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CHAPTER TEN

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Taylor was sitting on the iron bench in what they had started to call "Troy's Secret Garden." She couldn't believe that she had been so close to liking a boy who was only interested in her because she used to be a cheerleader. She hadn't thought that Chad would be so mean - especially now that they were friends.

Yes, she had finally admitted to herself that she was attracted to Chad. She wasn't quite sure if she liked him as a boyfriend should be liked, but she admitted that she could see several fine qualities in him. He was gentle, supportive, surprisingly a good listener when he was in a place he couldn't be distracted. On top of that, he was so cute... stop it Taylor. You can't like him now. You know he only likes you because you used to be a cheerleader. Thankfully I'm not anymore, so his interest shouldn't last that long. Why did that thought make her feel so sad?

Chad was in the gym, just him, the basketball and the wall. He was bouncing the ball off the wall, chest-passing it to himself. Why, oh why did he have to have such a big mouth? He could have just told her the truth, he was sure that Gabby and Troy would have understood the reason why. Now I can't even tell her the real reason, because she'll think that I'm lying. Oh brother what have I gotten myself into? Now she probably won't even talk to me. I'm going to miss that, she was fun to talk to. The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed; her whole face lit up. Stop it Chad, she'll never want to see you again. At that thought, his hands moved slower and slower, until finally the ball hit him in the head.

As he walked to get the ball, he realized something. He had it bad. Yes he, Chad Danforth, liked a girl. And it wasn't just an attraction like he'd had with the cheerleaders he went out with. He liked everything about her - not just her looks. He picked up the ball, and looked at it. I need to find a way to make things right, I need to show her that I like her, not because she used to be a cheerleader, but because she's beautiful, inside and out. Maybe Troy and Gabby can help me... He smiled, and turned back to the wall.

-----HSM-----

Thursday after school, Taylor met Kendra outside of the school. Gabby came along with them. As they walked towards the mall, they passed the field, where Kendra spotted the cheerleading tryouts.

"Come on, Taylor, let's go watch. I want to see what these East High girls can do."

"I'd rather not." Taylor really didn't want to go, but Kendra pleaded and said that it wouldn't take too long. Gabby was interested in watching too. Taylor agreed, but only for a little while, she said.

They approached the stands where the tryouts were being held. After watching five girls try miserably to do a routine, the cheerleaders turned to Kendra.

"Let's see what YOU can do."

Kendra, hearing the sneer in their voice, got up and performed one of her routines. The cheerleaders were amazed. Kendra was good - really good. Better, in fact, than most of their team. Then Amy spotted Taylor.

"Come on, Taylor. Show us some moves." Taylor shook her head. "Oh, I get it. This is all part of your scheme to be popular. You bribe this" pointing to Kendra "cheerleader to come and 'accidentally' say that you used to be a cheerleader. Now you're popular and are afraid because you know you can't do it."

Taylor was getting angry. She resented someone saying that she planned this to be popular. She didn't even want to be popular! Now they were going a little too far. "I can so cheer, let me show you!"

So Taylor went and did a routine. She was almost as good as Kendra. The group of cheerleaders stood there, Amy had a little smirk on her face.

"Ok Taylor, you proved we were wrong. Now just leave!"

"Fine, we will." Taylor said, and marched away across the field, Kendra and Gabby following close behind.

The next day, Taylor arrived at school early. She had planned to meet Gabby early so that they could compare Chem. homework. As she and Gabby walked towards the library, they passed the bulletin boards. Taylor glanced casually at it while passing. She stopped and whirled to face the board.

"Gabby, you're not going to believe this."