Chapter 2

When training was done and Sasha dismissed everyone I went over to the vault to work on my routines. Sasha left the gym and let the door slam on his way out.

As I stare at the object in front of me I can't help but to get nervous. I vision my routine and I take off full speed towards the vault. I imagined I stuck the landing but I was far from it.

I land with a thud on my face and as I stare at the mat under me I can't help but think I will never be as good as I was before. I'm being overwhelmed and I can't breathe I try to sit up but I end up falling back down. All I hear are my sobs filling the gym. I don't know how long I have cried until I hear the door opening again. I start to get up and wipe the tears from my face but it's not working and I fall back to my knees.

"Payson" Sasha yells as he runs across the gym towards me. As he crouches down next to me I try to turn my face from him.

"I'm fine" I manage to get out in between sobs. As I feel his hand on my shoulder I start to feel safe but I know all he is giving me is pity so I shake his arm off and manage to make my sobs quiet

"I don't nee your pity" I say as I get up and walk towards my bag with Sasha hot on my trail.

"You think I'm giving you pity" he yells at me I turn around with my bag in hand and almost collide with him

"Well it sure as hell isn't anything else" I yell back at him and I add in "I'm sick and tired of everyone acting like they care when they don't. I am confused enough as it is"

"What are you confused about Payson?" he asks as he leans down to my ear "I'm not giving you pity I do care about you" he says as he caresses my cheek

"You can't do that. This is what I'm confused about Sasha I feel things towards you that I shouldn't feel and you aren't helping with those feelings" I say as I pull his hand away from my cheek letting another tear fall as I turn around and try to open the door. As I push against the cold medal over and over.

"Open the door Sasha I just want to go home" I half whisper and half yell

"Payson I'm so sorry." he looks at me with unshed tears in his eyes.

"Sasha it is not you who should be sorry it is me" I say "I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable I think it would be better if I leave. Now can you please open the door?" I ask as I walk back over to the door.

"Payson you have not made me feel uncomfortable" he says with his rich accent

"Sasha I just told you I have feelings for you. How could you not be uncomfortable I'm uncomfortable with myself" I say to him as I turn around "I feel horrible half for feeling the way I do. And half because you don't feel the same way as me"

"Who said I didn't feel the same" He asks as he comes to stand next to me

"Sasha your twenty-nine and I'm sixteen. Besides that little fact I am your athlete not some gorgeous girl you met outside of this place." I say as I stare at him "Sasha I know a lot of things and one thing I'm sure about is that you do not look at me like how you look at other women"

"Payson do you not realize how beautiful you really are" he asks me as he grabs my shoulder

"Sasha I figured out a long time ago that I would be known for my gymnastics and not my beauty" I whisper as I take his hand off my shoulder.

"Why would you ever say that Payson? You are beautiful. I don't look at you the way I look at other women because I know it is wrong what I feel towards you isn't right Payson." Sasha says as he looks at me with his beautiful gleaming eyes

"Sasha please don't lie to me. I have had a lifetime of pity and I don't need it from you" I say "Now open this goddamn door"

"No and you cannot tell me what I feel Payson" he comes up from behind me and turns me to face him.

All I feel is our lips colliding together. It the most passionate kiss I have ever had. I've only ever kissed Nicky before but this is so different. His tongue licks my bottom lip silently asking for entrance which I grant as I wrap my arms around his neck. It feels as if our tongues are dancing. He pushes me up against the doors the cold medal digging into my back but that is what makes it all the more real. Soon the only thing that fills the gym is the sound of our lips smacking together and the moans we both make. But it all ends too soon as he grabs me by my waist and pushes me away.

I give him a confused look as he digs through his pockets and unlocks the door. He kisses me one last time before I leave the rock. I feel happier than I have ever felt before.

"Goodnight Payson. I will see you in the morning" he yells as I walk toward the exit of the rock.