The Gauntlet is Thrown

The warm scent of the ocean filled the car as they drove down the coastal highway, windows rolled down, music blasting. Jess sat in the passenger seat, wearing a loose hoodie and shorts, trying to ignore the gleam in Hannah’s eyes.

"We’re stopping at the store before we hit the beach," Hannah announced, steering the car toward a shopping plaza.

"Why?" Jess asked, already suspicious.

Hannah grinned. "Because you need a bikini."

Jess groaned. "I have a swimsuit."

"A one-piece," Hannah corrected. "Which is fine, but this is a beach day. You have a new body, embrace it. Plus, Ryan’s going to be there."

Jess shot Hannah a glare, but Olivia was already backing her up. "C’mon, Jess, you’ve been letting me teach you makeup, and you let Hannah style you. This is the next step."

Leanna smirked from the backseat. "Just give in. Resistance is futile."

Jess sighed. "Fine. But I swear, if you make me wear something with strings…"

Twenty minutes later, they emerged victorious—Hannah clutching a new striped bikini in one bag and sunglasses in another. Jess muttered under her breath as they piled back into the car, but she couldn’t deny the excitement bubbling beneath her nerves.

*************************************

The day was perfect. The sky was a brilliant blue, the sun warm but not overbearing, the sand soft beneath their feet. Jess let herself relax as they claimed a spot on the beach, spreading out towels and umbrellas. Kevin and Ryan immediately started tossing a football back and forth while Olivia and Hannah dragged Jess to the water.

"See? Doesn’t this feel good?" Hannah asked as they waded into the waves.

Jess had to admit—it did. The ocean was refreshing, and for the first time in weeks, she wasn’t thinking about pole vaulting, the Penn Relays, or even her complicated feelings about herself. She was just there.

After a while, they wandered up to the boardwalk, the smell of fried food and saltwater taffy filling the air. They rode roller coasters, screamed their way through a haunted house, and found themselves at the old-fashioned carousel, where riders grabbed rings and tried to toss them into a clown’s mouth.

"This thing is rigged," Kevin declared, missing yet another shot.

Jess laughed, landing one perfectly. "Maybe you just suck."

Then it happened.

"Didn’t think I’d find you here," came a familiar voice.

Jess turned to see Emma standing near the carousel, arms crossed, a smug look on her face. She was dressed in athletic shorts and a tank top, clearly just coming off a run.

"Surprised?" Jess asked, keeping her voice even.

Emma shrugged. "Didn’t think you took breaks. But if you’re taking it easy, maybe I should, too. After all, I wouldn’t want to win that Penn Relays spot too easily."

Jess felt her blood heat up. "You’re acting like you’ve already won."

Emma smirked. "Haven’t I? You’re spending the day on the beach while I’m putting in the work."

Leanna, Kevin, and Ryan exchanged glances, sensing the shift in the air. Olivia folded her arms. "You know, it’s possible to have a life and be an athlete."

Emma didn’t even acknowledge her. Her gaze was locked on Jess. "So, what do you say? First one to land five rings wins. Loser buys the winner ice cream."

Jess squared her shoulders. "Fine. Let’s do this."

The challenge was set. The rivalry was alive. And this time, Jess wasn’t backing down.

***********************************

The game was intense. Each time Jess tossed a ring, Emma matched her, neither gaining a clear lead. The gang cheered from the sidelines, Kevin throwing out sarcastic commentary while Hannah and Olivia took the competition far too seriously, debating ring-throwing techniques.

At four rings each, Jess felt the pressure. She gripped the last ring, steadied her breath, and let it fly. The small metal circle spun through the air, hitting the clown’s mouth dead center. The bell rang loudly, signaling her win.

Emma’s lips pressed into a thin line. She tossed her last ring—it hit the rim and bounced off. Jess turned to her with a victorious smirk.

"Looks like you’re buying," Jess said.

Emma forced a short laugh, but the tension in her shoulders was obvious. "Enjoy it while you can. I’ll beat you at trials next week."

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Jess feeling both triumphant and slightly amused at Emma’s sore-loser attitude.

Jess turned back to her friends, shaking off the encounter. "Alright, enough of that. Who’s up for one last ride?"

"I call the bumper cars!" Kevin shouted.

Jess grinned and turned to Leanna. "How about we hit the Big Dipper first?"

Leanna eyed the towering wooden roller coaster, then sighed dramatically. "If I die, I’m haunting you."

Jess laughed. "Deal."

As they headed toward the ride, she realized that, for the first time in a while, she wasn’t thinking about trials or Emma. She was just having fun. And for now, that was enough.