A Harsh Reality | ✓

Chapter 37

Amanda

Mom, Tyler, and I had taken a three-hour flight to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Coach Johnson was with us as well, but I only met with her when we arrived. The Nastia Liukin Cup occupied an entire weekend, so we landed on Friday to be able to accommodate before everything that was about to happen.

On Saturday, I had training. I met all of the other gymnasts who were competing and received two leotards: one to train and the other for the actual event. They were gorgeous and looked really comfortable. The one I was going to use to practice was sleeveless and entirely black except for a little pink decoration on the chest. The second one was also black, but it had pink sleeves that faded into it near the shoulder. We met Nastia Liukin, which was incredible, and got to take photos with her.

Today was the day of the actual competition, and I was nervous as Hell. I tied my hair into a tight ponytail and zipped the tracksuit I had been given. It was white and had 'Nastia Liukin Cup' printed in the back with the logo in pink on the chest. I sighed and took my place in the line for the vault with the other gymnasts.

"Aren't you excited?" Belle Roberts asked me.

"More nervous than excited," I replied honestly and gave her the best smile I could.

"Oh, don't worry! You'll do great!" she replied and smiled back. Belle lived in Los Angeles, California, and was a senior athlete like me. She was younger and on her road to becoming an elite gymnast to go to the Olympics. Belle was overly eager for the competition to start, but I couldn't match her enthusiasm.

"Thanks! You'll do great too," I said just as the lights went down. We walked onto the Floor, surrounding it with the four lines we were put into due to the apparatus we were going to start with. Nastia welcomed the audience and us before we could begin with the warm-up. Then the real competition began.

We had to do two vaults, and the one with the highest number was the one that was going to be used as the definitive score. My final score was a 9.950, so my nervousness faded away a little bit.

My first vault was a little bit off, but the second one was almost perfect. I was pleased with the outcome since I expected a lower score. My second event was the balance beam, and boy was I on edge for this one.

I kept my balance throughout the entire routine and managed to successfully stick my landing. I got a 9.750 score, placed third in the senior chart. My third rotation was the Floor. I was very confident about this one because it was my favorite routine, and I always nailed the hard moves.

I couldn't help myself from smiling as I danced around the Floor and exaggerated every single step. My tumbling was spot on, and I'm sure I looked flawless moving across the apparatus with grace. The judges rewarded me with a 9.975 score, making Coach very proud.

My final event was the uneven bars, the one I had been dreading the most. I slipped on my grips slowly and made sure they were perfectly placed before tightening them. Coach Johnson came to get me and accompanied me to the bars.

"You've got this, Amanda," she patted my back and pushed me slightly forwards. I smiled and moved my shoulders back and forth a little bit. I climbed the stairs swiftly to the platform in which every apparatus was situated. As soon as my foot stepped onto the mat below the bars, nerves exploded in my stomach.

I placed myself in front of the low bar and waited for a signal from the judges. When it was given to me, I raised my arms and launched onto my routine. I performed everything impeccably, and as the double tuck approached, I got even more nervous.

While training my uneven bars routine yesterday, I had a lot of difficulties when it came to sticking the landing. The first time I practiced it, I had done the tuck with so much force, I went flying backward. I almost fell the second and third time. The fourth try, I had given a massive step to steady myself. So to say I was worried was an understatement.

It was time, so I launched onto the double backward tuck, flying with smoothness across the air as I bent my knees. I had the urge to close my eyes, but I held myself back. I had to finish this.

As I turned again, I got ready for the mat. I extended my arms a second before my feet touched the ground, avoiding giving an extra step back.

"Yes!" Coach yelled, and I swung my hands upward with a huge smile plastered on my face. I stuck the landing. My feet moved towards Coach, who enveloped me in a hug, "I knew you could do it!"

"That was awesome!" Belle cheered and gave me a high five as I laughed. Now I had to wait a few moments for the score to be announced. I sat down and took off my grips quickly before drinking water. I looked up at the screen in the center of the gym every once in a while. As soon as I got too immersed in my thoughts, I heard a yell.

"Amanda!" Coach Johnson was suddenly in front of me. I frowned at her in confusion, "You got a perfect 10!" I almost spit out my drink. "You won!"

"I won?" My eyes widened as I repeated her words, and I instantly jumped onto my feet, "Oh my God!"

*&*

"Bitch, I'm so proud of you!" Hailey screamed across the hallway as she ran towards me, getting a few weird looks from the other students. She wrapped her arms around me and squealed into my ear. "You won the Nastia Cup, oh my God!" I chuckled.

"You did great, Amanda!" Pilar chimed in and hugged me too. It was Tuesday, two days after the competition. I returned yesterday, so I missed school.

"Is what I heard true?" Hailey asked excitedly.

"What did you hear?" I replied with curiosity as I placed my books in my locker

"That a certain coach actually approached you and offered you a scholarship?" She eyed me carefully, and I sighed.

"YES!" I screamed, and they both squealed, "I'm going to UCLA!" We had a group hug just before the bell rang, making us go our separate ways.

*&*

After school ended, I picked up my bag, stuffed it with the books I needed, and headed toward Noah's locker. I put in his combination and took out the black helmet resting on the top shelf. Slamming the door with my foot, I swung my bag around my shoulder and walked towards the exit.

The school was pretty empty since I had an extra class today, and almost everybody had left. When I stepped into broad daylight, I couldn't help the smile that crept onto my face.

"You are amazing, you know that?" Noah asked, leaning against his motorcycle.

"I heard I was," I replied, and he laughed, "I'm a future UCLA gymnast now."

"I know," he said, "Mind celebrating with me?" I placed his helmet over my head as an answer.

*&*

hi!

i'm not sure i love how this chapter turned out, but i like it nonetheless. three chapters left of ahr oof :( anyways, just wanted to say hi and throw random facts around lol. don't forget to vote!

miss lp