Boot Camp

12: Old Version

I'm smiling as I stand next to Martina, despite the looming challenge ahead. I'm not sure if it was the sudden, recent closeness with Axel and all of our workouts, or the fact I have more confidence now than I had in the last four years combined.

"Okay, girls!" Cheryl calls, walking to the center of the gym. Today she's decked out in mint-green leggings and a matching sports bra with light gray sneakers. Her workout clothes are always so coordinated, consistently making my all black and white attire look so banal.

"Welcome to your second team challenge!" she announces, clapping her hands enthusiastically. "Today we will be doing two different activities, only this time you'll be competing against another team. Teams A and B will go with Cindy outside, C and D will stay here. Disperse!"

I stay in my comfortable position, thankful I'm in team D. I look around for team C and see Adriana, Natalie, Joanna, and Alina walking over to us with unamused expressions. I twirl a strand of hair around my finger and shoot Adriana a smug look.

"For the first activity, you will have to climb up this rope. You should have learned the technique by now, but if not, remember to lower yourself hand by hand to prevent rope burn. You will go head to head with another person and if you earn a faster time, more points will be added to your additional score which can increase your rank. You're all working for that number one spot, but remember this is a team challenge so you want to win together. Adriana, Willow, you're up first."

I stand back and watch as they walk to the two ropes and each clasp their hands around one of them. Adriana is evidently nervous while Willow attempts poise and confidence.

"Three, two, one, go!" Cheryl calls and they shuffle up their ropes, their arms straining to pull themselves upwards. Willow is feet ahead of Adriana, her face scrunched up in focus, and the strain in her arm muscles visible.

As I watch them, a memory resurfaces of when we had to attempt this same activity in gym class. I remember walking up to the rope and seeing Willow and a few of her friends in the corner snickering at me and whispering to each other. Their laughs and remarks always seemed worse in gym class.

Droplets of sweat slid down the sides of my forehead as I shakily ascended. I tried with all my upper body strength to go higher, but instead I felt my grip falter. Soon enough I couldn't hold on any longer and fell onto the mat, slamming my back against the surface.

As I tried to get up, Willow stood in front of me and, smiling, and exclaimed for everyone to hear: "Aw, I'm surprised the rope didn't break on you. It's your lucky day, Whitney!"

I snap out of my flashback and realize Adriana and Willow have already made their way down and Martina is nudging my arm with her elbow, beckoning me to go. Willow walks by and gives me a "friendly" smile, but I ignore it and walk to the rope.

"Alright, ready, set, go!" Cheryl calls for us to commence, and I look over and see Joanna extend her long spindly arms. I focus on myself and begin to pull myself upwards, replaying that scene in high school over and over.

It can't happen again. It can't happen again. It can't happen again.

As I make it halfway to the top, I look downwards and see Axel through one of the exit doors walking by. He gives me a small smile of encouragement. I haul myself even farther and hit the top; as I descend, he disappears from my sight.

"Nice job, Whitney!" Cheryl calls cheerfully, holding up her hand to give me a high five. As I do, I see Willow burn holes into the floor of the gym. I keep my distance as the rest of the girls take their turns and complete the activity.

"The second challenge will be the most physical and mental one you've had yet," Cheryl says when everyone is done with the rope challenge. "If you look to your left and right, you will find a series of bars. Each of you will grab onto one of them and proceed to hang on it. The person who lasts the longest will be declared winner of this round and have the choice to do whatever she desires instead of an evening workout session. Good luck!"