Laura's Time to Shine

Chapter 5

On the big day, Clarice and I were woken up early by Sarah to go to the gym for last-minute practice, leaving Harper snug in her bed, sound asleep. She was on cloud nine lately, as her team had won the basketball match the week before, and were going into the semi-finals. She played fantastically well and so did Lily.

            We had plenty of time to practice. I was well prepared, but was very, very anxious.

            The judges arrived at ten o’clock. The gym was packed with some of the girls’ families and most of the other students in the school came to watch too. I could tell that this was probably one of the biggest occasions in all of St. Stephen’s history.

            I had invited my parents. When they arrived, I ran over to them and hugged them so tightly; I didn’t want to let go.

            “Oh, Laura, we missed you so much! And now! We are so proud of you!”

            I hugged them again, but then one of the judges, a man, spoke into the microphone at the judge’s desk.

            “If everyone will now sit down please, and please remain quiet while the contestants carry out their routines. Thank you,”

            “Laura! Wait, before you go!” Dad shouted. I raced back to him. He held up an ankle-bracelet. It had multiple coloured beads on it, the same colours as my side-fringe. “This ankle-bracelet is the first one you ever made. You gave it to me, and ever since I started wearing it, I have had good luck. You told me that each colour represents something; red for love, yellow for happiness, green for kindness, blue for joy and purple for peace. And now I want you to wear it.”He put the bracelet in my hand. “Wear it while you are doing your routine. Trust me it will give you good luck. It’s your time to shine now Laura.”

            I kissed Dad on the cheek and walked back to the bench. I tied the bracelet around my ankle, and I felt confident already.

            “First, we’ll start with the uneven bars. First up, Contestant number 1: Laura.”

            This was it. I walked up to the uneven bars, jumped up, grabbed them and began my performance. It was over within two minutes and luckily I landed perfectly. The audience clapped as I sat down, and I saw Dad giving me thumbs up. I gave one back to him.

            Everybody else did brilliantly, including Clarice on the vault, although her landing was a bit wobbly. I clapped as she walked back to the bench, but when she saw me clapping, she rolled her deep blue eyes again. I just didn’t get it, and I couldn’t take it anymore.

            As we waited for the judges results, I approached Clarice. “Clarice! Seriously! What’s your problem? You did a marvellous job on the vault and I’m clapping because of it, and then you roll your eyes at me? You call me circus freak, you don’t talk to me, and of course, you pull faces all the time! Why, Clarice, why?”

            Clarice muttered something so quiet that I didn’t hear her at all.

            “What?”

            “Because I don’t like you, okay?!” she shouts. “You’re so talented at gymnastics, you’re so interesting and everyone is fascinated by your hair and your guitar and your circus-life.  I’m losing my friends because of you.” She was talking a bit more quietly now. As Clarice spoke she seemed to be hearing her own words and a sad look came over her face. “But no, that’s not the truth. I’m losing my friends because I am being such a stupid, ignorant, selfish girl! I’m so sorry, Laura, for all the nasty things I’ve done to you!” She started blubbering, “I was jealous”.

            “Don’t cry, Clarice!” I comforted her by rubbing her back. “Your apology is accepted and I would really like us to be friends. You are so talented. I wish I had your skill at Maths!” I gave her a hug and we both smiled.  Then, one of the judges stood up and spoke into the microphone.

            “We have seen many magnificent performances this morning. This school has a tremendously high standard of young gymnasts, but the standard for an Olympic…” He went on about the skill of an Olympian and stuff, and then I got so excited when another judge, a lady this time, took the microphone and announced,

            “The girl we think is closest to that high standard and that we think will be able to cope with all the tough work and pressure preparing for the Olympic Games in 2016, is…”

            I held my breath and waited for the lady’s words with my fingers crossed and my heart thumping fast.

            “LAURA MCKEOWN!!!”

            “What?!”

            The cheer was deafening in the gym.

            “Oh my goodness, WELL DONE LAURA!!!”

            “You totally deserve it!”

            “AAAAAGH!!!!!!”

“Congratulations Laura!”

            I began screeching too with joy.  I guess all those years in the circus finally paid off. I was going to represent my country in the Olympics. I was in shock. Jasmine and Harper and the other girls hugged me, and despite her disappointment the biggest hug came from Clarice.

            Dad was right. It was my time to shine.