Chapter 9
When Allie made it out to the balcony, Aaron
was already there. He was sitting in one of the lounge chairs, reading
something. And, as Allie got closer, she realized what it was. Aaron was reading
a Sports Illustrated magazine, with Allie's picture on the cover.
Allie quickly cleared her throat, causing Aaron to look up at
her. "Why hello." Aaron said.
Allie carefully took a seat across from him in another lounge
chair. "So, what article is that?" She asked, hoping that he wouldn't notice
that she was playing dumb.
"The big one they did, covering the rumors about you and
Phelps, Olympic Trials, and growing up a gymnast." Aaron said.
"I never understood why everyone assumed that Michael and I
were going to be a couple. It would be like dating my brother." Allie said, as
Aaron laughed a bit.
"You'd think they'd at least pick someone closer in age."
Aaron said.
"Like Brenden Hansen or Ian Crocker." Allie said.
"Or me." Aaron spoke up.
"Or you." Allie said at the exact same time.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the two. Both were unsure
of where to take the conversation from there.
"It's actually not that weird of an idea." Allie said, as
Aaron closed the magazine. "It really isn't." Aaron said.
"But, I'm not sure I'm ready." Allie said.
"Ready?" Aaron asked.
"We're in lockdown until we're done with our events. So, our
movie nights wouldn't be that big. I'll be training so much that I'm not sure
when we'd see each other. And, I live in Boston and you live in Texas." Allie
said.
"I know it's scary, cause trust me, and it's scaring me too.
But, I'm willing to watch movies in our rooms, or hang out at other events. And,
once we're off lockdown, we can go out and party." Aaron said.
"Sounds good to me." Allie said.
"So, I guess we talked." Aaron said, as Allie smiled.
"I guess we did." Allie said.
"I wish you were going to Spain with us." Aaron said.
"I have some training that I really need to get done,
otherwise I'll be in major trouble with the parents." Allie said.
"I defiantly don't want to get you in trouble with you
parents." Aaron said.
"I have to pick out a floor routine sometime before
competition." Allie said, lying down on the lounge chair she was sitting on.
"Sounds like fun." Aaron said, smiling at her.
"Just be glad you just have to swim in a lane, and not create
a show about being graceful. Sometimes it's just too much work." Allie said.
"You'll be able to do it." Aaron said. "I have faith in you."
He added.
"Some days, that'll be all I have." Allie replied.