Author's Note: Chapter two! Sorry this chapter is a little shorter. Let me know your thoughts or ideas! Enjoy
Chapter 2
I have never felt so much relief in my life. I just broadcasted to the world that I was a gay athlete. It felt so damn good. I headed up my suite and changed out of my uniform into shorts and a tank top. My phone vibrated on the bed side table. I glanced at the lit up screen, 1 New Text Message. I picked it up and opened to the text.
Chelsea: Hey just saw your interview. Call me when you get a chance.
I hit the speed dial button my iPhone and wait…
"Hey!" a perky voice said from the other end.
"Hey Chelsea! Sorry I didn't call you earlier, I got a little preoccupied with the rowing agendas."
"Ah. It's no problem. Don't worry about it. So how do you think you mom is gonna take it?"
"I don't really want to think about it, but for now I'm across the Atlantic Ocean so she can't touch me until I return in a month."
"True. Hey if you need a place you stay your always welcome here."
"Thanks I might actually take you up on that offer," I chuckled through the phone, "Um, what did you want to talk about earlier?"
"Oh that. Don't worry about that, I'll tell you when I get back."
"So what the agenda like?" she asked curiously.
"I have 4:00 am practice tomorrow, so I should probably hit the sack. Need to sleep off this jet lag."
"Oh shit! I completely forgot about that. Okay get some rest and call me when you get a chance."
I laughed, "Thanks Chelsea. I'll talk to you soon." She's so innocent. And with that note, I turned off the lamp and closed my eyes.
An obnoxious buzzing sound coming from the alarm woke me from my slumber. I jammed my fist on top of the alarm and rolled out of bed. It was 3:30 am. I rummaged through my bag of clothing, not bothering to shower seeing as I'm going to get gross and sweaty so why bother. I changed into a sports bra and a white coldgear Under Armour shirt, long spandex with shorts ones underneath, my hat, sunglasses, splash-jacket, and socket. I grabbed my backpack and shoved a water bottle from the freezer, an extra pair of socks, and sunscreen. Kyla walked into the looking half-dead. I shook my head and chuckled to myself. This is going to be an interesting practice. We headed down towards the lobby; a mini coach bus was parked outside. We tossed our bags into the storage compartments underneath the bus, and clambered on board, where the rest of the women's team was half-awake, drinking coffee.
The ride to course was about twenty minutes away from The Ritz. The sunrise shimmered across the silent water; the buoys floating in their lanes. The air was crisp, as we dismounted the bus and were directed to our trailer. The boats were rigged and laying on block on the ground. Our coach instructed us that today was going to be an easy day, just learn to row with your rowers.
Kyla and I walked over the a double painted red, with a navy blue streak running down the middle, and star scattered upon the blues streak. On the side of the boat was the word, Pride. Pride, I like it. The oars were painted red, white and blue. We picked up the boat, and walked in it on our shoulder toward the dock. After getting the oars into the riggers and pushing off the dock, practiced for an hour just rowing at steady state to get a feel for rowing with one another. We tried a couple starts, middles attacks, and sprints. Everything went quite smoothly. It surprised me how well we worked as a pair. Our coach complemented us on the way back to the hotel saying, "That was some damn good rowing out there ladies, keep up the good work!"
The hotel provided us with a nice variety of pasta and salad for lunch. We were given an hour for lunch, and then three hours to rest of do something before we went back out to the course for afternoon practice. After lunch, Kyla and I headed back to our rooms for some need down time.
"Spencer, so you know how we have this weekend off."
"Yeah..." I replied, somewhat afraid of what she had in mind.
"Well, my sister's studying abroad at Oxford University, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to see her?"
"I don't know..."
"Please! She's really wants to meet my doubles partner aka YOU."
"Alright, alright. I'll come!" This is going to be an interesting visit.
The rest of the continued with afternoon practice until 5:00 pm. Dinner. Team meeting then Bed. This is how the next three week was going to be planned out. What joy. At least I'm looking forward to meeting Kyla's sister this weekend.
