Arriving in Florida was an excitement that sent Tommy insane with his emotions. He couldn't believe he was finally in the same state as his sweetheart. He couldn't wait to see her expression on her face when he arrived. More so, what he was planning to do on his week off to see her.
He only hoped that her schoolwork and gymnastics wouldn't interfere with any plans. Kimberly sat off to the edge as she sipped her drink from its cold bottle. She was achy and ready to start up again her routine.
Belle sat off to the sideline too. She was Schmidt's perfect gymnast and an ace to the Pan Globals. This year was going to be another year. Another year of hopes and dreams -and gold. It was without a doubt Belle was a shoe-in for the top four.
"She'll help you. Believe it or not, this is your life now. Some of these girls have private tutors and still strive for their goals. Just do well in the next weigh-in and you'll do fine," Coach Willis noted as she patted Kim's shoulder.
Great. Just great. All Kimberly needed was someone who was probably going to make it into the top four and she'd be stuck in the dead bottom without any hopes. His flight arrived promptly at four forty-five in the afternoon. The blazing heat of the Floridian sun gazed over his eyes as he shielded his eyes from the beating sun. This surely wasn't California. Not one bit.
He waited for his belongings along the conveyor belt as items started being shifted about. He anxiously couldn't wait to see her. He was pretty sure she felt the same way. He could just sense her smile and excitement; but he had to make it through the airport first. No one came with him either on the trip, just him and his two suitcases fitted for two weeks and a hopeful pleasant visit.
A few minutes later passed as he retrieved one bag; next was the other one that shortly followed.
He grabbed both as he made it out of the busy airport that afternoon.
Meanwhile back at the gymnasium, Kimberly and Belle were perfecting their routines. Each were on the floor perfecting their routines. Several twirls and whirls were done as each did their own rendition. Music was blaring through the speakers as they tumbled then landed on their feet with their signature stances.
A few more was the key to making the gold-wrenching perfection. Belle stood tall as she stood next to her teammate. She took a deep breath as she ran and took off into mid-air. Flipping around like a fish out of water she wowed Kimberly: whereas on the other hand, Kimberly took a deep breath herself and took off.
"A few more of these and I can relax," she huffed under her breath. Somersaulting across the air was her forte. She pranced around as she did a few tumbles and flips. "Hopefully, this is 'perfection.'
The girls flipped around a few more times as they both landed on opposite ends. Smirks across their faces as they looked over at each other. Both laughed as they managed a few more routines to fit into the day. The continuous upbeat music flared through the gymnasium as they continued on as midday was turning into the evening light. Relaxation sounded a bit nice right about now.
Then again, relaxation in Coach Schmidt's book would be far different than anyone's in the gymnasium. His girls worked hard - really hard. None of them looked like they've seen daylight since they've been in the gym for hours that had already passed. Kimberly wished for her friends to see her now. They might be as impressed as she was with her current routine, but who knew.
On the other hand, he waited on his taxi as time ticked slowly. He couldn't wait to see her. He anticipated a hug, a smile; and possibly a loving kiss. He hadn't seen her in a while; his only hope was that she still felt the same. He had heard all her stories about school and the grueling hours at the gymnasium too. He just wanted to see her. A few more hours would suffice Kimberly's body as she continued working out at the gym. The twirls, whirls, and flips were all over the mat. She could taste gold as she continued to work hard and train. The Pan Global Games were still far, but she was to train and push herself to make it to the top.
Tommy arrived at the hotel after a long wait and drive from the airport. He plopped down onto his bed as he kicked back and relaxed his mind as he anticipated to surprise Kimberly. Little did she know that he'd be there for her. Little did he know what he was in for. He was told that she'd be done training around five-forty-five. After that, she'd head back to the house she shared with some of the girls that were also training. There'd he'd try to make a surprise that she'd never forget.
4:15 p.m. the hotel clock read as time ticked by. He couldn't wait. The anticipation made him nervous. It had been only two months since he hadn't seen her fully. Only through phone calls and letters were written to establish their updates; but meeting again could mean a lot to the both of them. Their friends were assured that this trip for Tommy would be best. He couldn't wait to tell them everything, if he could. His departure was full of positive aspects and a trip that he wouldn't forget; but mostly a trip that would be memorable.
"Let us know how she is," Aisha said as she hugged Tommy. Tommy hugged back as he placed down his luggage to hug his friends. "I'm sure she can't wait to see you." He nodded as he hugged her again.
"I will," he replied.
"Take lots of pictures, Tommy. Tell her we all believe in her and she'll do great," Katherine retorted as she smiled.
"Tell her I'm thinking of her," Billy said as he made his way to give his friend a handshake. The two friends shook as Rocky weaseled his way in.
Clicking his gum, Rocky gave Tommy a present for Kimberly, "Tell Kim this from Adam and I. She'll get the joke when she opens it." Tommy looked at it and chuckled.
"Only you'd think of that, but yeah; she'd like it," Adam smirked. He man-hugged his friend as the last time Tommy's plane flight number was called.
"Flight 567 to Orlando, Florida is now departing."
The gang quickly hugged as Tommy scurried into the aisle of the boarding plane. He quickly got his ticket checked as he darted up to the plane. He couldn't wait. He sat in his seat as he looked at the terminal with his friends waving back at him. Three-weeks of Tommy and Kim-time was about to happen.
5:00 p.m. the clock now read. He had forty-five minutes to find the presents to give her and situate himself before heading out. He checked everything from his clothes to his outfit. He wanted everything to be perfect. The jitters of excitement filled his heart as it anticipated seeing her. He looked over at the framed picture that was taken the night of her bon voyage party. He could feel it that she was right next to him.
She was taking a break at the gymnasium as she cooled herself off with a towel wrapped around her neck and a bottle of water in hand. Sweat beads were all over her face and neck as she did one extensive workout that day. She couldn't imagine how hard its was to train for the next few months ahead. Her new friends laughed and giggled as they all sat next to her as they shared their moments of the day.
"I've never felt so tired in my entire life," Kimberly sighed as she patted her face dry from her workout. She couldn't get over how impressive some of girls have been too. She had a lot to work with. Starting now. "My body aches and my muscles are sore. Is this what real training was about?"
"Yours, Hart?" one of the girls answered. "This is just the beginning for those who're going to be with Coach Schmidt for the Pan Globals and beyond."
She shook her head as she sipped her drink, "Great."
Time ticked slowly. Training was almost over for the day, but Tommy's wasn't. He was to surprise his girlfriend at the peak of her training. However, she didn't know when he was coming or how long of a visit it would be at the gymnasium. He only hoped for the best.
He was tired from his long flight; though that didn't stop him. Course, it was going to be great. He wanted to see how the progression of her training was physically instead of hearing it over the phone; likely, he just couldn't wait to see her.
He looked up at the time, "Five-thirty-five," he muttered to himself. He scurried to find the nearest cab that went to the gymnasium. Though, he was unfamiliar with the outskirts of Florida. He didn't have a clue on the sights of the city of Orlando, nor the places to spend with Kimberly. He only hoped she did.
"Camera, (check), gifts from the gang (check), my gift (check);" he mentally noted himself. He checked around his hotel room, making sure everything was with him. "Hotel key…" Continuing to look around, he grabbed the things he needed to surprise Kim with. He made sure he was to have everything.
He adjusted his bandana that buried his forehead as he examined himself before heading out.
"Looking sharp Oliver."
He made it out the door at exactly five-fifty in the afternoon. He was late. That didn't matter. He was practically late for his first date with his girl the first day the started dating. He shut the door of his room as he parted it for the day. Looking over, he saw a couple that walked passed him as they held hands. He sighed as it recaptured his moments in his mind.
While resting up before her next routine, Kimberly and her newfound friends laughed and joked around about their day from the places they were at prior like school. Most of her friends had tutors on the side that helped them while training. They were costly, but their teammate's approach was to go to school which was a balancing act.
The pitter patter of rain began as the sunny day in Florida came to an end. Sighs came about as they saw the water trickle down the windows of the gymnasium. So much for the sunny day the meteorologists proclaimed it would be for the rest of the day. So much for jogging after dinner too for Kim and her friends.
"More rain?" Leighanne huffed under her breath. She groaned as she looked at the window. "So much for eating out tonight." She walked away as she tossed her towel over to the side.
"Ooohhh, where ya going to eat at Annie?" one of the girls asked.
"Le'Donalds," she joked as she sipped her water.
"Fancy smancy," Kimberly laughed as she threw her towel over to the side as well, as she stretched out her body from sitting so long. "Don't you mean McDonalds?"
"Shhhhh…" Leighanne laughed. "They don't know that."
The girls laughed as they parted ways. Tommy, alternatively; didn't have his luck with the rain either. Unprepared, he tried to take cover from the rainstorm. He wasn't expecting this. Not even one bit. He hauled his cab as it came to a stop. The cab driver grumbled too at the rain as it drenched his roof that leaked through the padding of his car.
"Where to," he asked wiping up the roof and its seat.
"Schmidt Gymnastics," Tommy said as he sat down.
"Alright."
As the car left the hotel, anticipation was near. He couldn't wait to see her again; it was obvious, but the rain continuously poured down on the busy streets, It was miserable; treacherous, but that didn't stop love. Rain was like luck for Tommy. All hopes of being lucky to see her again was hoped to be on his side. Mentally, his fingers were crossed as he thought about what they'd be doing the next three weeks.
Rain continued to trickle down the windows of Schmidt Gymnastics as the girls all went back to their routine. Gold was all on their minds as they trained hard that dreary afternoon. The coaches watched on as they drifted around the gymnasium, observing each and every one of them.
There were four to be chosen. Each strived as they were on either the balance beam, floor, or uneven bars; their routines were sharp. Sharpness was the key to a win. The event was eight months away, but staying sharp was the key goal.
Tommy took in the sights as he looked around the rainy parts of Florida. It was dreary, wet, and cold as he shifted his eyes all around. He hoped she was still at the gymnasium after all his lateness issues he had.
"Where you from?" asked the driver, curiously as he stopped at a red light.
"Angel Grove," Tommy answered as he saw the drops become more heavier. The time continuously ticked on by as it passed his time to meet with Kimberly. "Angel Grove, California. I'm on vacation to visit my girlfriend." Young love was in Tommy's voice. Though, the driver was no better, but to make a living. He was in his forties, chased his high school crush for several years, but still no ring on his finger. He found refreshment from hearing people's love lives when he needed to hear about love.
"I see," he paused.
"Yes, she is my world, sir. She's just perfect," the young man replied, showing him a picture of Kim and him at the park holding hands with smiles written on their faces.
"That's easy for you to say. This woman I've known I've known since high school; chased her for almost all these years and have yet to tried to express it to her. We have a daughter together, who's about the age of you two. She just wants her Mom and I to hit it off finally with a wedding." The man sighed as he looked at the happiness of the two teens' eyes.
"Why don't you ask her. My girlfriend Kim's believes that true love never waits. She and I have been through a lot and this is one of our many challenges we're going through now."
"I understand that, but all I really want is her to understand that I am with her forever but this commitment needs to be a lifetime not just for a day."
Nodding in agreement, a few blocks away was Tommy's destination. His excitement couldn't contain himself as he saw the name of the gymnasium light up. A smile drew across from ear to ear. He just couldn't wait.
"You're here at your destination, young man." the cab driver said as he pulled up to the front of the gymnasium. "Best of luck with your girl."
"Thanks, you too; sir. I'm Tommy by the way."
"Pleasure, I'm Ryan. If you ever need a ride to come up here again; just call. Here's my card."
Ryan handed Tommy his business card as Tommy paid for his ride to the gymnasium. The two shook hands as they parted. Tommy's heart began to thump as he felt it race to his throat. He saw all the young athletic girls work on their routine as he opened the door. He waved his new friend goodbye as he drove away. He darted as fast as he could. He was late but that didn't matter.
He saw from a distance as she was on the floor about to do a somersault. Kimberly attempted as she ran and hesitated. She froze for a second as she saw a glimpse of two men talking.
One of the coaches instructed that Kim was working on the floor that evening. He watched from the sidelines as she smiled and attempted to carry on. She looked over again as she glimpsed over.
"Oh my gosh!" she shrieked. He made it. She couldn't believe it.
She raced over as she attempted to do a flip to greet him. His face lighted up as he saw her. He ran over to her as she landed on her feet. Excitedly, the two embraced.
He hugged and pulled her into a soft kiss. The next three weeks would be the best.
….or so they thought.