—
We arrive at Madison Square Garden and it’s everything I hoped it would be. As teams move between velvet ropes into the entrance of the huge arena, the place is so full of excitement that I can feel it on my face. And with all the cameras flashing from everywhere, I feel like a pop star! People hold up banners and wear T-shirts supporting teams. It looks like people brought everyone in their family, including Grandma and Grandpa. I look around for my family. I don’t see any of them, but I do see Ms. Jackson! I run and catch her off guard with a big hug.
“Well, well, well, look who made it to nationals,” Ms. Jackson says as we both smile. Seeing her after all this time makes me realize how much I look up to her. “How was your summer?”
“It was great.” I giggle. “I mean, I’m here, aren’t I?” It’s like I suddenly forgot about how much we got on each other’s nerves.
“That doesn’t surprise me.” Ms. Jackson stares a bit. “I knew you could.” I just smile and hug her again. I miss her being my coach. It’s really because of her keeping me in check that I’m here. Then I spot my New York friends right behind her, looking at me like I’m crazy. I let Ms. Jackson go and I’m over to them in a flash.
“Oh my gosh!” I yell as we all hug. “This is crazy! You made it!”
“Of course we did,” Mimi says. “You didn’t think we’d let you down, did you?”
“Not for one minute!” I’m so happy to see them.
“Look at your hair!” Nikki says. “It looks so pretty.” Before I can even thank her, Eva interrupts.
“But we had to replace you,” Eva says, pointing to a boy with big, curly hair. Hold up, needle scratch.
“What?” I ask. “Who’s that?”
“Jesse,” Nikki says with a glimmer in her eye. “And he’s really good.”
“Well, we’ll see about that,” I say.
“We also had to add two more turners,” Eva says with raised eyebrows. “I’m jumping this time.” I look over to see two other girls, who wave when they see me looking. I wonder a moment about Jesse and if he’s as good as me, good enough to beat my new team. Competitor mode sets in.
“Don’t worry,” Mimi says. “When you get back home we’ll start practicing for the Holiday Classic, since you’ll be back on our team.” I don’t have time to think about that. I’m still eyeing curly-top Jesse.
“Okay, sounds cool,” I respond quickly.
“So who’s your team?” says Eva as she sizes us up.
I snap back to reality. “Oh, uh, these are the Fire Jumpers.” There are confused expressions on my friends’ faces as they take a look at the mixed group of girls from North Carolina. Everyone waves politely. “And this is my cousin Sally. She is awesome in the ropes, you guys.”
“Awesome?” Eva squints. “Is that like your new word?” I roll my eyes.
“So this is the same cousin Sally you said you…,” starts Nikki.
“Nice to meet you, Sally.” Mimi waves and nudges Eva.
“Hi, nice to meet you,” says Sally.
“She’s the reason for the new hair, and we’re cool now,” I say to clear things up for them. “I’ll fill you in later.”
“Well, I hope you brought your A game, because we came up with a whole new routine,” Eva taunts. Is she really going there?
“Yeah, Jesse gave us some good ideas.” Nikki beams again, then beckons to Jesse. He trots over confidently. Okay, he’s cute, but not cuter than my Charlie. “Jesse, this is Kayla.”
“ ’Ey, what’s up?” Jesse says with a nice, firm handshake. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Welcome to the Jets,” I say, still checking him out carefully. “I mean, their team, for now at least.”
“Uh, yeah,” Eva says with a smirk. “About the name…we’re now the BK Crazy Legs.” They all jump and crisscross their legs and pump their arms and chant.
“Turn down for what?” they yell, and laugh. I smile but suddenly feel like I’ve missed something that happened with my friends this summer.
“That’s cool!” I say, trying to hide my feelings.
“Come on, ladies!” Coach Kirsten yells. “We’ve gotta get signed in.”
“Have you seen my parents?” I ask my homegirls before we’re shoved off. They just shake their heads and give me weird looks, since they probably can’t remember the last time my parents showed up to anything.
“Good luck!” Mimi yells.
“Yeah, good luck.” I wave back.
“I guess we’ll see you out on the floor,” Eva says with that beast-mode look in her eye. I get it, because I’m right there with her.
As if things couldn’t get crazier this summer, now I’m competing against my own friends. Well, no matter what happens, it’s game time. May the best team win!
As soon as I step into the arena, my stomach drops like I’m on a four-story roller coaster. Wow! Madison Square Garden. I’m really here! I’ve been here once before to see the circus, but today all eyes will be on us. I will definitely have to write this down in my diary because this is one day—well, one summer—I don’t ever want to forget.
“Close your mouth. You’re drawing flies,” Melissa jokes.
“You don’t understand,” I say, still amazed. “I’ve always dreamt of this moment and now I’m here. This is just crazy.”
“Okay, listen up, girls,” says Coach Kirsten. “You’re going to see a lot of great competition out there, but don’t let that shake your confidence or let anyone get in your head.” She looks to Gabriella as if Gabriella tried to intimidate her once. I don’t know how those two managed to become friends, but maybe it’s something that comes with getting older. Or maybe they both understand that we’ve all become
