A/N: Ahh! 250 Reviews! You guys are just the best, seriously. Thank you to Ida-cullen, JCI, angelwings8, iheartcam, helloitsme, and crazylady789 for helping me get there!
This chapter is pretty light on the drama (not to say that important stuff doesn't happen, because it does). It's also pretty light on Sasha, and I still don't quite know how that happened. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy it! If you do (or don't) you know what to do…review!
Chapter 38
"I love this," Emily groans as she, Payson, Kaylie, and Kelly lay on the beach. The sun is beating down on their skin, the sand is warming their backs, and they've been doing nothing but chatting and drinking fruity, non-alcoholic drinks all afternoon.
"Me too," Payson agrees. She had been asked to attend Variety's Power of Youth Event in Los Angeles, and they were honoring her with some award for presenting teen girls with a healthy body image. She still isn't quite sure on all the details, or even how she was nominated, or what exactly the award is, but she didn't feel like it was something she could turn down. Plus, they had offered her three extra tickets, and Payson thought it would be the perfect girl's weekend.
"I gotta say, Keeler, I know you didn't want to miss a day of training, but this is so worth it," Kelly sighs.
"You know, it really is. We all need a little break," Payson says.
"I hear that," Emily says.
"When is Worlds?" Kaylie asks. Payson knows she's pretending not to follow gymnastics anymore, but she does. She'd called Payson the second the World Team roster was posted, something no one would have seen unless they were looking for it, to congratulate her, Kelly, and Emily.
"Three weeks," Payson answers.
"I can't believe how quickly all this is moving," Emily says, sounding a little forlorn. "Our careers will be over before we know it."
"What's it like, Kaylie? Life after gymnastics?" Kelly asks. Kaylie smiles brightly.
"Honestly, it's great. I loved gymnastics, but towards the end it was just…there was no fun in it anymore. It was all about pleasing everyone else, not pleasing myself. Now, I'm a cheerleader, just for fun. I'm on student council, my boyfriend is incredible, and I'm not worried about being stabbed in the back every second of every day," Kaylie explains. Everyone knows she's talking about Lauren.
"Speaking of backstabbers…" Kelly starts.
"No!" Payson says quickly. "We are not talking about her this weekend. Kaylie, have you and Todd decided what to do after you graduate?"
Kaylie laughs at Payson's attempt to change the subject.
"We applied to all the same colleges, we'll make a decision once we know where we both got in. We're definitely going together though, or at least somewhere close to each other." Payson can see that Kaylie can't help but smile widely, showing all her pearly white teeth and it makes her happy for her friend.
"That's pretty awesome Kaylie," Emily says, sitting up on her elbows.
"Speaking of awesome, are you going to see Damon while we're here?" Kaylie asks, reaching across Kelly and playfully pinching her friend. Emily giggles and smacks her hand away.
"Yes. He was invited to the event too, so he's going to meet us at the hotel and we're going to walk the red carpet together."
"Kelly, we need to get you a guy," Kaylie says. Kelly snorts.
"There is not a guy in the world who could keep up with me," Kelly says, laughing.
Payson smiles as she listens to her friends talk and gossip; they're the unlikeliest group she could ever have imagined, but somehow they all fit. They all bring something different to the table, and Payson feels like she has a complete little family at The Rock. She thinks about how they're all going to go their separate ways after the Olympics are over, possibly spread out around the globe, and she's hit with an unexpected wave of melancholy. She'll miss these girls; her sisters, teammates, and friends.
"Payson?" Payson gives herself a little shake and turns to Emily.
"Yeah?"
"Didn't you hear me? We should go if we want to be ready for dinner in time," Emily reminds her. Payson scrambles to her feet and starts packing her stuff.
"Right, sorry. Let's go."
#
Payson isn't sure she'll ever get used to how insane these red carpet events can be. The press is everywhere, practically tripping over each other to get a good shot of the young, powerful stars walking the carpet and the people running the event are hurrying around, ushering people where they're supposed to be and shouting orders. Payson can hear the noise a block away, as she and the other girls, plus Damon, wait in the limo with the window down.
"This is insane," Emily mutters, holding tightly to Damon's hand.
"You get used to it," Kelly says. Their limo finally reaches the front of the line and someone opens the door, waving them out and offering a hand to steady the girls. They give their names to the man standing at the start of the red carpet, and he speaks into a little microphone hanging from his ear.
"Damon Young and Emily Kmetko, on deck," he says into the speaker. Then he turns to the group. "Last minute prep ladies, make sure you're set." They all pull out little compact mirrors to check their make-up and smooth out their dresses, checking for a single hair out of place.
Payson knows that they all look gorgeous. Kaylie is wearing a dark pink cocktail dress; strapless with a fitted bust and a short, ruffled skirt and sky high black heels that almost bring her up to average height. Her dark hair is pulled back into a loose, curly ponytail, slightly off center so that it falls over one shoulder. Emily is wearing a short, white dress with loose, flowery straps and a gold belt that cinches the dress at her waist. Her simple gold heels match the belt perfectly. Kelly looks perfect in a brilliant blue, single sleeved dress with a black belt around the middle and simple black heels. Her loose hair makes her look a lot softer, more approachable, than the devil horns she wears in competition are. Payson can't help but be a little jealous at how effortless Kelly makes all the media stuff look.
Payson herself is dressed to kill in short, form fitting, black dress with a single shoulder strap and nude colored heels. The black is swirled with cream patterns, making it look more like lace than it actually is and her hair is pulled back into a loose, intricate bun that Kaylie managed to put together. Payson has no idea how she made it work, and she doesn't want to. All that matters is that it stays put, which Kaylie had promised before they left the hotel it would, especially with all the hairspray she used.
"Damon Young and Emily Kmetko starting now, Payson Keeler on deck," the guy running things says into his mic. Payson stands at the end of the red carpet, watching as Damon and Emily walk the carpet. They look so great together, so happy, and they answer press questions easily while staring adoringly at each other.
"So cute, right?" Kaylie says. Payson doesn't get a chance to answer because she's being propelled down the carpet. She pauses, taking a deep breath, and then puts one foot in front of the other. It's slow going; she has to stop every few steps and twist and turn so that the photographers can get their shot. Emily and Damon are just ahead of her, Kaylie isn't far behind, and Kelly is on deck, waiting to walk.
"Payson, where's Sasha?" a reporter asks. She smiles sweetly at him, turning for a picture.
"Sasha is back in Boulder. The Rock is open on Saturdays and he does have other gymnasts to coach, so I brought a few girlfriends instead," Payson answers.
"So you and Sasha aren't going through a rough patch?" Payson fights to keep her smile from slipping and searches the crowd for the reporter that asked the question.
"No. I promise you, my relationship with Sasha is stronger than ever." Payson moves on, a few more yards down the carpet.
"Payson! Can we get a few shots of you and your friends?" Someone calls.
"Of course," Payson says happily. She beckons to Emily, Kaylie, and Kelly and they come rushing over. The four girls embrace as the photographers go wild, snapping a million pictures. The girls work it, changing their pose every few seconds, laughing and smiling with each other.
"Kaylie Cruz, how're you feeling?"
Payson freezes. This is the first time Kaylie has really been in the media spotlight since her fall over a year ago. Her parents had told the press it was "exhaustion," a go-to celeb affliction when they don't want to admit what it really is that's sending them to the hospital, but Payson wonders how many journalist suspect the truth. She apparently has no reason to worry, though, because Kaylie flashes them a bright smile and bats her eyelashes.
"Great!" she offers, and they don't push for more. One guy leans over the velvet rope keeping them all back and looks up and down the carpet.
"Where's Lauren Tanner?" he asks. They all bristle a little bit.
"Lauren couldn't join us this weekend. She's back in Boulder, training hard I'd imagine," Payson says in the sweetest voice she can manage.
After that, the girls move on only stopping for a few more pictures further down the line. Finally they enter the Paramount Studios lot, where all the awards shows and high profile events like the one their attending are held. If Payson didn't know better, she never would have guess that the place is usually full of movie and television sets. It's been transformed to look like a tropical oasis; complete with little pools of bright blue water surrounding the seats, a small wooden bridge leading from the crowd to the stage, and bright flowers. The backdrop behind the stage makes it look like they're standing in front of a waterfall.
"This is so cool," Emily breathes as they're escorted to their seats near the front.
"I can't believe how many celebrities are here!" Kaylie cries, trying to keep her voice quiet and failing.
"Kaylie, we are celebrities," Kelly reminds her.
"Well, you guys sort of are. I'm not anymore. But these guys are on tv all the time, it's totally different," Kaylie insists. Payson laughs.
"Come on. The show's about to start," Payson says.
#
"So when are you going to make an honest man out of Sasha?" Liam asks as Payson digs around in the refrigerator for ingredients to make dinner. She laughs, turning to look at him as he sits at the counter peeling an orange. Sasha had to stay late at the gym for a parent's board meeting, so Payson is making dinner while she and Liam wait for him to get home.
"I'm seventeen, Liam, I think it will be a while before I make an honest man out of anyone."
"Oh come on. You're almost eighteen, plenty of people get married then," Liam says with a boyish smile.
"I'm not doing anything until after the Olympics. Sasha and I are going to have a lot going on in the next year or so; Olympics, post Olympic press, I'll be starting school somewhere, and we'll be relocating. If we get engaged any time soon, I think it will be a long one," Payson explains. She loves Sasha and she's not at all afraid to get engaged or married, but with so much change on the horizon, she thinks it would less stressful for everyone if they waited a year or so.
Liam doesn't press the issue and Payson briefly wonders why. He pops a section of orange into his mouth and chews slowly as he flips through the newest People magazine, mostly just for the pictures of hot celebrity women.
"You're really settling in to all this press stuff," he says, stopping to look at a particular page. Payson leans over the counter and he turns the magazine around so that she can see it. In the "Star Tracks" section at the beginning of the magazine are two pictures of her from Los Angeles; the first is from the beach as she's coming out of the water, and the second is from the red carpet. Apparently, there's a story covering the event later in the magazine.
"I had no idea there were paparazzi at the beach!" Payson cries, not because she's angry that the picture was taken, but because she's shocked she didn't notice them.
"You look hot," Liam says. Payson rolls her eyes and flips to the article. "Hey! I'm reading that."
"Hush," Payson says playfully. The article is short, just a little over half a page of text and a picture of the honorees, one of whom is her. The surrealism of it all hits her as she stares at the picture; her in the middle surrounded by the likes of Justin Bieber, the Jonas Brothers, Ashley Benson, Selena Gomez and Kellan Lutz. A year ago, she never would have imagined frequenting the same events as some of the biggest teen stars in the world.
"You look pretty at ease compared to your first few events," Liam comments, tapping the picture. Payson smiles and shrugs.
"I guess. It's like Kelly said, you get used to it. It's part of my job, just like winning is, and there's no point in fighting it. Plus, it can be fun to get out of the gym and get all dressed up sometimes," Payson explains. She knows she's a far cry from the girl who so adamantly protested a fashion show fundraiser, and she's pretty sure she has Sasha to thank for that.
"So you had fun?" Liam asks.
"Yeah, I did."
At that moment, Sasha walks in the door. He looks happy, not stressed or overworked for the first time in a while. Payson bounces up to him, bracing her hands on his chest and pushing herself up on her toes for a kiss.
"Hi," he says, laughing, as he pulls away.
"Hi. How was the meeting?" Payson asks. She goes into the kitchen to grab the dinner dishes and Sasha follows her, taking a few plates as she fills glasses with water. Liam wanders in to grab the silverware.
"Fine, the usual. I have to say things have been a lot less dramatic since your mum became president of the board," Sasha says with a grateful sigh.
"That's my mom," Payson says proudly.
#
It's late when Payson walks back into the Keeler house. She can't wait until she's legally an adult and she and Sasha move in together, it will make everything so much easier. She loves her parents, and Becca, but she hates leaving the apartment at the end of the night.
"Hey Mom," she says as she passes by her mother, who's seated on the couch going over paperwork. Kim looks up and flashes Payson a smile.
"Hi sweetie. How was dinner?"
"Good. I made Grandma's lemon chicken," Payson offers. Kim nods distractedly and Payson turns to go to her room.
"Oh honey, speaking of Grandma, what would you think about flying back to Minnesota the weekend of your birthday? It's been quite a while since we all went back," Kim reminds her. Payson isn't sure what to say. She really has no interest in seeing her extended family, they all sort of lost touch after the move to Boulder, but she knows her mom misses her family.
"Uh, I guess that's fine."
"Great, I'll call Gram tomorrow. You can bring Sasha, if you like," Kim offers. That makes Payson brighten considerably.
"Okay. Thanks Mom. Goodnight."
"Night Pay."
Payson wanders down the hall to her room, pausing just outside of Becca's. She can hear her younger sister on the phone with someone, probably one of her friends, giggling and whispering. Payson is about to move on, but then she hears something that makes her pause.
"A party? Won't your parents get mad?"
Payson doesn't mean to eavesdrop. In fact, she feels pretty terrible about it. But she worries about Becca, who isn't as focused as she is and who's much more susceptible peer pressure, so she does it anyway.
"My parents would kill me if they found out," Becca says, laughing nervously. She's silent for a few moments as she listens to whoever is on the other line. "Okay. Friday night, I'll come over to your house after practice. Can your sister pick me up to? I think Payson is going to be staying late, and I don't want my mom to do it."
Dread settles in the pit of Payson's stomach as Becca hangs up the phone and she wonders what to do about it. She raps lightly on the door to Becca's bedroom.
"Come in," Becca calls. Payson pushes her way into the room and sits down on the edge of Becca's bed. Her room has a lot less gymnastics paraphernalia than Payson's, covered instead with family photos and posters of celebrity boys.
"Hey Becca," Payson says.
"Hi. What's up?"
"Just wanted to see how it's going. I know I've been staying late at the gym a lot lately, or hanging out with Sasha, and I haven't been here for you much," Payson says. Becca shrugs.
"Don't worry about it, Pay. Worlds are coming up, I know you're working hard," Becca says.
"I should still have time for my sister. So, how's it going?" Becca laughs at Payson directness and smiles at her sister.
"Good, I guess. Can I tell you a secret?" Becca asks. Payson's heart starts beating faster and she wonders if Becca is going to tell her about the party.
"You can tell me anything, Becca. Always."
"I'm thinking about going to school," Becca says. For a moment Payson is totally confused.
"What do you mean?"
"I might want to go to school, real school," Becca says.
"And quit gymnastics?" Payson asks. She knows that Becca doesn't have the same passion for gymnastics that she does, but that she still loves it, and wonders why in the world she would give it up.
"No, I love gymnastics. But I would train in the morning, go to school, and then train in the afternoon. I just feel like I need a life outside of The Rock. I'm never going to make it to the Olympics, and I'm not even sure I want to, it's too much pressure so is there really any point to me training full time and being homeschooled?" Becca muses. Payson purses her lips together and nods slowly.
"You make a good point. Have you talked to Mom about it?" Payson hated high school, but she has a feeling Becca would thrive. The girl is a social butterfly, and if she started now then Kaylie and Heather could keep an eye out for her. She'd be just fine.
"No. I don't want her to think I'm giving up."
"Becca, there's a difference between giving up and realizing your heart isn't in it. You're not quitting gymnastics, you're realizing that you want something more. Mom will be behind you a hundred percent, and so will I," Payson promises.
"What will Sasha say?" Becca looks a little afraid. Payson smiles at her.
"Sasha will support you too, I promise," Payson says.
"Thanks Payson. I love you."
"Love you too, Becca. Remember, you can always tell me anything."
"I know."
#
"I think you tired me out on purpose," Payson pouts, reaching up to kiss Sasha. He laughs against her lips, hugging her.
"I want you to have fun with Liam tonight," he promises. Payson rolls her eyes.
"Which is why practice today was ten times more grueling than usual."
"No," Sasha insists. "It was ten times more grueling because there are only two weeks until Worlds. Go on then, you don't want to be late. Liam whines a lot if he isn't fed by seven."
"Have fun with the NGO," Payson sings as she leaves the gym. She hears Sasha scoff and can't help but giggle. Sasha has a meeting to discuss World Team rankings with the National Committee. Since they gave him his job back things have been running pretty smoothly, but Payson knows that Sasha still doesn't love working with them.
When Liam found out Sasha would be working late, he'd insisted on taking Payson out to dinner. He swore that they spent too much time cooped up in the apartment, which they do, and that he and Payson were going to have some fun. Of course, his version of fun seems to involve a newly opened "honky tonk" with the best barbeque in town and line dancing.
Payson drives home to shower and change, deciding to embrace the experience. She borrows a blue button down shirt from her mom and ties the bottom's together to adjust the fit, slips into a pair of jeans, and pairs it with cowboy boots she bought to wear one Halloween and hasn't touched since.
"Payson, Liam's here," Kim calls from the living room.
"Ready?" Liam asks when he sees Payson coming out of her room.
"Is it weird that I'm basically going on a date with my boyfriend's best friend?" Payson asks, laughing. Liam shrugs.
"Eh, you know Sasha's just holding my place until I'm ready to settle down. Then you're mine, gorgeous," Liam jokes. Payson laughs, only because she knows he's kidding. Kim, though, doesn't seem to realize it and looks absolutely scandalized.
"He's kidding, Mom," Payson promises.
"Oh. Good," she says. "Well…have fun."
"We will," Payson says, still laughing at her mother.
#
"Payson, please?" Liam whines. She laughs, shaking her head firmly and wiping the barbeque sauce from her fingers with a wet towel.
"No, Liam," she says. "I am not going out there and making a fool of myself." Liam jumps from his side of the booth and slides into hers, forcing her to scoot over.
"Please?" He begs.
"No," Payson says again, unable to keep herself from smiling. She's mid-reach for her water when Liam grabs her hand and hauls her out of the booth. "Liam!"
"We're doing this, damn it," he insists. Payson fights him for another moment and then decides it's easier to just go with it.
They join the pack of people on the dance floor, learning some kind of line dance. Liam throws himself into it, not really getting the moves right, but not really caring either. Payson allows herself a moment to watch, picking up the moves just like it's a new routine. Soon enough, she's jumping in line next to Liam, despite her earlier protest.
"See, isn't this fun?" Liam calls over the noise of the band. Payson laughs as he grabs her hand and spins her around.
"Yes!"
They finish the dance and stumble back to their booth, laughing and collapsing into their seats. Payson takes a big sip of her water, and then notices that the little red light on her phone is blinking. She scrolls her thumb across the track pad and sees she missed a call from Becca. Just as she's about to call her back, the phone rings again. Becca. Payson's heart sinks.
"Hello?" Payson asks loudly, clapping her other hand over her ear so she can hear. She had hoped her sister would back out of her friend's party, or at least conduct herself well, but a call can't be good.
"Payson, can you come pick me up?" Becca groans. Payson takes a deep breath and tries not to immediately start lecturing her little sister. She hears Becca wretch on the other end.
"Where are you?" Payson asks. "And will you be okay until we get there?"
"You can't bring Sasha!" Becca immediately cries. Payson sighs and ignores the concerned look Liam is giving her, waving him away.
"I'm not with Sasha, I'm with Liam. Where are you?" Payson pushes.
"Carmen's house," Becca says, back to groaning. Payson tries to think if she can remember how to get to Carmen's house, if she's even thinking of the right friend.
"Is that the one in The Heights? With the separate guest house?"
"Uh huh."
"We'll be there soon, Becca." Payson ends the call and tosses her phone into her purse.
"Payson? Everything okay?" Liam asks, getting up to follow her without question.
"My sister is drunk at a friend's house, I need to go get her," Payson explains.
"I'll drive you," Liam offers. Payson is relieved that he's willing to do that. If he weren't, he'd have to drop her off at home and she'd have to turn around and leave again in her own car. That would invite questions from her mother that she isn't ready to answer. She does need to tell her mom something though, so as Liam starts his car she dials the house.
"Mom?" she asks when she answers. "I'm spending the night at Kaylie's house."