Valencia Vicory
Michael and I talked, not even noticing how late it had gotten, slowly drifting off to sleep, our legs intertwined.
The next morning I groaned, looking at the time and bolting up when I realized that I had to be in the pool in less than twenty minutes. My attention then turned to Michael’s sleeping form that was taking up half of my bed.
Dashing around my room to get my stuff together I stopped only to shake Michael awake and tell him of the predicament we were in and to push him out of my room, telling him I’d meet up with him in the pool. As I rushed to the pool I let my thoughts wander back to last night, ignoring my cheeks, which burned with a blush when I thought about the fact that we had fallen asleep together. Not that anything had happened. I was still a virgin and would never just throw that away. I had always been too busy to be in an actual relationship and I wanted to find someone who really cared about me to lose that part of myself to.
I continued trying to push thoughts of Michael out of my head as I continued practicing, just with Jeff today, Michael and Bob were focusing on the events he would be racing in and I was focusing on mine.
I knew that Jeff would be able to tell something other than swimming was on my mind just based off of my stroke. I pulled myself out of the pool and waited for his lecture. Sure enough, it started up not too soon after I reached for my towel.
“I know that you don’t think it’s a good idea but if you and Michael don’t talk out your feelings soon, I’m going to bash your heads together. Don’t you dare let this come in between you and gold.” Jeff finished, startling me into a blush. I started to deny it but Jeff cut me off, “Just get back into the pool and make up for it.” Jeff walked out of the pool with that, knowing that I would dive back in and push myself to make up for slacking off during practice.
I swam for hours, pushing myself, completely lost in swimming. Every time Michael passed my mind I forced myself to swim two more laps. By the time I finished punishing myself for allowing myself to be distracted, I was in the pool area alone, except for Ryan and Michael, who were sitting down talking, seeming to be waiting for me.
“About time.” Michael joked, rising his eyebrow as I made my way towards them. “We were worried that we would have to get in and pull you out by force.” I smiled at him briefly, still trying to catch my breath and stretch out my arms.
“Seriously, what was that about?” Ryan asked, reaching out and helping me stretch.
“Bad practice.” I huffed out. “Why’re you two still here?”
“I want to actually go out and see one of the countries I compete in for once.” Ryan said, laughing, “And I wanted to have someone who was actually fluent in Chinese with me so I can get lost and not be too worried.”
“Hey! I can speak some Chinese!” Michael said, hitting Ryan’s arm.
“I’m sorry, but knowing a few rude phrases is not going to help us.” Ryan replied, sticking his tongue out at Michael, childishly. I rolled my eyes at the two of them and told them to wait for me to go shower and get ready.
After a few hours roaming around Beijing, and getting totally lost, we finally made our way back to the hotel and bid each other good night.
