Hey guys, I do want to apologize to those of you (which is probably all of you) who have no idea what are those ridiculous words I'm writing one after the other. I know it's confusing, but it just seemed completely wrong writing a story about the Olympics and neglect the whole 'sport part' of the experience. I will say this though, soon we're over with fancy words and move to other things.
Un-even bars is next. Regina has this love/hate relationship with this equipment. Why? It has some of the element of a bet where everything could go wrong in a blink on an eye, just like the vault only this routine is much longer than a single jump. Still, it doesn't stop her from excelling in this element.
She goes up, steadfast on making her routine perfect with pointed feet, tucked in stomach and sharp movements.
She starts with Hecht mount with full turn and repulsion off the low bar; already drawing applause from the crowed at the unique and difficult mount. She performs a cast pirouette into a hand stand, then a backward giant to another backward giant with straddled legs to a straddled Tkatchev. She immediately goes for a Pike, Geinger and a layout Geinger in a row; provoking another round of excited applause. Another giant to Tkatchev to a pike, moving to the lower bar and then right back up with Shaposhnikova and finishing the routine with a double Salto backward.
She lands; her feet glued together as she arches her back with a smile gracing her face.
She is rubbing the chalk off her hands when the score comes up, 15.762, and places her first yet in another element.
"Good job!" Kathryn pats her back.
"You too" she is quick to reply since the blonde has done a pretty good job herself, scoring 14.977 and placing fifth.
There are a couple more gymnasts but Regina is confident. Now, she only has the floor left, arguably the easiest routine of them all. No narrow beam or high bars, just the floor and Regina. Honestly, besides executing her tricks correctly and in time with the music she has nothing to worry about.
And as she has predicted, the floor routine is a shy of perfection and with the help of tricks as Chusovitina and Silivaş she is soon in the top of the board yet again.
"Nice job ladies" Cora says and Regina has to bites her lip to stop herself from laughing. Saying those words make Cora's face controt as if she's eating vinigre. But she holds herself together until her mother is out of the room. That's when Kathryn turns, her face red as tomato and Regina lets out a snort.
"Did you see her face…?" Kathryn asks and Regina nods.
"Jesus" is all Kathryn manages to say before they erupt in laughter, releasing all the pent up tension from the last couple of days, at least for now.
"Take another" Kathryn shoves a shot in her direction, managing to spill half of its content on the wooden desk.
"No" Regina shakes her hand "too much" instead she turns to down a glass of water. One extremely bad hangover was enough for her to remember that hydration is the key.
She glances at her phone, re-reading Emma's text for the hundredth time;
Regina- We're at a bar called Jose, celebrating, wanna come?
Emma- Wouldn't miss it for the world. On my way.
She bites her lip as she checks her watch. It has been more than 30 minutes, what is taking her so long?
"Hey" she turns to look at a scruffy man with an English accent. His rather tall, macular, with piercing blue eyes and a charming smile; someone she would definitely fall for, you know, if men were her thing.
"I'm Robin" he says and places out a hand. Out of respect and manners, since she is her mother's daughter, Regina accepts; only instead of shaking her hand he lift it to his lips and kiss it all while maintain eye contact. Regina winces at the feel of his lips on her skin and withdraws her hand immediately.
"I'm not interested, thank you" she replies as politely as she can considering the fact that is utterly grossed out.
"Why not?" he asks with a confused frown gracing his face.
Regina glances at him and chuckles "Not used to getting rejected huh?"
"Actually, I'm not." He says and scratches his beard.
"May I buy you a drink?" he tries again.
"Why?" she inquires, not bothering to look his way anymore.
"Why not?" he retorts.
"Because she said she is not interested" is heard behind her and Regina beams.
She turns around and hugs Emma.
"What took you so long?" she asks, ignoring the now fidgeting man next to her.
"I took a cab and traffic was horrendous."
He clears his throat and Emma turns to him.
"Thanks for keeping my girl occupied until I got here, you can leave now."
Regina buries her face in Emma's neck and lets out a snort as Robin's face color with disappointment and slight anger and he stomps away.
Regina nips the skin under her lips, causing Emma's hands to squeeze her hips.
"Not here" Emma breathes out "or else I won't be able to stop."
"Who said I wanted you to stop?" Regina teases and Emma sends her a look.
"Watch it" she warns and the brunette laughs.
Emma takes the seat next to her, the one Kathryn occupied until some Brazilian guy asked her to dance.
"Great job today"
"Yes, that was pretty exciting" she agrees. Being put in a list with some of the most appreciated gymnasts in the world is unbelievable. They're not really connected to the outside world but she is positive the American media is going crazy about that achievement. And her daddy must be so proud.
"Thank you" she lays her head on Emma's shoulder, their hands combined under the table.
"For?"
"For being there for me"
"I told I will" she reasons and Regina shrugs.
"I know, still"
They sit silently, letting the music surround them.
"I don't want this to end" Regina says eventually and Emma frowns in response.
"Well it doesn't have to end."
"It does, when this whole thing is over and we go back to our homes we'll be hours apart."
Emma sighs and Regina just knows that it's the truth, it's inevitable.
"We can always do the long distance thing" Emma says though her face contorts at the idea.
Regina chuckles "I don't we can hold on phone sex"
"Yeah" Emma agrees "so, what do you suggest?"
"I don't know. But what I do know is that we have almost two and a half weeks in one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to where there are beaches and parties and places to see. And minus the training portion of the day, we're practically free. So let's make this time count, let's have the best time we can have and worry about the other stuff later."
Emma squeezes her hand "Sounds good to me"
"I say we start now" Emma suggests and Regina finally lifts her head to lock eyes with the blonde.
Emma gestures her head towards the dance floor.
"No no no," Regina shakes her hands and placing out her arms in a 'stop' motion "I don't dance"
"Yeah yeah," Emma gets up and starts pulling Regina with her "I call bullshit"
"Emma!" Regina shrieks as Emma finally manages to pull her forward. In the end she gives up on dragging Regina and goes for a full lift. Crossing the bar to the dance floor with Regina draped on her shoulder.