Ohana Means Family

Part 4 - Gymnastics Try-outs

After lunch Jade asked me if I was sure I wanted to try out for dance, gymnastics and football. I answered yes. She called some places to know when were the try-outs for the winter season. I sat down on the couch and waited with the other girls. Jade came in the living room and sat with us.

"Okay so the gymnastics try-outs are today at 4pm. The dance auditions are wednesday at 5 pm. You don't need try-outs for football, they'll take you in the team but we still need to go get your uniform on friday 4pm." Jade said.

"Thanks! But how can I play football during the winter?" I asked.

"You're going to practice in a gym for now and when spring comes, you'll be able to play games outside." Jade answered.

"Okay!"

"So we need to find something you can wear for gymnastics tonight!" Leigh added.

I nodded and went to get my suitcase. I opened it and sat on the floor. Perrie and Leigh sat with me and started to empty it out.

"You could wear leggings and a tank top" Perrie said. She picked out a black legging and a pink tank top that I had for quite a while now.

"We really need to go shopping" Leigh pointed out.

I only had old clothes. Since my parents died, I only got a few t-shirts and pants. They were all hand-me-downs from older girls at the orphanage.

"We still got a few hours before the try-outs so we should look at the clothes you got and keep only what you still like and fits you ok?" Perrie suggested.

"Okay!" I said.

***

It's 3:15 pm and we've looked through all of my clothes. I ended up only keeping two dresses, one pair of shorts, three t-shirts, one sweater and two pairs of shoes. We also kept my boots and coat because I would need one to go to the try-outs and go shopping but Leigh said she wanted to get me new ones. It would be a long shopping trip tomorrow! But i'm really excited to get a new wardrobe.

"I think you should go get ready!" Jesy said.

I nodded and went upstairs with my clothes to get changed. I got in the outfit Perrie chose and got out of the bathroom. I went downstairs and Jade said she wanted to do my hair before we leave. She grabbed a brush and hair ties and sat on the couch. She asked me to stand in front of her but facing the opposite way. She brushed my hair and did a french braid in it. It looked amazing.

When I was ready Perrie and Jade decided that the would be the ones to come with me. We waited for our driver and were out the door. We got in the backseat and I was in the middle. I got nervous in the car. What if I was really bad at gymnastics.

"I'm scared people will make fun of me if i'm not good" I confessed.

"Aw don't be scared babe! It's just a test to see in what level you're going to be in" Perrie stated.

"And you'll improve quickly since you're really young" Jade added.

I nodded. I knew they were right.

***

Author's Note : I live in Canada and have done gymnastics for a couple of years. I tried to figure out UK levels and grades but I got really confused so i'll stick to Canada/USA gymnastics levels and terms. Also, the "try-outs", classes and meets will be based on my experience when I made the gymnastics team in my region. If you get confused, just ask me and i'll explain it to you.

***

We got to the gym and there was a lot of people so we had to have a body guard with us. I held Perrie's hand while Jade signed me up and we waited for my age group to be called. The kids that were under the age of 10 could have their parents or responsible adults to come in with them so when they called the 5 - 7 year olds Perrie and Jade came in with me. A couple of girls knew who Little Mix were so they asked to take pictures. No one asked who I was and I was really happy about it.

Jade and Perrie sat on a gym bench and I sat with them, waiting for the coach to come in. I was on Perrie's lap and I was playing with her rings on her hand. I could feel my heartbeats, I was really nervous. The coach came in and called the few little girls and I to sit in front of her. I got up and took my boots and coat off. Jade said good luck and hugged me. I sat in front of the coach with the other little girls. We were about fifteen.

"Hi ladies! If you are here right now it's because you've never done gymnastics before so that means that after today's try-outs, you're going to be placed either in the recreational class or in one of the three first levels (Level 1 is not competitive). So here's what we are going to do today to determine in which level you'll be in: first we are going to stretch and then I'll teach you some tiny gymnastics figures on the beam, floor and trampoline. We won't do the bar just yet. We will also see how flexible each of you are and how strong you are. We should be done in about an hour and a half. We will meet each of your parents individually to tell them about how well you did."

And with that said, the try-outs began.

***

The try-outs are now over and I had a lot of fun. I didn't make new friends because I was too concentrated but that'll come when i'm in the team. I really enjoyed the trampoline. The beam was a little scary but still fun. We had to do some cool moves on the floor too. When the coach said it was over, I ran to the girls. Perrie hugged me and pulled me on her lap again.

"You were amazing" She said with a huge smile on her face.

"I was really surprised with how well you did. You're really flexible too!" Jade said.

We waited for the coach to meet us. I almost fell asleep on Perrie, I was exhausted!

"Hello! You are Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards? You take care of Molly here right?" The coach asked.

"Yes we are" Perrie answered.

The coach sat on the floor and took out some papers.

"First of all I'm a big fan!" The coach said.

"Aw thanks" Jade replied.

"And second of all miss Molly is really talented!" The coach added.

I smiled really big.

"You won't be placed in the recreational class that's for sure. You would get bored out really quickly because you learn really fast. You're ability to learn and your flexibility are both amazing but you need to work on your strength a little bit more. You're six so it'll come don't worry you just need to train. So we'll place you in level 1 so you won't be rushed in competition. We will organise some gymnastics meets in march so you can get to the next level."

We thanked the coach and Jade said I had to get a leotard for my practices before I get the official team's one for the meets. We went to the little shop where there was a lot of different leotards behing a counter.

"Which one do you like?" Jade asked, picking me up so I could see them all better. I took some time to think. I had to make the right choice. There was a couple of them that I really liked.

"This one" I pointed a pink leotard with black details that started from the left hip and went up to the right shoulder. The girls agreed and said I could pick another one since one leo isn't enough for my two practices each week. The other one that I chose was blue with glittery patterns on the top. I tried them on and we bought them.

While Jade was paying, I got my coats and boots on. I looked up at Perrie. She understood what I wanted her to do and picked me up to place me on her hip. I wrapped my arms around her neck and rested my head on her shoulder. I fell asleep before we got in the car.