Golden Thread
Today was the day. Cheerleading tryouts. My stomach has been doing somersaults all morning. Even putting on my makeup was a disaster. My hands were shaking so much, I almost poked my eye out with the eyeliner! I tried to focus on my breathing exercises, but my mind keeps replaying all the possible ways I could mess up. What if I fall during the stunts? What if I can't keep up with the other girls? What if I looked like a total klutz? But then I remembered that golden thread I've been weaving in my mind. The time I gave that speech in front of the whole school. I was terrified, but I did it! And I aced that math test last month even though I thought I was going to fail. All those little victories added up to make me stronger, you know? I looked in the mirror, trying to see the confident girl I know I can be. I put on my best smile and headed to the gym. My heart was pounding, but I also felt a thrill running through me. The tryouts were intense. I stumble...