Grace and Allie almost forgot about the campwide competition in their eagerness to learn enough about each others' lives so that they could successfully switch places.
Among the many things they were learning about each other, they discovered that they both took karate. Grace was further along in it, however, as Allie spent more time with other sports - hockey and softball. Grace, on the other hand, was only in cross-country.
But they both loved all things water-related - which made the upcoming rowing competition particularly exciting for them.
Grace had the advantage of having been on a rowing team the previous summer. I've got this in the bag, she thought. But as they made their way to the lake on the morning of the competition, Allie insisted that she was going to win.
"Look out, O'Neill," she challenged good naturedly as they separated to meet their teams on the shore of the lake. "I'm coming for you out there."
Grace laughed and waved goodbye, not bothering to seriously respond. I'll let my skills speak for themselves.
The set-up was simple - each team would break off into groups of four. The teams would row back and forth across the lake relay-style until each of their groups had rowed across once. The first team to finish would win. Because of her rowing skills, Grace was set to be in the last relay group to help them catch up for the win, if necessary. She rather suspected that Allie was in a similar position on her team.
The race began, and Grace cheered loudly along with the rest of her group. Gosh, I hope we win!
To her amusement, it appeared that her team and Allie's were evenly matched - and way ahead of the other teams. It seemed it really would end up being a battle between her and Allie.
She began stretching her arms in anticipation. Her dad, and Allie, it seemed, faced competition with an aggressive drive to win. While Grace knew she herself might seem more passive, she was every bit as determined to claim the victory. Her competitiveness was just... quieter. More focused, she concluded. From what Allie had said, she suspected her mom might behave the same way.
As she stood in position with her group to jump onto the boat that was now coming for them, she decided that her determination would be enough to bring her team to victory today.
The boat hit the shore. Go time.
Grace and her group scrambled into their seats almost as soon as they were vacated by the previous sweaty group of girls. Grace grimaced at the slick feel of the oars. Hope that doesn't put me off too much.
Occupied with getting the boat in motion, she didn't bother glancing over to see Allie's team's progress until they were well away from shore. Then - crap! A fierce looking Allie was rowing her heart out. Allie's team was in the lead.
"Row harder!" Grace yelled as she increased her pace. She wasn't about to give in until this race was truly over.
She could see the shore coming up quickly. Her boat had caught up with Allie's, but the other group had clearly noticed their increase in speed and was trying to match it. Allie's face was growing much redder from exertion.
Grace kept fighting, but a couple of her fellow rowers were getting a little winded. "Keep going!" she yelled.
Unfortunately, all the yelling in the world couldn't make her teammates row faster than Allie's. Grace gave one last push - but it was too late.
Allie's team had won.
Grace shook her head as the other team roared with excitement, but she couldn't help but smile.That's my sister, for sure. And even though she had every intention of beating her sister's butt in the next competition, she was still proud of her.
The next big competition was a series of softball games culminating in a championship game. Allie knew she'd have this competition in the bag, too. After all, she did actually play the sport competitively.
Grace didn't talk a big game the way Allie herself had, but she quietly smiled and said, "Don't count me out, Carter."
Allie nodded, but she was still confident.
Allie was pitching for her team, of course. She'd developed a pretty mean throw over the years. Mom said her dad would be proud of it. Apparently, her big brother, Charlie, had loved baseball, too. Allie wondered sometimes what it would have been like if she could have played with him.
Now, though, she had the opportunity to kick the crap out of her sister from an alternate reality's mister.
The evening game was between the last two teams still standing in this mini softball championship - hers and Grace's.
Grace had been relegated to center field, so it took a while for the girls to have any sort of interaction on the field. The third inning was when Allie saw her sister finally come up to bat.
She wound up her best pitches. Grace managed to get a single hit on the third pitch, but it wasn't enough to help her team get a run in their half. The teams were tied, zero to zero.
As the game went on, each side managed to get a single run. Allie was a bit surprised at the low score. Grace's team's pitcher was doing pretty well.
Then, the eighth inning happened.
Grace's pitcher made three outs - barely. But as she bolted to third base to cover a position that had unwisely been abandoned by the actual third baseman, she twisted her ankle. That third out came at a cost.
Grace's team was then up to bat, leaving Grace facing her sister's pitches once more. This time, Grace whacked the ball out of the field.
Allie was proud of her sister for getting a run. But now the pressure was on. She'd have to get a run in the next inning.
As the third and final out was called before the next inning, Allie wondered who'd be pitching this time.
To her surprise, Grace was running to the mound.
This will be interesting, Allie mused.
The first batter took her position. Grace made her pitch.
"Strike!" the referee yelled. Allie's eyes widened. That may have been the best darn pitch she'd ever seen. For an eleven year old, that is.
She was starting to get a little worried.
Grace cleanly struck the girl out. The second batter managed to get one hit out of bounds, before she struck out as well.
Then - of course it was Allie's turn.
Allie took her place at the plate with more trepidation than she'd felt this entire game. Her team's victory hinged on her. She had to hit this one.
Grace's eyes glinted with determination and humor? She had the same look Allie's mom always got before she declared checkmate in a chess game.
Allie was so screwed.
She did her best, but, of course, Grace struck her out. The other team practically roared out their cheers as they flooded the field.
Allie grimaced, but did give her sister a congratulatory smile. She'd have a worthy competitor to train with for softball season - if they could succeed in getting their parents together!