Vertical Ops.
It was a cold, but sunny day. I was in rockin-jump for a birthday party! I walked in, bought my socks and went over to the person with the cart that said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE! I dropped my present in and went over to the worker who takes the names, and gives you the band that tells you how long you can stay. Mine was orange. I went over to the wall and looked how long orange bands get to stay. It's 12:00, and it says we stay till 3:30! Yes! I scanned the big area of rockin-jump, looking for charlie. I spotted him by the dodge ball game. I ran over to it, and hopped in line. “Hey Tom!” Charlie said.
“Hey Charlie!” I replied. “When does the game start?” I asked him.
“In about 2 minutes.” He replied.
I was so excited to get in the game because I love dodgeball!
(ONE MINUTE AND 50 SECONDS LATER…)
“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Time's up!” the worker said
I watched as a bunch of sweaty boys and girls came out of the arena. We walked in as soon as all the other kids were out. I went to the side all the way to the right with charlie, and a few other friends.
“Everybody put the balls in the middle, and your back's against the black wall!” we all threw the balls in the middle, and ran back to the black wall.
“You can't throw a ball until you reach the black wall again!” the worker said. 3, 2,1 GO!
I sprinted/bounced to the middle, grabbed 2 balls and threw one back. I ran back touched the black wall and threw a ball. BAM! Just snagged someone in the foot he toppled over and fell on the trampoline.
“Your Out!” The worker said. Yes I got someone! I ran around, looking for another ball, then all of a sudden a ball from the enemy team came right at me. I jumped out of the way to dodge it. Then charlie jumped over me and caught it! That was great teamwork! I scrambled back up, eager to get another ball. I saw one and went for it. There was at least 5 people left on there team, and 2 people left on mine, Charlie and I.
I grabbed the ball, and chucked it at someone on the other team, just missed. I saw a ball coming for me so I reached and and caught it.
That was good because I got someone out and I get a ball! There was 4 people left. I threw the ball that I just caught and nailed someone leaning down to pick up a ball. 3 people left. Charlie got someone on the hand but then got knocked out from someone else. 2-1 I had to do something quick. Someone threw the ball at me. I caught it and threw it at the last person left. DIRECT HIT! Right in the stomach!
“Nice catch!” I said to charlie, after the game.
“Thanks, Nice dodge!” He replied.
“You got lucky Tom and Charlie! Charlie shouldn't said, I would've gotten you if you hadn't moved!
“You guys want to do vertical ops?” Charlie said.
“What's that?” I asked (p.s. I am terrified of heights.)
“It's the rock climbing wall over there.” Ian said. And he pointed to the largest wall ever.
“Ummm maybe I, umm I don't really know guys.” I said.
“Cmon Tom, It will be fun!” I really didn't know what to do,I didn't want to hurt their feelings or ruin the party just because I was scared. So I said yes.
As we were walking to vertical ops, which took an eternity, and the whole time we were walking there my heart felt like it would burst out of my chest!
I was really scared. We were right in front of the wall. It looked even bigger than before. Gulp. I looked ahead. I saw a ramp that slanted down hill. “Wait why is there a ramp? I asked?
“We aren't leveled with the wall yet so it will be a lot bigger!” Charlie T said.
We walked down the ramp and when we got down I saw a bunch of zig-zag lines of rope That we had to follow to reach the point where they put the harness on you.
We stopped in front of this giant T.V screen. It shows a girl about maybe 13-14, They were talking about safety. I listened very closely to that. It said that when you reach the top, grab your harness and swing down, like Spider man. That was funny. I watched at she did the ‘Spider man.’ When the video was over I looked to see how the people on the wall where doing. I saw 2 girls and 2 boys. The girls looked about 13 and 10, and the boys looked about 12 and 14.
I saw the girl come down first before she even reached the top, Then I saw the 12 year old boy come down before HE reached the top, Next was the 14 year old boy, and then the 10 year old girl.
Now it was our turn. I was scared, really scared. It felt like my head was spinning, and my heart was racing. I walked around the endless set of rope, It was like a maze. I went onto the black mat and stopped where it had a white stripe.
The worker came around and helped everyone into the harness. I was the last one.
“Hey Tom, Charlie said to me from practically across the room, We are Going to race!”
“WHAT!” I yelled back. He didn't reply. I looked up. Above the button that I press when I get up was a red light. I looked at Ian. He was right next to me and he had a red light to. I looked at Charlie T, and Charlie S, they both have a green light.
“Hmm, That’s weird.” I thought.
“Don't start yet Tom, Charlie T said. Ready, 3,2,1, GO!”
I scrambled up the wall. I was doing good, I was about ½ way up, every thing was going smoothly, until I reached a spot where I had to jump. Jump, I did not want to jump. I saw a yellow grip right under a fake rock. Ok Tom,Just breath you can do this. 3,2,1 JUMP! I jumped, I didn't want to, but I did. I reached up and grabbed a green grip and all of a sudden I looked down. I see all my friends, that were invited, cheering me on.
“Tom,Tom,Tom,Tom!” They all shouted.
Some even shouted, “Charlie,Charlie,Charlie!”
And, “Ian Ian Ian!”
That gave me a big boost so I pulled myself up using the green grip and put my foot on the yellow grip, under the fake rock. I jumped again to try to get to another grip, but my foot was stuck. It was jammed. I didn't know what to do. I had to think fast or else I would lose. I pulled my foot out. It hurt alot but I kept going not wanting to let my friends down.
I was so close to the top when I heard Charlie S buzzer go off. I looked over at him and saw him going down. I was so close! I could’ve won!! OK, Tom don't worry about the place you are in. Just keep going and make 2nd place! I reached the top and pushed the button. RING RING RING RING! I DID IT! Now I have to go down, Down, I looked down. It was a far way. I didn't know what to do. I tried to remember what the video told me to do when I reached the top, was it the Super man? The Bat man? The Flash? Oh no. Then I remembered it! It was the spider man! I grabbed the top of my harness. It was rubbery, I jumped down. It was fun. I landed on the black mat with a thud and I toppled over. I looked up to see who would get 3rd place. When i looked up I saw Charlie T hit the buzzer. After him Ian hit it.
“Good Job.” I said to Charlie S, after everyone was done.
“Thanks,” He replied. I only won because I had the easiest wall!
“Ha. That's ok, you still did really good!” I said back.
“Thanks Tom.” he said.
After the race we all walked back to the party room to have cake, pizza, and punch as we walked there, I told Charlie T that it wasn't that bad.
