Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Track and Field
"Hello?" I asked into my phone.
"Clary? Hi, it's Michael." The cheery voice replied, "I know it's early and pretty last minute, but I can't get in contact with anyone else."
"Get to a point or I'm going to hang up." I threatened, grumpy in the early morning.
Michael seemed shocked, he paused, "Will you come pick myself and Megan up from the airport?"
I sighed loudly, "I guess so, which airport?"
"JFK." Michael replied hesitantly.
"What time are you landing?" I groaned, that was over an hour from here and not to mention it was five-fifteen in the morning. Oh well, I tried to look on the brightside, at least it's Saturday and I don't have to go to school.
"Actually, we've already landed." Michael said, "We are at baggage claim and my manager called me to say that he couldn't get here. Then I called my agent, publicist, Megan called her parents -"
"Wait." I interrupted, "Who is Megan?" I searched my mind for a Megan that might be traveling with Michael Phelps. Was she a swimmer? An Olympian? A friend maybe?
"She's my girlfriend; Megan Rossee." Michael halted my thoughts, "I'm sorry, I forgot you haven't met her."
Girlfriend? "Oh, that's alright. Listen, Michael that's an hour away from where I am- forty-five minutes if I speed- so you will probably be waiting there for awhile."
"That's fine. Just call me when you get here. Clary, thank you so much."
I nodded and hung up the phone, forgetting that he couldn't see my nod. I shrugged it off though and started to get ready, as silently as possible because Isabelle was still sound asleep.
So Michael Phelps has a girlfriend? I guessed I shouldn't be as shocked as I am, obviously he has a girlfriend; he is Michael Phelps. Still my stomach turned in an uncomfortable way as I thought about it. What's your problem, Clary? He has a girlfriend and you have a boyfriend. Calm down.
I pulled on the most comfortable outfit I had which was; grey sweatpants that said USA TRACK down the side with a plain black v-neck and over that a white pullover hoodie that said USA in blue and on the side had the Olympic rings on it.
After that, I grabbed my keys and wallet before heading out. It was still pitch black outside which made it very difficult to find my car, but eventually I did and then I was on the road; fighting with my GPS about how to get to the airport.
Eventually, about fifty-five minutes later, I did get there.
"You win this round." I glared at the GPS before calling Michael. "Hey, I'm here."
"Okay, thank's a lot."
"No problem, I'm right outside the side-entrance my car is red." I informed him.
Michael spoke to Megan, "Come on, Megs, she's here." Then he spoke to me, "Okay, thanks, Clary. We'll find you." This time he hung up first even after I nodded.
I was turning off my GPS when I saw the familiar muscular man with brown hair and eyes. Beside him was a tall blonde girl - her wavy hair silvery in the night. I got out of my car when Michael saw me, and I hugged him.
"Hey, it's great to see you." Michael said, returning my hug.
"Great to see you, too. You better be lucky I'm here, no one wakes me up from sleep." I told him, telling him with my eyes not to cross me.
Michael laughed and let go of me, "Megan this is Clary Fray. Clary this is Megan Rossee, my girlfriend."
I shook her hand, "It's great to meet you. I've-"
Megan grinned, "Clary Fray! The Olympic gold medalist? Michael, you didn't tell me you were friends with her." Ouch, that hurt, "I guess there isn't much to tell though... because everyone saw you on T.V."
Oh, so that's how she was, "Michael never told me about you either. I guess he couldn't though when you were too," skanky, "pretty to be on T.V. So what do you do then?"
Megan's eyes narrowed, only slightly, "I'm a model and a cocktail waitress."
"Well, I guess you have to get by somehow."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Michael, who had been loading there bags in my car walked back over before I could respond.
"Come on, you two. It's cold and I'm tired." He said. Megan and I glared at each other before we both walked to my car. Once I was out of the airport parking lot and onto the highway Michael spoke again. "So, Clary, are you going to meet and greet tomorrow?"
"Yes, after Church I will be there." I nodded.
"After Church?" Megan asked, "You're a Christian?"
"Catholic, but yes."
"Interesting."
After her words, we didn't speak for the rest of the car ride. I dropped the two off at there hotel, hugged them, and told them I would be there tomorrow. Tomorrow was basically a question and answer with Michael, Ryan, Lolo, Allyson, Andrew, Brad, Manteo, Tyson, Galen and myself. Mixed group, but it would be fun. Then, after our q&a we have a meet and greet, which I was very excited about. Finally, after our meet and greet Jessica and I had to bolt down to New York City because we had a commercial and photo-shoot to shoot for Nike and Seventeen Magazine.
The next day, after Church; Jessica, Jace, and I drove down to the large building where we would be meeting our fans. After a brief greeting with everyone, they sat us down. The order of us was Manteo, Tyson, Galen, Andrew, Brad, Lolo, myself, Ryan, Michael, Allyson. The question and answer went very well; several people asked me about Jace, the shark-bite, my medals, etc.- after an hour the question and answer stopped. The fans listened in as we asked each other questions.
"This is the coolest crowd ever, why am I here?" Galen asked.
"Because you are cool." Allyson told him.
"Clary." Lolo said.
"Yes?" I asked.
She thought for a moment, "If you could pick the mind of any fictional character who would you pick?"
"Oh... that's a good question and I would have to pick..." I searched my brain for a name, "flounder the fish from The Little Mermaid."
Everyone laughed, "Why is that?"
I thought again, "Because, you know, it has to be difficult being a... talking fish."
"Clary in two words describe Lolo Jones." Michael said after everyone laughed.
"Why two? Why not one or three?" I asked.
"Just do it." He rolled his eyes.
"Uh," I said looking over at Lolo, "Good runner." I laughed and so did she, "I'm sorry that was mean. Great runner."
Lolo laughed again, "Is that all you think of me?"
"I only have two words what do you want me to say?" I asked, still smiling.
A man in a tux grabbed a microphone, smiling, "As entertaining as that was, fans if we could as you to leave the room for a second? Then we will join back in about ten minutes to continue with the meet and greet."
Ten minutes passed, and the workers had each made us our own little area; scattered around the room. I sat behind my white table near the back wall with Jace and Jessica.
"We all look like we hate each other." Jace said, observing the room.
I shrugged, "I guess they did this because they wanted the lines to be shorter."
Jessica was nodding, "Alright, we have three hours. If this lasts two... then we will be rushing. Okay, Clary, unless there is a tidal wave of fans left, we will leave here in an hour and a half."
I nodded as the fans started to pour in. They scattered in several directions, mostly in Ryan and Michael's areas but everyone did still get a lot.
"Hi, Clary." Came a nervous voice. I looked over to see a small blonde haired girl.
"Hello, how are you?" I asked as I signed her picture of me.
"I'm great, thank you."
I smiled at her, handing her picture back, "Here you go. Thanks for coming." The nervous girl left, running back over to her mother.
After a few more kids, a pair of girls came up with a large cardboard box. They set it down on my table.
"Happy birthday, Clary!" They both announced.
"Oh my gosh! This is for me?" I asked in shock and happiness.
"Yes, a birthday present!" One of them said, pushing the box towards me.
"Wow! Thank you!" I said looking inside the ball I saw; a USA flat bill white hat, candy, sweet letters, and a picture frame of me at the Olympics with several photos of me and my Olympian roommates along with me winning gold. "This is so sweet! Thank you both so much!" I stood up and walked around the table to hug them both.
They hugged me back, giggling, "You're so welcome. Were glad you like it!"
"Yes, we are." The other nodded, "Can you sign this, please?"
"Of course I will." I replied, sitting back in my seat and signing there picture of me. After I was done, I grabbed the white hat and put it on my head. The girls laughed again.
"It looks great on you."
"Thank you," I smiled, "I love this. Thank you girls so much again." They responded with you're welcome's and then they were off, over to Lolo.
For the next hour and fifteen minutes; I signed autographs, took pictures with fans, and shot shout out videos until Jessica, Jace, and I had to leave. It was alright though because Galen, Manteo, and Allyson had already left and most of the fans were gone. In fact, no one had come to my table in over ten minutes.
Jessica sped through the streets of New York and then, finally, we made it to my Nike commercial. The commercial went very well and after I shot it, I had to go to my photo shoot for Seventeen Magazine; which was just basically on a track with a hurdle on it and I had to dance around the hurdle, smiling the whole time, until we got a great shot. It was fun and on top of that I received a five digit paycheck at the end of it.
After that, I filmed an interview with Seventeen that would be featured in the magazine before we went to lunch with some of the Nike people. We met at a local cheesecake place.
"Hey, Clary. Great job today." The director, James, greeted me. His assistant and wife, Lily, was with him.
"Very great. You are so fantastic to work with." Lily added. "The commercial is going to turn out great."
"Thank you two." I smiled at them as we all sat down.
"You're welcome." James glanced at his wife, "Lily, I guess we should get right to the point. We want to give you your paycheck for signing with Nike-"
"Having said that," Lily interrupted, bubbling with excitement, "Here!" She passed me a envelope that was signed to me.
"Well, thank you two, but I really don't need this." I replied modestly.
"Yes, you do." James said, "You contracted with us so here is your paycheck. Come on, open it."
After debating for a few more seconds, I sighed and gave in. I slowly opened the envelope, for some reason I was being very careful not to just tare the thing open, but then I carefully pulled out the check. I gasped, suddenly, looking at the number on the right side. My eyes started to tear up as I saw how big it was.
"Since you are now the 'it'girl from the Olympics, Nike thought that we could help you out a little." Lily said with a kind smile on her face.
"A little?" I chocked out, "Five million dollars is a little?"
Jessica and Jace's heads both snapped to look at me, then at the check. It could of been comical, but, in my current state, I couldn't laugh. Jessica gasped and Jace's mouth dropped.
"Five million dollars?" Jessica said between her fingers, "Nike just gave Clary five million dollars!"
"Yes, we are." James smiled, "And that is just the beginning between now and the 2016 Olympics, Clary is projected to get three million more."
"Oh my Lord." I gasped, wiping my tears. Jace had recovered for the most part and he had wrapped an arm around my shoulders, gently soothing me.
"This is a good thing, Clary." He whispered, "Those are happy tears right?"
I nodded, "I feel a little guilty though."
"Guilty, why?" James looked confused.
"Because, you are giving me this much money and all I did was shoot a commercial." I said.
"Clary, you are getting this because of how much you've worked for your medals. Don't get us wrong, we are going to make you work for Nike so maybe that will make you feel a little better, but this is what you deserve." Lily smiled.
"Thank you. Thank you both so much." I said sincerely before I stood up and hugged them both tightly.
"You are so welcome." James and Lily both replied, embracing me back. After a short lunch, we departed ways. Jessica drove Jace and I back to our school and with a quick goodbye to her my boyfriend and I walked back to our rooms.
"Thanks for coming with me today." I said to Jace as I grabbed his hand. In the other was my envelope, which held my big check.
"You're welcome." Jace kissed my temple, "I'm glad I came. I like to see how you act around your fans."
I looked over at him, "Am I nice to them?"
"Of course you are." Jace rolled his gold eyes, "Clary, I don't think you could ever really be rude. Or I suppose you could, but I don't want to see that."
I smiled, "Yeah, you probably don't."
"Oh yeah? Why not?"
"Because I get pretty evil." I shrugged. Didn't every girl when she got mad?
Jace laughed as we walked up to my door.
"Okay, I guess I'll see you later." I said as I hugged Jace.
He frowned, "Why can't I come in?"
"You could," I replied, "But I'm going to call my mom about this money and you will have to listen to her cry."
"Never mind then, baby." Jace kissed my cheek, "I will see you later. At dinner, maybe we can go out somewhere."
I nodded, "I'm getting my Olympics tattoo tomorrow. So I'll probably need to-"
"You're what?" He interrupted, pulling his head back to look at me. His blonde hair fell in front of his eyes, making him look adorable.
"I'm getting my Olympics tattoo tomorrow." I repeated. "Luke signed the permission slip and I have an appointment with a Tony tomorrow at one."
Jace blinked, "Okay... are you just getting just the Olympic rings?"
"No. I drew what I want. I'm getting London 2012, the rings in color, and maybe something else."
"What else?" Jace asked, "A tribal and some cheesy stars?"
"Of course not." I laughed, "I just meant some kind of..." His eyes glimmered and I shook my head there was point trying to reason with him, "I don't know." I let go of him.
"I love you." Jace kissed me once more, "See you later."
I kissed him back for a second before pulling back, "I love you, too."
Jace smiled as he walked away. I took a deep breath, opened the door, grabbed my phone, and prepared my emotions for what might happen on this phone call. I had already decided on an amount that I wanted to give her. Because what seventeen-year-old needs five million dollars? Plus, my mom was the one who had driven me to all my track meets and practices - before I got my license at least.
"Hello?" My mom answered.
"Hey, mom." I smiled, "How are you?"
"Oh, hi Clary!" My mom replied, "I'm great, how are you doing?"
"Great. Mom, I have a big surprise for you." I said, looking down at the large check.
"Really, honey? What is it?"
I took a deep breath, "Just don't cry."
"I won't, honey, what's wrong?" She sounded worried.
"I shot a commercial and a photo-shoot with Seventeen Magazine and Nike today. For Seventeen I got a paycheck worth over ten thousand." My mom yelped, "My Nike commercial went very well too," I took another deep breath, "and I got five million dollars for signing with them."
My mom stopped talking and her breathing started to quicken.
"Mom?" I asked worriedly, "I told you not to cry."
"You just... you got... how much?" She stuttered.
I smiled, "You heard me; five million dollars. And, I want to give you three million of it." This time, the silence was longer and I could almost see the tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Clary, that's your money. You earned it-"
"All I did was shoot a commercial, mom, you're the one that always took me to all my practices and all my track meets."
"But, honey-"
"Plus, this will help pay off our debt."
"Clary, just wait." My mom practically yelled then she took a deep breath, "I can't stop you if you want to give me all that money, but I do have to tell you something."
The silence dragged on as I waited for her to tell me.
"What, mom?" I egged her on.
"Clary, you have a brother."
A/N: Thanks for reading!