Erin liked that.
One Friday afternoon, Coach Harding was delayed in a faculty meeting.
Assistant coach Lena Morris was supposed to supervise warm-ups but had gone inside to locate a missing first-aid kit.
The team waited outside.
Aaliyah stood near her blue duffel bag.
She wore the royal-blue warm-up jacket issued after qualifiers, black athletic crop top, black leggings, and white cheer shoes.
Her long braids were pulled into a high ponytail.
Sophie stood twenty feet away talking with Hannah.
Erin arrived in her white Cedar Ridge cheer jacket, maroon shorts over black tights, and white shoes.
Purple-and-white pom-poms were tucked under one arm.
Several girls noticed her walk directly toward Aaliyah.
Nobody intervened.
At first.
Erin stopped beside her.
“You wearing that jacket again?”
Aaliyah looked down.
“It’s our team jacket.”
“Your team jacket.”
Aaliyah frowned.
“What?”
Erin smiled.
“Nothing.”
Aaliyah bent toward her bag.
That was when Erin reached out.
Her hand closed around Aaliyah’s braided ponytail.
Hard.
Then she pulled.
Aaliyah’s head snapped sideways.
Her upper body folded.
Someone gasped.
Erin yanked again before releasing.
Aaliyah straightened immediately.
Her ponytail whipped across her shoulder.
For several seconds, she simply stared.
Erin smiled.
“What?”
Aaliyah’s voice dropped.
“Do not touch my hair.”
“It was a joke.”
“No.”
“It wasn’t.”
Aaliyah stepped closer.
“You grabbed me.”
Erin laughed.
“You’re always so dramatic.”
Sophie had started moving toward them.
Hannah took out her phone.
Aaliyah saw both.
She shook her head slightly.
Not yet.
She could handle words.
“Move.”
Erin stayed where she was.
“You know what your problem is?”
Aaliyah exhaled.
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
“You think because Coach loves your little success story, you can walk in here and disrespect everyone who came before you.”
Aaliyah stared.
“I made the team.”
“You were handed a spot.”
“I scored higher than girls who didn’t.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No.”
Aaliyah stepped sideways.
“I actually don’t anymore.”
Erin blocked her.
Several cheerleaders had gathered behind them.
Some wore maroon practice jackets.
Others stood frozen beside the gym doors.
The confrontation had become a performance.
Aaliyah recognized that.
That was why she tried to end it.