I walked into Valley's Gymnastics Academy.My friend Gracie Valdez was doing a back handspring on the beam."That is SO five year old level!"I joked.She done a front tuck off the beam and trotted over to me."I'm just...getting....warmed up!"she panted smiling.I opened my gym locker and put my bag inside.I took off my jacket and shorts and stuffed them in my locker also.I was wearing my bedazzled pink leotard that had my first name sewn onto the back."So Claire...have you heard what rumor Kacie Baldwin has been spreading like butter on toast?"Gracie asked.I rolled my eye's and shook my head."Do I want to?"I asked cautiously.She shrugged,"She's been saying that she has stuck her back handspring going into a back tuck and THEN going into a front tuck!I mean you JUST stuck that last week."Gracie said.I rolled my eye's again and stopped stretching.I went to the beam where Kacie stood.I cleared my throat(louder than necessarily needed) and tapped her on the shoulder."Excuse me...but I need to practice my beam routine if you don't mind."I said.I straddled the beam and pushed up into a handstand.I dropped down onto the beam and went into my round off.I done my back handspring,done a back tuck,then done my front tuck.I done a front tuck dismount and smiled widely."Can you do that Kacie?"I asked.She tugged at her ear and then glanced back and forth between me and Gracie.Finally she said,"Sure...any gymnast who is training to become and elite can do THAT."she said."Okay,than do it."I urged.She nodded and went to stand beside the beam.She done the same mount as me then done her round off.She done her back handspring and wobbled a little bit.She steadied herself then done her back tuck.She wobbled a lot and gasped out of fright."It's Okay if you wanna come down Kacie...I'd understand.It IS a very difficult and scary performance."I said.She shook her head,"No way!I can TOTALLY do this!"she said."Okay...don't say I didn't warn you."I said shrugging.She glared at me and rolled her eyes...one of her many talents.She leaped into the air and then everything seemed to go in slow motion.She obviously didn't put enough power into it.She also did NOT tuck in time.She was turning in mid air,she was about to be completely flipped over but then....BANG!Her head slammed down onto the beam!Her face and cheek scraped across the beam.Her hand smacked into the metal on the beam.She hit the mat with a terrible SMACK!Everybody gathered around her.Coach Marcie ran out off her office and told everybody to move away.Kacie stood up and looked angry instead of hurt."I just wanna practice okay?I'm fine!"Kacie said rubbing her hand.We all lined up to wait for Coache's demand."Okay,I want everybody to do two full routines on all-around!Go!"she said.When gym was over I noticed both of my parent's were there to pick me up."Um,hey guys?"I said cautiously.They both had their lips pressed into a thin line.My heart started thumping."We got a call from Ms.Luray...your grades are crashing majorly!Claire,what's going on?"my dad demanded.I shrugged and looked down at the floorboard of my Mom's SUV.I started chewing my bottom lip...a habit of mine for when I was nervous."You don't know why your grades are dropping,yet YOU'RE the one doing all the work?"my dad asked angrily.My mom stared at me intensely.I felt hot tears welling up in my eye's."It's just that I...I have ALOT on my plate with....well you know gym-"my dad cut me off."Gymnastics?"he asked emphasising the word like it was the most hideous and horrible thing in the world.More tears welled up and they were on the brink of spilling over."Well yeah!Gymnastics and...."he had me where he wanted me.I was stumped.Yes I was thinking about gymnastics most of the time but...if they made school fun like gymnastics I would pay more attention!And I made sure my parent's knew that,"Well!If school was more like gymnastics I would take it more seriously!"I said nearly screaming.Tears had started to fall.He was really angry now!"Well!If you want to act this way,then maybe you shouldn't do gymnastics at all!You know what I think that's what we'll do!"he said turning to my mother."Does that sound like a deal?"he asked."She keeps her attitude like this and gymnastics is a done deal?"he said."Well,not completely done...but I think a month or two would be a good break for her."my mom said.I gasped angrily and hurt.How could they!?I crossed my arms and threw myself against the seat.I let my shoulders slump,and let the tears fall like crazy.When we got home I ran upstairs to my room and slammed the door closed behind me.I locked it and threw myself on my bed.I had my face down on my bed crying when I got an idea.I'd call Gracie and tell HER about my problem.I got my cellphone out of my gymnastics bag.I punched in Gracie's cell number.It rang once before Gracie answered.She is such a loyal best friend!"Omigosh Gracie!You'll NEVER believe what my parent's done!"I cried.I could almost hear her holding her breath."They said that because my grades were a LITTLE lower than usual,that I have to take a break for a month or two!"I said angrily."Please tell me you're not talking about gymnastics!"she begged."Yup!They're making me take a break from gymnastics!"I said.She gasped,"I'll be RIGHT over!"she said.Then she hung up.I slumped onto my bed and thought about this.No gymnastics for a month or two!?Were they crazy!I'd been doing gymnastics since I was THREE!That's NINE years of ripped hands,painful bruises,sprains,blood,tears and sweat!And NOW my parent's wanted to tear me away from the sport I love?!I heard a knock on my window.It was Gracie who had snuck over.I opened the window and let her in.Gracie wrapped me in a tight best friend hug.For some reason her comfort made me cry again."I can NOT believe your parent's!"Gracie said.I nodded and sank onto my floor infront of my canopy bed.The pink jewels on my bed jingled.Gracie patted my shoulder.There was a knock at my door.I put my finger on my lips and shook my head.I did NOT want to face my parent's.Gracie stayed quiet like a good friend.I climbed into my bed and Gracie crawled under my bed to hide.My parent's both have keys to my room.I heard the door unlock,so I pretended to be asleep.My mom came in,sat on the edge of my bed,kissed my cheek,then left my room.I heard the door lock again and I sat up.I tiptoed to the door to make sure she'd went downstairs.I heard her feet lightly going down the stairs.I gave Gracie the all clear sign.She army-crawled out from under the bed."I better leave..."her eye's flicked to me making sure I wasn't going to flip out on her."No...no...go on I'll be fine.I'll deal."I said.She smiled sadly and hugged me,"Call me later if any other news pops up or you just need to chat."she said."Will do."I smiled a thin smile and she left.I pulled my curtains back over my closed window.I heard another knock on my door."Come in."I said blankly,opening the door.My mom and dad came in and sat down on my bed.My dad patted the spot between them.I shook my head bitterly."Well...honey....we have some very important news to tell you."my mom said.I nodded which was my sign for them to hurry this up."And well...we've been keeping this a secret for about two months but...I'm expecting another baby."my mom said.I was stunned...another BABY!?As in another child in this exact house!Omigosh!"Okay....go,go on now."I said hustling them out of my room.I shut my door and locked it.I grabbed my cellphone and dialed Gracie's number."Omigosh!Gracie....my mom is expecting another baby!"I said.She squealed with delight,"That's great right?"she asked.I was stunned once again.Great?Was she KIDDING me?!"NO,Gracie that is NOT great!I will no longer be an only child!"I shrieked into the phone.She was quiet,and then....CLICK!She hung up on me!I stared at the phone angrily.I tossed it onto my desk and ran to my bed.I pushed my face into my feathered pillow and screamed as loud as I could!Then I had cried for like thirty minutes...so long I felt nauseous.I went to my bed,clapped twice to turn out the lights,and curled up to go to sleep.In seconds I was O-U-T.The sun beating onto my face and I pulled my pillow over me.I decided to get up,but then remembered there was no need.I didn't get to go to gymnastics today.I just HAD to remember this!Because then the tears welled up again.I had two missed calls from Gracie,but I didn't feel like calling back.I smelled chocolate chip pancakes coming up from the vent.Mom knew I was weak when it came to chocolate chip pancakes!I tip-toed downstairs and heard my parent's talking.I crept around the corner,"Pancakes?"mom asked.I nodded and sat at my usual spot after pouring myself a glass of milk.I was going to give them the silent treatment till they just HAD to give in.I sipped my milk and quietly ate my pancakes.When I was finished I put my cup in the sink,my plate in the dish-washer,and I went slowly back to my room.I locked the door then decided to call Gracie back.She picked up after the first ring as always."Okay Gracie....I need you to do me a MEGA size favor!"I pleaded.There was a silence."What?"she asked slowly."I need you to come pick me up so I can sneak to the gym."I said hopefully."I'll be right there."she said.Then there was a CLICK.I changed into my lime green green leotard and waited.I ran downstairs with my school bag(which I had stuffed my gym stuff into.)"I'm going to the library."I told my parents.I ran out the door and there was Gracie."Come on!"I said excitedly.We took off down the road.It was only four blocks to the gym.When we arrived we were panting and sweating.I threw my bag over to the side and ran to the beam.Kacie was on the bars and when she seen me she fell to the mat."Hey Kace!"I called cheerfully(with a little bit of sarcasm.)She rolled her eye's and I could tell she was gritting her teeth angrily."Uh huh."she said coldly."Hey it wasn't my fault,I said you could get down."I said smugly.She rolled her eye's again then went to the vault.I laughed with Gracie then went to work on the beam.An hour later I was in my room.My mom knocked on the door and then let herself in."Hey mom."I said."Sweetie do you have any test or stuff tomorrow?"she asked.I shook my head and continued playing 'The Worlds Hardest Game' online."Well honey....I'm sorry for snapping at you and stuff.Your father is sorry too."I stopped playing the game and turned to face her,"Oh I'm sure he is SO sorry!He yelled at me over my grades!I am really trying!Okay?And I really hope to be a gymnast in the Olympics when I'm older and that gets you TONS of money,okay?ESPECIALLY if you when!"I said upset once again.She sighed and said,"IF you win,and there is no way to tell if you will sweetie."she said placing her hand on my knee.I scooted away from her."Are you saying I stink at gymnastics?Are you saying my double Arabian is terrible?What about my back handspring that I worked on for THREE months!?"I demanded crying again.She sighed impatiently and stood up,"I don't know what to do anymore...I mean your attitude here lately has stunk terribly!I think I might have to agree with your father about the permanent take away of gymnastics."my Mom said.I stood up too as she headed towards my door.When she was in the doorway I screamed,"Oh yeah?Well guess what?I snuck to gymnastics with Gracie today!When I was at the 'library' I was really at the gym!"She glared at me and slammed my door shut.I ran over and locked it.I heard her go downstairs and I knew I'd messed everything up.I slid down my door and pulled my knees to my chest.I cried with my head between my knees.I didn't know a sixty-three pound girl could cry this much.I don't know how I'm only sixty-three pounds!I eat a ton,but my doctor says I have a fast metabolism.I grabbed my phone and called Gracie for the third time.This time she didn't answer.I climbed into my bed and fell asleep in less than five minutes.The next day was the worst day of the week...Monday.I got up at six thirty to take a shower,get dressed,do my hair,brush my teeth,and eat breakfast.My Dad leaves for work at four fifteen!My mom works at a nearby daycare.Soon she'll have to take maternity leave.I was the only one home so I had a banana.I grabbed my bag and headed to school.I always walk to school...and of course I have to pass by the gym EVERY time.When I got to school Ms.Luray found me at my locker."Hey Claire!"she called.I did NOT feel like talking to her.She is usually my favorite teacher...but after she just HAD to call my parent's she wasn't on my good list."Yes Ms.Luray?"I asked.She smiled at me and said,"I know that you are a gymnast and everything but..."I cut her off."I know...you talked to my parent's and blah blah blah.They have already made me take a break from gymnastics."I said tiredly.She didn't look very sorry."Oh!I'm sorry.I didn't know they'd make you quit."she said."Sure...thanks."I said.I slammed my locker and started to walk off."Hey,wait!I was wanting to invite you to my cousin's,you should now her,birthday party!It's a slumber party.You know,people come than they have cake,open presents,and play a few games....then some of the people leave but some stay!And they stay the night,then your parents come and get you around noon the next day!"she said excitedly.She handed me a pink invitation card.I opened it and could NOT believe who her cousin was!It was Kacie!The same Kacie Baldwin who fell off the beam cause I supposedly made her do that hard stunt!I smiled a fake smile and thanked her,"Thanks!I'll try to make it!"I said,making it sound like I had a lot to do.She smiled satisfied,than went back to her classroom.I banged my head into my locker.School was already over and I had no gymnastics to go to as I usually did.I walked to my mom's SUV.I showed her the invite and she said I had to go...as I knew she would.The bad thing...the party is tonight.We ran home to pack my bag,then headed toward the address on the invite.When we got to the beautiful three-story house,pink ribbons and balloons decorated the wrap-around deck.I walked in after kissing my mom goodbye.Inside about two hundred kids were there.I noticed most of them as eight graders and up.I went to take a seat next to Gracie.She smiled a smile of relief."FINALLY someone who actually LIKES me!Kacie only invited me cause you were coming and Ms.Luray made her!Did you know Ms.Luray was her COUSIN!?"Gracie asked."I know right!I didn't even wanna come!"I said.She nodded looking around from face to face.I notice Alli Graceman was here.She's a ninth grader who wears too much makeup.I rolled my eye's at the hot pink lipstick that she had smothered onto her lip's.Finally after presents and cake it cleared out to only five girls:Me,Kacie,Gracie,Elizabeth,and Alli.We all went up into Kacie's room."So,Claire!Do you remember ANY gymnastics stuff?"Gracie asked.I nodded than stood up.Once again everything went in slow motion.I hadn't done back handsprings in forever...but I felt showoff-ish.I launched backwards....and then BAM!!!I hit my forehead on Kacie's dresser!"OW!OUCH!"I screamed.I could feel the throb throughout my body.I clasped my hand's over my forehead.I moved my hands and seen red all over my hand's."OMIGOD!She's like BLEEDING!!"Alli screamed."Well thank you captain obvious!"Gracie said in my defense.I tried to stand but got dizzy and fell over.Than the pain was too much...I passed out.When I woke up I felt my silk blanket over me.For a second my vision was blurry.My mom's blurred figure came into sight."Oh my gosh!Honey!You had us all SO worried!"she said.I looked around slowly.I still felt kind of dizzy."Where...where is everybody...Kacie,Elizabeth,Alli,and Gracie?"I asked.My voice was kinda scratchy.My mom sat on the edge of my bed."Um,sweetie...everybody stayed at the slumber party."my moms said."Even...Gracie?"I asked in a whisper.My voice was trembling.She nodded.I noticed her baby bump was starting to show."Have you find out what gender of baby you're having?"I asked to change the subject.She nodded rubbing her belly,"You'll be happy....It's a girl."she said smiling.I smiled,"Another human being to turn into a gymnast!"I said.She smiled again."What?"I asked.She put her arm around my shoulder's,"Honey...me and your father decide...we're going to let you continue gymnastics starting tomorrow."she said.I jumped up suddenly overcoming my dizziness."YAY!Thank you mommy!"I said.I was too happy to care about sounding like a baby.My father came in hearing my squeal."EEEK!!!Daddy thank you,thank you,thank you!"I squealed again.He,my mom,and I all wrapped each other into a family hug."Wow!"my mom said."What?"me and my dad asked at the same time."The baby just kicked!"she said laughing.We all started laughing."Listen you guys....I'm sorry about being such a brat and I promise I'll work to raise my grades!"I promised."We're sorry too honey."My father said.My mom agreed.I was happy that we were all on speaking terms again!The next day I walked into the gym WITHOUT having to sneak there!Coach Marcie ran over to me,"I am SO happy to have you back!"she said."Hey girls,look who's back!"Coach ,Marcie called.Everybody ran over to welcome me back...even Kacie."We are SO happy you're alright!"Kacie said.Gracie agreed,"SO happy!"At the end of practice we were all three things:team mates.....friends.....and family!

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 25.01.2013

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To all the gymnastics addicts!