KORI

Day 4, 9:00 am

"I didn't know if you were gonna make it today," Clowers said to me during the competition.

"Wouldn't miss this for the world," I replied. "What… you think I'd let them give my medal away to someone else?"

He smirked. "It's debatable which medal is yours."

"Was that a challenge?" I returned. "Like, do you think you can actually beat me?"

"We'll see."

I looked over and watched Mike Metzger. He revved up the engine and shot up, up, and barely over the bar.

I put on my helmet. "Showtime."

Miya brought me to a point, then I stopped her. Quickly, silently, I begged God to let me make it. To untie the knots in my stomach, help me block out the crowd, and soar over the bar.

I'd made 31 before. Not on TV, though.

I whispered to Miya in Chinese, "Let's do this," and we shot forward. Then up the steep slope, and…

And back down to the ground.

Had we made it?

I looked behind me and saw the bar. Lying on the ground.

No!

"Oh!" I heard the announcer say. "Kori Talon knicked the bar! An inch higher and she would've had it."

I brought Miya back in front of the bar, grateful that I got two tries. But if I messed this one up, I'd have to forget about beating Clowers. At least until next year, anyway.

I zipped forward and up the slope, and clear over the bar!

"That was a good foot and a half!"

I landed and rode back to Metzger. Clowers was already preparing himself for his own jump.

Metzger mumbled something that I didn't quite catch, but it sounded like "You really think you can compete?"

"What?" I demanded, my tone showing my instant anger.

"Nothin'."

"You got something to say? Say it to my face, Mulisha boy."

Metzger put on the classic you-don't-wanna-start-anything-with-me-because-I'm-one-bad-boy face that I'd seen a million times. (A/N: that face can make just about any guy look hot!) Then he glanced over my shoulder, at Clowers who was riding back to us. So instead of throwing something else at me, he smirked at me as he put his helmet on. In a snitty tone, he said "May the best man win."

I glared at him as he rode off.

"You're really on a roll, aren't you?" Clowers asked me.

I blinked. "What?"

"You're good at making enemies. Ever try and make a few friends?"

I didn't know exactly what to say to that. "Sorry, dad," I decided.

"That's exactly what I'm talking about. You're hostile to me, Metzger sure hates you, don't even get me started on Briggs. How many friends have you made here?"

Did Andy count? "Um… 1."

"I hate to say this, Talon, but every guy here except for that one hate you. We even have bumper stickers and everything. A friendly tip: shut up and smile. That makes you nice and takes care of your way with words."

I hated to admit it, but he was right. "And you're telling me this why?"

"Cause there's gotta be someone in this world that likes you, and they're gonna be ticked when someone else kills you."

Dean was the only person who'd ever warned me about my general attitude. I never paid his talks any attention, but hearing it from someone else made it more… meaningful. I treated Dean like a brother, so of course I tuned out his talks. But Clowers was a genuine public opinion.

"Um, thanks," I said. "I mean, for being honest. I'll keep what you said in mind."

"Here's another bit of advice," he said. "Get out there. Everyone's waiting for you."

I suddenly felt embarrassed. How long had everyone been waiting? A few seconds, or a few minutes? I gave Clowers a sheepish smile, put on my helmet, and took off.

This was it… 32.

3 minutes later it was at 35. Metzger dropped out at 34, so now it was me and the Tom Cat.

A minute after that, he tanked his 2nd attempt and it was up to me.

If I made it, I'd get gold. If I failed 2ce, then we'd go back to 34 an Metzger would also have a chance to redeem himself.

I missed my first attempt, but then my moment of glory came. I defeated Tommy Clowers.

"There it is! Kori Talon over the bar, to take her first X Games medal!"

I, a woman, came out on top in a man's sport. I was stoked.

I was grinning like an idiot when Clowers came up to me. "Keep smiling," he instructed. "It's good practice."

"You did your job, now leave me alone," I replied, still smiling.

"Talon, you're the newest X Games legend."

"No I'm not. I'm a girl with a dream."

"Woah, that was good. Say something like that to the camera."

Just then one of the commentators came up to me. "Kori," she said. "How does it feel to win the gold?"

"I'm so stoked," I answered. "Step Up is the greatest."

"Do you think you'll be able to do this well in racing?"

"I don't think I'll get gold unless tomorrow's a good day for me. But Dean Talon is gonna get a medal, mark my words."

She smiled. "Great job, that was amazing."

"Thanks."