Second Skin (14 page)

Then the other line rang again and a shot of that new, who-could-it-be excitement coursed through me.

"Oh, stop," Jules said, forcing her freshly dyed and curled chestnut hair into a high pony-tail. "You're gonna look hot."

"And don't worry," Gina squealed, giving my

I bit my lip to keep from saying "It's just perfect for my favorite nude beach" and settled for a smile instead.

It was my first day as an official member of Woodlawn High's pep squad, and I couldn't shake the queasy feeling that was steadily climbing up my stomach and into my throat. All afternoon I'd focused on my clumsiness and complete lack of coordination, but now, staring down at my postage stamp-sized uniform, I realized I had even bigger issues.

Skin or no Skin, my body was far from perfect. And the skimpy pep squad garb was hardly forgiving.

I tried to console myself with the fact that everyone else on the squad would be wearing the same outfit. They had to feel equally self-conscious, right?

My gaze fell on a corner of the room where Kylie and Ella were quietly unpacking their gym bags. Kylie's long blond hair was pulled back in a neat twist as she and Ella talked softly, completely removed from the rest of the group. She

She turned her head and shot me a mean look, as if she'd heard my thoughts.

My heart thumped. This was yet another aspect of pep squad I'd overlooked. Kylie Frank was on the team. She was, if memory served, a co-captain. Ever since her call, I'd managed to steer pretty clear of her. Other than homeroom, where I was protected by a close-clinging Jules, we didn't have any classes together. Even so, I knew she was still furious about the Skin. I saw it in her eyes whenever we passed each other in the hall-accusation mingled with frustration since, despite my social rise, she still had no concrete proof.

Well, it didn't matter anyway. Once I slipped on that rubber band of a uniform, it was all over. Every known flaw on my body-along with some I'd yet to discover-would be on display. I'd be the laughingstock of Woodlawn High. Cellulite trumped magic any day of the week.

"I can't believe Kylie even bothered to show," Jules whispered, interrupting my thoughts. She raised her finger and drew an air circle by her head. "I swear, I think she's totally lost it."

"Uh, listen," I said, scooping up my things, "I'll meet you out there, okay?"

Without waiting for a reply, I headed straight for the bathroom. Changing in the stall would delay my practically nude debut by-what, thirty seconds? Maybe a minute.

It wasn't much, but I'd take what I could get.

I changed quickly, then walked out and studied my reflection in the full-length mirror. The situation wasn't good. The pep squad uniform stretched uneasily over my body, bunching up around the hips, and the bandeau top had clearly been designed with the words
heaving
and
bosom
in mind. Unfortunately, my chest was heave-free.

All in all, I wasn't looking too sexy. I was making my way back to my locker, contemplating whether or not to change back into my regular and blissfully concealing clothes when I heard a shriek followed by a painfully loud
"What are you doing?"

Heidi Zapler was standing in front of an open stall, adjusting her skirt. A pink-faced Kylie Frank stood next to her.

Adrienne rushed over and looped her arm around Heidi's shoulder. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"She was watching me," Heidi said, pointing at Kylie. "While I-you
know.
I looked up and she was right there, staring in from the other stall." She shook her head in disbelief. "She must have been standing on the toilet or something."

The room fell silent as everyone mentally sketched the scene.

After a few seconds passed, Adrienne turned to Kylie. "Are you insane?"

Kylie's eyes flickered over me, then away. And in that second, I knew what had happened. She had assumed I'd stepped into the stall to go to the bathroom, and hoped to launch a surprise attack just as I was wiggling out of the Skin.

Only somehow she'd chosen the wrong toilet.

"I knew you were crazy," Jules huffed, glaring at Kylie like she was the clearance bin at Kmart. "But I can't believe you're a Peeping Tom. That's really sick."

"You could probably sue," Adrienne told

Ella stepped forward. "Okay, enough," she said. "I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for all of this." She turned to Kylie, hopeful. "Right?"

Kylie stared at her feet. She'd been caught red-handed, looking for the Skin. It belonged to her and she wanted it back. But there was really no way to communicate any of this without coming off as more insane than ever.

I could've answered for her. Right then I could've stepped up and told the truth.

But I didn't. I just stood there, waiting along with everyone else.

"She can't be here," Kylie said suddenly, her eyes flashing over me.

"What?" Gina said. "What are you even talking about?"

Jules snickered. "Wow. Talk about psycho."

"Not without trying out," Kylie continued, ignoring Jules. "You have to audition to join the squad."

I held my breath as a dozen pairs of eyes turned to me-and my ill-fitting ensemble.

"What's the big deal?" Adrienne said, Kylie's stalker moment temporarily forgotten. "We're all fine with Sam joining. Why waste time with a tryout?"

"Told you," Jules said smugly.

I smiled. I couldn't help it. I wasn't trying to bait Kylie, honestly. The whole scene was just too ridiculous. I looked about as cute as a hit-and-run. I almost wished Gwen were there. Almost.

A muscle in Kylie's jaw flexed. "Well, I'm a captain and I say she has to audition."

"Well, I'm a captain too," Gina countered, tossing her head back. "And I say it's fine."

Kylie glared at me as Ella stepped forward. "Come on," Ella urged her friend. "It's just pep squad. Let it go."

"Besides," Gina said, eyebrows arching into half-moons. "I don't think you're in any position to talk about the rules."

Kylie pursed her lips. Her eyes were bright and shiny, and I could tell she was fighting back tears. "Fine. Have it your way." She turned on her heel and stalked out of the room.

I watched the door swing shut behind her. Nobody said a word, and after a few more seconds, Ella turned and followed.

"God, they're such drama queens," Adrienne said, even though both Ella and Kylie had, in my opinion, been pretty calm.

"Well, I'm not standing anywhere near

A few of the girls reached over to pat her arm.

"Okay, people," Gina announced. "Let's head out. We're already behind schedule, thanks to little Miss Freak Show."

I followed the group out to the gym, trying really hard not to replay the scene in my head and shoving my guilt into a tiny, easily ignored corner of my brain. More than anything, I felt relief. Okay, relief mingled with excitement. I'd narrowly escaped what could have been the end of a new and improved me, and had literally bared all to my new teammates. And they'd been completely supportive and accepting. No lectures on the importance of a carb-free diet, no personal trainer recommendations. Nothing.

Jules stretched her arm around my shoulder and smiled. "Listen, I have to ask you something," she whispered conspiratorially.

My stomach twisted. Was it that obvious something was going on between Kylie and me?

"Uh, sure," I said, trying hard to sound calm. "Go ahead."

Jules leaned in closer. "So, um, where'd you

I smiled, grateful for the distraction. I didn't deserve it, but at the moment, I didn't really care.

It was only fifteen minutes into practice and my muscles wouldn't stop twitching. My stomach felt like it was about to burst too.

A quick glance around the room confirmed that I was the only one panting. The other pepsters looked rosy-cheeked and healthy as they cheerfully twisted their bodies into painful-looking shapes and angles. It was like they were

"Lighten up! Brighten up! Sparkle and shine! The Wolverine guys are looking mighty fine!"

Oh my. If the moves didn't kill me, the cheers would definitely do the job.

Gina wove her way through the yawning, flexing bodies that lined the mats. She stopped directly in front of me.

"Okay, ladies!" she shouted, clapping. She wasn't even the slightest bit winded. "Backbend time! Gotta limber up those spines!"

Everyone around me drifted gracefully to the mats. There were no agonized groans, no flying limbs, no Tourette's-style expletives.

"How'd you do that?" I asked Jules, who was next to me, shaped like a giant C.

"It's easy," she said, twisting her head around in a perfect imitation of the old
Exorcist
movie. "Just give it a try."

I lowered my body to the mat, placed my hands above my head and curled my back. Then I tried to lift up. I got about two inches off the ground before I fell like a collapsing bridge.