Standing in the large empty gym, I stretched my arms before rotating my neck in smooth circular motions; my muscles instantly relaxing. Breathing in and out, I was interrupted as the doors to the room creaked open, signalling the entrance of none other than my coach – Hank Murphy. An older man in his early forties, he always comes dressed to work in the old gym's navy blue uniform and cargo pants "You're early" he said.
"Yeah" I replied with a smile "thought I'd get a head start" Hank is also known to be a man of great patience, and he's been my one and only coach since I was six years old. I like to think of him as family, and if it wasn't for his enthusiasm and encouragement, I doubt I'd still be doing gymnastics.
Continuing to stretch and shake out my legs, I ran my way over to the bars. Jumping up in one swift movement, I used the momentum to swing up and over. Going back around, I clutched the fibreglass bars tight and pointed my toes as I did a hand stand. Counting to five, I swung back down and then up again with a simple twist. This was all simple routine. An exercise.
Once I had built enough speed, I flung to the higher bar "You know…you should start taking it easy" said Coach as he came out of his office, a water bottle in his hand.
Finishing up at his words, I let go of the bar before spinning and sticking a perfect land "What makes you say that?" I asked, my brows furrowed. Taking a deep breath to calm my heart, I walked over the blue cushioned matt to join him.
Shrugging, Coach had a lop sided smile on his face "I just think you should take a break. Not entirely, of course…just, go out. Have fun for a day. Be a normal teenager. I swear every time I walk through that door to the moment I walk out, you're always in here" cracking a smile, I laughed it off. This conversation usually happens on a weekly bases.
"This is my life" I said gesturing to the large old room filled with well-worn equipment "to me, it's practically home. It's were I feel comfortable…and besides" I said putting my hands on my hips "I have a job…"
"You have a job" he repeated with a smile etched on his lips "as true as that may be. There's more to life than gymnastics and serving people there milkshakes and grilled cheese…I mean come on. When I was your age I was doing all sorts of weird things" he argued.
"It's not my thing" I admitted "and it's a small town. There's nothing much to do here. We don't even have a DVD store"
Nodding his head, Coach crossed his arms "Well, just think about it alright. You know you can have a day off whenever you feel like it…" standing in silence, I looked down at the blue matt beneath my feet "…well what are waiting for" added Coach "go get back on those bars" looking up, I nodded with a smile.
Shrugging on my black cardigan, I packed up my gym clothes into the small grey duffle bag before throwing it over my shoulder. After a few hours of training, I felt the familiar fatigue building up behind my eyes. I think I'm ready to head home.
Walking out of the changing room, I waved to Coach as he sat in his small office sifting through paperwork "I'll see you tomorrow Coach" giving me a wave back, I turned and made my way out of the gym. Looking up to the barely afternoon sky, I breathed in a breath of fresh air before starting on my journey home. Not having bothered to get my license, I figured I would save the money I earn instead of wasting it on a car I don't need. It's not like you have to walk far in this town to get anywhere anyway.
Walking the few blocks, it took no time at all to get to my house. Making my way up the gravel drive way, I saw dad's old car parked in its usual spot inside the carport. Not bothering to fish out my keys, I knew he always leaves the front door open when he's home. A bad habit I'm trying to get him to stop.
Making my way paste the small kitchen and into the living, there he sat perched in his lounge chair snoring while still wearing his janitor's uniform. Smiling at the site, I grabbed the thin, green crocheted blanket before draping it over him. I know he works hard, and it's not an uncommon for me to find him passed out in front of the television.
Shuffling quietly into my room, I dropped my grey gym bag down onto the carpeted floor. Closing my door quietly, I smiled at the picture I had of Hope Anne Greggory tapped to the back. Not that I didn't like Coach or his commitment, but I would give anything to have her train me. And not only that, like most people at the gym, she's also my idol. Heaving a sigh, I drew the blinds closed on the windows before taking off my shoes and collapsing onto my bed. I felt totally and utterly exhausted.
"-ina" feeling someone shake my shoulder, I jumped after they called my name again "Lina honey. Dinner's ready" fluttering my eyes open, I turned my head to see my dad bent down beside my bed; still dressed in his janitors uniform.
"What times is it?" I asked groggily.
"Around about seven" sighing, I closed my eyes before kicking back the blankets and sitting up. Hearing dad leave the room to go back into the kitchen, I took the time to fix my hair and rub the haziness from my eyes. Getting up with little energy, I wandered my way down the hall and into the dining room where dad had set out two plates of left over Chinese food. Not the healthiest thing a gymnast should be eating, I wasn't really on any sort of diet plant. I usually ate what I wanted, even though it gave me a roundness to my stomach "how was your day? Do anything new and exciting at the gym?"
Feeling my body and brain stark to wake up with the smell and site of food, I looked up as dad sat down on the opposite side of the two seater table. Being only myself and him for a very long time, my mother had passed away from an aggressive form of cancer a few years ago. At first it was tough, but as time ticked by me and my dad formed a pretty close bond. Shaking my head, I chewed on a piece of chicken "No. Just the normal…although" I said trying to make the conversation somewhat interesting "Coach did say I need to get myself more of a social life. He thinks I should take a break"
Nodding his head, the sound of cutlery tapping against our plates echoed into the small room "He's not wrong" admitted my dad "you do commit yourself a lot to that gym...I don't know" said dad with a sort of shrug "have you ever gone out with any of the girls lately. The movies. The mall"
"Well…no. But-"
"Your job doesn't count" interrupted my dad as he chewed a piece of broccoli, his small grey moustache wiggling as he ate "…here's a suggestion" he said pointing his fork toward me "why don't you take tomorrow off, and go see if Emily wants to see a movie…you don't have to talk or do anything. You just have to sit there and watch with your eyes. It'll get you out of the house, and it'll also clear my conscious that I'm raising a hermit crab"
Giving a dead panned look, I forked another piece of chicken. A hermit crab. That's exactly what every seventeen year old girl wants to hear "Okay…" I agreed, a hint of challenge in my voice "fine. Tomorrow I won't go to gym, and I will call Emily to see if she wants to go to a movie. How does that sound?"
"Good" agreed dad cheerily "much better. Now don't forget, I'll be home a little late tomorrow. I have to stay to help clean up after the schools lacrosse game…I just hope they play better than last year" mumbled dad under his breath. Always a man of good sport my father is.
Flicking back a loose piece of hair, I stared up with my hands on my hips as I looked at the shelf full of trophies. Everything I had won since I was six I had placed on this shelf; excluding my medals which were all dangling off the hooks I had screwed into the wall.
Sighing, I continued to look around my room trying to find things to occupy my mind. And I can tell you now, it's a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. After calling Emily, she had been more than ecstatic to go to the movies. Which left me with too many hours of nothing to do. However, so far I've moped and vacuumed, I've mown the lawn and I've done all the laundry. Now I'm dusting and fixing everything in my room. The pain is almost unbearable.
Turning, I looked down at the white kettle shaped clock that sat on my night stand. It's five o'clock, I thought to myself. I should probably start getting dressed. Finally. Searching through my draws, I sifted through so many clothes I hadn't worn in a very long time. Since I commit myself to gymnastics and my job, I hardly ever where regular, normal, going out clothes. It was starting to make me realise how much I really should start going out.
Deciding on black jeans and grey patterned singlet, I quickly pulled on my boots before grabbing my keys and making my way out of the house. Leaving my hair out instead of in its usual up do, I made my way down the street until I found the house I was looking for.
Small like mine and most of the houses throughout the town, I went up the creaky stairs before knocking on the front door "One minute!" screamed a familiar girly voice from behind. An old friend from school, Emily used to do gymnastics along with me. However, after gaining a few kilo's over the holidays and never managing to drop it, her mother thought it best she shouldn't continue. So now she's works at one of the clothing stall down the road.
Waiting only a few seconds, the door had burst open so quickly it had almost frightened me. Hearing a loud pitched squeal Emily had pulled me inside to squeeze me into a hug "It's so good to see you!" she said while holding me flush against her "It feels like forever. I almost fell over when you called. How have you been?"
Tapping her on the back, Emily let me go "I'm doing great Em. How about you?" I said while looking her up and down. Dressed in a simple shirt and Jeanie pants, Emily's orange tinged curls bounced in loose waves around her face. Smiling, she still looks exactly how I remember; even if it has only been a month.
"Well you know me. I'm always doing great" she said with a wide and white smile. Turning away, Emily craned her neck "Mum. Where leaving now. I'll see you later" not waiting for a reply, Emily had tugged me out of the house and down the stairs "do you want to drive or walk?" she asked gesturing to her mum's car.
"Which ever you prefer, I don't mind"
"I think we should walk. Yeah" she said with a nod of her head "that way we can talk some more. I really want to hear about how things have been going for you at the gym" giving me another smile, I gave a chuckle before we began our journey down the road. Maybe tonight will be a good night.