Page 156 of Salto

This time, I lied.

I’d promised him I’d communicate with him. That we’d be a team.

But then again…

Maybe if he wanted to be certain I would remember it, he should've gotten it on a napkin.

CHAPTER 56

The next day my mom and dad wished me luck through the family group chat a few hours before the meet. I sent a few pictures to hopefully put them at ease—my mom especially.

Jamie sent a few emojis.

Then Laney and Mia sent texts as well. Mia was sweet as ever, telling me she believed in me. Laney told me to kick some butt.

I felt a wave of homesickness wash over me when reading the texts.

I responded to the messages, then turned my phone to vibrate and tucked it into my bag. I couldn't let the homesickness take root. I already had too many things threatening my concentration.

The arena that evening was unlike anything I’d experienced when we marched onto the competition floor.

During the rehearsal, the stands had been empty. Now hundreds of people filled the seats. Music pounded through the speakers. Bright lights reflected off the competition equipment.

This was it.

Nationals.

I drew in a slow breath, feeling like I was in some surreal dream. I tried to take it in, but I didn’t feel like I was really in my body. Surely this wasn’t real life? Only a few months ago I thought I’d only ever get to compete in college gymnastics.

And now I was here, wearing a Vanta Elite leo, and attempting to get the attention of the selection committee.

A dream I'd convinced myself was probably too late was now right in front of me.

“Sloane is up first.” Vanta was explaining the lineup for the first event, and my heart was pounding. “Then Eva, you’ll be after her.”

I never got sweaty, but my palms were so slick I had to wipe them on my thighs.

I looked up into the stands, remembered my family wasn’t there, and panic started to rise in me. It crawled up my throat and made my cheeks hot. I struggled to breathe.

"Hey.” Lexi came up to me, her hand coming up to my shoulder. “You good?”

I spun toward her, probably looking like a deer caught in headlights.

“What if I can’t do this?”

Lexi chuckled. “You’re going to do great, Scar. Don’t stress.”

I nodded, but I felt anything but confident right now.

She slung her arm around my shoulder. “Come on, we got this.” We walked over to the first event together and a tiny bit of her confidence bled into me.

I felt good today. I could do this. I had to. This may be my only chance to compete if I ended up going through with the surgery.

It was now or never.

Hana called Lexi over to her a few moments later. She was third in the lineup so she needed to prep.

A few moments later I could feel someone come up beside me.