A/N: Seriously, if you haven't seen the 2012 Opening Ceremony, go and watch it on Youtube, it is BREATHTAKING. I tried my hardest to convey the emotion in this chapter!
He was hard in her grip, soft groans spilling from his mouth as she wrapped her lips around him. Following her instincts, she bobbed up and down a few times, before pulling back and running her tongue along the underside of his length. He bucked suddenly, surprising her and making her flinch.
Laughter filled her ears and she looked up to find Will stifling a grin.
"Do you even know what you're doing?" he laughed, standing up. JJ shook her head, trying to stifle the tears as he pulled his jeans back up.
"You're just a child JJ. You're never going to have any idea about the real world"
Scrambling to her feet, JJ left the room without a second glance at Will, hurrying down the stairs. At the bottom, she found her friends and classmates, all pointing straight at her and laughing. Overwhelmed by tears, she turned and pushed her way through them towards the front door. The closer she got to the door, the louder the laughter got, seeming to penetrate right into her brain until it was nothing more than a monotonous buzz-
"JJ!"
JJ jerked awake, flipping over onto her back as she tried to get her bearings. Aly was standing above her, already half dressed, looking down at her friend with a confused expression.
"Your alarm has been going off for like five minutes," she said simply, pointing at JJ's phone. JJ wordlessly reached out and silenced the alarm, taking a deep breath as she lay on her back and stared up at the ceiling.
"Are you ok?" Aly asked. JJ nodded.
"Yeah, just… weird dreams," she mumbled, running a hand through her hair. Her cheeks felt extraordinarily warm, and her entire body was buzzing in a way that felt completely foreign to her.
"Ok… well Martha wants us ready to go as soon as possible. She's fitting in an extra training today so we can skip tomorrow morning – I think she's going to let us stay up and watch the Ceremony!" Aly said happily. JJ didn't acknowledge her, keeping her eyes trained on the ceiling as tried to gather her thoughts.
"Jayje, you need to get moving"
"Ok, I'm getting up," JJ sighed, throwing the blankets back and getting out of bed. It didn't take her long to find everything she needed, and before too long, she was dressed and heading out the door with the other girls, trying her hardest to push the odd dream from her mind.
Night was fast falling on the city of London, and the atmosphere was one that Sandy couldn't even begin to describe. After picking up her mom from the airport that afternoon, they had made a quick stop back at their accommodation before heading for the London Underground.
An extremely claustrophobic Tube ride with other excited Olympics goers later, they had disembarked at Stratford and reconvened at the station exit. A quick headcount by Michael (bringing them to the correct number of twelve), and they had set off down the lighted path towards the Olympic Stadium. There had unsurprisingly been people everywhere, and the closer they got to the stadium, standing tall and proud above East London, the more excited Sandy was beginning to feel. Even having to clutch onto each other as they shouldered their way through the crowds couldn't possibly dampen her spirits.
JJ had worked years for this. And finally, tonight, her Olympics would open. It didn't even feel real. For the longest time they had been like a far off dream. But they were here. They were finally here, and Sandy really couldn't believe it.
It had taken nearly an hour from having their tickets scanned at the gates to finding their seats, but finally they were settled. Sandy took a deep breath, her eyes taking in the pre arranged set in the middle of the stadium, the dazzling lights, the sky that was growing steadily darker above them.
She pulled out her phone, finding a message from Lynn Raisman, Aly's mom.
Hope you got in ok, Stratford was a nightmare! We're sitting over by the big green hill, all the Brits around us are calling it the Tor? One of them just recognized our accents and asked what brought us to London. Told him our daughter is competing for the United States, and he was ecstatic for us! Made me so excited, Sandy, hope you're feeling the same way! – Lynn
Sandy smiled, immediately typing out a text back.
Well we're sitting around on the left hand side of the stadium to the Tor, and yes, Stratford was chaotic! Michael actually had to pick up our niece and put her on his shoulders, she's so tiny we were afraid she was going to get lost. I'm so excited Lynn, can't wait to see the show London puts on, but it's so much more special knowing our girls are part of it! – Sandy
Switching out of that conversation, Sandy opened up her chat with JJ.
Made it to the stadium. Looks absolutely incredible in here. We're sitting on the left hand side relative to the big green hill. According to the Brits sitting near Aly's mom, it's called a Tor. Might have to google it. Hope you girls are able to watch the show! – Mom
Ten minutes away in East Village, JJ smiled as she read the text from her mom. Her fingers flew over the keyboard, typing out a reply.
Martha's letting us stay up to watch it. We can see the stadium from our window, the strobe lights have been going all day. Can hear the crowds from here too, so will probably have an eye on the TV and an ear on the window! – JJ
Sinking further into her beanbag, JJ watched eagerly as the pre-ceremony coverage rolled through before them. Montages of past Olympics, videos of excited crowds waiting by the countdown clock in Trafalgar Square… it was so real.
"Oh I'm so excited," Aly said in an excited whisper, reaching over to squeeze JJ's hands. "It's finally happening!"
Back over at the stadium, the energy levels within were rising. They'd been sitting there for nearly an hour, simply watching the proceedings around them. Sandy watched as ten groups of children carrying white balloons were walked around the perimeter of the set and stationed at even intervals. Loud energetic music started to play, revving up everyone inside.
Lights began to flash around the stadium, making Sandy grab Michael's hand with a beaming smile.
"Here we go!" she said in an excited whisper. On her other side, her mom began clapping along happily to the music, the sound drowned out by excited applause and the music itself.
With a bang, the first cluster of balloons broke and a lighted countdown appeared in the seats opposite them. The crowd began to chant out the countdown, sending chills of excitement running down Sandy's back.
"10!"
"9!"
"8!"
"7!"
"6!"
"Michael!" Sandy squeaked, making him grin widely as he clutched her hand.
"5!"
"4!"
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
A deafening roar filled the stadium, which the Jareau clan gladly joined in on.
This was it.
"Ladies and gentleman! Welcome to London, and to the Games of the 30th Olympiad!" rang out the announcer's voice to another round of cheers. "To open our ceremony, Olympic cyclist, member of team GB and Britain's first winner of the Tour de France… Bradley Wiggins!"
More cheers filled the stadium as Bradley walked out onto the elevated stage at the end of the stadium and waved to the crowd. He stood for a moment, taking it all in as he greeted his home crowd, before turning and walking back to the rope hanging from the bell. With one big tug, he pulled on the rope, ringing the Olympic bell to more ecstatic cheers. A hushed silence fell over the stadium, the crowd's eyes falling to the set below, where all the performers were frozen mid actions, waiting for their cue.
"And did those feet in ancient time," sang out the voice of a young boy. "Walk upon England's mountains green?"
A light shone on the stands, illuminating the spot in the crowd where Sandy could now see an enormous children's choir, led by one small boy that undoubtedly had an incredible voice.
"And was the holy lamb of god... on England's pleasant pastures seen?"
It was well and truly underway.
The girls had been glued to the TV through the first two segments of the ceremony. The first was a 17 minute section entitled 'Pandemonium'. The music was intense, special, and energising, a drum piece performed by a 1000 person ensemble, led by a deaf performer by the name of Dame Evelyn Glennie. The piece depicted the British Industrial Revolution. Towards the end, the performers had started 'forging' at a ring shaped blacksmith forge in the center of the stage. As the camera panned away, JJ had spotted two other glowing rings slowly floating into the center of the arena. At the last moment, the ring in the forge had lifted, meeting four others in the air and forming a glowing spectacle of the Olympic Rings, to outrageous applause.
First section was incredible to watch live. Had chills when the rings appeared in the air. The section celebrating the hospital and children's literature was lovely, although I couldn't help but worry about the little girl on the bed in the air, I know she would have had a harness, but it looked like Voldemort would accidentally knock her off! It's been great so far though! – Mom
The messages had been rolling through all evening, keeping JJ and the girls greatly entertained.
Back in Pittsburgh, Will was crashed out in a beanbag, his eyes keenly fixed to the TV as his friends and family talked and laughed behind him. He had loved what he had seen so far, and had felt a strange ripple of emotion cross through him when the Olympic rings lifted high into the air at the conclusion of Pandemonium. To know his best friend was there, just days away from hopefully making her dreams come true... it made the Olympics seem so much more special than they had just four years ago.
Now, they were watching an ode to British pop culture. The music was energising, and Lani and Mackenzie had even gotten up to dance along, making the others laugh with their energetic and over exaggerated dance moves.
The dancing gave way to a still silence, permeated only by soft music. Then, a voice spoke.
"Mesdames et messieurs, veuillez respecter notre mur commémoratif, pour les amis et la famille de ceux du stade qui ne peuvent pas être ici ce soir. Merci"
"Ladies and gentleman, please respect our memorial wall, for friends and family of those in the stadium who cannot be here tonight. Thank you"
As the faces floated before them on the screen in the Olympic Village, JJ found her eyes filling with tears. Thoughts of her sister, the sister she so desperately wished could be here, seemed to crowd in on her every sense, making her chest physically ache with sadness. She knew Roz would have loved the show London was putting on, but more so, she would have loved to see her little sister competing in the Olympics, as she had always insisted she would.
Silently, Aly's arms wrapped around JJ, her head coming to rest on her shoulder. JJ took a deep breath, wiping away a few of the tears that were pouring down her cheeks.
"In seven years, London did this," Aly said softly. "And in seven years, you went from wanting to quit gymnastics to making an Olympic team"
She dropped her voice as Kyla gave JJ a reassuring smile, her attention diverted from the proceedings for the time being. "She'd be so proud of you, JJ. You're doing this for her"
JJ nodded, wiping away more tears as McKayla scooted over and joined in on the hug.
"It's gonna be ok baby girl," McKayla said with a smile, reaching down and giving JJ a playful pat on the bum. The three of them laughed as JJ turned to face McKayla.
"Mac, I'm two years older than you," she laughed, her tears forgotten.
"And I'm five inches taller than you," McKayla shot back, making them all laugh. McKayla gave JJ another tight hug, before scrambling back over to her beanbag.
The ceremony proceeded, carrying them into the Parade of Nations. Texts from Sandy continued to roll through as the parade carried on, entertaining them for the sorely long length.
Some of these country names border on ridiculous. Democratic People's Republic of Korea? Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia? And they wonder why the parade takes so long. Let's just say North Korea and Macedonia and be done with it. Even if they called the Koreas by North and South, the athletes wouldn't have to be anywhere near each other! – Mom
Germany looking... colourful – Mom
The South Africans look like their outfit designer simply copied the tail art off their airline's paint job. Very vibrant – Mom
Finally, Great Britain entered the arena as the tail end of the parade. After a musical interlude, two of the officials took the stage on the Tor, the younger of the two stepping up to the podium after being introduced as Sebastian Coe, the head of the Olympic organising committee for the Games.
" Your Majesty…your Majesties, Royal Highnesses, President Rogge, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. To everyone in this stadium, attending our opening ceremony, to every athlete waiting, ready prepared to take part in this Games. To everyone, in every city and village in the world, watching as we begin, welcome to London!"
He paused as excited applause rang through the stadium.
"Welcome… welcome to the 2012 Olympic Games. Welcome from every one of us. I have never been so proud to be British and to be part of the Olympic movement, as I am on this day, at this moment. The Olympics brings together the people of the world, in harmony and friendship, in peace to celebrate what is best about mankind. All my life, I have loved sport. You have to love sport to compete at it. There is a truth to sport. A purity, a drama, a simplicity. A spirit that makes it irresistible to take part in and irresistible to watch. London 2012 seeks to capture all of this. London 2012 will inspire a generation. In every Olympic sport, there is all that matters in life. Humans stretched to the limit of their abilities inspired by what they can achieve, driven by their talent to work harder than they can believe possible. Living for the moment, but making an indelible mark upon history. To the athletes gathered here on the eve of their endeavor, I say that to you is given something precious and irreplaceable… to run faster, to jump higher, to be stronger. To my fellow countrymen, I say thank you. Thank you for making all this possible. In the next two weeks, we will show all that has made London one of the greatest cities in the world. The only city to have welcomed the Games three times. Each time we have it done, the world faced turbulence and trouble, and each time the Games have been a triumph. Our history as a thriving commercial center, where the people of all nations have for centuries come to meet, as a city which never stands still. This history has prepared us for today. For us too, every Briton, just as the competitors, this is our time. And one day we will tell our children and our grandchildren that when our time came we did it right!"
The crowd applauded wildly, making JJ smile wildly as she watched.
"Let us determine, all of us, all over the world that London 2012 will see the very best of us. It now gives me great pleasure to introduce the president of the International Olympic Committee, Dr Jacques Rogge!"
Coe stepped back, clapping as the older Belgian man took the stage. Rogge was awarded a supportive round of applause, which he waited to diminish before he spoke.
"Your majesty, your majesties, your royal highnesses, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman, in just a few moments the Olympic Games will return to London for the third time, setting an unmatched record for hosting the games that spans more than a century. Thank you, thank you London for welcoming the world to this diverse vibrant cosmopolitan city yet again. It has taken a lot of hard work by many people to get us to this point. I want to thank the entirety of the London organizing committee, superbly led by Coe, for their excellent and hard work. I also want to thank all the public authorities who have helped ensure that these Games will leave a lasting positive legacy long after the closing ceremony. We are all grateful to the thousands of volunteers who have been so generous with their time, their energy and their welcoming smiles. For the first time in Olympic history, all the participating teams will have had female athletes and this is immeasurable for gender equality. In a sense, the Olympic Games are coming home tonight. This great, sports loving country is widely recognized as the birthplace of modern sport. It was here that the concept of sportsmanship and fair play were first quantified into clear rules and regulations. It was here that sport was included as an educational tool in the school curriculum. The British approach to sport had a profound influence on Pierre de Coubertin our founder as he developed the framework for the modern Olympic movement at the close of the 19th century. The values that inspired de Coubertin will come to life over the next seventeen days as the world's best athletes compete in the spirit of friendship respect and fair play. I congratulate all of the athletes who have earned a place at these Games. And to the athletes I offer this thought. Your talent, your dedication and commitment brought you here, now you have a chance to become true Olympians. That honour is determined not by whether you win but by how you compete. Character goes further than medals. Reject doping. Respect your opponents. Remember that you're all role models. If you do that you will inspire a generation. Dear athletes, make us dream! I now have the honour to ask her majesty the queen to open the games of the 30th Olympiad"
The camera changed to the Queen, standing above the masses in a pastel pink dress.
"I declare open the Games of London, celebrating the 30th Olympiad of the modern era," she spoke, earning ecstatic applause and sending chills down JJ's spine. Fireworks began to echo around them, and as they all turned to look out the window, they could see the fireworks being launched from the top of the stadium.
They sat eagerly, watching as the Olympic flame drew nearer to the stadium. While they waited for it to arrive in the hands of Steven Redgrave, three members of the Games took to a smaller stage to read the Olympic oaths, promising to reject doping, judge fairly, and coach wholeheartedly.
And then, to hushed amazement, the flame entered the arena. It was handed to seven young British athletes dressed in black and gold, who took it for a lap around the stadium. At the conclusion of their run, they were each handed a torch to match the one already carrying the flame. Before too much longer, they were jogging around, down the path to the center of the stadium. Before, there had been a black cloth on the ground bearing the Olympic rings, but now, the girls could see the faintest silhouette of a structure.
"Wait, isn't that those things the kids were carrying with each team during the parade?" McKayla said suddenly. She moved a little closer, peering at the TV. "It is, it's the metal things! One for each country!"
JJ's phone buzzed, making her look down.
You could hear a pin drop in here. I can't see the cauldron properly from up here, can you girls see it on the TV? – Mom
Yeah, McKayla said it looks like it's made of the metal things that were carried out with each team, which means there's one for each country represented – JJ
She looked up, watching as the athletes lowered the torches to the cauldron. The flames caught on, lighting seven of the struts. Then, one by one, each petal, as the commentators were referring to it, caught light, rippling around and up the cauldron in a spiral. An audible gasp went around the stadium, which was matched by the five girls watching with trepidation.
And then the petals began to lift, closing together slowly to form one united flame. JJ felt a tug of emotion in her chest as the meaning behind the cauldron became astoundingly clear.
They could hear it from their room when the stadium broke into sensational cheers, the cauldron clearly an incredible thing to witness.
The lady in front of us is crying at how beautiful the cauldron is, I'm not far off tears myself, Jayje, it's AMAZING - Mom
A few minutes later, Paul McCartney had closed out the ceremony with a rousing rendition of 'Hey Jude', and the girls were left gaping at the sensational show, and all the more eager to get started. The camera panned out, fixating on the view of the athletes basking in the glow of the magnificent cauldron.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. We hope you enjoy the London 2012 Olympic Games!"