Chapter 18
Allie and Aaron didn't have events the first
few days. So, they took the time to hang out. They spent time at various events,
and hung out in the Village. They didn't watch any media coverage of the games,
didn't read any magazines dealing with the games. They just tried to spend time
together.
And Jules didn't mind. She actually enjoyed it, she loved
that Allie was doing something outside of gymnastics.
So, when Jules came into practice on the 14th with no look on
her face, Allie knew something was wrong.
Jules was saying nothing. All she did was produce a glossy
magazine cover. Allie carefully took it, holding it away from her as if it was
going to bite her.
Then, she slowly turned it to where it was facing her. And
once she had a very good look of what was on the cover, all the color started to
drain from her face.
A very clear picture of her and Aaron hugging was on the
front cover. It was from the interview Allie had done in Spain, when they were
leaving. She and Aaron had a quick hug before they walked out the door, a hug
they thought no one had seen.
And, it wasn't just a simple friendship hug. It was evident
just from one glance at the picture that the two really liked each other. The
way they were holding onto each other, the way their heads laid, the touch of
their hands, everything clearly said the two were a couple.
If you couldn't tell anything from the picture, in bright
yellow block letters was written "Aaron and Allie: The Golden Couple".
Underneath said "Aaron Peirsol may be Allie Haywood's new good luck charm as
they both go for gold in Athens."
Allie couldn't believe it. All the time she had spent trying
to keep her personal life hidden, all that work was ruined. Now everyone was
going to spend more time asking her about her and Aaron instead of what she was
trying to accomplish.
A lone tear started running down her cheek, as Allie stood on
the gymnastics mat. Everyone else practicing around her kept going, all the
music kept playing, but Allie stood still.
"I have to do damage control." She whispered and quickly left
the arena.