Two Worlds Collide

Chapter 3

The next morning, Isabella wakes up to a voice message from Kelsey.

Good morning! I had to be up for an early morning practice, so I thought I would send a quick voice message. I know you have your next event today, which is exciting. If I remember correctly, this is your favorite. I know you'll do great today! Take deep breaths and have fun!

Isabella smiles and messages a 'thank you' back to Kelsey before getting ready. Isabella does her usual morning routine before taking a shower. After she is freshly showered, she slicks back her hair into a low ponytail. Then she braids it and wraps it into a bun. She pins it into place with some bobby pins then moves onto makeup. She put on sunscreen, moisturizer, a tiny bit of eyeshadow, mascara, and chapstick. It was a basic makeup routine, but she is competing in the cross country portion, so it had to be minimal. Though she never usually wore makeup for competitions, she felt the urge to wear just a little bit. "Don't even say anything." Isabella says as Elisabeth walks in from taking a shower.

"I was just going to ask if she was going to be there today." Elisabeth said.

"Oh. Well, she messaged me saying she had an early morning practice, so my guess is probably not." Isabella answered.

"Well, she's a busy woman, so..." Elisabeth said. Isabella finished up, so she went to the dining area and grabbed some breakfast. She just had some fruit, dairy free yogurt, and an oat milk latte. She was scrolling through her phone, finishing up the rest of her latte when she spotted an Australian soccer player she recognized. She downed the rest of her latte before throwing away the trash and catching up to her. She was going to regret downing her latte later.

"I'm so sorry to bother you, but I was just wondering if I could get a photo with you. You're literally one of my favorite soccer- sorry, football players!" Isabella said excitedly.

"Of course, darling!" Caitlin Foord said. Isabella asked someone nearby to take a picture of them and handed him her phone. They took a normal picture where they're both smiling and one arm around each other. Then, they took a picture where Caitlin picked up Isabella bridal style, and they're both laughing. After Caitlin set Isabella down, they traded pins. They also traded pins with the guy who took the photos. Isabella was so excited that she met Caitlin that she immediately posted to Instagram.

I was finishing up breakfast when I saw one of my favorite soccer (ahem- I mean football👀) players! Thanks for taking a picture with me darlin'!

Isabella tagged Caitlin and headed back to her room to get changed and use the bathroom. She quickly did so, and her and Elisabeth walked to the bus. The drive to Versailles was quiet. So quiet that Isabella was able to finish nearly half of her book. When they arrived to the stables, Isabella went to Sergio and fed and brushed him. After doing that, she went over to Buttercup and did the same to her. Since Isabella was 36th in the lineup, she decided to take Buttercup to the little pasture and let her run to get some exercise. She let her run around in the pasture about 30 minutes before taking her back to the stable. She gave her some fresh water and filled her oat bucket before walking over to Sergio. She saddled up Sergio and got on. They walked over to where the starting line is. She waited for the start sound, and then it rang. Sergio started running. "Let's go boy! We can do this!" Isabella told Sergio as they ran. Unbeknownst to Isabella, the entire women's basketball team was there to cheer her on. Kelsey got a photo of her and Sergio jumping through the first jump. The team ran to roughly the middle part of the course and wait a couple minutes before she jumps those few jumps.

"Man, they are flying!" Breanna says.

"They are." Kelsey says. They make their way to the end of the course just 30 seconds before she crosses the finish line. Kelsey captures a picture of Isabella smiling a huge smile while looking at Sergio. Then she saw the board, and her smile turned to shock. Kelsey looks and sees that her time is an Olympic record. Kelsey and A'ja break away from the basketball team and go to the gate. Isabella's coach is ready with passes for them, and they're prepared with their I.D.'s. They're let through the gate, and Kelsey runs towards Isabella. She was off of Sergio, so she called out her name. Isabella turned around to where she heard her name and instantly smiled when she saw Kelsey but was also shocked to see her. She handed the guide rope to one of the trainers and ran towards Kelsey. She gave her the biggest hug when she reached her, and Kelsey picked her up and spun her around. "I'm so proud of you!" Kelsey said. A'ja took a picture of them as Kelsey spun Isabella around.