The judge would clear his throat into the microphone. "Introducing, the figure skating team we all love: Figure 8 academy!" "The crowd would cheer; we would stand in our specially made skirted, sequined costumes. White for Ira, Turquoise for the rest of us. A silence would come over the audience. And our music would play. Ansie skates backward to, Ira axels over to me, we all perform a breathtaking show! "Ladies and gentlemen," The judge would say, "The winner of the competition is FIGURE 8 ACADEMY!" WE DID IT! WE... did... it...

"Daisy, it's almost our turn," Abby says. Oops! Was I daydreaming again? "Snap out of it, Dais." For real this time, we get announced: "Figure 8 academy will be performing a piece called: Paradise" This is it; we get one chance to nail it. "Have fun, girls" our coach reminds us, more like an order than a suggestion. First goes Ira, skating confidently into her spot. Then Ansie, Abby, and I. 

I close my eyes and take in my surroundings. The crowd, anxiously waiting. The judges intently watching us, and the ice, perfectly smooth...ice. Our preppy music starts.  Ansie skates by me and Ira plays the audience with her facials. Abby and I put our hands together and push backward-our signature move. The tempo goes up, we skate faster and smoother, nailing every step er-skate. I look over to Ira, mid-triple axel. We all hold our breaths. "Nail it, Ira," I whisper to myself. This is a tricky move, but she has perfected it. The crowd gasps. Ansie, Abby, and I zoom over. "Are you ok?" Ansie asks "What?" Ira replies woozily, sprawled out on the ice. Her blond and pink hair is stained with blood. But from where? The judges call the show to a halt, and two paramedics skate out, lift her onto a stretcher and whisk her away. We are all in disbelief. 

"Ladies, pull yourself together. She will be fine; The competition must go on. Off the ice with you" Coach Megan says sourly from behind the barrier wall.

As we are taking off our skates in the locker room, I get a call. It's a local number, so I pick up. "Hello?"

"It's me," The voice says, "I have news,"