After school, Kadijah ran to her locker. Today’s the day I finally get to inline skate with Trini!
Kadijah had been doing the exercises Trini had showed her—sit-ups, toe ups, ankle rolls… all to help with core and ankle strength. Kadijah was amazed at how much stronger she seemed after just a week. She felt ready to tie on her inline skates and blast off like a rocket.
“Hey, KC!” said Damon, as he and Zoey approached Kadijah’s locker. “We’re going to study at the library. You want to come?”
“Can’t make it. I have more training with Trini today. We’re meeting at The Burger Break,” Kadijah said.
“We’ve barely hung out all week. You must be working really hard!” Zoey said, impressed.
Kadijah smiled. “You know it! Trini has helped me work on my strength, balance, speed, and proper breathing. I feel great! And now that I’ve got all that stuff solved, I’m ready to smoke the competition!”
“But have you actually been on the new skates yet?” Damon asked.
“Don’t question the process!” Kadijah shot back.
“Well, we’ll hang out later this week if you have the time. Don’t want to make you late. Coach Trini can be hard core,” Damon joked.
“Good luck! Text us after you’re done and let us know how it went!” called Zoey as the flow of students swallowed the two of them up.
Kadijah closed her locker and headed toward the exit, ready to race.
Kadijah looked around The Burger Break for Trini.
Where is she? I know I’m not late…
Suddenly, Trini rolled up behind her, wearing her inline skates and Burger Break uniform. “Hey KC, you ready?”
Kadijah was confused. “Why are you in your work uniform? I thought we were working out today.”
Trini smiled and handed Kadijah a Burger Break T-shirt. “We are. I talked to my boss, and she’s going to let you shadow me at work for a few hours today.”
“Hey, I’m happy to help—and maybe score some free fries—but how will following you help me with speed skating?” Kadijah asked.
“It’s about agility—knowing when to speed up, predicting when to slow down, and everything in between. It will also help you break in those inline skates. And the best way to do that, now that you’ve got your balance, is the wait staff challenge,” Trini said with a smile.
Kadijah started to look around the restaurant. It was full of tables, chairs, and customers getting up and down and moving around.
“It’s like an obstacle course!” Kadijah said, a bit overwhelmed.
Trini laughed. “Exactly! Just stay next to me and do what I do, okay?”
“You got it, boss,” Kadijah said. She pulled on the Burger Break tee over her tank and saluted Trini. “KC, reporting for duty!”
“Order up for table twelve!” shouted the cook as he put plates of food on a tray and clanged a bell.
Pop songs from the 1950s played from the speakers, and Trini bopped to the music as she zipped between tables and chairs, taking orders, delivering food, and refilling drinks.
Wearing her inline skates, Kadijah did her best to keep up with her. But it wasn’t as effortless as Trini made it look.
“Order up for table fifteen!” the cook shouted.
Trini skated over to the counter and picked up the tray. Then she handed it to Kadijah.
“Your turn! Are you ready to take this tray to our customers?” Trini asked.
Kadijah’s eyes got big. “You want me to take the tray? But what if I fall, or spill the food on somebody, or—”
“You’re going to do just fine, and I’ll be right behind you,” said Trini as she handed her the tray of food. “It’s just two burgers and fries. You got this.”
Kadijah took a deep breath. She gripped the tray and headed off for table fifteen. “Okay. Here we go!”
As she skated across the floor, table fifteen seemed miles away.
“You got this, you got this,” Kadijah mumbled under her breath, giving herself a pep talk as she went. But then, from out of nowhere, a little girl came running right at her.
“Look out!” Kadijah yelled and spun out of the child’s way. “Phew, that was a close—”
Before she could finish her sentence, a customer pushed his chair out, bumping into Kadijah.
“Whoa-whoa-whoa! Heads up!” said Kadijah as she started to flail. But she maintained her balance and kept the food from slipping off the tray.
“Sorry!” yelled the customer.
Finally, Kadijah was approaching table fifteen. She decided to try the plow stop. But as she started to spread her legs, she failed to take into consideration the weight of the tray, which threw off her balance. The food on the tray started to slide forward. Uh-oh! she thought.
Watching Kadijah and sensing her panic, the mother at table fifteen threw her arms over her kid to protect him from the impending disaster.
But at the last moment, Kadijah regained her balance and control of the tray. She came to a perfect stop at the table.
“Here’s your order! One Big Break burger, a Baby Break burger, and a basket of fries. Do you need anything else?” Kadijah said casually, as if she’d never lost control.
“Nope, we’re good. Thank you!” said the mother.
“That was awesome!” yelled the little boy.
“Thanks. Enjoy your meal!” said Kadijah. She turned around, expecting to see Trini right behind her. “Did you see how awesome—”
But Trini wasn’t there at all. She was back at the counter, smiling. And clapping. Kadijah skated back to her.
“Hey, you tricked me! You said you’d be right behind me!” Kadijah exclaimed.
“Sometimes a teacher has to let a student go on their own to see if they’re making progress. And after that order delivery, I’d say you’re doing great!” Trini said, giving Kadijah a high five.
“Thanks! Does this mean I get a promotion?” Kadijah joked.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” laughed Trini. “But you’ve made a great leap today.”
Kadijah was proud of herself. I’m doing it. I’m actually learning how to use these skates! And soon Trini will teach me how to race on a speed skating track. It feels so good to know that I can actually do this!
“Order up for table twenty-six!” shouted the cook as he put the plates of food on two trays and rang the bell. Trini handed Kadijah one tray and then took the other.
“Right this way!” Kadijah said and took off for table twenty-six.
“I’ll see if I can keep up with you!” Trini replied, laughing.
After training was over for the day, Kadijah’s parents picked her up. She hopped in the car and waved to Trini as they pulled away.
“How did training go, KC?” Dad asked.
“It was so awesome!” Kadijah said. “Trini says I’m agile! I’m able to keep my balance better now. Trini is such a great teacher.”
In the front seat, Mom smiled. “We’re so proud of you and all of your hard work, honey.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Kadijah replied.
Mom turned in her seat. “Have a look in that bag. Dad and I got you a surprise.”
Kadijah looked at the large shopping bag on the back seat next to her. She peeked inside it and began pulling out items.
“Wow! Look at all this cool speed skating gear! A spandex suit, new helmet, skating gloves, knee and shin pads—this is everything else I needed before the tournament! Thank you!” Kadijah squealed.
“It’s just our way of saying that we believe in you, KC. You’ve got this,” Dad replied.
Kadijah smiled. It felt so good to hear that, and it made her believe in herself even more.