Disclaimer: I still own nothing.

Rivals

The next day, after my therapy session with Lolo and some with Abby, instead of eating in the room. I wanted to go to the third floor cafeteria, just to see if the food is good here. Going into line, I saw muffins, donuts, pancakes, bagels, eggs, waffles, syrup, and fruit. This was already so much better than my room.

"Clary," My name was called as soon as I walked out with my bagel, water, and fruit. I looked up, "Clary, come sit over here. I need to talk to you." It was Michael Phelps, waving at me with a stunning smile, three pancakes and some eggs on his plate. He was seated next to a muscular man.

I walked over and sat down opposite him, "Good morning."

"Good morning, Clary this is Tyler Clary, Tyler this is Clary Fray." Michael introduced us briefly. I smiled and Tyler laughed.

"Nice to meet you, Clary." Tyler said still laughing lightly.

"Great to meet you too, Tyler." I replied, starting to eat my food.

Michael was laughing as well, "If you to got married, Clary's name would be Clary Clary."

"Calm down, Michael," Ryan Lochte said coming to sit beside me, "You'll need that energy to beat me. Hello, Tyler and Clary."

"Hey, Ryan." I greeted him. Ryan smiled at me before diving into his waffles. "What did you want to tell me?" I asked Michael. He stopped eating to nod.

"I met Dawn Harper yesterday, apparently she saw us walking together and she asked me why I was friends with you." Michael started pausing to take a sip of water, I could tell where this was going. Dawn and I kind of hated each other. "So I said I just met you and that you were cool, and, long story short, she just said I should stay away from you and be friends with her."

"Little bit of rivalry on the track, Clary?" Ryan asked, around mouth full of waffles.

I nodded, "Dawn and I don't really like each other."

"Why not?" Tyler questioned looking me over, "You seem pretty sweet."

"Thanks," They all stared at me, wanting to know more, "Dawn thinks that people under twenty should not be allowed to compete in the Olympics."

There faces were all disbelief, "How old are you?" Tyler asked.

"Sixteen. I'm probably the only reason why she said it."

"That doesn't make any sense," Michael shook his head, "I'm twenty-one." (A/N: I know this means that in Athens he was probably only like thirteen, I'm sorry it doesn't make sense but I had to make him and Clary closer in age.) "What's not to like in you?"

I blushed and shrugged, "I'll just fight her on the track like I always do."

Ryan patted me on the back, "I knew there was something I liked about you, red riding hood."

I rose my eyebrows at the nickname, "Really?"

"Ryan has to have nicknames for everyone he meets." Michael smiled shrugging, getting some eggs on his fork and eating them.

"What is yours?"

Michael was about to respond when Ryan said, "I created the name aquaman!"

"Ryan's convinced he came up with it." Michael rolled his eyes.

"Because I did, that is my nickname for Mike," Ryan looked at me, "Don't got stealing it, Ariel."

"Dude," Michael said, "She has a shark bite on her calf. Don't call her a mermaid."

"No, it's okay." I nodded, "It's ironic, and oddly funny."

"Ariel it is then." Ryan nodded. "That's my nickname for her, no one take it." He looked pointedly at Michael and Tyler.

"I need to call you something." I said to Ryan, thinking about names. "Flipper?" Ryan shook his head, "You're right I should do something more creative like saving swimmer Ryan?"

He laughed, "I like that one, did you get it from saving private Ryan?"

I nodded but before I could say anything there was a sharp intake of breath from Tyler.

"YOU HAVE A SHARK BITE ON YOUR LEG?" Tyler asked, his eyes bugging out of his head.

"Calm down," Michael whispered. I smiled at him, I knew he was trying to protect me but I could talk about this.

"Yes, I was bitten by a shark five years ago." I nodded.

"WHAT HAPPENED?" Tyler was still talking very loudly.

"I was in the ocean and I was bitten by a shark." I shrugged, finishing my food and checking the clock. It was six-forty-five in the morning, I had to be at the gym by seven-fifteen, "That's why you'll never see me in the ocean." I grinned at the three, "The pool is fine, but not the ocean."

"I would be mad at you if you didn't have a good reason, but sense you do I won't try to persuade you with saying how beautiful oceans are, Ariel." Ryan replied, nodding as he finished his waffles.

"What time do you have to be at the gym, Clary?" Michael asked, noticing my look at the clock.

"Seven-fifteen." I said still watching the clock, "I really need a watch."

"Do you want mine?"

I looked back to see Michael already taking his off, "No, thank you, but no I don't need it."

"Don't you need a stopwatch?" Ryan asked, eyebrows furrowing together.

"My coach has one," I saw Michael holding his out for me to take, "Michael, I don't need a thousand watch for practice."

He smiled, "It's not a thousand dollars, Clary. Just take it."

"But-"

Ryan sighed from beside me, he took the watch from Michael's hand and put it around my wrist. At least it wasn't diamond encrusted or one of those you see rich celebrities wear, I thought. Still I was a little uneasy.

"Clary," Michael sighed, "Just wear it and give it back if that makes you feel better."

"Thank you," I whispered, blushing lightly.

"Does that mean you are going to keep it?"

"No, it-" I stuttered, "I'm just saying thank you."

"Then you're welcome."

I glanced at the clock on Michael's watch, it was now seven, "I probably should get going." I said, standing up and preparing to leave.

"Ariel," Ryan stood up as well, "I'm coming with you. I need to get some workout time done today too."

"Okay." I nodded, walking over to the trash can and dumping my plastic forks and used napkins. I walked back over to the table and waited for Ryan.

"I'll see you later, then?" Michael asked.

I shrugged a shoulder, "Probably. Are you two not training today?"

Tyler and Michael both nodded, "I am, I'll just be there later. Bob Bowman, my coach, is making me swim first today." Michael said.

"Yeah, I just need to eat first." Tyler replied, motioning to his untouched food. Ryan walked back over.

"Ready to go?" He asked me.

"Sure," I nodded, "See you two."

"Bye." Tyler said and Michael grimaced as I walked away with Ryan.

To my surprise, Lolo met us at the entrance of the gym.

"Hey, where did you go this morning?" She asked me.

"I went to check out the cafeteria, the food was very good." I looked at Ryan, "Lolo this is Ryan Lochte. Ryan this is Lolo Jones." I introduced them.

"Good to meet you." Ryan smiled.

"You too." Lolo blushed lightly. After they met and Ryan gave Lolo her nickname 'Jones-y' we walked inside the gym and continued to train. Lolo and my medal matches were tomorrow so Jeff had to give us even more training.

So, seven hours later, I walked back to my room alone. Because Lolo would apparently get off later. Turning my phone back I on started to walk, my hair still wet from the half-shower I had in the locker room. When my phone blinked '3 missed calls: Jace' '1 new voice-mail: Jace', I became instantly nervous and worried.

Hesitantly, I sat on the stairs and listened to my voice-mail.

"Hey, Clary." Jace's voice started, "I didn't really want to say this to a machine but since you won't answer, I guess I will..." Jace took a deep breath, "I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. I don't regret anything, but you looked so scared and haven't talked to me since, so I apologize. Clary, I've just been wanting to tell you that I have strong feelings, over and over again, I just... got caught up in the moment. If you hate me for ruining your concentration for tomorrow because of this, I'm sorry again. I just wanted to say that I will be in the crowd, cheering you on, and even if you don't want to be with me I will always... be here for you. Good luck. I know you'll win your gold."

"End of message to erase this message-" The woman recording started.

"Who are you talking to?" I jumped as male voice filled the stairwell. I looked around to see Michael at the top of the stairs.

I stood up quickly, hiding my phone behind my back, "No one. I was listening to my messages."

Michael rose his eyebrows and looked at me for a second before laughing. "Are you coming up or not? I was waiting for you."

I nodded running up the stairs to reach him, we walked in silence to my floor. When we approached the door that led to the fifth floor, I stopped and turned around to face him.

Michael's hands were in his pockets like he was cold, "I really like the friendship we have made throughout these last few days. I've really come to like you as a friend, as a fan, and I wish you the best tomorrow."

"Thank you, Michael." I whispered.

He smiled, "I haven't seen you race yet, but I'm sure your as great at that as you are at making friends."

I laughed, "Thanks. I really love this friendship we've made too, Michael. I didn't think I would ever meet you, and honestly I've looked up to you since Beijing, so to actually meet you and be friends with you is a great honor."

Michael, as the humble man he was, thanked me but waved off the honor part, "I'm just glad you met my mom."

I laughed before hugging him around the waist. Michael seemed shocked at first but eventually relaxed and wrapped his arms around my back. It was oddly comforting to embrace him, it felt like home. I felt safe, secure, wrapped up in his strong arms. And even though he was a foot taller than me, we fit together.

"I am too," I said, standing on the tips of my toes to place my head on his shoulder. "Tell her I said hello, okay?"

"I will. I'm sure she'll say good luck as well." Michael pulled me tighter against him ever so slightly.

"If she does, tell her I said thank you." I laughed quietly again and pulled away, "Well, I guess I'll go now."

"Just make sure you get a good nights rest, a good breakfast, and give yourself a lot of time to practice before your race." Michael advised me, suddenly turning into a more handsome version of Jeff.

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks." I smiled up at him again, and started to turn the doorknob blindly, since I was still turned away from the door.

"You're welcome. Goodnight, Clary, I'll be in the stands, cheering you on." Jace. I thought of him immediately, that's what he said in the message.

"Goodnight, Michael." I said numbly. Michael smiled once more before turning and walking up another flight of stairs.

Despite the texts from my family and all my friends, and despite Michael's advice to get a good-nights rest I got no sleep. My nerves, my determination, my confidence were all colliding into one. And also that sweet message from Jace kept creeping into my mind, as much as I tried to stop thinking about it. And now also, the hug with Michael that just felt so right.

So, restless and ready I closed my eyes, for everyone else's benefit, but I did not fall asleep.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Next chapter is race time!