The Un-landed Everything

Chapter 10

After five minutes, I loved my new life.

                When I took home the gold at Regional’s, the local press literally swarmed around me asking constant questions. I loved the attention. Coach told me to only answer the questions I wanted to, and to be careful what I say. I only answered two or three questions, before escaping to the locker room to celebrate with Rowan and Kasey.

~

                It was Monday morning the day after Regional’s, and I had the day off from school.

                Good Morning Massachusetts had invited Rowan, and I to their show that morning to talk about our path to the Olympics. My parents had to work, so Nana drove me to the studio.

                “Are you nervous?” Nana asked smiling as usual.

                “A little.” I replied fidgeting with the hem on my coat.

                “Don’t be, you’ve got this. You’re so smiley and camera friendly. Just be yourself,”

                We arrived at the studio, just after Rowan. The receptionist told Nana and Rowan’s mom they had to watch the broadcast in the lobby, then she sent Rowan and I back into the dressing room.

                The makeup lady put too much makeup on me. I swear I couldn’t feel my face. There were like three layers of foundation, two different shades of blush, tons of mascara, eye shadow, and then hot pink lipstick. More makeup then I’ve ever worn for a competition. It was itchy, and uncomfortable, but I could manage. Rowan loved makeup, so she didn’t mind the fact we looked like Barbie dolls.

                Once we left the dressing room, the receptionist took us into the studio to meet the news anchor Holly Johnson. She looked like she always did; long blonde hair, olive skin, hazel eyes, and that bright smile.

                “Hi girls, welcome to the studio.” Holly said cheerfully, spreading her arms out as we entered the studio.

                The studio looked just like it always did a lime green sofa in the center, with orange pillows, and an oak coffee table with three white mugs saying Good Morning Massachusetts. 

                “It looks exactly like on TV!” Rowan said gaping out the window, at the Boston city skyline.

                Holly chuckled, “that’s the point.”

                A tall bald guy with headphones barged into the room, “you’re on in ten.”

                “Thanks Kevin. Girls, that’s Kevin our studio manager,” smiled Holly.

                Holly showed us around the studio, the cameras, and the wires, and then we had to get ready to be on air.

~

                I had never been interviewed on live TV before. I was nervous. Kevin didn’t help, he began counting down the seconds we had until we were on air. Finally, he hit one…

                “Good Morning Massachusetts, I’m Holly Johnson and here in the studio we have two very important guests. Rowan Jordan and Carmenn Di Giovanninni. These talented girls were the first and second place recipients, at the Regional Figure Skating Competition, this past weekend. They are in the studio with us today, to tell us all about their goal for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. So, girls tell us a little bit about you.”

                I let Rowan take the microphone first, I was still adjusting to the fact I was in a live interview.

                “Hi, I’m Rowan Jordan, the second place recipient at Regional’s. Well, I started skating at age seven. My mother wanted me to do a winter activity, so I choose figure skating. I never really planned on getting serious about the sport, but then I fell in love with it. I started taking lessons from a private coach, and doing competitions, then I realized I had potential. I then started training with a professional coach, and competing nationally, I never really won until now. I finally get to pursue my dream, of becoming a famous figure skater, and I get to do it with my best friend.” Rowan leaned in and hugged me, starting to get a little emotional. Then she handed me the microphone.

                “Hello Massachusetts,” I said nervously. “I’m Carmenn Di Giovanninni, the second place recipient, at this past weekend’s Regional Figure Skating Competition. I started skating at age six. I was at my friend’s birthday party, and I had a blast. I guess my mother realized I totally enjoyed it, because she signed me up for figure skating lessons. I was a very advanced skater from the start; I was always ahead of my class, never exactly paying attention. Then, I immediately jumped to conclusion; I had to go to the Olympics. Finally, after years of begging my Nana actually got me my private coach, Patty. I began doing intense training, and skating in competitions, and I won Regional’s and my whole life turned around. I realized I have an actual shot at the Olympics. And I would like to thank my Nana, my parents, my friend Prim for supporting me, and my best friends Kasey and Rowan.” I smiled glad to be done.

                “Well spoken girls. One more question?” asked Holly. “There is a rumor going around, that your friend Kasey Grimmes quit the sport just before skating her free skate program.        Is this true?”

                I gasped a little.

                Rowan snatched the microphone out of Holly’s hand, “we would not appreciate answering that question. Sorry.”

                Holly slowly reached for the microphone, “well um…thanks anyway girls. And Massachusetts, we will be back with the weather after the break.”