Page 42 of Salto

The relief instantly washed away.

“We train six days a week. We meet from seven until ten-thirty. There’s a break for school. Then you come back around three o’clock until seven for the rest of the training. Tuition is due at the beginning of each month. For college students currently enrolled in classes, we offer a discount to support education. Training will be split between me, Rove, and Hana. She focuses on dance technique and conditioning. Rove is a bars and vault specialist. I will be your main coach on beam and floor. Does this sound like something you could do?”

I nodded again. “Yes.” My throat felt dry. This was really happening.

“Do you have a way to provide for your housing and other expenses?”

I opened my mouth and closed it. Rove’s gaze felt like it was burning into me. I did my best to ignore him, but it was difficult.

“I’m figuring it out,” I said, and Vanta nodded, making an approving sound in the back of his throat before flipping through some papers on his desk.

“What about your health? Do you have any health conditions we need to know about?”

I glanced over at Rove, but he didn’t say anything; he simply gave a small nod. So small, in fact, I didn’t know if I’d imagined it.

“I, uh… I have PCOS.”

Vanta’s brow furrowed, and he scribbled something down on the paper in front of him.

“Does it keep you from being able to do regular practice?”

I hesitated. This would make or break my entry. How could I phrase this without him dropping me?

“Well, it does cause me some pain, but I work through it.”

“Is the pain debilitating?” Vanta pressed. His gaze was intense, and he was going to press until I gave him the truth.

There was nowhere to hide. He’d find out one way or another if he was going to be my coach.

“It can be at times, but I really can push through it,” I hurried to say.

Vanta’s brow furrowed, and he shook his head.

“It would definitely complicate things if you were intensely affected by your condition. We don’t typically take on gymnasts with major health concerns.”

“Right. I understand,” I said, any glimmer of hope I’d glimpsed up to this point instantly vanishing. I should’ve known this would happen. I'd prepared myself for the fact that it was a long shot.

“I’m sorry, Scarlet. But I appreciate you coming out here to try.” Vanta stood, and I realized that my dream had just been crushed in a matter of twenty seconds.

That was all it took.

“Wait,” Rove suddenly said, pushing off the wall.

My world had started tilting, but with that single word, it stopped. I waited with bated breath for him to continue.

“I think she can do it.”

Vanta sighed, sitting back down. “Rove, not to be insensitive, but I don’t have time to worry about someone’s health in the midst of training. We can only take healthy athletes.” To his credit, he managed to give me a sympathetic look and gestured for the door again. “Thank you for your time, Scarlet⁠—”

"Her technique is among the best we saw today,” Rove interjected again. He was talking quickly, and there was an unmistakable earnestness in his tone.

“Rove—”

“I’ll train her myself, teach her how to manage her pain. See if she can figure out how to work through it so it doesn’t affect her skills.”

“You don’t have time for that,” Vanta said, his jaw clenching.

I felt like I was on a teeter-totter, and at any moment I could pitch onto the floor and face-plant, or maybe I’d also level out and be fine.