Just Friends, Right? — Serena Voss's Contract

was first I was 12 only 10 athletes would make the final roster Grant stopped stopped beside me. Your stun score was highest. My endurance score was not. Avery walked past us. One good lift does not make a world champion. Neither does a jacket. Her eyes hardened. she could answer, a woman with a camera crew entered the hall. Serena Voss, Victory

Every athlete straightened. Victory funded the national program. Serena stopped in front of me. Mia Bennett, the transformation girl. National champion works too. She smiled like I had made a joke. We want to film your journey. An assistant held up my old photo from the My tight sweatshirt. My frightened face. Where did you get that? The internet owns everything. Serena

placed the photo beside my face. Before and after pain and victory. Audiences love contrast. I her hand. That girl was not a before. Serena's smile thinned. Coach Brooks stepped between us. Media time is over. The first four eliminated athletes packed their bags. I survived, barely. As I entered my room, an envelope waited on my pillow. Inside was a contract for

Across the first page, Serena had written, My roommate, Zoe Chen, stared at the contract. $250,000.