I looked at the clock for what seemed to be the hundredth time. I was waiting for my 4th period AP History class to be done so I could go to lunch, but to be honest I was just waiting for the day to be over so I could get to The Rock. Since my surgery I didn't really feel any need to be here. It had been really hard when I first had to come and I hated being here, but after Heather helped my snap out of my funk I began to adjust and actually kind of enjoyed high school. Then I got the greatest news ever that I could get my back fixed. After I had the surgery I came back to school and I didn't mind it because I knew I would get to train soon but then Mom and Dad told me I would only train part time at first to see if I would really be able to return. Once I got to train I felt school was a drag again. I didn't even feel like I was really learning anything. It's funny when I was homeschooled I never really thought of myself as advanced, I just did the work. When I started high school they tested me and put me in the Advanced Placement classes. The sad thing is, is that I already learned what they are teaching last year.
BBBRRRRIIIINNNGG! The bell ending class rang and I gathered my books up to leave. I met Heather in the hallway and we walked to the lunch room. We went to our table, Ike was already sitting there.
"Hey Pay-Pay. Hey Heather." He said as we sat down.
"Hey Ike," Heather and I said together.
I looked down at the food he had already bought, like most of the food here I couldn't really tell what it was.
"How can you stand to eat that Ike, do you even know what it is," I asked.
"Nope but I like surprises."
I pulled out my own lunch. Now that I was training again I was back on a strict diet. Today Mom packed me baked chicken and salad, I need the protein.
"So what are you lovely ladies doing today after school," Ike asked.
Heather started in about the club meeting she had tonight and all of the drama that it entailed. As she was talking I looked at Ike. He still had the same sarcastic humor that he had always had but since that day I told him off he had changed a lot. He no longer called everything pointless and stopped drinking and smoking pot. He and Heather have even started becoming friends. Ike was a great guy, and if I didn't get this surgery something more may have happened between us, but I felt that it was best to stay friends especially since going back to The Rock meant no dating. He understood and agreed. He has been a great friend during this time. He still didn't really get why I put so much energy and heart into gymnastics but he was still a supportive friend. One day he may even find something to care about. While Heather was still talking Ike looked up and gave me that look and smile that said "is she every going to shut up" I smiled back.
"I have an appointment with my physical therapist today then to the gym, I am hopping I will get to start doing B level routines today, I need to start leveling up if I want to be able to compete at Nationals this summer," I told the two when Heather had finished detailing what they would be doing at the Student Council meeting tonight.
"Isn't that pushing it a bit, to be back at your old level by August, that's only 5 months," asked Ike.
"I'm determined to make my comeback at Nationals and win, my comeback has to be big, I have to show them I am better than I was before."
"Well if anybody can do it, you can Pay," said Heather, always my cheerleader, "Can I come to a meet sometime?"
"Of course, I'll let you know, Ike you are welcome too, but I am sure it will be boring for you."
"Hot girls in leotards? Of course I will be there."
The bell for 5th period rang and we got up to go to class. We all said bye.
At the end of the school day I got the books I needed for my homework out of my locker and ran out to the parking lot where my mom was waiting in the car.
"Hey Pay how was school today," asked Mom.
"Same old thing," I said.
"Ready for your appointment?"
"Yep, I hope Mitchell lets me start B level today."
"I know honey, but don't be disappointed if he doesn't, you have been doing really well these last few weeks."
"I know Mom; I am just ready to show everybody what I can do."
We arrived at the physical therapist and I went into the lobby and was told that I would have to get x-rays today. I went and got my x-rays done and waited in Mitchell's office.
"These look really good Payson," Mitchell said as he was walking into the room.
"Really?"
"Yep, can you stand up for me?"
I stood up and Mitchell felt different points on my back.
"Can you bend down and rise up slowly for me."
I did it and felt no pain.
"How does that feel?"
"Great."
"How are you feeling with the A level stunts?"
"Good, no pain."
"I have a report from your coach and he says you are doing very well, so I think we can move you up a level, remember to take it easy. Let your coach or myself know if you are having any pain."
"I will, and thanks"
I walked out of the office and to the car.
"Well?" Mom asked.
"He gave me the ok," I said with a huge smile on my face.
"That's great Pay, I am so proud of you."
"Thanks Mom."
When we got to The Rock I got out of the car and went straight to the locker room to change. After I got in my leo I went to find Sasha to tell him the good news. I found him coaching some of the younger girls.
"Sasha, I got the ok to do B level stunts."
"Great Payson, if you keep this up you should be back to your old routines by mid June. How about you go over to the beam and work on some flic-flac layouts."
I went over to the beam. Emily and Lauren had already left for the day, but Kaylie was there and was working on the beam. I watched her. I really hope that I can get up to competition level before Nationals. I am really proud of how well Kaylie's doing now and I love her to death, but I guess it kind of goes against the grain that I have to consider Kay real competition now. I had been coming in first for most of the year before Nationals and Kaylie hadn't beaten me for about 8 months before Nationals. She really didn't buckle down in training until after Nationals and now she has a Double Arabian and a Triple flip. I had the Triple around 6 months before Nationals and I did a Double Arabian at the last Nationals. I really am happy for Kaylie, it's just not fair.
Kaylie stuck her landing and came over to me.
"How was your appointment?"
"Great, I get to start B level today."
"That's great Pay."
"Thanks, you better start getting ready for me to be Champion next year." I said with a smile, even if I was jealous we were still friends and I didn't want to hurt her
"Sorry, but you'll just have to make do with the silver medal," Kaylie said with a smile and a wink.
I jokingly rolled my eyes.
"I've got to go, I need to rest up for National practice tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow Kay."
"You too Pay."
"I worked on the beam and then floor. An hour later I heard Sasha call my name. I looked up frustrated, I had been in my bubble of concentration and I hated it when people burst it. I looked up and saw Sasha by his office with a woman I had never seen before. She was an attractive brunette with stylish glasses and looked to be in her mid to late twenties. Sasha waved me over.
"Payson this is Madison Forrester, she is a reporter for Inside Gymnastics Magazine, and she would like to do an interview on your comeback," Sasha said as we shook hands.
"Wow, that's amazing but my parents won't let me do interviews, they want me to keep my amateur status at least until I get to the Olympics."
"Well Payson this interview won't affect your amateur status since we won't be paying you, but this interview could be great for your career. After reading this article everybody will be looking out for your big splash back."
"Well I will have to talk to my parents first."
"Of course, here is my card if you or your parents have any questions," Madison said while handing me a business card."
"I think we should keep Payson's comeback a secret until the article comes out, we have already been keeping it as a need to know but I think the less who know the better, for now so Payson do not talk about your come back outside of the gym," Sasha explained.
"We would prefer it that way actually, Payson I hope to hear from you soon," she said turning from Sasha to me.
"I will let you know as soon as I talk with my parents."
Madison shook hands with both of us and left.
"If you do this article it will do wonders for your comeback, hype it up more than it already will be."
"Yea if my parents will let me do it."
A/N: Here is the next chapter. Please review, I really like getting them and the more I get the faster I will update. By the way I did some research and the levels of gymnastics go from A to G. A being the easiest skills and G the hardest so in the last episode of the season Payson was still on A skills and she has to get back to her routines which are probably have skills that are F and G's. Plus Inside Gymnastics Magazine is real and a flic-flac is a back handspring (which is used in the majority of routines) and a layout is when their bodies are stretched out like in a flip.
