I grabbed Kendal's hand and walked onto the mat. This was it. Our final performance as a team. We needed to work as one and hit every single stunt and execute it perfectly. This was the last time I would ever preform this routine with my smamily. I couldn't get over this. We had achieved a full paid bid to Worlds and we were finally here. Practice was good. Only one stunt bobbled and everything looked great in Eddie and Orby's words. As we glided through the curtains, my stomach dropped. My first time ever competing at Worlds. Holy crap. I was so nervous and excited and I wanted to cry and scream with excitement at the same time. Everyone tested the floor and hugged and now it was our chance to prove that Smoed was going to be a 5x gold medal winner. Our music started and we pushed through the pain and I was flying. I hit my kick full kick double. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Elise go sideways in her basket. I'm sure the judges won't take off too many points. "Keep going." I said to myself. Three people busted tumbling. What is happening? We moved on to one mans and I bobbled bad. I tried to pull my needle but only managed to get it halfway up before twisting my ankle almost out of my bases hands. Kendal crumbled beside me and I saw her head hit the ground. The music stopped and medics ran to her limp body and ambulance sirens filled my ears. I was losing my best friend. I didn't care about winning anymore. I just wanted my best friend to be okay. Our team was escorted off of the mats and everything was silent. I grabbed my cheer bag and ran to catch up with the EMTs. I slipped into a sweatshirt and sweatpants over my uniform and put my hand in Kendal's. The ride to the hospital was silent and then a furious beeping came from Kendal's heart monitor. I stepped out of the way and started to silently cry. I looked over to see my best friend's heart monitor go straight. An EMT came over and started patting my back repeatedly saying "She is in a better place now." I sat crying in the corner of the ambulance as I watched them zip a black body bag over my beautiful Kendal. A loud, obnoxious beeping sound started blaring again. But this time I recognized it. It was the sound of my alarm. I sat up and looked at the time. It was 6:45 in the morning and I was laying in my bed in my house in California. I got up and wandered to Kendal's bed. "YOU'RE ALIVE! ILOVE YOU SO MUCH AND I WILL NEVER TAKE YOU FOR GRANTED EVER AGAIN!" I yelled into my best friend (who was very much alive)'s ear. She sat up and looked very concerned with me. I told her about my nightmare and she helped console me. When Kendal died, it was just a dream. Thank the Lord she was still alive. We got dressed in our practice uni's and threw a couple fulls before going downstairs to eat breakfast. "SURPRISE!" Our moms yelled. They had made pancakes and eggs with coffee and fruit for us. After thanking them Kendal started the car. I asked my mom for a word and told her about the boys. "Mom I promise we didn't know they were coming and we didn't want to leave them on the streets of Cali." "I am very disappointed in you but I do see your point. Please don't break the rules anymore sweet girl. I know its been different without parents to tell you what to do but I want you to know that I am proud of you and I love you very much." We exchanged a hug and I left for cheer. Before practice my mom texted me and told me that I could continue with Smoed. I was over the moon. Kendal and I had a great practice and were completely ready for the next competition. My dream was coming true!
