How To Become A Spy

Chapter One

"Becca!" 

I turned in the direction of my name being called from the opposite side of the gym. Coach May wasn't looking happy. Her eyes were glaring directly at me with her lips pressed firmly together.

"Do you want to stop stretching and actually get to work?" her voice called out.

I knew that wasn't meant as a question.

I nodded towards her obediently, wiping my hands on my shorts. Practice hadn't even started and I was already sweating like crazy. An afternoon training session on a hot day wasn't exactly my ideal way to spend a Saturday. However, I was trying to focus on the positives. It was only a one-hour training session and once it was done, I'd have the rest of the night to relax and hang out with my friends.

Movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention and I turned my head to see my best friend Debby Edmond standing alongside me. Her dark skin was also glistening with sweat, confirming I wasn't the only one struggling with this heat.

"I'm sorry, I should have warned you," She nodded her head in the direction of Coach May. Her eyes met mine with a sympathetic look. "Kevin told me she was in a bad mood today."

I smiled as I quickly grabbed a fistful of my blonde hair, tying it up into a tight ponytail. "It's fine. It's nothing I can't handle."

It was true. I'd been training with Coach May for enough years not to be too badly intimidated by her. She was tough, but only for the right reasons. Every command, critique, and push she gave was only so I could better myself. 

"Becca!" I heard her voice call out again, this time louder and firmer. "Hurry up, or you won't be my star athlete anymore!" 

Even with the threat, I could hear the edge of humor in her tone. I looked back to Debby with a wide grin. She rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

"Go on star gymnast," she teased, nudging me with her elbow. "What are you working on?"

"Balance beam," I replied grimly. Balance was always my weakness so anytime I had a group training session, I would work specifically on improving it. When it was just my private sessions with Coach May, we focused more on specific routines and alternated different exercises.

"Fun," Debby muttered sarcastically. "I'm tackling vault."

"Just don't forget tonight," I reminded her as I slowly took a few steps backward towards the beam. "My Mom's throwing that party so she wants us to stay upstairs the entire night."

"Sounds good," she nodded, waving me off as she headed in the direction of the springboards. "See you in a bit!" I heard her call out before turning her back to me. Her fiery red hair bounced from side to side in its ponytail as she picked up her pace, running to get started.

I turned back around, focusing on the long, thin beam that was practically calling my name. I kept my eyes darted forward, hoping that Coach May still wasn't watching me impatiently.

I hoisted myself onto the thing, sucking in a deep breath. It already felt like the slightest movement would be enough to send me over the edge. The heat had left me incredibly overwhelmed and tired.

Today wasn't feeling like one of those 'star gymnast' days and if I was lucky, I could just get away with staying on the beam the entire session. I was hoping that Coach May would direct her attention towards some of the other gymnasts so there would be less pressure on me.

Once I'd mounted, I focused on a one arm press hold, sticking out my other arm as I tried to balance out my weight.

Even with the intense amount of focus that was required for the activity, I found my mind wandering off as I thought more about what would happen later that night.