Free Cheerleaders: The New Evil by R.L. Stine

times.
    She knew what the problem was. She didn’t want Alex to break up with her. She had avoided him ever since school had let out for winter vacation. She was so afraid that if they started to talk, he’d finish what he’d started to say at her house that Thursday night.
    And she would be without a boyfriend.
    But now she had no choice. She had to call to ask him to the party.
    With a heavy feeling in her stomach, she punched in the familiar number. Alex picked up after the second ring. “Hello?”
    â€œHi, Alex. It’s me.”
    A short silence. She had surprised him, she figured. “Corky? What’s up?”
    â€œI thought maybe you’d be at basketball practice,” she said awkwardly.
    â€œI’ve got to leave in a minute,” he replied. “It’s supposed to be vacation, right? But Coach Hall has scheduled a practice every night. We’re all going to be totally wrecked before the tournament starts.”
    Corky let out a short laugh. “We’ve been practicing too. We had to come up with a new routine to replace the fire batons. Ms. Closter decided they were too dangerous.”
    â€œI guess,” Alex replied.
    He seems distant, Corky thought. Maybe he’s just in a hurry to get to practice.
    Can I really do this? Can I ask him to this party? If he says no, I’ll know he’s breaking up with me.
    She cleared her throat. “Uh—Alex—Debra and Kimmy and I—we’re having a party,” she started to say.
    â€œAt your house?” he asked. She heard him turn away from the phone and shout something to his mother. “I’m going , Mom!”
    â€œIt’s a Christmas party,” Corky continued. Her hand suddenly throbbed. She realized she was squeezing the receiver too tightly. “We thought it’d be nice to have it before we all go up to New Foster for the tournament. An ice-skating party. At the river.”
    â€œHuh? At night?” He sounded confused.
    â€œTomorrow afternoon. It’ll be real pretty,” Corky told him. “We’re going to have Christmas music to skate to, and hot cider, and—”
    â€œWeird idea,” he muttered.
    â€œWe’re inviting all the kids we know, cheerleaders and everyone on the basketball team,” she added. “So do you want to come? With me?”
    â€œYeah. Sure,” he replied casually. “Sounds awesome. I’ve got to get moving, Corky. Talk to you later, okay?”
    Corky said good bye and hung up. She realized her hands were cold and clammy. Her heart raced.
    Well, you’re right, Alex, she thought wistfully, staring out at the darkness beyond her bedroom window. It’s going to be an awesome party, for sure.
    Everyone should have a really good time.
    Everyone except Ivy.
    â™¦ ♦ ♦
    By the time Corky arrived at the river, kids were already skating. “Winter Wonderland” floated out from Kimmy’s tape player. Corky saw several kids lined up at the food table, holding cups of steaming hot cider.
    â€œCorky—where were you?” Debra came running up to greet her, her plaid wool muffler flying up as she made her way over the fresh snow. Debra wore a blue down vest over a long white sweater and black leggings. “Kimmy and I have been frantic! We thought you changed your mind and chickened out.”
    â€œNo,” Corky replied, her boots sinking into the soft snow as she hurried toward Debra. “It’s Alex’s fault. He was supposed to pick me up. Then he called at the last minute and said there was something he had to do. I was already late, and then my mom’s car wouldn’t start.”
    â€œHas Alex been acting weird lately, or is it my imagination?” Debra asked, grabbing Corky’s hand and tugging her toward the ice.
    She’s noticed it too, Corky thought unhappily. “Yeah. Alex is definitely weird,” Corky muttered. She gazed up at the sky.