“And next time, Charlotte”—Ms. Barnett tapped her clipboard—“you’ll try to be more aware of the other girls.”
Charlotte looked like her eyes were going to pop out of her head. “But it was her fault!” she protested, pointing at Ivy.
“I am not interested in playing the blame game,” Ms. Barnett said coolly. Then she raised her eyebrows and scanned the rest of the squad. “I hope you’ve all learned something today, and not just about handclaps and tumbling. See you at practice next Friday.” She gave a double clap. Dismissed.
Charlotte stalked off with a grim look, leaving Ivy to beeline it to the back of the gym.
Sophia looked angry. “I cannot believe . . .” She stamped her foot.
Ivy’s heart sank into her stomach.
“. . . that all I got to see was half a cheer!” Sophia concluded, a grin spreading across her face. “At least I got some pictures,” she sang.
Ivy shook her head. “You did not.”
“Oh, yes, I did,” her friend replied.
Ivy herded Sophia and Olivia out of the gym and down the hall to the bathroom.
“What happened?” Ivy said the moment they were safely inside.
“I’m sorry, Ivy!” Olivia blurted.
Sophia stepped forward and said, “Olivia’s not the one who should be sorry.”
Olivia looked from Sophia to Ivy and back again, then disappeared into a stall to change.
Sophia’s teasing smirk was gone. “You’re the one who should be sorry,” she told Ivy. She shook her head, and her bottom lip started to quiver. “Why didn’t you tell me about Olivia?”
“I didn’t know how,” Ivy whispered.
“I’m your best friend,” said Sophia, her eyes filling with tears. “Did you think I’d be jealous?”
“No,” Ivy said, her voice catching in her throat. “I was just waiting for the right time. And then”—her voice trembled—“once I’d told Olivia everything, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to tell anyone about her. Even you.”
Sophia rolled her eyes. “You’re not the only vamp in history to break the First Law, Ivy.”
“But I bet I’m the only one in Franklin Grove,” Ivy said sorrowfully.
Sophia sighed and wiped her cheek. She shook her head. “No, you’re not.” With a deep breath, she continued, “I told that bunny boy I thought I was in love with two summers ago.”
“Billy Coddins?”
Sophia nodded. “He didn’t believe me. I think he thought I was crazy. I got dumped the next day.” She grinned tearily.
Ivy was stunned. “You never told me that!”
Sophia grabbed a paper towel and blew her nose. “I guess you and I both had secrets.”
Ivy hugged Sophia tightly. “Best friend,” she whispered in her ear.
“Best friend,” Sophia whispered back.
“Sorry, you two,” Olivia’s voice interrupted timidly. “But I’m freezing in here!” Her hand was sticking out from under the stall door with Ivy’s clothes.
Ivy and Sophia both burst into laughter.
After Ivy and Olivia were back to their usual selves, Sophia said, “Well, seeing Ivy smile and bounce like a bunny was pretty much the highlight of middle school for me—even better than sixth grade. Thanks for making it all possible, Olivia.”