Free Learning to Spy by Leigh Talbert Moore

Chapter 6
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    S tar McLain shouted like a drill sergeant. “Stop draggin’ ass, Flora!”
    She stalked back and forth in front of our line straightening shoulders and lifting chins. “Get those kicks up! Homecoming has the most fans, and our job is to get them on their feet!”
    She went back to her place in the center of the line. “Now from the top. GET! FIRED! UP!” She shouted, signaling the start of our performance.
    We went through the motions and ended with me standing on top of a pyramid made entirely of girls with my arms stretched overhead. My dismount was supposed to be a front flip, but I’d never been much of a gymnast. Instead, I used the height to pull my legs into the toe touch I’d finally mastered.
    “Better, Prentiss,” Star said. “I’d still like something more... razzle-dazzle. Sure you can’t do a somersault or something?”
    I looked up at her wondering if she hoped I’d break my neck. “I never took gymnastics or nothing.”
    “You learned a toe touch quick enough.”
    “Jackson taught me that.” I hoped my answer would shut her mouth. Instead admiration filled her eyes.
    “Is he good at everything ?”
    I didn’t like her implication. “He likes to read about stuff. And he figures out most things.”
    “I can believe it.” A dirty flicker hit her eye, and she sighed, twirling back to where Flora was sitting on the grass. “Is it quitting time for you, Magee? Get up and show me your hurkey!”
    Flora wore a pained expression, and I swallowed my anger and called her back. “Hey, Star, I need some help with my hurkey. See if this looks right.”
    I did the jump, and she slowly walked back to where I stood.
    “Back heel’s good. Try and get that front leg higher. You know, as little as you are, I’d think these jumps would come easier.”
    I decided against kicking her in the tush and remembered I was doing this for my friend. “Right. I probably need more practice. You know. Just getting started and all.”
    “Yeah. If it weren’t for Jackson...” her voice trailed off, but I knew the rest.
    If it weren’t for Jackson being such a natural on the field and his sweet-talking the cheer coach into making an exception for me, my butt would be on those silver bleachers watching. I’d never have been let on the cheer squad.
    “Being small does help me climb, though,” I said, hoping to hold our slave-driving captain’s attention. Practice would be over in less than five minutes, and I was worried about Flora.
    “Let’s call it a day,” Star said, tossing her thick black ponytail. “Remember, mandatory uniforms tomorrow. Pep rally starts at two-thirty sharp.”
    I walked over to Flora, who was taking a long drink of something pink. She was so pale I could see her brown freckles like beacons from across the field.
    “You feeling okay?” I asked as I helped her up. I gave her a little squeeze, and she melted into my side.
    “I’ve been better.” Her voice was weak. “You’re doing great, Pren. I’d never know it was only your first semester cheering.”
    I shrugged. “Except for the jumps, it’s not that hard to Get. Fired. UP!”
    She grinned and even laughed a little. “Everybody’s so taken with Jackson, but I think you hold up against him pretty good.”
    I glanced at Flora. She did look faint, and I figured she’d just gotten too much sun.
    “I’m no Jackson,” I muttered as we walked back toward the stands.
    * * *
    F or several long moments, I couldn’t stop shaking as I sat with my back against the wall in the dining hall. Two guards dragged Cleve’s lifeless body out, and nobody said a word or even moved. It seemed the guards weren’t sure what should happen next either.
    Ovett broke the silence with one word. “Hydration.”
    He nodded at the remaining guards, who split into two lines. Half went to the tables where we all sat silently freaking out, the other half went to the front counter where the female workers arranged