Chapter 8
For the rest of training, all Allie could
think about was what was happening with Aaron. A chance encounter at the airport
led them to a meeting in the hallways and talking. That led to him appearing at
her training, which led to them going for a jog and kissing.
"Jules, do you believe in fate?" Allie asked before she
vaulted.
"You mean that one force made things happen?" Jules asked
once Allie had landed.
"A form of destiny or something like that." Allie replied.
"I do believe that things happen for a reason. But, I
wouldn't exactly call it fate." Jules replied.
"What would you call it?" Allie asked.
"I'd call it God." Jules quickly replied. "I may even go far
enough to call it destiny.
"But, by calling it destiny, do you not give in to calling it
fate? Cause fate is a will or cause that is held to determine events. And
destiny is a predetermined course of events. Something that is destined to
happen is fate. Calling it destiny pretty much says you're calling it fate."
Allie said, as she walked back to her starting spot and vaulted again.
"Remind me to tell your parents thanks for buying you that
dictionary for your 13th birthday." Jules said.
"How are my dearest parents doing?" Allie said when she
landed, looking at her coach. "No doubt they've called in to check on my
training." Allie said, waiting for Jules' answer.
When Jules started to walk away, Allie jogged over to her.
"What did they say? What do they want me to do? Who wants an interview?" Allie
started asking.
"Some sports program in Australia. They even said they'd come
here. Your parents wanted you to do it, as long as it wouldn't take away too
much time from your pursuit of a gold medal. I told them it would, because we
still had a floor routine to pick out. I had to hang up when your mother started
crying and complaining about how you can never make up your mind." Jules said.
"So, what flight are Mommy and Daddy dearest flying in on
then?" Allie asked, walking around. She didn't want to hear the answer to her
question. She was in a good mood, and the news that her parents would be in soon
would bring her down.
"They're just coming in for your events, but plan to keep
checking in to make sure you're making some decisions." Jules said.
"So once again you helped save my indecisive ass from my
parents?" Allie said, staring up at the ceiling. Fate had to be on her side,
playing things out perfectly for her and Aaron.
She stopped when she thought that. Her and Aaron, all they
had done was kissed. It wasn't like she was getting all wrapped up in the
thought of her and Aaron getting together and going out to pick china patterns.
But, she was already starting to think that there was a future. What if he
didn't see things that way? What if he had kissed her just because she said she
had never been kissed? What if it was a publicity stunt, like on The Princess
Diaries? There had been reporters around earlier.
"You okay Allie? You look a little worried." Jules asked, as
Allie quickly turned to face her.
"I think I'm gonna go. I, I have to pick a routine." Allie
said quickly, as she started over to her gym bag.
"Goodness, you go for a jog with Aaron Peirsol and now you're
acting like you really have fallen for the guy. A guy you swear is cocky." Jules
said, watching Allie walk off. "Welcome to being 21." Jules said softly,
chuckling to herself. "I can already tell it's going to be quite the year for
you." She added, watching Allie quickly pull her hoodie on haphazardly and
watching her trainee bolt out of the gymnastics hall.
Allie quickly ran to her room, not wanting to think about
anything. And that may have explained how she ended up with a few bruises on her
legs from walking into walls of buildings.
She even had problems opening up the door to her room once
she got to it. She banged on it a couple times, praying that she didn't put a
hole in it. That was the last thing she would need a lecture from her parents
about.
She managed to get her door open, adding to her collection of
bruises while she was at it. She stopped inside and looked at the one growing at
the edge of her shorts and groaned. She'd end up covering them for the Olympics,
but until then, she'd have a nice purple bruise on her leg.
She grabbed a shirt and pair of capris out of what she had
claimed as her closet and her suitcase. She also made sure that she had
something to pull back her hair, since Athens heat was coming in full swing.
And, as she walked past the mirror on her way to the
bathroom, she took a deep breath. No matter what she and Aaron decided, whether
to pursue something or just stay friends or never acknowledge each other again,
she would be happy with the decision.
Allie laughed out loud after she decided that. Who was she
kidding? She seriously was falling for this guy. She would only be happy with
one decision. She'd play happy with the others, but she only really wanted one
thing.
She wanted Aaron Peirsol as much as she wanted a gold medal.