Clove Ruston; seventeen. Her raven black hair was tied up into a swift ponytail, her dark green eyes set in determination. In front of her was the one, the only, vault; otherwise known as the only thing the incredibly talented gymnast had difficulties with. She took a few deep breaths, and without letting herself think about the possible outcomes, took off down the runway, heading straight for it.
Lunging off of the springboard, she flipped through the air, a weightless feeling that she adored, when her calloused hands made contact with the vault. Springing herself into the air, she did not one, not two, but three flips and a twist, and landed. She let out a shriek of frustration when after her feet made contact with the gym floor, she did a very large hop and stumbled to the side. She stalked over to the benches and took a swig of water. Why couldn't she ever stick the landing? She can do everything else almost perfectly, but the stupid vault had to go and mess up her scores. Not that it didn't keep her from coming in first nearly every time.
But that's the key word. Nearly.
Clove Ruston likes perfection. In fact, she never accepts anything but perfection, which explains why she's seething over a vault that most girls be proud of. But she didn't stick the landing; of course it wouldn't be good enough for her.
Her head snapped to the side when she heard the familiar would sound of the gym door opening. She tilted her head in confusion as she waited to see who the person was. Nobody ever comes this late. Normally it's just her and the vault, which is the only thing she practices with after hours. Seconds later, the familiar face of Ainsley Fox appeared, followed by Annie Cresta. Otherwise known as Clove's fiercest competitors.
"Clove," Ainsley greeted with a curt nod. The dark haired girl didn't reply, but she watched the two wearily. Something was up. They never came this late.
It wasn't that Clove hated them; let's just say that they had a rivalry. A very big rivalry. Ainsley, Clove, and Annie always came in the top three. They were no doubt the best three competitors in the state of New York, maybe even the country, and Clove absolutely hated it. She hated sharing the spotlight with Ainsley and Annie, she was way better than the other two, why couldn't the rest of the world just see it already?
Ainsley grabbed her duffle bag that was left in the corner of the gym. Oh, Clove thought. She just left her stuff here. Annie waved over her shoulder as the two walked back out of the gym. As soon as she heard the sound of the door close, Clove let out a sigh of relief. She felt uncomfortable when the three were alone together, as Ainsley was just as competitive as Clove was, and the two definitely weren't fond of each other. Annie was Ainsley's lackey, following her around everywhere and mostly staying out of Clove's way.
Clove moved back over to the vault and adjusted the spring board, moving it further back. She's determined to perfect this, and there's no better way than to push herself to the limit. After adjusting the springboard, she walked over and re-chalked her hands. After the slip she had on the uneven bars a few years back, she never took a chance.
Preparing to run, Clove successfully managed to block out everything but the springboard and the vault. She was going to stick the landing this time. No doubt. She took a deep breath and took off running, but as soon as her hands made contact with the springboard, she knew that she moved it too far back. Before she even had time to curse herself for her stupidity, her back slammed into the vault and she fell to the gym floor in a heap, wind knocked out of her and groaning, half in pain and half in frustration. She crawled to the side of the vault and hoisted herself up, panting and trying to catch her breath. "Damn it," she muttered to herself. Well, that was it for the night. She'd call her mom and tell her to pick her up; she didn't feel like getting a big injury right before nationals. If there was one thing Clove knew, it was when to stop.
She managed to stand up, but the wind was still knocked out of her. She was so distracted; she didn't even notice the presence in gym with her. Suddenly, a deep voice rang out in the once-quiet gymnasium. "You okay?"
She jumped and fell to the ground, letting out a huff of air. Wincing and holding her side, she shot a look towards the direction of the voice. "I'm fine. Injuries build character," she said curtly. The voice chuckled and he stepped out of the shadows, revealing himself. Clove barely managed to keep from rolling her eyes when she saw the face.
"Build character my ass," Cato Evans said with a smirk. "Do you need help or what?" He asked while slowly approaching the glaring girl.
"No, I don't need your help," she spit. "Why are you here, anyway?" She struggled to her feet and walked over to the benches.
The tall blonde boy watched the small girl with interest as she downed the rest of her water. "My sister left her phone here and begged me to come get it. You know where it is?" Clove made a face at the mention of his sister, otherwise known as Glimmer. She was the biggest bitch in New York, and the only reason she was aloud in the very exclusive gym was because her father owned the place. Not to mention she sucks beyond belief at gymnastics. Clove honestly has no idea why she even does it.
"No, I don't know where she left her precious phone," she said with a sarcastic smile. "Sorry I couldn't be of service. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm leaving." She slipped on her sweat pants, zipped up her jacket, and grabbed her duffel bag. Pushing past him, she kept her face clear of all emotions, as usual, even though she was seething. He saw her mess up. She never messes up. She tried to ignore her bruising back and whipped out her small phone, dialing her mother.
"Hello?" Her mother's voice was distant and full of static, but that was no surprise to Clove. Their phone was crap.
"Mom, I'm done training, you can come get me now," she replied while hiking her bag higher up on her shoulder. She spotted Cato's silver Volvo parked in the large lot and turned away from it. Jealousy was creeping in and she absolutely hated the feeling. She was better than Glimmer, Glimmer should be jealous of her, not the other way around. So what if they have a lot of money? She has a future gold medal.
"Oh Clove, I'm so sorry. I'm in the middle of something, dear, do you think you can find another ride?" Ms. Ruston's voice was very tired, as it usually was. She had to work a double shift just so the family of two could keep their house.
Yes, Clove thought. She could get Cato to give her a ride; but she decided that she wouldn't be able to put up with a car ride from a rich asshole. "No. It's fine mom, I'll walk," she said with a sigh. Her back pain had diminished into a dull ache. She'd survive a three-mile walk home.
"Oh honey, are you sure?" Her mother sounded nowhere near concerned. She knew Clove could handle herself.
"Yes mom," she replied hastily. Not giving her a chance to reply, she closed the phone and slid it into her bag. With a deep breath, she set off down the road, streetlights lighting her way.
"Hey!" Cato called before she got too far. She turned around and glared at him.
"What do you want, Evans?" She called back.
"You need a ride? It's pretty late!"
The weak part of her wanted to give in and let him take her. But she's Clove Ruston, and she never listens to anything or anybody weak, including herself. She waved him off and kept walking down the road, keeping her head down. There was one thing she knew about walking in New York, and it was to never make eye contact. These people were like animals, taking eye contact as some sort of aggression.
Her mind wandered as she walked the mostly empty streets. Nationals were coming up in a month now, and this might be her last chance to win and get on the Olympic U.S. team, which has been her goal since she was in Pre-K. Of course, her mother never had enough money to put her in real training or classes, so she practiced every day at the town park, until finally someone noticed her incredible talent. His name was Mr. Evans, Glimmer and Cato's father and the owner of the most prestigious gym in the state. He had given her a full scholarship when she was only twelve years old. She's been training at the Long Island Gymnastics Academy since, completely outshining most of the girls there.
Well, except for Ainsley Fox. It seemed that the two girls always competed for Number One, and neither of the two was ever satisfied with their performance. In their minds, they could always do better. They were alike in many ways, but the two girls would never, ever admit it.
When Clove got back to their small, shabby house, all the lights were off. She dug around in her bag for the key and unlocked the splintered door, walking inside the house the smell of smoke was overwhelming. She grit her teeth when she found her mother passed out on the kitchen table, ash tray full of used cigarettes and an empty box next to it. "So that's what you were doing when you couldn't come pick me up," she muttered under her breath. She went over to the sleeping woman and shook her awake.
"Hmm..?" Ms. Ruston said, half-asleep. Clove grabbed her arm and led her into the bedroomm.
"Go to sleep, mom," she said quietly as she walked her over to the queen-sized bed. Laying her down, her mother muttered something unintelligible, and seconds later she was out like a light. Clove let out a small sigh as she turned and walked to her bedroom. It was hard to have to be a parent to her own mother. It was hard to go to a gym on a scholarship when everyone else was incredibly wealthy. It was hard growing up in the slums. Clove's whole life has been hard. But she doesn't really mind.
She always embraces a challenge.
*Alright, moment of truth. Should I continue? I know it's a pretty short chapter, but it's just the beginning. This is my first attempt at an AU fanfic, and I have no idea if it sucks or not, so please let me know. Might I remind you, there is a fine line between bullying and constructive criticism!*