Annabeth POV
I was watching the Olympics with anticipation.
Previously, I had never been a huge fan of sports. I was more interested in doing my school work and reading rather than attending sports events or watching the Olympics on tv. Not to mention, the last Olympics was four years ago (at the end of eight grade).
I was just never interested in the biggest sports competition in the world.
Yet, I remained glued to the tv for this year's Olympics.
"Annabeth, Percy won't swim for another half-hour," Thalia informed me. "The Butterfly 100m finals is scheduled for 1 pm Eastern Standard Time."
"It's close to 8 pm for them in Greece," I stated.
"I wonder if he's exhausted at the end of a long day?" Rachel surmised. It was a logical question to ask. It would be natural for someone to be more tired at the end of the day.
"You don't have to worry about that," Jason explained, sitting down on the couch with a bag of chips. "First of all, if Percy's tired, then all the other swimmers are tired too. Secondly, Percy's is a competitor; he nows what he's doing. I'm sure his coaches made him rest and refuel throughout the day."
"Makes sense to me," Rachel agreed.
Piper and Leo came into the room arguing. Apparently, Leo made Piper pay for the pizzas even though it was Leo's turn to pay.
"I forgot to bring my wallet," Leo apologized guiltily.
"You probably forgot it on purpose so you wouldn't have to pay," Piper countered.
"I resent that accusation," Leo snapped.
Everyone was laughing at their banter. Piper and Leo could honestly be siblings by the way they fought with each other. It was a good day. We all were hanging out today since 10 o'clock at Piper's house, and it was lunch time now.
Frank and Hazel were cuddled on the loveseat. Rachel, Jason, and I were on the couch. Thalia took the beanbag chair. Leo and Piper settled on the ground in front of me and Jason. Will and Nico were watching too at Will's house, but they couldn't make it today.
My gaze turned back to the tv.
The crowd started cheering loudly, indicating that the swimmers were coming out. Percy walked out of the locker rooms smiling. Chiron was right behind him.
Percy looked so good and in his element. I'm not just saying this because he's on a flat-screen tv, wearing only a slim-tight US Olympic swim short. Regardless, Percy was so attractive, even for a swimmer, Percy was beyond in terms of looks. Plus, the fact that Percy is always so charismatic and positive only adds to his physical appeal.
He payed respects to a fellow swimmer, Sung Guo, before lining up at his lane. With two minutes remaining, Percy climbed onto the springboard and steadied himself. All the swimmers did, but my eyes were only on Percy.
Our whole room was holding our breath, watching the Butterfly 100m finale.
Then, the SHOT boomed loudly
The swimmers dove into the pool and swam, giving their work with the pool. It's crazy how fast swimmers are. They were like human sharks, ripping through the water.
"They're all freakin sexy mermen," Leo gasped in awe.
We were too invested in the competition to acknowledge Leo's ridiculous comment. There was some truth in his words though. Percy and all his competitors too were just that impressive. It must feel incredible to be at the top of the game.
It was hard to tell who won.
Three swimmers, including Percy, reached the end at like the exact same time.
The times started flashing at the side of the screen while another frame showed Sun Guo, Percy, and another swimmer holding the side of the pool. The rest of the swimmers arrived pretty quickly too. All the swimmers finished within two seconds of each other.
Percy was breathing heavily while wiping the water off his. He tossed his goggles off to the side while his gaze found the scoreboard.
Then, their times and standings flashed on the screen.
Jason shouted immediately tossing his bag of chips to the ground. That's when the whole room and the crowd at the Olympics went wild.
I screamed while staring at the Silver Banner highlighting Percy's name and time.
The entire room erupted in cheers, cries, and shouts. There was no stopping the celebration that ensued. I hugged Thalia tightly, imagining that she was Percy. I was just so proud of him, and he deserved this for how well he had done. How hard he had worked.
Perseus Jackson, my amazing boyfriend, medalled at the Olympics.
Percy won the silver.
...
Percy POV
I stared at my name on the big screen, silver flashing around the letters and my time. I was right under Sung Guo's name, missing his time by a couple milliseconds.
Silver.
I WON A SILVER MEDAL AT THE OLYMPICS.
The news finally settled in and my hands raised in victory, waiving in ecstacy as I shouted a cheer for myself. I couldn't believe it.
I medalled.
Sure, I didn't win first place, but so what?!
I don't care!
I'm so freaking proud of myself, and I knew that I'd have future competitions to go for the gold. I pulled myself out of the water, where Chiron and Lupa were waiting. The huge smiles on their faces invited me into a massive group hug.
I had given my best performance yet, and it certainly payed off.
It's hard to fully celebrate your victory when you realize that you have two other events to compete in. I have to participate in the Butterfly 200m with Triton and Sun Guo on Saturday, the second to last day of the Olympics.
I had brief moments of celebration that night before having to go to bed. I needed to still be prepared for tomorrows competition.
Regardless, I called my mother and Paul that night.
I was practically crying with joy, and Paul and my mom were screaming in excitement the whole time that the phone call was going. I was probably delirious as well.
Chiron eventually forced me to hang up and sleep. I didn't even see Reyna the next day because she was competing in her event today. I warmed up in the private facility with my coaches before going to the Olympics to support Reyna.
Reyna Arellano finished with a Bronze medal.
We were both so proud. Reyna reacted with such grace and dignity (note the sarcasm). She yelled at the crowd and cheered for herself. Her arms waved around frantically with pride, and Reyna looked so damn happy.
I was laughing while hugging and congratulating her later.
"I can't wait until you see your reaction on YouTube later," I exclaimed. We had finally settled into our apartment's living room, deciding to skip the day's later events.
"I was just so proud; I couldn't even control myself," Reyna laughed. "Besides, you're reaction was pretty wild too."
"Mine was normal," I fought back.
Reyna laid her head on the couch, taking all the space. I stood up and took the loveseat on the other side of the room. Reyna was done with her events; she didn't have to stress anymore.
I still have one more event tomorrow. Mens Butterfly 200m.
Our coaches came back with our dinners. It was from one of the local restaurants, an assortment of salads and proteins: healthy yet delicious Grecian food. Terminus called Reyna into their room so that she could talk to her sister on the phone.
"One more competition to go," Lupa stated, smiling.
"Yup, I'm excited."
"The US Olympic Committee considered swapping you and Ponty for the butterfly part of the 4 x 100m medley relay on Sunday," Chiron informed me. That caught my attention.
"Isn't it too late for that?" I asked curiously.
"Technically not. How do you feel about possibly competing in another event?"
"I'd be honored, Chiron. I'd love to represent my team," I said honestly. "The US always wins the Team relay event, and I'd love to contribute to that record."
"Good, because they already swapped you," Lupa stated abruptly.
I laughed while enjoying my food. Swapping swimmers based on their performances wasn't unusual. The countries committees make quick decisions all the time. Anyway, I decided to stop thinking about it and go to bed.
The next day...
I WON SILVER AGAIN FOR THE BUTTERFLY 200M.
Chiron always said that I thrive off pressure. In a situation where I have a lot riding, that's when my mind and body is at its best.
My performances at the Olympics for my Butterfly events kind of proved that me. I was so incredibly happy to medal in the events that I qualified for. I hoped that I id my country proud, especially since I was the second choice for both the events. Ponty and Triton did better than me during the Olympics Trials, but I outperformed them during the Olympics for the Butterfly events.
Sung Guo clinched gold again for Butterfly, but that doesn't matter to me. Triton and Ponty did end up achieving a few medals in the freestyle events, which was awesome for them. The entire US Olympic Team was living up to its name.
Finally, it was the last day of the competition.
My team of four was lined up at Lane 6 for the 4x100m medley relay. Triton was going to swim Freestyle 100m while I was swimming Butterfly for 100m. Two other swimmers, whom I didn't know as much but were very talented, were doing the Backstroke and Breathstroke.
The United States got gold for this event since the 1980s.
The race started quickly.
As soon as Backstroke started, the breathstroke swimmer got on the springboard. Backstroke is usually the longest of the strokes, but our swimmer did well. We pulled even more ahead of the game with breathstroke. As soon as he returned to our side of the pool, I dove into the pool for Butterfly. I ended up catching up to and aligning with the other two leading teams, including Sung Guo's team (ie China).
I quickly got out of the pool after Triton dove into the pool for the final lap. I watched the last stroke in awe. Triton was doing fantastic in the freestyle.
My other teammates and I stood next to each other, waiting for the event to finish.
And, it did. With Victory.
Triton managed to pull ahead and finish in first place, clinching the Gold for the US Olympic team.
We did it. Together.
Triton yelled a HURRAH as the United States showed up on the scoreboard with a flash of gold. We had done it. The four of us huddling into a victory embrace.
Swimming is considered a solo sport, but it really isn't. It takes so much support from your coaches, teammates, friends, and families.
In my opinion, that makes swimming a team sport.
As a result, I have so many people to thank for the two Silver Medals that were given to me over the last week. As well as, the Gold Medal that my team will accepting later today.
Today was a victory worth so much gratitude.
An hour later, my team of four was standing on the large podium, taller than the other two podiums. This was the last medalling of the swimming Olympics for this year. It was an emotional sight for everyone.
We were on the stage set up at the side of the Olympic pool. The stands were cheering as Olympic Committee members were giving us our medals. The four gold medals flashed brightly as they were given to me and my teammates. Them announcing my name as they gave me my medal was one of the proudest moments of my life.
I waved at Chiron and Lupa first before turning to the cameras focusing on us. I knew my family and friends were watching me.
Then, I waved to all my supportive fans out there.
Later that day, Chiron and Lupa put my two silver medals around my neck too. The three medals were weighing me down, but Chiron was adamant about getting pictures at the Olympic pool and stage. Otherwise, my mom would kill him. So, I stood on the podium, taking pictures.
I was so happy and proud; And, it showed in the photos.
Now, I'm ready to celebrate at home.
...
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