Two weeks after making the cheer squad, Amaya was staying late after practice to work on a new tumbling pass. The gym was nearly empty. Coach Williams had stepped out to take a phone call, and most of the other cheerleaders had left. Marina, a quiet junior who rarely spoke during practice, was the only other girl still there, organizing the equipment closet.
Outside, the fall afternoon was fading into evening, casting long shadows through the high windows of the gymnasium. Amaya was mid-backflip when the gym doors banged open.
Brett sauntered in, followed by Troy, Kyle, and Mason. They were still in their football practice gear, grass stains on their knees.
"Well, look who's still here," Brett called out, his voice echoing in the empty space. "The star of Westbridge Prep."
Amaya landed her flip and straightened, her guard immediately up. "Practice is over. Cheerleaders only right now."
Brett laughed, looking back at his friends. "Hear that? We're not welcome."
Troy stepped forward, twirling a football in his hands. "That's not very school spirit of you."
Marina emerged from the equipment closet, saw the boys, and froze. Her eyes darted nervously between them and Amaya.
"Hey, Marina," Mason called out, his tone softer than the others. "Coach wants to see Amaya in his office. We said we'd let her know."
Marina hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "I didn't hear anything about that."
"Just got the message," Kyle added smoothly. "Something about the routine for the game tomorrow."
Amaya looked skeptically at the boys, then at Marina. "Where's Coach Williams?"
"Phone call," Marina said. "She's been gone about 10 minutes."
Brett stepped closer to Amaya, his smile all charm now. "Look, coach is in a hurry. He sent us to get you. The boys' locker room has been converted to an office space this week during renovations. Didn't you get the memo?"
Amaya didn't believe him for a second, but she also didn't want to appear intimidated. "Fine, I'll go check. Marina, you can head out," Brett added. "We'll make sure Amaya finds her way."
Marina looked torn, her eyes meeting Amaya's briefly before she nodded. "Okay. See you tomorrow, Amaya."
As Marina gathered her things and left, Amaya felt a flicker of unease, but she squared her shoulders and followed Brett toward the locker rooms, maintaining a careful distance.
"So, new girl," Brett said as they walked. "How are you liking Westbridge so far?"
"It's fine," Amaya replied curtly.