Title: A Champions Heart?
Disclaimer: I don't own "Make It or Break It" the characters belong to other owners I just have had this rattling around in my head ever since the finale. First fanfic I have actually written down in many years. I apologize if anything seems out of character.
Spoilers: Anything though the Season Finale that took place at Nationals
This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Its such a surreal experience to have taken 1st place. Sure in my dreams maybe, but I didn't want it top happen like this at the expense of my teammate and friend. Sure I had that cathartic experience before Payson's injury, but she was a lock for 1st. Discovering my dad and M.J. thought I was a mediocre gymnast was what really started it. That spurred me on to this, not as someone's girlfriend, not as Alex Cruz' daughter, but me Kaylie. And Kaylie is a champion.
I was ready to give up, having people treat me with disdain the playground one who went from a run down YWCA in Fresno to The Rock, one of the most prestigious clubs in the US. Arriving at Nationals with the likes of Kelly Parker and the fanfare associated with her and Payson. I felt insignificant. Sure my mom was there and my teammates who for some reason made me team captain. But I still felt out of place. When I called the Damon instantly a smile came to my face when he called me Tumbelina. I never would have imagined he would show up with my brother. He still hasn't told me how he managed to hijack that bus. Something tells me there is a whole lost more to Damon Young then meets the eye. I am going to miss him when he goes to LA but he helped me become a contender. He helped me discover my inner champion.
Sure we joked about taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd at Nationals but none of us really believed it. Sure Payson would take 1st and she deserved it. She probably works harder then the rest of us combined. However Kay and I to take 2nd and 3rd was an impossible dream. So for Kaylie to take 1st in Paysons absence and me to take 4th was nothing short of miraculous. Not to mention Emily making the team. Kay has shown herself to be a force to be reckoned with and Emily probably has more talent then any of us she just needs confidence. Where does that leave me? Do I have what it takes to be a champion?
The girls made me proud, in the face of adversity they managed to pull it together. The veterans of Nationals past stepped up. Then there is Emily, I had serious doubts about her ability to perform on such a grand scale but she proved me wrong. Who knows by 0-12 she could be a medal contender along side Kaylie and Lauren. They could go all the way if they work hard enough, but do they have it in them to put in the work. Are they hungry enough for it? Before today I would have said no, but after those performances anything is possible. Kaylie the perfect combination of grace and athleticism. Lauren the strong volatile one, and Emily the Dark Horse. One should never count any of them out.
As for Payson, only time will tell. She will walk again, but to put her body through the rigors of Elite Gymnastics is certainly too much. My only question is how will she handle it? She has poured her heart and soul into her dream and it has been taken away. Kaylie or Lauren could handle having this happen. Emily is counting on gymnastics as a means to end. To stability, but Payson hadn't given any thought to life after gymnastics aside from having one at some point in the future.