Kaylie stood in front of her mirror. Her slender body no longer looked skinny enough. It was not going to hurt her to lose a pound or two more, and it would still be within her target weight range. Kaylie turned around once before confirming she needed to drop at least a pound before next week. In addition to cutting her calories, Kaylie knew she had to up her training to build up her muscle and strength. Kaylie's thought process was interrupted when her dad called her for dinner. Kaylie sighed and left her bedroom to go join her father at the dinner table. He had dialed down his control over her gymnastics, but he still kept up with her calorie intake and nutrition. Tonight, he had made grilled chicken, whole wheat noodles, and steamed vegetables. Kaylie took her seat across from her father. "How was training today?" he started off a conversation before starting to eat. "Typical day besides the fact Payson was sick." Kaylie answered. She pushed a noodle across her plate before stabbing a carrot slice with her fork. "Is she feeling better?" Alex asked while eying his daughter play with her food rather than eat it. "I think so. They had her resting until someone could take her home, but she had perked up a bit by the time she left." Kaylie replied. "Are you getting sick too? You are not eating." Alex pointed out while bringing attention to her untouched plate. "I'm fine, Dad." Kaylie defended and finally ate the carrot on her fork. Alex was unsure of his daughter answer, but he thought it be better if he left her alone.
Payson was finishing up making dinner when the doorbell rang. Phoebe ran to the front door and started barking. The gymnast set down the spoon in her hand and headed after her dog. "Quiet down, girl." Payson told the puppy as she opened the door. Sasha stood on the other side. "Feeling better?" he greeted. Payson move aside to Sasha could enter the house. "I am. I'm making dinner if you want to join me." Payson invited as she headed back to the kitchen stove. "Glad to hear." Sasha said as he followed her into the kitchen. "I'm making chicken noodle soup using my family's secret recipe." she explained and picked up her spoon once again to stir the contents of the pot. Sasha stepped beside her to get a better view. "Smells scrumptious" he commented while staring down into the golden broth. "Grab some bowls from the cabinet to your left." Payson instructed as she switched off the burner. Sasha complied and grabbed two bowls from the cabinet. Pay took one and filled it with the soup. Once it was filled, she opened the drawer beside her and removed two spoons. She handed Sasha a spoon and the bowl of soup. "Eat up." Pay said while filling her own bowl. Sasha took a seat at the Keeler's kitchen island and blew on a spoonful of soup before delivering it to his mouth.
"How did the rest of practice go?" Payson asked while taking a seat across from her coach. "It was productive. Colleen is starting to stick her vault landing, and Kaylie has come along way with her beam mount." Sasha said as recalled practice that afternoon. Payson nodded and ate her own soup. "Are you doing okay? You had an emotional day on top of being sick." Sasha wondered as he looked over Payson. "Getting better, I guess." Payson offered in between spoonfuls of soup.
After Sasha had dropped her off at lunchtime, Payson curled up on the sofa and put on a movie for background noise. With afternoon free and not feeling good, she decided to text Rigo. He had left Boulder over the weekend to go home to his family and sport. The next time they would see each other would be in London. They said goodbye with the promise that gold medalist only kiss gold medalists. Losing her virginity to Rigo meant she had a connection with him that she never had with Max. Rigo, however, seemed distance today over his text messages. Disappointed with her boyfriend's lack of compassion, Payson decided to drown her sorrows by making chicken noodle soup.
With the help of Kaylie and her family, Jordan was able to rent a hotel room to stay at while training in Boulder. The only downside was the hotel was animal free. With her bunny living in her duffel bag, Jordan could easily sneak it into her room. The problem was hiding him when house keeping came to replace her towels and change the sheets. Currently, she hid the furry fellow in the closet, but she knew it was not fair to her baby, but house keeping catching him meant possibly loosing her room. Jordan needed a new place to house her baby or a new plan fast.
[Author's Note: I realized that besides gymnastics training, I have yet to bring Jordan into this story. I am still trying to brainstorm ideas of things to do with Lauren. Bonus points, possibly a one shot, for anyone who can tell me the name of Jordan's rabbit first. Did they even name the rabbit? Leave reviews with suggestions of where to go. ]