Taking Back the Title?

01

Madi's POV

"And in sixth place... California Allstars Smoed!"

I try to put a smile on my face when they call out our name. There is hardly any applause, which is expected since we just lost what would have been our 5-peat. I get up and bring the trophy back to my team. I hug Peyton and we walk off the mat. We stand by the side of the floor as Brandon Senior Black screams and cries over their victory. The crowd goes crazy. I feel awful. Orby leads the team outside where Eddie waits for us by our bus. I assume he left after our name was called, not wanting to see our disappointment, or show his.

We hop in the bus and ride back to the hotel in silence. I stare out the window as palm trees and lakes pass by. I even see an alligator, which would normally have me pulling on Peyton's arm to show her, but now I don't feel like doing much of anything. All I can think is: we didn't deserve sixth, we didn't deserve sixth.

We get to the hotel and Maddie O tells us how we should accept that this happened and use it as motivation to work harder. I hold back tears as she talks and keep to myself. It's hard when you've won Worlds so many times and to come in sixth. Everyone else says some motivational thoughts and we do our hands in. The team starts saying goodbye to each other, but I don't move. I stare stone cold at the wall. Emmi sits down next to me and leans her head on my shoulder.

"Peyton, Jonah, Jazzy and I were thinking about heading over to Hollywood Studios to take our minds off this. Do you want to come?" she asks.

"No, you guys have fun," I say.

"Oh, okay, well if you change your mind, text me, okay?"

"Sure," I say half-heartedly.

Emmi nods and reluctantly leaves with her group. In truth, I would love to go, but I wouldn't want to ruin their fun by being a grouch the whole time. So instead, I head up to my room and cry.

A.N

a bit of a boring, short chapter, but I promise chapter 2 will be longer. let me know what you think of it so far. thanks for reading!! 

-mare <3