Just Friends, Right? — Caleb's Video Call

Selling the worst day of my life. My parents would tell me to sign before reading page two. She was smiling, but her fingers shook. The next morning, we trained release stunts.

Zoe climbed into position above three bases. I'll turn on eight. Zoe froze. Her breathing turned sharp.

Throw her! No. I stepped beneath the stunt. Bring her down.

Zoe hit the mat and stumbled into my arms. Avery rolled her eyes. We do not stop at Worlds because someone gets nervous. I am sorry.

I faced the bases. Reset. Then I looked at Zoe. Tell me five things you can see.

What? Trust me. The flags. The clock.

Your shoes. The blue mat. Coach Brooks. Her breathing slowed.

We rebuilt the stunt. This time Zoe turned perfectly. Coach Brooks marked her clipboard. After practice, the new rankings appeared.

Zoe moved to ninth. I dropped to thirteenth. You lost evaluation points for stopping my stunt. You could have been hurt.

Coach Brooks approached. Mia, talent got you invited. She tapped my ranking. But saving everyone else may send you home.

That night Caleb called from physical therapy. Show me the room. I turned my phone toward the tiny bed. Very glamorous. Where is the national uniform?

Still ten places above me. His smile faded. What happened? I told him about Zoe. I did not tell him about the contract.

You did the right thing. The rankings disagree. Rankings change. He shifted his injured shoulder and winced.

Are you okay? Perfect. You are still a terrible liar.