"We're here girls," Mr. Young said. Lizzie bolted from the car while Samantha was still grunting and straining to free herself. Lizzie saw the other cheerleaders standing near the front of the school and hoped they didn't see her arrive in Mr. Young's old car with the fattest girl in school.

"I'll see you after the rally," Lizzie told Samantha, who had finally escaped the backseat, her face red and sweaty from the effort. She wheezed something like an affirmative and then Lizzie raced down the sidewalk to the other girls. She was relieved to see the other girls all wore their hair in ponytails and the same amount of makeup. "Hi, everyone! Isn't it such a beautiful day?"

"Do you remember the choreography?" Helena asked. "We can't have you screwing up."

"I know it. Don't worry."

"You'd better," Phyllis hissed. Lizzie knew Phyllis was jealous because she wanted to be the top girl, but not with those ham-sized thighs of hers.

Samantha lumbered past, Lizzie careful not to look in her direction. She imagined Samantha's eyes filling with tears at the snub, but she had to understand what a great opportunity this was for Lizzie. All those years of dance classes and gymnastics, waiting for this moment. The top of the pyramid!

"Look at her," Helena said. "I'm surprised she can fit through the doorway anymore."

"Didn't you used to be friends with her?" Phyllis asked, an obvious trick to embarrass Lizzie in front of the others.

"Oh yeah, back in first grade like a million years ago."

"I have her in my English class. She has to sit at a special table because she can't fit in the desks," Molly said.

"She has to take the elevator instead of the stairs," Annie said. The other girls laughed at this. Lizzie played along, telling herself it was Samantha's own fault. No one had put a gun to her head and made her get fat. No one forced her to inhale candy and cookies all day long like a whale. If she doesn't want people making fun of her she should lose the weight, Lizzie thought.

Lizzie sat with the other cheerleaders at lunch, careful to avoid Samantha sitting by herself at the table nearest to the serving line. Lizzie was glad to see none of the other cheerleaders ate anything either, instead drinking bottled water from home. Annie shared her bottle with Lizzie when Lizzie admitted she'd forgotten hers.

Then the bell rang and at last it was time for the pep rally. Lizzie followed the other girls to the side doors of the gymnasium, where they waited to make their big entrance. "Now, everyone remembers the routine, right?" Helena said, glaring at Lizzie. "Anyone who messes up isn't going to be invited to my homecoming party this weekend."




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