Chapter Ten

A WINNER

Valeria was getting a drink of water when the athlete shuttle arrived, bringing the racers back up to the starting area.

“Valeria!” called Ana.

Valeria pointed to the medal around Ana’s neck. “Congrats!” she said.

“Thanks,” said Ana. “It’s a fun course. A little slippery — but I’m sure you can handle it. Shouldn’t you be getting ready?”

“I’m going to cheer, but I can’t race,” said Valeria. “I don’t have rain wheels.”

Ana ran over to the tool station and started taking the wheels off her board.

“Here,” she said. “This set you sold me worked great today. They have a good vibe. I want you to use them.”

“Really?” asked Valeria.

“Really,” said Ana. “Just get out there and have fun. That’s what it is all about. Don’t worry about winning. Just have fun.”

“Thanks!” said Valeria, smiling.

Valeria found Chloe and helped her finish tightening her wheels. Then she began putting Ana’s rain wheels on her board as Emilio’s group, the local U18s, raced. Emilio cruised into a third-place finish as she gave her board a final check.

“Emilio will be psyched with that!” Valeria told Chloe.

Just then the announcer called, “U14 girls to the starting area!”

There were a lot of laughs when Chloe the gorilla lined up. It helped loosen Valeria up. Here goes! she thought.

“Good luck, Chloe,” said Valeria.

“You too!” said the gorilla.

Then they were off! The racers pushed off, trying to get as much speed as possible before the first steep downhill.

Valeria raced out ahead. She felt awesome! The wheels responded well and her body seemed to know just what to do. At the first steep downhill, she leaned forward with her hands clasped behind her back and got into a speed tuck.

This is so fun! she thought. The course was even better than she remembered. She began to get into a groove.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the two Mendoza girls crash into one another! She hoped they were okay.

Just as she was trying to find her groove again, a flash of brown caught her eye. A dog had run onto the course. Valeria almost lost it, but she made a quick move to avoid the dog. Haley’s attempt to dodge the dog brought her too close to the curb. She ditched, rolling off her board into the grass.

Just Chloe and me! thought Valeria.

Suddenly, Valeria lost her balance. She wobbled on the board and fell. Her board went rolling down the hill. She raced after it, finally grabbing it just before it toppled over a steep section.

As she ran back to the road, a blur of gorilla fur passed her. Chloe!

Valeria got back on her board. She tried to catch Chloe, but Chloe was really flying. As they entered the final stretch, Valeria was gaining on Chloe, but it was not enough. Chloe raced over the finish line a second in front of Valeria.

“Gorilla Girl wins!” said the announcer.

“Congratulations, Gorilla Girl!” shouted Valeria, hugging Chloe as they got off their boards at the finish area. Valeria felt great. She couldn’t stop smiling.

“I can’t believe it!” said Chloe. “I really won? I thought we tied. My extra gorilla suit weight must have given me an edge!”

Valeria was happy for Chloe. And she couldn’t believe how happy she was with second place. Not only had she finally raced again, but she had owned that course. Even with the fall, she knew it was one of the best runs she’d ever had.

Just then, the announcer yelled. Mateo’s group was starting.

The girls moved off the course. It’s funny, Valeria thought as she and Chloe began clapping and yelling. In a way, getting second place today feels more important than all of my first-place wins. I never would have expected that!

She smiled, thinking about how strange life could be sometimes. Then she patted Chloe on the back and whooped as loud as she could. She hoped they could cheer Mateo on to a first-place finish.