Chapter 2: Kaylie's P.O.V.

Worlds are finally over.

I sat there diligently in my chair staring out the window from my pink-and-white painted room. I was wearing my matching track pants and jacket with my The Rock gym bag packed. A knock came at the door and I knew whom it was. I rushed down the stairs and opened the door.

"Austin," I said, smiling brightly.

He pulled me into a hug and whispered into my ear, "Morning, gorgeous." We broke apart and he gave me a sweet peck on the lips.

"You hungry?" I asked. He smiled and I took that as a yes. I led him into the kitchen and sat him down while I started getting eggs out of the fridge and telling him to crack it into a bowl. I heard footsteps and the front door opening then closing. "Leo?" I called out. No answer. The figure then came into the kitchen, and I was stunned, "Dad?"

At the mention of that one word, Austin snapped his head up and whipped it around and looked at my dad. "Mr. Cruz, good morning."

"Austin Tucker, gymnastics' very own bad boy. How could you have the nerve to tell the media, the whole world, that you are dating my daughter, the National Champ and now, the Worlds' Gold Medalist?"

"Dad," I began.

"Mr. Cruz, I understand you're concerned about your daughter, but I promise you, I will not hurt her in any way. I respect her and as I've told you before, I'm falling for her."

My dad looked at me and I knew this was my cue to say something. I began again, "Dad, I know you don't want me dating anybody. But I need Austin. He's, he's." I lost my words.

"He's what?" My dad snapped.

"He's my boyfriend, and I'm falling for him too. He was there beside me when you and mum weren't. He stayed by my hospital bed and encouraged me to get better. He also helped me get back on the Worlds team. You and mum, everyday, you guys fight and you don't pay attention to what's happening to me. Before my fall at Worlds trials, you didn't even know I had an eating disorder. Austin did, he tried to help me but every time, and I push him away. You want to know why? Because, gymnastics is the only thing keeping you and mum together. By losing weight, I'll be able to perfectly perform the Round Off Arabian Mount and I know you and mum will be so proud of me. If I didn't do well in gymnastics, you and mum would not have been together for this long. Please, dad, I need someone that won't run away from me, and that someone is Austin." I finished, tears rolling down my cheeks. "Why are you here anyways? Where's mum?"

"That's what I came here to tell you, she's in Paris for the time being, she told me to come home and take care of you," he said. "I know Austin has helped you, and I will give you guys a chance. If you can prove that he doesn't pressure you into anything and that your gymnastics will still be your main focus, I'll let you guys date. Now go train, don't forget to pack your lunch."

"Thank you, daddy," I gave him a hug, "Let's go, Austin."

He picked up our lunch and put it into my gym bag. He took my gym bag and hung it over his shoulders. He opened the front door for me and closed it when I got out. Austin opened the door of his black Porsche Carrera convertible and closed the door after I sat in. He quickly rushed to the driver's side of the car and put on his seat belt. He turned towards me and asked, "When you said you were falling for me, is it…"

I turned to him, leaning in and giving him a kiss. We broke apart and I smiled. I knew that that was the answer he was looking for. He looked forward and drove towards The Rock.

It was our first day back at The Rock and there was a sea of paparazzi outside of the gym. As we pulled into the parking space, flashes began blinding our eyes and questions flew.

"Austin, is your relationship with Kaylie Cruz publicity or is it real?"

"Kaylie, how did you tame gymnastics' bad-boy Austin Tucker?"

We got out of the car and Austin came to my side and held my hand. We walked towards the gym door when Austin turned us towards the journalists, and said, "What you see, is what it is. Have a great day." Flashes kept blaring and I didn't know what to do. All of a sudden, Austin turned me to face him and kissed me and the photographers went wild, snapping as many pictures as they could of the new "gymnastics power couple".

He broke the kiss and we sauntered into the gym. Once inside, all the female gymnasts ran straight to Austin and continued flirting with him, pushing me further away from my boyfriend. Austin gave them his signature bad-boy smirk – and of course, they all melted; I couldn't help but snigger under my breath - and announced, "Ladies, this is my girlfriend, Kaylie Cruz," while walking towards me. I could see the gleam of hope in their eyes died and I said, "In your faces," mentally. They were all murmuring and I could hear one of them saying, "What does he see in her anyways?"

We greeted everyone and afterwards I went into the girls' locker room and took off my tracksuit and put on my signature pink leotard. I pulled my hair into a slick ponytail and tied it with a pink and black scrunchie.

"Austin Tucker, huh?"

Of course. "Hey, Lo," I replied.

"Oh come on! Spill," Lauren pressed on.

"Well, there's nothing to spill. The tabloids said it all."

"Okay, fine, but I'm not done with this conversation," she said while heading out.

I walked out of the locker room with my head down when I bumped into something hard, rather someone hard. "Sorry," I mumbled and I looked up. The expression of shock flew across my face. It couldn't be.

"Nicky? What are you doing here?"

"Hey Princess, I'm back at the Rock now," he said while smiling mischievously.