“In fact, I don’t remember Mimi saying a single word to me in school”

Mimi stretches her arms above her head, holds her body very straight, and then stretches a little further. Her muscles first throb, then feel released.

Aaaaahhh.

It’s the end of gymnastics class, and her body is alive, dancing, pulsing with an energy she hasn’t felt all week. It’s good to be somewhere different for a change. Somewhere totally and utterly Kayla-free.

“And another deep breath, and relax,” calls Tova. She does the cooldown along with them, stretch, breathe, release. “Great going, girls.”

Mimi holds the pose a moment longer, and then slowly, reluctantly, drops it. It feels like she’s letting herself back down, back to the real world.

Her body suddenly aches.

“Nice work today, Mimi,” Tova says, glancing up as she passes. Mimi gives her a thin smile. She doesn’t know Tova too well, although she’s been attending gymnastics for years; it’s only a few months since she moved to the top track. Tova’s a fantastic coach; she’s also unrelenting. Perfect moves, perfect coordination, perfect timing, and if it isn’t perfect, then it will be, after repeating the move another 15 times.

“She’s a drill sergeant, isn’t she?” Lea Weitz says, shaking her head.

Mimi uncaps her water bottle and takes a huge gulp. “Yeah, but she’s good. She’s the top coach for a reason.”