A/N: I am SO incredibly sorry about not updating sooner. Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are going to have a lovely Christmas. In the meantime, I have been sending random e-mails to people that haven't updated in, like, three or four months, begging them to update and encourage you to do the same (well, nicely, of course, because it's the holidays and everything, I want them to know how appreciated their story is and recognize that we still care.) I'm not claiming I am perfect, however all writers should agree that knowing people still want you to write means something. Anyway, I suppose that's my rant of the day and maybe no one else cares. Enjoy.

Chapter Three

Preparation

The Opening Ceremony was lovely and magical, even though the characters concerned had their minds somewhat elsewhere. Her video camera and her friends surrounding her as she marched out to the arena with team Canada were keeping Ashley entertained. Sure, Matt McGuire crossed her mind a few times, but everything seemed so busy as the countries marched out and everyone in the crowd cheered. Ashley could barely think for herself.

It was almost two hours before the largest team, United States, marched out and as Matt waited for their entrance, he listened to his I Pod and tried to focus on the next day. It was hard for him to keep focused sometimes, as sometimes his mind would wander, however, he tried never to think of girls or other distractions, rather than keeping his mind focusing on swimming. He talked to some of his teammates and actually called some of his friends back home while he waited, but it was pretty loud and he knew his parents would appreciate it if he kept all the calls short, as even though he was nineteen and getting paid to sponsor certain things, he still lived with his parents for the time being and his cell phone was on their plan.

When team United States was called to make their entrance, however, Matt got ready and took out his camera, preparing for the feeling that all the other athletes had been talking about as they entered the stadium and heard cheers from tens of thousands of people. He had no idea what to expect, but when he walked into the stadium with his fellow athletes, he had this immense rush of patriotism blow through him as he looked around, took pictures and waved. He could hardly see the crowd, as there were so many flashing lights, but knowing that some of these people were cheering especially for him meant something to him. He smiled as he walked to the center and witnessed the rest of the ceremony. He felt truly sensational and slightly emotional. Knowing that he would have to swim the next morning didn't bother him. He knew that this was one of those times that he would remember forever. He could win nothing here, but still have this as a memory.

Lizzie sat with her parents and watched the ceremony. She almost wished she said more to Gordo, but didn't know what to say. She'd lost touch with him through the years and didn't know what they were supposed to talk about. She figured she was bound to run into him again, and didn't know what to think of this. She tried to concentrate on what her parents were chatting about and what was going on below her, but it was hard. She almost wondered if he was a figment of her imagination or something because the world is not that small. Of all the places he could be, why did he have to be here? Maybe this was a sign of some sort. She didn't want to associate with Gordo, anymore, though. He was a thing in the past. Some friends last forever, but most come and go. He left and they never spoke to each other again. It was that easy. They never called, wrote, or anything. Gordo was a memory to Lizzie and a name on her buddy list…until she changed her screen name. She started scanning for him in the crowd, wondering if she'd really seen him. But she couldn't find him. She sighed. She supposed she would just have to wait until the next day.

Gordo sat down and tried to pay attention to the awesome opening ceremony. He didn't know anyone and didn't really have anyone to talk to, so he sat there in silence. He felt a little bit uncomfortable with the meeting he had with Lizzie, but didn't know how else to make of it. Lizzie didn't seem too happy to see him. He knew that much. It wasn't like she had a right to be happy, though. They were exes. They had a history. Now that he knew that whatever happened in the past wasn't the end of it, he was a little baffled. Knowing Lizzie would be practically everywhere he was frightened him. He would constantly wonder what she was thinking about and if she wanted to talk to him. It was like they were dating all over again. Too bad Lizzie hadn't gotten any less attractive. Nope, unfortunately Lizzie would always be beautiful because she was made to be pretty. She was made to taunt Gordo even four years after they broke up and remind him that he made a huge mistake when he let her go. He sighed. He thought he had gotten over her years ago, but it was all coming back. He pictured them actually having a pleasant conversation. This couldn't be good. He didn't come here to fall for someone who would be impossible to be loved by. He didn't come here for any other purpose than work. He had a feeling that this would not be the end of Lizzie and him after all.

As Gordo watched the countries enter and come in for the next few hours, he waited for Matt to come in. Somehow, Gordo still believed that who he saw out there wasn't Lizzie and if he couldn't find Matt, he was going to be okay, after all. His heart was rushing as team United States entered and about three hundred people into the group, he was pretty sure he saw a mature version of the little brother of his old best friend. He sighed. This should be interesting, he thought.

When the Opening Ceremony was over, there was a mad rush of people trying to exit the stadium. The athletes were gone and Matt, Ashley, and the other athletes started toward the village, but everyone else had a disadvantage because for as many exits their were, it seemed like their were thousands of people. Lizzie and her parents finally were able to leave. Lizzie had her own room on a different floor from her parents. Lizzie didn't mind this, though, because besides the swimming events, she had some of her own plans and didn't want her parents to get in the way. Tonight, though, she was going to bed. Not only was she tired, but also she was still a little bothered because now she had to be on the lookout for Gordo. With her luck, he would be staying in their hotel and his room would be right next to hers. That was just what she needed.

But she didn't see Gordo. She was almost tempted to check the hotel registrar to see if he was in her hotel, but since she was with her parents, she didn't bother. She honestly didn't want her parents to know what was going on because they would encourage them to see each other and invite him to awkward dinners. That was so not what Lizzie wanted or needed right then.

Luckily for her, though, Gordo was in a different hotel. The reporters seemed to have their own area of hotels. When Gordo finally managed to leave, he went right to his room, checked his e-mail, and got ready for bed. He lay there thinking of her, though, and more importantly, thinking about what great times they had together. He imagined that there could possibly be a little hope for the both of them to get together, but not for too long, as he realized it was more his hopes than hers and it was for the best if he left everything alone.

Lizzie was too tired to let this bother her for too long. Once she got ready for bed, she was out. She had to get up early the next morning to watch Matt swim in the qualifying rounds.

Lizzie got up even earlier so she could get in her daily run. She hadn't done it since she arrived and it always made her feel clarity with everything going on in her life. She went to the work out room and ran on the treadmill for a half an hour before showering and getting ready for a day that could possibly be the most awkward day of her life.

That morning, before the qualifying rounds, which began at nine, people were doing their warm up laps. Ashley and Kelly were walking into the area when Kelly hit Ashley on the stomach to get her attention.

"Ow? What is it?"

Kelly pointed to the side of the pool, where Matt was undressing and preparing for his own practice.

Ashley rolled her eyes, "Wow, that was so not worth you hitting me," she said and she put her stuff down.

"You know, I was reading this article in the Toronto Buzz section online, and they have you linked."

"What?? I only met the guy yesterday. That's insane."

Kelly gasped, "You met him? When?"

"Yesterday in the lobby. It's no big deal, really. He seems nice, though. I'll introduce you to him if you want."

Kelly shrugged, "Nah, I'm good. I'll meet him when I'm ready to meet him."

Ashley raised her eyebrow, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, I don't want to meet him right now. I want to swim."

"Right," Ashley said. Both of them took off their pants and put on their cap and goggles as they went into their lanes."

"Well, what do you know?" Kelly said, gesturing behind Ashley, "look who's in the lane next to you."

Ashley turned and jumped a little as she discovered that Matt was standing right there, waiting to get into the pool. Right then, as if to make things worse, Matt glanced over in her direction and was taken slightly aback himself. "Whoa," he said, taking off his goggles, "You're Ashley, right?"

Ashley nodded, feeling a little awkward, "That's me."

"This is so weird…"

Ashley continued to nod. She wanted to start swimming before she felt like puking, but time didn't seem to be on her side as she still had another minute.

"How many times are you swimming today?"

"Twice," she said, "what about you?"

"Once."

"Cool," she said, not knowing what else she was supposed to say to that, "Um, I'll see you then?"

Matt grinned as they both got up on the blocks, "Yeah, I'll be seeing you."

After they stretched, they were off. Ashley swam breaststroke and Matt swam freestyle. After they finished, they parted ways. They would be seeing each other later, though.

Hours later, it was time for the heats. Only time could tell what would happen and who was going to win. Only time would tell if love was in the air.