First Evil by R.L. Stine

houses.
    The streetlights flickered on as Mrs. Daly opened the door to her. “Oh, hi, Bobbi,” she said, looking tired and drawn in the pale porchlight. “Jennifer’s waiting for you in the den.”
    Bobbi eagerly made her way across the carpeted living room with its low, sleek furniture of chrome and white leather and into the small den, closing the door behind her. “Did you talk to Kimmy?” she asked Jennifer, skipping any greeting.
    Jennifer was seated in her wheelchair, between two red leather couches that faced each other. She was wearing navy blue sweats, the sweatshirt sleeves rolled up above her elbows. Her red-brown hair was tied behind her head in a single braid. She had a textbook in her lap.
    â€œI talked to her,” she replied, her face expressionless. Slowly a smile spread across her full lips. “She’s coming back.”
    â€œOh, good,” Bobbi said, breathing a long sigh. She dropped her backpack on the checkered tile floor and plopped down in the red couch on Jennifer’s right. “I can’t believe I didn’t even notice that she had run out.”
    â€œYou were a little excited,” Jennifer said dryly.
    â€œBut I should have known Kimmy would be upset,” Bobbi insisted, rubbing her hand against the smooth leather of the couch arm. “But I didn’t see her. I didn’t see anything. It was all so . . .” She didn’t finish her thought.
    â€œAnyway, I talked to her,” Jennifer said, wheeling herself closer until she was right in front of Bobbi. “She’s not a happy camper, but I got her to comearound.” Her mouth fell into an unhappy pout. She avoided Bobbi’s eyes. “Kimmy and I used to be so close. But not anymore.”
    â€œI’m really sorry,” Bobbi said quickly. “If it’s my fault, I—”
    â€œNo, it isn’t,” Jennifer interrupted. “You didn’t do anything. Really.”
    â€œHow did you get her to come back on the squad?” Bobbi asked.
    â€œI told her we needed her. I said, ‘What would happen if Bobbi fell and broke her leg?’ ”
    â€œAnd what did she say?” Bobbi wondered.
    â€œShe asked if I would put that in writing!” Jennifer replied.
    Both girls burst out laughing.
    â€œKimmy isn’t your biggest fan,” Jennifer said.
    â€œWell, duh ,” Bobbi replied, rolling her eyes, imitating her little brother, Sean. “Well, duh ” was Sean’s favorite expression.
    â€œWell, I’m glad she’s not quitting,” Bobbi said.
    â€œReally? Why?” Jennifer demanded, closing the textbook on her lap and tossing it onto the couch opposite Bobbi.
    â€œBecause . . . because it would make me feel really bad,” Bobbi said with emotion.
    Jennifer snickered. “Having her around might make you feel a lot worse, Bobbi. She won’t talk to you. You know that. And she’ll probably try to turn the other girls against you. I’m sure she’s been on the phone night and day with those two pals of hers, Debra and Ronnie.”
    Bobbi sighed and pulled both hands back throughher hair. “You know, it’s only a cheerleading squad. It’s supposed to be fun.”
    â€œTell that to Kimmy,” Jennifer said softly. She shifted her weight in the wheelchair. “Ow.”
    â€œAre you okay?” Bobbi asked, leaning forward, preparing to jump up if her friend needed help of some kind.
    â€œYeah. Fine.” Jennifer forced a smile. “Let’s change the subject, okay?”
    â€œYeah. Okay.” Bobbi settled back on the couch. “Do you know Charles Chasner?”
    â€œChip? Sure.” Jennifer’s smile broadened. “Chip is a real babe. I’ve had a crush on him since third grade. He’s cuter now, though.”
    â€œHe asked me out for tomorrow after the game,” Bobbi confided.
    Jennifer’s eyes widened in