Isla Reid is a collegiate gymnast at Oklahoma University. Back in high school, Isla and her best friend, Harry Styles, became very close to one another. However, when exposed to an awkward situation, a rut was left between the two of them. Harry wen...
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October 13, 2022
"3, 2, 1. Stop!" Coach Mindy shouts from the front of the floor. The group of us groan out in exhaustion, flopping onto the floor.
Practice for college has been back in session for about two months. With competition season starting in January, we've been upping the workouts in order to be in prime endurance shape.
Rolling over onto my stomach, my focus falls onto Lorelei who is also face first on the floor. Her smushed face makes me laugh, immediately making me groan in pain.
Mindy's new ab circuit is no joke.
"That's what you get," Lor grunts out. Shaking my head, I press my hands into the floor and lift my chest off the ground. The stretch of my stomach makes me quietly gasp. Taking deep breaths, the pain slowly begins to subside.
Slowly, I stretch out my hips and hamstrings, waiting for the next exercise. Usually, we have a bit of endurance work at the end of practice. It's inevitable for the 'fifteen minute run' to be shouted just before I make it back to the locker room.
"Hey, are you ready to go see Logan?" I ask Lor as I turn back toward her. Pulling myself off the floor, I steady myself on my feet.
I feel like a grandma.
"Babe, I feel like I can't move. Of course I want to go see Logan," she laughs as she stands with me. I push her shoulder, laughing with her.
"God, you're telling me," I whisper as we begin to walk towards the locker room. My hands begin to fidget, picking at the skin around my nails. Looking around inconspicuously, I notice all of my teammates trying to make it back to the locker room quietly.
I guess all of us want to skip running today.
"Where is everyone going?" Mindy shouts from across the gym. All of us freeze in our spots, waiting for her to call us back to the floor. She makes her way across the floor, standing in front of the team.
"Is anyone going to answer my question, or are we just going to stand here all day?" she emphasizes with a cross of her arms. When no one speaks up, she clears her throat and raises her eyebrows.
"Um. I'm going to see Logan for my- well everything," I speak up before we get into trouble. Looking up to meet her gaze, she gives me a small smile.
"Thank you for answering, Isla. Well, if everyone else is hurting, we'll call it for today. It's only Monday, and I want everyone to have a good, healthy week of practice. Have a nice day ladies. Good work!" she chants with a clap, before walking back to the floor.
Turning back around, Lor gives me a big smile. Speaking up in front of everyone has been an issue for me since I got to college. Lor knows that best. She's been with me since day one of being on this campus. We were roommates in our dorm freshman year, and we've been inseparable ever since. The decision to ask her to rent an apartment with me was the best one I've made my whole life. I don't know what I would have done without her by my side.
