1.

Allie sat on the medal bench at Westwood Gymnastics Club. She reached down and pressed the play button on the stereo system. The music boomed over the speakers and Allie turned on her camera. The camera focused in on Cassie as she sprang across the floor in back handsprings. Every move was on time. It was almost like Cassie had become a part of the music, her small frame moving, jumping, and flipping to the beat. The song ended, and Allie closed her film. Allie got up to give Cassie a hug, but the coach beat her to it.

"That was amazing, Cassidy; definitely your best."

"Thanks, I thought so to."

"Practice is over. See you tomorrow at four."

Cassie packed up and she and Allie began the short walk home.

"That was amazing Cassie, like always."

"Thanks. Come on, hurry up. We just might actually make it home in time for Glee tonight," Cassie said as she leapt into a fast walk.

It was 8:00 P.M. and Cassie had been through training since 4:00 P.M., an even earlier from 4:30-7:30 A.M. Even though she was her best friend, Allie had always admired Cassie for fighting to be at the top. Allie felt her phone vibrate in the pocket of her jeans. She checked the caller ID, Mom. Tempted to press ignore, Allie sighed and pressed accept as she raised the phone to her ear.

"Hey mom," She said

"Allie, when will you be home? How's your homework."

"Um, well I haven't exactly-

"Allie, do you mean to tell me its 8:00 and you haven't even started your homework?"

"Well, I wanted to watch Cassie today. She was extremely good- as always."

Cassie rolled her eyes and gave her a "please don't" look.

"Allie, if you can't finish your homework in four hours, you will not be watching Glee at Cassie's house."

"But mom, that's-

"Fair," Allie's mom answered.

Allie sighed and hung up.

"Sorry Cass, I've got to go. I forgot to do my homework at the gym. Guess I'll have to watch Glee on record again," Allie said.

"So what are you having for dinner tonight," Allie asked. She hoped it wasn't Cassie's mother's famous pulled pork. If Allie had to miss that for homework, it would be more tragic than Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

"I have no idea what my parents are having, but I'm going for a salad," Cassie answered.

"What! You've practiced one of the most vigorous sports in the world seven hours today and all you're having for dinner is part of a tree?"

"Yeah, but salad can give you a lot of energy actually."

"Well, last time I checked, you had to eat calories to gain energy, in which salad has, like, none," Allie said.

"Just trust me on this, Al," Cassie replied. Allie sighed. Cassie hadn't seemed her super sparkly, energetic self lately, except for when she did gymnastics. Allie had wanted to ask what was wrong, but it was probably pointless. Cassie trained hard, and Allie wouldn't blame her for being tired. Allie stared desperately through a window as the simple title for Glee flashed onto the coffee-table sized TV. She put her head down and walked on. If she got stuck watching Glee on record, she at least wanted to be surprised.