The Baton: A Short Story

The end March, leading to majorette tryouts in the beginning of April was stressful and made me run around frantically. I was practicing at the wellness center in Niles after school and I spent more time on my routine and tricks than usual. My routine finished with an illusion catch which was a new and very advanced trick, being the highest point in my routine it had to be flawless. Countless drops, slips, falls and hits on the head shook my confidence. I became flustered and beat down every time I came up too slow or the baton was right in front of me and I just couldn't put my hand out fast enough. My coach constantly reminded me to “keep practicing,” “you will get it,” “just one more.” I reassured myself and kept going even after she left. …show more content…
My body was aching, my leg and hands were throbbing, and sweat was dripping, and being so close to quitting and losing hope. I inhaled and took a big breath, closed my eyes, and shook off the mistakes so they no longer held onto me. Without thinking I launched the baton straight into the air, swung my leg up, around and over my head, came up and landed my foot, stuck my arm right out in front of me. I froze like a statue not realizing what had just happened. I jumped up and screamed with excitement, I just accomplished one of the hardest tricks. I had a thousand and one mistakes and blows to the head before I managed to get it right. My more than ecstatic squeal was fortunately not noticed between the cheering parents from the soccer game and the faint singing of Whitney Houston on the