Page 123 of Salto

The drive passed by fairly quickly. My mind was on my routines, and I’d been replaying them in my head over and over when we finally arrived at the hotel.

Getting to our rooms was pretty uneventful. Lexi and I roomed together and after grabbing some sandwiches in the lobby café, we went back upstairs. We didn’t even turn on the TV. We both got ready for bed and retired early.

Lexi was already sleeping soundly in the other bed by seven o’clock. The lights were out and the curtains drawn. Only the tiniest sliver of summer sun came through the cracks. I closed my eyes, telling my body to go to bed because I had a big day tomorrow.

Which wasn't really that easy. It felt a lot like the night before the qualifier. I was exhausted, yet somehow my brain refused to shut off.

I sighed and rolled over. Then back again.

I fluffed my pillow, settled beneath the blankets, and tried to think about absolutely nothing.

Which, it turned out, was impossible.

My mind wanted to replay every routine. Every correction Vanta had made. Every deduction I could afford. Every one I couldn't.

The bed smelled like bleach, and the hotel A/C rattled loudly enough that I couldn't tune it out. My body knew I wasn't home in my own bed.

I turned over again and reached for my phone. I slipped beneath the covers and instinctively opened my messages.

I debated texting Laney and Mia, but pep talks weren't what I needed.

My mom, though she loved me, would surely ask me about my pain which wouldn’t help me right now either.

I needed grounding. Someone to tell me to knock it off and go to bed.

I clicked Rove’s contact without really stopping to think it through too much. It just felt right.

ME: I can’t sleep.

The little typing dots appeared a few moments later, and then they disappeared. My heart rate picked up.

Suddenly, his message came through, and a jolt shot through me.

ROVE: What’s on your mind?

ME: Oh you know, just the meet that could determine if I go to Nationals or not.

ROVE: Is worrying going to help you get to Nationals?

ME: Probably not.

ROVE: Then why are you doing it?

There it was. The subtle smack to the face I needed.

ME: I don’t know. That’s why I texted you.

ROVE: So you need me to coach you to sleep now?

ME: Well...when you put it like that...

ROVE: Close your eyes, Red. You’re going to do fine tomorrow.

ME: What if I don't?

There was a pause. He didn’t reply at the same pace as the other texts.

The dots came and went.