Cheerleaders: The New Evil by R.L. Stine Page A

what to do.
    â€œLet’s take a walk,” he urged. “A short walk. It’s not too cold. Really. I—I’m just too pumped to sleep.”
    A gust of cold wind fluttered the drapes. “But I’m not dressed!” Corky whispered.
    Alex laughed. “Hurry. Just throw something on. It’s nice out. Really.”
    Corky backed away from the window. In the darkness, she pulled on a sweatshirt and the jeans she had worn earlier. If we get caught, we’ll be in major trouble, she thought.
    She grabbed her jacket, then stepped back to the window. She had a feeling that Alex would no longer be there, that he might have vanished, like her dream.
    But there he was with his hands in his jacket pockets, staring up at the motel sign. When he saw Corky, he turned quickly and helped her out of the window. He held her waist tightly as she lowered herself to the ground.
    â€œYou’re bad,” she whispered, flashing him a teasing grin.
    â€œI’m totally wired,” he said. “There was no way I could get to sleep. I mean, the game was going so great. We were going to win. I could just feel it. I was so pumped!”
    She placed a hand on his sleeve and led him away from the window. They made their way slowly around the side of the one-story green stucco motel.
    â€œAnd then that thing with the cannons!” Alex continued, talking rapidly, excitedly. “What was that about? I mean, that was really weird!”
    â€œIt was horrible,” Corky muttered, leaning against him as they walked. “So totally gross.”
    â€œAnd when I realized we couldn’t play the second half, I—I just about freaked!” Alex continued. He shook his head. “I just couldn’t calm down enough to get to sleep.”
    He turned and slid his arms under her jacket, around her waist. His blue eyes locked on hers as he lowered his head to kiss her.
    But Corky gently pushed him away. “Whoa. I want to talk first.”
    His expression turned to one of surprise. “Talk? What about?”
    â€œAbout you,” Corky replied, working up her courage. “How come you’ve been so weird lately?” It was time to have it out with him, Corky decided. It was time to hear the truth. If he wanted to break up with her, he shouldn’t be calling her out of her room in the middle of the night, acting so romantic.
    â€œMe? Weird?” he asked innocently. He pulled off the Raiders cap and scratched his head. Then he shoved the cap back on.
    â€œYou’ve been very strange lately,” Corky insisted. She squeezed his hand. “Showing up late. Or not showing up at all. Giving me lame excuses.” Sheraised her eyes to his as if searching for answers there. “It’s time to tell me the truth, Alex. What is your problem? What’s going on?”
    He took a step back, letting go of Corky’s hand. “Okay, okay. You’re right,” he replied solemnly. “I’ll tell you. I guess I should’ve told you weeks ago. When it started. But—”
    â€œWhen what started?” Corky demanded, feeling her throat tighten.
    Alex hesitated. He avoided her stare. “I got a tutor,” he murmured.
    Corky wasn’t sure she had heard correctly. “You—what?”
    â€œI had to get a tutor,” Alex repeated reluctantly. “A tutor for math. I’m supposed to be the class brain—right? But—well—I guess the pressure got to me or something. I got behind and couldn’t catch up. So my parents got me a tutor. But it’s embarrassing. Really. I didn’t want anyone to know, so—”
    Corky’s mouth dropped open. “All those times I called, and you couldn’t come to the phone? All those nights you didn’t want to come over and study together?”
    â€œIt was because I had to go to my tutor,” Alex replied, still avoiding her eyes.
    Corky felt like laughing out loud. But somehow