Free Split Decision by Belle Payton Page A

obviously wanted fancy. The bleachers even have individual cup holders!”
    â€œThat’s cool, don’t you think?” Tamara said.
    â€œNot really,” said Callie.
    â€œDo you really think PJ will like it here?” Madison asked Tamara.
    Tamara opened her mouth to say something, then closed it. She busied herself with the zipper of her warm-up jacket.
    â€œFancy does not win games, girls,” Coach Rader sternly reminded them. Ava’s dad said that often too. “Not on the football field or on this basketball court. Let’s go! Tiger warm-ups.”
    They began to stretch. “One, two, three! Tiger roar, right!” called Coach Rader.
    As the team cheered and moved right, Tamara stretched left. Ava watched her out of the corner of her eye. With each tiger roar, Tamara’s face drained of color.
    â€œAre you okay?” Ava whispered.
    â€œLike you care!” Tamara’s face crumpled, andshe fell out of her stretch. She choked back a sob, then dashed out of the gym.
    â€œWhat’s happening?” called Coach Rader.
    â€œI’ll go get her,” Ava offered, chasing after Tamara.
    She found Tamara in a side hall. She had slid down between the fancy water fountain and a door leading to the parking lot. Ava sat, pulling her knees to her chin just like Tamara.
    â€œWhy are you here?” Tamara asked.
    â€œI came to check on you,” Ava said. “You’re upset about PJ, right?”
    â€œLike you know the half of it,” Tamara muttered. “I figured you’d be celebrating. You’re going to get what you want.”
    â€œHuh? What do I want?” Ava turned to her.
    â€œTo be the big basketball star. When you get to Ashland High, I’ll be long gone. You’ll have the court to yourself. It’ll be the Ava Sackett show.” Tamara kicked the floor so hard, her sneaker left an angry gray scuff mark.
    Ava gulped. Had she been that obvious about trying to play better than Tamara? She hadn’t thought Tamara cared.
    â€œWhy are we talking about high school?” Ava asked. “That’s years away.”
    â€œNot for me. I’m in eighth grade.” Tamara refused to look at her.
    â€œAnd you don’t want to play basketball? But you’re so good—”
    â€œYou’re not listening!” Tamara cried. “I am playing basketball. Just not at Ashland High. No more Tiger roars for me.”
    â€œWhy not?” Ava asked, confused.
    â€œIsn’t it obvious? Haven’t you figured out my family by now? The Kellys and the Bakers are obsessed with sports and winning.” Tamara grimaced.
    â€œWell, yeah, I knew that. That’s why your uncle decided to move PJ to Saint Francis, to help him get into college and the pros and all that.”
    â€œYou know about the way it happened?” Tamara turned her gaze to Ava.
    Ava nodded slowly. She hadn’t meant to share their secret without talking to Alex again, but she didn’t want to lie to Tamara.
    â€œUncle Doug thinks he can control the Saint Francis coach, and he thinks that’s better for PJ,” Tamara explained. “Your dad won’t always listen to him, and Uncle Doug hates that. My mom hates that too. And now she’s talking abouthaving me and Andy move to Saint Francis next year.”
    Ava wasn’t sure what to say. “Uh . . . the purple shirts are nice.”
    Tamara rolled her eyes. “The purple shirts are lame. I don’t want to leave. I want to be an Ashland Tiger. Ever since the first time I held a basketball, I wanted to be an Ashland Tiger.”
    â€œCan you talk to your mom? I’m sure she’d understand, if you just tell her—”
    â€œSeriously? You have no idea. Trust me. There’s nothing I can do once Uncle Doug and my mom put things in motion.”
    â€œThat’s the truth.” PJ stepped toward them. He must have come in through the side door. His