Simone Biles (Ultimate Sports Heroes) by Charlotte Browne

Author:Charlotte Browne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Templar

CHAPTER 10

SACRIFICE

Simone was due to start high school at the end of August, and there she would be reunited with her best friend, Marissa. All summer she’d been excited at the prospect of deciding what clubs to join and going to football games together. She’d even planned her outfit for her first day. But she still had to face her difficult decision. While it was possible to train 35 hours a week during the holidays, it would be almost impossible when she went back to school. If she chose gymnastics, she would have to be home-schooled.

It was the hardest choice Simone had ever had to make. Elite gymnastics. Making the national team. A chance of competing at the Olympics. The joy she felt when she mastered a new routine. The cheers of the crowd as they watched her show off her skills.

Or the fun and normality of high school. Spending time with her friends. Being a regular teenager.

‘Only you can make this decision, Simone,’ her mom would tell her. But Simone was fed up of hearing this. She knew she was the only one who could decide – she just couldn’t make up her mind.

Her dad tried to help. ‘If you want to make the national team, you’ll miss a lot of school when you go to monthly team camps. I can’t see your new school letting you do that.’

Nellie added, ‘But if you’ve got your heart set on school, gymnastics will have to take a back seat.’

‘I want to do both!’

Her parents looked at each other. It wasn’t like Simone to have tantrums. They didn’t like to see her under so much pressure. And time was running out. . .

‘You need to make your decision by Sunday, Simone,’ said her mother. ‘That’s the deadline for high school enrolment.’

Simone flung down her cutlery and ran out of the room.

She lay on her bed and wept tears of frustration. Aimee had always explained she’d need to make sacrifices if she wanted to go the furthest she could in gymnastics. And, secretly, Simone knew what her decision would be, even if she wasn’t ready to admit it to herself.

There was a knock on her door. ‘Simone?’ It was Nellie, firm but gentle. ‘We understand, Simone, we get it. You’re feeling sad you might miss out on high school. That’s perfectly normal,’ she said.

Although she felt cross, Simone couldn’t help but love Nellie’s ability to know what was going on in her mind.

‘Whatever you choose, we’re behind you, honey.’

Simone sighed. She thought of what her dad always said to her. ‘God has given you a gift, Simone. Don’t waste that gift.’

She looked her mom in the eye and took a deep breath. ‘Ok, let’s try home-schooling.’

Nellie’s face broke out into a smile. ‘That’s great news, Simone. Well done for making the decision.’

Ron appeared at the top of the stairs, looking relieved. ‘You’ll always be top of the class now,

honey!’

Simone managed to crack a smile, something she’d not done in a while. ‘So who is going to be teaching me?’

Nellie and Ron looked at each other.

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