A/N Hey guys! So here's the next chapter, I hope you like it!


Summery: Nationals changed everything. Having lost her way, Payson turns to the only person she has ever loved to help her find her way back to reality. A story about love and what it means to be a true champion...


"What's best is not always what is right. What's right is not always what is best."

Chapter 6

Payson was good at putting on a show for the people around her. She always is. She always was. She always will be. She made sure of it. She convinced everybody she was doing fantastic without they're help. Honestly, it was what they deserved for being so absorbed in their own little everyday problems, not being grateful for all that they have. Sure, it sounded like the words came from the mouth of a bitter old lady, but what else could you expect sitting next to Emily, who had managed to ramble about her broody wannabe rock star boyfriend for the past six and a half hours? You would think she would be happy she was a member on the National Team. But of course not, she had to spend all her energy venting about how the recently discovered pizza boy was a total push and pull.

And then there was Lauren. She had so much untapped potential that if she took a minute away from either trying to separate her father from his recent girlfriend, or trying to get Carter to fall in love with her, she could be undefeated. There was so much she was capable of doing, but always ended up putting gymnastics behind every other prissy little problem in her life. When you're following your dream, why does it even matter whether you do or don't have a boyfriend? As long as you have a gold medal at the end of the day, what's the use?

And finally, Kaylie. She was rich. She was popular. She was pretty. She had thousands of boys at her feet every day. But it was never really enough for her. Out of the thousands of boys who were already worshipping the ground she walked on, Kaylie just had to go for the one boy who ever showed the tiniest spark of interest in her. She just had to take that too. But she was okay with that. What she couldn't stand the sight of, was how she got both gold, and the guy. She got her title. The one she had been dreaming about since she was four years old. The one she gave up her entire childhood for.

All Payson ever wanted was a gold medal. And Kaylie took that away too. Now she was flouncing around her house with Nicky's arm snaked around her waist, sneaking kisses practically every other sentence she spoke.

Why couldn't any of them be happy with what they have? Was it so hard to be grateful for what you have until it's gone? Payson would kill to be any of them. She would give anything to be following her dream.

"Long night?" Payson frowned at the unfamiliar voice, craning her up to see who might actually be paying any attention to the girl crouching in the corner of the far end of the party. She gaped as her eyes hit the striking figure of Olympic gold medalist, Austin Tucker. He took a seat beside her and smiled.

"I would say get out this is a private party, but who am I to kick out an Olympic gold medalist in my living room?" she said, still faintly in shock she was speaking to the Austin Tucker. She offered a hand, which he gladly shook. "Payson Keeler."

"I know who you are," he stated proudly. Payson crinkled her nose and smiled childishly.

"How's that?" she asked, slightly curious why all Olympians she has met are thoroughly aware of her presence. Austin looked flat out insulted at her doubt in him.

"Well Payson, I am no doubt your biggest fan in the world." Payson chuckled in amusement as she could vaguely see the resemblance between him and a five year old super fan. "I am such a huge fan that I was thinking about bailing on my competition, just to come visit you in the hospital after Nationals." Payson smiled gratefully, not quite sure whether to laugh or thank him.

"Now I'm wondering whether I should kick you out for being too forward or not," she said, trying to keep her expression purely serious. Austin scoffed, trying to hide his smirk.

"So what are you really doing here Mr. Cobalt?" she asked, wagging her eyebrows. Austin chuckled and stood back up, offering his hand.

"I'm here to dance with you. So Miss Keeler, may I please have this dance?" he asked, although she was sure there was an ulterior motive to all this. Payson hesitated, looking around to see if anybody was watching.

"Oh come on Keeler, you can't tell me you were brave enough to go on National Television and perform a stunt without Cortisone, yet you aren't willing to dance with me," he asked skeptically. Payson rolled her eyes and took his hand, following his lead to the middle of her living room as they began to play a slow song. They were followed by Nicky and Kaylie who danced a good few feet away from them. Everybody's eyes were on Payson, trying to contemplate why somebody as famous and good looking as Austin Tucker would be dancing with the girl who almost had it all. The girl with a back brace. She cringed as he moved his hand down to the small of her back. Austin noticed her sudden change in emotion and frowned.

"What's wrong?" he asked, trying to understand why she was suddenly uncomfortable. She anxiously looked around, noticing the eyes were duplicating by the second.

"I can't do this. Everybody's staring at me like a freak," she said, trying to wiggle away from his arms. His only response was to hold her tighter.

"Don't," he instructed. She looked up into his eyes, frazzled, not quite sure why he wouldn't let her go.

"Austin, let me go," she hissed. He shook his head.

"No can do. Come on. Relax. Just keep your eyes on me." She nodded, trying to drown out the whispers of the ungodly people watching them. She wasn't quite sure why she was listening to him, just that she was.

"So, now that we have cleared up that my favorite gymnast is you, you never told me. Who's your favorite gymnast?" he asked playfully, slightly gesturing to himself. Within seconds, the atmosphere changed from tense back to playful banter.

Out of habit, Payson turned toward her answer; but quickly reminding herself to turn back around. One could only hope that the gymnast who won gold on the worst hang over of his life would miss the quick change in direction of her eyes.

"Oh wouldn't you love for me to say your name?" she asked cheekily. Austin smiled.

"You catch on fast Keeler. But I guess I understand why you won't," he said, nodding over in Sasha's direction. Payson felt herself flush a deep crimson, as if he had dug down towards her deepest and darkest secret. Austin slightly raised his hands in surrender, before placing them back on her waist.

"It's alright! I'm not judging! I'm a guy and even I think the man should be worshipped." Payson smiled dreamily, slightly loosing focus of being subtle.

"Well, I can only imagine it being worse for you considering you're a girl, and you work with him, and his accent, and the piercing blue eyes..." he wheedled. Sadly, it was the exact effect he had hoped for, and she dazed off into a stupor of images from the previous night. Sasha's lips against her cheek, the feel of his torso under her fingertips, his hand in her hair.

"Earth to Keeler," he called amusement evident in his voice. Payson shook her head, trying to rid herself of the thoughts.

"Not a word Tucker," she warned sharply, slightly embarrassed.

"Hey it's all good. I know what it feels like to have unreasonable crushes too you know. It's just that mine usually aren't my thirty year old gymnastics coach," he teased. Payson rolled her eyes and slightly nudged into him.

"So, who's your unreasonable crush?" she asked. He shrugged and turned them towards Nicky and Kaylie.

"Her," he gestured to Kaylie. Payson barked out a laugh, more out of anger than amusement. She sounded so heartless and wretched; it made herself feel bitter feeling emotions like that.

"I spy hatred," Austin reeled. Payson rolled her eyes.

"Just mutual jealousy I guess. She got my title and the guy I sort of liked," she vented, not quite sure why she was dumping her heart out to a stranger she met less than thirty minutes ago. Austin instantly burst into laughter.

"What?" she asked self consciously.

"You were into Android Russo? Trust me when I say that you should be glad you didn't hook up with him." Payson rolled her eyes.

"I don't hook up with people, and thanks for the advice."

"Don't worry. As long as you give me some advice in return?" he asked, slightly reeking of desperation. Payson nodded.

"Fair enough. My advice to you is that when Kaylie falls in love, she falls hard. If you're really serious about her, then all you have to do is outshine Nicky. And considering you already have gold while he got silver, it shouldn't be hard." Austin nodded, completely invested in her words of wisdom.

"Got it. So to get the girl, I outshine the loser. That I can do." The two of them shared a wistful smile, both thinking the exact same thing.

Russo's going down.

"Excuse me Tucker, mind if I cut in?" a very familiar British accent interrupted. Payson squeezed her eyes shut and cursed for still being up and dancing. Austin's eyes widened as he grasped onto any composure he had left to restrain him from laughing. He leant in to whisper into Payson's ear.

"Looks like unreasonable can become reasonable Keeler. Now, behave." He smirked smugly before disappearing out of sight. Payson was slightly suspicious he might have been looking for something to knock Nicky out with, but wasn't too concerned considering how funny it would be to see that happen. Sasha gently placed his hands on Payson's waist, sending a wave of pleasure through her. She locked her arms around his neck, trying to keep the distance between them. Surely, that wasn't the best thing to be hoping for when slow dancing.

"What are you doing?" Payson hissed, afraid people might think she was an even bigger freak to be dancing with her coach. Well, ex coach.

"I think we both know we need to talk," he whispered. She exhaled loudly, unlocking her arms from around his neck and taking his hand in hers.

"Let's do this outside. I'm not looking forward to making this even more awkward by staying in a room full of people staring at me because I'm dancing with a back brace," she said bluntly, making her way towards the patio door. He followed her lead, prompting everybody to move out of their way. When they finally made their way out into the open, a slap of cool wind brought Payson back to reality, reminding her about the awkward conversation they were going to have to face. She shivered, the reality of wearing a sleeveless dress with a cold plastic back brace hitting her. Sasha shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"Thanks," she said awkwardly, sliding her arms into the sleeves. She instantly felt warmed, his oversized jacket doing a good job of swallowing her up in what was previously his body heat.

"So . . ." he started awkwardly, trailing off, not quite sure what to address first.

"I'm sorry," she blurted, trying to let the tense atmosphere pass. It would have surely worked too, if Sasha hadn't stared at her blankly, unable to say anything. He simply stared at her. Nothing. After several painstaking moments, he opened his mouth,

"I'm sorry too." Payson frowned and tilted her head in confusion.

"What are you sorry for? I'm the one that actually told you to kiss me," she stated, feeling stupid for actually voicing it. He chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"I'm the one that almost did," he countered. Payson sighed. She turned a heel and made her way towards the giant lake behind the willow tree in the open space behind her house. She didn't need to turn around to know Sasha was hot on her heels. She had always loved spending time at the lake. It was always so placid. Today was no exception. A full moon dangled over the deep purple clouds, illuminating the beautiful night sky.

"You know what sucks the most?" she asked, more rhetoric than serious. She slowly craned herself down to the ground, sitting on the patch of dew covered grass before continuing. "The almost. I wouldn't even mind having this conversation if it was after you kissed me. It's the almost that kills me," she said softly, avoiding his gaze. He took a seat beside her, loosening his tie and rolling up his sleeves, not minding the chilly weather.

"The almost kills me too," he admitted quietly. She turned to face him, shocked at what he had voiced. Apparently he was just as shocked judging by his expression. She brushed her fingertips slightly against his wrinkled forehead.

"Then fix it," she dared, raising her eyebrows at him. Sasha sighed heavily, offering her a weak smile.

"You know I can't." Payson twisted her lips into a grimace. Who ever said what was right was easy? If that was true, she would have been in Sasha arms, not caring what anybody thought of them. But life isn't that simple.

"So what do we do? Pretend it never happened?" she asked. He groaned and fell back onto the grass, looking up at the stars. She frowned and did the same, rolling onto her side to face him.

"Is that what we're doing?" she pushed, though she already knew the answer. "Forget?" Sasha raked a hand through his hair in frustration.

"I guess so." She silently cursed herself for asking the obvious. No matter how much she had prepared for the answer, she couldn't help but feel her heart break all over again. He pulled himself up to his feet and held out his hand for her.

"That doesn't change how much I care about you. I am still going to help you through your injury, okay?

This doesn't change us." Payson slowly nodded, slipped her hand into his and took his offered help to stand up. They slowly trudged back towards her patio. She didn't know what was worse, knowing she could never be with the man she truly loved, or being in love with him at all. Though she tried to lock the despicable question away, it continued to slowly gnaw away at her mind.

Would her life have been better without Sasha Belov?

She tried hard to think of happy times that didn't involve her coach. He supported her. He trusted her. He made her feel special, even when she wasn't. How could anything make her happier? When trying to conjure up times she was truly happy without him, the answer remained clear.

She couldn't.

#

"I don't get it. Why would you want to go to the Rock right now? The last time I checked, the Rock girls hate your guts."

"You need to calm down. What's so bad about me wanting to switch gyms?" questioned Kelly, quite irritated with her coach's sudden anger management issues.

"Denver Elite has been like your home. Why would you want to leave your home?" Kelly rolled eyes as she shifted the ice pack on her ankle to numb the pain. The injury had been a real bitch ever since Nationals. No amount of Cortisone was going to make the pain go away, and that scared her. This close to World Trials, taking time from training was not an option.

"Whatever, I know what I want and it's to train at the Rock. Do you have any Cortisone left?" Marty scratched his head and reached for the third drawer pulled out a small vial. He made a move towards Kelly's outstretched hand, but stopped mid way. Kelly pursed her lip.

"It's been six months since I had mine. Now if you mind, I need it here," she groused, snatching the vial out of his hand and the stack of transfer papers on his slightly messy desk and strutted out of the office. Sure he was probably hot on her heels as we speak, but facing facts, Marty wasn't hardest person to talk circles around. She knew what she wanted and how she was going to get it. The Rock was the place to be, and Kelly, as well as every other gymnast in the United States knew it. She settled herself at the bottom of the stairs and stared at the first sheet of paper.

Name: Kelly Parker

Age: 17

Reason for Transferring to The Rock: To train for the Olympics

Reoccurring Injuries: Ankle ACL (If Cortisone not used properly)

How will The Rock benefit from you? They'll win.

"They can win without you too," Marty said pointedly. Kelly flinched at his sudden presence.

"Wear a bell. You're gonna scare all your gymnasts away if you don't."

"If I do, will you stay?" he asked, hope slightly shadowing his tone. Kelly huffed out a merciful laugh.

"In your dreams. I'm not stupid. This has more to do with you and Sasha's unspoken rivalry than it has with me switching gyms.

Am I right?" she inquired, feeling slightly smug. Marty raised his hands in surrender.

"Busted. So it has a little to do with my pride, but I still care about you. As much I'm going to hate Belov's daily morning gloating texts that he stripped me of my star gymnast,

I would hate it if you have a hard time there because you don't belong." Kelly waved his concern away.

"I'm going there to train for the Olympics, not to win a popularity contest. So what if everyone hates me? I want a gold medal, not friends." Marty nodded in defeat, slightly deflating.

"Guess there's nothing I can do to convince you to stay here?"

"Not a thing."

"Then I wish you the best of luck at The Rock. I still expect great things from you Parker. Don't flake out on me," he teased. Kelly rolled her eyes, offering him a smile.

"This is it. Goodbye Marty."

"Expect to see you in gold. Goodbye Parker."

#

Kaylie leaned her head into the crook of Nicky's neck. They fit together like they were meant to. There had never been a time where Kaylie felt more in place in the world than when she was in Nicky's arms. Not with her family. Not with her friends. Not even with Carter. He made her feel special, like somehow she didn't need to be Payson. And for the most part, he choice her over Payson.

Payson Keeler. Every time someone mentioned her name, Kaylie couldn't help but feel her stomach do flips and her heart sink. She knew what she was doing when she kissed Nicky at the Spruce Juice. She didn't do it because she loved him, she did it in spite of Payson. Kaylie didn't know what felt worse, knowing their 'relationship' started on terms of her pretending to fall for him; or actually falling for him.

Kaylie knew when she was falling for a guy, and this was it. Sitting at the doorstep of the Rock, not speaking, just simply enjoying each other's presence. This was how easy it was supposed to be.

"What are you thinking about Princess?" Nicky inquired, slightly twisting strands of her hair in his fingers.

"Just us. This is real isn't it?" Nicky shifted to face her, smiling.

"Of course it's real. Why would you think otherwise?" Kaylie shrugged, not quite sure what her reason was herself.

"I just feel like everything is about Payson, you know? I'm National Champion, and the story of the century is still her injury. I just don't want to wake up one morning and figure out that you still belong to her." Kaylie frowned, knowing the words hadn't come out like she had meant them. She could feel Nicky stiffen, each word she spoke strangling him.

"Kaylie, I'm not Carter, I don't fly around from one girl to another," he spat, clearly irritated with her lack of belief in him. Kaylie shook her head quickly, her eyes as wide as golf balls.

"No! I know you aren't. I just don't want to lose to Payson again. I'm sorry, can we just forget this conversation ever happened?" Nicky relaxed the slightest bit, sighing loudly.

"Yes we can, because I think I'm falling in love with you Kaylie Cruz." Kaylie gasped at the words. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and her heart pounded away in her chest. She swallowed harshly before offering him a wane smile.

"I think I might be falling for you too, Nicky." She rested her head back into the crook of his neck, knowing things were changing between them. When she was a little girl, her mom used to tell her about princesses and their prince charmings. She had told her that when you found that one person you truly love, everything would be so much clearer.

Kaylie later learned that that wasn't entirely true. She found out that it was possible to fall in love more than once, and each time it got more difficult to see what was real and what wasn't. Sitting beside Nicky Russo, Kaylie knew he cared about her just as much as she cared about him, maybe even more. She could feel it in her heart that he loved her, maybe even more than Payson.

But somehow, she wasn't sure if that was enough.


A/N Here's the next (longer) chapter guys! A big thanks to your reviews LauraW89, Egyptian Kiss and ! They really kept me going! So a lot happened in this chapter...

Payson got to meet Austin, Payson and Sasha had a talk, Kelly Parker switched gyms, and Kaylie might possibly be falling in love with Payson kinda sorta ex crush.

Well, I'll let you tell me what you thought! You know how happy reviews make me! It really does make my day! :) A quick note of your thoughts would be enough to make me jump for joy! And probably update faster ;)

I'll leave you to it!