A Harsh Reality | ✓

Chapter 12

Amanda

I tackled Hailey as she went inside the Field Sports Club. She gasped  when I almost took her down.

"You're back!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, and you're back too!" she replied. Hailey had been really busy with a lot of things lately, and I, well, my ankle explains it all.

"Oh my god, guess what?" she asked as we entered the building.

"What?"

"I forgot to tell you, but Charlotte broke her arm."

"How?"

"She fell from the uneven bars and landed on top of her arm," Hailey explained, "She was furious, screaming that she would tell her Dad how the equipment was not steady and all that shit." I laughed. I felt sorry for Charlotte, but I was glad at the same time. She had started to make fun of me as soon as I arrived a few months ago. Not having her around for a few weeks would be amazing. I laughed at what Hailey said as we walked arm in arm towards the gym.

When we arrived, we placed everything inside of our lockers and continued chatting as we looked for Coach. When we found her, she was helping the youngest girls do their splits, near the boy, who trained in the other half of the gym since they had different equipment than the girls.

"Amanda! So glad to have you back!" she greeted me as she finished with a small girl.

"It's great to be back!"

"Why don't you girls go warm up while I finish with the stretching for the little ones?" she proposed. Hailey and I nodded at the same time as Coach turned around and continued with the stretching. We headed towards one of the corners of the Floor. We stretched every muscle and warmed up with a few cartwheels and tucks. After a few minutes, Coach joined us.

"It's only you two today," Coach said, "Mia, Nikki, Danielle, and Wendy are in a small competition with Jemma, Charlotte broke her arm and Riley is sick." Yes, we were only eight in level 10 of this club, without Jemma. Jemma was our second coach, she helped Coach Johnson with teaching and new moves. Hailey and I didn't participate in small competitions, only once in a few weeks or if they were, in a way, important. I liked everyone in the team, except Charlotte, but since we are in the same team, I need to get along with everyone so that's what I try to do.

Coach helped us perfect our landings and taught us new dance moves. When we went to the beam, she helped me with the aerial I had attempted to do last Saturday and twisted my ankle with.

"Next class," Coach started, "Jemma will teach you two and the rest of the team a new move called The McKarl."

"Never heard of it," I said interested.

"It's performed on the Floor," she said, "You make a roundoff, two back handsprings and then launch into a 360 turn before doing a full twist." I gaped at Coach.

"But, we are going to have to jump really high," Hailey stated and Coach grinned.

"That's what Jemma will teach you."

We finished up stretching and went home. Hailey and I walked next to each other as we made our way towards the main door of the club. We lived in opposite directions, so Tyler had to pick me up. When we went outside, the cold breeze hit me like bricks. I pulled on my black jacket with 'Field Sports Club Gymnastics Team' written on the back in blue capital letters. I said goodbye to Hailey reassuring her that I didn't need a drive and waved as she headed towards the parking lot. I sat down on a cold metal bench and waited for Tyler to arrive.

I didn't know how much time had passed, but I felt someone sit down next to me. I looked discreetly out of the corner of my eye to see if it was anyone familiar. And yes, it was. Noah Brown. Sitting casually as he ran a hand through his hair. His blue eyes pierced to the darkening sky.