Spoiler Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1, with some dialogue taken from, and references to events in, "Monkey Ninjas in Space."
"What is your damage?" Bonnie snarled. "You're even clumsier than usual, Kim, and you're going to ruin our chances at the competition!"
Kim's scowl deepened as she spun to confront her cheerleading nemesis near the collapsed stack of girls that had resulted from a miscue when she'd failed to nail her backflip hurkey spring, largely thanks to Bonnie's unscripted side hurdler lift-up. "I've taken just about enough from you, Bonnie," she began, then fell silent as Monique interposed herself between the two.
"One sec, Kim. Let me have a word with you, Bon-bon," Monique cheerfully interjected as she grabbed Bonnie by one arm and gently, but insistently, dragged her away from the groaning mass of cheerleaders while they untangled themselves.
"Do you mind?" Bonnie demanded, "This is a cheerleading matter, and you are so totally not a member of the squad."
"Of course," Monique soothed, "and normally, I'd be happy to cheer you two kids on as you argue like rabid wolves. It's more entertaining even than the GWA - you've got better dialogue. But this is not a good time to provoke Kim."
Bonnie's scowl turned into a smirk. "You think I'm frightened of Kim?"
"Maybe you should be," Monique mumbled under her breath. Louder, she said, "Trust me. She's not in a good mood this week. Save the power play for later. Not even the villains are stupid enough to provoke Kim this week, and considering who we're talking about, that's really saying something. Are you telling me you're not as smart as Duff Killigan or Motor Ed?"
"Like I care about Kimmie's mood?" Bonnie continued smirking, and roughly jerked her arm out of Monique's grip. "Anyway, if she's in a bad mood, it seems to me that now's the perfect time to show her who should be captain."
"Look, Bonnie," Monique emphasized with a scowl. "I didn't want to tell you this, but if you're not bright enough to leave well enough alone... It's an unhappy anniversary for Kim. Ten years ago she lost her best friend, and she always gets grumpy on the anniversary. Haven't you noticed? I only moved here a little while ago, and I noticed."
Bonnie examined the nails of one hand in an elaborate display of unconcern. "So her friend moved away. Big whoop. Growing up means growing apart. She should just deal and give 110 to the squad, or step aside for someone who will."
"He didn't move away. He died, Bonnie," Monique snarled, losing her temper at the cheerleader's arrogance and showing the depth of her irritation for the first time. "And since they could only find pieces of him, you can maybe understand why she's still a little bit upset about it. So you can take your attitude, and your ego, and..."
"Coming, Bonnie?" Kim's call interrupted her friend before the confrontation could degenerate further.
"Of course," Bonnie smirked, sauntering back to join the rest of the cheerleading squad as they set up to run through the routine again while Monique fumed silently. "Glad to see you admit you need me."
Despite the underlying tension, the rest of the practice went off without a hitch. Bonnie's scheming and constant watching for a hint of weakness required a level of concentration on Kim's part that actually managed to distract her from her dark thoughts... at least for a little while.
After practice was over, Kim drew Monique aside. "Thanks for interrupting like that, Mon. You know how I get sometimes."
"No problem, girl," Monique patted her on the back comfortingly. "That Bonnie... I swear sometimes she needs a swift kick in the..."
"Monique!"
Monique giggled. "You know what I mean."
"Yes, and I volunteer to be the kicker," Kim sighed. "But, yeah, I do know. Say, are you doing anything on Saturday?"
"Nope, I'm free. I'm not scheduled to work at Club Banana again until Sunday, and my brother always tapes the GWA, so there's nothing I can't put off until later. Why?"
Kim sighed, and hung her head briefly. "It's Rocket Booster open house day at the Space Center, and dad wants me to go."
"Isn't that the program for the elementary school kids?" Monique asked. "Are you giving a presentation or something?"
"I wish. No, dad still doesn't seem to realize that I'm a big girl now. I'm just along for the tour like the other little kids."
"Doesn't the saving the world thing tell him anything about your level of maturity?"
"You'd think; but the slightest mention of me growing up makes him all... goofy."
"You make it sound so thrilling, how could I possibly say no?" Monique smiled at her friend.
"There's going to be rocket-shaped cookies," Kim smiled back.
"That clinches it. Sign me up for the Rocket Boosters!" Monique grinned, linking arms with her friend as they headed out of the gym.