If You Only Knew

meets and let downs - chapter 3

Gabriela's POV

Todays the big day! I'm competiting in my first elite competition ever and to say im nervous is an understatement. My hands are shaking like crazy and i think if my heart beats any faster i will go into cardiac arrest.

i just finished packing my meet bag and i look at myself in the mirror. i'm wearing my navy blue and white long sleave leotard and my hair is pulled back into two french braids.. yes i know what your thinking " what is an eighteen year old girl doing wearing two french braids only little kids wear that' well wearing two french braids is the only way my hair will stay out of my face while im competting so dont judge okay? okay.

"Ella are you ready yet?" i heard my mom yell from downstairs. i sent a quick text to justin asking if he was comming to my compettion like he promised.

"Comming" i yelled back and grabbed bag and ran down the stairs skipping the last step and running straight into my dad.

" honey whats the rush you look like your running from a mob" i laughed and said

" if i dont rush i will be late to my first elite compettion today, your comming right?" i smiled

" thats today? im so sorry honey i have to work i wont be able to go" i tried to hide my hurt as much as i could. You see my dad hasnt been to one of my meets since i was five and in level five. i understand why he dosent go anymore because he has work or hes just too tired from work to go. i just wish that he would go to one just once so he could see how much i have improved or so that when i look up into the stands i wont have to see my mom surrounded by a bunch of dads cheering on their daughters and wish my dad was their too. i love my mom and im extremely greatful that she hasnt missed one of my meets but theirs just something about your dad being their that makes it so much better.

i forced a smile " thats okay dad maybe next time" he gave me a hug and kissed my head and mummbled "i love you and do great"

i pulled away and said " thanks dad have fun at work" i walked towards my mom and she unlocked the car and we were off. i leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes

" ella i know how bad you wanted your dad to come today and im sorry he couldnt go" my mom said with so much sadness in her voice i thought she was goning to cry.

" its okay mom im used to it. at least justins going so that makes me feel a lot better!" i smiled just thinking about justin.

* arrived at the arena and begins to compete*

i have already competed beam and bars. i got the second highest score on beam and the first highest on bars. my next event is vault and as i look up in the stands to see if justins arrived yet and my heart drops into my chest, he hasnt.

" Gabriella Summers compeiting vault" i hear my name being called i step up and salut the judges. i start to sprint down to the runway i do a round off and my feet hit the board perfectly as i quickly push off the vault table and fly into the air flippling and twisting. i landed with a slight stumble.

Justins POV

* Justin's house*

I woke up late so now I'm rushing to get ready to go to Ella's competition. I heard a knock at the door right as I was pulling on a tee shirt

I run down the stairs and swing the door open to reveal za

" hey Justin how's it going" za smiled while bringing me in for a bro hug

" I was getting ready to leave for Gabriella's competition and I'm already late so yeah" I said trying to cut this conversation short so I wouldn't be later than I already was.

" bro you need to stop trying so hard, Gabriella's never going to see you as anything more than just a Friend and  The sooner you realize that the less it's going Hurt when she turns you down. Za said while patting my back , i shrugged him off.

He's supposed to be my friend, he's supposed to support me not tell me that who I'm loving is stupid. I was mad.

" look man I love Gabriella and I have faith that one day she'll love me too. So don't tell me who i can and who I can't love. GOT IT? I spoke angrily

Za put his arms up in defense " all I'm saying is don't come crying to me when she breaks your heart"

" you won't  have to worry about that , and is this all you came here for? Because I have to go" I said while grabbing my car keys and wallet

" i actually came here to hang out but since your leaving there's no need to stay" za said walking out In front of me.

" okay well bye then" I said will locking the house and getting in my car.

" bye dude" za said while getting in his car

I turned on my car and drove away praying that Gabi won't be mad that I missed her competition.

* ten minutes later*

" shot I wisper to myself" I got to the arena right when the competition ended. I spot Gabriella leaving the arena with her mom and a couple of friends

" HEY GABI!" I yell and she looks over and her face turns into disappointment. She shook her head and turned back to her other friends. I sighed, I really messed up, I broke my promise to her and we never break each other's promises.

I walk over to Gabi and  lightly tap her shoulder, she turns around and says

" what is it Justin? She asks annoyed. Her friends tell her they have to go, and that leaves me and her.

" I'll go get the car" her mom said, gabi nodded and looked at me

" I'm really sorry I woke up late and then Za showed up and I got held up, I'm really sorry. I began to ramble about how I could make things up to her and how sorry I was , when she hugged me. I was shocked but hugged back.

"It's okay, just don't let it happen again ,I wish you could have seen me today I killed it!" She said while smiling I smiled back

"what did you place?" I said

" I placed first in floor and bars , second on beam , and fourth on vault , I also got second all around!" She said proudly while showing me her medals.

" I'm so proud of you! I won't miss the next one I promise!" I said and put my arm around her shoulder, and she snuggled into it.

" where's your dad? Wasn't he coming today? I Asked curiously

" he forgot that It was today and he had already told his boss that he would work, I should have known he wouldn't come though"  she said with sadness in her voice. I squeezed her shoulder and kissed her forehead

" I'm sorry about that, I'm sure he wanted to come though!" I said wanting to cheer her up. She looked up and smilied

" I'm sorry too, I just want him to come just once to see how good I've gotten." She sighs

" hey you know there's going to be a bonfire at the beach today! We should go!" I said trying to brighten her mood

"Yeah sure that would be fun! She said

I got in the car with Gabi and her mom , I'll just pick my car up later. Gabi feel asleep on me during the car ride home. I was admiring her and playing with the ends of her French braids.

" she's had a long day" her mom said looking at us through the review mirror

I just smilied and looked down at Gabi wondering how she can be so beautiful when she's not even trying.