Capped By You

Part Twelve

LOLA

Today is the day. State Gymnastics Championships. I have been working for this since I was five. Dad is unable to attend because of work, but Mum and Isla said they are planning to make it halfway through. I slept at the gym as a pre-competition ritual and have been stretching for the past hour. I sent Cohen some photos, and he replies with either love hearts or smiley faces.

'This competition is mine' I tell myself as I take deep breaths to control my heart rate. I know these routines like the back of my hand, I just need to execute them. The beam is first, one of my favourites. I seem to be naturally gifted at it, my feet always manage to find the skinny wood beneath me, my arms able to stabilise my movements.

My first apparatus was good. Really good. The judges seemed to like me, which is beneficial because they can make or break your competition. Next was the bar and floor, which were also perfect performances, and I could not help but feel excited. I quickly called Cohen in the break, who was also about to start his Football game, and I spoke to him about the intricacies of my movements, and how the silence of the stadium pounded in my head as I landed my jumps.

I scanned the stadium for Mum, but I could not see her. I assume she's amongst the crowd somewhere, but I don't have enough time to explore. The awards ceremony is next. I'm hoping to be on the podium somewhere, and my team as well. Bronze is awarded to a girl from the Perth team, in which I remember watching her routines in anticipation as she was faultless. Silver is next to be called, and my heart is beating out of my chest. I feel beads of sweat forming along with my slicked bun and shake my limbs to control my nerves.

"And Silver is awarded to, Lola Bates." The MC announces. The crowd goes wild. I hug my teammates and collect the award. I cannot believe it. I got second place?! Adrenaline rushes through me as I investigate the crowd, blinded by the lights ahead of me. I scan again to try and spot Mum, but I still can't see her. I hope she's taken some videos for Cohen; I wish he was in this moment with me.

My team ended up placing Bronze out of all the states, which is amazing, given the sheer volume of the competition and its competitors. I go to the training rooms and collect my competition bag, which is full to the brim of lollies, hairspray, chalk for bars and spare scrunchies. I reach for my phone and see 11 missed calls from Mum and two from Cohen. I call Cohen back and tell him about my news, his excitement across the phone is unmatched. I speak with him for a little bit while I wait for the stadium to clear out, hoping to have a better chance of finding Mum that way.

I put my bag into the car and say a few congratulations to some of the other girls. It's getting later and I haven't been able to spot her. I ring her phone four times, but each time no answer. I decide to drive home; the stadium is not too far from our house, to see if she beat me to it. But, when I get home I spot flashing lights and people in protective suits guiding someone out of my house. Someone I know only to be my Mum.

COHEN

"Second! No way! Damn, I need that sexy ass in bed with me." I say as I learn of the results from Lola's competition. It makes me so turned on to have such a successful, hot, dedicated girlfriend.

Fuck. I love her so much. Why did I ever think I did not need a girlfriend? Having one is so much better because I have her all to myself. It's hard being away from Lola too, but I am leaving tomorrow and plan on seeing her first thing when I get home.

We begin to leave for the airport as our team does one last cheer at the stadium. It was a successful trip. We board the plane, and it begins to levitate from the ground, beginning its course of action home. I hate aeroplanes. It is the whole, 'not having control of a vehicle with an engine' part that causes it. I used to love planes, the food, and peering at the clouds beyond the window. But with every ounce of turbulence, my heart rate increases simultaneously, and my knees bounce up and down in anticipation. Just think about seeing Lola, I tell myself.