“Sophie,” the cashier yells.
I make my way towards the counter to receive my pumkin spice latte. Taking a sip of what seems like heaven, I grab my briefcase and hustle out the door. The crisp winter air hits my face. My absolute favorite season. Maybe because it’s the start of competition season. I shuffle around in my purse searching for my keys, finally locating them, I hop in and immediately turn the GPS on. My fingers search for the keys as I type in “Kansas City Convention Center.”
Several hours later, it is now dark and winding roads seem endless. I’m listening to the weather channel. The weather man is predicting a sudden snow storm. My speed increases, my hope is to miss the unexpected storm. As I turn at each curve, I feel as if each one gets narrower and steeper than the one before. I grip the steering wheel just a bit tighter. There is now snow covering the roads.
Making another turn, I reach for my nearly gone latte. Looking up, I notice a light seeping through the trees. Might I add that this is a one way winding road. I can’t quite make out what the light is coming from. Before my reflexes can hit the break. I’m face to face with radiating headlights. Although it is practically blinding me I am transfixed with the luminous light.
I’m suddenly taken back ten years. I’m now sitting in the car with my parents on the way to Kansas City. The windshield wipers clean away the snow from the windshield. Scoop…scoop… scoop. And suddenly!
I slam on the breaks. Slowly coming back to reality I realize what had just taken place. The car zooms away. I collect myself and my latte that is now in the dashboard.
Finally arriving at the hotel, of which is connected to the convention center. I see dozens of cheerleaders running amongst with their hair up in rollers. I miss these tedious preparations.
Awake bright and early I get dressed in the proper attire, grab my briefcase and head to the convention center. I walk through one of the many sets of doors, and for a moment my whole world stops. The music blares throughout the stadium. I can hear the roar of the crowd when a stunt hits, this gives me chills.
I sign in, and am seated with my co-workers. They welcome me back with much gratitude. Time slowly ticks by… squad after squad after squad. Each one ordinary. Judging is never easy. First place has to catch my eye, and unfortunately that has not happened yet, until now. Delta Explosion All-Stars, the team I had once been on several years ago. Each cheerleader filed out from behind the smoke and huge black curtain, with such enthusiasm. A tall girl amongst them, reminds me much of myself. The team then formed a formation awaiting the music. Sitting there watching the squad perform took me back to the very same competition. I’ll never forget it. Nationals, the biggest competition of the year and we get to be a part of it. As I continued to watch, more and more memories flooded back. All the hard work and dedication it took to make it to the top. Cheerleading is all about making every little thing perfect. Hitting every motion, sticking every stunt, smiling like never before all while counting out the routine. Their routine ended with an outstanding pyramid. Perfection.
All teams had competed and now it was time for the award ceremony. The most stressful part about competitions, as I remember. Waiting hours upon hours for the judges to make the final decision. They call all athletes out onto the big blue mat over the intercom. So much anticipation fills the air.
Finally they get to our division, Junior level two. First place goes to… and in that moment your heart completely stops, your world is silent all you can hear is the pounding of your heart…the longest pause in history…Delta Explosion All-Stars! Sigh of relief! We gather around our giant trophy and take millions of pictures and while your taking those millions of pictures all you can think about is how it all paid off and how life can’t get any better than this. Every blood, sweat and tear shed was now worthwhile.
