Lia and Andy became great friends and spent almost every afternoon at the track. The others took a liking to her, too. They realized that Lia could be very funny, especially when she imitated the teachers. And the faces she pulled when practicing made them all laugh.
Of course, they also talked a lot while practicing. Lia was stunned when Andy told her how he used to help his mum by earning money for groceries.
“Since my dad doesn’t send much money, only expensive gifts… I used to do shows for the tourists on the other side of town, in this big square, and they would throw money into this hat. I would take all that home to my mum. Which is why it is so important for me to win that competition. It would make me famous and many more people would come to see me.”
“Well, I think you’ll win for sure! If you learn the salto properly by then, no one can beat you,” Lia enthused.
“Tell me… Would you like to take part in the competition, too? I think you’re easily at that level now.”” ““There’s absolutely no way that I would compete! I only learned to skate a month ago. I would just make a fool of myself!” said Lia, almost panicking. Her, a competitor? She didn’t even dare to enter the spelling bee at school, even though she was the best in her class at spelling.
“Oh, come on! You know very well how good you are. If we practice an extra hour every day, I think you’ll definitely be in the top five! Or even in the top three!”
Lia did not even dare dream of how amazing that would be. Finally, she had an idea.
“Okay. I’ll enter the race, but only if you promise to practice the salto for at least an hour every day.”
They even shook hands on the agreement.
Lia became more and more skilled every day: she could not only do the stair jump, but also one on the rails, and even learned to do a flip while doing a jump One afternoon, she was practising an elaborate trick, when the clatter of the boards was last in a huge cheer.
Andy raced up the steep slope, past the highest point, flew into the air, and then touched down on the slope in a full 360-degree turn, finishing the stunt with a confident downhill roll.
“You did it! Andy, you did it! You did the salto!” Lia cried.” “This was something to celebrate.
“Why don’t you come over to our place? My mum is making pancakes tonight. And I would finally be able to introduce you to my cat,” Lia begged Andy, laughing, “O sensei of the salto!”
“Well, I’d do anything for pancakes!”
Lia’s parents were preparing dinner when the kids came in.
“Guess what mum,” she said, “Andy did the salto!”
“Wow! Congratulations! And how nice to finally meet you! Lia has told me so much about how good you are! You guys must be very hungry, I have just finished cooking the pancakes, so let’s eat.”
During dinner, Lia’s dad turned to Andy:
“And what does your mum do?”
Andy mumbled something hesitantly, then mustered his courage to answer properly.
“She is out of work at the moment because the tile shop where she used to work has closed. She was a secretary… but she was actually in charge of everything there.”
“That’s a happy coincidence,” replied Lia’s father in surprise, “I’m actually looking for a secretary because the person who used to work for me is on maternity leave! Give me your mum’s phone number, I’ll call her. Perhaps she’d like to work for us!”
No pancakes ever tasted as good to Andy as those right there.” “The day of the race arrived. A huge crowd gathered at the skateboard park, with the stage next to it and the winner’s prize on display: a bright red skateboard signed by S-Kate Jack.
Lia’s parents were joined in the audience by Andy’ mother. She was overjoyed: not only had she got a new job, but her new boss, Lia’s dad, even gave her time off to attend the race and watch her son. Only the two kids competing were more anxious than their parents.
Lia was the first to go: she performed the series of tricks they had practiced most with Andy. She put on a fantastic, flawless performance!
Andy’s round went absolutely smoothly: he performed two trickier jumps, a triple turn and a spectacular slide. Only the salto remained. That was what he feared the most because he had not always been able do it right in the weeks leading up to the race. On top of that, while practicing, there was heavy rain as well. He was terrified. The salto was his final trick.” “Andy took a deep breath, and with a determined swing, he pushed himself off the top of the ramp. At the top, he flew into the air. Lia watched, holding her breath as he did a full turn mid-air, landing with a thud on the concrete, and then rolling back down as if nothing had happened.
His salto was perfect. There was no question about it, Andy was the winner.
Lia came in ninth, but she was very happy with that too: after all, who else could have achieved that with only two months under their belts? And even better, Andy promised her that she could also use the dedicated skateboard.
“After all, I owe my victory to you as well. If you hadn’t pushed me so hard with that salto, I would never have won!”
“I think you would have definitely won even if you hadn’t succeeded at it!”
“Anyone fancy some ice cream? Asked Lia’s father, “my treat!”
“Of course, we do!” Lia shouted. “That salto doesn’t seem so difficult… I want to learn how to do it, too, but only if you teach me,” said Lia, smirking to Andy, who replied happily:
“I have a feeling that you will give me a run for my money at that one!”