Chapter 1
It was official, Allie hated flying. She
hated flying anywhere and everywhere. Not to mention having to have connecting
flights from her hometown of Boston to her final destination of Athens. She
still hadn't figured out why she had to get a connecting flight in Paris. It
made much more sense in Allie's mind to just fly the plane straight to Greece
when it got to Europe.
There had been a little turbulence when they had landed in
Paris, and when her connecting flight had started its take-off, due to a small
storm rolling in. Allie had almost wished she had something alcoholic to chug
then and there. Or at least that Jules had been there with her.
The moment the plane did land in Greece, Allie had sprinted
for the door. She only had a backpack she had filled to the brim for her
carry-on luggage, and Allie had a death grip on the backpack for most of the
trip.
She stopped her sprinting when she was out of her gate and
into the main airport. Now, she had to find Jules, and find her quick. Allie was
ready to hide in her room, away from all the well-wishers, reporters, and
autograph hounds. She wasn't ready to hear more people who didn't know her wish
her well at the Olympics. And, she wasn't quite sure how many newspapers,
magazines, and shows were left that didn't know she was going to try her
hardest, and that was all she was willing to say right now.
She readjusted her backpack over her shoulder, as she started
searching the crowd for Jules. She was ready to get out of that airport and to
the Olympic Village. Maybe she would take a relaxing dip in the pool when she
got there. That idea sounded really nice.
Allie noticed a blonde ahead of her, almost guessing that it
was Jules. So, due to Allie's lack in the height department, she stood on her
toes to try and see who it was.
When she sat back on her heels, she felt someone's feet
underneath her. So, she turned to give them her apology, forgetting the ten ton
bag slung over her shoulder.
Allie heard a masculine gruff when her backpack connected
with the shoulder. "I am so sorry!" Allie quickly said, finally facing the man.
"It's okay. My first event isn't until a few days from now."
The guy said, smiling at Allie. "I'm Aaron." He said, sticking out his hand.
"Allie." She replied, shaking his hand.
"Boston?" The guy, Aaron, asked.
"What?" She asked.
"Are you from Boston?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah, actually I am." Allie said. "Is my accent that
obvious?" She asked, a shy smile creeping over her face.
"Well, that and the Red Sox shirt." Aaron said.
"Says the guy who's wearing a University of Texas shirt?"
Allie replied, scanning the crowd for Jules.
"Well, it was nice meeting you Allie, but I have to go."
Aaron said.
"I have to find my coach." Allie replied.
"Oh, an athlete? So, maybe I'll see you sometimes soon?"
Aaron asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we did." Allie said.
"So, I guess I'll see you later." Aaron said.
"I guess so." Allie said, as Aaron smiled and then walked
off.
As soon as Aaron was out of earshot, Allie heard a laugh, a
very familiar laugh. "Was that just Allie I saw getting friendly with Aaron
Peirsol?" The voice said.
"Oh, was that who that was?" Allie asked, smiling.
"You fully well knew that was Aaron." The voice said.
"Julia, this coach routine is getting old." Allie said.
"Could it possibly be because I am your coach, Alexis? And
call me Jules, like always." The voice said.
"Then, Coach, tell me why I had to come out here so early? I
didn't think the rest of the gymnastics team get out here till next week or so."
Allie said.
"It gives you plenty of training time. You said yourself that
you wanted some training time without Carly Patterson following you around."
Jules said, pushing some of her blonde hair over behind her shoulder and her
ear.
"So I flew out here with the swimming team?" Allie asked.
"It's at least a week of some time by yourself." Jules said.
"It's time to yell at myself in private." Allie said, as she
and Jules started walking towards baggage.