Twist of Fate

Chapter 1: Gone with a bang

I ran out of class as soon as the bell rang. I skipped down the long stairs and shot out of the building. "Finally free!" I exclaimed. Today was the last day of school and the first day of summer vacation. I could finally stop doing homework and focus on my gymnastics. I would train hard and become the best.

"Hey! Lareria! Wait up!"

I stopped and looked back to see my two best friends waving as they ran to catch up.

"How are you walking so fast with so much on?" Maya gasped, sweat trailing down her face.

"Hm?" I looked down at the layers of clothing I wore. It was only skinny jeans, a tank top with two T-shirts, and a cotton jacket to top it off. "Stamina!" I said putting my hands on my hips. It was eighty-five degrees and the sun was baring down on us mercilessly, but I hadn't sweated a drop.

"I'm starting to think you aren't human." Simon, Maya's older brother, laughed.

I pouted. "How does not sweating make me inhuman?"

They both laughed at my expression.

"So where are you headed in such a hurry?" Maya asked after catching her breath. "You literally jumped out of class."

I smiled. "Nowhere in particular."

Simon looked at me dubiously. "Really?"

"Nope." I spun on my heel and continued to walk.

"I bet she's heading to the studio." Maya whispered loudly to Simon. "Practice, practice, practice."

"Or maybe the gym," Simon suggested. "You know how freakish she is about a good workout."

"I'm right here you know!" I snapped and they laughed again. I huffed in annoyance and sped up my pace.

"Hold up!" Maya gasped, jogging to keep up. "We're sorry! Will you please slow down?"

I eased up a little with a sigh. The siblings always teased me about my "obsession" with practicing for gymnastics. I truly loved gymnastics, but I made a promise to do my best. It's a promise I can't break.

"Let's go to that new store." Simon said, interrupting my thoughts. "You know, Mega Shop 'n Go. I heard they have lots of new games for PlayStation."

Maya sighed loudly. "Of course you want to go for the games. You really are a nerd."

Simon pushed back imaginary glasses intelligently. "I am not."

I laughed and turned in the direction of the new store. It was in the shopping district of town and was bound to be crowded at that time of day, but we went anyway.

"What are you gonna get?" Simon asked Maya as her eyes glazed over at the sight of so many cosmetic stores.

"Lip gloss, mascara, nail polish, eye shadow..." She went on and on until Simon hit her on the back of the head. "Ow! What was that for!"

"Oh. My bad." Simon put his hands in his pockets and looked around. "I was just hitting an annoying fly. It kept buzzing in my ear."

Maya looked at him in confusion, not realizing what he meant. Simon smiled knowingly at me and I could barely stifle my laughter. Maya was a bit dense for a seventh grader. We were in the same classes and I always needed to help her. Her talents did not lie in metaphors or innuendos of any kind.

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and laughed. "Forget it, Maya. Your nerdy brother is just being the nerd he is."

Maya smiled. "Yeah!"

Simon sighed. "You spoil her."

I grinned. "Rotten." I agreed.

"Hey," she protested, pouting. "I'm not spoiled. I'm perfectly fresh. I think. Is twelve years fresh?"