Emma's Gymnastics Story

Eight Candles

Weeks passed by as we trained for level 5 that it was already my eighth birthday. It seemed like time was passing by so quickly. So much has already happened, too. Loren's Dad got arrested and she got in the competitive team with me, it was now summer time and when summer was over, I would be starting elementary school. I would still be homeschooled despite how badly I missed public school. My opinions didn't matter to my mom.

"It's my birthday!" I screamed, jumping up and down in the kitchen, as my mom was cooking my birthday breakfast.

"Hey, be quiet, girlie!" Mommy exclaimed to me, motioning for me to be quiet. "But happy eighth birthday, big girl!"

"Is Daddy coming to visit?" I asked her, full of hope as I missed my dad and haven't seen him in months.

She sighed and answered,"In fact he is, baby girl. What would you like to do for your birthday today?"

"Open presents, duh!" I said sassily to her, and taking a seat at the counter waiting for my meal.

"Oh I know that, honey, but where would you like to go?" she asked as she poured fresh cold milk into a glass for me to drink.

"Oh em gee, can I go to a trampoline park with my friends?" I asked hopefully—I've never been to a tramp park before and they seemed so fun! I loved trampolines.

"I'm not sure if every friend of yours would like to come, though." she replied and placed a plate of gummy bear pancakes in front of me.

I sniffed the pancakes. They smelled so sweet and good. My mom made the best pancakes. This was my favorite thing to eat in the morning and I only have it so much as it is considered a very special dish.

"Well that's okay, but I'm sure they'll come, Mommy." I said.

After that, I took a huge bite of the most delicious breakfast ever. Throughout the meal, I could taste the sticky little bits of colorful gummy bears hiding in the baked buttery bread. There was even some chocolate melted into the bread, too. I was having the time of my life just sitting here and eating my favorite food.

"Okay, now which friends would you like to invite, my birthday princess?" Mommy asked me as I finished up my meal by drinking my milk.

"Lily, Bree, Paige, Loren, Amiyrah, and Morgan." I told her. "I forgot to mention, but before when I went to the open gym, I saw Morgan there and she actually does gymnastics now, too!"

"Oh, how cool!" she replied, smiling and then she went on her phone to contact the parents of my friends as an invitation. "Go get ready now, Emmy Lemmy! I prepared you a birthday dress and it's hanging in your closet! Make sure to wear a tank top and shirts under so that you can undress into athletic wear for the trampoline park."

I nodded and excitingly headed upstairs into my room, knowing that there was a dress waiting for me inside.

When I checked my closet, there was a glittery baby pink dress hanging on the top. I took a moment to admire it, as it sparkles in the morning sunlight. Then I broke the stare and threw the dress on my bed. Before I wore it, I put on a lavender tank top and gray under armour shorts. Then I dressed into the dress, brushed my hair and checked myself out through my full body mirror. To me I looked stunning, I don't know what everyone else would think about me, though. Shhh, Emma. They probably think I look amazing too!

Soon, we arrived at the trampoline park. Haley and Josiah were here too and they also invited some of their friends.

"Mommy, where's Daddy..?" I asked my mom worriedly.

"He should be here soon, baby doll, probably just some traffic issues or something." Mommy replied to me, hopefully truthfully. "Don't worry about him now and just go and fun with your friends! They're waiting for you out there, baby."