I was watching some of season 1, and the finale, and I decided that I missed Nicky. One-shot, please enjoy.
Nicky sat nervously in the plane seat, as it began to descent into Rio de Janeiro. He felt a rush of excitement fill him, and the anxiety was washed away for a moment. He smiled to himself.
He was finally going to do what he had wanted for a long, long time.
The dancers finished their routine, and cleared off the mat. The lights turned towards the red curtain, and it pulled back, as the gymnastic teams made their entrance, the announcers giving their country name.
Nicky scanned the marching ranks of young women, searching for the one face he knew would be there.
He spotted Kaylie first, then Lauren. Then, Payson. She looked beautiful, and his heart lifted a little, as she seemed to look in his direction, in the stands.
And then the competition began.
Nicky felt a pit grow in his stomach, as he watched Lauren, Kaylie, and Payson bomb their routines. Kelly's bars routine did little to help, even though the US was saved, for now.
He stood up, and shuffled out of the stands before the US team was out of sight, trying to work up confidence.
Nicky was going to find Payson, and tell her he had made a mistake to leave the Rock. He was going to tell her he loved her, and that he wanted to be with her and come back to the Rock with her.
The women's team was staying in the same hotel as the men's team; it would be relatively easy to find Payson, soon.
Flowers in hand, Nicky wiggled his way through the crowds in the green room, celebrating the US's victory over China.
He couldn't see Payson anywhere.
Summer rushed past him, not noticing his quiet presence. She hugged Lauren, who didn't notice him either.
Nicky pushed forwards, hopeful. If Lauren was there, then Payson had to be close.
And then, he spotted her. It was undeniably her.
She was talking to a reporter, smiling that smile that had made him fall for her in the first place.
Nicky smiled a little, and stepped forwards, to call out her name, but then stopped, as a boy with a sling emerged, talking to Payson.
A moment passed, and the guy looked at Payson, and told her he loved her. They hugged, and Nicky's heart dropped into a deep pit.
Turning away, Nicky threw the flowers to the ground, walking over them.
How stupid he had been, thinking Payson would have waited for him.
Suddenly, the guy's voice called out, "Hey, man, you dropped your flowers!"
Nicky whirled around, to see the guy, with his good arm wrapped around Payson's shoulders. She was stunned, words not able to form in her mouth.
"Whatever, man." He said, angrily.
He turned away again, pride and heart broken, and walked off, disappearing into the crowds.