Chapter 22
Allie still went on the 16th to watch Aaron
swim. It was one of his finals for the backstroke- the 100 meters. She went to
cheer for him as a fellow Olympian, and as a friend. She knew Aaron would still
be mad about the break-up, and she understood. Allie had even told Jules later
the night of the 15th, that she had wished Allie had tried to work it out.
Allie staid pretty quiet during the race. She didn’t feel
like drawing too much attention to herself, incase Aaron didn’t want her there.
She later blew off a practice, to watch the medal ceremony.
Jules would give her a talking to later, but Allie felt it was worth it.
Aaron had a smile on his face as he sang, or at least mouthed
the words to the National Anthem. His laurel wreath sat perfectly in his golden
curls. He reminded Allie of the mythical heroes she loved reading about.
She clapped when the National Anthem stopped playing and then
she sat back down. She watched people take pictures for their respective news
forum. Aaron kept looking around the emptying arena, until he caught her gaze.
Or at least, Allie thought he was looking at her. She wasn’t
completely sure, especially when Aaron gave her a small smile. It wasn’t forced,
but it wasn’t as big as all the smiles he was using in the photos. This one
seemed genuine, like he was happy to see her.
That smile gave Allie the energy to go for a morning jog the
next day. She had team finals later and was trying her hardest to not think
about it. She knew the more she would think about it; the worse she’d end up
doing. She always saved the worrying for the few seconds before each routine.
She always saved her worrying for the few seconds before each routine.
She knew Aaron didn’t have any events. When they had begun
dating, she and Aaron had switched schedules, trying to see if they could at
least make some of each other’s events.
Allie wasn’t sure if Aaron would be at the team finals. He
had promised that he would be there for her all-around final. She hoped he would
still come. She was starting to miss him.