Chapter 31
Allie stood on the podium, tears in her eyes. She had hugged
Carly and they had jumped up and down in excitement. Svetlana had said minimal
congratulations and spent most of the celebrating in shock.
The American flag rose as Allie smiled. That was her flag, it
represented her. She didn’t really care right now about the flag rising for
Carly or for Svetlana. The only thing that mattered was her flag.
The announcer mentioned the national anthem, as every
American stood on their feet. Allie placed her hand on her heart and sang along.
It was her and Carly’s national anthem.
She looked at Carly, seeing the smile on her face and the
excitement that could not be held in. The two girls were almost bursting at the
seams. They were listening to their national anthem. They were seeing their flag
raised in an arena full of people. They had a medal around their neck. They had
reached a dream.
The anthem ended and Allie quickly returned to her pile of
junk on the sidelines. She took a seat and pulled her water bottle out of her
gym bag. She took a sip of her water while she felt the reality sink in and some
tears fall from her eyes. Alexis Annabelle Haywood was a medalist. She had won a
medal at the Olympics.
“Hey you!” Nate said as he, Jules and Aaron met her outside
the arena.
“Hey yourself.” Allie said, messing with her gym bag.
“So, has it sunk in?” Jules asked, smiling.
“I won a medal.” Allie replied, accepting hugs from them. “I
won a medal.”
“What about the fact you are about to be late for your 21st
birthday party?” Aaron asked, offering her his hand to hold.
“Well, we don’t want to keep my guests waiting.” Allie
replied.
Nate and Jules walked in front of the couple for a second
before Jules turned around. “Looks like you two really are the golden couple.”
She said, chuckling a little.
Allie smiled. “I guess we are.” She said.