Trixie carefully lowered herself to the floor, pulling her gear bag close beside her. She watched as other martial arts students, including Bobby, took the stage and performed their routine for the judges. Trixie chewed her nails and wished with all her heart that she were any place else. It had been a short journey from the day she won a year’s membership at the new Taekwondo Academy to her registering for a tournament. It was the instructors who had encouraged Trixie to try a tournament, as they had all been impressed with her eager and rapid learning of the skills needed to progress through the different belt ranks. At one point, they had even allowed her to test for two belts at the same time, thus increasing her standings within the academy. With the other Bob-Whites away at college, Trixie had found that the TaeKwondo classes provided her with a social outlet as well as a good physical workout. Wonder what they would think if they could see me now?, mused Trixie. But thoughts of her friends were pushed to the back of her mind as she watched others compete, some well and some not so well. Trixie could only hope that she would remember the sequence of her moves, keep a good rhythm and not fall over. Memories of a yellow costume and a stage passed briefly through her mind but Trixie refused to acknowledge them. When Trixie heard her name called out, she stood up and began going through some quick stretches. Trixie’s turn to perform arrived and she confidently strode out to the middle of the stage and faced the three judges who would be watching her every move. She bowed to them and then assumed her ready position, waiting for the command to start to be issued by the judges. If there was any other noise in the room, Trixie could not hear it. She had blocked everything else out and was firmly focused on her performance. When the command to start was given, Trixie began working through her form. She was relieved when she found her balance and held a kick for a few seconds, showing off her abilities. When she had completed her routine, Trixie again stood in front of the judges, waiting for them to bow her out. When she was excused from the stage, Trixie walked back to her gear bag and sank down to the floor, sighing in relief. She immediately unzipped her bag and put on her sparring gear, mentally preparing herself for the mock battle ahead. I can do this! I can do this! Trixie told herself excitedly, pleased with the first part of her tournament activity. Although Trixie was proud of herself for her performance, her pride was not nearly as great as the pride felt for her by her six, undetected friends who sat in the audience watching and cheering her on