DOMINIQUE MOCEANU: FLEXIBLE FLYER

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At last, a bedroom where the walls do speak. On the door, a sign warns, DANGER, KEEP OUT! THIS ROOM IS GUARDED BY A TRAINED ATTACK GYMNAST. Sweeping left, a Legends of the Fall poster featuring teen idol Brad Pitt is tacked beside a poem titled "Don't Quit." Religious icons hang above the double bed; a handmade quilt hides the outsize teddy-bear slippers stashed below. Though the third wall boasts framed magazine covers of the room's tenant, the reverie of choice is taped to the desk lamp: Brad Pitt. Above the desk, a fanciful collection of macrame dream catchers dangles beneath two tidy rows of gymnastics medals.

Like her bedroom, with its mixed messages of girlish dreams, wry humor and deadly determination, Dominique Moceanu is as beguiling as she is daunting. Make no mistake: as America's best hope for gold in women's gymnastics, the 14-year-old national champion wears her accomplishments proudly. But Moceanu's ambition is tempered by an easygoing attitude and sense of perspective rare in one so young. While the U.S. media build her up as the next Nadia or Mary Lou, Moceanu is keeping a firm grip on reality. "I want a medal, maybe even a gold on the beam." She pauses, then shrugs and adds, "A medal in the all-around." While neither achievement would place her in the firmament of such all-around stars as Comaneci and Retton, if Moceanu can be her witty, outspoken self in Atlanta, a strong performance should be enough to earn her Olga Korbut honors: sweetheart of the Summer Games.

That is a role for which Moceanu is well suited. Though just 4 ft. 6 1/2 in. and a slight 72 lbs., Moceanu is a fetching gamine who can ignite an arena with her Audrey Hepburn-like looks and contagious ebullience. "Dominique's best point is her personality," says her coach, the legendary Bela Karolyi, who trained both Comaneci and Retton. "Joking. Talking. Kidding. That will be her trademark."

That and her refusal to let anyone--Karolyi included--talk her out of who she is or what she wants. Last August after Moceanu finished the compulsory round of the U.S. championships in second place, she sat poker-faced at Karolyi's side as he told reporters, "I wouldn't mind if Dominique had a strong showing in optionals and finished second. It would protect her a little from the pressures of being No. 1." Asked to respond, Moceanu blurted, "I want to win!", leaving Karolyi laughing and shaking his head. After she did just that two nights later, making her the youngest U.S. champion in history, Moceanu still refused to take her cues from Karolyi. Once again, Moceanu held her tongue as Karolyi fretted about his protege peaking too early. But when she was asked whether she liked the attention, Moceanu flashed a smile and said, "Yeah! Of course!" Like, who wouldn't?

And that's what makes Moceanu so winning. She's a real kid. Like most teens, she has a headstrong certainty that whatever it is--guitar, computer software, press conferences--she can figure it out for herself. Certainly she doesn't need adults to tell her whom or what she likes. Jim Carrey. Ricki Lake. Friends. Rollerblading. Clothes shopping. Double-pierced ears. Pro basketball. White-chocolate-mousse frozen yogurt. Brad Pitt. (Blush.)