Psst! Check out parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 if you haven’t already. :)

IMG_0095Molly McIntire slid into her starting position, knowing that this event would be the tiebreaker, the deal-killer, and the game decider. If she didn’t ace this event, she could kiss her Olympic dreams goodbye.

“Help me, Lord,” She mouthed one final time before the first notes of the music floated to her ears.

IMG_0096As the song began, the audience in the background faded away. All she heard was the music. All she saw was the floor.

And all she did was her best.

IMG_0098IMG_0099Roundoff.

IMG_0100IMG_0101Back handspring.

IMG_0105IMG_0106Backflip.

IMG_0107Molly stuck the landing right on time with the music.

IMG_0109She began to lift one leg up, starting to twirl with perfect arms in rhythmic motion to the beat of the song. Then she immediately moved into her next skill.

IMG_0112She used to have trouble with her side split jump in the past, and happy fireworks bursted inside of her as she performed it perfectly.

IMG_0115Further along in her routine she bent behind into a back walkover.

IMG_0116IMG_0114She kicked over and immediately dropped to one knee and did a dance-y fan circle with her legs. In time to the music she twirled again and right away dove into a cartwheel, one-handed cartwheel, and then aerial cartwheel combo.

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IMG_0120Dancing and flipping in one beautiful floor routine brought her to the other side of the floor. She ran, did a roundoff and back handspring combo, and then without a moment’s hesitation threw herself into a beautiful backflip one leg at a time.

IMG_0131She landed pretty well, only a little off balance. As the music neared its end, she took a deep breath and began running towards the other corner of the floor.

She began to perform her biggest flip of the entire routine.

IMG_0126IMG_0127IMG_0128IMG_0130IMG_0133She couldn’t believe she had actually landed it. It was the hardest flip of the entire routine, and she had only gotten it down perfectly a few times. And that fateful day, it looked pretty good.

After another fan circle with her legs and an arm circle, she slid into her splits, brought her legs together, and spun around again, opening up into her ending position right as the music ended with its grand finish.

IMG_0135She breathed hard, staying in that position as she heard the audience cheer.

IMG_0136She did her very best, but would that be enough to beat Demetria Dare?

IMG_0137She was about to find out. She watched as Demetria posed in her starting position, waiting for her music cue.

IMG_0139Molly gawked as she watched Demetria’s routine in utter fascination and awe.

IMG_0140Whoever had choreographed that had done an incredible job, and the gymnast that performed the routine totally rocked it.

IMG_0142Demetria didn’t just perform one skill after another. She blended them seamlessly together into not only a great floor routine, but a beautiful dance as well.

IMG_0144Her skills were flawless.

IMG_0147 IMG_0148 IMG_0149 IMG_0150She flipped, landed, and crossed her legs fancily as she began a unique twirl. Then she threw her arms behind her for a back-walkover-to-backflip combo.

IMG_0151When the entire, incredible routine was over, she landed beautifully into her ending position. The crowed erupted with a roar of applause.

IMG_0094“Alright, Molly. They haven’t announced the scores yet. We’ll find out if you made it when they announce the winners.” Coach Josie told Molly as the next gymnast began to perform. “And whatever happens, I want you to know I’m really, really proud of you. Even if you don’t win, you did your best. You worked very hard, and just being here is a huge accomplishment. Good job, Molly.”

Molly smiled. “Thanks, Coach Josie.”

Still, everything in Molly wanted her to win. If she didn’t land just one of the three spots, her dreams would be completely destroyed. As the last gymnast performed, Molly desperately hoped that her great job on the beam would cover her mistake on the bars.

IMG_0096Finally, they both turned to the speaker as the winners began to be announced.

“The first place winner is…” the announcer was speaking.

Molly held her breath.

“…Roxanne Moore!” Boomed the loudspeaker. Molly clapped her hands with the rest of the arena as Roxanne Moore strutted towards the podium unsurprised.

“The second place winner is… Mae Parker!” Mae let out an excited squeal as she sped up to her second place spot. She waved frantically and blew kisses to her family.

IMG_0098“It’s between you and Demetria now.” Coach Josie whispered. Molly nodded as her stomach clenched into a tight knot. She felt more nervous than ever. Both anticipation and dread drove her to wring her hands in tension as the announcer spoke, “The third place winner is…”

IMG_0099Without even thinking Molly grabbed her coach’s hand and squeezed it tightly, holding her breath.

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“…Demetria Dare!”

IMG_0102Molly felt all the air being sucked out of her at once. Her heart dropped to her stomach in shock with the most terrible, disappointing feeling.

She could barely whisper the word:

“What?”


My brother finally had enough of helping me and quit halfway through the photo story, so some of the photos don’t look as neat. :P Thanks to him for all the other help, though.

It’s not over yet. There’s still the next part to look forward to! Does the cheater get avenged? Disqualified? Will Molly win?! Dun, dun, dun… LOL, I’m so silly. :P Stay tuned for the next part which will be posted on Friday! :)