*Since almost every review I got asked for more, here it is! The first part was kinda from Sasha's point of view, so this one's gonna be more focused on Payson's thoughts. I'm not really used to writing in present tense, so forgive me if I accidentally slip into past tense. Anyways, thanks for the reviews, please please please keep it up. Enjoy the story!*
Payson is lounging on the couch, watching TV, enjoying a rare night of relaxing when her mother rushes into the living room wearing her best dress.
"Mom, where are you going?" Payson asks, turning around to see her mother putting in her earrings.
"I'm bailing Sasha and Summer out," her mom explains. "They went on a date but Steve and Chloe are there so Sasha asked me to come so he could convince them it was a business dinner." Kim stops and looks at her daughter. "I shouldn't have said that; it's private. Do me a favor and don't mention it to anyone. Thanks, sweetheart." She walks over to the couch, kisses her daughter on the head and rushes out the door.
"Sasha went on a date?" Payson asks, though she's not sure who she's asking. She sits on the couch, shell shocked, her mind reeling. She had thought Sasha had feelings for her. Why else would he kiss her? So why is he on a date with Summer? Payson frowns, trying to sort it out in her head. The kiss meant something to her, but maybe Sasha doesn't feel the same way. Maybe to him it was a mistake. It was a mistake, Payson corrects herself. She knows kissing Sasha was wrong, and that she and Sasha can never be together. But that doesn't mean she expected him to go on a date the very next day! Payson is hurt. More than hurt, she's heartbroken. As she realizes this, she feels the tears spring to her eyes. She squeezes her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry, ashamed of the tears. After a few shaky breaths, she composes herself. Sasha Beloff is her coach, nothing more, she tells herself. She won't cry over him. She can't.
The next day is trying to say the least. Payson does her best to focus on her gymnastics but every time she looks at Sasha she feels her throat get tight and the familiar burning in her eyes that tells her she's about to cry. She's off and she knows it. She hopes Sasha doesn't notice but, of course, he does.
"Payson, are you all right?" he asks at the end of the day as everyone is preparing to leave.
"I'm fine," Payson mumbles, slinging her bag onto her shoulder. She tries to walk away but Sasha grabs her arm.
"I know you Payson Keeler. And you are most certainly not 'fine'," Sasha says. Sasha's gaze is piercing as he studies her, trying to figure out what's wrong. Payson looks away.
"I need to go get dressed," she says.
"Don't bother," Sasha tells her. Payson looks up, eyes wide in shock. Is he saying what she thinks he's saying? "Because you are going to get back out on that mat and work through whatever it is that's bothering you," Sasha continues, unaware that Payson at first thought he was suggesting she undress. She blushes furiously at the way her mind jumped to that conclusion and, humiliated, heads to the mat.
Payson takes a deep breath and performs her floor routine but it's ten times harder to focus when she and Sasha are alone in the gym.
"Again," Sasha says, standing there with his arms crossed, looking like he is just her coach and she's nothing more to him than his gymnast. Payson does her routine once more. "Again," Sasha repeats. In the middle of the routine, Payson loses her concentration all together and falls to the floor. She just lies there, trying to find the will to get up, but it's taking all her energy not to cry. "Payson." She hears Sasha say her name softly. She looks up and sees him kneeling beside her, his face full of concern. "Are you ready to tell me what's really the matter?" he asks. Payson moans in frustration, suddenly angry.
"You are!" she cries, standing. Sasha stays kneeling, letting Payson tower over him. "I thought you cared about me. Then I find out you went on a date with Summer," Payson says, practically spitting out Summer's name. "Obviously that kiss meant a lot more to me than it did to you. But you know what I don't care. However, if you want me to focus, stop breathing down my neck!" she shouts, stomping off the mat.
"I'm your coach!" Sasha cries, following after her. "Breathing down your neck is part of my job!" Payson doesn't answer as she grabs her bag and heads for the door. Sasha gets in front of her, blocking the exit. "It's also my job to care about my gymnasts." Payson rolls her eyes and tries to push past him. Sasha steps in closer. "But I care about you, Payson, way more than is required," he says softly. "Way more than I should," he whispers. They are just inches apart. Payson is still breathing hard from the combination of gymnastics and yelling. She inclines her head slightly, letting her eyes slide close. All Sasha has to do is move a fraction of an inch and they will be kissing. She hears his sharp intake of breath, feels him start to move, then all at once he isn't there anymore. "Ah!" he cries out, punching the wall. He turns back. "I can't do this Payson," he says. He steps back towards her, takes her face in his hands. "God knows I want to. But I can't." Without another word he leaves the gym. Payson watches him go as she chokes back a sob.