Disclaimer: I still own nothing.
Races
Today was the day. Today was the day my seven years of training payed off, or was for nothing. Today was the day that I either won four medals or walked away with nothing (not including the relay race). Today was the day I become a champion or a failure. Today was the day that I step on the track and hold nothing back. Today was the day that I battle against my best friend.
Today was Olympic race day.
I woke up normally, got dressed, saw that my phone had a seizure with 'good lucks' and 'I love you's', backed my bag with shoes, toiletries, uniforms, podium wear, and jeans for after. Lolo and I exchanged a greeting. Abby hit us with an emotional speech, I only heard the first sentence though 'be the change you wish to see in the world' after that, I zoned out not because I wanted to but because I was ready.
I walked out of my bedroom and gasped. Inside my kitchen was a large banner hanging from one wall to another saying 'GOOD LUCK LOLO AND CLARY!'. Under it, stood my roommates and the fabulous five.
"Good luck!" They all chorused, clapping their hands and smiling widely.
"Wow!" Lolo grinned, "Thank you!" She started hugging everyone.
"Oh my goodness! You all are so sweet!" I smiled, embracing my friends. "Thank you!"
"You're so welcome!" McKayla smiled, hugging me tightly. "That's what friends are for!"
"Absolutely," Kyla agreed, "We just wanted to be here for you."
"Aren't you girls in training?" I asked.
"Oh, yes." Jordyn nodded, "But we think that coach will let us off one morning."
I laughed as Aly said, "We probably should be getting back soon. Good luck, Clary." She hugged me, "I know you are going to win."
Gabby hugged me after Aly let me go, "We will be watching from our gym! Good luck!"
"Thank you all," I smiled, "I'm glad you came." We all exchanged short words of farewell and the fabulous five left.
"Come here," Marti said calling Lolo and I to the kitchen, we walked in. "Tell me what you want to eat and chef Marti and Courtney will serve you." She paused, "But we don't suggest eggs before you have to go run."
I laughed, "I'll just have a bagel."
"Me too." Lolo agreed. I smiled at her, that's what coach always suggested we eat in the morning; bagel, fruit, and a whole lot of water.
"Toasted?" Courtney asked hopefully. Abby and Allyson laughed from there spots against the counter.
"Sure." I nodded.
"No, thanks." Lolo said.
"Okay," Marti nodded toasting my bagel and putting some cream cheese on it, "Here you go."
"And here you go." Courtney placed Lolo's bagel in front of her, Marti placed mine in front of me.
"Thank you." We both said to our cooks.
"Sure, anything else?" Lolo and I grinned at each other.
"Fruit and water, please." I said, ordering for both of us. Courtney and Marti nodded, getting all different color kinds of fruits putting them in a bowl and them placing them on the table. Courtney grabbed two water bottles and gave them to both of us. We thanked them again and started eating.
"Allyson," Abby said, "When are your races?"
"Tomorrow and Wednesday." Allyson grinned at Lolo and I, "The relay race is on Wednesday and Lolo and Clary are in it with me."
"Recipe for success." Abby muttered.
After we were finished eating, I looked at the watch on my arm.
"Lolo we should get going, it's already seven." I said to her, "Our first race starts at nine, the 200m." (A/N: I know I said Clary didn't qualify for the 200 meter race in the second chapter, but I made a mistake. I'm sorry for the confusion, Clary is in it along with Lolo)
"Oh!" Lolo jumped up. "We should get going!" She quickly walked back to her room idly reminding me of the late white rabbit.
"Good luck, you two!" Courtney threw her arms around me followed by Abby, Marti, and Allyson. "Please don't kill each other."
Lolo and I laughed, "Don't be worried, Clary and I have battled multiple times on the track. And as you can see, we haven't killed each other yet." Lolo motioned to our bodies.
"Yet." Marti muttered jokingly.
Allyson laughed, "Whatever. We'll be watching you two on television, good luck."
"I'm going to come down a little bit later."
"So am I." Courtney nodded.
"I would, but I have soccer practice." Abby shrugged apologetically, "I'll watch your races for as long as I can though."
"That's okay," I nodded, "Thank you guys for this." I motioned to the banner, "We will see you later."
"Bye! Good luck!" They all chorused as Lolo and I walked out the door.
We made our way to the locker rooms, changing into our actually first event uniforms. The uniforms we were running in were very revealing and skin tight; mine were red skin-tight shorts that went to the top of my thigh, starting just below my belly-button and my top basically looked like a normal short-sleeved red t-shirt except that it cut off, showing all of my stomach, the top had 'USA' printed in blue.
And, sense it was cold in London, I put on my new blue sweatpants and jacket. The ones that had 'Fray' written on the bicep. I tied my hair up in a pony-tail, with the help of Lolo, hung a hair-band around my neck, pulled on my shoes and tied them tight, and then I was ready.
I hoisted my heavy athletics bag over my shoulder as my competitor Jessica Ennis walked up.
"Good morning, Clary." She said in her beautiful British accent, hugging me and kissing both of my cheeks, "How are you?"
"I'm great, Jessica. Good morning to you too, and how are you?" I asked, "Are you ready for your races?"
"Yes, I am." She nodded looking ready, "I believe we are competing against each other."
"We are." I nodded, "You are in the 200 meter, right?"
"That's correct. I am also in the 400 meter for hurdles."
"Great," I smiled, "I wish you the best of luck."
"I wish you luck too," She hugged me again, "my new friend, Clary."
I embraced her back and then walked outside to the track. Lolo was already out there and stretching. Faintly, I noticed that the crowd cheered as I emerged on the track. A camera followed me as I jogged over to Lolo and Coach Jeff.
"Morning," Jeff gave me another water bottle and place his hands on my shoulders, "Did you get enough sleep?"
"I didn't sleep." I admitted.
"That was expected." He nodded, "Are you prepared and ready?"
I nodded.
"Okay, you and Lolo's first practice race is in ten minutes, why don't you go start stretching?" Jeff kissed my forehead and took his hands off my shoulders, "Remember to keep drinking." He added as I started walking away.
I set down my bag in a seat before sitting on the ground and starting to stretch out my legs. I grabbed my ipod and headphones, putting them in my ears to find the song I should keep in my head through my four races today.
Just know you're not alone, cause I'm going to make this place your home
... No. I changed the song.
It started with a whisper and that was when I kissed her
... No.
It's only in your head you feel left out, or looked down on.
Yes. The Middle by Jimmy Eat World is the winner. (A/N: I don't own the song, but it is really good.) I listened to it a few times until it go stuck in my head, then it was time for my practice races.
Jeff helped me put on my bid that simply stated 'Fray' on the front, and he also put one on my back that said 'USA'. I pulled off my sweats and jacket and walked to lane seven, we were practicing our 200 meter which wasn't my best event, but we couldn't get eliminated during practice races so I wasn't to worried.
"Take your mark." The crowd cheered as the announcer told us to get ready. I placed my feet in there correct spots, pulled my headband up to get my bangs out of my face, put my hands behind the lines, and prepared for the race to start.
"Don't get your hopes up, little girl, you aren't going to win." The girl in line eight whispered to me. I didn't spare her a glance, not letting her getting into my head.
Live right now, just be yourself. It dosen't matter if it's good enough, for someone else. I sang in my head as the gun went off and I started to run. It just takes some time a little bit of...
The singing in my head cut off as the lane eight girl's foot got caught in the hurdle, the wood object flipped over in my lane, knocking down my next hurdle in the process. I swerved to dodge it, landing hard on my right foot. I heard a loud pop and when I tried to slow down and stop, I ran hard into the hurdle bars. Jamming my hip into it, knowing there would be a large bruise there after. I finally stopped, seeing all the other girls keep dashing towards the finish line.
I tried to walk, but my ankle hurt to bad. The crowd was roaring, my coach yelling.
"Clary Fray! Get off the track!" Jeff yelled, running up to be parallel to me on the sidelines, "Don't finish! Come here! Get off the track!"
I hopped off the field, keeping my right foot off the ground. Jeff grabbed my elbow, wrapping and arm around my waist, and helped me into the locker room. Several cameras and a man and woman in scrubs following us. Jeff placed me on a bench, I pulled my right leg up and rested it before me as the doctors took off my shoe and sock and started to look at it.
"It's really swelling." The woman muttered, smiling at me. I thought, she was trying to make me feel better... that must mean it's really bad.
"What does that mean?" Jeff demanded, "What's wrong with it?"
"Can you curl you're toes, Clary?" The man asked, I tried wincing slightly but got them curled, "It's not broken." Jeff sighed in relief along with me, "But, I think it is sprained. I'm not positive."
"Why aren't you positive?"
"We won't be able to know until we get it x-rayed." The man sighed, "I'm sorry, honey, but I don't think you should race anymore."
"No," I shook my head, "That's not happening. I have four races today. Tie it up and I'll get it looked at tomorrow."
"Miss Fray-" The woman started but Lolo cut her off, running into the locker rooms. She looked extremely worried.
"What happened?" She demanded, "I ran across the finish line and saw that you weren't with me. Then I saw the replay, are you okay?" She asked looking at my foot and gasping.
"Clary," Jeff said in a defeated voice, "I don't think you should race."
"Jeff, there is no way in hell that I am not going back out there to do my races." I shook my head.
"But, Clary-" He started again.
"I'm going out there right now." I started to get up but the doctors, Jeff, and Lolo pushed me down.
Jeff shook his head laughing lightly, "Doctors will you please wrap her foot up the best you can?"
The doctors objected, putting up a fight and telling me that it would only get worse.
"I'm not quitting. These are the Olympics." I replied shortly. Jeff told them again to wrap my foot up and this time they did what they were told. Wrapping my foot up as much as they could in gauze and tape.
"That's an ugly bruise, Clary." Lolo whispered, eyeing my hip. With all the ankle talk, I had almost forgot about it. I looked now.
Lolo was right, there was an angry purple-black bruise that was an exact lining of the hurdle right-angle bars. I sighed.
"This isn't exactly how I wanted this day to start."
Lolo grinned, squeezing my hand in comfort, "At least it makes you look like a badass."
I laughed and at that moment, the doctors finished up with my foot. Lolo let go of my hand as Jeff grasped my elbow, helping me up. It hurt, I wasn't going to lie, it hurt. But some pain in my foot and a bruise on my hip were not going to stop what I've been training for since I was nine.
I walked around in a circle a few times, as Jeff let me go, just to test out my foot. After a few circles, it was still bad but maybe, just maybe, I would be able run.
Jeff was watching me closely, "We will practice until your race. Let's get out there, Lolo go start training. Clary come with me and don't say anything to the camera's."
"Okay." I turned to the doctors, "Thank you so much."
"Of course." They both nodded, smiling. I smiled back as I walked back outside with Jeff. The cold air hitting me as soon as I stepped out. I shivered.
"Clary! Clary Fray, how will this affect your racing?" A man with a microphone asked me from the crowd, cameras followed me on either side of me.
"Miss Fray, are you alright? What is wrong with your foot?" A woman asked. I ignored them, just as Jeff asked, I followed my coach to the middle of the field. After putting on my sweatpants and jacket.
Jeff set up three hurdles all about five feet apart, he had a stopwatch in hand.
"When I say go," He started, "I want you to take your time and jump over these hurdles. We will keep working on it until you get fast enough."
I nodded, Jeff gave me a few feet of room.
Hey, don't write yourself off yet. It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on. "Go." I started to run, ignoring the screaming pain in my foot. Just try your best, try everything you can. And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.
I jumped over the first hurdle, making sure I landed on my left foot. When my right hit the ground, I almost stopped and screamed in pain, but I kept going. These are the Olympics Clary, I told myself. You are not going to stop because of some pain.
It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
I kept running, jumping over the second and third hurdle. Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be alright (alright). When I finished, Jeff told me my time was thirty-seconds. Which was terrible, awful. My usual time was twenty-two seconds.
"Again." Jeff said, smiling encouragingly at me. I nodded, my determination motivating me as I turned around to go again.
Hey, you know they're all the same.
I hopped over the first and second. You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in.The third. Coach said I was twenty-five. A few more times after that, I remarkably got under twenty.
"Great! I need to go help Lolo." Jeff smiled, hugging me. "Now go do your lunges, stretches, and high-knees." I nodded, walking over to the track. These were the exercises where I had to do walking lunges all the way to the first hurdle, stretch, then do high-knees all the way back to the line.
I started my lunges. It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride. Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be alright (alright). It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride. Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be alright (alright).
When I got to the hurdle, which was about twenty-five meters away, I sat down on the ground. Once seated, I lifted my leg up and placed it up so it was rested on the hurdle, I then moved my head down until it was on the track; feeling the muscles being stretched in my leg.
I repeated the action on my other leg and then stood up, doing high-knees the way back to the line. Hey, don't write yourself off yet. It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on. Just do your best, do everything you can. And don't you worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say.
I made my way to the line, shaking my legs a little just to loosen them up. Then, as the race started in five minutes, I walked over to my seat; taking off my sweatpants and jacket. Seeing my shark bite and sprained ankle, shinning up at me like medals of honor.
"Clary," Jeff broke through my thoughts, bringing Lolo with him, "I have something for you two. Just a little thank you," He shrugged pulling out two boxes from his back pocket. He handed us each a box.
Inside was a silver necklace with a small silver cross on the end of it. I gasped at the beauty of it and hugged Jeff.
"Thank you." I said. Jeff nodded and I linked it around my neck, seeing it fall just to the top of my uniform top. "It's so pretty."
"You're welcome." Jeff said as Lolo hugged him as well. "I just wanted you two to know how proud I am of you. How proud I am to be your coach. Just remember that no matter what happens today, never give up your friendship."
Lolo and I nodded.
"Okay then." He shooed us, "Go out there and make me proud."
"We will coach." Lolo promised to him and I nodded in agreement before we both walked onto the track. "Good luck, Clary." She whispered hugging me I hugged her tightly back. "I love you, best friend."
"I love you too." I said as I let her go. We smiled at each other before walking to our lanes, I was in lane seven, Lolo in lane four. The crowd started to cheer.
"Take your mark." The crowd instantly silenced as the announcer told us to get ready. I took a deep breath and took my mark. Thanking God, in my head, for bringing me here. Whatever happens, I thought, I will praise You.
"You're not fooling anyone with that brace. I'll still beat you." Lane eight girl said again.
The gun went off.
Hey, don't write yourself off yet. It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on. Just try your best, try everything you can. And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.
As the first, second, and third hurdle passed; I could tell that I was not winning by any means. But the first turn was coming up, Coach always said that turns were my cup of tea and I knew coming out here that it was going to be my turns versus Lolo, Jessica, and everyone else's height.
The turn came, I heard the announcer screaming but could not hear his words as I saw the finish line and crossed it. I slowed my running to a walk and slowly to a stop as I caught my breath, looking at the ground, not knowing who won yet. Everything slowly started to come back.
"That was a photo finish if I have ever seen one! Lolo Jones and Clary Fray, the best friends from Brooklyn, ran together across the finish line!" The announcer sounded like a proud dad.
I looked up at the screen that showed who won; places eight, seven, six, five, four... The names stopped for a second, just to make us sweat. There were three places left for three people; Jessica, Lolo, and I.
"Third place, getting the bronze medal will be..." The announcer said, "Jessica Ennis!" Jessica yelped and started to jump around. The crowed was the same way, jumping around and yelling for there Britain athlete.
"Congratulations, Jessica!" I said. Jessica hugged me tightly.
"Just watch; you'll be golden." She replied in my ear.
"I hope." I spoke as she let me go, getting the Great Britain flag and draping it over her shoulders. I smiled after her and walked over to Lolo, "Whatever happens."
"Still friends." Lolo finished as we both looked up at the screen.
"First and second place for the 200 meter women's hurdles is all counting on this photo. Let's see it now." The announcer said as a photo popped up on the screen. It was of Lolo and I, it was very close, but my arm managed to be over the line first. "Clary Fray wins! Clary Fray gets the gold! Lolo gets the silver! Excellent work for the five-foot-two shark-bitten teen!"
I gasped, my hand going over my mouth as a camera showed up in my face. After my initial shock, I raised up my hands in a praying symbol and whispered, "Thank you." Then I raised my hands up in fists and smiled at the crowd. Lolo was on the ground, hitting the track repeatedly in victory. She stood up and we grinned.
Lolo and I then ran towards each other, before jumping, and hitting our hips in the air; much like a football player would do to celebrate. We came back down and hugged.
"Congratulations!" I yelled over the crowd.
"Congratulations to you!" Lolo said, we got out of our hug. And then the camera's led me over to Mrs. Michelle Obama, the first lady of the United States! She hugged me, draping an American flag around my shoulders.
"Congratulations, Miss Clary Fray." She said during the hug.
"Thank you! Thank you so much, Mrs. Obama!" I talked over the crowd again.
"Go celebrate your win." She smiled widely and let me go. I rose the American flag up and did what the first lady told me to do as the camera's flashed.
Sometimes between sooner or later, I made my way over to the interviewing station. There was a man there an African American man who was about a foot and a half taller than me.
"Hello, first of all congratulations Clary, how do you feel right now?" He asked me.
I stumbled over my words, "I'm speechless. I'm just so happy and grateful. All praise and glory to God."
"Clary, did you ever think that they would allow a woman under five-foot-seven to enter this race?"
"No, I didn't. And when they did, from the way things started out this morning, I didn't think that I would actually win. A small part of me thought that I would get eighth place and the other part was telling that one to shut up so I didn't lose my focus." I answered.
The man smiled, "What do you think about your ankel and what did the doctor say?"
"They said they can't really tell what's wrong with it without an x-ray, as for what I think about it." I shrugged, "This to shall pass."
"Clary what are you going to do if it is broken?"
"It's not going to stop me from competing, that's for sure. That's what I said to my coach, there is no way that I am leaving with just a bruise and some pain in my ankle."
"Okay, last question," The man smiled, "Clary you just won a gold medal what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know," I shrugged again, "I'm going to Disneyland."
The interviewer laughed, "Thank you, Clary. Congratulations."
I nodded, "Thank you."
Coach met Lolo and I in the locker rooms; congratulating us telling us he was proud of us, etc. We thanked him, embraced him, and did what coaches and there winning athletes did before Jeff told me to get some rest fro my next race. Since it was an hour and a half away. I told him I would after I got my medal.
Then, ten minutes later, I was dressed in the black nike pants and grey USA jacket standing on the podium. A shiny gold medal around my neck, as I sang the National Anthem.
After that, they gave me a black box which held the medal in a soft foam, I grabbed my bag, waved again to the cheering crowd then I started to walk back to my room. I got stopped about every ten feet from people saying congratulations.
I opened the elevator and there, looking like a Greek god, was Michael Phelps. He smiled at me when he saw me standing there. I grinned back.
Michael walked towards me looking like he was about to say something, but then thought better of it and then we were kissing. And I was shocked, not just because the greatest Olympian of all time was kissing me, but that why he was kissing so fiercely. Like he owned me. Like I was property.
Michael's lips were soft on mine, but still fierce. I knew he was in control with every move he made.
"I think I've wanted to do that since I first met you." He whispered, breath hot, against my lips.
I didn't respond.
"What happens?" He asked, "What happens when I go back to Baltimore and you go back to Brooklyn, we will be states away Clary."
"Shh," I hushed him, running my hands up his strong arms, "Don't think about that. Live right now, in the present."
He nodded and kept kissing me until the elevator chimed, I looked and saw that floor five was lit up. The doors were opening.
"I have to go." I whispered, gasping when his lips just moved to my neck.
"Do you want me to come with you?" He started to suck on my neck, "I could relax you."
So tempting as his lips moved to my jawline. Deep down, I knew I had to say no. I didn't really know how far he would go, but I was only sixteen.
"I can't," I whispered, taking his face away from my skin, "I'm sorry. I still have three races, Michael, and I have to rest for half-an-hour before I go compete again."
He nodded, "Alright, I'll see you later." He kissed me on the lips once more, "Congratulations, gold-medalist."
"Thank you." I whispered before forcing myself to walk out of the elevator. "Bye." I said as the elevators closed. As soon as they did, I jumped a few times just to get the urges out of my system, then I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming, before I walked down to my door. I knocked.
"Hello?" Courtney opened the door, "Oh! Congratulations, Clary!" She wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.
"Thank you." My other roommates ran up and hugged me as well asking to see my medal. I pulled the black box out of my bag, which held the heavy medal, and I showed them. There was a chorus of 'oohs's and they all looked at the gold.
"I'm so proud of you, I knew you could do it." Abby said hugging me again, "Wait. Where's Lolo?"
I shrugged, "She and Coach wanted her to stay at the track to keep practicing."
"Oh, okay." She nodded, "Well when you see her make sure you tell her congratulations from us."
"I will." I promised nodding.
"What are you doing here?" Courtney asked.
"I just wanted to take like a twenty-minute nap and then head back down. The 100 meter and 400 meter are back-to-back and I wanted to rest."
"Alright, that makes sense. We will be as quiet as possible." Marti promised, nodding.
"Okay, thanks." I hugged them all once more before walking into my room.
I set down my bag and my medal on the bedside table, so I could keep an eye on it. I pulled out my phone from the pocket in my bag and gasped as I saw the number of text messages, Facebook and twitter updates, and the number of e-mails I had received.
Hesitantly I opened twitter first, seeing that I now had over two-hundred thousand followers and tweets from my high-school friends, fans, celebrities, and other Olympians.
"So proud of my roommate and good friend ClaryFray! She deserves this! I've never seen more determination in one little girl! Love you! #TeamUSA." Abby Wambach posted under two minutes ago. I would have to thank her later.
"CONGRATULATIONS! My beautiful, funny, sweet friend ClaryFray! I'm so proud of you and I know the rest of the five are too! #LoveYou" McKayla Maroney tweeted.
"What a race! I'm so proud of myself and my best friend ClaryFray! We both have made so much progress and no one deserves this more than you. #WhateverHappens." Lolo just posted. I quickly messaged her back with some thank you's.
"I've had the honor of getting to know the new Olympic gold medalist ClaryFray! Congratulations! Good luck with your next races. My mom says congratulations too!" Michael just posted, the other Olympians; Ryan Lochte, Tyler Clary, Jessica Ennis, Missy Franklin, and more- pretty much posted the same things. Then came the celebrities and I had a mini-heart attack at the celebrities talking about me.
"I'm so amazed at the little ClaryFray! Congratulations, girl! I hope your foot gets better soon! #USA." Katy Perry posted.
"I was watching the Olympics and I just saw the 200 meter hurdles! Great race ClaryFray! Congratulations!" Taylor Swift posted.
"It's so great to see a friendship as strong as ClaryFray and LoloJones! And such great Christians too! Great job! Good luck on your next races!" Justin Bieber and even though I wasn't really a fan of his music, I still respected him.
"I would of never thought that such a young woman has been through so much. Between her shark-bite, the loss of her father, and now a broken ankle in the Olympics. I'm in awe of you! Congratulations ClaryFray! #SoInspiring #USA #Olympics." P!NK posted under a minute ago.
The other celebrities included; Nick Jonas, Nicki Minja, Will Ferrell, Rob Dydrek, and Ellen DeGeneres. My heart was beating so fast at the end of it that I thought I would never get to sleep, so I didn't even check my Facebook, text-messages, or e-mails.
Well, except for my mother's because I know she would kill me if I didn't.
After I got changed, set an alarm, and put my head down on the pillow, I was asleep almost immediately. A loud beeping alarm woke me up twenty minutes later and I wished I had thirty minutes.
I grumbled out of bed, eventually making my way back to the track. The crowd cheering louder for me this time, which made me smile brightly. I did my usual stretches and workouts, Jeff retied the wrap around my ankle; which now only felt like a dull ache, compared to me winning gold.
My race against Lolo and Kellie Wells, another USA track member that didn't like me very much, in the 100 meter hurdles was next. I wasn't very confident about this one only because there were no turns. Of course, I would still go one-hundred-and-ten percent though.
"Take your mark." The announcer said. I took my mark and waited. The gun went off and the crowd cheered.
Hey, don't write yourself off yet. It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on. Just do your best. Do everything you can.
The race was over very quickly, this time Lolo was the clear golden winner. I got silver, Kellie won bronze. We all hugged and congratulated each other.
The three American flags hung high as we all were presented with our medals and sang the National Anthem. I hardly had time to catch my breath between the 100 and 400 meter as they were only fifteen minutes apart. I did what stretches and tried to ignore the announcer as he talked about me. Of course, they were just telling my story but I didn't want to hear them at the moment.
I had to jog to the track before I would've been disqualified. This race was against Kellie Wells, Jessica Ennis, and Dawn Harper. If I didn't win, I hoped it was Jessica.
"Take your mark." I heard for the fourth time that day. I took it, getting my head in the game with my song once more. The gun went off. I dashed to the finish line, finding out later that I won a gold medal once again. I jumped and cheered with Jessica, who got silver, and Dawn who won bronze.
The last race of the day was in an hour, my 800 meter, which was all the way around the track one time. I was so exhausted- carrying my bag, my silver, and gold medals- as I made my way into the locker room after the podium and National Anthem.
I took a shower and changed into my last outfit of the day, which was the same thing as my day uniforms except the bottoms were longer. Patting my hair dry with a towel, I walked out of the shower room, and into the actually locker room. I gasped-partly because I thought I was alone- but also when I saw who was in there.
"Jace? What are you doing in here?" He turned, his gold eyes were staring at my face all over as if to memorize every detail.
"We belong together." He whispered getting closer and then we were kissing.
Everything I hoped for in this kiss, everything that I would dream about and then wake up panting, this kiss was everything I knew would happen and then some. The electric shock multiplied by ten, Jace's hands were strong but gentle as he held them at my waist, and when he pulled me against him, our bodies fit together perfectly. Our lips acted like they were made to be put together and never be separated.
He pulled away eventually to let me breath, "We belong together." He repeated.
My knees were wobbly and I was breathing harder than I had running on the track, but Jace didn't seem to mind. "Why did it take you so long to do that?"
He laughed breathlessly, keeping his face close to mine, "Better late than never, baby."
I smiled up at him before looking at the shiny medals on my bag, "I finally won my gold medals, Jace."
"I know, baby, I know," He wrapped his arms around my waist, "And I won mine." He said, looking at me.
I rolled my eyes, "You aren't going to become really cheesy, are you?"
"That depends, do you like cheese?"
"Yes, but not in the way you are talking about."
"Come on," His hands slid up my spine and I shivered, "Just a little bit of cheese."
"Okay, but only a little." I smiled.
"You'll rethink that decision later." Jace smirked and winked, he brushed his lips over mine again, then he became serious. "Congratulations, Clary. I'm sure you heard me, I was the loudest one in the crowd besides probably your mother."
I blushed looking away from his eyes, "Thank you."
"Now you go out there and finish your last race, so we can spend more time doing this," He kissed me again, "instead of being on the clock and worrying about whether or not someone is going to come in here."
"Okay. You better get out of here." I said looking around.
Jace shook his head, "Always the voice of reason. You're right though," He kissed my forehead and cheeks, "I probably should go."
No, I thought, stay with me. Be with me. Forever.
Jace slid his hands down my arms, from around my waist, and grasped my hands, "You can do this, okay?" His golden eyes looked into mine, "I know you can. Clary, I know your tried but just bring up what energy you can and finish this last race of the day."
I nodded, my words escaping me as his eyes bore into mine.
"Okay," Jace nodded kissing each of my hands, "I'll go now." He stared at me like he wanted to say something else, something meaningful and unforgettable, but then he turned away and ran out the back door of the locker room.
I smiled after him, bringing my fingers to my tingling lips and sighed. Then I heard voices coming into the room, and shook my head to clear it, after that I grabbed my bag- my heavy bag with the added five pound weight of each medal- and made my way out to the track again.
"Take your mark." The announcer said for the last time that day. I got into place and waited as the gun shot. This time I didn't need a song I just kept thinking of Jace's eyes, lips, and his lips on mine to get me through the race. I won the race, seeing golden before I even got closed to the finish line.
Once more, before hopefully on Wednesday, I changed into my podium wear and sang the National Anthem, got my gold medal, and had my picture taken with the second and third place woman; Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells.
After several hugs and kisses from coach, Lolo, Jessica, and all of my other friends on the track I made my way back to the hotel. I survived more congratulation's, hugs, and even more kisses and finally made my way to my bed. I laid down, closing my eyes, but not falling asleep because my phone started to buzz from my pocket.
It was Mom. Oh no.
"Hello?" I asked tentatively.
"Clary! Congratulations, honey!" She yelled happily.
"Thanks, Mom."
"So, honey," Oh, here it comes. "Can you come over to our hotel tonight?"
"Mom, I'm so tired-"
"I know, I know! You can sleep over here, please, honey?"
"Can I just come over there tomorrow morning?"
"No. We have a party planned for you, with some of the people we've met here."
A party? After I've run four races today, seriously mom?
"Mom-"
"Please, Clary?" She begged. I heard someone else in the background begging and then a male voice tell that someone to stop and that I needed rest.
I hate when people begged me, they knew it was my weakness and that I would give in, "Alright fine! Let me get a shower and change."
"Thank you, honey. I'll see you in thirty minutes?"
"Yep."
"Thanks. Bye, I love you."
"Love you too." I hung up, sighing I made my way to the shower-taking my time on purpose- then I changed into some decent jeans and a USA t-shirt along with an Olympics pull over jacket that came in the huge box from the other day. I brought the four black boxes which held my silver and gold medals, because I knew they would want to see them, and then I headed to there hotel.
I took a deep breath before I knocked. I was ushered in before I could blink and suddenly around the room the Lightwoods, Luke, and my mother had set up Olympic colors everywhere. From wall to wall was a banner that read CONGRAUTLATIONS! And on the coffee table there was a cake that had the Olympic rings on them with three gold medals and one silver with my name printed under them.
"Oh!" Isabelle walked towards me reached for a box. "Can I see them?"
I held them out of her grasp and addressed everyone, "You can all see these. But if you hurt them, drop them, lose them, or harm my medals in anyway I will have your head cut off before you can say help." They took my threat and handled my medals with utmost care.
"A little dramatic, Clary?" Jace asked.
I glared at him, "I've worked seven years for these. I have a right to be a little dramatic." Jace just smirked.
Mom hugged me, "Congratulations, honey. I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you, Mom." I said embracing her back. Then I was passed around threw the crowd, getting congratulated from everyone.
"Is your foot okay?"
I shrugged, "It hurts a little."
"We'll go get it check tomorrow." I nodded at my mother and yawned.
"Oh, honey, are you tired?" Luke asked.
"I ran four races today, Luke. I'm very tired and my feet hurt." I said, nodding.
"Why didn't you bring an overnight bag?" Mom asked.
"I don't know. I forgot I guess." Then I remembered something, "Where are the guests you said were here?"
"Oh," Mom blushed, "I just said that to get you over here."
"Figures." I rolled my eyes, getting irritated at my mother.
"Clary can sleep in my room." Jace announced, he was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked completely gorgeous, but what he just said made me blush and gasp.
"Jace!" Maryse and I scolded at the same time. Jace's smirk only grew.
After dinner, cake and wordy speeches from everyone, I started to yawn again. I was walking back from the kitchen when an arm shot out, grasped my elbow, and pulled me into a bedroom. I was seated on a bed Jace was beside me, holding my hand in his own.
"Hey." He whispered.
"Hi." I replied when I caught my breath.
"Is your foot alright?" He asked, eyes worried.
I shrugged, "It still hurts."
"Can I?" He left the question hanging, pointing at my right ankle. I nodded and Jace gently picked up my foot and set it in his lap. He untied my shoe and took off my sock, gasping quietly as he saw how swollen it was. "Clary-"
"I'll go to the hospital tomorrow. Don't start, please, I'm so tired." I pleaded. He looked at me for a long moment before nodding, he touched my foot gently; so gently, that I almost didn't feel his fingertips but still as he moved his hand around my foot became better.
"Clary, I pulled you away because I have to talk to you about something."
His tone made me feel guilty about the kiss with Michael, but I was afraid. Because I had waited so long for Jace to finally kiss me and now that he did, maybe we would become something more, and what if he got so mad that he left me?
"I need to tell you something." Jace repeated, his free hand stroked my hair away from my face. His expression was absent as he brushed it away, almost as if he didn't know he was doing it.
"Jace," I said trying to muster up the courage to tell him about Michael's kiss, "Michael and I-"
"Shh," Jace gently moved my face until I was looking at him again, "Clary, I want us to be together. I want you to be my girlfriend. Because every time I see your beautiful face I want to run my fingers through your hair, let my hands linger on your body, kiss you, hold your hand so everyone knows your mine." He smiled wistfully, "When you won today, I thought that you were my girlfriend, but now how your acting-how we are acting- towards each other. I just-" He took a deep breath, "Clary Fray, I love you and I just want you to know that I would do anything for you, I belong to you, and I would never hurt you, Clary, ever."
I was stunned, unable to speak. I was saved, however, by Max walking in.
"Hey, Clary! There you are." He announced coming forward and grabbing my hand that was still in Jace's, "Come on! You have presents to open."
I quickly put my shoe and sock back on, glanced once more at Jace's face- he looked like he had just had a nightmare- and I yearned to touch them, but Max dragged me out of the room.
An hour later, I walked back to my hotel; a new tote bag, more jewelery and jackets, and some new cute skirts and shirts from Isabelle, under my arm. I thought about Jace and Michael and about my races.
When I entered my hotel room, I sat on the bed looking through my phone I saw that I had over three-hundred-thousand followers on twitter, three-hundred- thousand likes on Facebook, and several e-mails and text messages saying congratulations. All of these were nothing compared to what I felt when Jace told me he loved me.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I spelt congratulations at least ten times in this chapter but I'll write it once again congratulations Lolo and Clary!