The arena became unusually quiet when sixteen-year-old Emma Carter stepped onto the blue gymnastics floor.
She wore a red-and-white competition leotard.
Her hair was tied tightly into a bun.
And unlike every other gymnast waiting nearby, Emma had been born without both arms.
Some people in the audience stared.
Others whispered.
Emma heard none of it.
She stood at the corner of the floor and focused on one thing.
Her routine.
Her coach Rachel watched from behind the barrier.
You ready?
Emma smiled.
Ive been ready for years.
The music had not even started, but Emma could already feel her heart pounding.
This was the largest competition she had ever entered.
For months, people had told her the same thing.
Gymnastics was too difficult.
Too dangerous.
Too dependent on balance.
But Emma had spent years rebuilding every movement around the body she had.
She bent her knees.
Took one final breath.
Then launched forward.
The audience stopped whispering.
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