Make It or Break It: London 2012

Part 6

"Welcome to day one of two of the gymnastics competition at the 2012 London Olympics. We have some fierce competitors here today from all over the world. China, Russia, and the United States are the main competitors for that team gold medal, but who would you say are our biggest competitors for that individual medal?" One announcer says to the other.

"Genji Cho from China is obviously favored to win that gold medal, but word has it that Kaylie Cruz from the US team has been perfecting some super moves of her own." The second announcer replies.

"Not to mention the US has Jordan Randall, Payson Keeler, and Lauren Tanner. Any one of those girls could really give Genji a run for her money."

"But the biggest factor for everyone on the US team is their mental focus. We've seen them do some great things, but we've also seem them choke. With the stakes this high, anything is possible."

Lauren rolls her eyes and hits the mute button on the TV remote in the locker room. "Do they think we don't hear the things that they say about us?"

Kaylie fidgets and cracks her knuckles. "Are they right? Are we gonna choke?"

"Kaylie, you can't let the announcers of all people get in your head. They just are trying to create some drama so people don't tune out. Don't let it get to you." Payson says.

"You're right. I just hate sitting in there. I want this to get started." Kaylie replies.

"I've never been this nervous in my entire life." Jordan admits.

Kaylie smiles. "I don't think I've ever seen you get nervous before."

"Don't get used to it." Jordan adds with a wink.

Coach Macintyre walks in then and gives a big smile to each of his girls. "Are you ready?"

"I think I'm gonna be sick." Kaylie groans.

"We're gonna kick ass." Lauren says.

Payson can't manage to look at Lauren without being filled with anger, but she nods in agreement. "She's right. We've got this."

"Alright, ladies. Get in position."

Jordan takes the front of the line, as team captain. Behind her is Kaylie, then Payson, and then Lauren. They were followed by their coach.

"You can't stay mad at me forever, can you? You managed to forgive me about the Sasha kiss-cam. Why is this so different?"

"Because this is the dream we've been working towards since we were kids. I thought you finally understood that. Yet you were so willing to ruin that for me. I just don't think I can keep forgiving someone who keeps trying to sabotage me."

"But Pay-"

"I don't want to hear it, Lauren. I need to focus now."

Payson closes her eyes and begins to visualize her routines; a technique she's used for years. It calms her nerves and excites her for the competition. As soon as she opens her eyes, the girls start to move out of the locker room, and onto the floor. As they emerge into the competition, all they can hear are the screams of the people in the stands. Enthusiastic supporters holding "GO TEAM US!" and signs supporting each girl individually stand out. Each girl secretly searches for her family, hoping to find a glimpse. None of them manage to see anyone. Jordan doesn't look for anyone in the stands. Her only family is her team and her coach, and they're all on the floor with her today.

The girls stop in the spot along the floor designated for their team and each stretches to keep their muscles loose.

"The competition will be starting soon."

"Which apparatus are we on first?" Lauren asks.

"Beam and bars are the first rotation, then floor and vault." He tells them. "Lauren, you're first on beam, followed by Kaylie. Then Jordan's first on bars, followed by Payson."

Lauren exhales in relief. She gets to start off the competition on her strongest apparatus. Despite the good news, her heart is racing and her fingers are already starting to feel numb. Or is she just imaging that? The more she thinks about the possibility of not finishing her routines, the more stressed out she gets.

She takes a few steps away from her team to work on her breathing exercises. Once she's positive that the numbness in her fingers was just something she imagined, she rejoins them with a nervous grin on her face.

"Who's ready?" She asks, offering out her arm.

Each girl lays a hand on top of each other and they smile. "1-2-3 USA!"