Read Online Balance (Off Balance Book 1) by Lucia Franco - Free Book Online Page B

hardest vaults in the world for women to get right. It required blocking really hard by pushing off the vault table with your shoulders and keeping your arms straight.
    “I know.”
    My mom would’ve slapped my face if that had been my response.
    “How long have you been practicing it?” Even with her nasty attitude, I was genuinely curious.
    She shrugged, not making eye contact. “Not very long. It was easy for me, actually. None of the other girls can stick it like I can,” she said smugly. “Kova said my vault will help my all-around and boost my score.”
    Wow. I didn’t want to know if she was capable of becoming any more pretentious.
    “Well, that’s fabulous for the team. I’m sure the girls are grateful for your capability, seeing as you think they’re lacking.” I couldn’t help it, I had to get in a little jab. Growing up in Palm Beach, I really disliked snotty girls, and I could tell Reagan was just that. So I knew how to get in and get out with a plastic smile.
    I made my way to the runway and performed a one and a half Yurchenko, instead of a double. I wanted to impress and went with a clean landing, so I played it safe. The key was to start with a high-tall hurdle with my chest up, then round-off, and drive my arms back into the vault to execute a big, powerful block. Then kick my legs together and scoop my toes, squeezing my butt and using my abs to drive momentum to follow with a tight twist. Spotting my landing, I drove my heels into the ground.
    Once I landed with a hop, Kova swirled his finger around for me to do it again. This time, I landed with a huge hop from too much power and I grimaced, squeezing my eyes shut. I knew I screwed up and he caught it.
    Opening my eyes, I looked at Kova who stared me down without any emotion on his face. He said nothing, so I opted to speak.
    “Shall I do it again?”
    “Can you do any other vault?”
    I bit the inside of my lip. “I can do a double Yurchenko. It needs a little work, but I can try it.”
    “Are you going to injure yourself trying it?”
    “No.” I could do a double, but I was too nervous to so I did the one and a half.
    “It is something you have done before?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then do it. Reagan!” he yelled. “Let Adrianna go again real quick.”
    Reagan made an audible grunting sound, so I apologized to her. The quickest way to make friends was not having the coach ordering me to cut in rotation.
    I chalked up my feet and then took a deep breath, shaking out my hands.
    I could do this...I could do this...
    I snuck a quick glance at Kova, who stood with his arms crossed in front of his wide chest across from the vault. Rising up on my tiptoes, I leaned in and took off running, pumping my legs as fast and as hard as I could to gain speed.
    Just before I reached the vault, I did a round off onto the springboard, flipping backward so my hands would land on the leather vault to complete my Yurchenko. Blocking as hard as I could by pushing off with my shoulders, I pulled my twist around and spotted the ground. I landed it perfectly—with a smile—and no hop. Not too much power or rotation.
    Finishing, I looked for the same smile Kova gave Reagan. My stomach dropped when I saw the disdain in his eyes.
    He cocked his head to the side and said more than asked, “You can do a double? Yes?”
    I swallowed hard. “Yes.”
    “What about a two and a half?”
    “Yes, well, not really. I’m working on it.”
    “So, why didn’t you do it?”
    “Do what? The two and a half? It’s not great.” I shrugged helplessly. It wasn’t the best way to start off, but I was nervous.
    I could feel another set of eyes glued to me, but I couldn’t break his gaze to see who they belonged to. And truthfully, I was embarrassed and didn’t want to see the stares. Luckily, I was slightly hot so the flush on my cheeks would be brushed off as nothing more than exertion.
    One brow arched to a point. Fury radiated off him. “Did you really think I would