeah,” I say, dumbfounded.
    I don’t know what I expected from Chloe. Perhaps that she be
human,
if that’s possible? I certainly didn’t expect tears from her like I got from Ashlee, Ashleigh, and Tara. The other girls surrounded me and hugged me, saying they’d pray for me and that I can beat this. Cancer’s not an everyday word at PHS, so to hear a cheerleader has it really rocks the house.
    Lora’s right there, too, holding my hand like the dedicated partner she is. “I’ll work with other bases while Hayley’s away. It’s no big deal.”
    “It
is
a big deal!” Chloe screams out. “We’ve got six weeks until camp, and we still have a lot of work to do on our routine, our pyramids, our stunts, you name it. And now we’re down a person?”
    “It’s not like she planned it,” Lora snaps.
    “This was supposed to be
our
year,” Chloe says. “First place at camp.”
    I’m paralyzed in place by Chloe’s insensitivity. What a royal bitch. I understand that camp is important... but this is, like, my life!
    Before I can get my incensed thoughts to spill from my lips, Mrs. Ingram finally speaks up. “Now, Chloe, I appreciate your passion for the squad, but Hayley’s one of ours, and we have to support her.” She turns to me. “Besides, it’s only for a few weeks, and then Hayley will be back. We can just work around the hole in the routine and cheers. We’ll make it work.”
    It’s definitely my goal to return. Nothing’s keeping me from camp. “Yes, ma’am. I promise to practice the cheers and dance moves in my head until I’m back on my feet.”
    Chloe harrumphs and mutters, under her breath but loud enough to hear. “You should have stayed in the band where you belonged.”
    Mrs. Ingram snaps. “Chloe! How rude. You are her captain, and you will support her. All of us will.”
    She relents. “Yes, Mrs. Ingram. Sorry, Hayley... I’m just thinking about what’s best for the team. We’re all concerned about your health and getting better.” The words are coming out of her mouth, yet the candy coating around them is just that. Sweet and fake.
    Still, I smile. “Thanks, Chloe. You can count on me.”
    Lora hugs me. “Of course we can!”
    Everyone hugs me one last time, and I feel the support surrounding me.
    “I’ll come up to Birmingham and see you,” Lora promises. “Text me and call me. Anything you need from me, you’ve got it.”
    A thin mist covers my eyes as my heart feels like it’ll pound out of my body. “Thanks Lora. You’re the best.”
    “No, you are.” Lora says. “Give ’em hell, Hayley.”
    ***
    I toss my stuff into the back seat of the truck and look at my cell phone for the fifth time in the last ten minutes. I texted Daniel, but I haven’t heard back yet.
    From behind me, I hear, “I heard the news.”
    Gabriel’s there, inching toward me cautiously. He’s wearing beige cargo shorts, a baggy I’ve Got Soul T-shirt with a picture of the Grim Reaper, and he’s carrying a plastic bag.
    “Hey,” I say, and smile. It’s weird to have him back... weird in a good way. He was such a good friend. Maybe when I get back from Birmingham, we can resume the good old days. Minus the earwigs. “Yeah... the big
C
word, huh?” I say jokingly, still not exactly grasping what I’m about to face.
    He grins back halfheartedly. “My aunt had breast cancer last year. She had surgery and treatment and is doing great. Doctors do wonders, Hayley.”
    “I know,” I say. “I’m not worried.” See, when I think of cancer, I think of it happening to older people, like Gabriel’s aunt. Not to teenagers like me.
    “Good,” Gabriel says. “You have to have a positive attitude. Don’t let this shit get you down.”
    “That’s what I’m trying to do.”
    “Oh, I’ve got something