“Not even,” Kaylee says, her eyes flashing with hatred. “She was off the team the second that happened.”
“And you’ll never make it on,” Carmen says. “You’re nothing but white trash in an expensive wardrobe.”
“That’s not a very nice way to talk to a girl on your squad.”
“You willnevercheer on my squad,” Kaylee hisses, her face twisting into something ugly.
“Okay,” I say with a shrug.
“And don’t you dare eventhinkabout calling it your squad,” she continues, obviously about to lose her shit.
Carmen hooks her arm through Kaylee’s. “Willow Heights has class, and our squad reflects that.”
“Oh, is that what you call your pathetic pep squad routine?” I ask.
“You’ll never make the squad,” Kaylee fumes. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Okay,” I say again, giving them a little finger wave and a smile. “See you Friday, girls.”
When they flounce off, Dixie gapes at me like I’m some kind of hero. “Oh my god,” she gushes. “You are such a badass.”
“She’s right,” I say with a shrug. “We’ll never make the squad. Coach Snow is too smart to add people who the other girls won’t work with.”
“But… I know the whole routine.”
“Oh, we’re still doing it,” I assure her. “I’m not going to slink away like I’m beaten. But I don’t want you to get your hopes up. We can make a point, but we won’t be cheerleaders here.”
“It’s true,” Dolly says. “But I’m still in, too. I wouldn’t mind showing them what they’ve been missing out on by not having me on the squad.”
Dixie looks back and forth between us and then nods, a grin spreading across her face. “Okay,” she says. “I’m in, too. I love your dance, Crystal.”
She and Dolly go off to fix themselves up before class, leaving me with the twins as they discuss the latest obstacle in their quest for domination. The Darling cousins seem to be on good terms again, but maybe they’re putting on a show, presenting a united front so they can keep their place at the top. After all, if they show cracks in the perfect image they’ve so painstakingly created here, it would be easy for my brothers to take them down. How can they find out if the Darlings are really solid, or if now is the time for a decisive power move by the Dolces?
As they talk, I go back to Dolly’s parting words about Devlin’s dad. I can’t help but wonder, are we good people?
three
Crystal
All the haters who call me weak? I don’t hate you. I pity you. You think strength is measured by the choice to fight with fists and the loudness of a girl’s mouth. Good thing human intelligence isn’t measured by what your tiny minds can comprehend.
“Hey, baby,” Shaun says to me in class on Friday. “You got plans this weekend?”
I shut off my phone and glance at the table to the right and one row forward where Devlin and Dolly sit side by side. Whatever their squabbles, they seem to have worked them out. I guess that’s what friends do when one person’s having a hard time. I’m glad he has someone to confide in, someone who’s there for him when I can’t be, but it still hurts to know that I’m not that person for him. Still, if the only good I can do is bring them together, I have to be happy with that.
I shake my hair back and turn to Shaun, who sits at the table to my right, behind Devlin. “I don’t date,” I say. “But thanks.”
“Who said anything about dating?” he asks. The other guy at his table slugs him in the shoulder and snickers into his fist.
I give Shaun a tight smile. “I’ll pass.”
I’ve been dealing with this shit all week. Maybe Dixie’s right about being the Darling Dog.
“I can bring friends,” Shaun says. “I hear that’s your thing, and I’ve got plenty.”
“No, thanks.”
“Aw, come on,” Shaun wheedles. “I’ve seen those tits. I know what you’re working with.”