Going Wild by Lisa McMann Page A

the soldiers, he looked back. “Ramp up your interrogation efforts. I don’t care what you do. Don’t stop until you have the information I want.”

CHAPTER 9
Doubt Creeps In
    C harlie bumped into Maria the next morning on the way to first period and walked with her. Mac trailed behind them with another boy, examining his cell phone.
    â€œHe’s kind of a tech genius,” Maria said, tossing her head in Mac’s direction. Seeing the phone, she pulled hers out of her pocket. “I meant to get your number yesterday,” she said as they entered the classroom. “Quick, before the bell rings.”
    Charlie gave it to her.
    â€œTexting you now so you’ll have mine,” said Maria.
    â€œCool,” said Charlie. She squelched a smile, trying to be cool, but she was thrilled that Maria had asked for it.
    Kelly came in and joined Maria and Charlie at the front of the room. “Hello,” she said, sounding a bit aloof.
    â€œHey, Kel,” said Maria.
    â€œHi, Kelly,” Charlie said. “How was your soccer practice yesterday?” She tilted her head slightly, then looked at Maria too.
    â€œGood,” said Kelly, twirling her necklace. “Sorry I forgot to invite you. It just slipped my mind, I guess. The other girls and Iwere saying how surprised we were that you play. Are you ready for this afternoon?”
    Charlie didn’t know what Kelly meant by being surprised, but she didn’t ask. She lifted her chin and clasped her hand over the bracelet under her sleeve, drawing confidence from it. “I’m ready,” she said. She tried to take comfort in the fact that this was a smaller school, so she probably wouldn’t be up against eighty-five other girls vying for twenty spots.
    â€œWhat position do you play?” asked Kelly. “I hope we don’t have to compete for a spot on the team.” She was wearing the fake smile that Charlie had seen plenty of. It made her uneasy.
    â€œHalfback or forward,” Charlie said. “How about you?”
    â€œDefense,” said Kelly. She brightened.
    So did Charlie. “Good, then there’s nothing to worry about.”
    Kelly laughed. “Oh, I’m not. I was just concerned for you.”
    Charlie grew flustered. “Oh.”
    Maria balanced on the corner of her desk as other students came pouring into the room. “The truth is, everybody’s excited to see how you play. We can use another big scorer.”
    â€œI suppose every team can use that,” Charlie said, trying to laugh, but it came out hollow. What if she wasn’t as good as Maria was expecting? What if Kelly was right to be worried for her? “I wish I’d had more time to practice, but there’s been a lot of snow back home,” said Charlie. “And . . . we’re still unpacking, so I’ve been pretty busy,” she added miserably. She remembered what adisadvantage she had. Here in the Southwest there was no snow. Kids could play year round. And maybe they had been. Charlie’s one attempt at brushing up her skills last night suddenly seemed extremely weak.
    The late bell rang, and everybody rushed to their seats as the teacher strode into the room. Charlie, whose seat was at the back of the room next to Mac’s, darted to it and sat down fast. Her desk skidded. “Whoa,” she muttered.
    â€œDang,” said Mac.
    â€œYeah,” said Charlie. “That was . . . really weird.” She scooted her desk back in line, her cheeks burning.
    Soon her mind wandered to soccer tryouts again. What if she wasn’t good enough to make the team? But she knew she had to keep her attitude in the right place. Think positive. Be strong. Focus on the ball. And run like she was being chased by a pack of wild animals. Or like the late bell just rang. You know what to do.
    Charlie stared down at her bracelet. She undid the clasp and held it in her hand, wishing it actually worked.