"Seriously, Jordan, not in the mood," I snapped.
"Okay." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "You're forgetting to breathe."
"I'm breathing right now," I said through my teeth. What was up with him today?
"I mean before you release the bar. It's just one long exhale. Or a really long word."
Stevie joined me at the chalk bin, her eyes on Jordan. "He's a coach, he should know."
I glanced at Jordan, narrowing my eyes. "You're a coach?"
"At International Gymnastics camp," he said. "Three summers in a row."
I'd been to that camp twice myself, but not since I was ten. The coaches were pretty good there.
"One long exhale?" I repeated.
He nodded. "Try it. It'll work."
I stood in front of the low bar, ignoring the camera zooming in. Bentley absentmindedly rubbed his stomach where I had elbowed him three turns ago. I took a deep breath and jumped into my mount again. When it came time for the Jaeger, I allowed the air to release from my lungs as I swung and then let go of the bar at the end of my breath. I could feel it working in slow motion. I saw the bar for what felt like several seconds, though I knew it couldn't have been that long. And when I caught it, Blair, Ellen, Jordan, and Stevie all cheered.
I was already smiling before my feet hit the ground. Bentley patted the top of my head. "Nice job, Karen! Very nice."
I caught Jordan's eye and mouthed "Thank you" to him. He gave me one of his famous half smiles. A girl from the level 5 team was currently holding on to Jordan's hands, walking up his legs while he flipped her over.
Bentley gave me a nudge from behind. "Beam. Now."
"I'm going, I'm going," I said, still grinning.
Coach Bentley,
I am doing a layout Jaeger in Chicago, I don't care what you say!
—Karen
P.S. thanks for letting me have one more chance
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Letters to Nowhere #1 (Completed!)
Teen FictionI've gotten used to the dead parents face. I've gotten used to living with my gymnastics coach. I've even adjusted to sharing a bathroom with his way-too-hot son. Dealing with boys is not something that's made it onto my list of experiences as of ye...
