Dreams Do Come True

Chapter 1

As I took my first step onto the ice, I felt at home. Taking baby steps, I made my way towards my Learn-To-Skate coach. I was only three. One step away...and I tripped over my blade and face-planted into the ice.
8 years later...
"Please welcome, Monica Airias, " echoed the announcer.
Always getting my name wrong. It's not that hard to say, I thought, making my way to the center of the rink.
Getting into my beginning pose I glanced over to my coach, Jessie Hoelzhammer. She gave me a reassuring smile, and I relaxed more.
As my music began I started skating and thinking about all the advice Jessie gave me: "Don't think about what's next. Think about right now" or "Stand up straight! Suck it in!" or "Try getting even lower." Guess what? That's not even half.

My purple dress flowing beautifully. My dark black hair in a neat bun. I did a backwards spiral into a flip jump. Then to my sit-spin back tuck. Luckily I landed my hardest jump, a lutz-loop. I successfully did my step sequence, salchow, spiral, flip-loop, lutz, and scratch-backspin. I ended right on time, smiling widely. The applauds ringing out threw the rink.
"Thank you, skater."
I skated to the exit. I was welcomed by a high-five from Jessie.
"You did great, Monique!" exclaimed Jessie.
Being the shy girl that I am, I just nodded.
I was staying there till my friend, Meghan, was done skating. She's competing against me. I watched her skate. I notice how she's always nervous and she stiffens up. That's not a problem for me. I'm never nervous.
Meghan finished and skated towards the exit.
"Nice job!" praised Jessie.
"Thanks."
"Let's head back."
We walked back to our families and waited for the sheet with our results. Then came Jessica. One of my other coaches.
"Best friend!" she exclaimed, hugging me.
I felt both uncomfortable and awkward.
"Jessica. Stop being creepy," joked Jessie.
Jessica ignored her.
"You did awesome. You too, Meghan," said Jessica.
We waited a few minutes until our results came in. I got first, Meghan got second, and some girl named Isla got third.
"Nice job, girls!" exclaimed Meghan's mom.
We were both happy with our placements and went to retrieve our trophies.
"Another competition done!" sighed my mom.
"Only one more," I reminded her.
We went back to our hotel.