The next morning, as I enter the school grounds, Lisa rushes over to me. “So? How did it go? Yesterday, I mean…”

“I… we’ll see. Ellie did come over to me during the break.” I say recalling the events from yesterday.

“That’s a good start, Amber and Ellie started together, sort of like me and Cindy. What about the rest of the girls?”

“I’m not really sure. I hope it had some effect. Oh, Coach Reed had me doing tumbling runs with Ellie. She mentioned something about using me during competition.”

“Oh…” her momentary cheerful expression turned sour.

“Is there something wrong?” I ask sensing her change in mood.

“What does Coach Tompkins think of you being in the competition?” Her question is odd to me.

“Wouldn’t Coach Reed be following Coach Tompkins directions? I mean she did ask me to go with Coach Reed and Ellie.”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s nothing.”

“Oh! Coach Reed got happy when Ellie mentioned that I was working with you. I’m not sure what to make of it.” Lisa sour tone is now matched with a sad expression. Does she miss being part of the squad?

“I… I got to get to class. See you at lunch?”

I look at my watch. We’ve still got 15 mins before classes start.

“Um. Sure, okay, I’ll see you on the field or at the tables?” I ask unsure about why she’s abruptly ending the conversation. She leaves in haste.

I still get stares from people at school. It seems like Ellie and Lisa are the only ones that will speak to me.

On my way to my locker, I see some of the squad. They seem to be talking to Ellie. I’m not sure what it’s about. But she doesn’t look happy. As they leave, Ellie looks up at me her sad expression changes to a smile. She crosses the hall to greet me. “Hi Aaron, any word on Amber?”

“I only get bits and pieces from my folks. They tell me ‘not to worry,' but whenever I see the look on their face, it just makes me even more worried.”

“I know. So far no one has been able to visit Amber. We don’t know why. Did your parents tell you why they moved her?”

“What? They moved her? Where to?”

“She’s no longer at the hospital. That’s all we know right now. I was hoping you would know more. You can talk to me, you know. I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but you don’t have to deal with this all alone. You can talk to me. The coaches too.”

“I don’t know anything more than you do. In fact, this is the first I’ve heard that my sister is not in the hospital. When did you hear this?”

“I tried to visit on Sunday. The nurse just said they no longer have Amber there. I tried to get more information, but they wouldn’t say anything more. That’s why I asked you about her yesterday.”

“I’ll ask my folks when I get home. I’ll let you know when I know more okay?” I’m trying not let my imagination get loose.

“Thanks, Aaron. I know this is hard for you.” She rubs my arm and walks away.

High School is much more intense than I had expected. So many classes and so much work I don’t know how anyone can handle all the classes. Where does everyone find the time? I know I’m struggling. I was an above average student in Junior High, but now I think I’m barely treading water. Students have begun to form study groups. I’m not a part of any of them. I used to be able to figure it out or ask Amber. She was great about answering questions. I think I annoyed her sometimes. I do miss her. I think I was a bit jealous when she went off with her friends. She was my sister and then… she was everyone's friend? Was that why I pulled the prank on her?

Much of the day has been uneventful. Lisa, however, did miss our meeting at lunch. I tried searching the field and the lunch tables, and she was nowhere to be found. I do get a bit worried, I’m not sure why I’m worried, but she’s been my lifeline. I think I would have driven myself nuts over the past couple of weeks if it wasn’t for her, cheerleading and the squad.

I think back to her question. If I left the squad how would I feel? I think now that it might be heartbreaking to leave. I’m starting to wonder about how I can stay active with the squad once Amber returns. Who knows, maybe Coach Tompkins may want us both on the squad. The thought of that well… It brings a smile to my face.

Ellie passes me in the hall between fifth and sixth periods and says to me that the uniforms have come in and that I should take Amber’s home for her. I head to the Girl’s PE office with Ellie and let one of the girls in there know that I’m picking up Amber’s uniform up for her. I’m handed a box that has the flaps folded corner to corner closed, and I sign the receipt. Ellie volunteers to let me put Amber’s uniform in her sister’s car and that she and her sister could give me a ride home after practice today. I thank her and head to class after we place the pair of boxes in the trunk.

I reach my last class of the day, and my teacher, Mr. Vasquez hands me a note that requests me to meet with Dr. Corning, the principal, in her office. I make my way to the school office, and I am told to wait. I sit there nervously then I’m directed to the principal’s office. Her office is tidy. Diplomas are hanging on the wall. Dr. Corning sits behind a large metal desk. Two metal boxes with paperwork in them are the most prominent items there. “In” and “Out” the boxes are labeled. Alongside the desk is a large round metal trash can. Most are plastic nowadays. She has a large folder atop her table, I’m fairly certain it’s my student folder containing my records. The folder should be fairly thin, unlike my Junior High student folder, it's not. I wasn’t a stranger to Principal meetings. Our pranks, Taylor’s and mine, had garnered enough attention, but not enough to suspend or expel us.

I’m standing in the doorway. A silver-haired woman, frail, pale and freckled and slightly wrinkled directs me to one of the two wooden chairs set across from her. “Mr. Stewart, it didn’t take long for you to make an impression on this school, did it?” I want to say something though I’ve learned its best to keep quiet. “Do you want to tell me about it?” Normally, I would ask for my parent’s to be here for this. I’m not sure that bothering them would make it any better. “We’ve already got statements from the Coaches and some of the students. I’d like to hear your side of the story.”

I sigh knowing I would only be digging myself a deeper hole. “I’m sure what you’ve gathered from the students and coaches is fairly accurate. It was a stupid prank that put my sister in the hospital. I’m really sorry I did it. I’m trying to make up for it with my work with the squad.”

“That is another matter I wanted to discuss with you. I was not aware of your… participation in such activities. I want to know your feeling about it. I was told that you were participating in a number of cheerleader practices? I was also told that this may not have been your choice. Is that correct?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I’m starting to wonder how this all got set up.

“Well, I assure you that I am the only one that should determine the appropriate disciplinary actions. I’m sorry that your ‘participation’ was against your wishes. It is not the intention or the spirit of this school to take any action against a student without an investigation. It is not the intention of this school to embarrass or humiliate any student regardless of the offense either. While I have yet to conclude my investigation, I want to assure you that none of the actions I would take would be so… unconventional.”

“Um. That’s okay I…”

“Please let me finish, I’ll let you have an opportunity to respond after I have finished speaking. I want you to know that I have spoken to Coach Tompkins this afternoon regarding her—actions. She did accept responsibility for what she did, and I do see her reasons behind her actions. I still view her actions as inappropriate and unjustified.”

I can feel my heart racing. This is not happening. This is not happening. This is not happening.

“I have instructed her to remove you from the squad effective immediately.”

No, no, no, no, no! My heart just sank in my chest.

“… and informed her that it will be my decision as to what the outcome of this prank of yours would be. I assure you that you will not participate in any of the activities that Coach Tompkins or any of her staff had requested of you…”

I think I’m going to be sick…