Where We Belong (Evermore Book 2) by N.S. Perkins

Author:N.S. Perkins [Perkins, N.S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: N.S. Perkins
Published: 2023-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Lexie

I’d forgotten just how packed the first event of the competition season could be.

As I pass group after group of athletes, my duffel held close to my chest, I become overwhelmed. The stands are already getting filled as gymnasts and their coaches walk out of the locker rooms and onto the different mats, stretching while chatting about the hours to come. Young girls with the same team uniforms giggle as they start warming up in a slow jog.

I used to love seeing this camaraderie in sports events, yet today, it makes me want to disappear. I’ve never felt as much like an odd duckling in a sea of swans as I do today.

I focus by remembering the luck I have at simply being here. I could’ve never walked again, let alone competed. This is what’s important.

As I put my stuff into my assigned locker and change into another one of my favorite leotards, this one maroon with a deep V in the back outlined by ruby-red rhinestones, I try to get my mental game back into place. I’m here to perform. To win. It doesn’t matter whether I have zero or a hundred people here to cheer for me from the sidelines or the stands. I can do this.

To remain in the right headspace, I grab my earbuds and put on my favorite rap album, then head to the warm-up stations, going through the motions and focusing on the details. Sharper shoulder push in that front handspring. Faster twist in that second rotation. Looser jaw during that jump. While Andy isn’t here to shout the words at me, I can still hear them.

I feel ready. As impossible as it sounded a few months ago that I might be confident going into today, I think I am. I did what I had to do. Even without a coach, I’ve disciplined myself to get the hours in. My cardio’s better than it was, even before my accident. I think I can actually do this.

The competition started in full swing a good half hour ago, with gymnasts taking the mats left and right on the different apparatuses and presenters announcing their names and their scores with booming voices through the speakers. I try to ignore it as much as possible, to focus on me and only me, but when a familiar name is called, I have no choice but to turn and watch.

Clara Popov hasn’t been in the roster of potential Olympic gymnasts for long. She was probably still in diapers by the time I started competing, but that doesn’t mean anything now. For the past four years, she’s been winning competitions left and right, sponsors at her feet for an opportunity.

And she deserves it all.

I’ve seen her perform a few times, and when you watch her, it’s easy to forget gravity applies to her too. Her movements are so elegant in their power that sometimes, it looks like she’s actually flying. She’s obviously one of my biggest competitors, both today and

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