Chapter 6- Worlds, Day 2; Men's(Sort of)
Emily Kmetko sat cross legged on her bed, scrolling through her messages, hoping for a missed response from Damon. Last time she talked to him, he was in L.A. recording some new tracks for his album. The last time she talked to him being almost two weeks ago.
She sighed as she saw that he hadn't even bothered to call her. She loved him, she really did and she knew that he loved her too, but this hot and cold nonsense had her head spinning and her heart tied in knots.
Sometimes I wonder if it would have been easier to give Razor a shot, Emily thought to herself as she saw Razor's name under the recent messages screen. He had texted her a good luck message yesterday morning before they left the hotel to head to the arena. She banished the thought as quickly as it had come.
Emily frowned at her reflection in their hotel mirror. What's wrong with me? Why can't anything be simple? She hugged a pillow to her chest glancing at the time, she was waiting for Payson to finish up in the bathroom and then they would head down to the lobby where a bus waited to take everyone to the Ahoy Arena for the first day of the Men's competition.
Her phone buzzed and she checked the screen, hoping to see Damon's name. Instead she saw her mother's. Emily sighed, but a small smile crossed her lips all the same. Chloe had learned how to text efficiently enough, thanks to Brian, and she was so excited about it that she texted the two of them for almost anything.
Hey sweetie! Just wanted to let you know how proud we all are of you. I saw you kick some serious butt yesterday. Brian says hi. Love you darling. –Mom.
She smiled and shut her phone, slipping it inside the pocket of her jeans. If only one thing could be said about Chloe Kmetko it's that she loves her children more than anything else in the world. The door to the bathroom opened, the faint light spilling onto the wall gently, and Payson walked out, brushing her fingers through her hair.
Emily had to admit that she was always a little jealous of Payson for her looks. She was dressed in a simple outfit, A dark blue t-shirt and a knee length white skirt, but just the way it hugged her body, and the way that her blonde hair fell around her makeup free face in gentle waves made it seem like she had put an immense amount of effort in to it. Maybe that's where her true beauty is, the fact that she doesn't try for it.
"Wow Pay, did Lauren pack everything for you?" Emily teased gently, slipping her bare feet into a pair of sparkly black flats. Payson scowled, narrowing her dark blue eyes.
"Yes," She said flatly. She said it so seriously and with such annoyed disdain that Emily couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Seriously, you look really pretty," Emily said with a smile. She meant it too. Payson smiled at her sincerity.
"You too Em," Emily took a glance at herself in the mirror. All she was in was some dark jeans and a colorful tee. Her short dark hair had refused to cooperate this morning, it was wavy despite the fact that she had spent almost an hour trying to get the straightener to work. Nothing special. Payson saw her friends self dissaproval and rolled her eyes and grabbed a pair of flats, leading the way out the door, Emily following close behind. Once they were in the elevator Emily's phone buzzed again.
She glanced at the screen, Michael's name flashed over and over again. Emily smiled gently, he was a really nice person and he made her feel good in a way that she really couldn't describe. Payson must've caught the smile.
"Damon?" The blonde's tone was easy going and amused. Emily blushed a bit.
"Um, no actually. It's Mike." She opened the text quickly, Morning Sunshine. Her smile grew, and she quickly typed a response, Morning. How are you doing? She'd really gotten to know Michael last night at the team dinner and he had revealed to her how nervous he was to be going into Worlds as a virtual unknown, a topic that she could relate to easily.
"Ah. You know, you two looked pretty cozy together last night." Payson observed off handedly, in a way that let Emily know that the topic was open for discussion, but only if she wanted it to be. She was grateful for that. If it had been Kaylie or Lauren she would have been pressed for information and insinuations would have been made.
"Yeah," Emily said softly, thinking back to the way that his intense green eyes had been focused on her for the entire night, eager to listen to what she had to say. Just thinking about it made her feel a light blush rise in her. "I could say the same for you and Austin," She remarked, eager to change the subject.
The lights at the top of the elevator slowly ticked down to 0, Payson smiled at the mention of Austin. Emily took note of it, she had been aware to how close her two friends had seemed to be over the last few days. "What did he say to you yesterday?"
"When?" Payson brushed some blonde hair over her ear, and turned her puzzled blue eyes to Emily.
"Before your bars set," Emily had never seen Austin act like that before. He had focused in completely on Payson, and the moment they had shared had definitely had an impact on how Payson performed. Emily had watched the routine, but her gaze kept flitting back to where Austin sat in the stands. He had this tender little smile on his lips as he watched her and just watching him, Emily had felt like smiling herself.
The same tender little smile had replicated itself onto Payson's lips right now, her eyes softening. "He gave me my confidence back." She hugged herself absentmindedly, her right hand grasping her hip, the other fingering the collar of her top. There was an almost dreamy look in her eyes and Emily almost laughed at the abnormality of it all.
Payson and Austin? No…they wouldn't… Emily bit the inside of her cheek in thought. I'll have to keep an eye on them before I jump to any conclusions. The silence was interrupted by a sharp ding! and the elevator doors opened. Payson brushed some more hair off her face and smiled at Emily, they walked out together arm and arm, heading toward the group of people waiting in the lobby.
"Don't look now Em," Payson whispered conspiratorially into her ear, "But Adam is shoving Michael your way." Emily zeroed in on the mess of curly black hair that was a tell tale sign of the twins. Indeed Adam was literally shoving Michael toward them. Payson smiled gently as Michael stumbled forward, muttering what sounded like Italian profanities under his breath.
Payson gave her arm a gentle squeeze and walked away, saying a soft good morning to Mike as she passed him. The blonde beauty felt several pairs of eyes on her, including Emily's. It's like they've never seen a girl in a skirt before.
She tossed her hair over her shoulder, it was really the only part of her that ever made her feel like a remotely attractive girl, and sat down on one of the couches that lined the lobby, hoping that she was far enough away from Emily so that she could observe her friend without it seem like spying. Curiosity killed the cat, she thought to herself as she crossed her legs and watched Emily and Michael talk quietly. He seemed almost ridiculously nervous around her, and Emily seemed almost jittery herself, a smile planted firmly on the girls lips.
Payson tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ears and found her-self smiling at the pair, they were just so adorably awkward, it was really quite sweet. Kaylie and Lauren walked into the room, chatting to each other, both stopped as they saw Emily and Michael, Kaylie literally dragged Lauren further away and they started talking again. Oh God.
"So how long do you think it'll be before Lauren starts dropping hints and asking questions?" A husky voice said softly behind her. Payson turned and was face to face, literally face to face, with Austin. She leaned back a bit and he chuckled, sitting down beside her, his arm draped casually across the back of the sofa.
"Morning to you too," Payson turned back toward Emily, trying to read lips. Austin propped his chin on her shoulder, his cheek was smooth against hers. Payson turned slightly, a small tingle running down her spine from the contact, biting back a laugh. "Can I help you?"
He grinned," Not really. Just bored." Payson arched her eyebrows, a smile coming to her lips.
"I think you're still working off that sugar high from last night," She burst into giggles as she thought of it.
…
After the competition the team had relocated to a fancy-esque restaurant. Fancy enough that Payson had almost been grateful that Lauren had forced her to pack some nice jeans and a thigh length sweater that hugs to her every curve. Lauren had packed/supervised the packing of all of their gym bags, but she seemed to pay especially close attention to Payson's.
The girls and boys were forced to mingle, to promote team unity or something along that line and somehow Austin and Payson had gravitated toward each other almost instantly. The Rock gymnasts stole a table away from the rest of the team, with the exception of the lone Denver outsider, Nicky, taking up an entire table by themselves.
"This menu is insane," Austin declared to Payson softly as he scanned the long lists. She laughed, everything on the menu was uber healthy, and almost completely devoid of meat. Not exactly what Austin was used to, or most of the boys for that matter.
"I like to call it Karma," Payson responded just as softly, deciding mentally beside the chicken Cesar salad and the house, "You guys get to eat whatever you want while us girls are stuck with low fat rabbit food."
"Blah blah blah, I can't eat any of this!" He shut the menu closed and dropped it on his plate with a childish pout. Payson bit her lip, trying not to laugh at him. She patted his hand, Emily who was on his other side had been having a similar conversation with Adam, Mike was putting up a good front, but he was struggling with the amount of veggies as well.
"You're better off just ordering from the desert menu," Payson joked offhandedly, going back to her menu. Austin straightened up in his chair, a smile suddenly dawning on his handsome face. He reached his long arms across the table and plucked the cream colored dessert menu from its holder.
"Best idea ever." He said as he scanned the list, his face lighting up with a childlike glee, literally salivating at the thought of a miniature chocolate fountain that was one of the options.
"I was kidding!" Payson said incredulously. He ignored her, grinning like there's no tomorrow. Payson sighed, rolling her eyes, explaining tiredly to anyone who asked what the hell he was doing. The atmosphere surrounding their table was soon filled with laughter. Adam was hell bent on following his lead but Lauren talked him out of it, poor kid wasn't used to the Lauren Tanner charm yet.
Austin had ordered the sweetest most cavity inducing thing on the menu, The D-Day Death by Chocolate explosion, and proceeded to taunt Payson with every bite that he took. At one point he had tried to slip some into her mouth while she was talking, but all he managed to do was smear chocolate sauce across her cheek.
The Chocolate death ball or whatever it was had been one of the only things Austin had eaten all day and the amount of sugar running through his veins had been near overdose levels. If Austin was a fun drunk, then he was a freaking hurricane of energy while high on sugar.
…
"It's possible," Austin allowed stretching his arm to rest along the back of the cushions. Payson rolled her eyes, leaning back into the couch, his arm just touching the back of her neck.
"Do you even know how nuts you were last night?" She asks, sending a small smile over in Emily's direction, Mike had gotten her laughing and they seemed to be moving past the awkward moments quite nicely.
"I vaguely remember Nicky threatening to throw me out a window," Payson burst into peals of laughter, Austin grinned. Ellen Beals suddenly swept through the lobby draining it of the lighthearted banter. The Men's National team coach Paul Hamm rolled his eyes at the woman as he walked in behind her, his smile bringing the warmth right back into the place.
"Morning Paul," Austin called to the once successful gymnast. Paul smiled brighter, continuing his way through the lobby, ease and calm flooding off of the young man in waves. While the Women's team had some major coaching drama, the boys had lucked out big time. Paul was an Olympic Gold medalist and an all around great guy and coach, despite his young age. He didn't play favorites and gave everyone an equal shot for meets and one on one training.
"Morning Austin, Payson," He inclined his head to the blonde. Payson smiled and greeted the genial coach with a wave of her hand and a soft greeting. The coach followed Beal's warpath and walked outside, motioning for his boys to follow him. Austin stood, offering Payson a hand. She took it with a smile and looked around the lobby for Sasha.
She found him rounding up the stragglers, his gruff manner was surprisingly gentle. Payson expected it had to do with that fact the girls weren't competing today. She waved at him and turned back to Austin, who had been watching her, or was he just watching Sasha?
"You ready to dominate the globe?" She asked him, starting to walk out toward the buses. The air was crisp outside, a slight breeze sending the hem of her skirt dancing around her knees. Beals was yelling/arguing with the bus driver and Paul seemed to be trying to mediate, the gymnasts were stuck to milling around, waiting for the conflict to be resolved. She shivered lightly in the cool air.
"Of course. Do you really expect anything less?" Austin wrapped an arm around her shoulder, his hand was incredibly warm on her cool shoulder, "Jesus Pay, your skin is like ice!" Austin removed his hand and shrugged out of his Team USA sweat jacket, draping it across her shoulders before she could protest.
"Austin I-" She started, shrugging out of the jacket, his hands pressed to her shoulders and he gave her an almost smoldering look, his blue eyes quelling any contradictions she had to the chivalrous gesture. She sighed and slipped her arms through the too big sleeves, "Thanks."
He smiled at her utter defeat and his arm placed around her shoulder once more. She tried to find her hands in the fathoms of the warm jacket, having to bunch up the fabric until the cuffs near reached her elbows. She was warming up quickly, glancing over at Austin. He seemed perfectly at ease with only his Team USA T-shirt, even despite the wind.
"You have freakishly long arms," She commented lightly as she tucked her hands in the pockets.
"Or maybe your arms are freakishly tiny," He retorted, flicking one soft strand of blonde hair off her shoulder. He just loves to get the last word in.
"Uh huh. Sure. Whatever you say Austin," She said smiling up in his direction, the bus doors hissed open and the gymnasts started making their way onto the bus. "Whatever you say."
…
"Austin, I really have no place down there," Sasha said softly, sizing up the gymnast in front of him. Austin had pulled his coach aside while the others entered the arena and had told him that he wanted Sasha down on the competition floor with him today. It was a surprising request, and had come completely out of left field.
"Of course you do," Austin insisted like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Sasha crossed his arms and locked gazes with the only gymnast he had ever trained who was able to look him straight in the eye, and be at his eye level. "You're my coach. And Adam and Michael's too. We need you."
"Austin, Paul is your coach," Sasha arched an eyebrow in speculation as Austin huffed an exasperated sigh.
"Yeah, and he's great," He shifted his weight off of his left ankle, a spot that had been giving him some trouble lately during his vault landings. "But he's not you."
"Obviously, ' Sasha couldn't help but prod the notoriously playful gymnast. I may be a hard ass but there's just something about this kid. Austin grinned for a moment before becoming serious again.
"Like I was saying, Paul isn't with me in the gym day after freaking day. He only has to put up with my shit twice a month at most. Just the fact that you haven't killed me yet is enough to win you a prize. I want you on the floor with me. With us." His demeanor was so collected and calm that Sasha thought he was staring at a completely different Austin. Seems that Payson had somewhat of an influence on him.
"I'm…honored that you feel that way Austin," He started, noting the grin that had spread across the younger man's face, "But I can't help but feel as if I might offend Paul by waltzing onto the mat with you, Adam and Michael, no matter how much I'd like too."
Austin scoffed, a short bark of laughter escaping his throat, "Please. Like I would undermine his authority?" He shot an easy smile at the old Brit, "I've already gotten his permission and he said he was surprised that I didn't ask sooner." Sasha had to laugh at that. Paul Hamm was an extremely likable guy and this only added brownie points to his name in Sasha's mind.
"Alright then." Austin grinned turned to walk away, needing to head to the arena for warm-ups. Sasha watched him go, a new sort of respect rising up within him for the Olympic Gold medalist with the rebellious streak. He's certainly growing on me.
Sasha smiled and followed the path down the hallway, actually grateful that Beals laid down the edict that any and all coaches had to be dressed in their Team USA polo shirts. She is not going to like this, not one bit. His smile grew. Just another reason to do this.
He walked into the arena, heading straight toward where Hamm was observing warm-ups for the parallel bars. Hamm smiled and shook his hand.
"Glad to see he talked you into it," The younger man commented, throwing his head in Austin's direction over by the section of seating where the gymnasts had dropped off their bags. He was falling into the stoic and silent mode that differed from his outgoing personality, mentally preparing for a competition.
This was the state of mind that had been seen in Beijing, how it got confused for a hangover Sasha will never know. Hamm said something about going to talk to officials and give a final onceover to the layout of routines before walking off. Sasha crossed his arms, letting his eyes wander around the massive arena.
People were slowly filling up the seats in the arena and all of the gymnasts were getting ready. There was the stiff feeling of competition in the air, a different kind than what you feel or see at the Women's competitions. As he watched the warm-ups, Sasha had a very strange feeling that today would be the start of a whole new series of events.
I just hope they end well.
A/N: This chapter sucked. I know.
The first part started out with such promise, atleast I thought so and then BLAH! It crumbled and fell apart. I'm sorry for how little Paystin there was and I sorry for how short it is and how I didn't focus on the Men's competiton at all. I especially sorry for how its almost a week late from when I usually post.
Its been a bad week. .
Deep breaths. 1...2...3... All better. Moving on.
Paul Hamm is a real American gymnast. He won the All Around Gold Medal at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. He was supposed to compete in the Beijing Olympics, but injured his rotator cuff shortly before departure and was removed from the Olympic team. I really like his style and MIOBI never gave us a name for a Men's Team coach so...Tada!
I promise promise promise to make everything better and have an update up super soon! I'm just really unhappy with this, but if I spent one more minute working on it I probably would have exploded.
Love you all and hope you forgive me.
xoXoxoXoxoXoxo