Chapter 3
"They left me," she said, fake-crying now. "And I feel really sick. Could you maybe drive me back to your room instead? I don't think I can make it all the way to my dorm."
Clever. His room is much closer than her dorm. And once she's there...
"I don't think that's a good idea," Axel said.
"Please? I think I'm going to throw up."
And then, as if on cue, she pretended to gag.
"Okay, okay," Axel said. "Let me get my keys."
But I was already three steps ahead. While Sienna was performing her drunk act, I'd texted Madison: "Emergency. Meet me at Morrison Hall room 847 in 20 minutes. Bring Tyler and soup."
Tyler was Axel's roommate and Madison's current crush. Perfect motivation.
So when Axel's key turned in the lock and Sienna was leaning against him, talking about how "dizzy" she felt, they walked into a room where Madison and Tyler were waiting with homemade soup and towels.
"Oh!" Madison jumped up. "We were just bringing Tyler some food. Is everything okay?"
Sienna's face went from seductive to murderous in 0.5 seconds.
"I was just helping Sienna," Axel explained. "She wasn't feeling well at the party."
"Oh no!" Madison said, all concerned. "Good thing we're here. I have ginger ale and crackers. Perfect for an upset stomach."
Tyler, catching on quickly, added, "Yeah, and I was just about to watch some Netflix. Something calm and boring. Perfect for recovery."
I love my friends.
At Monday practice, I could feel the tension. Sienna had spent the weekend working on other squad members, and it was showing.
"Ladies," Coach Morrison announced, "we have a big performance coming up for Homecoming. I'm dividing you into groups for different routines."
She started reading names. Sienna's group included four of the most popular girls. My group included Madison and two newer members.
"Evie," Coach Morrison called, "you'll be working on the advanced tumbling sequence. Think you can handle it?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good. Because if you can't, Sienna will take over as lead."
I looked at Sienna. She was smiling, but her eyes were calculating.
So that's her game. She wants my spot on the squad. Probably thinks if she's the star cheerleader, Axel will notice her more.
After practice, as we were leaving, I overheard conversation behind me.
"I just think Evie's trying too hard, you know?" one of Sienna's group said.
"Yeah, and did you see how she acted at the party? Following Sienna around like she was stalking her?"
"So weird. I heard she's obsessed with Axel but he's obviously into Sienna."
Madison grabbed my arm. "Ignore them."
But as we walked away, I realized this was bigger than just Sienna trying to get Axel's attention. She was trying to destroy my reputation, my position on the squad, and my entire college experience.
Okay, Sienna Blackwood. If you want to play dirty, let's play dirty.
As if summoned by my thoughts, my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number:
"Ready for round two? - A friend"
I looked around, but Axel was nowhere to be seen.
"Ladies, this is our biggest routine yet," Coach Morrison paced in front of us. "Saturday's game against Oklahoma State is nationally televised. ESPN will be watching."
I could feel the tension radiating through the team. This was our chance to prove ourselves, and Sienna's chance to show off her "superior skills."
"Evie, you'll be leading the advanced tumbling sequence in the third quarter," Coach continued. "Think you can handle the pressure?"
"Yes ma'am."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Sienna's jaw tighten.
"And Sienna, you'll be backup. In case anything goes wrong."
Backup. She absolutely hates that word.
Practice began, and we ran through the routine three times. Each time, Sienna "accidentally" appeared near my landing zone, forcing me to adjust my tumbling mid-air.
"Oops, sorry!" she said every time, with that fake sweet smile.
On the fourth run-through, she positioned herself directly in my path.
"Sienna!" Coach Morrison shouted. "What are you doing?"
"I thought I was supposed to be in that position," she said, eyes flashing with innocent confusion. "I'm just trying to learn the routine in case Evie gets... injured."
Injured. The way she says that word makes my skin crawl.
Thirty minutes later, we were practicing a high-difficulty pyramid routine. Sienna was on the middle tier, and I was in base position. This routine required perfect timing and absolute trust.
"Ready, and up!" Coach shouted.
Girls launched into position. Everything was going smoothly until—
"Ahhhhh!" Sienna's scream pierced the air. She tumbled down from the pyramid, landing hard on the mat.
"Oh my God!" Madison rushed over.
Sienna was crying, clutching her ankle. "I think it's broken," she sobbed. "I heard something pop!"
Coach Morrison knelt beside her. "Don't move. Someone call the trainer."
Something about this feels wrong. I was watching her feet when she fell, and the angle wasn't right for a real ankle injury. Plus, she fell backward, which would affect her wrist or shoulder, not her ankle.
"It hurts so much," Sienna whimpered, looking directly at me. "I think someone bumped the pyramid when I was up there."
Several girls looked at me. I was the only one in base position who could have affected the stability.
"I didn't touch anything," I said.
"I'm not blaming anyone," Sienna said quickly. "Accidents happen. But now I won't be able to perform on Saturday."
Of course. Now she can't perform, so she can't be shown up by me on national TV. Convenient.
We all accompanied Sienna to the campus hospital. She insisted someone call Axel, saying she was "scared and needed familiar faces."
When Axel arrived, still in his practice clothes, Sienna's tears immediately increased.
"Axel!" She reached for him. "Thank you for coming. I was so scared."
"What happened?" he asked, looking genuinely concerned.
"Training accident," she said bravely. "But I'll be fine. I just... I don't want to be alone tonight. The doctor said someone should watch me for signs of concussion."
Concussion? She fell on her ankle, now suddenly it's a head injury?
"The doctor said that?" Axel asked.
"Well, he said it was possible," Sienna amended. "With any fall. And my roommate isn't back from her date yet..."
She let the implication hang in the air.
"I could stay," Madison offered. "Keep an eye on you."
"That's so sweet, but I really need someone... stronger. In case I need help getting to the bathroom or something."
Subtle as a brick.
Axel looked uncomfortable. "Maybe I could call Tyler—"
"Please?" Sienna's eyes filled with fresh tears. "I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm just so scared. What if something happens during the night?"
While Sienna continued her performance, I slipped away to talk to the actual doctor.
"Excuse me, Dr. Patterson?" I read his name tag. "I'm Sienna's teammate. How serious is her injury?"
"Are you family?"
"No, but—"
"Then I can't discuss specifics. But I will say," he lowered his voice, "some injuries look worse than they are. And some people have a very low pain tolerance."
Code for: she's faking it.