Perfect

Do I fit in?

I slip my light blue shirt on over my swim suit, and pull up a pair of leggings. I reach into my locker and pull out my black drawstring bag with my embroidered name and TGT. I turn around to leave and nearly walk right into Gabby. She glares at me. "What do you think you're doing?" She says angrily. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you. It was an accident." I explain. "You're just a level 8 intruding on practice. You shouldn't even be here, especially not with Coach Menderez. Isn't that right, Linds?" She says. Lindsey, who was standing near us by her locker, turns to face us, and nods. What Gabby said is true, but it still stings. Lindsey takes a step towards me. "Why are you with us? So that Coach Mark can prove you don't belong? Go back to the Team Training Squad. You don't belong here." I look at both of them. I feel tears burning behind my eyes. "I'm sorry. Chelsea said I could practice with the level 9's for a few days, and I wanted the opportunity. I had no idea Coach Menderez would be here at all. I'm sorry. But I really do have to go." I still want to see Liam desperately, even if means having to get past Gabby and Lindsey. To my despair, Kayla turns around on the other side of of Gabby. "You're a liar. Everyone knows your mom pays big money to see you get to the level she wants you at. You're never going back down to 8, even if we all want you to." "What!?" I say, louder than necessary. My vision begins to get blotchy with tears. "That's a lie. That's a lie! Who told you that? Who do you think you are? I may be one level lower than you, but if I do well at practice these next few days, we'll be a team and you'll have to deal with me until one of us moves up. And as far as I'm concerned, a team is a team. No matter who is on it!" I'm surprised at my anger. Anger replaces my sadness, but my nose stings and there's that noticeable lump in my throat that you get when you're trying to force down tears. All three of them look at each other. My stomach knots. The lump grows into a hill wedged in between my tonsils. "What happens if you don't do well at practice, then?" Lindsey asks in a snarky tone. "Then I go back and compete 8, which at this moment is seeming like a better option." "Then why don't you just quit now?" Kayla says. "Go back to level 8. You're not good enough to be a 9. Go back down. You don't belong with us." "The coaches just feel sorry for you because you'll never make it to this level. They wanted to give you a few days of glory before they kick you out of the gym. You're not worth it. Even your mother's fat pay roll isn't worth it for them to keep you." Gabby says. This hits me exactly where it hurts. The hill in my throat turns into a mountain and forces it out of my mouth. I let out a whimper and tears burn my eyes. I can feel my nose getting redder, and tears drip freely down my face. "What is wrong with you? All of you!?" I scream. The whole locker room goes silent. Everyone turns to look at me.