Chapter 30
“Take a deep breath. No matter what, you’ll most likely win a medal. Just go
out there and do your best. That’s all we can ask of you.” Jules said.
Allie stopped her walking and turned to Jules. She hugged her
quickly. “Jules, you are an amazing best friend and a hell of an awesome coach.
I wouldn’t have gotten this far without you.” Allie said.
“Go get your gold before I cry here.” Jules said, pushing
Allie to her floor exercise routine.
Allie took her spot on the floor, clearing her mind. She took
a deep breath and listened. The music started and Allie started her routine.
From the moment she rode the train back to the Village after
seeing Aaron off, she knew she wanted to use Evan and Jaron’s “Crazy For This
Girl”. And, she created a routine that she hoped would please the judges. Allie
decided to make a routine that she was happy with, that she liked.
She had watched Svetlana and Carly, and had liked their
routines. They had been nice, but Allie felt like they were lacking something.
She hoped she could make up for it. She was hot on the trail of first place.
Carly had just one event left and Svetlana was finished and sitting in first
place.
The bruise was acting up and at times was hurting her. She
had promised Jules that once she was done with this routine, she would have
someone take a look at it. Jules was scared that the bruise may be deeper than
just a bruise. Allie just thought some of the pain was from twisting so much.
She did a flip, twisting her ankle in a weird way. Allie bit
her lip and prayed that her landings didn’t show the twisting. Jules was
freaking out enough about the bruise. She’d flip if she thought Allie had hurt
her ankle.
The routine ended and Allie quickly looked around the arena.
Her parents were clapping, while Aaron and Nate were on their feet and cheering.
Jules was doing the same at her spot by Allie’s chair.
“You could steal first place from Svetlana with a 9.6
overall. But then, Carly still has her floor exercise to finish.” Jules said, as
Allie walked over. She was careful not to limp, but she couldn’t put all her
weight on her ankle. “Allie, what did you do?” Jules asked, watching Allie walk.
“Nothing.” Allie quickly said.
“Allie, you can’t fully walk on your ankle. You did
something.” Jules replied.
“I’m fine.” Allie said, easing herself onto a chair. Jules
waved the trainer over.
“My God in heaven. Even with hurting yourself, you pulled off
some amazing scores.” Jules replied, watching the standings board. “Allie, you
pulled off a 9.613! You’re in first place!” Jules said, jumping for joy.
Allie smiled and looked over her shoulder at Aaron and Nate.
Both were cheering.
“So she pretty much has to pull off a 9.65 on her floor
exercise to pull ahead.” Allie replied, biting her lip every once and awhile as
the trainer messed with her ankle.
“9.657 to secure gold, 9.64 to secure second. If she scores
any less than a 9.6, she falls out of medal contention.” Jules quickly
calculated.
“No pressure or anything, right?” Allie said, smiling a
little. “So if I get gold, will you get me David Duchovney like you promised
when I was 15?”
“What would Aaron think?” Jules ribbed.
“For David Duchovney, he’ll just have to understand. I mean,
it’s Mulder.” Allie replied, hearing the audience clap. Carly was finished and
that started the wait. And, Allie hated waiting.