The gymnasium buzzed with excitement. Families and friends of campers sat in the stands, waiting to watch the camp finale performance. Groups of campers stood in the hallway chattering nervously or silently stretching.
Since it was camp, the cheerleaders didn’t have actual uniforms. But they were all wearing their camp T-shirts and shorts. The girls had ribbons in their hair and glittery makeup on their faces. Ellie had added a bit of glitter to Robert and Josh’s faces too.
Robert was filled with electricity. This was the first time that he had ever performed in such a large crowd and with so many other cheerleaders. He hadn’t seen his parents and brother yet, but he was sure they were there.
Kiley was out in the crowd someplace with her mom and stepdad. She had been allowed to stay to watch the performance. But then she was going home and would be grounded for the rest of the summer. Kiley said that she didn’t mind. She planned on practicing her oboe most of the time. She was more interested in band than cheerleading.
Robert heard a tap-tap-tap on the microphone.
“Can you hear me?” asked Head Coach Jennifer.
The crowd roared, “Yes!”
She continued, “Welcome, everyone, to North Point Cheer Camp! I’m Jennifer, the camp director and head coach. On behalf of all the campers, we thank you for coming to watch our final performance!”
Robert felt a poke on his shoulder.
“Hey,” said Josh, “are you ready?”
Robert grinned. “Totally. And thanks for letting Maryam and me join your group.”
The Oak Manor campers (minus Kiley) spent all morning planning a new routine for the small group competition. Robert had to admit that it was better than the routine that the Dream Machine had put together.
“No prob,” said Josh. He left for a last-minute drink of water.
Head Coach Jennifer was still talking. “Here’s how the performance will go: First off is a megacheer by everyone, then performances from each of the cabins, and finishing up with a cheer from the coaches. We’ll then announce the winners of the competition, and you will be free to head home. Now are you ready for some cheers?”
The crowd screamed.
“I present to you, the North Point Cheer Camp Cheerleaders!”
Music blared from the speaker system. All of the cheerleaders rushed from the hallway into the gymnasium, jumping and clapping and encouraging the audience to stand up and clap along. Then all the cheerleaders got into place, they stood still, and the music stopped.
Another song came on, and the cheerleaders pumped their arms.
Robert could see his parents and brother sitting with Maryam’s mom and two sisters. He could also see Kiley sitting close to the exit with her parents. She was waving at Robert and Maryam.
Robert smiled at her and winked. Then he and several girls performed their back handsprings. Coach Amber had really helped him improve during camp.
The big group routine finished up, and the small group routines started. The Oak Manor squad was number six in the lineup, so they quickly put on the costumes they had created that morning. The camp custodian had given them some old towels, and Ellie had transformed them into short ghost costumes with their faces poking out.
Madison said, “Are you ready?” They each put a hand into the circle, the girls holding their poms.
“Oak Manor! Oak Manor! Oak Manor!” they whisper-shouted and stood by the door.
The microphone screeched, and Head Coach Jennifer said, “Next up are the Ghosts of Oak Manor!”
A short pause, and the Ghosts of Oak Manor floated in to the sounds of the Ghostbusters theme song. The crowd clapped and whooped.
“Wooooooo,” they shouted.
The five cheerleaders wove in and out until they got to the center of the mat. They pulled the ghost costumes up and over their heads and tossed them aside, along with the poms.
Josh, Maryam, and Madison lined up in the back, while Robert and Ellie stood in the front. They started to clap and chant a version of the cheer that Coach Amber had taught them.
The tumbling started, one person after another. Ellie ended the tumbling moves with an impressive roundoff triple back handspring run. Then it was time for the big finale!
Josh and Maryam, the bases, pushed Madison into an extension. Robert leaned over and boosted Ellie into a shoulder stand. Madison and Ellie grasped hands and pumped their arms in a V to complete the pyramid!
The crowd exploded in applause, but no one clapped harder than Kiley.
Robert released Ellie and then ran over to help the other bases catch Madison as she executed a straight ride basket toss. The girls grabbed their poms and executed a tuck jump followed by a toe touch. Robert gave a loud whistle like Josh had taught him. Josh scooped up the costumes, and they all ran off the mat.
As soon as they were in the hallway, Madison pulled them into a group hug.
“That was so good!” she cried.
They sat down against the wall, panting and sweating, to wait for the results.
Finally, they heard Head Coach Jennifer shout, “North Point Cheer Camp Cheerleaders, it’s time to announce this year’s winners!”
All the campers ran out onto the mat. There was lots of squealing as Head Coach Jennifer announced several of the small group names.
Finally she said, “I’d like to give this next award to a team that showed grit, cooperation, and creativity— the Ghosts of Oak Manor!”
The five ran up to the podium. Head Coach Jennifer handed them each a small trophy topped with a gold cup. Each trophy was engraved with the words NORTH POINT CHEER CAMP CHAMPION.
The event ended, and Robert’s family rushed to him and his friends—both old and new—for hugs and photos. The Ghosts of Oak Manor each swapped phone numbers and promised to text as soon as they got home. Coach Amber came over for a group selfie.
Robert said, “I promise to come see you cheer at a football game this fall.”
Coach Amber leaned over. “I’m so proud of you for solving the mystery!” She handed him a piece of paper with her school email written on it. “You send me a message to let me know the date, and when you come to that game, I’ll get you down on the field for some cheers.”
Robert hugged her one more time. “You enjoy the rest of your summer!” she said.
As they walked out to their car, Robert’s dad said, “It looks like you had a great week at camp, Robert! Do you want to come back next year?”
“For sure!” said Robert, as he thought, I still need to find Heather, the REAL Ghost of Oak Manor!