Chapter 5
"I'm not going to say it Lexi." Jules said,
as Allie walked into the gymnastics hall.
"I went for a walk. It took longer than I expected." Allie
said.
"You know, if you spent as much time on your social life as
you spent on all your walks and your training, you'd probably be married by
now." Jules said, as Allie sat her gym bag on the floor. She shed her hoodie and
tossed it on top of the bag.
"But then you wouldn't be coaching an Olympian." Allie
replied.
"I'd be coaching the kids of an Olympian." Jules quickly
replied. Allie chuckled, as she started stretching. "You excited to be back?"
Jules asked, stretching some with Allie.
"Excited for once that the publicity on me is genuine and my
parents didn't pay for it." Allie replied.
"It always has been. That was only one meet." Jules replied.
"I just can't help but wonder every time there's an article
written if they paid them to write it." Allie said.
"I think people are actually seeing how good you are. I don't
think your parents have the money to raise as much excitement over you as there
is over Michael Phelps." Jules said, watching Allie stop for a moment.
Allie stood in mid-stretch. "Jules, why am I a gymnast?" She
asked.
"You want me to tell you?" Jules asked Allie. Allie started
stretching again, as Jules waited for Allie's answer.
"I just was asked why I stuck with gymnastics." Allie said.
"I always thought it was because you loved the sport." Jules
said.
"I did too." Allie said.
"Alex, are you feeling okay?" Jules asked. Jules only called
Allie by Alex when Jules was worried. It had started when they were kids, and
when Jules took over coaching Allie, it had stuck.
"Yeah." Allie said, smiling weakly.
Jules smiled back, trying to make Allie feel a little better.
Jules had known Allie since Allie was born. She knew Allie well enough to know
that she would find out what was bothering Allie when Allie was ready to tell.
"So, what do you want to go over today?" Jules said.
Hopefully that would keep her mind off whatever was bothering her.