Selina Liu yawned as she stepped out of the car, feeling the cool morning air against her skin. Her bag slung over her shoulder, she walked alongside Jasmine Dong, both girls carrying lawn chairs. "Mom, do I have to compete today?"

Selina stood by the hot kettle, preparing her Knox gelatin. The powder dissolved into the hot water, and as she applied it to her hair, she flinched at the gooey texture. "What is Knox made out of?"

Selina sat still as Coach Ainsleigh applied waterproof makeup to her face. The eyeshadow made her eyelids itchy, but she was eager to see the final result. "I want to see myself!"

Selina and Jasmine stood by the pool, striking their pose. The judge's whistle pierced the air, signaling the start of their routine. "Up next, we have Jasmine Dong and Selina Liu from San Dieguito Sea Dragons!"

Selina sat with Jasmine as the awards ceremony began. She felt the Knox start to melt under the sun, but her focus was on the moderator's announcements. "Next, we will move on to the ten-and-under duets. In first place, we have Selina Liu and Jasmine Dong from San Dieguito Sea Dragons!"

Selina stood on the podium with Jasmine, their gold medals shining. The journey had been challenging, but the victory felt sweet. "That day, I learned that victories are often born from tough struggles."