Getting Dirty

I was first on the start list. Jade was second.

I ran up towards the springboard and the vaulting horse, trying to clear my mind of all else, apart from this competition and my up coming vault. Running faster and faster, jumping off, pushing off, completing the round-off onto the springboard, twisting around, pushing hard, flying in the air. Twisting around, flipping in the air, feeling the air resist as my body rushes down to meet with the ground. Bending my legs, bracing myself, leaning forwards as I make contact with the ground, trying not to fall backwards. Gluing my legs together, not letting them come apart. Thump. A tiny hop to keep my balance. Raising my hands up joyfully, saluting the judges, the audience. It was a near stick for the one and a half twist. It was good enough.

I run towards my dad happily, hugging him tightly. Dad pats me on the back and gives me a proud smile before having to go off to spot for one of the girls from his gym. I was suddenly surrounded my squeals.

'Bella that was amazing!'

'Great job!'

'Well done, Bella, you really showed them.'

'Amazing landing.'

I smile modestly, heading towards my bag, a bit breathless, needed a bit of water to re-hydrate myself. High fiving most of my teammates, I note that two had not come to congratulate me. The first one was Jade, obviously, who was chalking up and glaring at me. If looks could kill… I think with a chuckle. The second one was Carissa, I heave a huge sigh, maybe I will go apologize to her after the meet, maybe. But I really hadn't done much wrong, really, I hadn't.

'Isabella Swan,' a commentator announces, '14.950'

I smile, that was a great score for vault, a good start for Forks high, high fives around most of my teammates again. Then we settle down to watch Jade's vault.

Coach Webster smiles at me and also turns towards Jade.

Jade runs at a terrific speed, jumping up, her feet meet with the springboard, pushing off, her chalked hands smacking the vault, boosting herself up into the air, it was almost like she was ten feet high. I really had to admit, she was amazing. I wonder what extra training she had since I had arrived in Forks, she really did want to come first. She twisted through the air gracefully, and I could not find much fault in her twist apart from the fact that her legs were a bit crossed. Though I doubt that the judges would deduct much for the legs, it was a common error. It seemed to me that she would land well… but then I saw her leaning back, no doubt trying not to repeat the mistake that happened during warm ups. But it looked like she had miscalculated, leaning back too much, she crashed onto the mat, bottom first.

'Oh no,' Emma breathed beside me, 'Looks like what she did wasn't enough.'

'Duh,' I said giggling.

'Was enough to beat your ass,' Carissa said coldly from behind us.

Looks like the bitch in me was out and around today. Spinning around I said, 'What's that supposed to mean?'

Emma frowned, 'Don't push it Bella…,' she said in an undertone.

Planting her hands on her hips, my cousin glared at me, 'You know what I mean.'

'No, I don't?'

'Whatever Bella, if I were you, I would watch my back. I hope you fall every event tonight.'

'Eh, what's gotten into her?' Emma asked quietly.

'Eh, hate?'

'Didn't think she would ever wander to the dark side.'

'She isn't going to the-'

Cutting me off, Emma turned me around.

Jade was scowling as she walked off the podium, grabbing her water bottle from Lauren. Lauren tried to speak to Jade, probably words of comfort, but Jade pushed her away. We watched silently as Carissa walked over to them, much to the surprise of the rest of the team. Taking Jade's arm, Carissa dragged her off to the direction of the toilets.

'What is she doing?' I ask after a while of silence.

'She just went over to the dark side.'

'Jade McAllen,' the commentator suddenly announced, '14.150.'

- - -

A while later, the first rotation was drawing to a close, everyone was gathering their stuff and moving on to warm up on the next piece of apparatus.

'After the first rotation, Lily Stones from Forks Academy is leading with 15.531. Lucy Ridge, also Forks Academy in second place with 15.050, and Isabella Swan from Forks High trailing with a 14.950. Forks Academy is now in team first, Port Angeles High in second, and Forks High in third and The Academy of Learning bringing up the rear!'

We walk to the uneven bars, with me in the lead, and Jade burning a hole in the back of my head with her glares. I walk towards the audience, sitting next to Edward and Alice.

'Hi Bella,' she says in a soft voice, smiling at me.

I smile, 'Hi Alice, what are you doing here?'

'I came to congratulate you, of course!' she answered cheerfully.

Edward cleared his throat.

'When you win, of course! Which you will, I'm positive!' Alice took my hand, and looked into my eyes, 'You are doing a great job.'

'Oh, …thanks.'

'It's great that you're in third,' Edward says, enveloping me in a hug, 'I mean, you've only done vault, which is the lowest scoring event, right?'

'That's right, how did you know?' I laughed.

Edward stroked my hair, 'Of course I know. I know all about you.'

'Bella, is that you?' a familiar voice said from the seats behind us.

I twisted around in my seat, 'Rhiannon? Ohmygod!'

I climbed over some seats and hugged her, 'I can't believe you're here. My friend, world champion!'

Rhiannon smiled, 'I've come to support you in your comeback. Surprise!'

I laughed, 'Come meet my friend Emma, she's going to scream when she sees you,' I bring her down to the bars where the rest of my team was. Telling her about Jade and Carissa and my placing after the first rotation.

We were surrounded by cries, 'Ohmygod, is that Rhiannon Johnson?'

'Guys, this is my friend, Rhiannon. She's here to watch the meet tonight,' turning to Rhiannon, I gestured to Emma, 'Rhi, I'd like you to meet Emma, by best friend.'

Emma gaped, 'You're Rhiannon? Johnson? The world champion? Ohmygod!'

I chuckled, 'I'll let you two have a chat,' I said, walking over to warm up.

But my way was blocked, 'So, is this all you got?' Jade sneered.

'Using some world champion to scare us?' Carissa tilted her head.

I narrowed my eyes, 'Carissa, what has gotten into you.'

'None of your business fat ass, just know that even if you beat me on one event, doesn't mean you're not going down.'

'Oh, I'm so scared,' I say dryly.

So here's the next chapter guys. I hope you like it :P
I won't be updating much after this week because of school... so I'll try writing as much as I can before school starts.

Please review :)