First Evil by R.L. Stine Page B

up!”
    She saw Kimmy roll her eyes and sarcastically mutter something to Debra. Then the girls lined up and began the Steam Heat routine, this time with a little more enthusiasm than before.
    It wasn’t great. Ronnie was out of step for the entire last part of it, but Bobbi didn’t think it was worth making them do it again.
    As the routine ended with a cheer and a spread eagle, she turned to see Jennifer and Miss Green talking heatedly near the wall. Miss Green was leaning over the wheelchair, close to Jennifer’s ear. Both of them were shaking their heads as they spoke.
    Are they talking about me? Bobbi wondered, dread building in the pit of her stomach. Is Miss Green complaining about me, about how I haven’t been able to win over the girls?
    â€œAre we finished?”
    Kimmy’s shrill question made Bobbi turn back to the line of girls.
    â€œYeah. I guess,” Bobbi said distractedly.
    â€œWell, can we go?” Kimmy asked impatiently. “I mean, the game’s in a few hours. We have to go home and have dinner and everything, don’t we?”
    Kimmy was making no attempt to hide her dislike of Bobbi. To her dismay, Bobbi saw that some of the other girls seemed to adopt Kimmy’s attitude.
    They all agree with her, Bobbi thought, her head suddenly pounding, her temples throbbing. They probably all think that Kimmy should be captain, not me.
    And now even Jennifer and Miss Green are talking about me.
    â€œWe’ll meet here in the gym at seven,” Bobbi announced dispiritedly, avoiding their eyes by glancing up at the scoreboard clock. “Ronnie will be in charge of equipment.”
    Ronnie rolled her eyes and cast a glance at Kimmy.
    â€œNo fire batons tonight,” Bobbi announced. “That routine needs a lot more work. We’ll try it for homecoming next week.”
    The girls picked up their belongings and quickly made their way out of the gym. Bobbi stood in the middle of the floor, her shoulders slumped, feeling discouraged, watching the girls exit.
    â€œI thought it went a lot better, that last time,” Corky said, offering an encouraging smile.
    â€œLiar,” Bobbi muttered.
    Corky shrugged. “No. Really.”
    â€œThanks,” Bobbi said dryly, watching Jennifer and Miss Green still talking animatedly.
    â€œYou coming straight home?” Corky bent to scratch one knee. Her hair was damp from perspiration.
    At least one cheerleader is really trying, Bobbi thought miserably. “Go on without me,” she told her sister. “I’ve got to get all my stuff.”
    Giving her a quick, playful salute, Corky obediently headed to the door. With a sigh, Bobbi turned and saw that Jennifer and Miss Green had disappeared into the advisor’s office in the corner.
    She pulled the whistle from around her neck and, swinging it by its cord, began walking slowly toward the door. Being cheerleader captain is supposed to be fun , she thought regretfully.
    Well, she told herself, I’ll find a way to win them over. Maybe even Kimmy. Once again she remembered Kimmy’s cold stare, and shuddered.
    She stepped into the hallway, which was empty and silent. Her sneakers squeaked along the hard floor. She turned a corner, climbed the stairs to the firstfloor, and headed to her locker to collect her books and jacket.
    The long corridor stretched before her like a tunnel. The lights had been dimmed to save energy. Gray lockers lined both walls. The classrooms were dark and empty.
    Bobbi coughed, the sound echoing through the long tunnel.
    The loud crash behind her made her jump and cry out.
    She spun around in time to see a locker door swing open, then slam shut.
    â€œOh!”
    Another crash. In front of her.
    She turned to see two lockers against the right wall swing open.
    As she stared in disbelief, two more lockers pulled open. The doors seemed to hesitate, then slammed shut with deafening force.
    Her mouth open in a silent cry, Bobbi