CHAPTER 3

A TALL PROBLEM

Tanisha and Derek continued training with Janet at the gym every day after school. That weekend, they helped at the gym as repayment. After a week of training, they were already starting to see some improvement.

“I can actually run a couple laps around the track without getting tired or taking a break,” Derek said. “I’ve never been able to do that before!”

“I know!” Tanisha agreed. “And your cousin’s nutrition tips have been a big help. I’ve been drinking more water and less soda and not eating as much junk food. I don’t feel as sluggish as I did last week.”

“We’re going to do great on Rugged Reaper!” Derek said.

“Bring it on!” Tanisha agreed.

Janet approached the kids. “Looks like you two are all ready for training today,” she said.

“Definitely,” Tanisha agreed. “And we got an e-mail with additional rules about the course. You can help your partner on the terror wall and infinity monkey bars.”

“But if one of the players falls off an obstacle, he or she has to start the obstacle all over again,” Derek added.

Janet walked the kids over to the gym’s climbing wall. “Speaking of walls, I think today is the right time for both of you to practice some climbing.”

Tanisha and Derek looked up at the climbing wall in front of them. It stretched all the way to the ceiling.

“Whoa,” Tanisha said. The wall seemed even higher than she remembered.

Janet helped both Tanisha and Derek with their climbing harnesses. Then she secured their bungee ropes.

“When climbing, remember that your legs are stronger than your arms,” she told them. “So focus on your foot and leg placement. And take your time today. This is new for both of you.”

Derek approached the wall first. “I’ve got this,” he said under his breath.

Tanisha watched as Derek started to climb. She froze where she stood as she realized how tall the wall was.

“Tanisha, are you going to start climbing?” Janet asked.

Tanisha gulped nervously. “Um, yeah,” she said. “I was just watching how well Derek is doing. I’ll get started.”

Derek was already near the top of the wall as Tanisha began.

“I can do this. I can do this,” Tanisha repeated to herself. She placed her foot on the first foothold.

As Tanisha neared the halfway mark on the wall, she paused. Looking up, she saw Derek start to make his descent back down. Then she looked down. Janet looked like a tiny speck down below.

Tanisha started to sweat. Her fingers tingled. She’d never been up this high before.

“Hey, T, are you OK?” Derek asked, pausing near her. He looked concerned.

Tanisha sweated even more. “Um, I’m not feeling so well all of a sudden. I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right,” Derek said. “Do you want me to help you down?”

“No, no, it’s OK,” she said. “Just give me a few minutes. I’ll get down.”

Tanisha wheezed. Only halfway up the wall, and she felt as if she couldn’t breathe, let alone move. If she looked up, the wall seemed even more terrifying. If she looked down, she felt like she was going to puke.

She’d never felt this way before, but it suddenly hit her—she was afraid of heights. And if she couldn’t conquer her fear, she’d embarrass herself on television—and let down her teammate.