The Tryout

In school, Christina and Tobin argue over a group project, and Tobin tells Christina, “go back where you came from” (74). Christina reacts with anger, insulting Tobin. She calls Megan after school, and Megan tells her that those type of remarks are something she’s experienced, too (as her dad is Iranian). Christina then tells her mother what happened and asks if her parents have ever experienced racism. Christina’s mom talks about a time when she and Christina’s dad weren’t served at a restaurant because the waiter didn’t like mixed-race couples. The manager fired the waiter, but the experience stuck. Christina’s mom goes on to say that most people in Grangeview are kind and see the person first, and she reminds Christina that she belongs as much as anyone else. Christina thinks about telling her dad about Tobin but doesn’t want to seem like she can’t handle the same issues that her dad seems to take on so easily.

At school, Christina and Megan find the sign-up sheet for cheerleading tryouts. When Megan suggests trying out, Christina is uncertain at first, but when she thinks about how being popular could help her get revenge on Tobin, she agrees enthusiastically.

In December, cheerleading tryouts begin with two weeks of practice before the actual tryouts take place. Forty girls show up for the first day, and only one boy, who is teased until he backs away. The eighth-grade cheer squad shows up to help train the seventh-grade tryouts, and they split into groups. First, Christina and the other girls learn how to be loud without screaming, which Christina excels at. Christina is also great at the first move she learns, which is a punching move, but one of the eighth graders tells her to smile more. At home, Christina and Megan talk about their experiences at the first practice, and they watch the National Cheerleading competition on television.

In class, Christina’s desk mates express their disdain for cheerleading, particularly the uniforms, but Christina is unmoved. At the next cheerleading practice, the girls are taught various jump moves that they must learn to achieve the basics of cheerleading. Megan is a natural at the straddle jump and even impresses the eighth graders, which makes Christina jealous. Megan also knows how to do double flips because of her gymnastics training. After practice, Christina asks Megan if she wants to wear matching ribbons for the partner tryouts, and Megan admits that she is partnering with someone else. Christina tries not to act offended but goes to the bathroom and starts to cry. Another girl (Stephanie) from the tryouts invites Christina to be her partner, and Christina agrees, but she can’t let go of the fact that Megan chose someone else. Christina thought that she and Megan would always do everything together, and now she worries that she could lose her as a friend.

Christina shows up to the first round of tryouts feeling resentful toward Megan, but Megan doesn’t realize anything is wrong. Christina sits with Stephanie and they discuss the tryouts and what it might mean for them if they make it through to the next round or not. Stephanie admits she isn’t sure she even wants to be a cheerleader and is surprised that someone like Christina (who is more into drama and art) would try out. Christina explains that cheerleading makes her feel like she is part of something, which is why she likes it. She and Stephanie are called for their tryout and perform the routine they learned with smiles on their faces. The names of students who made it through the first round are posted, and Christina, Megan, and Stephanie all make it through. Christina refuses to let herself worry about what might happen in the second round, and she runs to tell her mother she made it through. Christina thinks back to when she and Megan were younger, and she remembers how Megan always pushed Christina to try things that scared her.