CHAPTER 7
For the next three weeks, Conner and Hannah practiced every Saturday morning as soon as the SUV drove off. By the time the tournament came around, Conner was in the best skating shape of his life.
The morning of the competition, Hannah’s dad gave them a ride to Slim’s.
“You guys wouldn’t want to wear yourselves out on the ride over, right?” her dad said on the drive there.
“Thanks, Dad,” said Hannah.
Conner stared out the back window as they headed across town. The car zipped past the old, run-down skate park.
“Hey, Hannah,” Conner said. He nodded toward the old park. “Want to get in some practice on the way there?”
Hannah laughed and shook her head. “Never again,” she said.
Conner smiled. Maybe if we do well enough in Slim’s Games, we’ll have our park back, he thought.
* * *
When they arrived, Slim’s was more crowded than Conner had ever seen it. It got crowded sometimes on Saturdays and after school, but this was different.
Conner recognized a few kids from school and plenty of kids he’d seen around the park occasionally. But most of the kids wandering around the skate park weren’t wearing numbers for the tournament.
They must just be here to watch, Conner realized.
There were plenty of other kids with numbers pinned onto the backs of their T-shirts, though. Conner hardly recognized any of them.
“There must be people here from all over the city,” Hannah whispered, sounding a little nervous.
At the same time, Hannah and Conner spotted Hank’s father walking through the big double doors. Hank, Drew, and Jay were right behind him.
Hannah smiled and narrowed her eyes. She rubbed her hands together. “Excellent,” she said.
“Whoa,” said Conner with a grin. “You’re kind of scary right now, you know that?”
“Good,” Hannah said as Slim picked up the microphone. “Wait till you see me on the half-pipe.”
“Welcome, everyone,” Slim’s voice boomed through the speaker system. “Attention please, all skaters. And quiet from the crowd, okay?”
After several moments of clapping and cheering from the crowd, the park settled down.
“We’re about to begin the first ever Slim’s Games!” Slim shouted.
The park went crazy cheering again. When everyone finally quieted down, Slim announced, “The first event will be the middle school half-pipe competition.”
“Looks like you’re up before me,” Conner said. Hannah’s smile grew even bigger.