Moments later, they were back in the gym hall with Annabel.

‘So, you wanna practice gymnastics’ Annabel began, ‘the most important thing first of all, is to remember to do your stretches. It helps to loosen up your muscles. If you forget to do your stretches, then you might do yourself an injury.’

Hmmmm.

‘Ok, let’s start with leg muscles’ Annabel said, before lifting one of her legs vertically, holding it perfectly straight, toes pointed to the ceiling.

She stood with one leg straight and supporting her weight, and the other pointed directly up towards the ceiling.

Her form was perfect.

‘I don’t think I can do that’ Emilia said.

‘Nor me’ Gloria added with an awkward chuckle.

‘Oh, sorry’ Annabel said, lowering her leg and standing straight again, ‘I already forgot you’re new to this. I usually teach girl who’ve been doing this sort of thing for years.’

Hmmmm.

‘That’s alright’ Gloria smiled. ‘But maybe we can start with something a little easier.’

They continued stretching for a few minutes, before Annabel showed them one of her simpler routines. Neither Emilia nor Gloria were very good, but they both had fun. Then Emilia’s leg fell off at an inopportune moment.

‘Please stop laughing’ Emilia groaned, picking herself off the floor.

‘Sorry’ Gloria replied, continuing to snigger behind her hands. ‘The helpless wail you did before you hit the ground was just too perfect.’

‘Ugh.’

Emilia was just sitting up, rubbing the back of her head with a grimace.

She was just about to go get her prosthetic leg, when someone handed it to her.

Emilia glanced up, seeing a face she recognised.

‘Oh hey.’

I must have hit my head harder than I thought. Dam what was her name again?

Shannon smiled as Emilia took the leg from her.

‘Th-thanks.’

‘No worries’ Shannon grinned. ‘Does that happen a lot?’ she asked. ‘Doesn’t it fit properly?’

Emilia stared up at her, slack-jawed.

‘Shannon.’

‘Yes, that’s right’ she replied. ‘Wait, did you forget my name?’

‘Of course not! Don’t be silly.’

‘Right.’

‘Anyway, thanks’ Emilia said, fixing her leg back in place and rising to her feet.

‘What are you guys doing here anyway?’ Shannon asked, glancing from Emilia to Gloria.

‘I thought it would be a good idea to get Emilia out of her room to stop her sulking.’ Gloria explained. ‘It’s always fun to try a new hobby, right?’

‘Sulking?’ Shannon questioned.

‘She got um…rejected by her crush.’

‘Ouch’ Shannon said flinching. ‘Sorry Emilia.’

‘How’s our ankle?’ Emilia suddenly asked, changing the subject.

‘It feels much better, thank you for asking.’

‘That’s great’ Emilia smiled, a little too enthusiastically.

‘Anyway’ Shannon went on. ‘I should get going. See you.’

Shannon hurried off, back to her other friends and continuing her day.

Emilia stared after her.

‘Are you alright Emilia?’ Annabel asked, having returned to check on them.

‘Yeah, I’m fine.’

‘Then let’s continue.’

 *

Emilia and Gloria continued their stretches for a few minutes, before moving onto beginner gymnastic movements. They did balancing, rolls, poses called the bridge, tripod, and many more, all under the guiding words of Annabel, who made all of it look so easy as she demonstrated.

They did this for about half an hour, before Annabel called for them to stop.

‘That’s enough for today, you don’t want to overdo it in the beginning. It’s best to start small before moving onto other more difficult things and longer lessons.’

‘I suppose you’re right’ Emilia replied, sighing heavily and rubbing at her leg. ‘I would love a rest now anyway.’

‘You don’t have any classes now, do you?’ Gloria asked Emilia.

‘Not for a while.’

‘You’re free! Me too. Annabel, we’ll see you later in the next lesson?’

‘Yes,’ she smiled, nodding to Gloria. ‘Same time tomorrow? I have a class to teach now, so I have to go.’

‘Ok, same time tomorrow. Come on Emilia.’

‘Ok.’

They walked out of the gymnasium side by side, heading back into the sunlight.

When they stepped out, Emilia put a hand to her forehead, sighing heavily.

‘Are you ok?’ Gloria asked.

‘I’m…feeling a little light headed.’

‘When was the last time you ate? Did you have breakfast?’

‘Yes.’ Emilia sighed again.

‘Yes?’ Gloria echoed, furrowing her brow at her. ‘Today I mean? Did you have breakfast today?’

‘Of course?’

Gloria rolled her eyes. ‘You haven’t eaten since then have you.’

This wasn’t a question, but a statement.

Emilia just chuckled lightly.

‘Come on’ Gloria said, grabbing Emilia lightly by the wrist and tugging her along. ‘Let’s find a place to sit before you collapse.’