Chapter 4: The Challenge
About a week later
The Rangers were sitting around the Youth Center when a discussion about the toughest sport came up. Kimberly, of course said gymnastics, which the boys laughed at. Kimberly couldn't believe how fast the guys dismissed her, especially knowing how hard she worked with her gymnastics. Only Billy seemed to understand Kimberly.
"Oh, come off it! Tumbling around a mat is not so hard. You should try football," Tommy said. Rocky nodded. "You have a 200 or more pounds of pure man tackling and falling on you."
"Football, yuck," Kimberly said making a face. "11 sweaty men, all in helmets and padding to protect themselves. Yeah, that is tough."
"Okay, how about hitting a ball coming at you 100 mph."
"Whatever. In football, you have a team, if you offense stinks, your defense picks you up, and you can still win the game or even the championship."
"You can't win without offense!" Rocky said.
"Yes you can. A defensive linebacker can easily score a touchdown, just as quick as a nickleback. Or a cornerback can intercept a ball from the wide reciever and take it back for a TD."
"Kim's right," Billy said. (WOOHOOO! WAY TO GO MY COLTS! I Heart Peyton Manning!)
"Okay. What about baseball?" Adam asked.
"You can fail 7 times out of 10 and still be considered a great hitter for the year." Everyone looked at Billy, who smiled.
"Once again, she is right."
"Now, gymnastics is a real sport. Flipping and tumbling is fun to watch, but you gotta have grace, flare, toes pointed, fingers extended, all of that in a sexy little leotard glued to your butt. It's far beyond the hardest sport in history. You have to be good in 4 different styles to seriously compete as a girl, for a guy, it's 6! For girls, you can't just be tops on beam or floor and win Olympic gold, well at least not all-around gold, like me. Ha, hahaa!"
"I still think you are a bit bias, since you that is your sport," Adam said taking his drink.
"I would like you see anyone of you on a balance beam that is 4 inches wide, doing an Arabian, spins, or better yet blind wolf jumps. And don't forget on bars, you have to be able to do a full twisting salto, keeping your legs together. And in the end, you gotta fling your body through the air with grace for the dismount, after releasing the bar. Now, tell me which sport is the hardest."
"Well, I haven't watched much gymnastics, but from the ballet I see Katherine doing, that looks hard too." Kimberly snorted.
"Ballet, ha. That's a dance, not a sport," Kimberly said.
"Yes, ballet is a dance, but it's just as hard as any sport."
"Anyone can do ballet, I mean even Bulk tried it, how hard can it be?" Kimberly asked laughing. Rocky, Adam and Tommy laughed with her. Katherine looked at them.
"Extremely," Katherine said. Kimberly looked at her.
"Prove it."
"Excuse me?"
"How about a little challenge?" Kimberly asked.
"For what?"
"I'll try ballet for a week, if you do gymnastics."
"I can't tumbling like you," Katherine said.
"I'm not asking you to, that would take a miracle. That would take years, not a week to get a tenth of the gymnastic skills I have, but a simple cartwheel, spins, and leaps on beam shouldn't be that hard."
"You are seriously challenging me," Katherine said still a bit surprised.
"Yep. I'll do your fancy smancy ballet dancing, if you give gymnastics a try."
"You're on. We'll put on a little show next weekend, next Saturday. That should give us both enough time to prove which sport is the hardest and the best." Katherine held her hand out. Kimberly took her hand and they shook.
"I don't have to wear those girlie pink tutus, do I?"
"Oh yeah."
"Fine, you have a wear the little leotard as well...glued to you butt."
"Fine by me." Kimberly stood up. She packed up her things.
"Where are you going?" Tommy asked.
"Shopping, of course," Kimberly said with a smile. "I have to look good if I'm gonna do this."
"Me too!" Katherine jumped up quickly with Kimberly. Kimberly and Katherine budded shoulders as they rushed out.
"Okay, what just happened here?" Tanya asked.
"A little competition won't hurt."
"A little, with those 2," Rocky said. "We're looking at World War III." Everyone slightly smiled and laughed.
Kimberly drove to the first Ballet/Dance Shop she could find, Katherine arriving moments after. Kimberly picked up a basket to carry some items she was hoping would help. Kimberly walked down the aisles of ballet, as Katherine went to the side of gymnastics. They would look at each other with glares as they shopped. Kimberly dropped several ballet videos, as Katherine did the same with gymnastic videos.
"Hello, Miss, can I help you with anything?"
"Uh, sure. Which ballet shoes are the best?" Kimberly asked, as she was staring at the wall selection, confused.
"Glissé."
"Glissé?"
"Yeah, the Pointe shoes are best for spins in ballet." Katherine walked passed them.
"Thanks." Kimberly took the pink shoes. "Do they come in any other color than pink?"
"Uh, specialty colors can be ordered, like red or black…but it will take a week for delivery."
"Oh, nevermind then. Pink will do."
"Are you a ballet dancer?"
"No, gymnastics is my game, but I am trying ballet. I used to do it when I was like 4, I hope it's like riding a bike."
"Ahh, yes, well I'm pretty sure it's a bit harder than that. Oh, I have more customers, if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask me."
"Thanks." Kimberly pulled down some semi-opaque footless tights in a rainbow of colors, along with leg warmers. Katherine was flipping through leotards. She held up one in disgust, how tiny they looked. Kimberly passed her with a snort.
"I cannot wear these."
"Oh come on, that white one is perfect for you."
"I'm not 4 feet tall," Katherine muttered.
"Hey, there are tall gymnasts!"
"On the men's side, so that doesn't count."
"Whatever." Kimberly pulled down some camisole leotard. "I forgot how everything in ballet is pink or white. God, pink is soo out."
Katherine was first at the desk, loading up to pay for all the things she brought. Katherine dropped a video, which Kimberly and her dropped down to pick it up at the same. They came up with one hand on the tape.
"Won't help you?"
"Then why do you have just as many as I do?" Katherine asked.
"For my cousin, Kelly. She loves ballet," Kimberly said.
"Well, the same for me then."
"You have a cousin named Kelly?" Katherine snatched the video box away.
"Of course not!" Kimberly peaked into her basket as Katherine paid for her things. Kimberly shrugged and pulled out her credit card. Kimberly did the same with her things, and then headed to the Ballet Dance Studio, which was across the street from the city's public Gymnastic Center.
Kimberly found the place with a kiddy class going on at one side. She changed into one of her freshly brought outfits and put on a Ballet tape in the Ballet room with mirrors surrounding the room. Kimberly slid on her ballet shoes and attempted some simple moves from the tape. It was not a pretty sight. Kimberly left after a hour of frustration and came back to the Youth Center.
Billy and Tanya were sitting at the table reading a book, as she dropped her bag to a chair and plopped down into a chair.
"What's wrong?"
"I have been spinning, bending, and toe pointing for the past hour! From allegro! To ballotté! To gran plié!"
"See, I told you ballet was hard."
"I need a pedicure again! My feet are blistered up! How is Katherine doing?"
"When I left her, she was falling into the foam pit."
"Oh, the foam pit, how I miss the foam pit!" Kim's head went to the table. "I would love the foam pit right now." Rocky and Adam came over to the table.
"You're back early?" Adam asked.
"Shut up!" Rocky smiled.
"I signed up for the studio room all week."
"Are you getting help?" Billy asked.
"Other than tapes, no. Which I think is the problem."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't recall saying we couldn't ask for help."
"That's cheating, Kim!" Adam said.
"No, it isn't!"
"You can't ask for help."
"Katherine is getting help."
"Tommy is not helping her," Tanya said. "We were both spotting her."
"Well, I need a spotter as well." Katherine arrived with Tommy. She was struggling with her bag, but put on a strong face as she saw Kimberly.
"Kim's gonna cheat," Rocky said.
"What?"
"I'm not cheating! I just don't see why we can't ask for help from a professional."
"That is cheating," Tommy said.
"I haven't asked for help yet!"
"Good, because you can't."
"Fine, you can't ask as well. And no spotting either," Kimberly said.
"But that beam is scary!"
"Welcome to my world."
"Yeah, but Kimberly, spotting is used throughout gymnastic, coaches and trainers are always spotting gymnasts so to stop any injuries."
"Hey, I almost twisted my ankle doing those fluttery step things!"
"You mean, stutter steps. They can be tricky if you don't stand high on your toes."
"Why don't you two help each other?" Tommy asked. Kimberly and Katherine laughed.
"This is a competition! I better get back to work," Kimberly said standing up. She grabbed her bag and walked out.
"Yeah, me too." Katherine walked out as well.
"Those two are going to end up kill themselves to prove the other wrong," Adam said.
"Well, they each took the challenge."
"But it was Kim's idea," Tommy said. "She knows how hard gymnastics is."
"And Katherine accepted the challenge," Tanya said. "Let's just hope they help each other out in the end."
Tommy came into the dance studio and found Kimberly practicing after school the next day. Kimberly went straight from school to the ballet dance studio to train. All last night she spent watching classical ballet performances from 'Swan Lake' to 'The Nutcracker'. Kimberly was alone in a dance room surrounded by mirrors. She did an axel jump spin in the air with a butterfly flyaway at the end. She stopped when she saw Tommy standing there.
"What do you want?" Kimberly asked, wiping her face with her armbands.
"That was good."
"Whatever." Kimberly went and got her water bottle.
"Do you have a performance yet?"
"Getting there. Katherine learned that cartwheel yet?"
"She's almost there."
"Good." Kimberly went to the middle. She slowly rose to one foot, extending her other leg back and high, as she arched. Kimberly was able to grab her foot for a brief moment before falling down to flat foot.
"Wow, that was cool."
"Still can't hold it long."
"Still looked good."
"Why are you here?" Kimberly asked a bit more angered.
"I wanted to know if you need any spotting."
"There is no spotting in ballet. I asked." Tommy smiled.
"Well, don't think Tanya isn't helping Katherine."
"Well, I don't need any help, especially from you."
"You being totally foolish not to ask for help, Kim."
"I don't need help, especially from the likes of you!"
"The likes of me?"
"Yeah, so go."
"Fine." Tommy held his hand up and walked out. Kimberly sighed. She went to doing promenade walking, on her tippy toes around the room. She had mastered that skill in a matter of hours, and was now going to work on spins and leaps tonight and hopefully to have a dance choreographed by the end of tomorrow night.
Emily came to keep Kimberly company, they have become close friends in the short time together.
"I think you should do that for your performance."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, you need to show Katherine that you aren't going to do simple things from spins and jumps, but actual ballet choreography."
"Okay. I think I have enough here."
"Wow, after 3 days you have a dance."
"Well not entirely, but a start. I know, I need to do is practice, practice."
"I wonder how far along Katherine is coming."
"Last I heard, she was still struggling, on spins and leaps."
"Is there intimidation in gymnastics?"
"Uh, somewhat, yeah. Why?"
"I say you should show her the true master tomorrow." Kimberly smiled.
Kimberly walked by the gymnastic center to see Katherine practicing her beam routine. Tanya cheering her on from the sidelines. Kimberly rethought about Emily's idea for intimidation. She had planned on training tomorrow at the Youth Center anyways, now she had the perfect excuse.
Next day
Kimberly walked into the Youth Center dressed in a black-cropped halter camisole and zip-front jacket, black capri leggings, with pink tights, and her pink ballet shoes that looked worn down though only been a few days. She put her bag down. The Youth Center had barely a few people around. Ernie had put the beam up at Katherine's request. Emily was setting up at the Juice Bar with Ernie for customers. Kimberly waved to Emily. Emily waved back before going over to the radio. She turned on Kim's favorite radio station.
With all eyes elsewhere, Kimberly felt drawn to the beam. She ran her hand along the beam and took in a deep sniff of it. Katherine, Tanya and the others walked into the doorway. Kimberly held both hands on the beam. She hadn't really touched the beam since Olympics. After winning team gold and a few other medals herself, her calling went higher. She met Trey and her life as she knew it was turned upside.
A new day
A new day
Kimberly lifted herself onto the beam. She laid her back to the beam, as she did some arm moves.
I was waiting for so long
For a miracle to come
Everyone told me to be strong
Hold on and don't shed a tear
Kimberly was singing softly as she sat up, straddling the beam, before lifting herself up to her feet. She did a high leg kick, before turning around on the beam. Kimberly walked along the beam, doing simple arm and dance steps.
Through the darkness and good times
I knew I'd make it through
And the world thought I had it all
But I was waiting for you
Kimberly did an Arabian walkover, right into a leap jump. Then back into dance moves.
Hush, love
I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love
Kimberly stood at the end of the beam, her back to the length of the beam. She took deep breaths.
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
She did a sequence of 3 back flips in a row, the middle one, no handed. She landed each flip with ease and turned on the beam with a smile.
A new day has... come
Where it was dark now there's light
Where there was pain now there's joy
Where there was weakness, I found my strength
All in the eyes of a boy
Kimberly's eyes locked on to Tommy right at the moment, who was watching her along with the rest, all in amazement. Everyone couldn't believe the way she moved on beam, haven't not touched it in so long, while singing to herself as she did each move. Kimberly did more leap jumps into dance steps taken from years of programs.
Hush, love
I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love
Kimberly ran and did a punch front flip.
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new, new sun
She moved down to do lower beam work, before raising herself back up to the beam, in a handstand. She stood in a arched stance for the longest before standing up straight on beam again.
A new day has... come
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has...
Kimberly eyed her dismount. She ran down the beam into a cartwheel, back flip, right into a front Arabian single tuck.
Come
Kimberly stood with her hands raised high right at 'come'. She smiled as the small crowd around them clapped and cheered loudly.
Ohhh, a light... OOh
A new day
Ahhhhh
Hush love
Ahhhhhh
A new day
Kimberly walked passed everyone as she went to the Juice Bar.
"Oh, sorry. It's all yours now," Kimberly said to Katherine. Katherine nearly dropped her bag at Kim's smile. Emily handed Kimberly a bottle of water.
"Way to go, girl." Kimberly smiled brightly.
Kimberly was practicing her ballet routine, as Katherine was attempting beam without the security of foam pit. Tanya and Tommy on either side to help. Katherine found herself stopping often to watch Kimberly. Especially at the ease Kimberly seem to have with rising to her toes and walking around. Kimberly did the stutter steps with effortlessness. Katherine knew, because of gymnastics, Kimberly stretch and toe points were always on tap.
Katherine got down off the beam, when Kimberly showed Emily her line spin, on her toes, where she went from one side of the floor to the other side, spinning the whole way, her arm moved from a bent position, straight up with the other arm in the end.
"Why are you quitting?" Tanya asked.
"Did you not just see that? There is no use."
"Oh, come on Kat. Kim is just trying to make you uneased by showing off," Tommy said.
"Well, it's working!"
"We all do it. I do it all the time before karate tournaments. Just a little intimidation to make your opponents doubt themselves and fear you."
"Why does it matter? I can't do this."
A crowd slowly formed watching Kimberly. Kimberly did a super pirouettes, ending with a multiple spin combo, 6 consecutive spins in a row on one foot. They all clapped as Kimberly finished up. She bowed to the crowd and walked to get something to drink. Katherine stood very unpleased at Kim's second attempt to make her look like a fool. Katherine was searching through her bag for armbands and left the bag at the bottom of the steps. Katherine's eye twitched at the beaming smile Kimberly was giving people passing her. Emily handed Kimberly a juice.
"That was great."
"Thanks. I finally think I got my ending set."
"Well, you just have 3 days, you better pick a song."
"I know. Thanks for the drink."
"Hey, it's my job." Kimberly laughed and placed the bottle to the container. "Go practice more."
"Right. Thanks girl. That really hit the spot." Kimberly walked away from the Juice Bar. She waved to some people as she passed and hopped down one step to the main floor. Katherine was fixing some fallen strands back into a ponytail. Kimberly not watching the final step, slipped on Katherine's backpack strap. Kimberly let out a scream as she fell to the ground, clenching her foot. Everyone gasped and rushed to her side. Tommy and Adam were the first at her side.
"What happened?"
"My ankle, I think I…" Kimberly said. "God, it hurts." Tommy shoved the bag aside, not noticing whose it was.
"Let me look at it." Tommy slowly pulled Kim's hand away from her foot.
"What happened?" Emily said rushing over to them.
"I need some ice and a few towels."
"Got it!" Emily ran back.
"Kim, can you move it at all?" Tommy asked. Kimberly shook her head. She cried out, when Tommy tried to flex her foot.
"Tommy, I think we better go to the emergency room."
"Emergency room? No, no, no! Not for my ankle."
"Kimberly, it could be broken," Rocky said.
"I didn't hear anything pop," Kimberly said through tears in her eyes. "I just…"
"I need to make sure," Tommy said. Emily returned with the ice packs and towels. Tommy wrapped Kim's foot slowly and with care.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Emily asked.
"Absolutely not, this is a useless trip, guys."
"We'll see about that," Tommy said lifting her into his arms after Kimberly gasped.
"I can walk."
"Well, I would much better carry you, then be sorry." Kimberly's arms went around his neck.
"Here's her bag," Emily said.
"Thanks. I'll call if anything changes guys." Tommy left carrying Kimberly. Katherine shook her head in surprise. He actually left with her.
Tanya stopped Katherine's arm as she slowly went down to pick up her bag once the crowd dispatched.
"That was your bag?" Tanya asked, holding Katherine's arm.
"Huh?"
"Did you…"
"Excuse me? How dare you even think that!" Katherine yelled back.
"Katherine, it was your bag…"
"It was an accident!"
"I hope so, because…"
"Look, she tripped over the bag, because she, like always, was boosting and showing off. I didn't leave it there for that to happen."
"Showing off?"
"Of course! Why else would she be here?"
"To train like you."
"I asked for the beam here and she knew it. She came here only to show off and look where it got her."
"Katherine…" Katherine picked up her bag and walked out. "Katherine?"
Kimberly was released from the ER with a sprained ankle that night. It was tender to the touch and when she applied too much pressure by walking.
"You're gonna have to push back the challenge from Saturday."
"Absolutely not. Why?"
"Your ankle, Kim."
"I'll be fine in a day."
"You can't even walk on it!"
"Like I said, I'll be fine!" Tommy sighed as they arrived to Kimberly's place.
"You sure you don't want me to help you inside?"
"Don't worry about me, okay. I'm a big girl."
"Of course."
"Tell Katherine, the challenge is still on."
Friday Night
Tommy walked into the Dance Studio have spending the better part of the past hour working last minute strategy with Katherine. She had a beam routine ready, but could she perform it without the built up stress of not failing. Tommy came into the room and found Kimberly in just a black halter leotard, white tights and pink ballet shoes. She was lying on the ground with the music starting up in the background. Kimberly rose up slowly to her feet, and danced around, going a bit at half-speed at first, thanks to her sprained ankle. Kimberly ended with her super spin combo. Kimberly took a few steps, her arms gorgeously out as she did a final spin down into a split position to the ground, and her body leaned back. Tommy smiled at her flawless routine. He started clapping. Kimberly smiled as she stood up. She slightly hugged herself and spun around.
"That was amazing!"
"Oh that felt amazing!" Kimberly not thinking, being so excited about for the first time in a day doing a clean program, not worried about her foot, she hugged Tommy. Tommy held her just as tight. "I have never felt so great about doing something like that in such a long time that…" Kimberly cupped Tommy's face and kissed him. Tommy didn't fight the kiss, kissing Kimberly back with the same passion. Kimberly tore her lips from Tommy quickly. Tommy and Kimberly slowly pulled away from each other. Kimberly and Tommy slightly turned from each other. "Sorry, I was just…"
"Hey, no problem."
"No, I shouldn't have…"
"Kim, it's okay. You were really great just now. And that spin at the end, was…"
"I know, I've been so…why are you here?"
"I…just…"
"Checking on me?"
"Yeah, checking on you, is that so bad?"
"No, yes, I don't know. Where is Katherine?"
"Stressed."
"She should be. Gymnastics is very hard."
"Yeah, I think she is finally seeing that."
"Good."
"So, was that all what this is about, to make you always right?"
"Pretty much." Tommy smiled and shook his head.
"That's stupid you know."
"Hey, your girl didn't have to take the challenge."
"Like she would back down."
"From me?" Tommy paused. "Look, I don't need you here…so…"
"Why are always like that to me?"
"Like what?"
"Cold, mean. If anything I should be the one mean and cold you to after…"
"After what….what I did?"
"You act like you don't know."
"Oh, I know…."
"So what? Is this how we treat each other?"
"I don't know." Tommy touched Kim's face.
"We were friends….before…"
"Friends? Right, friends. We can never be friends, Tommy. You know that."
"I guess so."
"Is that how you want it?" Kimberly asked.
"Of course not."
"Why, Tommy? Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why believe I…"
"Believe what?"
"Nothing." Kimberly shook her head and went to walk away from Tommy. He grabbed her arm. Kimberly was pulled back to him. Kimberly gasped as they stood before one another.
"Kimberly…" Katherine walked into the Dance Studio just as Tommy slowly bent down to Kimberly. "I still love…"
"Tommy…." Tommy looked back to see Katherine standing there. "You were supposed to..help me with..."
"Right, I'll be right there, Kat."
Kimberly was passing the Gymnastic Center and found Tanya and Katherine still there. Katherine had slipped on her spin on the beam.
"You gotta get some confidence in you, girl!"
"I know!" Katherine had been feeling horrible since Kim's accident, knowing it was partially her fault. Kimberly put her bag down at the door. Katherine and Tanya looked up as the door closed. Kimberly walked over to the beam. "What do you want?"
"It took me 2 months to gain the confidence to walk along on beam after I fell off when I was about 8 years old." Katherine looked at Kimberly. "My head kept telling me to just hop off, don't even try it again. My body cried to stop it. With the dozen ankle sprains and wrist sprains from catching myself. It's just too dangerous, almost every part of my body screamed. But, my heart, my heart on the other hand, was the only thing pushing me."
"Why are you telling me this?" Katherine asked.
"Confidence is something everyone can have, but need to survive, to fight. Just remember that. Shut your head off and your body will listen. You don't need talent, but mental strength and heart." Kimberly went back to the door and picked up her bag. "Oh and your spin is off because you don't raise up off your foot enough. You have to be secure first. Remember, beam is all about balance."
"Kimberly, I'm sorry about your ankle, I didn't mean for it…"
"Hey, accidents happen. You know that. See ya tomorrow." Kimberly walked out.
"Kim, wait!" Kimberly was outside as Katherine caught her. "Look, I have no right to ask this, but I don't want to make a fool of myself. I am so sorry. So sorry..."
"Katherine, no…"
"Look, you can hate, you have every right to. And you can never forgive me, but I am asking, begging you to try and forgive me."
"You can't ask that of me. Not yet." Katherine's head went down. "But I can help you with this."
"You will?"
"I will, but you have help me too." Katherine smiled.
"Of course."
"Besides, we have judges coming, we don't want to disappoint them and the people there."
Saturday Morning
The Youth Center was getting ready for the Challenge. Kimberly was finishing up a last run through with Emily watching, when Katherine and Tanya came into the Dance Studio. Kimberly pulled out her outfit. She looked up to see Katherine and Tanya. Emily stopped the stereo.
"Hey."
"Morning."
"You ready?"
"I hope so."
Ernie made the announcement about today's special Challenge. Katherine walked into the Youth Center with Tanya, Emily and Kimberly. Each girl shook hands before going to their sides. The girls were given a chance to show what they had learned in the last week and give a chance to perform at any length. There would be 3 judges, one of ballet, Katherine's dance instructor, one for gymnastics, a former Gymanstic coach and judge and the third and final judge was a lover of both, impartial to both arts. Ernie had a special coin to see who went first.
"Okay Kimberly, since this was your challenge, Katherine calls it first."
"Uh, heads." Ernie flipped the coin.
"Tails it is. Kimberly, you can to pick who goes first."
"I'll go first," Kimberly said. "It was my challenge." Katherine was surprised. She figured Kimberly would much rather wait to see what Katherine could do first. Katherine took off her dark pink jacket, revealing her pink long sleeve leotard. She went to warm up before her beam routine. Kimberly pulled off her black hooded shrug and black yoga pants and handed it to Emily and revealed what she was wearing. Kimberly dressed in black cross back straps camisole leotard, flesh colored tights; black sheer split panel skirt, pink ballet shoes.
Kimberly walked to the floor. All the guys and crowd were anxious to see what she had. Emily went over to the stereo as Kimberly smiled to the judges before putting on a straight focused face as she went down to the ground. Kimberly laid on the ground. Emily hit play. Dante's Prayer by Loreena McKennitt started up. Kimberly stayed on the ground during the long opening.
When the dark wood fell before me
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tilled the sorrows of stone.
I did not believe because I could not see
Though you came to me in the night
When the dawn seemed forever lost
You showed me your love in the light of the stars.
A judge nodded to the others.
"Notice the restraints in her arms. So light, and the choreography. Simple, yet elegant." The other judge nodded.
"It flows together so beautiful."
From the fountain of forgiveness
Beyond the ice and the fire.
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me.
Oooooooo Ooooo Oooooooo Ooooo
"Wow, so easy on those stutter steps."
"And elegant again."
Though we share this humble path, alone
How fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
To touch the face of the stars.
Breathe life into this feeble heart
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
We'll rise above these earthly cares.
Oooooooo Ooooo
Oooooooo Ooooo
Please remember me
Please remember me
Kimberly ended on the ground, in a split position after her super 6 spin pirouettes. The crowd was clapping. Katherine shook her head, knowing she couldn't compete with that. Katherine just wanted to run away, but Kimberly nodded to her once it was her turn. Katherine slipped off her shoes and walked over to the beam. She closed her eyes and placed her hand on the beam. Tanya hit some soft music to play, no lyrics. Katherine had slight pauses, but didn't back off once she was on the beam. She did a spin, some leaps, even a handstand. When Katherine tried to pull off a dismount, a running half twist off the end of the beam, but she fell. There was still a round of applause from the crowd.
The judges took their time to evaluate each girl's performance. Kimberly went over to Katherine as they all waited to hear who won.
"I am impressed, Katherine."
"You are?"
"You did a dismount, that you only started practicing last night."
"Well, I had to do something big."
"Are you kidding me? Those leaps were good," Emily said. "Especially given you just started about a week ago."
"Yours were much better last night."
"Of course. I have had years on top of years of training. You had just a week, like Em said."
"I did stage 1 leaps, a handstand, a single spin and dance steps, kiddy stuff."
"Which were great," Tanya said. "Don't be so hard on yourself."
In the end, Kimberly did win the challenge.
"Just so you know and as much as hate to agree with you, gymnastics is the hardest sport ever. You were right, I was wrong."
"Yeah, I know," Kimberly said with a smile at Katherine. "Just wanted to make sure everyone else did."
"Your ballet, I have to admit, after a week, was impressive. Though I shouldn't be, you are great at everything," Katherine said.
"Not everything. I suck at tennis." Kimberly took the fake trophy Ernie had for the competition.
Teaser to Chapter 5: The Golden Joke
The night of the play was about to begin.
"Hey, what are you two doing here, I thought you guys were in the play?" Tanya asked as Adam and Rocky sat beside her and Tommy.
"Well, Kimberly and Katherine said our services were no longer needed."
"Wow, Kimberly and Katherine did a great job on their play."
"Yeah, when you work together anything is possible," Tanya said looking at Tommy. Tommy smiled.
AN: Well, whatcha think guys? Toughest sport to you? Oh and, trust me, things are not all nice and gravy in Rangervillage between Kat and Kim, especially when Tommy goes missing next, and only Kimberly seems to know.