anyway. No one could.
***
The locker room smelled of hairspray and sweat. Laughter and excitement energized the Westland High Fillies as they primped before the big pep rally, but Quinn dreaded walking into the gym. She was still technically on the team—allowed to wear the uniform, attend practices, pep-rallies, and games as normal—everything but actually cheer. She was still a Filly, but a lame one, put out to pasture. As if humiliation would motivate her to get her grades up.
“I still can’t believe your mom let you skip school to get a haircut.” Teresa applied pink gloss to her full lips, handed the tube to Quinn, and fished a can of Aqua Net from her gym bag. “Did she really call in sick for you? She’s so cool! My mom would never do that.”
“It was a surprise mother-daughter day,” she lied. “She thought I deserved a little pampering.”
“Well, I love the new haircut. You’re like a blond Alice Cullen. Totally vampire-chic.”
Quinn fingered the chunky, short strands that fell just below her ears. She still wasn’t used to it. It made her head look too small and her eyes too big. It had taken the stylist two hours, and Quinn more than a few tears, to fix the damage.
“You’ll never guess what happened at lunch.” Teresa plastered her onyx hair down on all sides, making sure no loose ends escaped. “Marcus asked me out! Can you believe it?”
“You said no, of course,” Quinn said.
“Well, no. You weren’t there to back me up. You know how persistent he can be. Besides, he’s cute, and homecoming’s next Saturday. That’s exactly eight days from today.” Teresa coughed and waved her hands in front of her to clear the hairspray fumes. “Besides, I don’t think I should hold out for Aaron. He’s seriously stuck on you.”
Quinn winced at the sound of his name.
“How could anyone, even a freak like Aaron Collier, want leftovers like Quinn Taylor?” Kerstin shoved her way between Teresa and Quinn, grabbing the hairspray from Teresa’s hand. “Haven’t you all noticed how he wears long sleeves, even when it’s ninety degrees out? What’s up with that? If you ask me, he’s hiding something. His dad probably beats him.”
“Well, we didn’t ask, and this is a private conversation. Hey, don’t you think you should put on some more makeup? You wouldn’t want anyone to see your real face.” Quinn shoved a bag of makeup at Kerstin and smiled sweetly.
Kerstin returned her smile with a saccharine one. “At least I know how to stand on my own feet. What a desperate act from a desperate loser. If you thought that little fainting spell and a new ugly ass haircut would get Jeff back, you were wrong. He wanted to break up with you last year, you know. He only stayed with you because he felt sorry for you after your dad left. That’s not all he told me when we were in bed together … ”
“You’re such a liar.” Teresa stepped in front of Quinn, fists on her hips, black eyes scowling, ready for a fight.
“What’s wrong, Quinn? Missed lunch? Too weak to fight your own battles?”
A shrill whistle broke the tension. “Okay, girls, time for warm-ups.” When nobody moved, Coach White blew her whistle again. “I mean now, ladies.”
“Come on, Kerstin, these losers aren’t worth it,” Spring said.
“You’re right. Quinn’s already humiliated herself enough. How many times have you been mistaken for a boy today with that haircut and flat chest?” Kerstin flipped her ponytail, hitting Quinn in the face. “You better hurry, Quinn, the pep rally can’t start without the head cheerleader. Oh, right, that’s me. Try to keep that bench warm.” Kerstin and Spring laughed, slamming the door behind them.
“Just ignore her.”
“Easy for you to say. She’s not sleeping with your boyfriend.”
“ Ex -boyfriend.”
“Rub it in, why don’t you,” Quinn said.
“Please! Kerstin is lying about sleeping with Jeff. And if he is sleeping with that monster, then
***
The locker room smelled of hairspray and sweat. Laughter and excitement energized the Westland High Fillies as they primped before the big pep rally, but Quinn dreaded walking into the gym. She was still technically on the team—allowed to wear the uniform, attend practices, pep-rallies, and games as normal—everything but actually cheer. She was still a Filly, but a lame one, put out to pasture. As if humiliation would motivate her to get her grades up.
“I still can’t believe your mom let you skip school to get a haircut.” Teresa applied pink gloss to her full lips, handed the tube to Quinn, and fished a can of Aqua Net from her gym bag. “Did she really call in sick for you? She’s so cool! My mom would never do that.”
“It was a surprise mother-daughter day,” she lied. “She thought I deserved a little pampering.”
“Well, I love the new haircut. You’re like a blond Alice Cullen. Totally vampire-chic.”
Quinn fingered the chunky, short strands that fell just below her ears. She still wasn’t used to it. It made her head look too small and her eyes too big. It had taken the stylist two hours, and Quinn more than a few tears, to fix the damage.
“You’ll never guess what happened at lunch.” Teresa plastered her onyx hair down on all sides, making sure no loose ends escaped. “Marcus asked me out! Can you believe it?”
“You said no, of course,” Quinn said.
“Well, no. You weren’t there to back me up. You know how persistent he can be. Besides, he’s cute, and homecoming’s next Saturday. That’s exactly eight days from today.” Teresa coughed and waved her hands in front of her to clear the hairspray fumes. “Besides, I don’t think I should hold out for Aaron. He’s seriously stuck on you.”
Quinn winced at the sound of his name.
“How could anyone, even a freak like Aaron Collier, want leftovers like Quinn Taylor?” Kerstin shoved her way between Teresa and Quinn, grabbing the hairspray from Teresa’s hand. “Haven’t you all noticed how he wears long sleeves, even when it’s ninety degrees out? What’s up with that? If you ask me, he’s hiding something. His dad probably beats him.”
“Well, we didn’t ask, and this is a private conversation. Hey, don’t you think you should put on some more makeup? You wouldn’t want anyone to see your real face.” Quinn shoved a bag of makeup at Kerstin and smiled sweetly.
Kerstin returned her smile with a saccharine one. “At least I know how to stand on my own feet. What a desperate act from a desperate loser. If you thought that little fainting spell and a new ugly ass haircut would get Jeff back, you were wrong. He wanted to break up with you last year, you know. He only stayed with you because he felt sorry for you after your dad left. That’s not all he told me when we were in bed together … ”
“You’re such a liar.” Teresa stepped in front of Quinn, fists on her hips, black eyes scowling, ready for a fight.
“What’s wrong, Quinn? Missed lunch? Too weak to fight your own battles?”
A shrill whistle broke the tension. “Okay, girls, time for warm-ups.” When nobody moved, Coach White blew her whistle again. “I mean now, ladies.”
“Come on, Kerstin, these losers aren’t worth it,” Spring said.
“You’re right. Quinn’s already humiliated herself enough. How many times have you been mistaken for a boy today with that haircut and flat chest?” Kerstin flipped her ponytail, hitting Quinn in the face. “You better hurry, Quinn, the pep rally can’t start without the head cheerleader. Oh, right, that’s me. Try to keep that bench warm.” Kerstin and Spring laughed, slamming the door behind them.
“Just ignore her.”
“Easy for you to say. She’s not sleeping with your boyfriend.”
“ Ex -boyfriend.”
“Rub it in, why don’t you,” Quinn said.
“Please! Kerstin is lying about sleeping with Jeff. And if he is sleeping with that monster, then
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