Chapter 20
Next morning Payson woke up at her usual time and kissed a sleepy Rigo goodbye as she hurried to the gym.
She arrived at the gym still shaking off the remnants of sleep.
"Someone looks drowsy Rigo keep you up?" teases Kelly as she walks up to Payson's car.
"No, stop prying into my sex life Kelly" huffs Payson walking inside.
"Hey not my fault if lover boy wears you out with his version of rigorous activity" chuckles Kelly.
"Shut it seriously" replies Payson.
"Oh someone's snappy, you and Rigo have a fight, where is he actually?" asks Kelly.
"He had an essay and no we're not having a fight I just haven't woken up yet" answers Payson.
"Well this may help" says Kelly handing Payson a thermos of coffee with a smile.
"Thanks" replies Payson taking a swig the caffeine stimulated her senses and she shook off the last bits of grogginess.
She and Kelly got to work prepping the girls for Nationals.
Rigo got up a couple of hours later, he'd lied about having an essay instead he had something else to do and he needed to make sure Payson didn't know, he picks up the phone and dials.
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As practice drew to a close for the day Maria walked over to Payson ready to start her late night practice she wanted to nail her new floor routine, they'd discovered a few weeks ago that Maria had a knack for artistic and no one could help her with that better than Payson.
They focused on the dance moves and the transitions.
Sasha watched the practice, loving the ease Payson had, she'd bonded to all the girls but ever since she'd discovered Maria's gift for artistry they'd grown especially close, the sixteen year old had always looked up to Payson and now she wanted to be just like her, unlike Payson she had the stereotype body of an artistic gymnast, small but with long legs and the kind of willowy frame that always looked graceful, even in her artistic routines Payson still spoke of the power she had.
As the hour came to an end Maria walked up to Payson.
"Hey Payson I can talk to you right, if I have a problem?" asks Maria quietly.
"Of course, anything" replies Payson.
"Well there's a guy, and I know there's a no dating rule but it wasn't serious but now he's kind of wanting to take things further and I don't know how to deal with it, I can't talk to Sasha because well he's Sasha and he's you know a guy" explain Maria.
"Firstly yes the no dating rule is a big part of the rock, I abided by it because I saw how it ripped at my friends, and are you saying he's pressuring you?" asks Payson.
"A little I guess" admits Maria.
"Okay Maria I can tell you with all my heart do not let him pressure you if you don't want to tell him no and if he doesn't take that for an answer let me know and I'll help anyway I can, but I can say from personal experience waiting can be so worth it, I waited until I was in love and I don't regret it at all, but one of my friends didn't and she regretted it, I'm not saying abstinence, you don't need to wait until marriage if you don't want to but definitely wait until your sure and your in love, and like I said if he doesn't take no for an answer let me know okay, you can always come to me Maria, with anything I will never judge you" assures Payson.
"Thanks, it's just you know I don't really have anyone else to talk to, my mom is never around and I can't talk to my dad, and well Kelly scares me" adds Maria.
"She scares most people, don't worry Maria, go home and dream of Nationals, believe me you're good enough for it" smiles Payson.
The younger girl throws her arms around Payson and Payson returns the hug.
With a smile she bounds out of the gym.
"What was that about?" asks Sasha walking up to her.
"She just had a problem and she wanted my advice" smiles Payson.
"Well why wouldn't she, you give good advice Payson, anything I can help with?" he asks.
"No it's kind of a girl thing you wouldn't understand but if it does need you I'll let you know" assures Payson.
"Good, because she's good enough for the National team and I may even say National champion" smiles Sasha.
"I agree, she's perfect for artistic gymnastics, she's got the perfect body type for it" says Payson.
"Hey none of that" warns Sasha looking at Payson.
"What?" asks Payson.
"None of the I don't have the right body for artistic gymnastics, you are beautiful Payson, just because you have a different body type doesn't mean you can't so something" says Sasha.
"I can't do it as well as I used to" sighs Payson.
"Well Payson you're growing, like it or not you've grown into your body, just like when you came back from your injury, your body has changed" replies Sasha.
"I know, it just still doesn't feel right to me, not having to worry about that as much now, I mean I still exercise daily and I sure as hell don't go overboard on fatty or sugary foods but it feels weird you know" says Payson.
"Not exactly but I get where your coming from" agrees Sasha.
"I had this conversation with my mom after we found out I'd grown taller, Mother Nature and embracing the fact I was becoming a woman and all that" sighs Payson.
"Well as usual your mom is right" agrees Sasha.
At that moment Payson thinks back to when Lauren had told them she'd lost her virginity and Payson had asked Lauren if it might stimulate her hormones.
With that thought she starts to giggle.
"What?" asks Sasha.
"Nothing I was just thinking of a conversation I once had with Lauren and Kaylie" giggles Payson.
"Do I want to know?" he asks.
"Not really, it was the day after that damn party and you tortured us all day" explains Payson.
"Hey I was doing my job" replies Sasha.
"I didn't even drink, I was only there to keep an eye on Kaylie, who got totally plastered and I'm the one who called her brother to come and get us I didn't deserve it" pouts Payson.
"But it brought you closer as a group" reminds Sasha.
"I guess it did" admits Payson.
"So stop fretting about this Payson there is absolutely no issue with how you look, you were beautiful then and you have been ever since, and I've never lied to you so please don't stress about something you don't need to, your body is absolutely perfect the way it is" he smiles.
Payson sighs and Sasha just pulls her into a hug.
"I shouldn't still need you to reassure me, it's my job to do the reassuring not to need to be reassured" sighs Payson.
"Hey, you are allowed to need people Payson, you're not a robot you can always ask for help, like it or not you've still got me and I will always help you with anything and every thing just because you're not my gymnast anymore doesn't mean I stopped caring, I will never stop I promise you that as long as you need me and you want me I'm here" he assures tilting her chin up so her green eyes meet his blue ones.
"I know, and I'm glad" she smiles.
"Good, now go on go home and stop comparing yourself to others, you are you and you are perfect the way you are inside and out Payson" he smiles.
"Thanks" she smiles.
"Anytime" he replies.
She steps out of his arms and grabs her bag.
"See you tomorrow" she says.
"See you tomorrow" he nods.
A/N So another cute Payson/Sasha moment, but dun dun dun what is Rigo lying about? Until next time my friends until then try to resist the urge to murder my version of Rigo however if you wish to leave death sentences in the comments go ahead :)
Thank you those of you who have stuck with this, let me know what you think review, fav and follow