Final Round

While the competition took a break for lunch, Joe and Tony were sitting in the office with Lizzie. She’d given each of them a burger and a bottle of juice.

Tony ate his burger in two bites. Then he just sat there frowning.

“Okay, guys,” Lizzie said. “Here’s how it’s going to work in round three.”

Joe swallowed hard as he watched Tony.

He thought back to Wednesday night, when Tony had saved his board from those three bullies. But then he’d been mean the very next day.

“Maybe Rob was right,” Joe thought. “Maybe Tony’s just worried about his reputation.”

“In the third round,” Lizzie went on, “you’ll each have three runs. Your total score will be out of thirty points — ten for each run. The best score after three runs wins. Got it?”

Joe nodded. Tony grunted.

“Okay then,” said Lizzie, getting to her feet. “We’ll get started when you’re both ready.”

Rob was waiting for Joe outside the office. “See?” he said. “I told you you’re better than the other skaters here!”

“Except Tony,” Joe said. “He beat me in round two.”

Rob shrugged. “He got lucky with that 720,” he said. “I bet he won’t even try it again.”

A few minutes later, Joe sat on the edge of the half-pipe. Tony got ready to start his run.

Lizzie stood next to Tony with her megaphone. “Okay, guys,” she announced. “First up, coming into the final round with a 9.9 and a great 720 in round two, here’s Tony Chu.”

Tony dropped in. His run looked as good as his round two run. Joe was impressed by his air, his inverts, everything. It was perfect. And sure enough, the judges held up a 9.9 again.

Joe felt nervous as he got set to drop in for his first go. But the drop in felt good, and he had great speed. He pulled off his handplant again, but he didn’t hold it long enough. Then the best aerial he could pull off was spinning once in the air. It was nothing compared to Tony’s run.

The judges held up his score: 9.1.

Joe heard Rob cheering. “Nice run, Joe,” he called out. But Joe knew he’d have to pick it up in his second run to compete with Tony.

Tony dropped in for his second run. Lizzie called out, “Here comes Chu for his second go in this final round.”

He picked up speed. “Nice air there,” Lizzie announced. “Whoa! Dark disaster, nice one, Chu!” Joe swallowed hard. Tony was doing some pretty hard moves.

When Tony caught his board at the top of the ramp and the whistle blew, Joe was really worried.

Then the judges held up Tony’s score. Another 9.9!

“Beat that,” Tony said, looking down at Joe.

“I don’t think I can,” Joe thought. He took a deep breath and dropped in.

“Here goes Joe Riley,” Lizzie said to the crowd. “He’s getting some good air. And here’s the handplant. Nice landing, but a little shaky maybe.”

Joe took two passes to get some speed and some air.

“He’s got something planned, I think,” Lizzie called out. “Here it comes. A 720! Can he do it?”

Joe finished the 720 and eyed the ramp. But his board was slipping forward.

Joe found himself sliding on his bum to the bottom of the ramp. His board came to a stop beside him.

“He missed the landing,” Lizzie announced. “Let’s see if he can save this run.”

Joe got up. He glided back and forth for some speed. He got up enough to pull off another trick before the whistle. But he knew it wasn’t enough to beat Tony’s 9.9s.

Lizzie held up Joe’s score: 8.9. A full point behind Tony.

“To win, I’ll have to gain almost two full points on Tony,” Joe complained to Rob as the two waited for Tony’s third run. “It’s impossible!”

“Maybe not,” Rob said, pointing to Tony, on the other side of the ramp. “Look!”

Joe glanced up at Tony. He was fiddling with the rear truck of his board, which was wobbling a lot.

“Looks like his board is broken,” Rob said. “He won’t be able to take his third run!”

Joe was shocked. “That trick must have knocked a screw loose or something,” he whispered.

“He’s going to have to forfeit,” Rob said with a huge grin, “and you’ll win!”