Kijani came to the gym after Connor, as she'd stopped in the bathroom to try and adjust her clothing once again. She looked over the gym as she set her things down. A gymnastics course. No problem. She could do that in her sleep.
Kijani kicked off her shoes and headed toward the balance beam. She went over that easy, taking it at a run. The vault was simple, and she soared into a spinning leap. Then she hit the uneven bars, gaining momentum as she went from one to another.
Useless.
Her grandmother's voice whispered in her head, as she was leaping for the low bar. Her fingertips grazed it but never got to grip, and the miss sent her hurtling toward the ground. Landing hard on her side, she let out a whoosh of air, and then couldn't even inhale enough to scream. She lay there, writhing in pain.
Kijani kicked off her shoes and headed toward the balance beam. She went over that easy, taking it at a run. The vault was simple, and she soared into a spinning leap. Then she hit the uneven bars, gaining momentum as she went from one to another.
Useless.
Her grandmother's voice whispered in her head, as she was leaping for the low bar. Her fingertips grazed it but never got to grip, and the miss sent her hurtling toward the ground. Landing hard on her side, she let out a whoosh of air, and then couldn't even inhale enough to scream. She lay there, writhing in pain.