A/N: Okay, so recently I just re-watched all of the episodes from start to finish.. or at least the 8th episode of the second season. I remember most of what happens after that anyways. But anywho, then I started reading Payson/Sasha fanfics and this story started to melt into my mind and refused to go away until I started writing it. So I hope you've all watched all of the episodes cause if not theres going to be major spoilers. xD Also, theres going to be some minor changes in the time line and whats happened. It starts the night of the sleep over at the Rock (with the truth popcorn), Emily and Damon never had sex, and Max never took the pictures of Lauren (cause honestly, I think I would have Payson kill Lauren in this story if I went along with that) and there might be other small changes made but those are the major ones. Enjoy!
He left. He just up and left all of them, and Payson couldn't help but feel like it was the ultimate betrayal. The only thing that was worse than this was knowing that Sasha was only a car drive away and she couldn't go and find him. Denver was a fairly large city, especially in comparison of Boulder, the only town she had been allowed to drive in by herself. To say that Payson was frustrated with the situation was an understatement. Half of her was tempted to drive to Denver, track Marty down, and force him to take her to where Sasha was. On the other hand... should she? Granted Sasha promised he'd be there with her all the way to the Olympics, promised he'd never leave Emily, so many other promises on top of that. But... had Payson messed everything up that badly? Maybe it was best for Sasha if he left. He could avoid the rumors, the speculation, the concerned parents.
Payson stared for a moment at the crumpled piece of paper on her desk top, unable to see the words but knowing them by heart anyways. Since she had gotten Sasha's letter she had read and re-read it probably a hundred times. Each time reading it hoping a new meaning would come from it. Hoping that Sasha had a hidden message within the words, perhaps telling her where he was and begging her to come find him. Maybe telling her the secret to winning the Olympics so that she could still win without him there. She started to glare at the letter, as if it had been the thing to force Sasha away. Why didn't he give her more information? Why couldn't he have just stayed? It was all so unfair and Payson was starting to feel utterly helpless and completely alone.
A growl escaped her lips as Payson threw herself back on her bed covering her face. How had everything come crashing down so suddenly? The kiss that set the whirlwind in motion flashed in Payson's mind for what felt like the millionth time. Excitement, joy, and something else she couldn't quite define rushed through her entire body as she finally performed her routine correctly. Her mind was a jumbled mess, but not an unpleasant one. Instincts took over as she exclaimed that Sasha was her inspiration, which was completely true. Next thing she knew her lips were pressed against his in a soft but strong kiss. Time had frozen for her as she memorized the feel of his lips against hers. His cologne and body wash reaching her nose a masculine but musky scent that she absolutely loved. Then suddenly he was pushing her away. Reality slapped Payson in her face and she was completely mortified as she ran out of the gym.
Suddenly a vibration hummed against Paysons back making her jump up and turn to see what had caused it. Her cell phone flashed at her - New txt from Darby. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she lifted her cell phone from her bed. Practice had ended not even an hour ago, why would Darby be texting her now? Payson considered for a moment just simply ignoring the text until tomorrow morning, after all what could the coach who couldn't care less about their gymnastics want? Perhaps she was lonely and wanted the Rock girls to come in for a sleep over. Payson snorted at the idea then sighed. Regaurdless of how immature and incompetent their new coach was... she was still their coach. Payson opened the text and imediately wanted to scream and laugh at the same time.
Rock girls, hope you don't have plans tonight because were having a sleep over at the Rock for team bonding! Be here in an hour and in your pjs. -xoxo D.
Reading the text over and over, Payson really couldn't believe that Darby could be serious about this. Who in their right mind would ever agree to doing something like this? The answer formed quickly in her mind - Lauren. The girl was kissing Darby's ass so much lately she figured that Laurens lips would be imprinted there forever. As she rolled her eyes she felt her phone vibrate again in her hands and looked down. New txt from Lauren.
Pay, I know you're going to try to skip tonight. I think it would look poor to Beals if you did though. xo Lo.
Paysons fingers clenched her phone tightly. Of course she was intending on skipping tonight. What in the world could possibly make her want to stay in a gym sleeping on mats with over ten girls that she barely talked to, one she loathed, and well... Maybe if Emily were there it wouldn't be so bad... Her fingers tapped against her phones keyboard quickly sending a message to her one and only friend at the Rock.
Em, please tell me you are going to this disaster of a 'sleep over' tonight.
Slowly Payson moved around her room, throwing things into her larger gym bag and laying out her better pair of pyjamas to wear for the night. If she was going to do this, she certainly wasn't going to be wearing her embarrassing print pjs, so her plain (and fairly new) light pink pyjama shorts and tank top would have to do. They were slightly revealing... but there wouldn't be any guys and it had been extremely hot out lately so Payson figured it wouldn't be too big of a deal.
Finally after fifteen minutes of dragging it out her bag was completely packed, but no return text had come from Emily. Figuring the other girl was probably too busy getting ready she sighed and grabbed her pyjamas and headed to the shower. As she left her bedroom she heard the TV echo down the hallway and heard one name that perked her interest.
"Where is Sasha Belov? Well Meg, It seems a couple of weeks ago Belov left the Rock training gym without any notice. Former gymnast Darby Conrad has been appointed new head coach of The Rock, but Meg a lot of us are rather concerned about this appointment." the male voice seemed to pause on purpose waiting for the woman to read her part of the script.
"What do you mean concerned Brad? Isn't miss Conrad qualified considering she used to compete in gymnastics?" a fake curiosity rang through the woman's voice.
The man cleared his throat softly before answering. "Well, honestly Meg according to the records we were able to scrape up from miss Conrad's time in gymnastics," Payson rolled her eyes, 'scraping up' records for gymnastics was laughable, most records were available to the public via the internet. Reporters would never have a problem. "-she never won a medal. Ranking high enough to be on the National team for three years, miss Conrad never made the podium or even achieved an individual medal for any of the events. She was also pushed out of the team going to the Olympics in 2008, making everyone wonder why such a lower grade coach has been appointed to this amazing team of gymnasts." he finished, sounding proud of his findings.
The woman hmmed for a moment "Maybe they had their reasons... Still I wonder what could have made Belov leave in such a rushed manner. The man seemed-" Suddenly the noise from the TV went out. Payson heard her mother muttering under her breath angrily as she moved to the kitchen and Payson sighed. As hard as Sasha leaving was for her, she knew it was just as ahrd for almost everyone involved in the The Rock, including the parents.
Slowly she showered, trying to let the hot water relax the muscles in her back. Unfortunately the water quickly turned cold and Payson scowled, rinsing her hair quickly and jumping out to dry off. Becca must have beaten her to the shower and used up the hot water. Trying not to get annoyed with the fact that she hadn't gotten her soothing, long, hot shower she dressed quickly and brushed through her hair. After applying some anti-frizz to her damp hair Payson sighed and looked at the clock in the bathroom. Only ten minutes until she needed to be back to the gym, and it was at least a five minute drive and she still needed to tell her mom where she was going.
Grabbing her bag and slipping on her white ballet flats she walked out to the kitchen area where her mom was currently cooking dinner and talking Becca in loud whispers. "Mom something is seriously off with Payson ever since Sasha left... Shes been snapping at everyone and seems just... sad..." Payson frowned as she saw her sisters concern and bit her lower lip. It was true that she hadn't been exactly herself lately. It was hard trying to feel confident and happy with her gymnastics without someone there to coach her properly... She missed seeing the approval lighting up Sashas light blue eyes making them almost sparkle...
Payson shook her head, where in the world had that thought come from? She looked up realizing she missed whatever her mom had said in response to Becca's worries. It didn't really matter considering she needed to leave right away if she wanted to be on time. "Hey mom," pausing to be sure her mom was payign attention. "Darby decided we needed to have a club 'sleep over' at the gym, can I use the car for the night? I promise I'm just going there and I'll come right back tomorrow after practice."
Kim Keeler stared at her eldest daughter who, in the past few months seemed to blossom from the awkward, scared, but determined teenager she once knew into an elegant, sad, beautiful young woman. It was a startling change and the older woman would be stupid not to realize when this change occurred. Sasha Belov had changed her daughter in so many ways that it was absolutely startling and quite frankly, terrifying.
She understood that Payson more than likely formed a crush on her rather attractive coach. It wasn't completely shocking with how much time they'd been spending together mixed with the fact that Paysons body had started the transitioning of going through puberty while she wasn't doing gymnastics. What did surprise her was how morose her daughter had become since Sasha had left the Rock. Granted the man was British, blue eyed, messy blond hair, rugged... all in all very attractive indeed. A crush just didn't well... 'crush' a girl as much as this was obviously hurting Payson. She looked like she had lost her best friend or... a partner. Kim shook the thoughts from her head, Payson was only sad about losing the best coach in the world that had to be it. "No sweetie its fine, the keys are on the hook near the door. Drive safe and tell the girls I said hi." Her daughter half smiled and headed to the door, calling out a goodbye to her and Becca, leaving the house quietly. Kim could only watch and hope that her smiling Payson would come back into action, and soon.
