Chapter 4- The Dreaded Gala
"Payson Keeler! Are you dating Austin Tucker?" some reporter shouted at them for the millionth time since arriving at The Manhattan Hotel Rotterdam. Payson sighed and kept the smile plastered on her face, looking more and more tired every time that damn question was thrown at her. Austin was dutifully at her side, on hand on the small of her back, which probably wasn t helping prevent the onslaught of questions that were being hurled at them, but Payson seemed to find a comfort in his touch and he wanted to stay close to her. He kept a consistent stream of whispered comments flowing into her ear, keeping her sane, making her laugh. She would occasionally respond with her own joke and she was the God honest reason that he hadn t punched one of these obnoxious reporters yet.
"This is nuts." She murmured to him, leaning into his side just ever so slightly, glancing up to meet his gaze. He smiled and pulled her just a bit closer, his long fingers curling around her hip gently.
"Take the attention as a compliment," He whispered into her ear, trying to maneuver a path to get inside the building, it was chilly out and she didn t have a jacket. Normally he would have insisted that she take his, but the press was already on their asses just for showing up together, that anything would be adding fuel to the media fire.
"A compliment?" They managed to get past another wave of reporters without actually answering their persistent questions. It s actually the same question just in different variations and with different accents tacked on to it. "How is this", She motioned to the insanity around them, "A compliment?"
"Think of it this way," He felt her shiver lightly in the cool nighttime air, he doubled his efforts to get her inside, the last thing she needs is to get sick before Worlds. He moved his hand to her bare shoulder, rubbing it lightly in an attempt to keep her warm. "They know that you're the one to watch. They know there's something special about you," He smiled as a faint blush tinted her already pink cheeks, " That's why they tend to bug the crap out of you." She smiled and laughed, leaning even more into his frame. He grinned at her, barely aware of the renewed onslaught of questioning and flashes that this little exchange caused.
She shivered again as the wind picked up. Come on Tucker, you got to get her inside . He spotted an opening and they moved forward hastily. Finally! He saw the door, he could swear he heard Payson sigh in relief and just the thought made him want to laugh.
Payson grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door, eager to get inside and out of the limelight that most people crave. He laughed, out loud this time.
"Payson!Austin! How long have you two been together?" He heard a short huff of annoyed breath escape her. Uh-oh, this guy just skipped the asking and is onto assumptions. She spun around and faced the young eager reporter from Australia, it sounded like Australia any way. Austin was close at her side, his hand back on her shoulder. She sent the reporter a seemingly confused look, before turning those puzzled blue eyes to him.
"We're dating?" Her eyebrows were raised, and if you didn t know her then you would think she was actually shocked confused, but he saw the way the corners of her lips were discreetly twitching up into a smile even though she was clearly trying to fight it.
"Apparently,"Austin gave her arm a squeeze with a small smile, Messing with the press. Nice.
"You know, they should really tell us these things, how else are we supposed to know?," She shook her head with a small little smile, and a toss of her hair before smiling up at Austin and walking toward the hotel. She is officially my favorite person ever. He shot a smirk at the baffled reporter and followed her, beating her to the door and holding it open like the gentleman he could sometimes be.
He waited until the door shut behind him before applauding her. "See? What did I tell you? Putty in your pretty little hands." Pretty little hands? God I sound like a creeper.
Payson took a mock bow, "Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week." She beamed at him, eyes sparkling like a diamond. He watched her for a moment, she was scrutinizing him.
"What?" He shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling a bit self-conscious. What was she staring at so intensely?
"Your tie." My tie? He looked down at his navy tie, it was simple and neutral. He thought it was okay, before she started staring at it with such dissaproval, Austin decided he never wanted her to look at him like that again.
"What about it?" He tugged at it anxiously. Payson batted away his hands, placing her own on his chest.
"Who tied it for you? A monkey?" She pulled him off to the side, so that they weren't blocking the entrance way. He took a brief glance around the hotel lobby. It was a softly lit room, all cream colored and beige. He saw the lights of the ballroom, but was distracted as Payson s hands brushed the small amount of skin that was displayed at the collar of his shirt that had been previously covered by his tie. Her hands were cold from outside and a shudder ran down his spine as she made contact.
"Technically humans and monkeys are related genetically," He said with a smirk. She rolled her eyes, undoing the knot completely and starting from scratch.
"That's apes Tarzan, not monkeys." He suppressed a smile, watching her fingers weave the soft cloth as she tried to tie a perfect slipknot; Even now she s a perfectionist. He was still near a foot taller than her, even despite her insanely high heels, and she couldn t get a couldn t get a good enough leveled grip on the tie to do it the way she wanted. He chuckled at her efforts. She sighed impatiently and tugged on the tie, pulling him down to her level.
They were close enough now that her could feel her body heat coming off of her in waves. Light blue locked onto dark, and for a moment all they did was stare at each other. Payson hastily averted her eyes to the tie. He was barely an inch away from her and he smelled vanilla again, this time with an added scent of something flowery that he couldn t place. Lilacs? Maybe roses?
Austin was so concentrated on trying to place that smell that it took him an added moment to realize that Payson had stopped fiddling with his tie. Her hands were placed at the top knot and he flashed his eyes to hers. As soon as he made eye contact, a smirk playing about his lips, she pulled away, inhaling sharply.
"Thanks," Austin takes note of how his voice was about a half octave lower, and the blush that has tinted her cheeks.
"Don't mention it," She almost whispers right back, a pretty little smile crossing her pink lips. She really is stunning. The lobby of the hotel is nearly empty now, everyone had relocated to the ballroom. He offered her his arm.
"Shall we?" He tried to lighten the tension. It evaporated as she bit back a laugh, wrapping her slender arm around his.
"We shall." Together they walked toward the lit up ballroom. The room was enormous , and it was easily the most nationally diverse place outside of the UN negotiations building. On one side of the room you saw the Irish gymnasts, Austin recognized their coach, mingling with Germany. On the other there was China and Italy, very different in both size and styles. The tiny Chinese looked even smaller compared to the long legged Italians. Payson was craning her neck, trying to find the US's table, but even in her heels she was too short to see over the heads of everyone in the room.
She sighed in frustration and looked to Austin, who was easily one of the tallest people in the room, most male gymnasts stop at 5]8 and almost all of the male coaches in the room were gymnasts at one point and aren t very tall. He chuckled under his breath and patted her hand.
"It's alright short stuff, I got this." She stuck her tongue out at him in a rather childish, although admittedly adorable way. He looked out across the room and found Sasha s long lanky frame and blonde hair. He was talking to the Romanian coaches; He probably knows them from when they trained together. He nodded triumphantly in their coach's direction, spotting one of the Patrone boys not too far from their Sasha, who was smiling and laughing for once.
Payson rolled her eyes and led the way over to them, knowing where she was going now she had the table in her sights, Austin followed close at hand, smiling and wondering how the hell she was walking so gracefully in those heels?
Just when they got to the table Kaylie and Lauren come out of the shadows and were sending meaningful looks their way, at least Kaylie was, Lauren was smiling at Payson, obviously trying not to laugh. Payson stopped and turned her back to them, facing Austin. They were close again, Austin noted how infuriated Kaylie looked. Oh Crap. I can t let her go over there alone.
"Is it too early to call bananas?" She asked, obviously serious. He brushed some of her hair off of her cheek casually; well he hoped it was casual. She didn't seem to notice.
"Fraid so," She pouted, he'd never seen her pout before. It was surprisingly adorable and he almost caved. But if they left now, they'd have to deal with their coaches, both Club AND National.
"But if we leave now then we can get out these clothes," He raised his eyebrows, she slapped his chest, "Not like that! Let me finish!" He smiled, not daring to say any of the comments that were running through his smartass brain. "If we leave, then we can relax and review competition and training tapes. It d really help to have a fresh eye to watch them with me, "she pleaded, batting her eyelashes in a not so Payson-like way.
"Sounds fine," He said truthfully, she raised her eyebrows. "What? I pay attention to my competition, it's fun to point out their mistakes and laugh at them," She laughed and he gave another smile. Kaylie turned and said something to Lauren who raised her eyebrows and responded, That really doesn t look good. "But if we go now, Sasha might eat us". Her face fell immediately and she threw a brief look over her shoulder. When she turned back to him, the look she gave him was literally begging him to help her face the wrath of Sasha and leave. He almost did, she was only an inch away from breaking his will and molding him like she molded the press, and she was doing it unintentionally.
"I know you're right," She said with a heavy sigh. "Doesn't mean I have to like it". Gone was her confidence and playfulness from earlier. Gone was the bright personality. Austin hesitated for a moment and then pulled her into a gentle hug. She didn t respond immediately and it made him wonder if he crossed a line, but then her felt her arms snake their way around his neck, and her chin tuck into the juncture of his shoulder and neck.
"Sasha or no Sasha, if they re too much then we ll go. Promise." He whispered into her soft curls, she hugged him tighter for a moment and then pulled away, that smile back on her lips. I must've seen her smile more in the last two days then I have ever before.
She took a deep breath and walked away from him, heading to her certain doom. Austin shoved his hands in his pockets, and watched her for a moment, before a sharp tug on his shoulder brought his attention elsewhere. Adam Patrone, he thinks, was at his side now, a sultry looking Russo not to far behind. Oh Great, the welcoming comittee.
"Dude!" Adam/Michael said excitedly, bouncing with excitement, "She's hot!" Definitely Adam. Austin caught a weary eyeroll from Nicky, but Adam had far too much in common with a Terrier at the moment for Austin to do anything but smile.
"You say that like you're surprised," Austin took a glance around the room for Michael and found him near the other side of the room, leaning against a wall, engaged in deep conversation with Emily. Both of them had smiles on their faces and Emily looked worry free at the moment. Austin felt his smile grow just the smallest bit.
Adam bounced some more, motioning wildly in Payson's direction, she was frowning at something Kaylie had said, Lauren had slapped herself in the forehead, That can't be good. "Well she's always been hot, but this is like a new level of smoking hotness!" Austin raised his eyebrows. Has someone spiked the punch? He's way to jumpy to not be on anything.
Austin gave the smaller teen a playful shove, "Dude, go drool over you're own date will ya?" Adam staggered toward a now solitary Lauren, who brightened as she saw him. Whoa, where'd they go? They were right there only two seconds ago! Austin took on a renewwed search of the ballroom and thought he caught a glimpse of her blonde hair when he heard a soft voicew speak behind him, "I won't let you do it."
He spun around and saw a stoic Nicky, arms crossed firmly on his chest, cold dark eyes fixed on him. "What?"
Nicky sighed, "Look. I don't know what you're chasing Payson for, she's way too smart to fall for any of your tricks. Just a heads up, the whole love 'em and leave 'em routine you play by, not gonna happen. I won't let you." Nicky shook his head, his spiky hiar not moving an inch, "Not to Payson."
For one second Austin feels anger flash inside his chest. Who does he think he is? But as soon as it comes, its gone. He's just worried for her, protective. Come on Tucker, you do have a quite stunning repetoire, can you blame him? He shakes it off wih a laugh, after all he's gotta live with the guy. "Calm down, Russo. We're just friends. Same as you are with her." Austin caches an almost guilty flash in those eyes, but its gone before he can figure out what it was for. Nicky eyes him for a moment beofre nodded stiffly and walking off to the little brunette that once held his affections. Where the hell is Payson? Austin cranes his neck, but cannot find her. He catches sight of Emily, no longer smiling infact she looks quite worried, and he walks over to her intent on getting answers. She looks up as Mike signals his approach.
"Where's Payson?" Emily's frown deepens, Oh crap, what happened?
...
The absence of Austin's touch is the thing that is most prominant in her mind. Not how unhappy Kaylie looks, or how gleeful Lauren is, just the fact that he is no longer near her. Payson shakes her head in an attempt to clear it, I need to concentrate. She reaches Kaylie and Lauren, the brunette's petite hands are planted on her hips firmly, Payson flicks her eyes to Lauren, hoping for some indidcation of why Kaylie looks so outright pissed, Lauren just shrugs. So helpful.
"Hey," Payson says tentatively, her guard up as soon as she sees the way Kaylie's doe eyes narrow at her.
"Hey? Don't pull this bullshit Payson," Kaylie spits at her, the venom dripping from her tone. Woah, what the hell? Even Lauren seems surprised.
"Did I do something wrong?" She asks defensively, taking an imperceptive glance around the room for Emily, hoping for backup.
"Hmmm, lets see," Kaylie taps a finger on her chin, "Not much, only you showed up here with Austin!" The hands are back on her hips, wrinkling the pink satin of her dress. "How could you do that to me Pay?"
"I haven't done anything!" Payson was on the defensive now, so confused and hurt. Kaylie has never been mad at her before, not like this. This was reserved especially for Lauren when their on again off again relationship was in the off position.
"You. Came. With. Him!" The National champion was fuming, Payson frowned, So? She came with Nicky. The thought almost passed her lips, but Payson swallowed it, she wasn't going to sink to that level.
"Yeah, as friends! I can't come to a mandatory event that you know for a fact I wouldnt be caught dead at if I had a choice in the matter with a friend? Who else was I supposed to go with?" Payson nearly shouted, she was struggling to keep her voice low, her anger rising in her throat.
"It sure didn't look like you're just friends," Kaylie says skeptically, Lauren was slapping herself on the forehead, quite surprised that these two were fighting.
"Well we are." Payson said, while frowning, hoping to end the topic before things were said that would be regretted.
"I can't believe you'd do this to me Payson."
"Do what? I'm not dating him, Kaylie, I'm not Lauren!" Payson shot Lauren an apologetic look, "No offense Lo."
Lauren waved it off, "None taken. I now I'm a bitch when I want to be." Payson nodded, smiling abit before turning her full attention on Kaylie once more.
"Kaylie, like it or not, I'm friends with Austin. Just because you tossed him aside for some reason, doesn't mean I can't talk to him." Payson crossed her own arms, daring Kaylie to contradict her. I hate that I have to go here, but she started it!
"Don't. Don't you dare! You know how hard this has been on me!" Lauren slapped herself again, looking like she'd rather be slapping Kaylie.
"On you?" Payson reiterated, leaning back abit, "On you? He gave you his word, his promise to be with you, and you just pushed him away. You pushed him! Not the other way around!" Kaylie's eyes widened, surprised. Good! She needs to hear this.
"Payson," Kaylie's voice took a drastic turn, getting all soft and small and she averted her eyes, "Why did you come with him? You know I'm not okay. That it hurts to see him. So why?" Payson felt her wall crumbling, Kaylie looked ready to burst into tears. Payson took a step closer, all hardness gone. Lauren put an arm on Kaylie's.
"Because he asked." Payson said, revealing the naggin thought at the back of her mind. "Don't get me wrong, we are friends and no offense to you Kay, but you didn't even cross my mind when I accepted, I had planned on just coming with him to have fun with a friend." Payson took a deep breath, "But it was also because he was the only one who asked me."
Kaylie looked up, her eyes brimming with the slightest bit of understanding. "How many offers did you get to come tonight? Four, maybe five?"Payson asked softly, "Thats not the case for me." She felt the dry ache that serves as a warning sign for tears. "It'll never be the case for me." Payson turned around and walked quickly out of the ballroom, needing air.
The lobby was dead empty, everyone else was inside. God this is a disaster. A drama lined debacle. She looked around and found a hallway. She hurried down it, taking deep breaths. Payson ran a hand through her curls as she sank to the floor leaning against the wall. God dammit why did I let it get that far? She closed her eyes and tried to calm down, imagining herself in the gym, where it didnt matter if she was friends with Austin or not. She was on the beam, where it didnt matter if his touch was gentle and calming. It didn't matter.
"Payson?" She opened her eyes, looking up the hall. Austin was walking toward her. She made to stand but didn't have the energy. It was uneeded as she sank to the floor beside her, placing one hand on her knee.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, completely surprised that he had come after her. He sent her a quizzical look.
"Looking for my date?" He questioned, his brow furrowed with concern. "Emily told me that you ran out here. What happened?"
If it was anyone else she probably would have clamed up, and shut him out. But it was Austin, so for some unknown reason she replayed the entire conversation. He listened in silence, not saying anything at all, or moving a muscle. When she finished the silence hung in the air for seemingly forever.
And then he laughed.
His laughter was loud and deep, rumbling through his touch so that she felt it vibrating in her bones. Why is he laughing? She felt herself defalte. Great. I just made a complete fool of myself. Just fricking perfect.
"Is that really what you think?" He asked through his neverending chuckles, "That you didn't get asked because you aren't as pretty as Kaylie Cruz?" She felt her skin grow warm and her head nodding of its own accord without waiting for instructions from her brain. "Keeler, it's so the opposite."
"What do you mean?" He's not making any sense.
"Payson, they're intimidated by you," He said as if it was the most widely known fact in the universe. She scoffed and moved away from him, Is that supposed to make me feel better?
"Thanks. That's exactly what every teenage girl wants to hear. No one likes you because you scare the crap out of them. That's just great." She crossed her arms and let her head rest against the wall again,not caring if she was messing up her curls.
"That's not what I meant," he rushed onto say, realizing his mistake. Payson shot him a look, challenging him to fix the mess he had just created. "God, Pay. They aren't scared of you, they're scared of getting rejected by you." She raised her eyebrows and he laughed before continuing."You're an amazing person. Smart, talented beyond all heaven and hell, drop dead gorgeous, all rolled up into one person. Can't you see how the entire male population is scared of your rejection?"
Did he just say I was drop dead gorgeous? She felt her cheeks burn with his praise and prayed that he didn't notice. He took her hand in his, "It's true, Kaylie's very pretty," Austin stopped, trying to find his words, "But you skip past just plain pretty Payson. You're beautiful." His last words were spoken in a near whisper. She inhaled shakily.
"Wow," she whispered, "You sure know how to talk yourself out of trouble." He grinned and pulled her up as he stood.
" I'm not lying. It's true. Maybe you should take a look to how all the boys stare at you, on and off the mat." She blushed again and his smile grew." Austin took her hand and kissed it like a gentleman straight out of a fairytale movie. "So Miss Keeler," He began playfully, the serioussness gone from his voice, sweet and tender moment completely over now, "Are you ready to dive back into the shark tank with me, or am I going to have to go it alone?"
She smiles at him, feeling like the last 10 minutes never happened, "Well now I'd hate to loose my date to the sharks of the gymnastics world." She took his hand, admiring how he was able to say exactly the right thing when she needed it, and knowing that she had gotten a very good friend out of the entire mess that was this stupid gala.
A/N- Wow. I can't believe people are actually reading this. It's literally a shock every time I see a new review.
I'm going to ramble now!
I promised drama, and I gave you drama. Kaylie flips over every little thing so I can totally she her flipping like this, can't you? Emily and Michael didn't play a very large part in this chapter, but I really want to spend some alone time with them or atleast Mike and Adam as soon as I get to Worlds, (IF I ever get to them.)
It bothered me how hard it was for me to write an insecure Payson, I've just never really seen her that way. Basically I just needed to get the idea into my head that she is a 17 year old girl not a superhero, even though she's completely badass. I apologize if this isn't that good, it took longer than I anticipated, but I finally got it done.
Yay me.
Super tired. Going to bed with visions of Worlds competition's dancing in my head. As always feedback is helpful, and I'm sorry for not responding to reviews. I'm a frazzled one if you couldn't tell by now.^.^
Hugs and Kisses to you all.
xoxoxoxoxoxo