Make It or Break It: London 2012

Part 1

The drive to the Olympic Village is silent; after years of dreaming and wishing and praying, Payson, Lauren, Kaylie, and Jordan were actually going to compete in the Olympics. There were no words for this moment.

Payson's hand curls around Sasha's gold medal. She closes her eyes and visualizes each of her routines, like she used to do before a big meet, and doesn't open them again until she's stuck each landing flawlessly.

Lauren's closing her eyes and meditating using the techniques her new boyfriend taught her. Her heart condition has come a long way in the last few months, but the stress of competing in the Olympics would be more on her heart than anything else she'd ever experienced. If she pushes herself too hard, she would be stopped, and taken out of the running for that individual gold medal. And that gold medal had been driving her recovery the last several months.

Kaylie's focus is on her cell phone, staring at a message that she just received from her ex-boyfriend Austin. Thinking of you. It read. I know you'll kill it. I love you and miss you. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, but she hadn't decided yet if she was going to respond. She still loves him, and of course she misses him, but she isn't sure yet if she wants to get back together with him.

Jordan's looking at Kaylie. "You don't have to respond," She reassures her. "He was a jerk. And you've got bigger things to worry about right now."

"She's right," Payson adds. "We've been working for this our entire lives. You don't want to let some guy ruin your dream."

Lauren snatches Kaylie's phone and sits on it. "She's right. You can have this back when we get there. Maybe."

Kaylie rolls her eyes and stares out the window, watching the scenery, until finally, "We're here!"

Everyone's heads snap up at once. Each girl is soaking in every moment of entering the Olympic Village. Payson's hand squeezes the gold medal even harder.

"Careful, Pay. You don't want to upset your boyfriend by breaking his gold medal." Lauren teases.

"Lo, I've been dating Rigo for months now. When are you finally going to let go of my kiss with Sasha?" Payson groans.

"Probably... never," Lauren answers with a laugh.

The car pulls up to where the girls will be staying. They eagerly jump out of the car, grab their bags, and rush inside to get settled. Just like at camp, Kaylie and Jordan are in one room, and Payson and Lauren are in another.

After unpacking as quickly as possible, they all change and rush over to the gym. They still have one more day before the Olympics begin, but they're too excited to see where they'll be competing.

Each girl has watched every Olympics, but none of that would prepare them for the size and the intimidation that came with standing in that arena. They all silently eye the podium that temporarily rests in the corner of the arena, not yet on display. They stare enviously at that top spot, and for the hundredth time in the last few months, each girl wonders who will inevitably stand on it. They've come this far as a team, but starting tomorrow, they also had to strive for themselves. No matter what the consequences might be.

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