No Skateboarding Allowed

Chapter 11: Round 3, Anyone?

I take a deep breath. 

I feel Brady's hand snake around my waist and I hear his voice in my ear.

"Alright, you can do this," he says, "just remember, on your mother flip, the leg pop can go a long way, and..."

He reminded me of all my corrections while I nodded and stared straight ahead. Finally, I heard my name being announced. 

I turned to Brady. "Wish me luck."

He smiled. "Win this for me?"

I nodded. "I'm gonna win this for your mom."

"Please welcome," boomed the announcer, "Ripperrrrrr!"

They probably played some pop culture hit song of the decade as I floated onto the starting platform, but I didn't hear it. I thought about who I was doing this for, why I was doing this. What it took to get me here.

I clenched my fists. I put my board in the ready position, one foot on, one off. I crouch down, ready to gain as much speed as possible.

The starting horn sounds and I don't really remember what happened next. I can't recall if my order was correct or not, if my tricks landed, if I had proper technique. I thought about Brady's mom, and Paul, and Katie and Daphne. 

The only thing I know is the crowd was almost silent for a few moments when I finished, which made me doubt myself. 

But then it was like a volcanic eruption; people waved their arms, held up signs. People with bull horns were jumping up and down. I knew, right then, that I had just completed the best run of my life.

My mom, Paul, and Brady rushed over to the staircase at the end of the platform to congradulate me.

"Honey!" my mom cried, "That was amazing!"

Paul clapped me on the shoulder. "Easily your best run."

I smiled at him greatfully. 

Brady embraced me suddenly. "I'm so proud of you."

I squeezed him tigher. It felt good to hear him say that. 

From there, it was mostly anxiously waiting in the tent until awards started.

I paced back and forth. There was a TV set up for us, at least. They reviewed my run.

"...and, so far, one of the best runs Ripper has ever had."

"I agree, but she went back to her old hairstyle. I wonder why that was."

"Well, keeping it classic, I guess."

"It's pretty charming, I have to say."

I smiled to myself. 

Paul came to get me when awards started. Again, I waded through the crowd and stood up on stage. I could feel my heart beating through my chest. Fists clenched, palms sweating I looked out over the crowd of people chanting my name. 

The announcer calls the tenth place spot. Then ninth. Then eighth. Seventh. Sixth. Fifth. Fourth.

Third. 

It was down to me and some scary looking guy from another part of the country. He eyed me but seemed a little intimidated. Yeah, that's right. Back off.

I stood with my chest up as the announcer said, "...and, in second place, with a score of 48/50, we have..."

The audience did a drum roll.

"...Ryan Miller from Kansas!"

I crouched down into a ball and screamed into my shirt. The audience exploded with applause and cheer. 

I was beyond happy. Paul thrust his fist into the air and shouted with joy. My mom jumped up and down. The other guys whooped and hollered. I felt tears stream down my face as I watched Brady run up onstage. I didn't even care anymore.

I ran up to him and gave him a huge kiss in front of everyone. The audience made kissy noises and whistled.

"That means our winner today, with a perfect score of 50/50, is none other than the Ripperrrrrrr!"

I hugged Brady tightly onstage. The rest of the guys joined in. 

I'm sure the audience was completely confused. I had reverted back to my old clothing and hair choice, kissed a guy who I denied liking on several occasions, and I was kind of crying. 

Brady's arm was around me and music played and confetti sprayed over us.

I put my hands around his neck. "Thank you."

He pulled me in, and we stayed that way for a long time.