Chapter 18

Sasha closed his eyes and leaned fully against the column. That couldnt have gone any worse if he'd tried. He'd been watching her the whole night as M.J. paraded her around. When he saw her headed towards Marty and Kelly he'd made an attempt to intercept her in a group setting.

His heart leapt in his chest when he thought she was the one who tapped him. Maybe she wanted to clear the air before the meet, so that she could be at her best. Turning around to find Anica had been a complete surprise. The complete and utter unravaling of the situation once MJ arrived had not been. If ever there were two women who had mastered the art of veiled contempt and simmering rage, dressed up in air kisses and empty smiles, it was them. He was just sorry Payson got caught in the crossfire.

"I'm tall, blond, and I like to lean against things while contemplating the difficulties of dating to many beautiful women."

"Go away, I'm not in the mood."

"What the hell was that?"

"Karma."

"I'd almost forgotten how you were back then, a string of different women, breaking hearts left and right. Remember the time those two girls got in a fight over you. It was in the middle of that meet in Japan. Authorities were called."

"Thank you for the history lesson. Now please go away."

"I said that to say this, you were horrible, a first class asshole, and you only became worse when you blew out your knee."

"Well I feel much better now, thanks for the talk."

"Let me finish, you were all of those things and more, but you're not anymore. We were kids back then with too much talent and too much money. You dont have to let your past define you. That guy grew up, hell we both did. Your former 'friends' might not see it but I do," he paused, "So does Payson."

"Did you see her face she doesnt want anything to do with me, and that is probably for the best."

"What I saw was emotion, and that means she still cares." He clasped the blonde mans shoulder, "Give her time, Payson has always been that way, she just needs time."

Sasha nodded and Marty left.

He didn't say it but he thought maybe his time had run out.

It was the qualifying round. They would be in the second group of four teams to compete. Four other teams including Romania and Russia had competed earlier that morning. The final scores from those countries would be revealed after this round was tallied.

Kelly was nervous, not for herself but for Payson. First of all, she was late and when she finally did arrive, five minutes before roll call, it was in sweats with her hair not finished and no makeup applied. She shared a look with Marty. She watched him walk over to Sasha and exchange a few words.

She looked back at her friend, it was the first time she had seen her since the social. The next day when the rest of the team had gone sight seeing Payson was not there and neither was Sasha. When she had gone to Payson's room after they'd gotten back there had been no answer at the door. A part of her had hoped the two of them were somewhere settling their issues, but that did not seem to have taken place.

Kelly didnt see her until practice that afternoon. She'd seemed...off. They had a limited amount of time to practice due to having to share with eight other teams but Payson only did one run through on each apparatus. She was shaky and that was never good especially the day before a major competition. She left without speaking to anyone.

Now it was time to compete, and it looked as though her friend had chosen the absolute worst time to fall to pieces. Payson hurriedly changed her clothes and threw her hair into a ponytail, before Marty called them over.

"This morning the competition starts. It is going to be a grueling week, with four straight days of competition. The mental toughness and physical stamina needed to excel at such a task, will show us who has what it takes to be on next years Olympic team. We believe in each and every one of you, you wouldnt be here if we didnt.

As always the qualifying round is crucial. The field is already narrowed down to the top eight teams, so only four teams will advance to tomorrow's team final. The two per country, per event rule, is no longer in play. If you have one of the top eight scores in any category, you will compete in the all around or that event finals. Let that motivate you. There is no longer anything to hold you back. If you are the best you will get the recognition you deserve. Now, I believe we can go one, two, three on every event here.

We are the best team in the world, I know it and they know it. Right now in their team huddles, their only goal is to knock you off that pedestal. Dont let them. Show them why we are the best. I want you to set the bar so high today as a team, that they don't even want to show up tomorrow."

Everyone was nodding along as Marty spoke, "Let's go out there and show them why we dominate this sport. Are you ready?"

"Yes, Marty!" They chorused in unison.

"Then lets go!"

They entered the arena and headed to their first rotation beam. Tessa was up first and Marty watched as the score got progressively higher for each girl. The rule change really seemed to be helping them for the better. When you no longer had to worry about being edged out by a teammates performance it was easier to cheer for them.

He was always amazed how these girls could fight like cats and dogs but then pull it together and be there for each other when it really counted. When Payson saluted and walked over to the beam he held his breath.

She steadied her hands over the beam, closed her eyes and pressed into the handstand. She made it through the first back hand spring layout layout series with only a minor balance check. Marty let himself breathe a little easier as the routine progressed. The rhythm was a bit off but there were no major mistakes. She finished with a small step on the landing.

It wasnt perfect but neither was it a disaster. Sasha's jaw was tight but he did not say anything. As the score, of 15.683 posted he saw she was two hundredths ahead Kelly, who had gone before her. Lauren was preparing to perform, barring any major mistakes from her, it was almost guaranteed Payson would finish in the second spot out of the Americans alone. With three more teams to come, all of them with at least one phenomenal beamer, he didnt know if the score would be enough to get her into the event finals.

He was right Laurens score was a full three tenths higher than Payson's. He checked her face to see her reaction but it was blank. They gathered their things, lined up, and moved onto vault. As a team this was one of their best events. He was sure that with Andrea's Produnova and Kelly's nearly flawless Anamar no team would come close to touching them on vault.

As the rankings stood now after the first rotation, they led by eight tenths of a point. Great Britian was in second followed by China and Italy. He expected those rankings to change as the Chinese were headed to the beam and Italy was on bars. He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts, he didnt think to break up the conversation that was going on at the back of the line.

"So Lauren I hope you've enjoyed your time in the spotlight. My vault is about to blow that silly beam routine right out of the water." Andrea Conway whispered loudly from the backof the line.

"Only if you land it."

"No worries. I heard you were training the Produnova for awhile there, but couldnt quite get it, I'm sure you cant wait to see how it is done."

"Once again you are completely misinformed. I decided against the Produnova ages ago. I've been training or rather hitting a triple twisting yurchenko."

Wendy Capshaw turned around and looked at Lauren with wide innocent eyes, "You can do a triple twist?"

Lauren smirked, "Ten times better than her sloppy ass Produnova. I can do it on the vault with my eyes closed, and it might even become my new beam dismount. Unlike you I am a true All Around contender."

"If you can do a triple, then why are you competing a double?" Wendy asked.

"I'm saving it for event finals." Lauren said smugly.

"Enough chit chat ladies you need to stay focused." Marty called as they arrived at the vault .

They stopped talking and turned their attention to Marty. No one saw Wendy narrow her eyes at the back of the blondes head.

The line up for vault differed significantly from their beam. Payson was the second person to go followed by Wendy and then Lauren. Kelly and Andrea with their respective Anamar and Produnova held the coveted last positions.

Sasha watched as the gymnast from Texas Reagan Brown put up a solid score and then it was Payson's turn. When he saw her hands leave table he knew it was going to be a struggle. Her legs were together but as she came around for the landing her ankles crossed slightly, they were still crossed when her feet hit the mat. She stumbled but pulled it together managing to stay on her feet. There would be huge deductions, and they would probably have to drop her score. The shocked gasps from her teammates and the crowd said it all.

She stood up straight and saluted before going to stand by Marty and await her score, a 14.925.

Andrea walked over to Lauren. "Sucks that the competition is pretty much over for you."

"What are you on about? Payson fell, not me."

"But check the scoreboard." They looked over together. "One of the Chinese girls is already outscored you on beam, and their best, havent even gone yet. Not to mention the Romainians and the-"

"Get to your point."

"I already made it. Aside from adding your paltry scores to the teams tomorrow," she paused, "This competition is over for you."

"I'm sorry, but are we even at the same meet. This is still the qualifying round, and there are two rotations left."

Andrea scoffed. "Do you really think you stand a chance of medaling on bars or floor, your weakest events."

Lauren looked back at the scoreboard. Her heart sank. Her name was in second place with four of the worlds best beamers still to come, not to mention the unknown scores. Her chances were dwindling.

Wendy came to stand next to the two after her vault while she awaited the score. Wendy kept a low profile and a sweet smile at all times. If people over looked you they underestimated you. It was easier that way.

She was a snake in the grass waiting patiently for the opprotune moment to strike. She might not be familiar with these girls on a personal level, but she did know people. Lauren Tanner was narssicitic to a fault, and so predictable it almost took the fun out of it. She had limited time so she needed to work fast. "I guess it's a good thing you have that triple twist in your back pocket. I just wish Sasha and Marty trusted you enough to do it this round. Without Payson's scores we might not even make the team finals. How sad." Then she perked up, "I guess we should be happy for our team mates though, I mean, they're just better than us, right. We're lucky to even be on the same team as them. Like Payson, even though she didnt do so hot on beam or vault, no one is going to care. She is still the favorite on bars and floor, and she'll probably wipe the floor with all of there's Andrea, she has the best vault in the world. No way she doesnt make the finals. They'll live to compete another day. The two of us and Reagan, well, I guess we're just here for the food."

"Speak for yourself."Lauren spat.

Wendy turned and walked away. Her work was done, all she had to do was sit back and watch the blonde self destruct. Andrea joined her and smiled, "That was good, I couldnt have done it any better myself."

Wendy cut her eyes to the side. Andrea Conway was the superstar of their home gym, she had never so much as glanced in Wendy's direction before, it was an added bonus if destroying Lauren and the others ingratiated her to the brunette. "What can I say? There are one to many Rock girls on this team."

Andrea cocked her head to the side. "Not for long though."

"Truer words."

Andrea eyed the smaller girl. They had been at the same gym for years, but this was was Wendy's first year as a senior. Noone really knew anything about her. At practice she was quiet, hovering around the fringes of the different social groups, at Boston Elite. Andrea had been to busy with her own friends and life to really pay the mousy girl any attention. She would not make that mistake again, allies were always useful. She held out her hand. "Nice to finally meet you, Wendy."

"Likewise, Andrea."

They smiled, turned and looked at the fiasco about to unfold.

Lauren walked to the end of the runway. She almost felt sorry for the annoying little girl. 'They are just better than us. We're lucky to even be on the same team.' That sort of attitude showed that she had yet to learn the truth. Gymnastics was first and foremost an individual sport. Who cared about the team as long as you made it.

Andrea Conway had been a complete nobody before she came out of nowhere and landed one silly vault. Now everyone treated her like she was the second coming, there to save them all. And Payson, ugh, did they not see that she had bombed that beam routine? The one that was two advanced for her anyway. Then she nearly fell on the vault. She was singlehandly going to cost them the meet! Still, people thought she was better. Why was it always about Payson? Payson Payson Payson. No matter how bad she messed up she still came first, everyone came before Lauren. Not anymore. She would prove to them she was the best.

She squared her shoulders and took off down the runway. She was going to nail this and then they would all be thanking her for saving the day. She could feel the power building as she ran, today would be the last time that she was ever going to be an afterthought. Unbridled jealousy propelled her. Blind hatred powered her every step.

Her feet hit the springboard with too much power, she tried to catch herself and reign it back in but her fingers barely grazed the vaulting table. Her body wanted to do the double it knew what it was supposed to do but she didnt have the height to complete the second rotation. Her legs crossed as she tried to save the landing it was an utter fail. She glimpsed the vault sitting there taunting her before she fell face first. It was instinct to put her arm out and break her fall, intense pain radiated from her elbow.

The tears burned the backs of her eyes but she held it in stood up and saluted. Sasha came to stand next to her. "I messed up I know."

"Are you alright?" He didnt sound angry like she thought he would.

"My head wasn't in the right place. It wont happen again."

"That is not what I meant and you know it. I saw your face when you hit the mat, is it your ankle or your shoulder."

"Elbow but it is nothing. I'm fine."

"You have bars next, an injury to your elbow is not fine." He called Marty and the medic over. They stood back and let the woman examine the injury.

"It's probably just a slight capitellium fracture. We'll have to x ray it in the back to be sure. Lucky for you it probably wont require surgery."

"Will we be finished before bars?"

"I'm sorry sweetie, but you can't compete.''

"What do you mean. You said slight fracture and no surgery. So just wrap it and I'm good to go, I have bars next."

The medic looked at Sasha and Marty.

"Lauren as far as this meet goes, I'm sorry, but you're out. Head to the locker room with Medic Tiller."

"I"m fine give me a shot or something any-"

Sasha spoke over her, "Lauren it's over."

Lauren grabbed her bag and stomped off behind the woman. Marty headed over to let Emily know she was up on bars and floor.

Sasha looked at the score board, and sighed. Vault was supposed to cushion their lead not end it. Between Lauren's fall and Payson's near fall they were in bad shape. Now more than ever they needed big scores from the last two girls. Kelly was up and he really hoped she could shake off the nerves and deliver.

Marty always called her his clutch performer and her vault proved why. She exploded off the table, twisted through the air two and a half times and landed feet firmly on the mat. It was beautiful. The score reflected the effort, 15.892.

He hugged Kelly after she left Marty's side. She stood next to him as they watched Andrea start her sprint. He'd been iffy about actually allowing any gymnast to perform a Produnova. It was always going to be hit or miss, either you stand up or you dont. Andrea stood up, tall and proud. He was suprised when she came to stand at his other side instead of Marty's after her triumph. When the 16.231 flashed on the screen she jumped into his arms, before running off to hug the other girls.

They were gathering their bags to move onto bars when Kelly caught his arm. "You have to talk to her."

"Lauren will be fine."

''Like I care about Lauren. I meant Payson. She is tanking, and she needs you. Help her."

He looked up at the scoreboard. She'd dropped to fifth on beam and fourth on vault. At this rate she wouldn't qualify for the all around, or any of the event finals. He knew Kelly was right but he had been keeping his distance for fear that his prescence would do more harm than good, but watching her stare at the ground while she held her bag was breaking his heart, all over again.

The beginning of their bars rotation went much smoother. Emily had put in a brilliant performance. The scores were trending higher and Payson was standing by the chalkbowl getting ready. He stood on the other side, she tensed so he knew she knew it was him, "How are you?"

"Fine coach."

He chose to ignore her attitude, right now she needed her coach, and that is what she was going to get, "You are better than this."

"Maybe not, maybe Worlds was a fluke." She was grinding the block of chalk into her hands angrily.

"You know that isn't true. You can do this, you were made for this. Unlike these other girls you shine the brightest during adversity."

She didnt answer but she didn't walk away so he took that as a sign to keep talking. "You are a diamond, and diamonds can only form under intense pressure, but after it has been formed nothing can crack it. It shines in the darkest of places. You are a diamond rare, precious, and unbreakable. There are two rotations left, two rotations where you are strongest. You can do this, you will do this."

She didnt look up at him during his speech but he could tell he was listening. He reached up to place his hand on her shoulder but decided against it. She didnt say anything before she moved to the apparatus. He could only hope she really heard him.

Payson took a deep breath and cleared her mind. All day she had been trying to push through, but everytime she thought she had a lid on her emotions, a flicker of something would cause her to falter. Trying to keep it hidden felt like holding melting ice in her hand on a hot summer day, little drops just kept leaking out.

She opened her eyes and looked at the bars. Her fall on this event set everything into motion. At Worlds she took home the gold. What would it be for her today? Redemption or the final nail in the coffin? She mounted.

The bars did offer one thing, a respite from thinking. Bars took an extraordinary amount of concentration. When you were on them, the only thing you could think about was the next move, the next connection. Twist here, turn, faster, faster, release, reach, grab, turn, faster, harder, release, twist, grab, repeat. If you lost focus for even a moment you would miss something. If you missed something on bars there was no saving it, you would fall. The bars were unforgiving, and right now she needed something to take her mind off of everything. Before she knew it she was on her feet under the high bar and her teammates were cheering. For the first time that day she felt like herself.

Her eyes sought Sasha of their own volition. He wasnt smiling or cheering like the others he was just looking at her his expression inscrutable. Even though she didnt know what was going on behind his eyes she felt as though something had changed.

She jogged to the sidelines and was greeted by Kelly."Well thank you for showing up, I was starting to think I came to Greece alone."

"I'm here now."

"About time."

"We have floor next are you ready?"

"I can do this."

Floor was their final rotation. She let herself look at the score board for the first time since the meet began, after three rotations as a team they were in second place behind the Chinese. She was fourth in the all around seven tenths behind Kelly who was in the number one spot. First on bars, sixth on beam, and eighth on vault. Right now she wasnt guarenteed anything. It all came down to floor.

If bars called for all of your concentration, then floor called for all of your emotions. For Payson it had become a refuge a place where she was safe to let it all that is what she did. Floor had been her salvation before, and it would be again today. She used the ninety seconds that she had to express everything she had been holding inside. The longing and the love she felt for Sasha. The pain of their seperation. The despair of love lost. She lost her self in the emotions and trusted her body to do the rest.

Payson felt like she was opening her heart and pouring it out onto the floor. It was like the day outside the Rock with Sasha and the paint. She was telling a story and cleansing her soul in the process. Every emotion she had hidden away boiled to the surface and she let it. The music ended and so did she. It wasnt until Kelly brushed her cheeks that she realized she had been crying. She had given it her everything, all that was left to do know was wait.

The scores for her floor routine posted and Payson tracked the changes across the board. First in floor, first in bars, still sixth on beam, ninth on vault, third in the all around. Kelly jumped up and down beside her she had placed first in the all around, third on vault third on bars second on floor and ninth on beam

It wasnt set in stone but it was highly likely they would both compete in the team finals the event finals and the all around. The final tally placed the American team in second place still trailing China, unless three of the other four teams outscored them it should be enough.

The score board went blank and she watched as it filled in again.

Team Finals: 1. Romania 2. China 3. United States 4. Russia. They made it.

The screen changed to the all around finalists. The top spot went to a Romanian gymnast, Kelly was number two. She followed the list until she reached her name. She was in the fifth position, Wendy took the eighth.

For a rocky start the Americans faired well individually. Kelly made every event final except beam. Payson qualified for bars and floor. Andrea's Produnova had earned her the top spot in the vault finals but nothing else. Wendy qualified last for floor along with last in the All- Around. Suprisingly Lauren was in the seventh position on the beam but with her injury she would be unable to compete.

It wasn't a banner day but they had another chance. When they got back to the hotel Marty congratulated them, and gave the cursory get a good nights rest instructions.

Kelly had just finished her shower and settled in with a book, when there was a soft knock at the door. She thought Austin but he told her he was going to be hanging out after the meet with Nicky and Max. He'd invited her but she declined, it was early still, but she intended to get all the rest she could for the team finals tomorrow. The knock sounded again and she put on her house coat and checked the peep hole.

She flung open the door and found Payson similarly attired. She was holding a plastic carton and a movie case. "I think I'm ready to talk about it."

So writing gymnastics is easier said than done. Hope this wasn't too terrible. Please let me know how you felt about it.