Strive for Excellence: Perfect Balance Gymnastics Optionals, #2

By Melisa Torres

The start of sixth grade is a big deal. Marissa's first day of middle school is also her first day training with the Level 6 optionals team at Perfect Balance Gymnastics Academy. Marissa knows she is smart and a hard worker; she expects to get straight A's in school and have a successful competition season this winter.

 

However, middle school is proving to be difficult. Marissa is having a hard time keeping track of six classes and staying organized. It seems like she is the only one who can't manage her schoolwork. Thankfully, she has gymnastics, her happy place where she is feeling successful. But her coaches are leaving some big decisions about her routines up to her and she's not sure what to do.

 

Marissa's entire identity is that she is smart and consistent in meets. What happens if she is neither this year?

 

Strive for Excellence is the second book in the new series, Perfect Balance Gymnastics Optionals. This series is a spin-off to the original Perfect Balance Gymnastics Series. Both series depict strong diverse girls reaching their goals and promote grace and confidence for life.

This book is written at a 7th grade reading level and appeals to ages 11-14.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dancing Water
• Release date: Oct 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958613092

Book preview

Chapter 1

I float around in the pool on my favorite raft while I watch my friends jump off the diving board. Of course, they don’t just jump off the way regular kids would. They are flipping or twisting or both because they can. I turn my face up to the sun and let it warm my cheeks.

I’m sad summer is ending, I admit to Savannah, who is laying stomach down on a towel at the edge of the pool.

Me too, she says, sitting up onto her forearms. But with school starting we begin our new fall training schedule at the gym. It seems weird to be calling it fall when this is only the second week of August and it’s 95 degrees out. You’ll finally get to be with us, she adds. My stomach sinks with excitement and fear at the reminder.

Last fall I scored out of Level 5, but rather than choosing to move up with my teammates, Savannah, Alexis, Lucy, and Paige, I decided to stay back in Level 5. The Level 6 season began a few weeks after the Level 5 season ended and I just didn’t feel ready. I had fun training in the off season all winter and spring. I got so many of my new Level 6 skills, like my layout on floor and bars and my back handspring on beam. My coaches, James and Melony, told me I could train Level 6 over the summer since I was finally ready.

I chose to stay Level 5 just a little bit longer so I could finish out a chess season. To be honest, I love training with Trista and Carmen. I’m not excited to leave them behind in Level 5. They still need to compete this fall and score out before they can move to Level 6.

Marissa! Judge this one! Trista yells right before she does a back layout off the diving board. She over-rotates causing a huge splash. I wait for her to come up before I give her my score.

8.5! Your form was good in the air, but your entry was terrible, I tell her.

I know. I have trouble with that, she agrees swimming over to Savannah and me. She gets to the edge and holds on to the rim of the pool with one hand so she doesn’t have to tread water.

Are you ready for tomorrow? she asks me.

Which part?

Which part are you nervous for?

School probably more than gym. We’ve worked out with the 6s and 7s before, I remind her. Katie’s not too bad.

Of course she’s not bad, Savannah pipes up. Our workouts are the same, just a little longer. We even get a snack break.

School then, Trista confirms.

Yeah, I’m nervous I won’t find my classes or be able to open my locker.

Didn’t you guys do all that on Friday? Savannah questions, referring to an orientation we attended.

Yes, they talked to us a lot about school rules and then we walked to our classes. We get our lockers tomorrow. I guess we figure it out then, Trista surmises.

Do you have a lock you can practice with? I ask her.

No, do you?

Yeah, my mom got me one.

Can I try it?

I’m jealous you guys are going to be at the same school, Savannah sighs. No gym together; no school together.

We still live next door, Savannah, Trista says, pulling herself out of the pool. Then she leans over and grabs my innertube and pulls me to the edge.

What are you doing? I laugh.

You need to get out and get me that lock so I can learn how to open one.

You’re more nervous than I am, I observe. She looks at me and I can tell she is thinking of flipping my tube and dumping me out. Don’t do it.

Do what? she smiles.

I can read your mind. You were thinking of dumping me, I remark, climbing out.

I only thought it, she grumbles, making Savannah and me laugh.

I grab a towel next to Savannah and wrap it around me. I smile at Trista; it will be fun to go to the same middle school as her. I went to Aspen Elementary while she and Savannah were at Hilltop. Both schools feed into Snowcap Canyon Middle School. Savannah is starting fifth grade tomorrow at Hilltop. She won’t be at school with either of us this year.

I squeeze the water out of my long black hair because dripping hair makes the biggest mess when I go inside. Then I quickly dry my legs enough to keep from slipping on the tile. I rewrap the towel around my waist and head inside. I run upstairs to my room and grab the lock off my nightstand and run back down.

When I step outside, I see most of my team is done swimming and are laying in the sun. I sit next to Trista and teach her how to use the combination lock.

And you are sure this is how our locks will be? she checks.

Yes, all of them go right, left, right, I confirm. She frowns and takes the lock from me and tries again.

As I watch her try again and again, I get more nervous thinking about tomorrow. In fact, I am nervous about the entire school year. I want to get straight As and have a successful Level 6 season. I think I can do it. I have all my required Level 6 skills and I usually do well in school. I know I can do it; it’s just that the unknown of both middle school and the optionals team is making me nervous.

I did it! Trista squeals excitedly holding up the open combination lock.

I smile at her, Then you’re ready.

Yeah, right, she says, clicking the lock shut and trying again.

What are you wearing tomorrow? she asks, surprising me because Trista is not one to care much about clothes.

Probably my pleated skirt, I answer.

My sister says I need to step it up, but I’m not sure what that means. Maybe it means a skirt, she pauses and looks up. I don’t even know if I have a skirt.

Just wear what you feel good in, I advise, repeating what my mom told me and hoping it works for Trista too.

You sound like my mom, she comments, popping the lock again. I think I’ve got it, she remarks, setting the lock on the towel next to her. We’ll miss you at practice on Tuesday, she adds quietly.

You’ll be with us in November as soon as your season is over, I say.

She looks at me with a very serious face, I hope so. I don’t know which I’m more nervous for, middle school or the new season, she finally admits.

Me either.

Chapter 2

Do we have to hold the signs? my sister, Vanessa, protests.

We always do the first day of school signs, my mom replies, handing us both a sign to hold in front of us for our annual picture.

Now that we’re both in middle school, I think we’re too old, Vanessa pleads.

My mom makes a sad face. I need to remember what grade you’re starting, she says a little sadly.

Fine, my sister gives in, adjusting the sign that says ‘8th grade’ in front of her.

I look down at mine and realize ‘6th grade’ is upside down. I turn it around and smile for the picture.

You guys are going to have so much fun! my mom exclaims and snaps the picture.

We hand her back the signs and head into the garage to get into the car. My mom pulls out and heads to Logan’s house. He is a friend of mine from chess. His mom and my mom got to be friends over the summer attending our chess tournaments. They arranged a carpool for school. My mom will be driving us to school and Logan’s mom will drive us home.

As we pull up, we see Logan out front enduring first day of school pictures too. When he sees us arrive, he grabs his backpack and runs over to us with a quick wave to his mom.

He gets in back next to me and says, Thanks for getting me out of any more pictures.

Oh Logan, your mom just wants to document this day, my mom defends.

At least you didn’t have a sign, my sister points out.

What classes do you have? I ask him. He pulls out a printout with room numbers written on it. I should have thought of that. Instead, I have a map with my classes and the period number next to it indicating where I am supposed to go. Vanessa helped me with it so I think I’ll be okay. I really hope I don’t get lost.

We compare schedules and learn that we have English and math together. At least I’ll know someone.

Can I see your map? Logan asks. I hand it to him. He studies it for a moment and hands it back to me. I can tell he’s as nervous as I am.

We ride the rest of the way in silence. Then my mom tells us where to walk across the street to wait for Logan’s mom after school. She pulls into the long line of cars waiting to drive up to the side of the school. I get increasingly nervous. I hope I can open my locker. She slows to a stop and Vanessa gets out and starts walking without a word. I wait for Logan to get out and I slide across the seat. He at least gets out and waits for me.

Bye, Mom! I exclaim as I climb out of the car.

English is first, Logan says as I slam the door behind me. We can find it together.

I nod, grateful to have a friend. As we start walking, my mom rolls down the window and yells, Have a great day! I smile; she can’t help it. At the entrance I see Vanessa is, in fact, waiting for us.

I knew she would do that, she laughs, falling in step with us. I just wanted to get a little bit away from the car, she explains.

Logan and I follow her into the school. We enter the busy main hallway and I notice that the kids are big here. Logan and I end up having to walk single file to squeeze through the crowd. At a smaller hallway entrance, my sister turns to me and says, Most of the 6th grade classes are down this one. I probably won’t see you all day because my classes are upstairs and our lunches are at different times.

Okay, I say.

Have a good day and I’ll see you after school. Then she turns and heads down the main hallway to the stairway. Logan and I turn down the hall, and sure enough, the kids in this hallway are much smaller. They are busy looking at maps and schedules too. I feel much more at ease with all the other 6th graders.

Logan and I find our English class and head in. Our desks don’t have names on them like in elementary school. Our teacher tells us to sit anywhere and that we will get seat assignments when the bell rings. We find seats in the back next to each other, but we don’t bother talking.

I wonder where Trista is and how riding the bus was for her. I know I have science with her, which means I will get to see her this morning.

The bell rings and our teacher walks to the front of the room. She welcomes us, takes roll, and tells us briefly about English and Language Arts class (ELA). Then she tells us that we are lucky we have ELA first because it is the class where we get our computers and lockers. She passes out a paper to each of us with a locker number, combination, and computer number. Then she walks us all out into the main hall to find our lockers and practice opening them several times. I look at the combination on my sheet of paper. 22-7-12. I can do this: right, left, right. To my relief, I get it open on the second try. I look around and Logan’s locker is down the hall pretty far from mine, which is a bummer. I wonder where Trista’s is going to be.

When everyone has had a chance to open their locker, our teacher marches us all back to the classroom. Then she passes out our laptops and tells us they are going to be ours for the year. She tells us how to care for them and how to get onto the school website.

It's a little overwhelming to learn all our assignments are going to be turned in online. To my shock, she tells us we have run out of time and we will learn how to use the website more tomorrow. Then the bell rings and everyone goes every which way. Do we take our computers with us? I ask my teacher.

Yes. They go to every class and home with you.

I shove it into my backpack and pull out my map and schedule. I pick up my backpack and it is incredibly heavy now with the computer in it. I look at my schedule; history is next.

Out in the hall and there are kids everywhere.  I know my class is in this hall, but where? I look at the number on my schedule and the numbers by the door. Are they going up or down? As I tentatively walk down the hall, I hear the bell ring again. What? How am I possibly late for the next class?

I panic a little and I walk as fast as I can down the hall. The numbers are going down, it must be the next one. I find my room, slip into class, and take a seat. Several kids are sitting and several are still coming in. I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t fast enough. I sigh as I set my backpack down next to me. This is going to be a long day.

Chapter 3

History was uneventful; the teacher seemed nice, but I don’t know anyone in that class. Science is next and I’m so happy to see Trista. We immediately find seats next to each other. Did you get your locker open? I ask her.

I haven’t gotten mine yet. When do I get it?

In English class, I tell her. She glances at her schedule in her hand.

At the end of the day, she states and stuffs her schedule back in her backpack just as the teacher starts talking. Unfortunately, our teacher immediately starts with a seating chart and moves us. At least science sounds like it is going to be interesting. We are going to get to work with mini robots on Fridays. When the bell rings, we find each other and walk out of the classroom together. I’m grateful Trista is in a class with me right before lunch because we can walk to the cafeteria together.

We walk in silence down the sixth-grade hall, which is rare for Trista. She must be feeling as overwhelmed as I am. When we get to the end of the hall and turn down the main hall, it is a crowded smorgasbord of what feels like the entire school. I know it’s only sixth graders because each grade has a separate lunch. There are a lot of kids at this school.

Did you bring your lunch? Trista asks me, leaning close and raising her voice to be heard over all the kids. I nod that I did. Good, then we don’t have to stand in that line. We can just find a table.

My backpack is so heavy with the laptop in it. I wonder if I should put it in my locker. I look to where my locker is located and there are so many kids swarming around there that I don’t know how I would even get to it. I give up on that idea and follow Trista into the cafeteria.

Should we find Vanessa? she remarks.

Eighth graders have a different lunch time.

Oh, bummer. She picks a table and sits down. I take off my backpack and sit across from her.

What classes did you already have? I inquire.

I start in history, Spanish, and then science with you, she answers pulling out her lunch bag. Are you excited for practice?

I haven’t had time to really think about it. Yes, I guess so. I’m also a little sad I won’t be working out with you and Carmen anymore.

We’ll join you after the Level 5 season, she declares with confidence.

I’m nervous to be coached by Katie, I admit.

She’s subbed for James before, Trista points out.

Yeah, a day here and there is fine. But I’ve noticed she doesn’t spot very often. If she does, she won’t allow spots for very long like James does.

Trista thinks about this for a moment, That’s true, I never noticed though.

Can I eat with you guys? I look up and Logan is standing awkwardly by our table holding a tray in his hands.

Sure, I scoot over to make room.

I can’t find my friends anywhere, he frowns, looking around the room. I follow his gaze and see the massive number of kids. I can understand how he couldn’t find his friends. How did you guys find each other?

We had the class before this together, Trista explains, as he sets his tray down and sits next to me.

That was lucky, he observes as he picks up a mini corndog and dips it in ketchup.

I’m Trista, she introduces herself, looking at him curiously.

Logan, he says and pops the corndog bite in his mouth.

We play chess together and we’re in carpool together, I explain to Trista.

Oh yeah, I’ve seen you at the pool, Trista realizes, placing him.

If it was Aspen Acres pool, then probably. What class do you have together before this?

Science, we both say at the same time.

Do you like science?

I don’t, Marissa does, Trista answers for me.

He laughs, So you guys know each other pretty well, then, he guesses.

Trista tells him how we know each other from gymnastics. As I listen to her, I realize I am relieved to have friends with me on this overwhelming first day of school.

Vanessa finds me after school walking out of the sixth-grade hall. We leave the building together and head to where we’re supposed to meet Logan’s mom. Logan finds us outside and falls in step next to us. We are silent for a few paces before Logan asks me, Did you know there’s a Chess Club?

I stop. There is?

Yeah, after school on Tuesdays, he tells me.

I have practice Tuesday, I say automatically. Then I remember that was my Level 5 schedule. We trained on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Now my new Level 6 days are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Wait, I don’t have practice on Tuesday.

So, you could come?

I don’t know, I hesitate. I have learned that when I take on too much, I end up not good at anything. Well, I don’t end up bad, just not as good as I want to be. But really, what harm could one day a week of chess really be? I stayed in Level 5 over the summer to play chess. I assumed I would have to give it up this fall as a Level 6. Maybe I don’t need to if chess is at my school. I need to think about it.

Well, don’t think to long because they start next week.

I nod that I heard him as we walk up to his mom’s car. Vanessa hops in the front seat as we climb in the back. I let Logan and Vanessa talk to Mrs. Watson all the way home. I am too busy thinking about if I can do chess, Level 6, and still get straight As.

When we get dropped off at home, Vanessa and I let ourselves in. We make a snack of milk and graham crackers. Vanessa asks me about my classes and we learn that I don’t have any of the teachers she had in 6th grade. Then she walks over to the family room, flops on the couch, and opens her laptop.

You have homework already? I don’t have any homework yet. I just have some papers Mom or Dad need to sign.

Yep, honors classes don’t waste any time, she affirms, logging in.

I’m going to change, I say. My mom will drive up