CHAPTER 5
The gymnastics team’s first official practice was that day after school. The rest of the day dragged on and on for Nadia. She was excited to start practicing, but nervous, too. When the bell rang, Nadia met Alya and Hannah in the locker room.
“Ugh, I hate the new team leotards,” Alya said, standing in front of the mirror in her leotard. “Why can’t we just wear last year’s?”
Hannah shrugged. “The whole student body voted to change the school colors to orange and green, remember?” she said. “I don’t know about you, but I kind of like them.”
“What do you think, Nadia?” Alya asked. “Do you like the new colors?”
Nadia got up and went to the mirror. “Who cares?” she said. “I can’t think about leotard colors right now. I’m too nervous.”
“Well, I hate them,” Alya said. “Though I must say, I do look good in every color.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “Don’t be nervous,” she said, turning to Nadia. “I’m sure the wobble in tryouts won’t happen again.”
“Wobble?” Nadia replied. “You mean fall!”
“Fall, wobble,” Hannah said. “Same thing. Just don’t worry about it!”
“Yeah,” Alya agreed. “If you’re going to worry, worry about how silly we look in orange and green!”
A sharp whistle came from the gym. The girls looked at each other.
“We better get out there,” Hannah said. “Sounds like practice is ready to start.”
The three friends walked out of the locker room and into the gym. After stretching and warm-ups, Nadia joined the other four beam girls.
“Hello,” Blaire said to the group. “I’m the captain of the beam team this year. My name is Blaire Birch.”
The beam team girls looked at each other. Nadia frowned.
“Since when does the beam team have its own captain?” asked June. Nadia knew her from last year’s team.
“Since I said so,” Blaire replied. “Now, first on the beam today will be Nadia. Everyone else practice your routines on the mat or the low beam. I’m going to watch Nadia and tell her everything she’s doing wrong.”
Nadia sighed deeply and walked up to the beam. As she mounted, her ankle started to hurt a little. She tried to ignore it.
Right away, though, she was doing even worse than she had at tryouts. She could feel Blaire watching her. Her ankle started to burn as she started a cartwheel.
“Whoops! Watch that wobble, Nadia!” Blaire called out, laughing.
Nadia felt like she was on the beam for an eternity. Every wobble and every misstep made her wish she was off the beam, at home, in bed, hidden under the covers, far away from Blaire Birch.
Finally the routine was over. She dismounted as quickly as she could. It was sloppy, and she took two steps backward and fell. She landed right on her butt.
Hannah saw the fall from where she was stretching near the bars. “It wasn’t that bad, Nadia!” she called over. “Don’t worry!”
Blaire stood over Nadia. “Don’t listen to Hannah,” Blaire said. “She’s wrong. It was that bad.”
“Leave me alone, Blaire,” Nadia said.
“Why should I?” Blaire replied.
She stood over Nadia and leaned down, pointing in her face. “You’re terrible, and my little sister didn’t make the team,” Blaire said. “She’s way better than you. I hope Coach Levine kicks you off of the team, so my little sister can take your place!”
“Go away!” Nadia snapped.
“All right, move it along, Blaire,” Coach Levine said, walking up. She blew her whistle. “Looking good, everyone. Keep it up!” she called out to the gym.
Blaire walked away. Then Coach Levine said, “Nadia, I’m sorry. Blaire was being rude. I never said her sister would be on the team if you were cut.”
“Thanks, Coach Levine,” Nadia said. She got to her feet.
“Don’t thank me yet, Nadia,” the coach replied as she walked toward the bars. “Your performance today was not good enough.”
Nadia swallowed hard as Alya walked over. “Did you hear that?” Nadia asked.
Alya nodded. “Yup,” she said. “I guess you were right to worry.”
“See?” Nadia added. “I’m doomed. I’m going to get kicked off the team.”
Alya shook her head. “No way,” she said. She pointed at Hannah and said, “Hannah and I will help you out. What are friends for?”
Nadia tried to smile as Alya gave her a hug. She just wasn’t sure anyone could really help.