Caroline could feel her heart racing as she approached the group of girls near the balance beam. They were laughing, their smiles radiating confidence. “Um, hi!” she stammered, her voice barely rising above the chatter.
One girl turned, her curls bouncing as she looked Caroline up and down. “Hey! I’m Mia. You’re new, right?” It felt like a small victory for Caroline. “Yeah, it’s my first day,” she replied, forcing a smile despite the butterflies in her stomach.
Mia's friends paused, and to Caroline's surprise, they welcomed her with friendly nods. “Don’t worry! We were all beginners once. Want to try the balance beam?” Caroline hesitated; it was exactly what she'd been worried about. Then again, this was her moment to connect.
“Sure!” she said, mustering her bravest smile.
As she stepped toward the beam, she could choose to impress the girls with her very best skill, or she could ask for tips to navigate the beam more confidently.
