Read Online Dive Right In by Matt Christopher - Free Book Online

double somersaults with twists. At Sophia’s request, she then did somersaults with one and a half and two full
     twists. Although Traci hadn’t done this kind of thing in some time, she felt at ease doing it—or she would have, if Margo
     hadn’t been following every move with that sharp, critical expression on her face.
    When Traci had finished, Sophia said, “Give us a minute, Trace.”
    She and Margo moved away and talked for a minute. Then they approached Traci.
    Margo said, “Traci, you are finished with this group.”
    Traci stared at the coach. Was it possible that Margo was kicking her out?
    “Starting next time,” Margo went on, “you will be working with me and the more advanced girls.”
    Sophia beamed at Traci, who felt like she had just won a gold medal.

10
    T raci couldn’t wait to tell Valerie about her promotion. Since Valerie had started with her new coach, the two friends hadn’t
     seen much of each other outside of school. But Valerie was in when Traci called that evening, and she invited Traci over after
     dinner.
    As soon as the girls were in Valerie’s room, Traci burst out with her good news. Valerie smiled, but the smile was weak.
    “Hey, great, Trace. Congratulations. I’m really happy for you.”
    Traci said, “I’ll see Carly more now. Of course, I’ll also see more of Margo—in fact I’ll see her all the time, because Sophia
     mostly works with the younger divers, but actually, I can handle Margo. The main thing is, I’ve been making good progress.”
    “Definitely,” Valerie said, and looked out the window.
    Traci looked closely at her friend. “Val, what’s going on? Are you okay?”
    Valerie sighed and flopped back on her bed. “I’m all right. I mean, I’m not sick or anything. But I’m not doing so great lately.”
    “Why?” Traci asked. “Don’t tell me it’s your new coach! I thought he was supposed to be fantastic! You mean he isn’t?”
    “Oh, he’s okay, but I’m not sure how good I am,” Valerie said. “The other people in this class are unbelievably good, and
     I don’t know if I can cut it. I’m not as great as I used to think I was.”
    Traci shook her head. “I don’t believe it! You’re a fantastic athlete! You were the best one in our class by a mile!”
    Valerie stared up at the ceiling. “Yeah, right…
our
class. But that was just a bunch of kids. I see that now. In this group, I’m at the bottom. They do things I don’t believe
     I can ever do. It’s been… I don’t know
what
it’s been. I figured I’d always be in control, that nothing would ever get me down. Well, guess what? I was wrong.”
    “Wait a second!” Traci stood up and looked down at her friend. She’d never seen Valerie look depressed or beaten until now.
     “Remember a few weeks ago? I said that I was going to quit, and you told me to hang in there, that I wasn’t giving myself
     a fair chance? Does that sound familiar? Because here we go again, except now, you’re playing my part.”
    Valerie shook her head. “This is different. You were starting in a brand-new sport. I’m doing what I’ve been doing all my
     life! I’m just finding out I’ve been clueless all this time! Now that I compare myself to first-class athletes, I see I’m
     nothing special.”
    “I don’t believe it!” Traci insisted. “You say my case was different. It was in some ways, but in other ways, no. The fact
     is that you made a big jump, too, just like I did.
    “I know, diving is a different sport, but still, when you move into new level of talent, it’s going to be a shock. You were
     used to being numero uno. In Jeff’s class, everyone looked up to you. Jeff kept going on about how you were the greatest ever,
     and we all naturally felt the same way.
I
sure did! Now, all of a sudden, you’re not the best.”
    Valerie turned her head away, but Traci didn’t stop.“I’m going to say what you said to me a few weeks back—and I know it’s true. You’re selling