1 year later and we're back where we started. Past the Olympics, back here. At The Rock. Full of fresh young faces. New dramas. I realise that all three of us, Lauren and Payson and me, are glimpsing towards the new elite girls. Smirking at their naivety, sorrowing for the pain they have waiting for them, happy that the pleasures will overcome those pains. We all have our reasons for returning. After winning Team gold in London and several other individual medals, we took a gap year-of sorts- with our boyfriends. But now, Payson needs to keep her end of the deal with Sasha (return his gold medal); I need to see my gym; and Lauren, well, if looks could kill, the girl on the beam is approaching her last breaths. This is our home.
The man who assisted us through our dreams, Sasha, smiles and greets us, addressing us individually.
He tells me that my kingdom does not have a new monarch.
Comments to Payson that he has been missing his gold medal, very much.
Assures Lauren that she will get a turn on her beam.
He catches sight of the three men following us. Just in case we got bored. Austin, along with all of us has been craving what he loves most and looks as if he doesn't know where to start. So many apparatus, only one day… Rigo and Jake take in their surroundings, astounded by its other-worldliness.
We hear a bubbly shriek, Summer Van Horne runs over to greet us. As she hugs me, she whispers about whether or not we're using protection. I blush. Austin and I have had sex. Trust Summer to know that. But she just gives me her 'better than though' smile and moves on. I catch sight of the easy-going demeanour in which Sasha's arms is slung around her waist. We all do and secretly exchange a smile.
We stretch as a group, Rigo and Jake as stiff as wood.
Austin and I rule the floor; the gathering crowd around us stare in awe as we tumble and flip, landing perfectly each time. Except that once when I stumble back and land on my butt, earning an amused laugh from Austin. I immediately pout and he says that I look even cuter when I'm angry. We kiss, suddenly forgetting that practically the whole gym is watching us. My former teammates just stand there smirking. I glare, and blush with embarrassment, at the same time. The golden couple lives on.
Payson and Rigo go over to the junior elites, where Becca now trains. She shows them some moves, while they stand, mesmerized. Obviously, Payson being Payson lectures on relationships and sex, etc. Her sister shouts, "Well, didn't you two have sex during training for the Olympics?" She earns a laugh from the whole group, including Rigo, but a very unamused annoyed face from Payson. Becca sounds very much like the Lauren of the group.
Speaking of Lauren, she's on the mats trying to teach Jake some simple tricks. Out of all of us they have had the most on and off relationship. Us other two couples are as opposite as we can be whilst they are so similar it hurts. And they don't know it. After several failed attempts, just as I thought, hot-headed Lauren's walks away, frustrated and in a huff. Poor Jake doesn't know what he's done wrong. She goes to her form of therapy, the beam, where the user runs away, frightened. Smart girl. But, as Lauren's saucy routine starts to turn heads- male heads- Jake steps in and reclaims his girl with a passionate kiss. Not that anyone would mess with an athlete's girlfriend anyway. You saw what Austin did to Damon. And I wasn't even his girlfriend at the time.
After a long day's work, we're tired. From all that kissing and stretching and flipping…And as we turn our backs form the gym, we remember that The Rock will forever and always be etched into our hearts.
