DISTRACTION \\ Ashton Irwin [completed]

O N E

Chapter 1 [edited]

February 4th, 2014

“Sophia! Hurry up, or else we will miss our flight!” My mom called to me from the bottom of our stairs. I quickly threw my makeup bag into the luggage and ran out of the room. Before I could get down the stairs, I remembered to grab my laptop and phone charger. I heard my mom let out an exasperated sigh and I laughed while bounding down the stairs, my luggage clunking loudly behind me. Mom didn’t even bother telling me to be careful with my luggage so we didn’t leave dents in the wooden stairs. I have never listened to her anyway. Those stairs have more dents in them than a derby car, I swear.

“Finally! Girls, they will be the death of me!” Coach Anthony joked while picking up my ski luggage to haul to the car. My family followed him out and we quickly loaded everything in the waiting black Escalade. Finally, we jumped in and began the short and easy drive to the airport. There, we will be meeting the rest of Team Canada. I’ll be on the flight with the other alpine skiers and coaches. My family would be taking another flight with other Team Canada family members, but my coach will be with me.

I can’t wait to meet the rest of Team Canada. It is honestly such an honour to be with them and competing for gold medals for our country.

When we get to the airport, there will be a bunch of press and media to interview us. Then, we will meet each other in a large blocked off section to socialize and ask older athletes questions. Once our flight numbers are called, we will disperse. Well, that’s what Anthony told me anyway.

Our Escalade pulled up in front of a red carpet and I climbed out of the car behind my coach. I heard my name being screamed from multiple people and Anthony guided me over to a nice looking news lady.

“Hello everyone, I have Sophia Miller of British Colombia here with me. Now Sophia, what are you feeling right now?” she asked me with a smile on her face.

I cleared my throat, “Well, I’m quite scared to be honest. But I also feel so proud and excited to be competing for Canada,” I answered in a strong, clear, voice. She nodded her head and continued.

“I can see why you’re scared. You are the youngest person to have ever competed in Alpine Skiing for Canada ever. How does that feel?”

“Well, if you put it that way, it’s definitely an honour,” I answered.

“Do you think you’ll make it on the podium?” she asked with curiosity. I shrugged my shoulders.

“I have no idea. I will be up against many amazing skiers, but I do hope so,” I told her with a smile. Anthony gave me a comforting rub up and down my back.

“Thanks for answering our questions, Sophia,”

“Thanks for having me,” I ended before walking off with Anthony.

Questions went on like that for what seemed like hours until Anthony pulled me inside to meet the rest of Team Canada.

We walked around, mingling with a couple of Anthony’s old friends until our flight number was called. I felt my hands shake with nervousness as I followed the other skiers and coaches out of the waiting area.

Flashes went off all around me and I put on my best forced smile. It’s not that I was unhappy or anything (far from it, actually), but I was so scared that I couldn’t move the muscles in my face properly. I had just met some of the best skiers and coaches the world has, and that’s nothing compared to who I’ll be meeting at the Olympics.

“Here is your seat. I’ll be seated at the back with some of my old friends. Try to get some sleep in; you’ll need it,” Anthony said to me as I sat in the fifth row, next to the window. I quickly pulled out my iPhone and tweeted a photo of my view before getting comfy in my seat and plugging in my headphones. Just as I was about to put them in my ears, a voice spoke up.

“Hi, I’m Erik. I guess we’re plane buddies, eh?”

I gaped up at him. Standing before me was my all time Canadian idol, Erik Guay.

“Oh my gosh! It’s such an honour to be sitting next to you! I’m Sophia Miller; I guess we are plane buddies,” I grinned as he took his seat.

“You’re so talented for your age, you know. It’s actually an honour to be sitting next to you.”

“You’re going to give me a heart attack, Erik,” I fake scolded him while securing my seatbelt as the plane began driving down the run way. I quickly popped a piece of gum into my mouth and offered a piece to Erik, who gladly took it.

Erik Guay just took my gum. Erik Guay is chewing my gum. Oh my God.

“I saw your qualifying run. Pretty amazing, if you ask me,” he smiled at me, striking up a conversation. The plane was filled with a quiet buzz from the chatter, so it wasn’t too hard to hear him.

“Wow, thank you so much. It means a lot, coming from you. Yeah, it was a good run, but I almost fell at one point. Damn ice,” I cursed, making Erik let out a bark of laughter.

“But don’t even get me started on your qualifying run. That was extraordinary!” I exclaimed, keeping up my side of the conversation.

The conversation went on like that until we decided to watch a movie on my MacBook. We ended up watching Catching Fire and sat in our seats in suspense the whole time.

Throughout the flight, we watched a total of three movies and spent the rest of the time talking. Erik was really easy to get along with, and I could help my smile at the fact that I may have just made my very first friend.

Everyone made their way off the flight and threw the airport without any hassle. If we thought that Canada was crazy, we sure has hell were wrong.

There were people lined up down the streets, screaming at us when we walked out as a group. Everyone quickly got into their designated car and sped off towards The Victor’s Village before any more security could be called. It was madness.

The apartment that we were staying in was quite cozy, to be honest. We had four bedrooms (one for me, one for Kennedy, one for mom and dad, and one for Anthony), a small kitchen that separated into the dining area and the living room area, and three bathrooms: one in my bedroom, one in mom and dads, and on in Anthony’s. Since mine and Kenney’s bedrooms connect, we have to share a bathroom.

I threw my bags onto the awaiting bed and jumped on the sofa, expecting to get some relaxation time.

“Sophia! Let’s go shopping!”

“Sophia! You have to train! Stop being so lazy.”

“Sophie, can you listen to this new song that I like?”

“Sophia, go and unpack your bags,” was being shouted at me from everywhere. I placed my hands over my ears and waited for them to stop. Once they did, I began speaking, “No, I don’t want to got shopping, nor train, nor listen, nor pack my bags. I just want to rest for a day and get used to the environment here. Bye,” I said while grabbing my ski jacket and pants from the hook and walking out the door.

When I reached the elevator, I quickly pulled on my snowsuit and headed down to ski check in. I checked out my freestyle skis, boots, and poles, and quickly strapped them on before taking off and clearing my mind.

Who knew that the Olympics could be this hectic already?