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"Come," he said, and stood with a grin. Kova placed his hand out and I took it. "Let us get going."
"Yes, let us." I mocked playfully.
He pulled me in for a side hug and glanced down. A real smile reached his eyes and his unspoken words poured out. I felt them. I saw them, and I let them comfort me.
"You only have floor left. You got this," Kova said bent over as he rubbed my upper arms.
I nodded frantically. My eyes lifted toward the scoreboard again but Kova stopped me.
"No. Only look into my eyes. Do not let the number throw you off. You hit bars, beam was rock solid, and vault is behind you. Now I want you to go out on floor and have fun out there. Be yourself and let your love for the sport shine."
I didn't have to look to know I was insanely close to dropping to second place, but I liked the reminder of knowing what I was up against. I was only 1.4 points away from slipping and I was a giant ball of nerves from it. The judges had been relentless today and stingy with the scores.
"Okay," I said.
I tightened my ponytail, then stepped onto the podium and made my way to the blue carpeted spring floor.
Within minutes I saluted the judges and took my position. The ch
ime sounded before the music started, letting me know I was about to start.
A symphony of instruments echoed throughout the stadium and I knew all eyes were on me. Confidence radiated from me and I fell into pace with the music, knowing my personalized routine had to be in sync with the rhythm and beat or else I would face deductions. My routine was required to match the melody. The string of the violin shadowed the pounding keys of the piano, but it was the delicate harp that carried my heart as I floated across the floor from corner to corner in a series of dance skills and requirements.
With my first two tumbling passes completed, I stepped into the corner for my third pass. I brought my arms down and released a tight breath, then I started running. Halfway across the floor, I hurdled into a round-off, back handspring, double layout, and rebounded into a half-turn, wolf leap that we’d added into my routine for bonus points a few months ago. It was just one of the many revisions we’d made to my routine to up the difficulty. All my routines had been slightly modified for bonus skills, but the only way to receive the extra value was to execute it a specific way.
Only this time, I had so much power and momentum that I stepped out of bounds.
Fuck!
Recovering quickly, I sashayed across the floor, leaping and twisting along the way, flipping into handstands and practiced ballet skills until I reached the corner.
I've got this. Taking one last deep breath, I visualized my last tumbling pass and took off…
Only to step out of bounds. Again.
Oh God. That was twice now. I never, ever did it twice at a competition. Ever.
I finished my routine and saluted the judges, then immediately looked for Kova. He was already waiting for me near the stairs. I sprinted over to him with dread in my footsteps and unease in my throat.
"It is okay," he whispered as I stepped down and into his arms.
"I stepped out, twice!" My voice was hushed but heightened. I pulled back and we walked toward the chairs. There were cameras everywhere but I ignored them. "Who knows what other mistakes the judges caught. I knew it. I just knew yesterday was too good to be true. I just knew it."
Tears rose to my eyes but I pushed them back.
"Hey," he said, turning toward me. Catching my breath was a struggle. "Stay positive and take slow, deep breaths. There are still two more girls who need to compete, and from what I gather, they do not have the difficulty your routine does. Not even close."
I exhaled a deep breath. Blinking a few times, I stared at the scoreboard willing for my number to pop up. Without looking at Kova, I asked, "Did I step out with one foot or two?"
Inhale, exhale. I couldn't remember. Only that I knew for a fact I did on one.
"Two."
My chin quivered. "Both times?" I held my breath.
"Yes," he replied, voice grim.
"Seriously?" I asked, unable to hide the horror in my voice.
