A/N: Trust me, this story is going to get wild. I appreciate reviews as well guys, love to hear your feedback!
I think people are under the impression that we make a ton of sacrifices and we're missing out on everything in life because of the commitment we make to elite gymnastics. In some ways, I guess that's true, but in most ways, if you ask a gymnast, it's really not true. Yes, we have all had to miss out on things for training or competitions. I had to miss out on my official high school graduation ceremony, but I still got to go up and receive my diploma in front of my graduating class a few days before. I've missed a few birthday parties and such, but I got to go to my senior prom, which was something I had always wanted to do. But if you asked any of us if we regretted it, the answer would almost always be no. Because to go to the Olympics, or Worlds, you have to make those sacrifices. And not everyone has the chance to do what we can do, and represent their country on the international stage. If I had to make those sacrifices again, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But I wouldn't call them sacrifices. Because the Olympics, gymnastics, it's my choice. And it's what I live for.
Snow was falling thick and fast beneath the cold gray sky, but despite the freezing winter, JJ was working up a sweat inside the gym.
Christmas was just three days away, but there was no time to rest. After returning to the gym in December, JJ had thrown herself into a tough regime of strength and conditioning, before Nick slowly allowed her back onto the apparatus.
"You really need to anticipate the half turn off the springboard. As soon as your body passes through vertical off the board, you need to be turning for the table. Otherwise you're going to have a funky angle off the table, and the vault will go off to one side," Nick instructed from where he stood by the vaulting table. "Go again, and make a point of focusing on tightening up the layout through the post-flight"
Nodding, JJ lined her feet up on her line, a strip of paint across the vault runway that had been there for as long as she could remember. A step back, a swing of the arms, and she took off.
Driving through the roundoff, she took Nick's corrections into her mind, focusing entirely on where her body was in relation to the ground. As she passed through vertical, she turned her waist, taking her hands over her head to the table. She had a slight angle as she blocked, repulsing straight off the table into a front layout. Even with a hip angle and not entirely straight shoulders, her layout was higher and stronger than it had been before.
Landing in the foam pit, JJ righted herself and started digging her way out as Nick gave a short clap.
"Not bad. Your half turn could still be squarer on the table, but you held the layout position much better that time. That with a half turn in the post flight would still be a competitive vault for this season," he said as JJ reached up and grabbed the practice bar, hauling herself out of the pit. "But I'm quite happy with that for now. I think one more two and a half into the pit, and if you do it as good as last time, I'll let you go home"
JJ smiled, nodding as she brushed herself off and headed back to the end of the runway while Nick dragged a crash mat into the pit.
While Nick righted the mat, she rechalked her hands; she last thing she wanted to do was slip on the table.
As she turned back towards the end of the runway, she spotted her dad standing on the mezzanine watching the last few minutes of her practice and smiled. He had insisted on driving her to and from training that day on account of the snow, and always took an opportunity to come in and watch what she was doing.
"Alright JJ, let's nail this one!" Nick called from down by the table.
Rubbing her hands together, JJ stepped onto the mat and lined her feet up again with the paint line. She took a moment to focus herself before stepping back, tapping her toe, and taking off.
The run was powerful, as was the hurdle. Blocking strongly off the table, she allowed her hand contact to completely clear the horse before wrapping in the twist. One... two... and a half.
She dropped into the landing so easily that her smile had lit up before her weight was even fully on the mat.
"YEEAAHHHH!" she exclaimed, punching the air as she turned to face Nick, before dramatically falling into the foam. Nick laughed.
"Alright, that was really good," he chuckled. "Someone's been watching Simone"
"Someone is gonna compete that at the Classic this year," JJ replied, pulling herself back up onto the crash mat and jumping across to the floor.
"Keep that up, and I'm not stopping you," Nick agreed. "Go on, get home and get some rest. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow for one last training session before Christmas"
Getting a high five from Nick, JJ headed off to the locker room to change into her winter clothes. Seeing her dad smiling at her from the mezzanine, she gave him a thumbs up before disappearing into the next room.
JJ seemed more subdued and a little more inconsistent at Worlds than we're used to seeing from her. Do you think that's a bad sign?
No, I don't think it is. She's been working really hard without a long break pretty much her whole life, and even after the Olympics, she only took a couple of months off before she came back. I think, understandably, she was just tired. She definitely looked like she had a little less energy in the all-around final, and I think that's a sign that this quad is just wearing her a little thin. I don't think it's anything to worry about; I spoke to her personally just a couple of weeks back in a phone interview, and she seemed quite chirpy and happy, and said she wasn't disappointed in her Worlds performance, and that she's looking forward to what lies ahead. As for being subdued... she had a big wobble in the team final, which is never a good feeling, and I also heard a rumor that she got rattled the morning of the all-around by some nasty comments online. It's just a reminder that these girls are human too. I don't think JJ's troubles at Worlds are major concern; she's always proved herself when she needs to. And it's all a reminder to us to watch what we say about people when we think they can't see it.
Do you think having a relationship is a distraction to elite gymnasts?
I don't think so! Not as long as you're someone who can manage their time and prioritise, and the person you're with is someone who completely understands your commitments. Look at JJ as an example; she and her boyfriend have been together for two years now, and if anything, I think it's a benefit for her. Will supports her wholeheartedly, and encourages her dreams. I think because of it, she's grown immeasurably in confidence since 2012.
As was the custom whenever her dad drove her home from practice, they made a stop for something sweet as a wintry treat. Today's choice was pancakes.
After ordering their food, they chose a table in the corner of the quiet establishment, near the window, and near enough to the fireplace that they were able to keep warm.
"Your practice looked good today," Michael said with a smile. "Your vaulting has really come along"
"Thanks," JJ replied happily. "We've been working really hard on it"
"You excited for this season?" Michael asked.
JJ nodded slowly. "Yeah... mostly"
Michael frowned. "Mostly?"
"I'm a little... I don't know, I think anxious is the best word," JJ admitted. "It's an important season, and I have a lot of upgrades going back in"
"You know better than to stress about it though," Michael said. "Nick will guide you through it at the pace he sees fit. I'm sure you're going to be just fine"
Smiling, JJ nodded. "I know. I'm trying not to worry"
"Good. Now on another note, I can't believe it's Christmas in three days," Michael chuckled. "Another year gone"
"It's crazy. I swear it was Christmas just yesterday," JJ laughed.
"I'll never forget one Christmas... you, Jason and Rosie all tried to surprise us with breakfast. Somehow, you got egg on the ceiling, burnt the toast, and we later found a hashbrown in the Christmas tree," Michael said, starting to laugh once more.
JJ laughed as well. "I remember that. I think the hashbrown was my doing"
Silence fell between them once more. In the quiet of the cafe, a saddened look crossed Michael's face.
"It's never been quite the same without Rosie, has it?"
Sighing softly, JJ shook her head slowly. "I miss her. Every day"
Reaching across, Michael squeezed JJ's hand, giving her a comforting smile. "You're not the only one, Jaybird"
"Do you think she's proud of me?" JJ asked quietly.
Michael looked surprised for a minute, a sudden wave of sadness crossing his face for a split instant. Holding onto his resolve, he closed his other hand around JJ's, holding her hand between his own as he tried to offer her some comfort.
"Of course she is. Every day. I don't know how she couldn't be," he said truthfully. A twinkle flew into his eye and a little smile began to play around his lips. "And she'll be glad you finally got together with Will"
JJ giggled, her cheeks blushing pale pink as the heaviness that had momentarily settled in her heart immediately lifted.
"They're still spending Christmas with us, right?" she asked. Michael nodded.
"And Jason and Katie fly in tomorrow morning as well," he said.
JJ chuckled. "The snow will be a nice shock to their systems after Florida"
Michael grinned. "Oh, I bet it will be"
At that point, the waiter brought over their food. Once he had set it down for them and left, Michael lifted his spoon.
"Bon appétit, my JJ"
JJ smiled, picking up her spoon as well.
"Bon appétit"
"We're home!" JJ called as she dragged her bag through the front door, shaking off the snow from her coat as she went. Michael came in right behind her, closing the door to keep out the wind and the cold.
"Took you long enough," Sandy teased. "You stopped for food didn't you?"
"Of course we did," Michael laughed, stepping past JJ and approaching his wife. He leaned down, kissing her cheek before shedding his outer coat.
"I'm going for a shower," JJ said, heading for the stairs.
Watching her head for her room, Michael turned to his wife with a grin.
"Are they here?" he asked, a knowing glint in his eye.
Sandy smiled, nodding. "Got here half an hour ago"
As she reached the top of the stairs, JJ was pulling off her thick sweater, draping it over her arm before pushing open her bedroom door.
Looking up as she walked in, she stopped in shock when she spotted Aly sitting on her bed.
"Hey," Aly said with a grin.
"Oh my god," JJ laughed, throwing her sweater onto her pillow and walking forwards as Aly got up to hug her. "What are you doing here?"
"We're spending Christmas with you guys," Aly said, wrapping her arms around JJ and giving her a tight hug. "Our moms were talking last week, and my mom mentioned that we weren't seeing our family for Christmas because we saw them at the start of Hanukkah and half of them are going away for the holidays. So your mom invited us to come to you guys for Christmas"
JJ beamed. "That's awesome, when did you get here?"
"Like an hour ago," Aly laughed. "My dad and Brett are coming tomorrow night, but Mom and the girls are here already"
"I don't know how I missed that coming in," JJ giggled. "I'm gonna go take a shower, because I smell like a sweaty foam pit-"
"Yeah, you stink," Aly teased, playfully pushing JJ towards the bathroom.
"-but when I get out, you can tell me all about the latest camp!"
Hours later, the house was silent, feeling fuller than it had felt in a long time. But even after a day of hard training, in the dead of night, JJ lay wide awake.
For the first time in a long time, anxiety was kicking up in her stomach.
2015 was just days away. And JJ knew it was going to be her toughest season yet. Not only did the team have to pre qualify to the Olympics for 2016, JJ had to prove herself to Marta. That the mistakes from Worlds weren't going to become a regular occurrence, and that her upgrades were solid and consistent. That she could still be the Olympic Champion everyone knew and loved.
Turning over onto her side, she pulled the covers right up to her chin. Aly was fast asleep beside her, and even having her best friend there was the smallest of comforts. Aly knew what the year ahead was going to be like better than almost anyone else. And she probably had it harder this time around; Marta had not seen her under competitive pressure since the London Olympics, and Aly would have to prove herself from scratch all over again. JJ was secretly glad she had been competing through the last two years; Aly had a good head for pressure, but it was going to be a tough year.
Closing her eyes, JJ tried to relax. There was no point stressing, she knew that. All she could rely on was that she would do the hard work, and it would give her the best shot of getting where she needed to be.
Even with a thousand thoughts running through her mind, her muscles softened with exhaustion.
Just minutes later, she too was fast asleep.
