Make It or Break It: London 2012

Part 5

Kaylie and Payson had decided to leave their routines alone after a few attempts, and eventually Lauren came out of the bathroom, pretending like nothing was wrong. The three of them watched with concern as Jordan chalked up, again, and made her way back to the uneven bars. 

"She's been over there for an hour," Kaylie said, glancing up at the clock.

"I tried telling her to take it easy. She said she didn't want to stop until she landed it." Payson replied, frustrated.

"Maybe you should try again," Kaylie suggested.

"Wait, does that mean she hasn't landed it yet?" Lauren asked with concern.

"Wait, does that mean you actually care?" Payson mocked.

"Oh, let it go, Pay. You didn't get in trouble, and I apologized!"

"I can't do this with you right now," Payson raised her arms in surrender and headed toward Jordan again.

Jordan swung between the two bars with ease. It was second nature to her; each apparatus was a part of her like an arm or a leg. Gymnastics was easy as breathing for her by now. But when it came to this dismount, she felt something about herself she hadn't felt in a long time. Doubt.

She launched herself off of the high bar and into a sommersault. One...two...three... She lands on her feet, almost perfectly, just one foot takes a step back to steady herself.

"That was great, Jordan. The best you've done all morning." Payson said encouragingly.

"I still would have points taken off for that step I took," She insisted, heading back towards the chalk box.

"Jordan, you have to stop. You're going to wear yourself down before the competition even starts, and you've completely ignored the other apparatuses..."

"I get it, Payson! But I'm team captain, not you!"

"Well you're not acting like one!"

Jordan stared at Payson with a look that was full of anger, but also full of pain. "You don't tell me what to do."

"No, but Coach does, and if he knew-"

"What? Are you going to tell him?"

Payson stared at Jordan, back at her friends, and at Jordan once more. "If you're going to risk your performance, and our team scores just because you're all in your head about a dismount you've landed perfectly a thousand times... then yes. I will."

Jordan crossed her arms over her chest. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." And Payson turned on her heel to look for Coach MacIntyre.

"Payson, are you sure-" Kaylie said as Payson rushed by her.

"I don't have a choice!" She shouted over her shoulder.

"Fine, fine!" Jordan rushed towards Payson. "I give up. Fine. I'll stop. I'll rest."

"I'm sorry, Jordan. I just don't want you to hurt yourself."

Jordan rolled her eyes. "It's annoying how much you care. But I don't mind it."

"Let's go stretch for a little while and hydrate." Payson suggested with a smile.

The four of them walked to the sidelines, arm in arm, to watch their competition practice. There were only a few hours left until the competition began. Things would only get more difficult from here.